The Immersion Research Gertler Short Product Review

The weather at 8,000 feet here in Buena Vista is finally beginning to feel like summer. With temps in the mid to high 80's everyday, and warm nights, I decided that it was time to peruse the CKS warehouse and invest in some warm weather attire. I already have a few pairs of IR Guide shorts and various Level Six and Stohlquist board shorts. I wanted something a little bit different. When I saw the beautiful green and orange plaid light rays gleaming through inventory box, I knew that the IR Gertler's were the ones for me. All that I could think of was Rodney Dangerfield's stylish plaid polyester pants in Caddyshack, except much cooler.

Specs:

Pros:

• The little bungee cord loop in the side pocket is a really nice touch. Car keys will no longer wash down stream when you swim in the Gertler's.
• The Gertler's have a zipper in the front. The IR Guide shorts do not. This is really nice for the male population.
• The Velcro and drawstring waist is secure. These shorts will not accidentally come off in whitewater beat down / swim
• If you're going to spend time in the water and want a board short that dries quickly, the Gertler's are a great option. They are 100% polyester microfiber, which means that they will dry quickly.
• Plaid will always be plaid.It never goes out of style. What will the IR crew think of next summer? Sears sucker?

Cons:

• There is only one pocket on the side of the shorts. Other brands like level Six make shorts with 2 pockets on the sides as well. If you are wearing the Gertler's in town and want a place to put car your keys, wallet and a cell phone you may not be able to fit everything in the shorts. If I wore the Gertler's more frequently, I would have to break down and get a murse.

The Verdict:

The Immersion Research Gertler shorts have all of the typical IR traits. They are stylish, comfortable and functional. The zipper is really nice (compared to the Guide shorts which don't have one) for guys.The plaid design looks great, and they are made of a heavy weight material that dries quickly and will last a long time.

Note:In case you were wondering how the Gertler shorts got their name...Edward Gertler is an open boater and river advocate who lives and paddles in the Eastern Seaboard. He has written various guidebooks to rivers in the Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area.