REVIEW: Sherpa Adventure Gear Gurkhali Travel Pants

Without question, one of the most competitive segments of the outdoor apparel market is hiking and travel pants. Nearly every company that makes outdoor clothing offers their take on the classic trekking trouser, which makes it extremely difficult for any one brand to find a way to stick out from the crowd. But that’s exactly what Sherpa Adventure Gear has managed to do with its iconic Gurkhali pant, a garment that isn’t just comfortable and looks great, but has outstanding durability too.

What sets the Gurkhali apart from competitors is the Dyneema fabrics that are used in its construction. For those unfamiliar with Dyneema, it is a fabric that is known for being both lightweight and incredibly strong. In fact, the material is actually 15 times stronger than steel, which makes it ideal for use in outdoor gear. In the case of the Gurkhali, the fabrics are so resistant to wear and tear that it just might be the last pair of travel pants you’ll ever have to buy.

Comfort (5) ★★★★★

With their two-way stretch fabrics and gusseted crotch, the Gurkhali pants are a revelation when it comes to comfort. Whether you’re hiking a challenging trail, rushing through an airport, or meeting friends for dinner, these pants provide exceptional freedom of movement. The fit is snug without being restrictive, providing excellent support in the legs and seat. In fact, the Gurkhali feel so good when worn that you’ll likely find plenty of excuses to wear them, even when you’re not on an active adventure.

Durability (5) ★★★★★

As already mentioned, one of the signature features of these pants is their outstanding durability. The Dyneema fabrics live up to the hype in this regard, and even after frequent use—not to mention frequent washes—my pair of Gurkhalis still look brand new. Because the Dyneema is both tear and abrasion resistant, these pants should continue to perform at an extremely high level for years to come. This makes them ideal not just for hiking and travel, but also climbing as well.

Looks (4) ★★★★

The Gurkhali pant have what would best be described as “classic good looks.” There isn’t anything flashy about them, but they never look out of place in any setting either. Sherpa does incorporate some subtle design elements into the trousers however, including the company’s signature endless knot logo and a small Nepali prayer flag. These help o give the pants a bit of character, without drawing much attention to them. We only wish that they were available in more colors. The gray and olive colors look nice, but it would be great to have some other options to choose from.

Overall (5) ★★★★★

If you’re in the market for a new pair of trail or travel pants, the Gurkhali represents an excellent value. While they are a bit pricey at $130 MSRP, they do deliver a high level of comfort and performance. That includes not only unprecedented durability, but also water resistance and moisture wicking properties, as well as a UPF 50+ rating for protection from the sun too. All of this adds up to a great piece of outdoor apparel that you’ll want in your closet. And because Dyneema fabrics were used in creating these trousers, you can expect that they will probably outlast just about any other piece of gear you own. That’s not something we can say about most other hiking pants on the market.