Males’s REI Sahara Convertible Pants Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Sahara is the picture of the traditional mountain climbing pant: versatile, sturdy, and loaded with options. These have lengthy been one in every of CleverHiker’s high mountain climbing pants and it’s simple to see why. We examined these pants in heavy Alaskan rain and on lengthy sunny hikes and we love utilizing one pair of pants for each outings.

These convertible pants come geared up with vertical lower-leg zips to make altering over to shorts a breeze with out taking off your sneakers. Coloration-coded zips match as much as the corresponding legs so there isn’t any confusion when going again to pants mode. With six pockets, the Saharas are assured to hold something wanted for a protracted hike.

Whereas the marginally saggy match won’t be for everybody, and the fabric is gradual to dry, the REI Saharas are a dependable choice for these looking for a sturdy, no-nonsense, workhorse of a pant for his or her adventures.

Consolation & Mobility

We needed to measurement down within the waist to keep away from extra bagginess. The Saharas already include a barely saggy match, and their sizing leans towards the bigger finish of the spectrum. That being mentioned, as soon as we did measurement down, we discovered that the pants match properly via the waist because of a stretchable waistband.

The largest factor that hikers will discover within the Saharas in comparison with different pants in our lineup is their bagginess via the legs. These with thicker legs or a desire for a looser lower will get pleasure from this mannequin whereas others who desire a trimmer leg line won’t discover that it matches as properly. The decrease leg materials swished and was involved with the opposite leg whereas strolling which made us want for a hem-cinching system to dial in that match slightly extra. Regardless of their bagginess, we didn’t really feel hindered or encumbered whereas mountain climbing and have been in a position to transfer round with out feeling restricted.

Breathability

The Sahara’s defining attribute is its versatility to vary over from pants to shorts when the temperatures rise. Because of this, we give these pants excessive marks for breathability. We love solely bringing one pair of pants on a visit the place we might in any other case carry each shorts and pants.

We did discover the Saharas  run on the hotter facet in full pants mode. Their saggy match and thicker materials traps warmth greater than different fashions we’ve examined. Whereas changing to shorts is essentially the most environment friendly technique to improve breathability, the vertical facet zips on the decrease legs  additionally  speak in confidence to enable elevated airflow.

Climate Resistance

In taking these pants out in each heavy rain and sunshine, we have been impressed with their resistance to rain and wind. In heavy precipitaiton, the pants beaded moisture for for much longer than we anticipated earlier than wetting via. We observed the primary locations to moist via have been alongside the thighs and seams for the shorts zips.

Whereas the Saharas withstood rain longer than anticipated, in addition they took longer to dry than we hoped they’d. The thicker materials held onto moisture for for much longer than different pants we examined. In conditions the place hikers are going from rain to solar, count on these pants to remain moist slightly longer as soon as the climate passes.

Sturdiness

One other stalwart characteristic of the Saharas is their sturdiness. These pants have lengthy been a favourite of hikers needing a heavier obligation pant and we will confirm that that is nonetheless true. Whereas initially involved with how their multitude of small tooth zippers would maintain up, we discovered that they proceed to perform as supposed even when inhibited by mild particles.

We took these pants via their paces, kneeling in mud and gravel, sitting on tough surfaces, and scraping between boulders they usually got here out the opposite facet sturdy. With no abrasions or put on, the Saharas are a superb choice for these needing sturdy and versatile pants for backcountry or path use.

Options

The REI Saharas have a number of the most pockets we’ve seen in a pair of pants. With six (two again, two entrance, and two thigh cargo) they’re positive to suit the whole lot you want. With solely the correct thigh pocket zippered, we want that extra of the pockets have been zippered for a safe closure. When absolutely loaded, the thigh pockets felt even baggier and would swing when strolling. As a pleasant added contact, the entrance pockets include further reinforcement within the nook for clipping a knife or multitool to the pocket.

The vertical zippers on the decrease legs stand out to us as a fantastic characteristic in convertible pants. These enable hikers to simply grow to be shorts mode with out the pointless trouble of eradicating sneakers too. After changing to shorts, the zippers come color-coded to simply be capable to match legs when going again to pants. The zippers on this mannequin have been comfy in opposition to the pores and skin with none emotions of snagging or rubbing. When kneeling, the zippers are comfortably above the contact level with the bottom. The hems of the shorts are simply above the knee for an athletic but comfy size.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Sahara Convertible Pants?

For hikers searching for perform over style, the Saharas lean strongly within the course of perform. Their barely saggy match and heaps of pockets won’t be for everybody, nevertheless it’s simple to see why this pant is beloved by so many. We love the flexibility of with the ability to zip off into shorts and the flexibility to hold further objects in a wide range of pockets. Their sturdiness speaks to these working and recreating in circumstances that require essentially the most from their pants. Their budget-friendly value level makes these pants attainable to most and we respect the number of colours and sizes accessible.

What Different Mountain climbing Pants Ought to You Take into account?

REI Trailmade Assessment: One other breathable and light-weight choice, the REI Trailmade is an alternative choice for the budget-conscious hiker.

Janji Transit Tech Pant Assessment: If breathability is your precedence, these pants are among the many most breathable we’ve examined.

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: A equally elastic and breathable pant that provides a light-weight choice with full-length protection.