Men’s Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Hiking Pant Review| CleverHiker

Bottom Line

The Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible pant is a budget-friendly choice for hikers seeking versatility. Made from lightweight, quick-drying nylon, these pants excel in warm weather and are ideal for hiking, backpacking, and travel. The zip-off legs convert them into shorts, offering convenience for changing conditions, and the UPF 50 fabric provides excellent sun protection. The Silver Ridge is a longtime favorite and continues to be one of our best hiking pants.

With a functional design, the Silver Ridge Convertible Pants feature six pockets, including a zippered thigh pocket for keeping smaller items secure.  The partial elastic waistband and gusseted crotch enhance mobility and comfort for spending our days out on the trail. However, the fit and durability of these pants leave more to be desired. These are some of the baggiest pants we’ve tested particularly through the lower legs. The thin material and mesh pockets leave us with concerns about the pants’ long-term durability. Despite these shortcomings, the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible pants are an affordable choice for fair-weather hikes and outdoor activities in summer temperatures.

How We Tested

We tested the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible on Alaskan trails, hikes, and peaks across the span of multiple months. Every pair of pants we test has been out in a variety of weather and we are sure to take each pair out for as many miles on trail as possible during that time.

Comfort & Mobility

The Silver Ridge comes with a partial elastic waistband and an included belt. The waistband features elastic through the back and a less stretchy material in the front. The integrated belt is a great feature to help keep the pants secure, but the large plastic buckle can press into the stomach uncomfortably when we bend over. A gusseted crotch is a great design to help make the pants more mobile. When in shorts mode, they have a ten-inch inseam for comfort and better breathability.

The fit of the Silver Ridge is large and billowy. The pants legs have a large diameter, especially below the knee. This is to make it easy to convert into shorts without having to remove the shoes. This means that while in pants mode, they are very baggy. These pants will likely fit thicker legs better.

Breathability

Even in pants mode, the Silver Ridge is extremely breathable. The thin nylon material made with Columbia’s Omni-Wick technology pulls moisture to the fabric’s surface and evaporates quickly. These pants dry very quickly when wet and are a great choice for wearing on hot summer days.  If the pants aren’t breathable enough for you, easily convert them to shorts for further ventilation. The combination of breathable fabric and the ability to convert into shorts makes the Silver Ridge one of our best pants to wear for hot summer days.

Weather Resistance

While extremely breathable, the Silver Ridge has little to offer for weather resistance. There is no water-resistant treatment or DWR coating to help resist moisture. The thin nylon material quickly wets through even with just a few drops of water. However, the thin fabric dries quickly when they do become soaked. These are not our first choice to wear on a rainy hike, but if you do get caught in the rain, they will dry quickly on the move.

Durability

Upon first wearing the Silver Ridge, it’s immediately evident that the nylon is extremely thin. This may improve breathability and drying ties, but it leaves us with questions about the pants’ long-term durability, particularly around the pant cuffs. On our test hikes, we often stepped on the large, buggy cuffs and scuffed them with our muddy shoes. Additionally, the thin mesh pockets are not confidence-inspiring and leave us questioning their integrity. Although the pants have held up during our tests, they will warrant keeping an eye on in the future for material failures.

Features

With six cargo pockets, there is plenty of room to carry essential items on your next hike. However, the pockets are awkwardly small and tight. The zippered pocket on the left thigh is too small to fit a cell phone, and the right velcro flap pocket is large enough that walking with it loaded is floppy and awkward. The zip-offs have color-coordinated zips to help keep the respective legs matched up. However, the lower legs lack a vertical zip making it difficult to convert into short mode while still wearing shoes. The Silver Ridge has a lot of the classic features found in cargo pants, but we feel like they could use some modern updates to make them more practical. Despite this, they are still a backcountry-ready pair of pants for those who like the classic practicality of cargo pants.

Should You Buy the Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pant?

If you’re someone who loves affordability and dependability, then the Silver Ridge is the pair of pants for you. Quick-drying, breathable, and convertible, this pant is an excellent option for summer adventures. However, Columbia has also favored  function over fashion. These pants are very baggy and not the best fit for thinner legs. Even though its look and fit aren’t for everyone, the Silver Ridge is a long-time favorite for its versatility and functionality. If you’re trying to get the best bang for your buck, the Silver Ridge is a dependable choice that offers great value.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Check out our full gear guide for the lineup of best hiking pants.

REI Sahara Convertible Review – Another great convertible pant, the Sahara offers similar performance but with slightly different features.

Rab Incline Light Review – If convertible pants aren’t your style, but you still want a highly breathable pant, the Incline Light is a great full-length option that still has great ventilation.

Mammut Runbold Review – Slimmer than the Silver Ridge, the Runbold is highly flexible and a better fit for skinnier legs.