Wednesday, September 27, 2023
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REVIEWED: Royal Robbins Loden Short

Good value, versatile travel shorts, but they lack a second security pocket

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Pockets, pockets, pockets. With zips, zips, zips. That’s what ‘travel shorts’ need to have, and they almost never do. You need a zipped pocket for a passport (or two), and one for coins and cash. And another for a smartphone.

Quick-dry

The Royal Robbins Loden Shorts almost get it right. Almost. Made from a soft, lightweight and extremely quick-drying fabric, these travel shorts are great for trips through humid areas like South-east Asia and India. The fabric has a bit of give in it for hiking, and the pockets are all mesh-lined.

Rear entry

Ah, the pockets. On the rear is a zipped pocket ideal for a passport or tickets. Don’t want to store anything back there? We don’t blame you. Happily there’s another pocket, a side-opener, on the right leg, which id ideally-sized for a passport or a smartphone. Or, at a push, both.

Hip to be square

However, that’s where the zip fun ends. The two hip pockets are quite deep, but they are open on the sides. Easier to get your hands into, of course, but also easier for contents to fall out. Which leaves us with a conundrum; where to put coins and a phone?

Lacks a third pocket

Despite some well thought through pockets and an overall very useable, wearable build, the Loden are not the ultimate travel shorts. In fact, they’re not as good as the slightly more solid-feeling Alpine Road shorts, which have much more secure hip pockets, though an otherwise similar layout. However, if you’re travelling with a phone, a passport and a credit card, the Loden shorts will just about see you through.

Price as reviewed: £50

Buy the Royal Robbins Loden Short

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