- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018
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Exactly and I would like to know why men’s gear comes in normal colours and women get fluoro!
I am so bummed out! The last two Caminos (and many other long-distance hikes), I have worn REI Sahara shorts. They were perfect; lightweight, 10 inches (about 25.5 cm) long, and had very usable side cargo pockets with velcro flaps over them. Very accessible. I kept my cell phone in one pocket and my money/passport/wallet in the other. There were also zippered flat pockets over the cargo pockets and regular top pockets, both of which were useful for other things.
As often is the case with women's outdoor clothing, the supplier apparently decided they weren't "flattering" enough. (If I was looking for fashion, I wouldn't be shopping for cargo hiking shorts). The new REI women's Sahara shorts are shorter, the cargo pockets are smaller and the flaps over them are tacked down on the sides, so it's difficult to put things in or remove them. I notice the men's version is still offered in the longer, old style.
Why does this infuriate me so? Well, I worked in the outdoor industry for many years and saw this happen again and again. "Serious" outdoor companies like Patagonia (back in the "pile jacket" climbing days, even) almost always did this with women's clothing. The men's versions were practical and usable, and the women's versions sacrificed all that for looks. The sales reps readily admitted it. The only thing that wasn't different was the price.
I am really pissed off about this. I can't find any other practical cargo shorts that work for me for hiking.
I am so bummed out! The last two Caminos (and many other long-distance hikes), I have worn REI Sahara shorts. They were perfect; lightweight, 10 inches (about 25.5 cm) long, and had very usable side cargo pockets with velcro flaps over them. Very accessible. I kept my cell phone in one pocket and my money/passport/wallet in the other. There were also zippered flat pockets over the cargo pockets and regular top pockets, both of which were useful for other things.
As often is the case with women's outdoor clothing, the supplier apparently decided they weren't "flattering" enough. (If I was looking for fashion, I wouldn't be shopping for cargo hiking shorts). The new REI women's Sahara shorts are shorter, the cargo pockets are smaller and the flaps over them are tacked down on the sides, so it's difficult to put things in or remove them. I notice the men's version is still offered in the longer, old style.
Why does this infuriate me so? Well, I worked in the outdoor industry for many years and saw this happen again and again. "Serious" outdoor companies like Patagonia (back in the "pile jacket" climbing days, even) almost always did this with women's clothing. The men's versions were practical and usable, and the women's versions sacrificed all that for looks. The sales reps readily admitted it. The only thing that wasn't different was the price.
I am really pissed off about this. I can't find any other practical cargo shorts that work for me for hiking.
Jill, have you tried the men’s shorts? I have only ever used them, because as you say, they are made for the task of on the move storage...
I already wear men's tee shirts and men's shoes, so might as well. It Grinches me though, to pay full retail and then have to alter them to fit. Dave, the zip off Saharas have a lousy fit, too. And most of the Sahara shorts on eBay are the new version. Clearly the only thing that's going to make me happy is if they bring my old shorts back.
Take a look at Craghoppers shorts. Lightweight, dual pockets and REALLY durable.
That is too bad. I hate it when they spoil things by 'improving' them.
I am so bummed out! The last two Caminos (and many other long-distance hikes), I have worn REI Sahara shorts. They were perfect; lightweight, 10 inches (about 25.5 cm) long, and had very usable side cargo pockets with velcro flaps over them. Very accessible. I kept my cell phone in one pocket and my money/passport/wallet in the other. There were also zippered flat pockets over the cargo pockets and regular top pockets, both of which were useful for other things.
As often is the case with women's outdoor clothing, the supplier apparently decided they weren't "flattering" enough. (If I was looking for fashion, I wouldn't be shopping for cargo hiking shorts). The new REI women's Sahara shorts are shorter, the cargo pockets are smaller and the flaps over them are tacked down on the sides, so it's difficult to put things in or remove them. I notice the men's version is still offered in the longer, old style.
Why does this infuriate me so? Well, I worked in the outdoor industry for many years and saw this happen again and again. "Serious" outdoor companies like Patagonia (back in the "pile jacket" climbing days, even) almost always did this with women's clothing. The men's versions were practical and usable, and the women's versions sacrificed all that for looks. The sales reps readily admitted it. The only thing that wasn't different was the price.
