Climbing with Workman! I tried out all the light shorts and shorts that could be used in the summer mountains.

Friday, August 6, 2021

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

This year too, I'm taking my time and looking for Workman gear that I can use in the mountains

Workman remains as popular as ever, but when you check out the new arrivals every season, it's not like new models pop up every year. I'll leave you to read my past reviews , but this season I've decided to change things up a bit and focus on shorts that can be used for more intense outdoor activities like mountain climbing, fastpacking, and trail running.

As a general rule, long pants are the basic attire for mountain climbing. Even though it's hot once the sun comes out, it can still be chilly in the mornings and evenings, even in midsummer. Even once the sun comes out, there's the risk of UV rays and pests. The weather is also unstable. There aren't always comfortable trails, and if you happen to encounter an unmaintained, overgrown path, you're more likely to get injured. Considering these risks, long pants are safer for mountain climbing and hiking. I personally wear long pants for most of my mountain climbing trips. However, on midsummer trails, half-pants and shorts are far cooler and easier to walk in. With the recent heatwaves, it's not uncommon to find myself wearing shorts, or even shorts with leggings, especially for more intense activities like midsummer runs and speed hikes in my favorite mountain areas. To be honest, I personally don't want to spend too much on shorts, which I'll only use in those limited situations. That's where Workman comes in—the theme of this article

However, even if you take a quick look at the latest new products, it seems that there aren't many items for serious mountain climbing or trekking, and instead there are plenty of leisure items for things like camping, which is currently all the rage. So, will you be able to find a great value pair of hiking shorts with the functionality you're looking for? Let's take a look

table of contents

Review of Workman's lightweight shorts and half pants perfect for summer mountain climbing

Review of Workman's lightweight shorts and half pants perfect for summer mountain climbing

AERO STRETCH Climbing Shorts (Recommended for mountain climbing ★★★★☆) 1,900 yen

Comfort ◎ Ease of movement ◎ Convenient functions △ Versatility & design ◯ Breathability △ Quick drying ◎ Water repellency ×

Favorite points

4-way stretch and three-dimensional cutting for easy movement
Slim fit yet comfortable to wear
Not too long, not too short, just the right length
Plenty of pockets with secure zippers
Fabric durability

Interesting points

Low breathability and prone to getting stuffy
The elastic waistband is loose and the included belt is useless (belt required)
Slightly heavy
No muted coloring
The water-repellent pockets get in the way when walking

This is the shorts version of the "AERO STRETCH Climbing Pants," a favorite since we first featured Workman on this site. Despite their slim silhouette, they offer 4-way stretch and a gusseted crotch for a three-dimensional cut, making them as easy to move in as ever

The length is just above the knee, so it won't get caught when you lift your legs. In other words, it's the perfect fit for activities that involve a lot of lower body movement, like mountain climbing

There are plenty of pockets, and all of them except the back have zippers, so you don't have to worry about things falling out

However, there are of course some things that bother me. The most disappointing thing is the construction of the waist, which has a loose elastic band at the back, so it seems like it will slip down easily with vigorous movement and wear out quickly

The good news is that it has belt loops, so instead of using the standard belt (see photo below), I decided to cut it off and use my own belt. This way, I can get a snug fit that won't slip off even during intense activities

Also, the polyurethane blend makes the fabric a little heavy, and it has poor breathability, making it prone to getting stuffy (hot). While this can be seen as a positive, meaning they can be used in a wide range of seasons, not just midsummer, it is a relatively small negative point when it comes to shorts that are ideal for summer

By the way, these pants come with a water-repellent pouch inside that can hold a smartphone or a battery for your air-conditioning suit, but when I tried to use it while hiking, it just got in the way when I was walking, so I decided to cut it off too

In terms of comfort and ease of movement, these shorts are as useful as expected, and if you can put up with the slight tendency to get sweaty, I highly recommend them. However, they're not perfect as they are, so I recommend customizing them to your liking

Summer 2-Way Pants ACTIVE TYPE (Recommended for mountain climbing ★★★★☆) 1,900 yen

Comfort ◎ Ease of movement ◎ Convenient functions ◯ Versatility & design △ Breathability △ Quick-drying ◯ Water repellency ×

Favorite points

4-way stretch fabric that is resistant to deterioration over time
Long and short 2-way type
Fabric durability
Elastic and belt for a snug fit at the waist

Interesting points

The shorts are only available in half-pants size and are a little long for running
The adhesive tape is too noticeable
The ventilation isn't that effective, and it's a bit too hot for midsummer use

Workman has previously offered several 2-way pants that can also be worn as shorts, but this season we tried out these new items

What's noteworthy about this model is that it uses a proprietary stretch fabric called "TRICO TECH." It's a 4-way stretch fabric with a high stretchability of up to 140%, but it doesn't use heavy, easily degraded polyurethane. Even when you hold it, it doesn't feel too heavy (measured at 357g for the L size) despite its thickness and the number of parts. The rumored stretchability is certainly what makes it easy to walk in

The length is shorts-length, covering the knees, which can easily get caught on the knees and cause discomfort, but despite the slim hem, I didn't feel any tightness

The waistband is made with a traditional elastic band and an attached belt. The tape goes all the way around the waist, so the belt won't slip off, and it's durable and reliable

The Summer 2-Way Pants (ACTIVE TYPE) are a real steal this season, satisfying many of the concerns about mountaineering: comfortable fabric for easy movement, durable and stable construction, ample pockets, and the ability to wear them in two styles—long and half—allowing them to be worn year-round. They're a piece I'll likely wear not just this summer, but into the future as well. However, given the length and lack of breathability, including ventilation, I felt they were a bit difficult for running or other activities in the heat of summer. Finally, I hope the design, with the overly noticeable adhesive tape, will become more refined

