Males’s Patagonia Quandary Shorts Assessment

Backside Line

The Patagonia Quandarys are a few of our favourite climbing shorts for males based mostly on their versatility and total efficiency. We examined these shorts out on a number of day hikes across the Colorado Rockies and in addition loved carrying them for day by 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 climbing shorts. The fabric can be sturdy and cozy. The Quandary shorts’ consolation stems from a terrific match and a pleasant, stretchy waistband to accommodate totally different physique shapes. They’re made for years of climbing, not simply seasons. 

These shorts posted one of many highest scores in our males’s climbing shorts overview, and for good purpose. You’ll discover us carrying these all year long for quite a lot of actions. 

Consolation

The Patagonia Quandary Shorts are top-performing in relation to consolation and really feel. This traditional pair is considered one of our favorites for day climbing because it has a pleasant town-to-trail look. And the breathable, stretchy cloth can 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 cloth that strikes with you on and off the path versus limiting your mobility. A refined characteristic 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 operating round city doing errands. They’re so comfy and versatile that we even wore these biking and to the health club.

Sturdiness

Whereas we now have solely examined these climbing 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 by way 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 climbing shorts, which is an effective feeling when you’re bushwhacking by way 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 smooth 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. Additionally they have a refined strengthened hemostat/carabiner loop on the front-right pocket if you wish to clip a key or one thing to your pants whereas climbing.

They do have an inside drawstring, which may help cinch the waist tight. One other characteristic is a small vertical zippered pocket on the best 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 exhausting to beat.

Dry Time

These shorts could not dry as rapidly as another choices on our checklist, however they’ll 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 utterly 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 water resistant to attend out gentle rain. For day 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 just received’t discover them whereas climbing 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 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 maintain the design smooth and light-weight. They soften into the background which lets you deal with the hike, not the shorts.

Ought to You Purchase the Patagonia Quandary?

These 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 only put on casually round city, or they work nice for biking as nicely. 

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 have a look at different choices.

What Different Mountaineering Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: The Outside Analysis Ferrosi is analogous when it comes to options and magnificence however presents even stretchier cloth.

Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts Assessment: Just like the Patagonia Quandary, the Renegade Rock Shorts are produced from comparable sturdy, but light-weight supplies. They’ve comparable pockets and are nice for informal put on in addition to the path.