ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearColumbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: easy breezyColumbia’s summery hiking trousers can convert into shorts faster than it takes you to pronounce their nameWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyesterReasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustableWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearColumbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: easy breezyColumbia’s summery hiking trousers can convert into shorts faster than it takes you to pronounce their nameWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyesterReasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustableWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Columbia’s summery hiking trousers can convert into shorts faster than it takes you to pronounce their name
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyesterReasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustable
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyesterReasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustable
T3 VerdictThe Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.
T3 Verdict
The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can convert into hiking shorts in seconds, protect you from the sun, and dry quickly – a fantastic summer hiking essential. They might not be as rugged as other cold-weather pants, but in return, you’ll be rewarded with superb ventilation inside the trousers.
Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyesterReasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustable
Reasons to buy+UPF 50 sun protection+Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts+Super lightweight and well-ventilated+Made from 100% recycled polyester
UPF 50 sun protection
Convertible design allows for on-the-fly change to shorts
Super lightweight and well-ventilated
Made from 100% recycled polyester
Reasons to avoid-Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes-Hem isn’t adjustable
Relatively thin material makes it only suitable for warm weather hikes
Hem isn’t adjustable
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers deals
10 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
10 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
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$75$52.50View$70View$74.99View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50
$52.50
$70View
$70View
$70View
$70
$70
$74.99View
$74.99View
$74.99View
$74.99
$74.99
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If you’re into hiking and live in the UK – or any other country where the weather can change quickly – you’ll appreciate Columbia’s Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers. Thanks to their clever design, you can convert them into shorts in a matter of seconds and reattach the lower leg bits almost as quickly. For this reason, the trousers have earned their space in T3’sbest walking trousersguide. Read our Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review below to find out more.
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: price and availability
The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers are available to buy now directly fromColumbia UKandColumbia USfor a recommended retail price of £70/ $70 (approx. AU$ 104) - exact AU price and availability TBC. The women’s version is also available for thesame price. It’s worth mentioning that the men’s variety is available in ‘Standard’ and ‘Bigger’ versions, but the women’s version is only in ‘Standard’ (from what I can tell). Generally speaking, there is a good spread of different sizes and colours available (although many are shades of beige/brown).
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: design and construction
Columbia’s Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers caught my attention for their two-in-one design. Using the zips just above the knee line, you can easily detach the lower leg part of the trousers, converting them into cargo shorts – perfect for summer hikes when the weather can go from okay to not-so-okay quickly.
Of course, these hiking trousers are more than clever tools to show off your calves. The 100% recycled polyester material is not only more environmentally friendly, but it also provides protection against the sun, which is yet another useful feature for summer hikes. Plus, thanks to their airy, lightweight design (men’s 34W 30L only 322g) allows for better sweat-wicking and dries quicker than standard cotton.
Pocket-wise, you have two hand pockets, two back pockets, a cargo pocket and a zipped pocket – more than enough storage space for even longer hikes. Better still, all the pockets are located on the shorts section of the trousers, so even if you unzip the lower section, you won’t compromise storage space.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: performance
Say what you might, but the weather in the UK is perfect for hiking all year round. That said, you need to be ready for anything, especially during summer, when the weather can go from a balmy, sunny 20 Celsius degree to a cloudy, rainy 18 Celsius degree is what feels like a matter of seconds. The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers were designed for this kind of weather.
I was surprised at how light the pants felt when I got them out of the box. The recycled polyester material weighs next to nothing yet provides protection against the sun. It also protects against light winds, although these wouldn’t be my number one choice for battling the elements.
Considering how light the trousers are, I was slightly conscious about the zipping mechanism, thinking it would be hard to reattach the lower leg sections when required. Thankfully, I was proven wrong. One handy feature that helped reassemble the trousers was the colour-coded zip. On the right leg, the slider and the corresponding bottom stop help you identify which part goes where – clever design!
What isn’t so clever is the lack of an adjustable hem. Being able to pull the trousers tighter around the ankles to prevent critters (especially ticks) from accessing your legs when trawling through thick undergrowth would be excellent. The loose construction helps keep the air moving around under the fabric, though, so there is that.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: verdict
The Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers can be considered niche and general appeal hiking clothing. On the one hand, they are best suited for summer hikes when the weather is all over the place; on the other hand, the 2-in-1 design enables you to use the trousers in a variety of situations and makes them especially well-suited for ultralight hiking when you don’t want to pack more than what’s absolutely necessary.
I wish you could pull the trousers tighter around the ankles, but if you have tallerhiking boots, you can always tuck them in to prevent any issues that might arise from bugs crawling up your legs. It might not be the most fabulous look, but as long as it works, who am I to criticise the technique…
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers review: also consider
Outstanding quality, rugged outdoor trousers built to last – the Fjallraven Keb Curved Trouser stands out as the workhorse of the outdoor pant market. They might be a bit more expensive than Columbia’s trousers, but this hard-working design is worth splashing out on if you get outside in all conditions or work in the great outdoors. Extra points for sustainability, too. Read Sian’s fullFjallraven Keb walking trousers review.
Columbia Silver Ridge Utility Convertible Walking Trousers: Price Comparison
10 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
10 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$75$52.50View$75$54.56View$75$55.12View$70View$74.99View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50View
$75$52.50
$52.50
$75$54.56View
$75$54.56View
$75$54.56View
$75$54.56
$54.56
$75$55.12View
$75$55.12View
$75$55.12View
$75$55.12
$55.12
$70View
$70View
$70View
$70
$70
$74.99View
$74.99View
$74.99View
$74.99
$74.99
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