Summer is definitely here, and I love it! One thing warmer temperatures mean, is that wearing long pants isn't always comfortable, especially the jeans I tend to live in all winter. Shorts are great of course, but there are times when shorts just aren't the most appropriate, or the most comfortable. That's when a pair of capri pants can fill the gap nicely.

I recently got a pair of Women's ExOfficio Get'n Away Capris. After putting them through the wringer (so to speak), here's what I found.

Comfort: The material is comfortable, soft on the skin, and has just enough give that it moves with you, without stretching out or losing its shape. You know how some women's pants fit looser after you've worn them a few hours? I didn't have that issue with these; whether I spent my the day sitting down or walking around, they kept their fit. Outside on 90+ degree days, the capri-length pants stayed remarkably cool and dry, providing shade and plenty of ventilation.

Style: I chose the ExOfficio Get'n Away Capris largely because of their styling...

I like the trim fit, and they have slimmer legs than some other capris, with a vent at the bottom. They've also got pockets front and back, which I consider essential. You don't want to open your purse or pack for every little thing - it's much more convenient to stick things in your pocket that you may need quickly, like a subway ticket. The pockets maintain the smooth lines, without adding extra bulk.

Quality: ExOfficio is a high-quality manufacturer, and I've been happy with their items in the past, ever since I first bought one of their shirts years ago. The construction on these capri pants looks good, with finished edges, and touches like crossed belt loops in back, and a subtle logo belt loop in front. There's even a zippered security pocket hidden inside one of the front pockets.

Packability: The material is fairly lightweight, so these women's travel pants don't add too much space or weight to your luggage. These are wrinkle resistant, not wrinkle free. You wouldn't want to jam them in the bottom of a stuff sack, but if you pack them nicely folded flat, they can be in good shape when you reach your destination.

The capris are light enough that I could wash them in the sink, hang them overnight, and they were dry in the morning. (This was in the desert, so your results may vary.) Hanging them by the hems left them OK wrinkle-wise for many activities. You wouldn't want to wear them to tea with the queen without ironing, but a touch of my secret weapon (Spray on Wrinkle Remover) left them looking fine for almost anything else.

Versatility: This is so important in choosing your travel clothes, and these women's capri pants score big points in that regard. These would be perfectly at home for a day of city sightseeing, strolling through the countryside, or hiking in the mountains. You could also easily dress these capris up with a nice top and some sandals, and be good to go out for dinner. In a neutral color, these women's travel pants could go with many different outfits.

All in all, I can see getting a lot of use out of these Women's ExOfficio Get'n Away Capris, and I expect to be looking good and feeling good this summer! One upside and downside is that they're currently on a good sale, so this particular model may not be around too much longer.

My rating (out of 5): 4.5****

Pros:

• Versatile styling is suitable for many activities
• Lightweight and cool for warm weather
• Packable and washable, could wash on the road and hang to dry
• Wrinkle-resistant, and light enough you can spray away other wrinkles
• Quality construction, though it's too early to assess durability

Cons:

• They won't look perfect unless you iron them
• Style may be discontinued soon

Good for:

• Warm to hot weather
• Almost anything you want to do - city or country, day or night

See also:

• More women's capris...
• More women's travel pants...