 This Product
Patagonia Quandary Short | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Hiking Shorts | Most Comfortable |  Best Stretchy Short for All-Day Comfort | Best Trail to Town Shorts |  Best Bang for Your Buck |
| Price | $95 List Check Price at REI | $65 List Check REI (on sale!) | $95 List Check REI (on sale!) | $78 List Check Price at REI | $50 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A very lightweight, recycled nylon option that dries quickly, wears comfortably for days, and is quite tough | A lightweight option that breathes well, moves with the body, and wears so comfortably that you can hardly feel it | Airy, lightweight, and stretchy, these versatile shorts will hold up for long days on the trail but will equally play well for any other outdoor activities you may dream up | A polished pair of shorts that provide the performance needed for hiking, along with the style wanted for hitting the links, dressing casual chic, or chilling with friends | Tough, fast-drying, and comfortable, these shorts are a bargain at any price |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Quandary S... | Chubbies Everywear | Outdoor Research Fer... | Vuori Aim | REI Co-op Trailmade |
| Comfort and Mobility (40%) | |||||
| Fabric Performance (25%) | |||||
| Versatility and Style (20%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Patagonia Quandary S... | Chubbies Everywear | Outdoor Research Fer... | Vuori Aim | REI Co-op Trailmade |
| Material | 96% NetPlus recycled nylon, 4% spandex plain weave | 89% polyester, 11% spandex | 46% recycled nylon, 40% nylon, 14% spandex | 67% polyester, 25% cotton, 8% elastane | 94% nylon, 6% spandex |
| Water Resistance | DWR coating with no added PFAS | Water-resistant | DWR coating | Not specified | DWR finish |
| Pockets | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Measured Inseam Length (Size) | 10" (40") | 6" (XXL} | 10" (38") | 8" (38") | 8" (XL) |
| Sun Protection | Not specified | Not specified | UPF 50+ | Not specified | UPF 50+ |
| Inseam Length Options | 8", 10" | 4", 6", 8" | 7", 10" | 8" | 8" |
| Waist Size Options | 28" - 44" | XS - 3XL | 28" - 42" | 28" - 38" | S - XXXL |
| Waist Strap/Fasten | Button and zip fly, drawstring | Elastic waist, button and zip fly, drawstring | Button and zip fly, drawstring | Button and zip fly | Elastic, bungee drawstring |
| Other Features | Classic fit, curved waistband, gusseted crotch | Several color options, two-way drawstring | Drawstring, lined waistband, harness-compatible waistband | Tailored fit, hidden zippered pocket, belt loops | Zippered leg pocket, gusseted crotch |
The right shorts balance practical features with comfortable styling and versatility, and we found this model does it better than any other we tested. Our testing showed that they are up to the task of long days, big climbs, hot climes, and wet weather.
The Quandary is among the most comfortable pairs we tested. We often find that comfort competes with style. But this model does one of the best jobs of balancing the two. The 96% nylon/4% spandex fabric blend is stretchy enough that the wearer has free mobility in all typical hiking situations and any other activities you might decide to don them for.
The Quandary shorts have a regular/straight fit, but we liked the cut because it keeps them light and prevents extra fabric from getting snagged on rogue branches or rocky outcrops. However, with that comes just a bit of a sacrifice in comfort. Hikers with larger thighs or hips may find them to be a tad tight through the upper thighs and crotch, especially when pushing up hills or stretching across a boulder field. Yet, these shorts kept one of our bigger-bodied testers perfectly comfortable during more than a week's worth of trekking in the Italian Alps, so they ought to work comfortably for most wearers.
We liked that the Quandary shorts come with regular belt loops and an interior shoelace-style drawstring tie. This is a great feature for when you accidentally leave your belt at home or prefer the convenience of going beltless.
The front two hand pockets seemed to be placed a little too high on the waist, so the ergonomics weren't perfect. They are also a bit too shallow, making us a little leery about placing anything important in them. The Quandary comes with five pockets: two front handwarmer, two rear (right zip, left open), and one thigh (right zip). The thigh pocket has a (mostly) horizontal opening, angled slightly to make it easier to use with one hand.
Quick drying times, an airy feel, and vented front pockets earned the Quandary great scores for this metric. Their recycled nylon fabric has a soft, cotton-like feel that is comfortable for days, especially in hotter weather.
A subtle but nice component of these shorts is that the front fastener has a super slim profile and is attached to the shorts with a small piece of webbing. This matters when you have the hip belt of a backpack over the waist of these shorts — there's no rubbing! As for the fabric, we found that it doesn't have much resistance to moisture, absorbing water rather quickly during river crossings, rainstorms, or the occasional spill. On the flip side, during our drying tests, the Quandary had one of the fastest drying times of the whole bunch (17 min).
We liked that the Quandary felt light and airy all day. The front pockets are mesh-lined (though the rear pockets are not), as is the thigh pocket, but only at the very bottom. However, these potential ventilation points are less critical on a pair of shorts than on pants. What is essential, though, is that they are also lightweight and that the fabric is a good balance of durability and breathability.
Our most-used feature on the Quandary was the rear zip pocket. The zipper is smooth, easy to find, and simple to open and close without looking. During our multi-day trek through the Italian Alps, we found it to be a great place for storing extra Euros for buying treats at the mountain huts, and it was our favorite place for storing maps or route cards.
We appreciate the versatility of the Quandary shorts, as they are equally at home on day hikes, longer backpacking trips, or even city streets. The pockets offer enough storage for a couple of protein bars, a phone, and car keys but are light enough that we didn't feel weighed down when we took them out on extended trips.
We could also easily envision them as an option for canoeing and fishing trips. They earn their score here, though, because at the end of the day, you could roll right into town without necessarily looking like you just came off the trail.
Double stitching and strong, scuff-proof, recycled nylon fabric allow the Quandary to withstand branches, rocks, and more with relative ease, earning it solid marks for this metric. We also love the manufacturer's extensive library of DIY repair tutorials, which cover everything from buttons to zippers.
We used a simple paper clip to test these shorts' resiliency and found them surprisingly tough for how soft they feel. We ran the end of the clip across multiple sections of our shorts (with increasing force) and were pleased to see virtually no scuffs or scratches. Nearly all of the seams on the Quandary are double-stitched and are composed of 12 stitches per inch (typical of higher quality clothing). As thin as it is, we were consistently impressed with its toughness and never hesitated to pull up a seat on a large boulder, downed tree, or even right on the ground. The only negative we have to report is that the cuffs are not double-stitched.
These shorts are awesome for almost any activity. They are great for day hikes but are also light and comfortable enough to be a good option for longer warm-weather backpacking trips. So, if you are in the market for a comfortable, versatile pair of hikers, these will fit the bill. However, they have a regular/straight fit, so if you need more space, you may want to look at some of our other options. The Quandary are nice spring and summer travel shorts as well. If you are planning a vacation and trying to keep your suitcase light, they easily double as a swimsuit, biking shorts, or casual wear for sightseeing.
The REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Short is a great option if you want the same cotton-feel fabric but want a more spacious fit. Likewise, if you're hoping for stretch fabrics, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Short is simply the best of the bunch, followed closely by the Prana Stretch Zion Short, although if we had to choose, we'd pick the Ferrosi. If you'd rather hike in short shorts, you should look at our other Editor's Choice winner, the Chubbies Everywear.