AERO STRETCH Shorts (Recommended for mountain climbing ★★☆☆☆) 1,900 yen

Comfort ◯ Ease of movement △ Convenient functions △ Versatility & design △ Breathability ◎ Quick drying ◎ Water repellency ×

Favorite points

Thin and lightweight
Excellent breathability and quick drying
Stretch fabric that is resistant to deterioration over time
Pocketable specification
Adjustable length for shorts/half pants

Interesting points

The durability of the zippers and snap buttons, as well as the stitching of the pockets, are poor
No elastic waist
The hem is too narrow, making it difficult to move

Since you're wearing them in the summer, it's only natural that they should be cool. In that sense, these were the coolest pants I tried out this time. Thin and lightweight, made with a textured fabric for the lining and mesh in places, the AERO STRETCH shorts are highly breathable and don't get stuffy. They also dry extremely quickly

However, the slim fit silhouette means the hem is very narrow, and the stretch is less than other pants. I felt that it was a bit difficult to move around in when hiking. Incidentally, there are snap buttons on the side, so you can shorten the hem from below the knee to above the knee. This may be a good thing for some people, but from the perspective of using it in active situations like mountain climbing, it would be better if it was a little more practical

These shorts are excellent because they are light and cool. They seem like they would be comfortable for activities that don't involve much running or leg movement, but for mountain climbing, where movement and durability are important, they leave a bit to be desired

AERO GUARD STRETCH Shorts (Recommended for mountain climbing ★★☆☆☆) 1,900 yen

Comfort △ Ease of movement △ Convenient functions ◯ Versatility & design ◎ Breathability △ Quick drying ◯

Favorite points

The design is sophisticated and can be worn in a variety of ways
Lightweight, short length and good ventilation
Lots of pockets
DIAGURD® insect repellent treatment

Interesting points

The large cargo pockets on both legs are convenient for camping, but not suitable for activities such as mountain climbing
The elastic waistband is too loose, so the pants tend to slip down when putting things in the pockets or when actively wearing them (this cannot be fixed even with a separate belt)

These AERO GUARD STRETCH shorts are being developed as shorts with a "camping" feel, which Workman seems to be focusing on in recent years

It has the shortest length of all the items we've tried, and is roomy all the way through to the hem, so at first glance it seems to have excellent ventilation and is also very easy to move in. However, because the fabric is a polyester-cotton blend, it's fine while it's dry, but once you start to sweat it becomes sticky and you can feel the fabric tightening when you move

To begin with, its biggest feature, the insect-repellent fabric that keeps insects away, has limited effectiveness and cannot be relied upon entirely, and the huge pockets on both sides get in the way if you walk with something in them, so unfortunately it is not that effective for mountain climbing, so perhaps it should not have been included as the topic of this article

I like the color and design, so I would definitely use this not just for hiking or running, but for camping or playing in the water

Heat-shielding DOUBLE MESH ACTIVE Cross Shorts (Recommended for mountain climbing: ★★★☆☆) 2,900 yen

Comfort ◯ Ease of movement ◎ Convenient functions △ Versatility & design △ Breathability ◯ Quick drying △ Water repellency ◯

Manufacturer's Points

Integrated shorts with inner pants eliminate the need for spats
Heat-shielding and cooling material effects make you feel less hot

Interesting points

It's hard to walk with a plastic bottle in the left pocket, and you can't even fit a smartphone in the right pocket. There's no need for any bicycle parts
It cannot be separated from the spats, so it dries slowly
The hem is narrow, so it can be a bit uncomfortable to move around in

These pants aren't really geared towards mountain climbing or hiking, but I picked them up hoping they might work depending on how you use them, and it turned out to be a pretty promising find. They're packed with a variety of unconventional ideas, and while each has its successes and failures, they're all unique and totally worth it depending on how you use them

The most unique and appealing feature is that it comes with an integrated inner leggings. At first, I wondered what the bulky fabric would be like, but when I tried walking in them, I was surprised to find that the leggings were made with a cooling material that felt cool to the touch. They helped to reduce muscle movement, allowing for more comfortable and stable walking than I expected. The hem was a little narrow, but apart from that, they were quite comfortable to wear

The fabric itself is breathable, and there's ventilation in the back, so you won't feel stuffy even on summer hikes. The outer fabric is also water-repellent, making it the only pants I've used, so it's especially great for hiking pants, as it keeps you dry

On the other hand, perhaps because it was developed for cycling, the various holders built into both pockets are disappointingly useless. The "bottle holder" is large enough to fit a 1-liter bottle, but since I obviously won't be using it for hiking, I decided to cut it out later

As for the "smartphone pocket" on the right thigh, it's impossible to fit a smartphone in it due to its size. So, I'm sorry to say that I'll remove it

The short length and spats design keep you cool even in the middle of summer, allow for good mobility, and the waist fits snugly (it comes with belt loops), so I felt it would be perfect for active outdoor activities like trail running

summary

After wearing roughly five models this time, I found pants that are useful in a variety of ways, from practical aspects that cannot be understood from specs alone. From the excellent AERO STRETCH climbing shorts and summer 2-way pants ACTIVE TYPE , to models that are easy to use for camping ( AERO GUARD STRETCH shorts and AERO STRETCH shorts ), and models that are easy to use for running ( heat-shielding DOUBLE MESH ACTIVE cross shorts ), all of them are cost-effective and easy to wear, as long as you use them correctly.

Of course, I've mentioned a lot of details, but for something as simple as shorts, in addition to technical aspects like material and functionality, it's also important to be able to wear them comfortably without thinking too much. Summer is still going on. I hope this review helps you choose the perfect shorts for you. Have a wonderful summer!