Backside Line
The Patagonia Quandarys are a few of our favourite mountain climbing shorts for males based mostly on their versatility and general efficiency. We examined these shorts out on a number of day hikes across the Colorado Rockies and in addition loved sporting them for every day actions. From using bikes to figuring out on the health club, these shorts are so comfy you received’t wish to take them off.
The high-tech cloth is produced from recycled fishing nets, making this one of many extra environmentally pleasant choices in relation to mountain climbing shorts. The fabric can also be sturdy and cozy. The Quandary shorts’ consolation stems from a fantastic match and a pleasant, stretchy waistband to accommodate completely different physique shapes. They’re made for years of mountain climbing, not simply seasons.
These shorts posted one of many highest scores in our males’s mountain climbing shorts overview, and for good motive. You’ll discover us sporting these all year long for a wide range of actions.
Fast Specs
Males’s Patagonia Quandary
Finest Mountaineering Shorts Total
Rating:
81.5/100
Worth:
$85
Weight:
7.5 oz.
Inseam:
8 in. / 10 in.
Professionals
- Sturdy
- Good worth
- Breathable
- Nice pockets
- Stretchy
- Trendy
- Light-weight
- Versatile
Cons
- A bit tight within the thighs
- No built-in belt
Consolation
The Patagonia Quandary Shorts are top-performing in relation to consolation and really feel. This traditional pair is one in every of our favorites for day mountain climbing because it has a pleasant town-to-trail look. And the breathable, stretchy cloth can also be nice for long-term consolation and mobility on backpacking journeys.
The 96% NetPlus post-consumer nylon produced from recycled fishing nets mixed with a 4% spandex plain weave makes for a fabric that strikes with you on and off the path versus limiting your mobility. A delicate characteristic is the curved waistband on these shorts, which ensures that they contour to the form of your hips. We spent months sporting these on shorter hikes in addition to working round city doing errands. They’re so comfy and versatile that we even wore these biking and to the health club.
Sturdiness
Whereas we’ve solely examined these mountain climbing on Rocky Mountain trails for a season, we’re assured that they are going to final us years. Constructed with a DWR (sturdy water repellent) end and the recycled fishing web NetPlus post-consumer recycled nylon materials, these shorts stood as much as tough rocks and branches with out incident.
We additionally put the shorts by means of river and lake water and washed them a number of occasions and there’s no signal of wear and tear after a number of months. The fabric additionally feels extra strong and protecting than different lighter and thinner mountain climbing shorts, which is an efficient feeling if you find yourself bushwhacking by means of overgrown areas.
Options
The Quandarys have a plethora of pockets, two back and front pockets together with a right-thigh zippered pocket, however all of them sit flat and make these shorts really feel very modern for the quantity of storage. That is nice when sporting a pack with a waist belt because it offers an in depth match to maintain the shorts from sliding round on you. In addition they have a delicate bolstered hemostat/carabiner loop on the front-right pocket if you wish to clip a key or one thing to your pants whereas mountain climbing.
They do have an inside drawstring, which may also help cinch the waist tight. One other characteristic is a small vertical zippered pocket on the precise thigh of those shorts. We discovered it too small and a bit awkward to make use of for a lot, however it’s there as wanted. For these wanting a flexible pair of shorts that simply transition from city to alpine, the Quandarys are onerous to beat.
Dry Time
These shorts could not dry as rapidly as another choices on our listing, however they are going to nonetheless dry in a matter of minutes, not hours, in a heat dry setting. We submerged them after which left them out within the solar to dry. It took lower than half an hour for the shorts to fully dry and be able to go. We do suggest air drying these versus a dryer when washing to keep away from shrinking the fabric.
This cloth is handled with a DWR end to make these shorts extra waterproof to attend out gentle rain. For day mountain climbing and even longer backpacking journeys, these shorts will work nice when it comes to staying dry and drying rapidly.
Weight & Packability
Clocking in at a light-weight 7.5 ounces, these shorts are gentle sufficient that you simply received’t discover them whereas mountain climbing or stuffing them right into a pack. They roll up properly and the stretch-woven 96 p.c NetPlus post-consumer recycled nylon stretches with the physique properly. Whereas mountain climbing we by no means discovered these shorts to be too clunky. They don’t have a ton of additional options or pockets, which assist hold the design modern and light-weight. They soften into the background which lets you give attention to the hike, not the shorts.
Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Quandary?
These mountain climbing shorts are designed for nearly everybody. From day hikes to longer backpacking journeys, the Quandarys will transfer with you on the hike, not towards you, making your day simpler and higher. Even for those who by no means set foot on the path, these shorts are fashionable sufficient to simply put on casually round city, or they work nice for biking as properly.
They’re a bit pricier so, in case you are a newbie hiker in search of a cut price these wouldn’t be for you. They’re additionally heavier than another shorts in the marketplace so ultralight thru-hikers who wish to commerce options for fewer ounces could wish to take a look at different choices.
What Different Mountaineering Shorts Ought to You Think about?
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Overview: The Outside Analysis Ferrosi is comparable when it comes to options and magnificence however provides even stretchier cloth.
Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts Overview: Just like the Patagonia Quandary, the Renegade Rock Shorts are produced from related sturdy, but light-weight supplies. They’ve related pockets and are nice for informal put on in addition to the path.