For our Yosemite North Rim hiking trip, Columbia gave the women a pair of the Silver Ridge convertible hiking pants to use. I wore the hiking pants every day of that trip and pretty much every day during my recent trip to the Bavarian Alps in Garmisch, Germany.
The Silver Ridge pants have a very tailored, flattering look compared to most normal, bulky hiking pants. The 2-way comfort stretch fabric means even though the pants are tailored, you still have tons of mobility for activities such as scrambling or even bouldering.
The zip-off legs are great for those really hot, bug-free days or when you encounter a high river crossing on the trail. A convenient zip pocket on the left thigh is perfect for storing your lip balm and maybe some snacks for the day, while a hidden back mesh pocket offers extra storage space for money or a small map.
The convertible hiking pants sit just below the waist so won't get in the way of your backpack hip belt. Ankle zippers make getting your boots on and off easier, while the leg hem cinch enables you to pull them tight over the top of your boots, acting like gaiters to help keep out dirt, rocks, and even snow.
Columbia packs in the fabric technology to create not only comfortable, but high performance convertible hiking pants. Omni-Wick technology means the pants dry virtually within minutes. I trampled right through our river crossings in Yosemite without rolling up or removing the lower half of the hiking pants as I knew they would dry quickly on the trail.
Mesh panels along the back of the waist help to ventilate an area where you would normally sweat heavily, especially when wearing a backpack. Columbia's Omni-Shade technology gives you SPF 50 sun protection so you don't have to worry about getting burned. Lightweight and wind resistant, the convertible hiking pants are warm enough to hang out in at night even after the sun goes down.
The Silver Ridge convertible hiking pants come in normal pants sizing of 2-14. You tall and shorter women will be extremely excited to hear the hiking pants also come in three different inseam sizes: 30", 32", and "34. I would recommend ordering a size down from your normal pants size. Don't worry, when you first try them on and you think they are way too tight across the backside, everything will loosen up as soon as you start hiking.
Bottom Line: The Silver Ridge are comfortable summer hiking pants that will keep you cool, protected and dry quickly on the trail.
The Columbia Silver Ridge convertible hiking pants come in 4 different colors, retail for $65, and are available now.