Bottom Line
The affordable Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo is a trimmed-down take on a utilitarian style, which is why they make our list of the best hiking shorts.
These bottoms have a secure pocket on each thigh – one with Velcro, the other zippered – that we find really useful for storing important small items like a key or an ID. For a day hike on the trail, these are a great option and serve their purpose. While the hand and back pockets are mesh, the cargo pockets on the legs are built into the shorts. This provides a bit more support for heavier items.
Quick Specs
Men’s Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo
Good Affordable Hiking Shorts
CleverHiker Rating: 66/100
Price: $50
Weight: 10.4 oz.
Inseam: 10 in. / 12 in.
Pros
- Affordable
- Breathable
- Town-to-trail look
- Good pockets
- Built-in belt
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Not as durable as some
- A bit heavy
Comfort
These utilitarian hiking shorts are comfortable and move freely with you but are less comfortable than others on the list due to the amount of material they include. Even with the cargo pockets they are still very lightweight hiking shorts.
However, once you start adding items to the pockets they can get weighed down easily, and you will be glad that these shorts come with a built-in belt. The comfort varies depending on how much you decide to carry. We found on day hikes that a protein bar or pair of sunglasses worked well, but more weight such as keys or phones were too much for the pockets to hold comfortably.
The shorts also have a gusseted crotch seam to make them more flexible and comfortable when hiking. The built-in belt and waist are comfortable and work well with a hipbelt on a backpack. The shorts are comfortable on and off the trail. They move freely with you and provide good coverage for your legs as they are longer than some other hiking shorts.
Durability
When it comes to wear and tear the Silver Ridge Cargo shorts held up just fine to our testing, however, the fabric isn’t very durable or breathable compared to some other shorts, and the pockets will typically be the first to show signs of wear. That said, we think the weight tradeoff is worth the small durability penalty since the Silver Ridges don’t feel as frumpy as other cargo shorts we’ve worn.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, we hiked with these for mainly day hikes and around town walks carrying extra items such as sunglasses, wallets, keys, and some snacks like bars or chews. For longer hikes or long-term use, the durability of these shorts is the question. They may not last as long as other shorts on the trail.
Features
These are a feature-rich pair of hiking shorts. It’s what we love most about them – how much you get for your money. They come with a belt, which is a nice addition along with a soft felt-lined waistband that enhances comfort.
The pockets are the big feature of these cargo shorts. There are two hand pockets, a zippered back security pocket, and cargo pockets, for ample carrying options. They also have Columbia’s signature Omni-Shade Broad Spectrum UPF 50 that protects against the sun’s rays.
Dry Time
These shorts are about average when it comes to drying time. They have Columbia’s patented Omni-Wick technology that pulls moisture to keep you dry and cool while hiking. When we tested these, both on the trail and submerging them in water, the lightweight fabric did dry quickly – in around 10 to 15 minutes. Hiking and airflow will help with that process.
The fact that these shorts are a bit heavier and bulkier than others means that there is more fabric to dry, and as a result, it can take a bit longer than smaller lighter-weight hiking shorts.
Weight & Packability
At 10.4 ounces these are some of the heavier hiking shorts on our list. The mesh pockets make them a bit lighter, but they start heavy and get heavier as you add items to the cargo pockets.
These do not pack down or dry as quickly as some hiking shorts, but they do include Columbia’s UV-blocking fabric that offers UPF 50 protection. These are a good option for day hikes or lower-mileage trips. But for longer multi-day backpacking trips consider something a bit lighter weight and less bulky.
Should You Buy the Columbia Silver Ridge Cargo Shorts?
Hikers who are looking for lots of storage are sure to love the Silver Ridge Cargo shorts. They are best for day hikes and shorter trips. While they will work for longer backpacking adventures, if you are concerned about the weight of your shorts then these would not be for you. More minimalist lightweight hikers would want to look at other hiking short options.
What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?
REI Sahara Cargo Review: The REI version of these cargo shorts is another favorite for storage, while still looking streamlined. These are similar in function and style to the Silver Ridge but do not come with a belt, so you would have to provide your own here.
prAna Stretch Zion II Review: Like the Silver Ridge’s the Stretch Zion II shorts are a great utility option. They offer a ton of secure storage without feeling or looking frumpy. They’re comfortable, and they have a built-in belt for dialing in the fit on long hikes, they can be worn for pretty much any occasion.
