Western Rise Evolution Shorts 2.0 Review
The much loved shorts and fabric receive a much anticipated update. Improvement?
Evolution Shorts 2.0 Review Introduction
Evolution fabric was the secret weapon Western Rise used to really get their journey to take off. It was a Kickstarter and travel tech clothing darling that later gave birth to a pair of shorts after the original pants. It was only a matter of time before they pushed their own boundaries to develop the next version of this fabric. The first item we’ve had in our possession are the Evolution 2.0 Shorts.
Update Feb 2024 - Just something to note here is that WR has released a version win a 7 inch inseam. I’ve added a couple of new pics of the Navy versions to show these.
This is my review of the Western Rise Evolution Shorts - 2.0. I’ve been wearing them for most of Aug 2022 and beyond in NYC. I’ve also taken them on a couple of road trips.
For full transparency, I reached out to Western Rise and they were kind enough to provide a piece for me to research and review. That said, this is not a sponsored article and the review is solely my own. Western Rise had no input into the contents here.
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Western Rise Evolution Shorts 2.0 Overview
Evolution Fabric is a backbone of Western Rise’s most popular pants and shorts. Their goal with the design was to create a pair of light pants that didn’t look like tech pants, could pass in most scenarios, but be durable for activities like hiking even if that’s not the primary purpose. Meant to be a great travel pant, obviously. The short of it is, they succeeded with the 1.0. I didn’t even see this pun until I was proofreading but I’m leaving it in there because I think I accidentally succeeded with it. You all saw it.
With the new-in-2022 Evolution fabric 2.0 WR is pushing ahead. This new version provides FOUR-way stretch, vs. the previous two-way. While the key is still the air texturized nylon that we again find here, this new version has a tighter woven weave that I’ll visualize for you later. The fabric is lightweight, tough, and looks like regular shorts. There’s also a DWR coating like most of Western Rise’s pants and shorts.
For the shorts, these are meant to do-it-all. Daily wear. A hike. An emergency yoga session to adjust your chakra (I think I used that right - don’t tell the cool yoga kids if I did not). Even more, swimming. These are designed to be the only shorts you bring.
Quick dry and wrinkle resistant as well.
Here’s the tech specs:
• Woven twill
• 90% Nylon
• 10% Elastane
• 107 gsm
• 4-way stretch
• Breathable
• Lightweight durability
• Internal Drawstring
Note this fabric and its manufacturing process are both Bluesign certified as well as Climate Neutral certified.
They come in Navy, Blue Gray, and Dune. The typical Western Rise palette.
They retail for $98.00 USD.
Evolution Shorts 2.0 Features
For shorts like these, there’s quite a few things packed into them. The fabric itself is bringing 4-way stretch which means you can pretty much move any way you want in these. DWR coating makes light rain and quick spills bead off. Also means dirt should wash off more easily. Speaking of washing, these can be machine washed to increase ease of maintenance while on the road.
To allow these to work as swimmers, without your pockets floating to the top of the water like a knob, there’s mesh ends to the pockets themselves for the water and air to pass through. The drawstring allows additional assurance that you won’t lose your shorts when you jump in.
On the back, there’s a hidden zipper pocket which is a must for any “travel” shorts or pants. This isn’t arguable. Good to see that lasted.
New on version 2.0 is a waistband that adopts the stretch - the first version of these shorts had no real give in the waistband.
The Good
There’s a lot to like on the new versions of these shorts. You know the quality of fabric is there, by now we expect this from this brand. The new stuff is no different, still great quality on the fabric itself.
DWR coating, drawstring and mesh pockets, etc. All this carries over from the originals. In fact, while writing the X-Cotton button down article I had these shorts on - and dribbled iced coffee on them accidentally. Mine are the Dune color so I was immediately like, “Ah come on I’ve not taken photos in these yet!” Normal panic when that happens. But, a few brushes of the hand and a final napkin push - no stains on the shorts. Dry. The coffee beaded and brushed right off. Pretty cool to see that in person. Note these aren’t waterproof or anything like that. This only works for things like light rain and quick, acute spills and things. Pour a bucket and you’re going to get wet, but it was great to see them actually perform in a scenario they were designed for. And an unplanned one at that.
Quick macro of old (dark) and new (light).
Some real improvements here though including the LOOK of the new fabric. It looks even more like non-tech fabric, and looks nothing like Athleisure. This is the real triumph of these shorts in my opinion. The Evolution shorts were always the best in their line up at just being regular shorts, with a tech fabric. They look pretty normal and don’t look like golf performance shorts or your typical soft athleisure material (like Lulu or Public Rec for instance, or even Boundless shorts from WR). See the zoomed in fabric shot here for the difference - the update is noticeable to the eye.
