Backside Line
The Columbia Sandy River Cargo Shorts are budget-friendly shorts with a technical, quick-drying cloth, purposeful pockets, and a built-in belt – a mix ultimate for hot-weather mountain climbing and brief hikes. The 4 pockets present respectable storage with safe thigh pockets for small necessities, however the match may be awkward. After we examined them on the Hunter Creek Trails within the sizzling solar, we discovered the waistband uncomfortable, and the material’s stiffness resulted in some discomfort and chafing throughout lengthy hikes.
These shorts aren’t probably the most sturdy choice in our greatest girls’s mountain climbing shorts information. However they’re a stable finances purchase, particularly for mountain climbing in sizzling climates. Their quick-drying properties and light-weight design make them an amazing worth for the worth.
Fast Specs
Ladies’s Columbia Sandy River Cargo
Inexpensive Fast Dry Mountain climbing Shorts with Pockets
CleverHiker Ranking:
72.5/100
Value:
$50
Weight:
5.2 oz.
Inseam:
6 in
UPF Ranking:
30
Cloth:
100% nylon Perfecta Plus II
Execs
- Inexpensive
- Breathable
- Trendy
- Contains belt
- Light-weight
- Nice storage
Cons
- Awkward match
- Tendency to bunch up
- Not as sturdy
Consolation
The Columbia Sandy River Cargo Shorts have a light-weight, breathable cloth that feels snug in opposition to the pores and skin, particularly in sizzling climate. Nevertheless, the waistband could be a bit clunky and restrictive. We aren’t a fan of shorts with a built-in belt, and the standard of the Sandy River’s plastic belt was questionable. It’s very massive and obtrusive, particularly while you examine it to the glossy belt of the Houdini Wadi. Though the material is tremendous mild and nice for summer season, the match was awkward. The shorts are inclined to trip up within the center, and the seams generally catch on the legs, resulting in minor chafing over time. The material doesn’t have a lot stretch, which may imply if you happen to dimension down they could tear simply. Whereas they work properly as a finances pair of technical mountain climbing shorts, they aren’t probably the most snug for lengthy, in a single day hikes or rugged use.
Sturdiness
The Sandy River Cargo Shorts provide cheap sturdiness for lighter mountain climbing however aren’t fairly as robust as some high-end choices. We examined them by rubbing the shorts in opposition to sharp rocks and strolling by way of thick bushes. Although the material didn’t tear or fray, it began displaying put on a bit ahead of anticipated. The fabric feels light-weight and breathable, which is nice for consolation, but it surely’s not as resilient in opposition to abrasion as heavier obligation mountain climbing shorts. One concern is the plastic clip on the waistband—it feels a bit flimsy and may not maintain up as properly over time, particularly if you happen to use it typically. With care, we are able to see these shorts lasting for a season or two, however they don’t have the standard construct of the Ferrosi or the prAna Halle mountain climbing shorts. These shorts are an inexpensive pair however aren’t the longest-lasting shorts.
Options
The Sandy River Cargo Shorts include some useful options, notably the 4 pockets. There are two entrance pockets and two smaller aspect pockets. One aspect pocket has a zipper, which is tremendous helpful. The opposite aspect pocket has a lip to assist preserve objects from slipping out, including a little bit of peace of thoughts. Nonetheless, it’s very small. The primary entrance pockets have a breathable mesh backing which retains the shorts lighter and quicker to dry. The shorts additionally include an adjustable belt, although it feels a bit pointless—most of us discovered it didn’t actually add a lot to the match and will even be somewhat awkward at occasions. In addition they function Columbia’s Omni-Shade for UPF30 solar safety.
Drying Time
The Sandy River Cargo Shorts are nice in terms of drying shortly. Comprised of Nylon Perfecta Plus II, the shorts don’t take up a lot water, and their quick-drying therapy causes water to bead off. In testing, we soaked the shorts utterly by way of, they usually dried quicker than anticipated – in about quarter-hour. They didn’t grow to be uncomfortable once they have been moist, both, so that they’ll work properly in summer season or locations with anticipated showers. For the worth, that they had an amazing efficiency by way of dry time.
Weight & Packed Dimension
The Columbia Sandy River Cargo shorts are very mild, weighing solely 5.2 ounces. Though they’re light-weight, the stiffer cloth doesn’t compress in addition to another shorts, making them a bit bulkier when packed right into a backpack or stuff sack. The belt additionally takes up further house when packing. They’re mild and straightforward to hold, however not probably the most compact choice if house is a precedence.
Ought to You Purchase the Columbia Sandy River Shorts?
The Columbia Sandy River Cargo Quick is good for hikers searching for one thing light-weight and breathable that performs properly in sizzling climate. They dry in a short time, have a little bit of a moisture-protective coating, and have good storage with purposeful pockets. We don’t really feel they’re the only option for lengthy, strenuous hikes attributable to their restrictive match, potential for chafing, and lack of long-term sturdiness. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re searching for a budget-friendly, snug pair of shorts for summer season hikes, the Sandy River Cargo shorts are a stable choice.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?
For extra choices, please see our full information to the greatest girls’s mountain climbing shorts.
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Evaluation – The Outside Analysis Ferrosi Shorts are extra versatile in model and have a softer extra snug cloth that also manages to dry shortly. They arrive at a better worth level, however they can even last more and have an athletic minimize that matches properly on most physique sorts.
Houdini Wadi Evaluation – For further consolation and lightness in sizzling climates, the Houdini Wadi Shorts are a superb selection. The pockets are deep and safe. These ultralight shorts are extremely breathable and dry extremely quick. They’ve a flattering match and superior consolation with their stretchy cloth.
Ladies’s Patagonia Quandary Evaluation – The Patagonia Quandary Shorts are an amazing all-around choice for hikers who need a mixture of sturdiness and magnificence with the perform of a high-quality technical cloth. These shorts are light-weight, breathable, and have glorious storage with 4 pockets, together with a safe key loop.