Montane Terra Lite Shorts review: when the sun’s out they let the breeze in

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Montane Terra Lite Shorts: first impressions

Made specifically for hiking, trekking and backpacking during the summer months, these Terra Lite shorts from British outdoor apparel and equipment brand Montane are ultra thin and exceptionally light. But how do they compare to the best hiking shorts on the market ?

• List price: $90 (US) / £70 (UK)
• Gender specificity: Men’s
• Size & fit: XS-XXL / 30in-38in waist
• Weight: 180g / 6.5oz
• Materials: Nylon (94%), Elastane (6%)
• Colors: Black / Olive / Overland
• Compatibility: Perfect for fine-weather walking, day hikes and traveling

Comfortable next to the skin, the Terra Lites are so breezy you barely know you have them on.

The fabric is cool and smooth to the touch and the fit is fairly relaxed too, with enough gaps to let a bit of breeze though, which can make a big difference on the hills and trails when the mercury’s climbing.

There’s also plenty of stretch in the material, for when you’re clambering over stiles or scrambling around a crag.

Available in three colors, these are specifically men’s shorts – the closest women's equivalent to the Terra Lite are the Montane Terra Stretch Lite Shorts .

Montane Terra Lite Shorts: design and materials

The super thin ‘Vector Lite’ fabric is a synthetic mix of nylon and elastane, none of which, unfortunately, is recycled. It is, however, dynamic (with a good amount of two-way stretch), and deliciously comfortable to wear, especially in warm conditions. This main fabric has been treated with PFC-free DWR (durable water resistance) to repel small amounts of water, and it’s also quick drying in the event of a proper drenching.

The shorts fasten with a button, popper and zip. The belt, which comes included, is thin, but works perfectly well, with a small aluminum featherlight hook-style buckle. Although it’s color-coordinated with the shorts, the belt isn’t physically integrated into the design, so you can remove it altogether, or use a different one if you prefer.

The Terra Lite shorts have two quite shallow hand pockets and a back pocket with a zip, for securing cash or a card. There are no thigh or map pockets.

Montane Terra Lite Shorts: on the trails

As I’ve been walking in increasingly warm weather over the last month or more, I’ve really embraced these light and breezy Terra Lite knee revealers. The Vector Lite material used in these in shorts stays very cool and comfortable next to my skin, even in the most hot and humid conditions, when many other shorts would start to feel prickly, scratchy and slightly annoying.

The amount of stretch in the material is enough to make them excellent for summer rock scrambling sessions, or even actual rock climbing, but not so full-on that they start to get clingy. The ‘Vector Lite’ fabric has been treated with a PFC-free DWR, so moisture from early morning dew, mountain mist and light rain just beads up and rolls off. I have been caught out in the occasional summer deluge while wearing these shorts, though, and while the water does soak through, they also dry extremely fast.

Paired with a good pair of walking shoes and trekking socks , Montane’s Terra Lite shorts are perfect for fair-weather wandering, from casual summer strolls to hardcore hill hikes and multi-day adventures. They’re also excellent for weekend excursions when the weather is unsettled, and for bigger travelling experiences, taking up very little space in your backpack and barely bothering the scales at all.

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