I’m a big fan of convertible pants—I like the versatility. I typically don’t like the short inseams on the shorts. OR’s Equinox Convertibles feel great and are incredibly comfortable as pants, but what about as shorts?
Light weight and quick drying nylon that feels great to the touch, the Equinox also have DWR to repel water and SolarShield to block harmful rays. But they also have nine inch inseams on the shorts, which is better than the eight inch on some I’ve tested…but still pretty short for me. With front slash pockets and rear pockets, but no cargo pockets, the Equinox do offer draw cords at the ankles to seal out debris or unwelcome visitors—a nice touch.
Convertibility makes these pants good in all kinds of warmer weather, from mild spring mornings to hot summer days with the legs zipped off to keep cool, inseam be damned. I enjoyed them on the trail and around town both, feeling comfortable no matter what I was doing. But obviously the Equinox shined the brightest when I was crawling over boulders or being glad for the breathable pant legs while wading through poison ivy-rich undergrowth. The articulated knees and gusseted crotch offer great range of movement.
Gripes are few: I do like a cargo pocket or two for my odds and ends on the trail, and not to beat a dead horse, but another inch on the inseam of the shorts would be awesome. I can’t fault OR’s manufacturing or quality at all—everything is totally top notch and feels very high quality. They showed no wear at all during our testing.
The Equinox Convertibles run $75 on Outdoor Research’s website, which is competitive for this type of technical gear. If you don’t demand cargo pockets and want some great versatility, I highly recommend Outdoor Research’s Equinox Convertibles.
