Helly Hansen Vandre and Quick-Dry Cargo Shorts

Helly Hansen Cargo Shorts proved really good for all our activities in Croatia including on our bike rides [©Jean Gormley]

Helly Hansen Vandre Cargo Shorts and Quick-Dry (QD) Cargo Shorts 11 are both well-suited for wear on most non-formal occasions, writes Mike Gormley.

I have close to lived in these shorts since I received them from HH for review, first wearing them on a sunshine trip overseas and then more generally thanks to the recent wonderful UK weather; I’m not a postie so I don’t wear shorts year round!

¤ Front view of both pairs of shorts for comparison ~ Vandre on left ~ note the different pocket size and closure types as well as waist fastenings
¤ Back view of both shorts note the stretch fabric panel on the Vandre but no rear pocket
[© Mike Gormley]

I have found both shorts types from HH good to wear and very practical. Easy to wash and generally they put up with daily constant use in everything I do; and I have to say I have abused these somewhat. I started off keeping them ‘for best’ but then as I wore them daily they got used for everything. I have to say they coped well as I wore them for general daily use, going for walks, boating, cycling and even gardening, as well as going out socially.

In UK the HH Quick-Dry Cargo Shorts, worn here with HH Juell Storm Jacket, have been ideal for kayaking
[© Jean Gormley]

The QD stands for Quick-Dry and these Deep Fjord blue, one of a wide range of colours including two khaki shades, are made from ripstop material. There are two good-sized, press stud secured, side pockets and there are also two open-top slant pockets with mesh inners as well as a zipped back pocket. So the user has plenty of stowage. I prefer the pocket set up on the QD shorts better than those on the Vandre. The QD material is a very pleasant to wear material and good for those warmer days.

Out walking out on Dartmoor at Bowerman’s Nose in the HH Vandre Cargo Shorts ~ also wearing the previously reviewed HH Odin Power Stretch [© Jean Gormley]

The Deep Steel blue Vandre Cargo Shorts have a more robust feel. There are fewer colours in the range for these; mine are Deep Steel (blue) but Spruce (green) and Ebony (black) are also available. These I would suggest are best for hiking and harder use. The rear backside panel is of a stretchy elastane material for added comfort when mobile with more extreme movements. The two side pockets are good sized but not as large as those on the QD shorts. Also these have hook and loop fastening so are perhaps easier to access but may be not as secure. Side slant pockets are here, but there is no rear pocket.

The HH Quick-Dry Cargo Shorts, worn here with the HH Odin to keep the post-kayaking chill off, do dry quickly if a bit wet after coming off the water [© Jean Gormley]

I like the design of both these shorts, though if down to me I would put the features of both together. Horses for courses, I guess, but both pairs are really good.

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