Males’s Nike DRI-Match Challenger Shorts Assessment

Backside Line

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

They work equally properly for working and mountain 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 might not be the most suitable choice as they’re vulnerable to using up and chafing. However for smaller hikers who like path working, these are nice shorts for lengthy thru-hikes. 

Consolation

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

These working shorts are comfy for brief and longer hikes. Relying in your physique sort, they might experience up and trigger chaffing over time. The built-in liner and working quick design can have drawbacks relating to mountain climbing. The built-in liner makes them simple to throw on however supplies much less protection for thighs and legs than different shorts or mountain climbing underwear do.

For hikers with a bigger body or physique sort, these might not be your best option as they’ll experience up and trigger discomfort or chafing whereas mountain climbing.

Sturdiness

The Nike Dri-FIT Challengers rank common in our testing relating to sturdiness. The material is powerful, however over extended use or tough terrain, there’s a likelihood that these shorts might tear or fray. The light-weight cloth 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 mountain climbing. However don’t count on these to final you a lifetime. Our testing in moist overgrown trails didn’t tear the shorts, however in addition they didn’t present a ton of safety both. With the cheaper price tag comes the potential for having to exchange them extra usually. 

Options

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

Additionally they have normal 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 mountain climbing. To assist in airflow and breathability, the shorts have built-in mesh facet panels and facet vents.

Dry Time

The title of those shorts actually says all of it. Except for how light-weight these shorts are, the dry time is admittedly the place these stand other than different mountain climbing shorts. These are the quickest-drying choice on our listing, partly because of the light-weight materials. There’s simply much less cloth to dry right here. The built-in transient liner makes these nearly like a swimsuit. You’ll be able to hop in a waterfall, lake, or stream sporting these and belief that they are going to be dry in a matter of minutes. 

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

Weight & Packability

These weigh six ounces and are one of many lightest shorts available on the market for mountain climbing. Partly it is because the shorts are so quick 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 scale of a baseball. So, if you’re carrying these in a pack they’ll take up little or no room and solely price you a couple of ounces.

Ought to You Purchase the Nike DRI-Match Challengers?

Hikers who’re on the lookout for light-weight and quick-dry shorts are certain to be pleased with the Nike Dri-Match Challengers. They’d work properly for sooner 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 vulnerable to chafing, because the built-in liner may cause the fabric to bunch or experience up at instances. The dearth of long-term sturdiness in these additionally means they don’t seem to be excellent for somebody who’s seeking to purchase a pair of shorts to final for years. And for anybody who needs the choice of a trail-to-town quick, this might not be the perfect match for that hiker. 

What Different Mountaineering Shorts Ought to You Think about?

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

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

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