REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

Recently obtaining this pair as a replacement to the previous generation's Saharas, the new generation didn't fare well with me.

Gripes
1. The cellphone pocket (I see it's called a coin pocket) has been reduced. My Nokia no longer fits fully into the zippered pocket, nor can the zippered pocket can be closed.
2. The cellphone pocket's position is unfavorably placed. Okay okay, it's a coin pocket. Located in the the right front main pocket, access into the right main pocket is quite hindered by the occupied cellphone pocket.
3. The vertical leg zippers immediately jammed up. Marveled by the new, up to the knee leg zipper, I tested the possible room of this convenience. Almost immediately, the zipper immediately jammed up and had to take 5-10 minutes to REMOVE the pants leg, and had to reassemble everything with the leg off.
4. I miss the security of the the previous generation's zippered right cargo pocket. Why the change? For me,it was a great place to hold loose cash, wadded up airline ticket, and over sized credit card wallet.
5. Gunmetal replaced the dark gray. What happened here? Why the light greenish gunmetal?

Positives
1. It's a good thing REI is awesome about satisfaction guarantees.
2. A zippered rear pocket.

I'd Like to See
1. The added feature of most of the pockets to be zippered. Zipper up the left REAR pocket and both cargo pockets too.
2. Bold dark colors. It helps to have a dark gray convertible for when you have to lean up against those dirty luggage carousels at the airport.

Conclusion
I think I'll be exchanging these for something else. Not recommended for most.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

Here we go again.
I started purchasing these pants back in 2004. I watched as the pockets got smaller each year. I filled out comment cards to no avail, and posted on line. This year they made the front pockets large again, now my keys won't fall out of my pockets, thank you REI.
Maybe since someone else commented on the lack of a zippered, pick pocket resistant pocket (Big enough for a Passport, airline tickets and maybe some cash, it doesn't have to be huge, but do the research, heck, contact me!!!). Put it directly behind the regular front pocket to conceal it somewhat or so that it is difficult for pickpockets (make sure you still leave both front pockets large enough for large hands and also so I can reach into the zippered pocket too). Have the zipper move up and down, not sideways. It is hard to put a hand in another persons pocket and unzip another pocket at the same time, get it?
The little pocket sewn into the bottom of the right inside front pocket of the pants is totally useless, what is it for????
The little zippered pocket at the top of the right pocket might be for change I guess, not needed.
REI needs to put zippers on the cargo pockets in front again but also keep the velcro flap. Velcro wears out and you can't secure the pockets any more, plus you get a sense of security not having to check your pockets every few minutes.
The reason I have posted this small diatribe is because my friends and family travel a lot. We have experienced numerous pickpocket attempts around the world. I'm just trying to help REI make a better product for all of us. LR

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

I wrote a long review earlier today regarding things that needed to be fixed in regards to the new style Sahara pants. Either they haven't posted it yet or it was too harsh for them. I did forget to mention that the new style belt is of poor design. The old style is far superior. The new belt comes unlatched from itself in the washer and dryer and is a pain. I will most likely return the ones I purchased and hope REI fixes the problem quickly. LR

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

Ordered 2 pair of mediums. One was too tight and the other was just right. Someone needs to check up on the quality control department.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

[...]CONS cargo pocket on the right leg doesn't have a zipper! bring the zipper pocket back! They replaced dark gunmetal with light/greenish color! bring the bold dark color back!PROSNo-Sit ZipsHopefully next year - Zippers for both cargo pockets!!!"Bold dark colors"DON'T BUY THESE PANTS!(if possible buy last years model!)

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

I like some of the changes, however dislike like some.
The changes that I think are good:
1. The addition of a belt: place to carry leatherman type tool.
2. No sit pant legs zip offs. (Bottom legs zip completely from shoe to knee zip off)
3. Mini pocket inside right front pocket.

The changes that I don't like:
1. Removed zipper from right cargo pocket. I realize the zipper was problematic on prior years style, however I really liked this for my wallet.
2. Removed inside pocket on left cargo pocket.
3. Put pockets on outside of both cargo pockets. This is similar to the first pair of these pants I bought and I didn't like it then and don't like it now.
4. Color selection

Suggestion:
1. Add color coding to zip offs. My son has a boys pair of REI pants that do this and I have seen this with other brands. This is really handy.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

They're nice pants, but this is the second pair I've had where the lightweight material literally blew out and burst. Not on a seam, but the fabric itself wore through and burst open at the least expected time.

