Backside Line
The Patagonia Quandarys are a few of our favourite mountaineering shorts for males primarily based 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 carrying them for each day actions. From driving bikes to figuring out on the health club, these shorts are so comfy you gained’t need to take them off.
The high-tech cloth is constructed from recycled fishing nets, making this one of many extra environmentally pleasant choices relating to mountaineering shorts. The fabric can also be sturdy and cozy. The Quandary shorts’ consolation stems from an important match and a pleasant, stretchy waistband to accommodate totally different physique shapes. They’re made for years of mountaineering, not simply seasons.
These shorts posted one of many highest scores in our males’s mountaineering shorts evaluate, and for good purpose. You’ll discover us carrying these all year long for a wide range of actions.
Fast Specs
Males’s Patagonia Quandary
Greatest Mountain climbing Shorts Total
Rating:
81.5/100
Value:
$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 relating to consolation and really feel. This traditional pair is one in every of our favorites for day mountaineering 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 constructed 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 function is the curved waistband on these shorts, which ensures that they contour to the form of your hips. We spent months carrying 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 now we have solely examined these mountaineering on Rocky Mountain trails for a season, we’re assured that they’ll final us years. Constructed with a DWR (sturdy water repellent) end and the recycled fishing internet NetPlus post-consumer recycled nylon materials, these shorts stood as much as tough rocks and branches with out incident.
We additionally put the shorts via river and lake water and washed them a number of instances and there’s no signal of wear and tear after a number of months. The fabric additionally feels extra stable and protecting than different lighter and thinner mountaineering shorts, which is an effective feeling if you end up bushwhacking via 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 glossy for the quantity of storage. That is nice when carrying a pack with a waist belt because it offers a detailed match to maintain the shorts from sliding round on you. In addition they have a delicate strengthened hemostat/carabiner loop on the front-right pocket if you wish to clip a key or one thing to your pants whereas mountaineering.
They do have an inner drawstring, which may also help cinch the waist tight. One other function is a small vertical zippered pocket on the suitable 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 arduous to beat.
Dry Time
These shorts might not dry as shortly as another choices on our checklist, however they’ll nonetheless dry in a matter of minutes, not hours, in a heat dry surroundings. We submerged them after which left them out within the solar to dry. It took lower than half an hour for the shorts to utterly dry and be able to go. We do advocate 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 mild rain. For day mountaineering and even longer backpacking journeys, these shorts will work nice when it comes to staying dry and drying shortly.
Weight & Packability
Clocking in at a light-weight 7.5 ounces, these shorts are mild sufficient that you just gained’t discover them whereas mountaineering or stuffing them right into a pack. They roll up properly and the stretch-woven 96 % NetPlus post-consumer recycled nylon stretches with the physique properly. Whereas mountaineering we by no means discovered these shorts to be too clunky. They don’t have a ton of additional options or pockets, which assist preserve the design glossy and light-weight. They soften into the background which lets you concentrate on the hike, not the shorts.
Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Quandary?
These mountaineering shorts are designed for nearly everybody. From day hikes to longer backpacking journeys, the Quandarys will transfer with you on the hike, not in opposition to you, making your day simpler and higher. Even if you happen to 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, if you’re a newbie hiker on the lookout for a cut price these wouldn’t be for you. They’re additionally heavier than another shorts in the marketplace so ultralight thru-hikers who need to commerce options for fewer ounces might need to have a look at different choices.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: The Outside Analysis Ferrosi is analogous when it comes to options and magnificence however affords even stretchier cloth.
Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts Assessment: Just like the Patagonia Quandary, the Renegade Rock Shorts are constructed from related sturdy, but light-weight supplies. They’ve related pockets and are nice for informal put on in addition to the path.