Bottom Line
The Patagonia Strider Pro shorts are among the lightest, most breathable, and most packable in our best hiking shorts for men guide. We love them when we are focused on going fast and light and don’t need any extra bells and whistles. Decidedly minimalist, the Strider Pro eschews many extra features for a sleek, refined profile with just enough to keep it functional.
Tested on Alaska’s rugged trails and craggy ridgelines, we wore the Strider Pros for hundreds of miles. We loved how lightweight they are, as they easily pack down into a ball the size of a fist and disappear into a clothes bag. They quickly wick moisture away from the body and dry extremely fast, even after dunks into alpine lakes. A zippered rear key pocket and two small stuff pockets on either leg are great features for stowing small items on the body, like car keys or small snacks.
After hours and many miles on the trail, we discovered that the Strider Pro’s durability leaves some room to be desired. While super lightweight, they quickly showed pilling in the fabric in areas that are in high contact with a backpack hip belt, like around the waist. While the shorts come with an impressive five pockets, none are large enough to carry anything bigger than a set of car keys. Despite these small shortcomings, the Strider Pro is an excellent pair of shorts for hiking in hot weather or for those who want to go light and fast.
Quick Specs
Men’s Patagonia Strider Pro 5″ Shorts
Ultralight Hiking Shorts for Moving Fast
CleverHiker Rating: 4.7/5.0
Price: $89
Weight: 3.8 oz.
Inseam: 5 in
Pros
- Extremely packable
- Lightweight
- Quick drying
- Comfortable waistband
Cons
- Very small pockets
- Less durable than others
Comfort
Upon first trying on the Patagonia Strider Pro shorts, we were immediately impressed with the comfort of the elastic waistband. The snug elastic, combined with a drawcord closure, keeps them secure and comfortable even when worn under a backpack hip belt. The brief liner is supportive, and we never experienced any chafing, even after hours on the trail.
These quickly became our go-to shorts for multi-hour trail runs. And we regularly wore these for days at a time while on backpacking trips. Coming in both a 5-inch and a 7-inch inseam, the Strider Pro is extremely comfortable for long days in the mountains.
Durability
In the battle between being lightweight or durable, the Patagonia Strider Pro shorts favor being feather-light over heft and durability. After using these for multiple days on the trail, we found that they started to show piling and wear in high-contact areas. This was most noticeable along the exterior of the waistband that was under a hip belt and on the front of the shorts. This happened much faster than other shorts we tested, which surprised us. We would recommend these for use in lightweight missions rather than for heavy, high-contact activities and outings.
Features
For such minimal, sleek shorts, we were surprised to find that the Patagonia Strider Pros come with five pockets. Each leg has two envelope pockets. These are great for stowing small things like a running goo or a small granola bar. A zippered pocket in the back is purpose-built to hold car keys securely while on the go.
While the Strider Pro does have several pockets, they are mostly too small to be widely functional beyond holding small objects. While we didn’t use them as much as other shorts we tested, these small pockets are enough for those moving fast and light who only need a few items to keep on their person.
Dry Time
After hiking for hours on a hot and sunny day over the summer solstice in Alaska — with twenty hours of daylight — the Patagonia Strider Pros dried out impressively quickly after a swim in an alpine tarn to cool down. With sunshine and a light breeze, they went from being fully soaked to bone dry in a few minutes.
While they do come with a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish, these shorts wet through very quickly. However, they are also among our fastest-drying, making them great for moving quickly and staying dry on the go.
Weight & Packability
Weighing in at a feather-light 3.8 ounces, the Patagonia Stider Pro shorts are the lightest pair in our lineup. They hardly feel there at all when on the body and quickly disappear into a clothes bag when not in use. They pack down to roughly the size of a closed fist and easily fit in a small crevice in a backpack or clothes bag.
These are perfect for anyone who counts every ounce on a trip and is dead set on having the lightest gear possible. The Strider Pro is lightweight and nimble, perfect for going fast in the mountains or down the trail.
Should You Buy the Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts?
The Patagonia Strider Pro shorts are purpose-built for those who value breathability and weight savings above all else. From trail runs to fast-and-light hikes, Patagonia built the Strider Pro shorts to help you go fast and stay cool. This makes it perfect for dedicated thru-hikers or fast-and-light enthusiasts.
Those looking for a more robust and heavily featured pair of shorts may need to look elsewhere, however. We found that they showed wear more quickly than expected, especially in high-contact areas like the waist. While these shorts do come with five pockets, they are all too small for anything more than car keys or running goo. While they may not be the shorts with the widest mass appeal, the Strider Pro is excellent for those demanding high performance and low weight in a compact, sleek platform.
What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?
Check all of our favorite shorts in our full gear guide.
Kuhl Renegade Rock Shorts Review: If mobility is your priority, the Renegade Rock Shorts are another top pick.
Terrignota Sendero Review: With an even larger waistband carrying capacity, the Sendero is also a great option for the budget-conscious hiker.
Patagonia Quandary Review: Our favorite pair of shorts, the Quandary, combines the best parts of being both lightweight and durable.