One MASSIVE improvement for me personally are the back pockets. They were gigantic in the originals and while that might sound awesome, it meant an iPhone 12 Pro could fit completely horizontally while walking around. An incredibly awkward thing. On the new ones, the back pockets are much more narrow without losing functionality. It means you can properly put your phone in there, but it keeps it upright. Day to day that was kind of one of my biggest problems on the originals so I’m very happy to see this fixed.
Waistband is noticeably more comfortable on these new ones.
Lastly, the fit! Now, I actually liked the fit of the 1.0’s as well, don’t get me wrong. I liked those better off the rack than the Outlier New Ways (had to hem those to not look like golf fit). But, Western Rise has made these ones slightly shorter and slimmer. Not overboard, don’t worry! We’re not talking nut huggers here or a pair of 4” Chubbies. Just a more polished and modern look than the baggy American shorts out there. See for yourself in the pictures. I LOVE the fit of the new 2.0 shorts. I’m 5’ 6” for reference in the pics. Get ready for the worst modeling you’ve ever seen. Eat your heart out Instagram posers. All I’m missing in the gazebo shot is a Prom date.
Offering multiple lengths is great to see. People are different heights, and have different preferences, so this is an awesome update. Shots of both lengths below - the Navy are in 7 inch. I’ll admit I was nervous about my February Irish-American legs but I can see from the shots below that they aren’t much different from my September legs. Go figure.
The Bad
I’ve no real functional complaints on these shorts. I loved the originals and they’ve kind of done nothing but improve on my complaints.
But I will say there was an odd, un-seen design choice made on these shorts and I’d be dishonest for not bringing it up. There’s actually quite a bit of feedback on that internet thing, too. The front, left pocket - has a marketing and branding patch on it. It’s made out of a non-porous vinyl (I’m spitballing here, but something like that feel). Depending on the type of boxers/briefs you wear - you’re going to one hundred percent feel this. Especially when your leg sweats. It makes the pocket more noticeable, too.
Again I really am not sure why this decision was made. It obviously doesn’t change the functionality of the shorts (Let’s be real clear on that), but people are going to notice this in the day to day wear of them, and they are going to chat and feedback about it, too. I’d guess only a small percentage of you would make this a deal breaker - and you really shouldn’t in this case. That would be silly. But I’m sure the rest will note it as a con while continuing to wear them.
The Improvement Requests for the Evolution Shorts 2.0
That pocket patch - interesting choice! I’ve no problem with the “thing” itself - go ahead and keep it. But might be an oversight to have placed it in a spot that is next-to-skin.
Let’s move that to the OUTWARD side of the pocket if it needs to stay. If not, let’s remove it completely - I don’t think the primary audience wants that kind of branding on their clean-lined, minimalist shorts anyway. I actually think this change could be made with minimal COGs effect.
Do that and we’ve got a near perfect short for me personally.
Final Thoughts On My Western Rise Evolution Shorts 2.0 Review
I made the comment in my review of the original Evolution shorts that I kind of never see a reason to reach for my Outlier New Way shorts. Well, now I’m not reaching for either of those. Or almost never another pair of any shorts. These are it - the short I can pretty much wear anywhere except a yacht party requiring Nantucket reds or bespoke Seersucker. And yes I do have the latter. No yacht however. Or even a dingy, alas. At this point I’ll most likely end up grabbing a pair of the Navy and calling the collection complete. Someone else can get a donation of an incredibly expensive pair of barely worn Outlier shorts (though to be fair - no disrespect to the Outliers, that fabric is a tech fabric triumph generally speaking; I just find Western Rise’s take better in fit and feel, and a better value).
I don’t take a ton of big beach holidays any more, it’s just not the style of trip I’d take. If I did, yeah I’d still bring some swim trunks. But otherwise, I really don’t need to. I can go for a swim at the hotel pool, let ‘em dry out, wear ‘em to dinner. Then, throw them on for that hike in the morning. Light and Dark completes your minimalist flexibility.
The new fabric tightens the weave and smoothes out the fabric (my wife, who is a designer, commented that she prefers the look of the new fabric to the original). The new fit is fantastic and more modern/clean/polished. They’re great.
For shorts, I really can’t come up with another set to recommend. These are the ones you should all try first. For me and what I’ve researched/personally reviewed - these are the ones to beat. Now nothing is perfect for everyone out there but what I mean is you should try these first and see. The Evolution Shorts 2.0 are the best travel/tech shorts I’ve found to date as of Sep ‘22. Companies will be hard pressed to top these. Keep in mind as well that these now come in TWO inseams, which is great to see offered.
As always with the indy brands, I’d suggest buying directly through their website for best service. Use WANDER15 for 15% off your purchase! (Cannot be combined with Sales)
Wander more and wander smarter, everyone.
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