The Patagonia Quandary received mostly average scores across the board, except for in the comfort category, because the double inseams chafed against our inner thighs all day. This fact made them one of the least comfortable pairs in the review, which is too bad because otherwise, they are a solid pair of hiking pants. The material is lightweight and relatively breathable, and they can roll-up and snap into place on hot days. If you are looking for a genuinely comfortable pair, check out the Mountain Hardwear Dynama. Or, if you need something that can convert into shorts the Marmot Lobo's Convertible, is an excellent option at the same price.
Patagonia Quandary - Women's Review
Good for moderate day hikes but not an ideal backcountry hiking pant.
Price: $80 List | $79.00 at REI
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Lightweight, soft material
Cons: Double inseams chafe and are uncomfortable, not water resistant
Manufacturer: Patagonia
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Lightweight, soft material
Cons: Double inseams chafe and are uncomfortable, not water resistant
Manufacturer: Patagonia
By Cam McKenzie Ring ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ May 14, 2018
Our Verdict
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 This Product
Patagonia Quandary - Women's | |||||
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $79.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $64.97 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $69.95 at REI | $39.98 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $49.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, soft material | Hold their shape day after day, breathable, durable, deep hand pockets will hold a phone | Mobile, wide range of fit options, shed water easily, excellent pockets | Feminine fit, many adjustment options, mobile, comfortable, articulated knees | Versatile, stretchy, lightweight |
| Cons | Double inseams chafe and are uncomfortable, not water resistant | Fits tight on thighs, cargo pocket is not very useful | Button doesn’t appear to be durable, limited color options | Some pilling, weak buttons, small pockets | Longer short length, convertible zippers are uncomfortable, waistband stretches |
| Bottom Line | Good for moderate day hikes but not an ideal backcountry hiking pant. | An excellent, stretchy pair of pants that can handle almost anything. | A great bargain for a convertible hiking pant the does it all. | Great pair for colder hiking days, rock climbing, or bouldering. | A versatile pair of convertible pants that work well for most outdoor activities. |
| Rating Categories | Patagonia Quandary - Women's | Ferrosi Convertible | Sahara Convertible | Prana Halle - Women's | Lobo's Convertible Pant |
| Comfort Mobility (30%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Features Conveniences (15%) | |||||
| Breathability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Patagonia Quandary... | Ferrosi Convertible | Sahara Convertible | Prana Halle -... | Lobo's Convertible... |
| Measured Weight (in oz) | 9 oz | 9.5 oz | 9.6 oz | 12 oz | 9 oz |
| Inseam (from crotch to cuff) | 30" or 32" | 31" (pant), 9.5" (shorts) | 32" | 32" (pant), 24" (crop) | 32" (pants), 24" (crop), 9" (shorts) |
| Fabric | 94% Nylon, 6% Spandex | 86% ripstop Nylon, 14% Spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop | Nylon | 97% Nylon, 3% Spandex (shell); 100% Polyester (trim) | 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane |
| Pockets | 2 hand, 1 side (zip), 2 back (1 zip) | 2 hand, 2 back (zip), 1 side (zip) | 2 hand, 2 back, 2 cargo | 2 hand, 1 side (zip), 2 back (button) | 2 hand, 1 side (zip), 2 back |
| Zip-Off or Roll-Up? | Roll-up | Zip-off | Zip-off | Roll-up | Roll-up & zip off |
| UPF? | UPF 50 | UPF 50 | UPF 50 | UPF 50 | UPF 50 |
| Integrated Belt? | Yes, internal drawcord | Yes, internal drawcord | yes | Yes, internal drawcord | No |
| Fit Features | 2 inseam lengths, gussetted inseam for mobility | Articulated knees, dual snap zipper fly, belt loops, movement-mirroring stretch | belt loops, built-in belt, zippered cargo pockets with internal stash pocket, gusseted crotch, multiple inseam length, petite through plus sizing | 3 inseams lengths, DWR finish, articulated knees, mid-rise, relaxed fit | Regular fit, DWR finish, Dri-Clime interior waistband, quick-drying |
| Lengths available |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Patagonia Quandary is made with 94% nylon (62% recycled) and 6% spandex. It has a DWR finish and has a 50+ UPF rating for sun protection. The Quandary comes in Short and Regular inseams (but not Long) and sizes 0-14. We did find that they fit true to size; however the material stretched out a lot during the day, so even if they are tight on you to start they won't stay that way for long.