It is cool and lightweight, but I'd have expected the fabric to be far more durable than it is. Expect to get less than two years use out of them and then have a sudden surprise.

They're much lighter, and roomier, than North Face and other convertible pants. Maybe it is the way the fabric is softened (abraded?) that makes it so fragile.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

Overall these pants are a great product for travel in a developing nation, or even in your own back yard. The pant construction seems to be pretty solid but there are some seems that seem to be poorly constructed, and the Velcro on the pockets tends to slowly wear against the nylon due to the construction, zippered pockets may be better option. These pants are wonderful at drying out quickly and are extremely lite, which make them a must have for travel overseas. They do not stick to your skin in tropical climates, and are comfortable even in the hottest of weather. They do seem to lack some key functions that would make these pant some of the best on the market, If the designers added a zippered pocket large enough to hold a wallet, or even a passport, in the inside of the shorts/pants. It would set them apart, and would help stop the most skilled pick pocket from attempting to open a zippered pocket in a crowded market, or getting into one of the Velcro pockets. Overall these are great pants.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

The new design of these pants is a huge step back. Apparently they've decided that the sizes of the pants last year were wrong. I bought the same size I've been buying for years, but these are too tight. Also, I used to love the gray color of the old design. I always had like 5 pair of the old gray ones, I wore them like blue jeans. I noticed they changed the name of the gray colored ones to "Gunmetal". Figuring it may be a little different, but still basically the same thing, I went ahead and ordered them. But, these gun metal ones are greenish. They're not neutral colored at all. This greenish color clashes with all the shirts I used to wear with the grey ones. I really wanna smack whoever was in charge of designing the new pants. They ruined one of my favorite things. How are green pants going to be more popular than a nice neutral gray color? How many people do you see out there wearing green pants?

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants with No-Sit Zips - Men's 30" Inseam:

I bought two pairs of these this year, hoping to get a new upgrade to my old Men's Saharas (which I bought to replace my Women's Saharas, since the redesign of those last year made them girly rather than practical (I need to fit trail maps in my pocket!), a trend which seems to be increasingly common here with the REI brand). Last year's mens pants were comfortable, easy to wear, had a nice integrated belt with an easy snap, and even a cell phone pocket where I usually carry mine (I initially thought it was stupid, but now think it awesome).

These pants do not have any of these features. For one thing, they fit very poorly. I have a 28" waist and a 30" inseam, so ordered a small; the waist is so tight that sitting down is uncomfortable and I have to unsnap the snap even while standing. The pants are too long as well. They are far too tight in the upper part, although fit well below the shorts cutoff.

And, speaking of the shorts. The zippers in my old REI pants (both pairs) were of reasonable quality. These jam all the time, and I usually have to try two or three times to even start the zippers. The complete-unzipping feature is very nice, but if I can't unzip or rezip the zipper it's pointless. The color-coded zippers are a nice feature, though. The belt has gone from the simple integrated (and therefore well-fitting) clip-front belt to a new, wider, free belt with the most awkward front snap. Putting the things on/taking them off takes at least another 30 seconds while I try to unjam the thing, and its design makes me nervous about eventual plastic failure and a useless belt.

Last comment - the pockets. This pair of pants has the most absurd set of pockets I've ever seen (and I wear the Survival Utilikilt, so I'm experienced with pockets). To start off with, there's the left cargo pocket. This is ok. The left front pocket is ok, if a bit small. The right front pocket has this useless zipper pocket that doesn't even hold my tiny phone, and a sleeve down below for gosh knows what... which also doesn't fit the phone, and makes the pocket too small to use. The right cargo pocket is also ok. The front pockets, though, are just useless, and the extra "features" make them impossible to use successfully.

Material and construction are still fine - just what I'd expect for paying $60 for REI pants. They pack nicely and have worked out fine for a short conference, but I'll be returning them when I get home and trying to find another pair.

REI, why do you keep adding extra "features" to your men's and women's **hiking** pants?! Hiking pants need to be simple, practical, not tailored for fashion, and properly fitting. These are none of these, and the new women's pants aren't either. I'm very disappointed.