Climbing has its roots as a counter-culture sport. Climbers embody free expression in movement, appearance, and lifestyle. When it comes to climbing attire, there are no rules. Wear those hipster jeans. Slip into those hand-me-down cargos from your great uncle who climbed Mount Rainier 60 years ago. Embrace the multi-color patterned tights craze. You’re a climber – go for it! But, do you know what are the best climbing shorts for you and your style of climbing?
If you’re looking for something light, airy, and reliable for those sweaty days in the gym or that Smith-Rock-in-June trip you’ve planned, we can help! In this article, we’ll walk you through how to choose the perfect pair of shorts for you. We’ve also distilled a list of the very best climbing shorts for men and women of the year.
For more of out top climbing gear recommendations, check out these popular articles:
Ropes | Harnesses | Helmets | Backpacks
Climbing Shoes | Approach Shoes | Pants | Shorts | Shirts
Carabiners | Cams | Nuts | Quickdraws | Pulleys | Belay Devices
Bouldering Shoes | Bouldering Pants | Crash Pads
QUICK ANSWER – THE BEST CLIMBING SHORTS
- Prana Stretch Zion
- Arc’teryx Perimeter
- Black Diamond Credo
- Kuhl Krux
- Prana Mojo
- Mountain Hardwear Castil
- E9 Doblone
- Black Diamond Women’s Credo
- E9 Onda
- Arc’teryx Parapet
CLIMBING SHORTS REVIEWS
PRANA STRETCH ZION
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and button closure, adjustable belt
FABRIC: 97% nylon, 3% spandex
INSEAM: 12”
PROS: Quick drying, inseam gusset, abrasion resistant with wicking finish, eight available colors
CONS: Some users report lower than expected durability
ARC’TERYX PERIMETER
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and snap closure, belt loops
FABRIC: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
INSEAM: 11”
PROS: Mid-weight, air permeable, quick drying, articulated with gusseted crotch, three available colors
CONS: Expensive, some users report fit to be quite slim
BLACK DIAMOND CREDO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and button closure, internal, adjustable belt
FABRIC: 97% cotton 3% elastane
INSEAM: 14”
PROS: Soft and stretchy, climber specific design, long with good coverage
CONS: Some users report lower than expected durability
KULH KRUX
Check out the latest price on:
Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and button closure, belt loops
FABRIC: 75% cotton, 25% nylon
INSEAM: 16”
PROS: Gusseted crotch, long length protects knees, lightweight, breathable and quick drying
CONS: Less durable, somewhat heavy, some users may dislike longer inseam
PRANA MOJO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Elastic waistband
FABRIC: 100% recycled polyester
INSEAM: 10”
PROS: Lightweight, UPF 50+ sun protection, full inseam gusset, loved by climbers, many available colors
CONS: Fabric itself is not stretchy
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR CASTIL
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and button closure, belt loops
FABRIC: 100% nylon
INSEAM: 11”
PROS: Lightweight and durable ripstop fabric with a DWR finish
CONS: Not specific to climbers, reduced stock for winter, only one available color
E9 DOBLONE
Check out the latest price on:
Shop E9
WAIST CLOSURE: Elastic waistband
FABRIC: 98% Cotton 2% Elastane
INSEAM: Knee length
PROS: Designed for bouldering, brush loops, lightweight, unrestrictive, six available colors
CONS: Recently brought to USA, harder to obtain
BLACK DIAMOND CREDO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Internal draw cord waistband
FABRIC: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
INSEAM: 9”
PROS: Drawcord waist optimizes fit, lightweight, fits well under a harness
CONS: Limited colour selection
E9 ONDA
Check out the latest price on:
Shop E9
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and button closure, elastic waistband
FABRIC: 97% Cotton 3% Elastane
INSEAM: Mid length
PROS: Designed by climbers for climbers, brush loops, unique look, three available color combinations
CONS: Recently brought to the USA, harder to get your hands on
ARC’TERYX PARAPET
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | Backcountry
WAIST CLOSURE: Zip and snap closure, belt loops
FABRIC: 94% nylon, 6% elastane
INSEAM: 5”
PROS: Articulated patterning, gusseted crotch, durable, and quick drying with sun protection
CONS: Expensive, does not provide much leg coverage
COMPARISON TABLE – THE BEST CLIMBING SHORTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CLIMBING SHORTS
USAGE
Climbing shorts occupy a unique niche in the climbing world. They are a popular choice for gym sessions and summer-weather climbing. Climbing gyms are crowded and sweaty these days, so if you’re in for a work-out, shorts will be a comfortable choice. Wearing shorts to climb outside in the summer is a great way to stay cool too, but be wary of knee-to-rock contact.
BREATHABILITY
A massive benefit of climbing shorts is their inherent breathability over pants. Fabric and tightness can further add to how well the air is moving down there! Cotton and synthetic blends have great breathability.
FLEXIBILITY
All of the shorts we’ve highlighted have great flexibility. Ease of movement in your shorts is super important for climbing. Climbing movement is very three-dimensional; you need to be able to high step, heel hook, drop-knee, stem and more without restriction.
LENGTH
Length is more of a consideration when you’re climbing on real rock. Climbers often wear pants to protect themselves against the inevitable bumps and scrapes. As climbing is not an aerobic sport, leg sweatiness is generally a non-issue except on the hottest days of summer. If you’re a lover of shorts when climbing, keep in mind that more fabric means less rock to skin contact.
In the climbing gym you’ll have no problem climbing in whatever length shorts you love! Our advice is to remember that gym climbing, especially bouldering, often lends itself to dynamic movement and horizontal body positions. If you love these sorts of moves, tighter or longer shorts might be a good choice to prevent accidentally flashing your friends.
COLOR
Color is completely subjective, but for those of you who are photo savvy, we have one tip. Color pops! If you’re looking to boost the quality of those sweet climbing shots you’ll be posting to Instagram, consider adding bright colors to your outfit. Your look will be more unique and you will definitely stand out better against the rock.
MEN’S VS WOMEN’S
This one goes without saying. Men and women can be built differently, and we often have different tastes in fashion. We have selected seven of the best climbing shorts for men and three of the best climbing shorts for women to get you started.
The post Best Climbing Shorts of 2018 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
from The Adventure Junkies http://ift.tt/2oKfzOy
No comments:
Post a Comment