Backside Line
We love the prAna Brion II shorts for his or her town-to-trail model. On the subject of a pair that transitions simply from day hikes and mountain climbing to a brewery with buddies, 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 so that they aren’t excellent for lengthy backpacking journeys. Nevertheless, we extremely advocate them for day hikes and front-country tenting. The Brions have a superb quantity of stretch to stability out their slim match, they usually’re prepared for any journey in case you are searching for a extra trendy pair of mountain climbing shorts.
Fast Specs
Males’s prAna Brion II
Greatest City-to-Path Mountain climbing Shorts
CleverHiker Score:
70/100
Value:
$75
Weight:
8.6 oz.
Inseam:
9 in. / 11 in.
Execs
- Trendy
- Stretchy
- Sturdy materials
- Versatile for city to path
- Sturdy development
Cons
- Costly
- Not nearly 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 facet some hikers might not like. Whereas we discovered them loads 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 sort of sturdy. We examined them mountain climbing off-trail by tough waist-high brush and didn’t get any snags on our adventures. On the identical time, the robust 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 without doubt one of the extra sturdy mountain climbing 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 isn’t a pilling or indicators of wear and tear.
Options
The Brion II doesn’t have a ton of options. There is no such thing as a built-in belt right here and there are solely 5 pockets. The shorts are comparatively easy 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 model 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 mountain climbing within the mountains versus much less, so the size is an efficient characteristic right here.
Dry Time
These shorts might not dry as rapidly as some others (they usually aren’t designed to be waterproof) however they nonetheless an enormous enchancment over cotton. Dousing them with a hose, they absorbed water instantly. As well as, as a consequence of their size and thickness, there may be extra materials to dry than the skinny athletic shorts that you just may tackle lengthy hikes. Nevertheless, for day mountain climbing and dry environments, the Brion IIs are nice. Nevertheless, in case you are in a shaded slot canyon going out and in of swimming pools of water, these might not be the most effective choice for you.
Weight & Packability
The Brion II shorts usually are not 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 burden of those mountain climbing shorts was an issue. Actually, the fabric was excellent for mountain climbing 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 had been in a position to 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 mountain climbing shorts are designed for anybody who’s searching for good all-around mountain climbing shorts. They’re neither the lightest nor the heaviest, and they’re a bit longer than most different mountain climbing shorts, however for day hikes to journeys round city, the Brion IIs will carry out nice.
They’re additionally a superb all-around worth. They’re sturdy for the worth, will work nice for years and are fairly versatile in a wide range of mountain climbing or lounging-around situations.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Think about?
For those who’re nonetheless trying to find the right pair of mountain climbing shorts, you may additionally need to take a look at:
PrAna Stretch Zion II Shorts Evaluate: Just like the Brion II, the Zion II Shorts are created from comparable sturdy, but breathable supplies. The Zions have extra pockets and a built-in belt, however other than that these two PrAna mountain climbing shorts are each stable choices.
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Evaluate: The OR Ferrosi is a equally light-weight and stretchy mountain climbing brief choice. The fabric is somewhat thinner and never so long as the Brion shorts, nevertheless, they each work nice for the path and on the town.
