Royal Robbins
Backcountry Short
Owner Review

Name:  Ashlee Gunter  
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 1” (1.52 m)
Weight: 115 lb (50 kg)
Email address: n8trlvr76@yahoo.com
City, State: Baton Rouge (Denham Springs), LA
Date: June 6, 2004

Backpacking Bio

I have been backpacking and hiking most of my life.  Actually, I was car camping before I was born.  Growing up, my Father was a Scoutmaster.  He would load my sister and me up with packs, just like the guys, and take us along with him on their trips.  As I’ve grown, I’ve had the opportunity to hike and backpack in Florida, Utah and Idaho, and presently Louisiana and Mississippi.  I’ve hiked terrain from high desert to swamp.  I do not really have much experience or desire for winter mountaineering. I spent the majority of the past four years either pregnant or caring for a young child.  As a result, I have been limited to primarily day hiking in recent years.  My son is now 3 and I get to backpack again. It is really fun getting back into it and I wonder how I was satisfied with just day hiking the past few years.  Because of a busy life, my trips are still limited mostly to day or weekend trips.  My son joins us on most of our trips.  As a result of this, lightweight compact gear is essential for us, although I would not classify myself as a true ultralight backpacker.

Product Information

Manufacturer:	Royal Robbins
Web Site:	http://www.royalrobbins.com/
Year of Manufacture:	2004
MSRP:	$39.95 US
Listed Weight:	4 oz (113 g)
Actual Weight:	4 oz (113 g)

Features

• Made from lightweight 4-oz., 3-ply DuPont® Supplex® nylon
• Gusseted crotch moves seams out of high friction areas
• Double seat reinforces the site of most wear
• Adjustable button waistband tabs
• Large cargo pockets in front and back
• Front zip pocket
• 5” (12.7 cm) inseam

Locations

I have worn these shorts on backpacking, day hiking and car camping trips in Louisiana and Mississippi.  The terrain in these areas has varied from wet marshes with very little (if any) elevation to hills ranging from 200 - 400 ft (61 - 122 m).  I have worn these shorts in temperatures ranging from 60 - 90 F (16 - 32 C).  Humidity is always prevalent in these areas and rain is common.  I also have worn the Backcountry Short as an everyday article of clothing.

Field Use

I purchased my first pair of these shorts this February.  I liked them so much that I purchased a second pair a month later.  Since then, I have worn them on just about every backpacking, day hiking and camping trip I have been on.  As a matter of fact, I pretty much live in them.

The first thing I noticed about the Royal Robbins Backcountry Short was its price.  In comparison to other outdoor manufacturers that make similar products, these shorts were reasonably priced.  I do not mind paying for quality, but I do not want to pay for a name.  While the shorts were not cheap, I did not feel like I was getting ripped off when I purchased them.

When I put the shorts on for the first time, I immediately noticed how comfortable they were.  The Supplex® Nylon is soft and feels more like polyester than nylon. When I am wearing the shorts, the Nylon is not noisy like other types of nylon. They move with me and are extremely light.  When hiking in the Backcountry Short, I have had no problems with rubbing or chaffing.  When I am wearing a pack, the waistband lies comfortably beneath my hipbelt. 

In Louisiana, it is extremely wet.  In the summer months, it rains almost everyday.  Even if it is not raining, the humidity is exceptionally high.  Because of these conditions, staying dry is a concern in this area.  The Backcountry Short not only dries very fast when it gets wet, it also wicks the moisture away from my skin and keeps me comfortable.   

Another feature I like about the Backcountry Short is its pockets.  I can access my pockets with a pack on, which is a feature I really like.  The front and back cargo pockets are deep enough to slip my cell phone or other valuables in without worrying about them falling out.  The back pockets also have Velcro to provide further protection. In addition to the cargo pockets, there are another set of outside pockets on each side in the front of the short.  One of these pockets is zippered and the other has Velcro to keep it shut. 

The Royal Robbins Backcountry Short fits really well.  It is cut in a way that allows movement, but it is still flattering.  Many shorts that allow movement are extremely baggy, but that is not the case with these.  They also have button adjustments on each side of the waistband.  This allows me to loosen the waistband when I’ve eaten too much good Cajun food.

In addition to wearing these shorts in the field, I wear them as an everyday article of clothing.  Although they are designed for the outdoors, they are attractive enough to wear casually.  They are a great short when I want something comfortable to wear with a T-shirt or tank top.  I wear these shorts often to the store, the movies and just about anywhere.  Their wrinkle resistance makes them easy to wash and wear.  It also makes them easy to pack.  While I am hiking, I don’t care if clothing comes out of my pack wrinkled, but for travel, the wrinkle resistant feature has been an asset.

Although I have only owned the Royal Robbins Backcountry Short for a few months, I have worn them enough to conclude they are very durable.  In the months I have owned them, I have probably averaged wearing one of the two pairs I own at least once a week, usually more.  They have been my primary short on backpacking trips I have been on in these past few months.  Much of that hiking has been through water, against rocks and in the dirt.  The dirt and mud brushes right off these shorts.  This keeps it out of the fibers of the short and keeps the material from breaking down.  More importantly, there are no abrasions, loose threads, or any other signs of the abuse I have put them through.  They are still just as strong and have held their shape.  While eventually, everything will show signs of wear, I have not seen anything that would lead me to believe they will deteriorate any time soon.

Summary

Spending a few years working in the outdoor retail industry has made me a consumer that is pickier than most.  The Royal Robbins Backcountry Short has become my favorite article of clothing.  These shorts are comfortable and breathable, while resisting dirt and abrasions.

Things I Like

Ø      Comfortable

Ø      Breathable and Quick Drying

Ø      Price

Things I Don’t Like

Ø      That I don’t own more pairs