Backside Line
We love the prAna Brion II shorts for his or her town-to-trail type. With regards to a pair that transitions simply from day hikes and mountaineering to a brewery with associates, that is the one you need.
With a easy pocket setup and a flattering match, the Brions are a sturdy, minimalist pair. They lack water resistance and have a restricted characteristic set in order that they aren’t preferrred for lengthy backpacking journeys. Nevertheless, we extremely advocate them for day hikes and front-country tenting. The Brions have quantity of stretch to steadiness out their slim match, they usually’re prepared for any journey if you’re on the lookout for a extra fashionable pair of mountaineering shorts.
Fast Specs
Males’s prAna Brion II
Finest City-to-Path Mountain climbing Shorts
CleverHiker Ranking:
70/100
Worth:
$75
Weight:
8.6 oz.
Inseam:
9 in. / 11 in.
Professionals
- Trendy
- Stretchy
- Sturdy materials
- Versatile for city to path
- Sturdy development
Cons
- Costly
- Not pretty much as good for lengthy backpacking journeys (not as many pockets, match is a bit tighter)
- No built-in belt
- Longer match is not for everybody
Consolation
These shorts are fairly comfy each on the path and off. They’re made with prAna’s ReZion materials, which is 95% recycled nylon and 5% elastane. That’s to say these shorts have loads of stretch and transfer with you on the path.
They breathe simply and wick away sweat. They don’t restrict motion in any respect and are fairly stretchy. The knee size inseam on these at 9” or 11” is the one side some hikers might not like. Whereas we discovered them a lot comfy, they do cowl the knees a bit so can rub on excessive steps and climbs up steep inclines.
Sturdiness
The PrAna Brion II is kind of sturdy. We examined them mountaineering off-trail by means of tough waist-high brush and didn’t get any snags on our adventures. On the similar time, the sturdy material and longer design protected our legs and thighs from getting scratched up.
The recycled nylon material is abrasion-resistant and stands up when brushing up in opposition to rocks, branches, or timber. This is likely one of the extra sturdy mountaineering shorts that we now have examined. Whereas PrAna recommends hand washing these, we now have all the time managed to machine wash them and air dry them and discover that there is no such thing as a pilling or indicators of damage.
Options
The Brion II doesn’t have a ton of options. There isn’t any built-in belt right here and there are solely 5 pockets. The shorts are comparatively simple and what you see is what you get with them. They’re Bluesign-approved and use recycled and repurposed supplies.
One characteristic is the longer type of those shorts, which can be constructive or unfavourable relying on the kind of hiker you’re. Testing these in Colorado, we loved having extra protection when mountaineering within the mountains versus much less, so the size is an effective characteristic right here.
Dry Time
These shorts might not dry as shortly as some others (they usually aren’t designed to be water resistant) however they nonetheless an unlimited enchancment over cotton. Dousing them with a hose, they absorbed water instantly. As well as, as a consequence of their size and thickness, there’s extra materials to dry than the skinny athletic shorts that you just would possibly tackle lengthy hikes. Nevertheless, for day mountaineering and dry environments, the Brion IIs are nice. Nevertheless, if you’re in a shaded slot canyon going out and in of swimming pools of water, these is probably not the very best choice for you.
Weight & Packability
The Brion II shorts will not be ultralight, however at 8.6 ounces they’re nonetheless mild sufficient to tackle longer hikes and backpacking journeys. In testing these all through Colorado, there was by no means some extent the place the load of those mountaineering shorts was an issue. The truth is, the fabric was preferrred for mountaineering and transferred nicely to off-trail actions as nicely.
The thicker materials doesn’t pack down as small as different shorts on the checklist. Nevertheless, we have been capable of roll them into a big burrito-size ball and tuck them simply right into a pack.
Ought to You Purchase the prAna Brion II?
These mountaineering shorts are designed for anybody who’s on the lookout for good all-around mountaineering shorts. They’re neither the lightest nor the heaviest, and they’re a bit longer than most different mountaineering shorts, however for day hikes to journeys round city, the Brion IIs will carry out nice.
They’re additionally all-around worth. They’re sturdy for the value, will work nice for years and are fairly versatile in quite a lot of mountaineering or lounging-around situations.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Take into account?
In the event you’re nonetheless trying to find the proper pair of mountaineering shorts, you may additionally wish to have a look at:
PrAna Stretch Zion II Shorts Evaluate: Just like the Brion II, the Zion II Shorts are created from related sturdy, but breathable supplies. The Zions have extra pockets and a built-in belt, however other than that these two PrAna mountaineering shorts are each stable choices.
Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi Evaluate: The OR Ferrosi is a equally light-weight and stretchy mountaineering brief possibility. The fabric is slightly thinner and never so long as the Brion shorts, nonetheless, they each work nice for the path and on the town.