Performance Comparison
We were excited by the double inseam option at first as we thought it might make the pants more mobile, but instead, all we noticed was them rubbing against our inner thighs.
Comfort & Mobility
We were initially intrigued by the double inseam design on the Quandary pant and were hopeful that it would make them a highly mobile pant. Instead, it just rubbed us the wrong way, literally! Some of the convertible pants in this review irritated us from the zipper at the thighs rubbing against us, but in no other pant didn't we notice the inseams as we did on this pair. Maybe it's because there are two of them and one rubs in a spot where we don't normally have an inseam. Maybe it's because the material is so thin that the inseams stick out more. We don't know for sure. But we do know that every time we put these on we noticed it and we couldn't wait to take them off again. We didn't want to knock this pair for something that could be just one lady's issue, so we passed them around to a few girlfriends, and they all reported the same thing. If that doesn't bother you, this pair is quite mobile, and we wore them while rock climbing with no issues or impingements. If you're looking for something that would be comfortable for the whole day, then The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 or the Mountain Hardwear Dynama are better choices.
Something about these inseams rubbed us the wrong way! Maybe because there are two of them, or because they stand out from the flat material.
Versatility
This pant can convert to a crop with a tab and a snap. The shortening system worked well, and the inner tab never bothered us or got in the way. It also has a fairly neutral look to it, so it could easily double as a travel pant.
You can roll up the bottom of these pants and secure them at a crop length.
Durability
We didn't have any durability concerns during our testing, nor did we find any common issues when looking through other online reviews. Overall this seems like a well-made pant that should hold up to the rigors of the trail.
The elastic drawstring is too thin and stretchy to be effective.
Weather Resistance
Patagonia states that the Quandary has a DWR finish, and while water did bead up on them a little bit it quickly soaked into the pant. Note that we tested their weather resistance after we had worn and washed them at least half a dozen times, so it's possible that the DWR wore off in the wash. However, who's going to not wash their hiking pants regularly? It seems like a DWR is best for pieces that don't take regular trips through your washer, like a rain jacket or pair of rain pants. They are on the lighter side, thickness wise, and didn't do much to block the wind, but they do have a UPF 50+ rating.
The DWR coating didn't work on this pant very well or for very long. It can repel a light drizzle, but that's about it.
Features
There are just a few basic features on the Quandary. The hand pockets are on the small side and don't even fit our hands into them well. The zippered side pocket is nice and large though and can accommodate a smartphone. There are two flat pockets on the behind, one of which has a zipper. We think the internal drawstring is a bit of a joke though — it's a thin and stretchy piece of elastic that doesn't tighten the pant very effectively, which is unfortunate because the Quandary pants tend to sag and stretch out during the day, and we were hoping for a better way to keep them up. Luckily there are belt loops, though that is usually not our favorite option for tightening our hiking pants if we're wearing it under a hip belt.
Breathability
The material is on the lighter side and felt fairly breathable. We didn't overheat in them in 75-degree weather, and rolling up the legs helps them vent even more. If you are looking for an even lighter and more breathable air, the Columbia Saturday Trail Stretch is a good choice.
These weren't the lightest or most breathable pair, but they came close! They worked well for warm spring days that start of cool in the morning but heat up quickly.
Best Applications
We like wearing these pants on shorter hikes close to home and while rock climbing. They aren't very water resistant and take a while to dry, so we don't recommend these as a backcountry hiking pant.
Value
The Quandary retails for $80, which is pretty standard for a pair of hiking pants these days. They don't convert to a short or capri, making them less versatile than the two-for-one options (though not everyone likes that look or style). There are a handful of pants that score better than the Quandary while costing the same (or less!).
Conclusion
Should they fit you well and you don't notice the inseams chaffing, the Patagonia Quandary is a good pair of hiking pants. The material is a nice weight; thick enough to hold up to some wear and tear but light enough to still be fairly breathable.
— Cam McKenzie Ring