Mountain Hardwear Dynama/2 Bermuda Short - Women's Review

The Mountain Hardwear is made mostly out of nylon with a touch of elastane and has DWR added to the fabric. The shorts have three standard but deep pockets, all mesh-lined, and one pocket on the thigh with a zipper that is also fairly deep. There are no snaps or buttons for waist closure, just an elastic waistband that is wide and drawstring-free. They are mid-rise and have a 9-inch inseam, providing excellent comfort and utility.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

This competitor earned one of the highest scores for this metric, as the fabric and overall design are incredibly comfortable, smooth, and flexible. The length does not restrict our movement whatsoever, and we appreciate how large the three main pockets are, which means that when we put items, like a phone, into them, we aren't having to sacrifice mobility, and, inevitably, comfort. Weighing in at 4.6 ounces for the size Small we reviewed, we find this model to be lightweight and easily worn all day without gripe. General comfort and the ability to high-step fluidly is just simply of the best.

After washing, we didn't notice a change in fit or feel, thankfully. True to size and designed with a relaxed cut, we enjoy the roominess and overall comfort of the fabric. We also appreciate the simplicity of the waistband design, removing potential hassle and discomfort from buttons or zippers. Wearing these shorts beneath a pack with a waist belt is a definite plus, and we rarely ever find ourselves adjusting how the waistband sits against our skin. There really isn't much to complain about when it comes to this metric unless you're just not a fan of how long inseams feel against the thighs in general. This pair certainly felt smooth and light for us, and since they breathe well, comfort is long-term, no matter how much we're sweating.

Venting and Breathability

Scoring near the top in this metric, the fabric breathes rather well. While the length does add a tad more warmth as compared to those with shorter inseams, they vent adequately due to the open and roomy cut. The leg openings measured to be 21 inches in circumference, which is quite generous. In general, we find the moisture-wicking nylon to be effective even on a hot day in the desert, despite their DWR treatment.

Since the waistband is just as thin as the rest of the shorts, there is no extra heat retention taking place at the abdomen, which often happens when waistbands are thicker or are lined with fancier materials (i.e., tricot). We appreciate this streamlined construction. During our more lab-like testing, we were able to see light through the fabric, which means there's space for air to flow in and out. Too, during our generic breath test, we didn't find it very difficult to suck air through it. For additional venting, all the pockets are mesh-lined. Bottom line, this pair is designed to breathe well.

Versatility

Another high mark for the Dynama 2 Bermuda is for the ability to use them for activities other than hiking. It's easy and comfortable to wear a harness for climbing due to the flexibility. They are also great for cycling, yoga, or whatever sport you're inspired to use them for. Since they are more on the modest side of the inseam spectrum, we can also see them being useful for people working outside (i.e. summer camps, gardening, light farm work, etc). We felt like we were wearing the “right shorts” for nearly any activity we partook in the Dynama 2 Bermuda.

Being highly versatile is something we love to celebrate, so this metric also considers the fashion sense of the design. With simple, subtle styling, they aren't necessarily something we'd consider trendy, especially since they occupy that sporty look. Even though they are transferable from one sport to the next, we feel that they don't transfer well from the trail to the urban landscape quite as much as some of the other shorts do. However, they do have a chicness or beachiness to them, in our opinion, due to how smooth and airy they look. Too, we acknowledge that preferences might shift between generations, which is why we feel shorts with middle-of-the-road inseam lengths like these are far more well-rounded and inclusive.

Water Resistance

The fabric has been treated with a PVC-free DWR (durable water repellant), but the amount and strength of treatment always seem to vary between models and brands. During our testing, water beaded fairly well, which means that resistance is significant enough to prevent 100% absorption. We observed minimal absorption right away, and over time we noticed more. But the water that did bead up rolled off easily when it came time to let everything dry. Keep in mind, however, that the more water-resistant a piece of fabric is, the less breathable it is likely to be — so there is a generalized tradeoff. We do feel that the resistance and breathability aspects are well balanced with this Bermuda.

We like to highlight this added feature due to the unpredictable nature of being out on the trails, from summer thunderstorms, waterfall overspray, or spills at camp. It is very fortunate that the material isn't cotton, as being able to both offer some resistance and also dry fairly quickly is an excellent combination. We score drying time under the Features category below.

Features

Having deep pockets lined with mesh, odor-resistant fabric, a DWR coating, and added sun protection (UPF 50) warrants an above-average score in this metric. This model already appears super technical, so we appreciate these added perks. Too, the inseam length helps contribute to overall protection from the sun and the design cut contributes to venting abilities (such as relatively wide leg openings). The nylon dries fast enough for our on-the-go impatience, but not quite as quickly as some of the top competitors in this specific regard, such as those with thinner, baggier designs.

One extra feature is a clippable brand label at the back right pocket inseam, which is neat if you need to hang them up for easy drying. This pair is more than sufficient for summer day-hiking and even backpacking. Sometimes brands spend too much time thinking about add-ons and fabric treatments in a way that severely detracts from the practical comfort, which is why this metric doesn't outweigh what we hold as the most important aspect of hiking shorts: how they feel and move when we wear them.

Value

We do think these shorts are of considerable quality and, thus, they offer great value. If where things are made is important to you, this model is manufactured in Vietnam. Refer to the brand's website for more details regarding warranty and brand ethos. All in all, we definitely recommend owning a pair.

Conclusion

With only nominal critiques, the Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2 Bermuda is one of the most outstanding pairs of shorts we've recently tested. We applaud their comfort and versatility. They are both flattering and technical. They are casual, practical, and really do feel amazing no matter what we're doing in them. The inseam length is modest but just short enough for a youthful touch. Overall, they outshine the rest of our testing pool as a fantastic pair of shorts for hiking and all kinds of outdoor recreation.