Customer Reviews Columbia Silver Ridge™ Cargo Short

I buy about 3 of these a year. They're very breathable, resistant to liquids, and light. The downsides; The material used for the pockets rips now and then over time. They downgraded the belts from tough nylon to stretchy elastic. :( Otherwise, a very decent shorts :)

I say they are good but awesome cause the back velcro pockets don't velcro together when you have a wallet or something in them. Don't really protect you from it falling out of someone pocket picking you. But they are awesome cause they are lightweight with the side pockets are great to have one that zips for extra production and use ability. The other is just as good! Use them all the time.

Skip the belt and make the waist band a little sturdier, it tends to "roll" and become uncomfortable. Other than that I really like the shorts, light, comfortable and dry quickly.

Does anyone know if these can be used to swim?

Extremely comfortable and lightweight. These shorts dry very quickly and are true to size. I will be buying a few more pairs of these, and I highly recommend them to anyone else.

These shorts fit good, and are very light weight. Very comfortable to wear in the heat. The length is okay but it would be nice if them came a little longer. That is the only downside to these shorts.

I bought these shorts a size too large because I read they run a bit small. I usually wear a 34" but purchased the 36" waist size instead, perfect fit!!! The 12" inseam was perfect for me as the ends of the shorts land just above my knee. The shorts are very light, but also made of very durable and comfortable material. I will buy a few more pair for sure!!!

Great fit , very comfortable, quik drying.

Just a week or so ago I received my order - prompt and as ordered. The shorts were just what I wanted and what I expected. Good quality. Nice color - the grey ash. They do seem to run a little on the larger side. (Or have I lost a few pounds? Maybe I need to hit the scale!) Have a previous pair in different color. The older pair has held up very well and so I expect these new ones will do likewise. Would I recommend these shorts? Absolutely.

I am used to the Columbia shorts for quiet a while,it's very confy and easy to clean,perfect for summer heat,I have ordered with big and tall size,It looks a bit different than the regular sizes,too bad the the small poket with zipp, next to the right pocket does not exist anymore,it was very useful.overall it is a pretty good one.

Quality and price are great. I bought a size 36 for my brother but they looked really small so had to send them back. You should probably buy a size up. The adjustable belt will allow you to make them a bit smaller if you need. Look and feel was nice for the short time I had them in my hands.

waist size was fine, legs could have been slimmer

Very light weight and durable. Great for the hot summer and high humidity. Inside of the front pockets are mesh so keys and other items can get stuck. The size runs a bit on the smaller size than stated even though they have elastic sides. Belt is thin and has a cheap plastic buckle. Overall good for active outdoor summer wear.

I was disappointed that they do not make these longer. I am 6'10", and they just barely reach my knee when standing, definitely raise higher while sitting. That aside, it is quality fabric that will keep you cool during hot temperatures. It has a swim-suit feel on the outside and inside, but do not look like it at all. There is a whooshing sound when you walk and the material moves against you. It was noticeable to me, but not necessarily a problem. I just wish they would make this particular pair of shorts longer, so that I could upgrade them beyond the "good to lounge around the house in" status that they are currently.

Left side has zip, right is velcro flap. I'd prefer both to be flap or zip but they are functional as is. My 6s fits both comfortably. I went with size 34 (typically 34/35) and these are working but might do a 36 next time for more freedom of movement.

Shorts look great, are lightweight and cool. Just what I needed for summertime outdoor excursions or just bumming around town. I ordered two pair, and noticed a slight inconsistency in sizing. Thankfully Zappos' incredible return policy made this a non-issue. Order your normal waist size, but be prepared to go up or down a size depending on what you get.

This is a good product. Reviews I read said they ran small. I bought a size larger and they are fine (I like shorts a tad baggy). I prefer a zippered rear pocket, but no big deal.

Shorts are comfortable and cool and made well. The belt is not of the same quality.

Size does run small...I wear 31/32 in most pants and the 34 fit nicely. Light, packs small, waist has nice elastic "give" and belt is removable. My only complaint is hand pockets are too shallow.

After reading reviews I decided to go up a size...... Big mistake. Shorts were huge! Just order next two sizes down. Hoping one of them will fit.

I bought a couple of these last year or the year before. I liked them so much that I decided to buy a couple more this year. While I have not worn them much yet I have already found one feature that was nicer in the older shorts. Namely the belt. The new belt clasp is not as easy to use, feels less secure, and feels cheaper than the old belt. Beyond this the shorts are still comfortable and provide all the features I require in a hiking short. A year ago I would have rated these 5 stars overall and 5 stars for quality and function. I would probably still have rated them 5 stars if I did not have the older shorts to compare. Just a minor step down in quality.

My new favorite hiking/casual shorts. I'm ordering a second pair. I like things simple, but still have some exacting requirements that make it hard to find suitable clothing. Specifically, I've found that many of the slimmer styles that are around today make storing bulky items like keys, phone, and wallet all but impossible. The pockets on theses shorts fit the bill for me perfectly. The pockets are roomy enough without being poofy, and the shorts are extremely cool and lightweight. The fabric seems thin, but very durable.

UPF and light weight, very comfortable!

Ok, so I was apprehensive about buying these shorts because of the mixed reviews and size/fit concerns but I pulled the trigger and bought a couple pairs and here is what I think. I usually wear a 36 waist pant from Columbia, and that is the same size I bought in these shorts (36x12). I would say they are the same fit around the waist as I am used to buying. The crotch area which other reviewers have stated to be "very snug" in that area, I did not experience that with these shorts, they have the same fit as any other Modern Classic fit items...they may have made adjustments to the fit for 2015 too, not sure. I ordered the Everblue & Columbia Grey colors, and they are 2 great new colors. Love that Columbia is experimenting with actual "colors" instead of just the usual earth tones... I will be buying a few more of these for the Peace Corps trip I have in Africa next month. Hoping these will be the right summer weight shorts for year round temps around 100F. I have high hopes for these, as being easy to hand wash, quick drying, wicking sweat, providing sunblock without applying any, and meeting my outdoor style. The only thing that would make these better is if there was also Insect Blocker in the fabric. I also think it would be cool if the 2 cargo pockets were reversed (zipper pocket on the right, and velcro pocket on the left), but it is not a big deal or inconvenience in any way. I also think a future modification would be to make these with a Snap closure as opposed to the Button, for some reason I just think it would be better that way. Also the included belt is a nice touch, it IS removable and is not sewn into the shorts like I have heard some people say. Needless to say, I like that they come in the 12" inseam too. I don't like my shorts too long or too short, these sit right at the bottom of the knee cap. These do not weigh much at all, which is one thing I look for in backpacking clothes, or when being TSA baggage weight conscious, they fold up quite small too, so bringing multiple pairs will not be an issue. These will pair up great with the many Silver Ridge Shirts I own too. Great job Columbia on these, keep experimenting with color options, and continue to make future versions of these cooler! Will buy more!