One of Mountain Hardwear’s staples has been their durable and rugged Canyon shirts. Designed to be used and abused on or off the trail, the Canyon shirts have received positive feedback for their design and attention to detail. In this review, we’ll be looking at the updated Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pro Long Sleeve shirt which improves on the original shirts by adding mechanical stretch and UPF 50 rating. With a retail price of $85 and available in a variety of colors as well as S-XXL sizing, the Canyon Pro is a shirt that looks good around the office or on long hikes. Constructed from what Mountain Hardwear calls ‘Canyon Stretch Weave’ (a 72% Polyester and 28% Nylon blend), the Canyon Pro shirt feels durable yet stretchable.
The Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pro long sleeve shirt is a rugged yet durable that is comfortable to wear on long hikes or around town.
| Category | Clothing > Hiking Shirt |
| Rating | Design: A- Sizing: A- Warmth: A Value: A- |
| Retail Price | $85 |
| Likes | + Lightweight & Packable + Vented rear panel keeps you cool + Hidden zippered chest pocket |
| Dislikes | – Fabric has a slight sheen to it – Baggy fit – Lacks reflective elements |
| Where to Buy (US) | Mountain Hardwear |
UNBOXING
Mountain Hardwear packages the Canyon Pro shirt in a sealed plastic bag with minimal tags on the shirt itself.
DESIGN
At its face value, the Canyon Pro long sleeve shirt looks like a standard button up long sleeve shirt. With the over-dyed fabric design, the long sleeve shirt has a subtle visual texture and sheen to it as well. Although the Storm Gray color scheme we chose blends in with nature, Mountain Hardwear does also offer a number of brighter colors like Rust or Deep Lake. Where the Canyon Pro shines is the attention to detail, the stitching is tidy with reinforcements at the typical weak points such as pocket openings. This gives us confidence that the Canyon Pro can handle long days on the trail and repeated cycles through the washer.
There are two well sized chest pockets with a single front button to secure them for storing snacks or essentials. Additionally, you’ll find a third ‘secret’ pocket underneath the left chest pocket with a hidden zipper. We particularly like this concealed pocket when traveling as you can put money or credit cards in it without the fear of being pick-pocketed. It can also be used to store keys when on the trail as the zippered opening ensures things won’t fall out even when you lean over.
As a hiking shirt, Mountain Hardwear also incorporated a few features to improve the ventilation of the Canyon Pro. The back panel has a covered mesh that allows heat to dissipate from your back. You wouldn’t know the mesh is there though, as an over-panel covers it from view. Under each arm, there are also two small holes to also help with ventilation. The holes themselves are tiny and out of view. You’ll also be protected from the sun with the UPF 50 which is particularly helpful when hiking trails without any tree cover.
SIZING
The Canyon Pro has a straight cut to it which gives it a loose and more relaxed fit. On a 160lb / 6’1” male, the medium size fit well while being roomy enough to feel comfortable. Although a slimmer fit would look better in casual settings, we found that the more standard fit worked well when hiking or cycling as it doesn’t restrict your motion. One of the main advantages of the Canyon Pro is the fabric feels to have some stretch which helps the shirt fit well without being constrictive even when riding your bike around town.
COMFORT
With the rugged nature of the Canyon Pro shirt, Mountain Hardwear designed it to be comfortable even when carrying heavy backpacks or gear. Although we weren’t able to test that at iconic locations such as Yosemite or Moab, on our local hikes and trails, the Canyon Pro performed well. The looser fit means your motion isn’t restrictive while the attention to detail with the stitching means the shirt isn’t bulky. Despite the rear vented panel, the Canyon Pro is not as cool as some lighter-weight hiking shirts. However, for cooler days or when cycling, the Canyon Pro works well especially when worn on top of a baselayer.
VALUE
Overall, we found the Mountain Hardwear Canyon Pro shirt to be sleek yet durable. The over-dyed finish, and button up design make the Canyon Pro shirt something that looks good around town or in the office. The outdoor specific features such as the vented rear panel, and UPF 50 protection also make this a great shirt for long hikes or backpacking. The looser fit makes it a great choice for outdoor activities as it doesn’t restrict motion. While we did find the Canyon Pro to be on the warmer side, Mountain Hardwear has done a great job incorporating a sleek style and durability into the classic button shirt.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Mountain Hardwear. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.