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The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Review

This lightweight pair of hiking pants is comfortable and has great mobility, but it's not very durable.
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Price:  $70 List | $44.97 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros:  Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, flat waistband with a drawstring
Cons:  Not water resistant, snags easily
Manufacturer:   The North Face
By Cam McKenzie Ring ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 9, 2019
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62
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#11 of 15
  • Comfort and Mobility - 30% 9
  • Versatility - 15% 5
  • Durability - 15% 3
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 5
  • Features - 15% 5
  • Breathability - 10% 8

Our Verdict

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 is a lightweight pair of hiking pants, perfect for days when you want coverage but don't want to be roasting. If you hate the feel of most "normal" hiking pants and can't stand the swish-swish of harder nylon fabric, then the Aphrodite will feel like a revelation These are not heavy-duty pants though. The material is breathable and stretchy, but the soft feel is also its downfall, as it is highly prone to snagging so don't expect them to last very long, especially if you'll be using them for hiking or rock climbing. We don't recommend them for a backpacking trip but these pants are a great choice for traveling and shorter day hikes in mild terrain. We like the look and feel comfortable wearing them around town. The stretchy material and soft waist would feel cozy on a long flight.


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Awards  Editors' Choice Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award 
Price $44.97 at Backcountry
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Pros Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, flat waistband with a drawstringHold their shape day after day, breathable, durable, deep hand pockets will hold a phoneMobile, wide range of fit options, shed water easily, excellent pocketsInfinite mobility, soft and cozy, excellent pockets, highly versatileFeminine fit, many adjustment options, mobile, comfortable, articulated knees
Cons Not water resistant, snags easilyFits tight on thighs, cargo pocket is not very usefulButton doesn’t appear to be durable, limited color optionsHeavy, no water repelling technology, not ideal for hot daysSome pilling, weak buttons, small pockets
Bottom Line This lightweight pair of hiking pants is comfortable and has great mobility, but it's not very durable.An excellent, stretchy pair of pants that can handle almost anything.A great bargain for a convertible hiking pant the does it all.The coziest hiker tight you’ll ever need.Great pair for colder hiking days, rock climbing, or bouldering.
Rating Categories The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Ferrosi Convertible Sahara Convertible Patagonia Pack Out - Women's Prana Halle - Women's
Comfort And Mobility (30%)
10
0
9
10
0
8
10
0
7
10
0
9
10
0
9
Versatility (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
6
Durability (15%)
10
0
3
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
7
10
0
6
Weather Resistance (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
7
10
0
7
10
0
2
10
0
5
Features (15%)
10
0
5
10
0
8
10
0
9
10
0
9
10
0
7
Breathability (10%)
10
0
8
10
0
8
10
0
6
10
0
6
10
0
5
Specs The North Face... Ferrosi Convertible Sahara Convertible Patagonia Pack Out... Prana Halle -...
Measured Weight (in oz) 7.5 oz 9.5 oz 9.6 oz 10.2 oz 12.0 oz
Inseam (from crotch to cuff) 31" 31" (pant), 9.5" (shorts) 32" 29" 32" (pant), 24" (crop)
Fabric 95% Nylon, 5% Elastane 86% ripstop Nylon, 14% Spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop Nylon 87% polyester/13% spandex 97% Nylon, 3% Spandex (shell); 100% Polyester (trim)
Pockets 2 hand, 1 zip 2 hand, 2 back (zip), 1 side (zip) 2 hand, 2 back, 2 cargo 2 side 2 hand, 1 side (zip), 2 back (button)
Zip-Off or Roll-Up? No Zip-off Zip-off No Roll-up
UPF? None UPF 50 UPF 50 No UPF 50
Integrated Belt? Yes, internal drawcord Yes, internal drawcord Yes No Yes, internal drawcord
Fit Features Stretchy fabric, gathered material along sides, drawstring at waist and feet Articulated knees, convertible (to shorts) Gusseted crotch, mid rise, convertible (to shorts) Thick elastic waist, tight fit Articulated knees, mid-rise, relaxed fit, 3 inseam lengths
Lengths available Short, Regular Regular Regular Regular Short, Regular, Tall

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Aphrodite 2.0 is made with a 95% Nylon / 5% Elastane blend and TNF's "FlashDry" technology, which is supposed to wick moisture and increase drying time. These pants are available in XS to XXL sizes and Short (30") and Regular (32") inseams. However, we measured the regular pair that we tested and it was more like a 31-inch inseam.

