Males’s Nike DRI-Match Challenger Shorts Overview

Backside Line

The Nike Dri-FIT Challengers have been certainly one of our go-to climbing shorts for a few years since they’re reasonably priced, light-weight, breathable, and quick-drying. The straightforward design makes them simple to maneuver in, and we’ve discovered the ultralight materials is simply sturdy sufficient for a few seasons of intense climbing.

They work equally nicely for operating and climbing. They don’t have a ton of options or extras, however their minimalist aesthetic additionally helps them keep light-weight. We examined these on wet hikes round lakes and on longer day hikes within the Rocky Mountains to see how they carried out. For larger-frame males, these will not be the most suitable choice as they’re susceptible to driving up and chafing. However for smaller hikers who like path operating, these are nice shorts for lengthy thru-hikes. 

Consolation

When you’ve got a smaller path runner body and wish to put on as little as potential, then these are the shorts for you. The value tag is a cut price for such a light-weight pair of shorts. 

These operating shorts are comfy for brief and longer hikes. Relying in your physique kind, they might journey up and trigger chaffing over time. The built-in liner and operating brief design can have drawbacks in the case of climbing. The built-in liner makes them simple to throw on however offers much less protection for thighs and legs than different shorts or climbing underwear do.

For hikers with a bigger body or physique kind, these will not be the only option as they will journey up and trigger discomfort or chafing whereas climbing.

Sturdiness

The Nike Dri-FIT Challengers rank common in our testing in the case of sturdiness. The material is robust, however over extended use or tough terrain, there’s a likelihood that these shorts might tear or fray. The light-weight material is skinny and there have been a number of unfastened threads, which may result in fraying over time.

The ultralight materials is made to be simply sturdy sufficient for a few seasons of intense climbing. However don’t count on these to final you a lifetime. Our testing in moist overgrown trails didn’t tear the shorts, however additionally they didn’t present a ton of safety both. With the lower cost tag comes the potential for having to exchange them extra usually. 

Options

There are usually not loads of options that include these shorts. For probably the most half, what you see is what you get. The light-weight woven temporary liner is the largest characteristic to assist the shorts breathe higher in addition to wick away sweat.

Additionally they have customary facet pockets and a hook-and-loop again pocket, which the shorts can pack into if wanted. The waistband features a slim drawcord to assist hold them tight round your waist whereas climbing. To assist in airflow and breathability, the shorts have built-in mesh facet panels and facet vents.

Dry Time

The identify of those shorts actually says all of it. Except for how light-weight these shorts are, the dry time is absolutely the place these stand aside from different climbing shorts. These are the quickest-drying choice on our checklist, partly because of the light-weight materials. There’s simply much less material to dry right here. The built-in temporary liner makes these virtually like a swimsuit. You’ll be able to hop in a waterfall, lake, or stream carrying these and belief that they are going to be dry in a matter of minutes. 

We examined the Nike Dri-FIT Challengers by utterly submerging them after which leaving them out within the solar. They dried in round 10 minutes. One factor to remember is that we examined these at elevation in a dry scorching atmosphere. For a extra humid and wetter hike, these might not dry as shortly, however would nonetheless outperform different fashions below comparable circumstances.

Weight & Packability

These weigh six ounces and are one of many lightest shorts available on the market for climbing. Partially it’s because the shorts are so brief with the inseam and tight or streamlined. The shorts are made utilizing recycled polyester, making them extra environmentally pleasant. On the path, these shorts weigh subsequent to nothing and are usually not going to decelerate quick hikers. 

We additionally discovered that you could pack them into their very own again pocket right down to the dimensions of a baseball. So, in case you are carrying these in a pack they are going to take up little or no room and solely value you just a few ounces.

Ought to You Purchase the Nike DRI-Match Challengers?

Hikers who’re in search of light-weight and quick-dry shorts are certain to be pleased with the Nike Dri-Match Challengers. They might work nicely for quicker hikers who aren’t as involved about a lot of options or sturdiness.

These wouldn’t be pretty much as good for bigger body hikers who’re susceptible to chafing, because the built-in liner could cause the fabric to bunch or journey up at instances. The shortage of long-term sturdiness in these additionally means they don’t seem to be very best for somebody who’s trying to purchase a pair of shorts to final for years. And for anybody who desires the choice of a trail-to-town brief, this may not be the perfect match for that hiker. 

What Different Mountaineering Shorts Ought to You Think about?

REI Trailmade Amphib Overview: The REI Trailmade Amphib presents the same fashion of shorts with its reasonably priced and versatile bottoms that sit someplace between board shorts, climbing shorts, and informal on a regular basis shorts. They’re additionally extra sturdy than Nike’s. 

Cotopaxi Brinco Overview: Just like the Nike DRI-Match, the Brinco Shorts are a hybrid climbing and swimming brief fashion. They’ve comparable pockets and built-in briefs. Additionally they have extra colours and magnificence choices than the Nikes, making them higher for around-town put on.

These are glorious alternate options to the DRI-Match Challengers since they provide light-weight, quick-dry, and breathable climbing shorts.