When you think about Sherpas, you might imagine people bundled up in down suits summiting Mount Everest. So, naturally, Sherpa Adventure Gear specializes in high-tech winter gear. But (surprise) Sherpa also makes a line of warm-weather clothes, like the Gandaki shirt and Mirik shorts. I’m really familiar with Sherpa’s shells and insulation pieces, but these summer articles are my first from the brand. So I took them out on a sailing trip at Bear Lake to test them out.
- The Gandaki shirt features:
- Cotton, polyester and linen blend
- Wicking finish to move moisture away
- Gusseted underarms
- Chest pockets
The Mirik shorts feature:
- Durable nylon stretch spandex fabric
- Peached fleece interior
- Water-repellent coating
- Removable, woven belt
GANDAKI SHIRT
With the Gandaki shirt, I really like the plaid pattern. It is a different take on plaid, and the colors are unique. The fabric feels just like cotton, which gave me pause. I thought, “Isn’t this supposed to be an outdoors shirt?” But upon further inspection, it indeed does have cotton, but blended with polyester and linen. It’s a tech shirt that feels like cotton against the skin. Score one for comfort.
While on a sailboat on Bear Lake in northern Utah, I wore the Gandaki on a cool summer day. The fabric is light and airy, which would pair well with a sweltering day, but I didn’t feel chilled in it one bit even though temperatures struggled to rise above 70 degrees. The big test, however, came when I was on the front of the boat. Heavy wind made the boat cruise up to 8 knots, and the bow started crashing through the waves. At one moment, the bow went down into a big wave just as a gust of wind blew the water right at me. I got soaked. But the fabric dried surprisingly fast, and I was totally dry by the time we made it back to the marina. So far, I’m a big fan of this shirt.
MIRIK SHORTS
I think I may be an even bigger fan of the Mirik shorts. I’ve worn these shorts every day for a week, including up at Bear Lake, and I have to say, they are pretty much the most comfortable shorts I’ve owned. The fabric is very soft, yet still maintains tech-ish qualities. The interior lining is even softer. A sign of a good pair of shorts is when you forget you are wearing them, and with the Mirik, that is absolutely the case.
A lot of people are looking at cargo shorts with derision these days, so if you are the same, lucky for you that the Mirik has none. But there is a sleek, hidden pocket on one leg that is accessed by a small zipper so you can carry your “cargo” without looking like your dad on a lazy Sunday. The shorts also come with a really nice, woven belt with Sherpa-style patterns that is sourced locally in Nepal. Very cool.
The Good: Both the Gandaki shirt and Mirik shorts are comfortable, fit true to size, dry fast, and look good.
The Bad: I could find nothing negative to say about either the shirt or shorts.
Final Word: Nepal is a cold place, but that doesn’t mean that Sherpa Adventure Gear doesn’t know how to make a damn fine shirt and rocking shorts. If you’re traveling, hiking, or even sailing, the Gandaki and Mirik will keep you dry, comfortable and happy as a Sherpa on a summit.