I am really pissed off about this. I can't find any other practical cargo shorts that work for me for hiking.
Me too, I guess if I cant get what what I want in the womens range, I'll have the buy the men's version and have them altered. No I wouldnt wear the convertible zip off pants either, I dislike those, and I only wear shorts anyway.Wow, timely article! Of course they are arguing about the function and fashion of cargo shorts for men, which are available everywhere. Women's cargo shorts are the ones that are doomed. That's because we carry designer handbags.
Macabre skirt? Hah! I don't even wear long pants on the Camino because they are too heavy.
I don’t understand why everyone suddenly has to have an opinion on cargo shorts, but I’m for them.
— Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) August 2, 2016
Here are three that might be what you are looking for. I can see why you like the functionality of the older design. Note that the first listing ends in about one hour.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REI-Womens-Sahara-Long-Shorts-Size-8-Quick-Dry-Nylon-Black/222966251679?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REI-10-Inseam-Womens-Size-2-UPF-50-Sahara-Shorts-in-Khaki/323280909765?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
https://www.ebay.com/itm/REI-Co-op-Sahara-Shorts-Item-81451/173111718825?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
I am so bummed out! The last two Caminos (and many other long-distance hikes), I have worn REI Sahara shorts. They were perfect; lightweight, 10 inches (about 25.5 cm) long, and had very usable side cargo pockets with velcro flaps over them. Very accessible. I kept my cell phone in one pocket and my money/passport/wallet in the other. There were also zippered flat pockets over the cargo pockets and regular top pockets, both of which were useful for other things.
As often is the case with women's outdoor clothing, the supplier apparently decided they weren't "flattering" enough. (If I was looking for fashion, I wouldn't be shopping for cargo hiking shorts). The new REI women's Sahara shorts are shorter, the cargo pockets are smaller and the flaps over them are tacked down on the sides, so it's difficult to put things in or remove them. I notice the men's version is still offered in the longer, old style.
Why does this infuriate me so? Well, I worked in the outdoor industry for many years and saw this happen again and again. "Serious" outdoor companies like Patagonia (back in the "pile jacket" climbing days, even) almost always did this with women's clothing. The men's versions were practical and usable, and the women's versions sacrificed all that for looks. The sales reps readily admitted it. The only thing that wasn't different was the price.
I am really pissed off about this. I can't find any other practical cargo shorts that work for me for hiking.
@JillGat ... LL Bean? I actually had both the trail shorts and capri to walk Italy last year. Not technically cargo, but 5 useful pockets and the fabric was wonderful as was the waistband. Dries quickly, pricey like all others.
https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/680...s&bc=&feat=Shorts-SR0&csp=a&searchTerm=Shorts
Congratulations. I have been spending a lot of time lately looking for a woman's long-sleeved shirt, well ventilated and with lots of pockets, to replace my previous shirt for outdoor wear, which wore out. This type of shirt is available for men at MEC, but there is nothing comparable for women. Outdoor outfitters seem to pay more attention to their ideas about stylish women's clothes than to practicality. Women's long sleeved shirts at MEC currently seem to favour no, or one, small breast pocket, with no fastener, light colours which will show the dirt, and no ventilation comparable to that in men's shirts designed for outdoor wear. Many are 100 percent cotton. I suspect that, before I leave for my next camino in the fall, I shall purchase a men's shirt in a suitable size. That is another problem with the women's shirts: too fitted to breathe well and apparently designed to show off women's breasts, rather than to help keep them cool and comfortable. I have been shopping for a men's shirt with at least some of the qualities which I want at a second-hand store, but most of the available shirts are men's size large, not practical for me. I really have no hope that the industry will change. It seems to me that things are getting worse. The question for me is why the designers, manufacturers and buyers do not want our business more than they want to stare at our bodies. I suspect that part of this has to do with the relative cheapness of made in China shirts for women, not designed for outdoor wear. Maybe I need to extend my shopping to more second-hand stores until I find something which will do at a possible price. I am getting too fussy to keep my focus on the pilgrimage and just make do.
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