Customer Reviews Columbia Sandy River™ Short

I am pear shaped and have trouble finding shorts that fit in the hip and not too big in the waist. I bought these shorts about 6 years ago and they were perfect. I still have them but need new ones as these are worn out! . however, the last two times I have ordered them they are too tight across the butt and in the crotch which makes the pockets bulge out. This is a sure sign that the short is too small. well, I am 5" 5" 145 pound fit woman and the medium is way small. if i had ordered a large the waist they would have been too big. take note columbia. why did you change the style of this short? The pair I got 6 years ago did not do this. I still have them and have worn holes in them. Although they didn't fit me, I would still recommend as I like the elastic waist and material. And when they get wet they dry quickly. If you arent hippy then buy this short. its inexpensive and will last forever.

Although they have an elastic waist, they were too tight across the butt and in the crotch. I didn't think the 5" length was comfortable either. Although they didn't fit me, I would still recommend as I like the elastic waist and material.

Love these shorts. I bought two in two different colors.

Love these short! They're comfy and practical. My only complaint is that they're kind of snug in the hip area.

I got these to go over my swim suit last summer in Coral Bloom. They were great for swimming (I used a pair of short running spandex shorts under to prevent see through). Cute and felt great... would recommend.

I bought a pair of Sandy River shorts a few years ago and loved them. The elastic has worn out so I bought a new pair to replace them. The new pair seems to have poorer quality elastic and is too big around the waist (XS). The fabric is soft and silky, but I wonder if it will be as durable as my old pair. Even the drawstring is thinner. The seam in the back from the crotch to the waist feels too short (feels like it might rip when I stoop down) unlike my old pair. I like the fit otherwise. They look nice when I have them on. I just don't know if they will last long like my old pair, especially since the waist is already loose on me and the elastic feels like it won't last. I rated them as running a little large because they are big in the waist for an extra small, but they are snug in the back due to the short seam that I mentioned.

Ordering a second pair - love these for all sorts of activities. Super comfortable, not too short which I prefer for activities. Use them kayaking, walking/hiking, and hanging out

Ordering a second pair - love these for all sorts of activities. Super comfortable, not too short which I prefer for activities. Use them kayaking, walking/hiking, and hanging out

I love these shorts. I bought a size up, so slightly large but I can't wait to wear them on the trail. Love the zipper pocket in the back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love these shorts just wish I could get my size in all colors...

Love the shorts and wish I had them in more colors now. I'm pretty petite and have athletic legs but small hips. I wish these ran a little smaller through the top of the shorts but it's not a deal breaker because of the drawstring. Definitely recommend!

These will be great for a beach vacation. Just wish they were longer to cover my old legs.

Lightweight, cool, and comfortable, even for longer hikes. A little shorter in length than I normally wear, but tolerable. Like the drawstring and elastic in the waistband.

These shorts are light weight and very comfortable!!! Love the variety of colors and that they don't hold sweat.

These shorts are made well and the fabric is great. My only complaint is that the hem rolls up when walking or running. It could be just me and maybe if you have very skinny thighs you won't have this problem.

Great except I wish they were a bit longer.

Wonderful fabric (feel, weight and colors) and nice design features. The rise is a tiny bit short but otherwise these are perfect shorts. Glad I bought two pairs!

You can dress the shorts up or down. The shorts are light weight and comfortable. Only minor flaw is the legs run large.

We got these shorts in a smal size for my daughter to wear with a bathing suit camisole. Even though she could easily wear a "barely there" bikini, she feels more comfortable with something that offers more coverage. These shorts worked great for that!

Love the more modern fit of these. These used to be unflattering, but these are less baggy now. Runs ever so slightly big, i'm usually between a size 6/8 for shorts so the small fit me quite nicely!

Liked the color & fabric; found these to run too small

These are just ok. They are straight and the material has no give.

Fit larger than usual. I am a regular customer of Columbia. So I was very surprised at how large these run!

This short would get 5 stars across the board except for one significant flaw: the netting used for the inside of the pocket shrinks! The netting is sewn to the material that makes up the outside of the short, so you end up with bunched pouches on each side where the pockets are. The shorts used to be made in Vietnam, and they don't sew the pocket to the short (ie they hang like an athletic short), so even if the netting of the pocket shrinks, it doesn't bunch the shorts at the pocket. The shorts are now made in Indonesia, and they've changed the style to where the pocket is sewn directly to the inside of the short - pocket shrinks, shorts bunch. They look really stupid. I think it probably takes five or six washes before this happens, but it will definitely happen if your shorts are from Indonesia. If you can get them from Vietnam, I have had no problem with those. Otherwise, these are seriously the best shorts I've ever had. I just have to keep buying new pairs whenever the pockets shrink, and they start looking stupid. Heads up Columbia. You really need to fix this problem and I have many many pairs of these shorts if you need any examples.

There is no lining other than a half panel in front so you can see through the lighter colors on the backside. Any light color, even the bright colors are see through. Also, the fit is not forgiving across the front waistline, I guess I assumed they would be expand in the waist like my older style does. I returned these. Seems to be a cheaper version of this style.