REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Breathable
Comfortable
Flat waistband with a drawstring
REASONS TO AVOID
Not water resistant
Snags easily
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
Credit: The North Face
Price: $80 List
By Cam McKenzie Ring ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Dec 9, 2019
RELATED: Best Hiking Pants for Women of 2023
Our Verdict
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 lightweight hiking pants are perfect for days when you want coverage but don't want to roast. If you hate normal hiking pants and can't stand the swish-swish of nylon fabric, the Aphrodite will feel like a revelation. They aren't heavy-duty though. The soft, breathable, and stretchy fabric is also its downfall. These pants are prone to snagging. Don't expect them to last long. We don't recommend them for a backpacking trip, but they're great for traveling and shorter day hikes in mild terrain. We like their look and often wear them around town. The stretchy material and soft waist would feel cozy on a long flight.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | | ||
| Price | $48.29 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $53.37 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $80 List $55.89 at REI | $63.74 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $45.47 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, flat waistband with a drawstring | Very comfortable, versatile, wind and water resilient | Mobile, wide range of fit options, vents and breaths wonderfully, good pockets | Incredibly light, soft with endless stretch, breathable, DWR finish | Lightweight, easy to move in, breathable |
| Cons | Not water resistant, snags easily | Fit can be hard to perfect, not as breathable as the previous version | Doesn't block the wind, not a great style around town | Not the most flattering, low rise can be uncomfortable | Material pills, front pockets are small, sizing is off |
| Bottom Line | This lightweight pair of hiking pants is comfortable and has great mobility, but it's not very durable | With their endless mobility, comfortable details, and technical abilities, these are our favorite overall women's hiking pants | These 2-in-1 convertible hiking pants work wonderfully, providing great breathability and excellent value | Incredibly soft, flowy, and stretchy, these pants are comfortable, except for the low rise, which can make the crotch feel tight | A lightweight, breathable, and weather resistant pair of pants that perform adequately to get you out on the trails without spending a ton |
| Rating Categories | The North Face Aphr... | Outdoor Research Fe... | REI Co-op Sahara Co... | Mountain Hardwear D... | Columbia Saturday T... |
| Comfort and Mobility (35%) | |||||
| Venting And Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Features (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specs | The North Face Aphr... | Outdoor Research Fe... | REI Co-op Sahara Co... | Mountain Hardwear D... | Columbia Saturday T... |
| Measured Weight, Size Regular | 7.5 oz | 9.5 oz | 12 oz | 4.1 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Size options and versions | XXS to XXL, Short, Regular, Plus | 0 to 24W, Short, Regular, Tall | 0 to 26w, Petitie, Regular, Plus, Tall | XS - XL | 2 to 24w Short, Regular, Plus, Long |
| Fabric | 95% nylon, 5% elastane | 86% bluesign approved nylon (46% recycled), 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop | 96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex | 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane | Omni-Shield Summiteer Lite 96% Nylon, 4% Elastane |
| Fabric Features | Quick dry, moisture wicking | Quick-dry | Quick dry | Ultralight | Omni-Shield advanced repellency |
| DWR Finish | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| UPF | None | UPF 50+ | UPF 50+ | No rating | UPF 50 |
| Pockets | 2 hand, 1 zip | 2 hip, 2 back, 1 cargo | 2 hand, 2 back, 2 cargo | 2 side, 1 rear, 1 zippered thigh | 2 hand, 1 side (zip), 2 back (Velcro) |
| Zip-Off or Roll-Up | No | Roll-up cinch cuffs | Zip-off | Roll-up | Roll-up |
| Integrated Belt | Yes, internal drawcord | Yes, internal drawcord | Yes, internal drawcord | No | No |
| Fit Features | Stretchy fabric, gathered material along sides, drawstring at waist and feet | Gusseted crotch, articulated knees, drawstring at waist, stretch fabric, harness-compatible waist | Mid rise, convert to shorts, relaxed fit, straight leg, 2 inseam lengths | Three inseam length options, elastic waist, stretch fabric | Gusseted crotch, mid rise, straight leg, convertible to capris |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | 86% is bluesign approved nylon (46% is recycled) | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria Contains recycled materials |
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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.
Credit: Scott Ring
Comfort and Mobility
The Aphrodite earns a high rating for comfort and mobility. Its material is soft 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 Aphrodite's waistband is wide with some elastic and a drawstring. We like the adjustment for when you have a backpack on and don't want any belt loops digging into you.
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.
Credit: Scott Ring
Venting and Breathability
The material is lightweight, and these pants are one of the lightest options in our review. The Aphrodite has some of the best breathability as a result. We did we often find ourselves getting sweaty in the midsection, though. The waistband is a relatively thick side, keeping us hotter.
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.
Credit: Scott Ring
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. The fabric doesn't have an official UPF rating either, and the material is so thin that it doesn't do much to block the wind. The pants dry fairly quickly (40 minutes in full sun), though the waist was still a little damp. All in all, this is not the pair for any inclement weather.
Versatility
The Aphrodite 2.0 pants 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.
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.
Credit: Cam McKenzie Ring
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.
Credit: Scott Ring
Value
These pants cost a bit less than most of the other pairs in this review but are not much of a steal considering their durability issues. TNF states that this material is extremely durable, we disagree. It didn't take too long to snag the fabric while out hiking. Online user reviews are also full of mentions of snagging and pilling. Because the material is so soft, a sharp twig or rock can catch and pull the threads. 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 mellower, this may not be as much of an issue for 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.
Credit: Scott Ring
Conclusion
The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 is a great pair for certain applications, but we can't call them great hiking pants. They are comfortable and stretchy, and one of the first things we'd reach for on a rest day or to wear while traveling, but they aren't ideal for a big hike.
—
Cam McKenzie Ring
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