Rab Radius 12in Short - Men's Army, 38

"What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:""I took the Radius 12in Short on a full cragging day with a mix of steep sport routes and some boulder problems, and the stretch canvas held up through all of it without binding or riding up on high steps. The gusset and knee articulation are the real difference makers here, and the slim cut looks clean enough that I wore them straight to the brewery after without changing.""A good pair of climbing shorts disappears once you're on the wall. The Rab Radius 12in Short gets out of the way when you need a high step on a technical slab, a wide bridging move in a corner, or a deep squat at the base of a boulder problem. The midweight stretch cotton canvas moves with intention rather than fighting it, and the gusset at the crotch, combined with knee articulation, means the fabric follows your body instead of pulling against it. Off the rock, the slim leg and classic jeans-style construction keep things looking put together without broadcasting that you just spent the day at the crag. Two open hand pockets and a coin pocket handle the essentials, two rear patch pockets add a little extra real estate, and the reinforced back hem means repeated sessions on rough rock won't take their toll on the construction. Pre-washed cotton softens the feel straight out of the bag, and the PFAS-free fabric keeps the environmental footprint honest."

Price: $52.50 from Backcountry