Columbia Sandy River Water Cargo Short - Women's - 2008 BCS

Dear columbia,
****FIVE STARS FOR THE OLDER MODEL
I have been searching for the older model of this short very well explained by previous posts. It seems that columbia has gone more "girlie and fashion for women" and limiting products for truly active woman. Yes WE NEED the older bigger pockets that can hold a cell phone and the front pockets are uselessly shallow. AND you don't even feature them any more then you make a model for MEN that have a built in mesh breif??? Why leave us out on such a great product. I now look to find them in thrift shops for a few bucks than to shell out full price for a product that has changed away from being useful.
Bring back the original design and allow us woman to have a real cargo short. Oh and not that version with the darn zipper and built in belt bought a few of those. Yuck!! The ease of the elastic is supreme.
So I am am praising the heck out of the old style (which is incedentally just like the men's version only shorter) bring them back you will have me back as a customer!! :)
Regina from PA

I got these to replace an older version of these shorts that I've had for more than five years now. They have been among my favorite shorts for walking our dog, because I can fit my cell phone in one side pocket and my house keys and ID in the other, and the front pockets are still free for dog treats. These shorts look very much like those, but there are a few features I don't like as well. The old shorts were elastic waist, and these have a zip fly and snap on the front. Also, the side pockets aren't as deep as the ones on the older version, so my cell phone doesn't fit anymore. That said, the fabric is still easy care and the shorts are still quite comfy...just not as great as they used to be.

Water shorts --yes. Cargo -- not really. There are 4 "pockets", all four sewed to the legs, ie, no pocket-on-pocket, which limits the size. Two upper pockets are barely over 4" deep -- not enough to securely hold anything. Two lower pockets, usable space about 4'" x 3"; one with velcro, one with a zip.

Good fit, altho I'm not keen on the wide-flare legs, it's acceptable. Workmanship OK.

All in all, adequate and acceptable at the price, but nothing extra.

I bought three pair for hiking, traveling, and basically being outside. Some have mentioned that they are true to size. I ordered mediums, because I usually wear an 8. They were too big. The smalls fit perfect. The pockets are small, but I usually don't put things in my pockets.

I bought these to replace my old ones and they just aren't as nice.As others have said the pockets were nicer in the older version and I don't see the point of the zipper when the elastic waist and belt on the older version was great.I also would like to see them in a bit longer version since when you wear them rafting and the like they ride up quite high on your leg being quite short.The older version were my favorite shorts and this version not so much my favorite.

These fit well, dry in a hurry and are comfortable. I would have liked them 2" longer, but that's me. Nice for the money!

Got these to replace my previous water cargo shorts from Columbia after losing some weight. The other shorts had deeper pockets and true zipping cargo pockets, as well as a rear zip pocket. That made them not only comfortable to wear out shopping, but great for the beach, kayaking, etc.

These don't have pockets as deep and have no rear pocket at all, so I can't carry as much stuff in the shorts. On the other hand, the zip fly front rather than elastic waist does give a neater look for using as a casual, comfortable short for running all over town than the old ones.

Overall, these are still my favorite shorts, but I hope Columbia puts the rear pocket back in the next incarnation.

I used these for 9 days in the Grand Canyon and they were great for the water. Easy care, fast drying, lightweight and great for the water and for hiking. I bought 3 pair!