How to Choose Hiking Pants

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The White Sierra Trail pants quickly convert to shorts when the day warms up—perfect for almost any adventure!
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View all White Sierra Men's Convertible PantsBest Use | Travel |
---|---|
Fabric | Nylon |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 30 |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Convertible | Yes |
Side Cargo Pockets | Yes |
Inseam (in.) | 32 inches |
Shorts Inseam (in.) | 10.25 inches |
Gender | Men's |
S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 44 | 45 - 47 | 48 - 50 |
Waist | 30 - 32 | 33 - 35 | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 44 |
Measurements are stated in inches
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I found these online and didn't get a chance to try them on in person before ordering. After reading a few reviews I decided to pull the trigger. I ordered 2 pair of the Men's Large - 32 inch inseam (different colors). I'm 6'2" and about 195 lbs. They fit me very well. They are also very cool on my skin and light-weight, which is nice for summer wear. They seem comparable (if not more comfortable) than my $100 North Face pants I got 10 years ago. Of course I still have those, so we'll have to wait 10 years to see how these hold up. =) They came with a sticker stating they are SPF 30, which is an added bonus. So far so good. I may order more. Thanks REI.
I bought these to hike Wind River Peak at 13,092ft. I don't think they are ment to be water proof, but even after sliding down snow feild on my butt, they seemed to keep me pretty dry. I wear a 33X34 jean, and these pants were the perfect length. I was worried they would be to short, but happy to be proved wrong. They have a crazy amount of pockets, and they were very comfortable.
Great deal, and very nice pants. I tried them on a canoe trek that included portages, and they were perfect for my needs. They resist small amounts of water, and when they get soaked they dry quickly. I plan to use these for 3 season outings. The convertible legs are great for spring and fall, when the temperature range is wide. The legs are a little long, so I hemmed the lower section of the pant legs. I used turned the leg inside out, gathered about 1" of fabric together (doubled over), and used a sewing machine to stitch a hem from the inside. This material is easy to sew, even for me (a true beginner). I think nay dry cleaner could hem them.
Excellent, light weight, convertible pant. Convertible legs are labeled "L" and "R" for easy identification; zipper seam cuffs and velcro tabs allow very easy on/off over shoes, and adjustability. Nice zippers, functional pockets and good overall design. Thin material breathes well and is lightweight, but does not provide any insulation from hot/cold surfaces or weather. The belt provided loosens during use, so you may need to get a better belt. *Short term review - I have only worn them twice, for 18 hours each day*
These pants made me feel like I was in an MC Hammer video. Serious parachute action. If they're not Hammer pants, they could pass in the Genie pants category. The pants in Large fit me just fine in the waist but were comically huge in the legs, particularly the lower zip off section. The shorts section of the pants is just fine, but as pants I don't think they would work very well, especially outside. They seemed to be pretty lightweight as well and I'd be hesitant to rely on them for day to night temperature changes at higher altitudes, or, in my case, springtime in the Northwest. I had to return them to the store before using them on the trail so I can't comment on how they would hold up to actual use.
When I first tried them on the waist button fell off. It looks like the machine ran out of thread, it had maybe 2 loops that were holding it in place. The inseam is 32", true, but the crotch is so baggy that they are effectively 1-2" longer and drag on the ground and bunch up on the instep. I underatand that these are supposed to be boot friendly, but the ankles are HUGE. TL,DR - They don't look good, and have quality issues.
Got these convertibles discounted. I was unsure of the size because they come in S, M, L, XL, so I went with the Medium. I'm glad I did. I normally wear a size 33x32 jean and the medium fit well, though if I were any larger in the waist, I'd opt for the large. The legs are roomy enough I could layer if it gets cold, but not so much as to rub or bunch during normal walking. The pants seem to be well constructed and thought out. I like that ALL the pockets are mesh and sewn in, rather than hanging free inside the pants. There's just enough pockets without being too many, though they're not pleated so it's only good for semi-flat items. I'd describe the weight of the fabric as medium-to-light. Heavier than similar North Face or Xofficio pants I've felt, but still light weight. I'd call them light-to-medium duty, warm weather pants. Too bad they don't appear to be ripstop. The zippers come to just above my knee, which I prefer over shorter shorts, and the zipper doesn't rub or bother me, with or without the legs zipped on. They even have a little L and R on the zipper pull so you know which is which. I like these pants. Definitely a good buy for the money. The only negative I can think of is the belt, it's basically useless, but I planned on wearing my own belt anyway (take note the belt loops are small, so you have to wear a thin belt).
I have had other zip off pants all from different manufacturers. This pair seems to be the most comfortable. The only reason I did not give them a 5 bagger is because the belt provided needs to be tightened frequently to stay snug around my waist. If it becomes a issue I will just put my own belt on instead.
These pants are bombproof. I've worn them in Hells Canyon, Isle Royale National Park, Porcupine Mountains, North Shore and twice in Glacier National Park. Not a single thread has frayed.They are surprisingly stain-resistant too considering the muck I've subjected them to. You might be skeptical because of the low price, but these are the best convertible pants money can buy. They might be the last convertible pants you buy too. Although I'm brutal on my backpacking gear, I have no intention of replacing these pants.
Did not get to trail test it but seems like it is light weight and quick to dry.I got large at first to have room for base layers when needed. It was a good fit for my waist but pant legs were huge. Girlfriend said it looked like I was wearing pirate pants.Sent it back and got medium. Biggest problem- one of the pockets was not sewn so I could touch my leg when I stuck my hand in the pocket. But the waist was really snug and there was still way too much material in the pants. I mean WAY too much (hazard of snagging, needless extra weight, looks bad).[...]