Backside Line
The North Face Wander 2.0 Shorts are minimalist bottoms that fall someplace between athletic and informal put on for on a regular basis use. We discovered the flat waistband of the Wanders to be one of the vital snug underneath a hipbelt, and the easy pocket setup retains the legs bulk-free as properly.
Whereas the 2 drop pockets are high quality for holding small objects, we recognize the stealthy zippered pocket for higher safety. We want the Wanders had been made with a softer material as a result of the stiff polyester tends to bunch up a bit and may really feel uncomfortable on actually lengthy adventures in sizzling climate. That stated, we nonetheless suppose these top-performing mountaineering shorts are exceptionally snug for prolonged day hikes.
Fast Specs

Males’s The North Face Wander 2.0
Funds-Pleasant Mountain climbing Shorts with a Flat Waistband
CleverHiker Ranking:
71.5/100
Value:
$50
Weight:
4.4 oz.
Inseam:
7 in.
Execs
- Reasonably priced
- Flat waistband sits properly underneath a hipbelt
- Ultralight
- Dries shortly
- Comfy
- Easy design
Cons
- Cloth is swishy & stiff
- No waist cinching
Consolation
These shorts are fairly snug each on and off the path. They’ve an everyday match and are true to dimension. They transfer freely with you and are skinny and breathable and hold you cool by wicking sweat away out of your physique. We examined these mountaineering excessive mountain trails and loved them every time.
They’re extra much like health club shorts than conventional mountaineering shorts. The drawstring waist allowed us to tighten up the shorts as wanted and so they by no means bunched up. Whereas snug for understanding and mountaineering, these shorts don’t really feel as good for round city. They don’t have plenty of construction so carrying a lot of objects can weigh them down.
Sturdiness
The light-weight nature of those shorts makes them rather less sturdy. That being stated, we did take these by way of some excessive brush whereas bushwhacking and so they had been surprisingly snag-free.
They might put on over time after dozens of runs by way of the washer, however for the worth, they’re an excellent worth for what they ship. This mannequin does incorporate FlashDry-XD materials within the Wander mountaineering shorts, which is meant to extend sturdiness and abrasion resistance together with water resistance. They might not final you a lifetime, however they’ll final you many seasons with no issues.
Options
The minimalist nature of The North Face Wander implies that there usually are not plenty of options to focus on. Much less is extra with the Wander. The mountaineering shorts have The North Face’s signature FlashDry-XD supplies, which is what makes these so nice for moist hikes. They shed water and dry in a short time.
These shorts additionally function a non-PFC DWR end and 86% recycled polyester. The waistband options an inner drawstring to assist cinch them tightly. And the waist of the Wander shorts sits flat so if you end up carrying a pack or waist belt the shorts don’t rub. Lastly, the Wander has three pockets, two on the facet and one again button pocket for some storage whereas mountaineering.
Dry Time
These shorts not solely dry in a short time, however in addition they don’t take up water. When testing we doused them totally and the water simply beaded up on the fabric – they had been fully dry and able to go in lower than half-hour. We do suggest air drying these versus a dryer when to keep away from shrinking them.
The swim-suit-like nature of those shorts makes them an excellent choice for hikes in moist environments.
Weight & Packability
Clocking in at a scant 4.4 ounces, these are a few of the lightest mountaineering shorts available on the market. That is partly because of how skinny the fabric is. They’re tremendous breathable, The material, which is made with 86% recycled polyester, will swish a bit whereas strolling as a result of it’s so mild.
There’s additionally no heat or safety with the Wander. The wind and chilly will minimize proper by way of these shorts – which is strictly what you need on a sizzling day. They do pack up into the dimensions of a baseball and may simply stow away right into a backpack as an additional pair. For top-intensity exercises or longer hikes in the summertime, the Wander will carry out nice.
Ought to You Purchase the North Face Wander 2.0?
The North Face Wander are good shorts for hikers preferring extra of an athletic- or swimsuit-style backside. They are perfect for mountaineering in heat, moist environments as they dry shortly. And they’re one of many lightest choices obtainable.
You might not wish to put on these round city. Nevertheless, for the worth and weight, the worth of those shorts is nice for any hiker or runner.
What Different Mountain climbing Shorts Ought to You Think about?
For those who’re contemplating The North Face Wander we’d additionally suggest trying out a few related pairs from our record of one of the best mountaineering shorts for males:
REI Trailmade Amphib Evaluation: The Trailmade Amphib is one other pair of mountaineering shorts which can be light-weight, breathable, and quick-dry. Just like the Wander mountaineering shorts, these provide related options and general seems, providing a really related mountaineering quick choice. These do have a built-in belt, however no liner just like the Wander.
Patagonia Multi Trails Evaluation: Like The North Face Wander, The Patagonia Multi Trails are light-weight athletic short-style mountaineering shorts. The Multi Trails have a built-in liner, however each dry shortly and repel water. They’re additionally each light-weight and have related pockets and are perfect for backpackers involved about shedding ounces.