Meet the reviewer
The North Face Trailjammer Shorts: first impressions
Looser and better designed than last year's Stolemberg Alpine Slim Straight shorts from The North Face, these hiking shorts make a cool option for various warm weather activities. With good coverage but a loose fit, you'll enjoy adequate sun protection but avoid overheating.
The breathability of the nylon fabric is enhanced by laser-cut holes and a good serving of elastane means you can wear these for rock climbing as well as hiking and biking.
• List price: €100/ £90
• Gender specification: Men's and women's sizing available
• Sizes: Men's 28 - 38 / Women's XXS - XL
• Weight (women's S): 7 oz / 200 g
• Materials: 89% Nylon, 11% Elastane
• Colors: Black current purple, Asphalt grey, Monument grey
• Best use: Hiking, via ferrata, climbing, mountain biking, water sports
For stashing gear, there are four zipped pockets to choose from: two on the hips and two on the thighs which make accessing your phone easier even when you're mountain biking on rough terrain.
The stretchy waistband is really comfortable, but it's not adjustable, so size carefully and we do recommend sizing down. The men's version doesn't have a real fly, and we'd like to see some recycled content used, but we've enjoyed various activities wearing these in warm weather and been comfortable all day long.
The North Face Trailjammer Shorts: in the field
Last year I tested The North Face Stolemberg Alpine Slim Straight shorts and liked them a lot, but had issues with the waistband and fit. These shorts strike me as the new-and-improved version. We haven't got to shorts weather in Scotland yet, but I recently tested them on a hike, a mountain bike ride and a via ferrata during a press trip to Corsica with The North Face.
Here’s how they performed:
Sizing and fit
I tested a small and I would say these shorts run a little large. It wasn't a problem, but I'm aware that the waistband doesn't tighten, so if they were any larger I would have had difficulty keeping them up. I'd be better off with an XS.
The fit, however, is flattering around the waist and hips, coming down to the top of my kneecap for decent sun protection. The legs aren't as flappy as they appear when you pull them out of the packaging and I had no problem wearing these with a climbing harness. They're also loose enough to be worn over padded bike shorts, or leggings if you like that look.
Comfort and breathability
The loose fit is comfortable and airy, with no annoying catching or rubbing around the waist and hips and if you do size down, there's loads of stretch. The fit also means that there's barely any chance of getting sweaty, never mind needing the moisture-wicking properties that nylon provides. The breathability is enhanced by small, laser-cut holes on the backs of the things and sacral area, which is handy when wearing a backpack.
Weather protection and durability
I do find it interesting that these shorts are treated with a DWR, since I can imagine that I'd only wear them on warm, sunny days, but it didn't seem to affect their breathability during a warm via ferrata. They're also quick drying, which I tested after having to cross a river during our mad mountain bike ride, which is a huge plus if you're wearing them for water sports.
They're a sturdy enough construction, but one thing that gives me pause regarding their durability is the high content of elastane. While this makes them really versatile, it can also mean they don't stand up to as many washes before losing their shape. That said, because they're on the baggy side, they might not get as sweaty and need as much washing.
Storage and other details
Probably my favorite feature of these shorts is the excellent pockets. The hip pockets are fine for hiking, but once I got on my mountain bike I wanted someplace else for my phone and the thigh pockets are perfect. They keep the phone out of the way but still within easy reach, and all four pockets are zipped for security.
There aren't any other real features to speak of, and I did notice that the men's version doesn't have a real fly, which I'm guessing could be annoying on long adventures, but the same is true for lots of shorts especially bike shorts.
The North Face Trailjammer Shorts: the bottom line
Loose, comfortable, stretchy and breathable, these shorts are a good choice for anyone planning lots of warm weather adventures where they might be seeking one outfit to wear across several activities, and if those activities include getting wet, you'll quickly be dry again. They don't use any recycled content and they're a little on the pricey side, but we can imagine wearing them for the entire summer.