Performance Comparison


This comfortable pair is soft and cozy and has a sleek look to them thanks to the rushing on the side and slimmer fit. However the soft material snags and pills easily making them less durable in the long run.
This comfortable pair is soft and cozy, and has a sleek look to them thanks to the rushing on the side and slimmer fit. However, the soft material snags and pills easily, making them less durable in the long run.

Comfort & Mobility


The Aphrodite earns a high rating for comfort and mobility. It's made of a soft material with ample stretch and a supple feel. We climbed and scrambled in both pairs and never felt like the pants were getting in our way. The waist on the Aphrodite is a wide panel with some elastic in it as well as a drawstring, which is nice for when you have a backpack on and don't want any belt loops digging into you.

We scrambled around in this pair and the fabric stretched with us well. The flat waistband also fits nicely under a hip belt or harness.
We scrambled around in this pair and the fabric stretched with us well. The flat waistband also fits nicely under a hip belt or harness.

Versatility


The Aphrodite 2.0s aren't the most versatile pair in the test group. They can't convert to shorts or capris, and the lack of water resistance makes them a poor choice for water sports or rainy days.

Breathability


The material on this model is lightweight, and they are one of the lightest options in our review. The Aphrodite has some of the best breathability as a result. We scored the Aphrodite slightly lower because we often found ourselves getting sweaty in the midsection. The waistband on the Aphrodite is a little on the thick side when compared to the others, and it keeps us hotter there.

Day hiking in Red Rock Canyon. The Aphrodite pants are comfortable and breathable and they would be a perfect pair for the desert if they were a little more durable.
Day hiking in Red Rock Canyon. The Aphrodite pants are comfortable and breathable, and they would be a perfect pair for the desert if they were a little more durable.

Durability


TNF states that this material is "extremely durable," but we'd have to disagree based on our experience with these pants. Online user reviews for this pair are full of mentions of snagging and pilling, and it didn't take too long for us to get some snags as well while out hiking. Because the material is so soft, a sharp twig or rock can catch on it and pull at the threads a little. One or two here or there is no big deal, but once you have a bunch all in a row, the pants look a little shabby. We tested this pair in a pretty rugged desert environment, so if your favorite hiking locale is a little mellower, this may not be as much of an issue for you.

Because the material is so soft this pair snags easily. One or two didn't seem too bad but when we got a lot all in the same spot it made them look worn out after only a few weeks of use.
Because the material is so soft this pair snags easily. One or two didn't seem too bad, but when we got a lot all in the same spot, it made them look worn out after only a few weeks of use.

Weather Resistance


This pair doesn't offer too much in the way of weather resistance. There is no DWR coating on the fabric, and moisture soaks right through. There's no SPF rating either, and the material is so thin that it doesn't do much to block the wind either. The pants did dry fairly quickly (40 minutes in full sun), though the waist was still a little damp as it's a thicker layer. All in all, this is not the pair for any inclement weather.

When we sprayed these pants with water the moisture soaked right in. The pant legs were quick to dry though the waist took a bit longer.
When we sprayed these pants with water, the moisture soaked right in. The pant legs were quick to dry, though the waist took a bit longer.

Features


The Aphrodite 2.0 pants don't have too much going on in the way of features. There are two hand pockets and one small zippered pocket inside the right pocket for those items you don't want to lose. There's the drawstring at the waist, and there is a cinch cord on either ankle. This feature doesn't help us secure the leg any higher though, and we prefer to roll the cuff when we want a shorter length.

The best feature about this pair is the comfortable waistband with a drawstring. It lies flat and there's nothing that can create a pressure point under a hip belt or climbing harness. There's also a small pocket with a zipper just inside the right side hand pocket.
The best feature about this pair is the comfortable waistband with a drawstring. It lies flat and there's nothing that can create a pressure point under a hip belt or climbing harness. There's also a small pocket with a zipper just inside the right side hand pocket.

Value


These pants cost a bit less than most of the other pairs in this review, but not that much of a steal considering the durability issues you might encounter.

Conclusion


The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 is a great pair for certain applications, but we can't call them great hiking pants. It's comfortable and stretchy, and one of the first things we'd reach for on a rest day or to wear while traveling, but it isn't built to take on a big hike. That's okay, because there are plenty of other water-resistant and durable options in this review to choose from, and you still need clothes to wear when you're not hiking.


— Cam McKenzie Ring