Columbia Sportswear Brewha Short

I've bought four pair of these shorts this summer. They feel good, fit the way I like them, and have great pockets. First the fit: a little elastic in the back waist has just the right amount of give, and the length is about an inch above the knee--I have never liked the below the knee "boy from the hood" style. Six pockets, two in the front with velcro just big enough for keys and other items that need to be secured, and a back left zippered pocket for the billfold, if that is your preference. Personally, I put my wallet in one of the front velcroed pockets.But the real innovation that I haven't seen before is a deep right side rear pocket that is perfect for carrying a cell phone. It's behind the front pocket but well forward of where you could sit on your phone. The top of the pocket has a little elastic to keep it secure, and to get at your phone, lift it from the bottom and push it out the top. I liked it so much I looked to see if Columbia has long pants with the same configuration of pockets. Alas, they don't, so I sent Columbia customer service an email ([email protected]) asking them to consider manufacturing pants with Brewha pockets. Please encourage them at [email protected] if you would also like pants in the Brewha style.

I like the way these shorts work. I would prefer a larger centered velcro closure on the cargo pockets to the two smaller ones on each side. I love the cell phone pocket with the elastic closure, but it needs a velcro closure flap over it to secure the phone at times of extreme activity. The zipper pocket in the back is very good. The waistline elastic works well for the way these pants are sized. I am now the owner of 3 pairs. I am replacing the old fashion Cabelas "7 Pocket Hikers" shorts as they wear out with the Columbia "Brewha" short. Don't change the inseam length. 7 to 8 inches is just right for me. I hate "long" shorts. I really prefer velcro closures to buttons on the pockets. I would like to see a metal "jeans rivet" style button instead a plastic "sewn on" button on the fly button above the fly zipper. All in all these are the best shorts I have found in years. The cell phone pocket accommodates my Samsung smart phones very well.

I am an Electronics engineer and sometimes we are accused of not knowing when to stop designing. Well Columbia had the perfect design in the Cliff Lakes Cargo Shorts which I would give 5 stars everyday. This one not so much.Pros:1. Good looking shorts2. Light weight and fit great3. Stays above the knee.4. Columbia fixed the irritation with other manufactures that have two velcro patches for securing front pockets by adding a loop.Cons:1. Upper Front Pockets could be deeper2. Right hip pocket perfect for a smartphone if you want to lose or break it. (The Columbia Cliff Lakes cargo shorts had a third pocket on the top front right which was secure and not likely to break LCD screen)3. No third pocket top front right.4. Only a left rear zipper secured pocket. Prefer left and right rear pockets securced with single velcro patch.5. I might be wrong about this. But I had tried on a pair of these at local sports store aside from it's short comings I liked the look and feel of the material. The pair I got off Amazon do not have the same look and feel. Though light weight, the material weave looks and feels coarser.A word to Columbia: Bring back the Cliff Lakes Cargo shorts and don't change anything!

So now I have three pairs in each color - perfect combination of secure pockets, D ring and side pocket. I wear them every day during the year at work in a job requiring me to handle handyman, 40 acres of landscaping, sports equipment repair, event management, and parking operations. Very demanding and they hold up great. I have my full set of 40 keys in the front left pocket attached to the D ring, in the secure left front I have a leatherman and tie wraps and some duct tape wrapped around a Sharpie, back left is business cards, front right is miscellaneous (typically a tool or a currency pouch, in the front right with the secure velcro is my SmartWallet, and the side pouch is my ever ready iPhone. I live and die with these pants - wishing I could get some set up with long pants for winter. Any ideas?Dave

I got those Australian bush pants, the cargo pouches so large that I can stuff live chickens in there. Both pairs soon became threadbare after prolonged use. Luckily I found similar ones with Colombia Brewha shorts. They are large enough to hold a P&S camera or handheld GPS. A small pocket in front on both sides would hold loose change and bills. Its left rear pocket is zipped in case you need to feel secure. The right rear pocket has an elastic opening which fit any tools which won't break if you sit on it. I bought 3 and wore them on my recent trip to Thailand. Got soaking wet due to torrential rains so its not ideal for wet seasons. Colombia used to make quick dry ones with thick ripstop synthetic materials but not anymore.

I have more of a boyish figure where waist and hips are very similar in measurements. I do better buying men's shorts like this that have a short inseam, and a bit of stretch and no hips. When I buy woman's shorts to match my waist they are way too large in the hips. I have a twin brother and am built more like him. I have always been that way.These are great shorts for men and for women of my ilk (thicker in the waist and small hips). I bought the indigo a year ago and have just bought the sage recently. Tough, durable and very comfortable. I like them for my summer ventures.