Backside Line
The prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Shorts have loads to supply. 2-way stretch, adjustable waist cinches, UPF 50 rated sturdy materials, and 5 deep pockets (our favourite by far being the distinctive slanted facet zippered pocket) all contribute to a high-functioning pair of shorts.
Nonetheless, because the title suggests, these aren’t greatest for moist outings. On some coastal hikes, we shortly discovered that the material lacks any quick-dry properties and has restricted breathability. Whereas they’re marketed as moisture-wicking, we weren’t impressed whereas getting sweaty mountain climbing. Their efficiency was even much less spectacular after submerging them in a creek halfway. They absorbed a major quantity of water and have been not snug. Once more, these are greatest suited to arid environments.
These cargo shorts are additionally marketed as high-rise; nevertheless, we discover these to be extra of an extremely high-rise match. For us, the waist settles over our stomach button. The crotch can also be barely cumbersome, nevertheless it doesn’t limit any motion when high-stepping, squatting, and bending.
How We Examined
Our gear analyst examined these mountain climbing shorts whereas exploring California state parks within the early summer time. She traversed quite a lot of terrain, together with scorching and uncovered rocky sections, forests, and overgrown trails, all of which offered glorious suggestions for the shorts’ breathability, sturdiness, and performance. She additionally submerged them in a creek to check their efficiency when moist and to see how lengthy it took them to fully dry.
Fast Specs
prAna Zion Cargo Shorts
Greatest Traditional Excessive-Waisted Mountain climbing Shorts
CleverHiker Score:
4.4/5.0
Value:
$78
Weight:
7.3 oz.
Inseam:
3 or 5 in
UPF Score:
50+
Material:
Nylon, elastane
Pockets:
5
Execs
- Waist cinch works effectively
- Angled zippered facet pocket is tremendous useful
- 2-way stretch materials
- UPF 50+ material
Cons
- Extremely high-waisted, stiff crotch
- Not as breathable as some
- Lengthy dry time
- In no way water resistant, clingy when moist
- Again pockets aren’t simple to make use of
Consolation
After mountain climbing via quite a lot of terrain and high-stepping, squatting, and bending, we bought a superb really feel for the consolation of the Stretch Zion Cargo shorts. The mushy materials is made with a 2-way stretch, which permits for freedom of motion with out pinching or chafing. Nonetheless, these shorts are a lot higher-waisted than we anticipated.
The design has the shorts sitting above our stomach button. Relying on private choice, this could possibly be a really snug model, although we discover it to really feel a bit extreme. The crotch design can also be stiffer and bulkier, and it pooches out when sitting. Nonetheless, it doesn’t have an effect on the vary of movement, and we have been nonetheless in a position to transfer round on our hike with out restrictions.
As a result of increased waist and barely thicker materials, the shorts don’t really feel as breathable as others in our lineup. On scorching and uncovered terrain in 80-degree climate, we have been getting sweaty and seen that the shorts weren’t as moisture-wicking as marketed.
Sturdiness
These shorts are very sturdy, with no indicators of damage and tear after mountain climbing via rocky terrain, overgrown trails, and previous pokey tree branches. After submerging the shorts in water, we squeezed extra water out of the fabric; the shorts simply dealt with being wrung out, stuffed, and rolled.
The zippers and pockets all seem to have strengthened stitching. The material feels barely thicker than others in our lineup and is of top of the range. prAna additionally charges the Zion Cargo shorts as UPF 50+, which reinforces that these are for sunny and dry climates. When machine washing, prAna suggests washing with like colours and inside out.
Options
These shorts have some glorious, distinctive, and priceless options. The webbing cinches on both facet of the waist enable for a simple, easy, and fast method to customise and modify the match. We love how the cinches are positioned on the edges, fairly than the entrance of the waist. This design is much less cumbersome, extra flattering, and presents extra adjustability.
We additionally love the deep entrance hand pockets. Our favourite pocket of all of them is the distinctive slanted facet zippered pocket. It’s the excellent pocket for holding heavier objects, like a telephone. The design magically holds cumbersome issues with none materials chafing, sagging, or discomfort. The pocket slant offers easy accessibility as effectively. We want extra shorts and pants would have pockets designed like this! The again pockets left us a bit dissatisfied. The envelope design and zippers aren’t as handy or accessible to open and shut in a pinch.
Dry Time
These are some thirsty shorts! The Zion’s soak up water wholly and at once, like a dehydrated hiker within the desert. Additionally, as soon as they’re moist, the fabric turns right into a stage 5 clinger, which is a bummer. We discover that it’s best to take them off and wring them out after wetting them on hikes.
One other letdown is their dry time. After a hike that gave them ample time to air dry, the shorts have been nonetheless drenched as soon as we bought again to the automotive. We needed to lay them out in a single day in her home in order that they may totally dry. For a mountain climbing brief, this dry time is disappointing, making it not excellent for adventures with the potential for inclement climate, swimming holes, and important sweat.
Photograph Credit score: Emily Parnay (CleverHiker.com)
Weight & Packed Dimension
At simply over 7 ounces, the Zion Cargo shorts within the 5” size are on the heavier facet of different merchandise in our lineup. Nonetheless, the shorts solely really feel noticeably heavier when saturated with sweat or water. Whereas the fabric may be barely thicker than another shorts we advocate, nearly all of the additional weight comes from the extremely high-rise, which requires extra of its sturdy materials.
The shorts are simple to fold, roll up, or stuff right into a day pack. They’re a bit bulkier than a number of the athletic shorts in our lineup because of the waist cinches, zippered pockets, and stiffer crotch design. Nonetheless, we didn’t discover that this considerably affected their packability rating.
Ought to You Purchase the prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Mountain climbing Shorts?
These prAna stretch zion cargo shorts are an ideal decide for these embarking on informal adventures or path to city escapades, the place getting moist or excessively sweaty will not be on the itinerary. For many who desire high-rise shorts, these could possibly be the right match, as they’ve the best waist of all of the shorts in our lineup. The sturdiness, UPF-rated materials, pockets, and waist cinches are additionally glorious options that considerably add to the worth of the shorts.
Nonetheless, because of the lowered breathability within the materials and gradual dry time, these searching for shorts to tackle scorching and humid trails or for bottoms that may also be used within the water will need to take a look at different suggestions in our gear information. Additional, for those who discover that high-waisted kinds are uncomfortable, these prAna shorts is not going to be your go-to favourite because of their extremely high-rise.
General, these are a wonderful choice to your out of doors wardrobe for those who don’t thoughts their distinctive match and lack of water repellency and fast dry properties.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Take into account?
If the prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Shorts usually are not fairly what you might be searching for or if you want to check them to different merchandise earlier than buying, check out our full ladies’s mountain climbing shorts gear information for different top-notch and high-performing merchandise for the path.
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Overview: These shorts shall be extra breathable and quick-drying than the prAna Stretch Zion Cargo, nevertheless, the adjustable belt loop within the entrance shall be bulkier and fewer useful than prAna’s facet waist cinches.
Patagonia Quandary Overview: The Quandary shorts are one other sturdy choice to contemplate – they arrive in longer lengths and the material can also be made with DWR for water resistance. They use an inside drawcord as a substitute of waist cinches and usually are not as high-waisted because the prAna Stretch Zion Cargo.
Kuhl Freeflex Cargo Shorts Overview: These shorts come within the longest choice at 10,” are UPF rated and have a DWR coating. They’ve many pockets, nevertheless we nonetheless desire the slanted facet zippered pocket on the prAna shorts.
