How to Choose Hiking Pants

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Lightweight men's REI Convertible Sahara Pants with 32 in. inseam offer a new slimmer fit and stretch fabric for comfort on the trail and zippers that provide easy transition from pants to shorts.
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View the REI Co-op Sahara Product LineView all REI Co-op Men's Convertible PantsBest Use | Travel Hiking |
---|---|
Fabric | Nylon |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 50 |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Convertible | Yes |
Side Cargo Pockets | Yes |
Inseam (in.) | 32 inches |
Shorts Inseam (in.) | 8.5 inches |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | From a Climate Label Certified brand |
XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | 24 IN Waist | 26 IN Waist | 28 IN Waist | 30 IN Waist | 31 IN Waist | 32 IN Waist | 33 IN Waist | 34 IN Waist | 35 IN Waist | 36 IN Waist | 38 IN Waist | 40 IN Waist | 42 IN Waist | 44 IN Waist | 46 IN Waist | 48 IN Waist | 50 IN Waist | |
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Chest | 35 | 36 - 38 | 39 - 41 | 42 - 45 | 46 - 49 | 50 - 53 | 54 - 57 | |||||||||||||||||
Sleeve Length | 32 | 32.5 | 33 | 33.5 | 34 | 34.75 | 35.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Waist | 27.5 | 28 - 30 | 32 - 34 | 36 - 38 | 40 - 42 | 44 - 46 | 48 - 50 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 |
Hip | 33.5 | 34.5 - 36.5 | 37.5 - 39.5 | 41 - 43 | 44 - 46.5 | 47.5 - 50.5 | 51.5 - 54.5 | 32 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 36.5 | 37 | 37.5 | 38.5 | 39.5 | 40.25 | 41 | 43 | 44 | 46.5 | 47.5 | 50.5 | 52.5 | 54.5 |
Inseam | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated. Size chart values represent body measurements, not garment measurements.
SHORT: Some pants are available in short sizes, which generally means an inseam that is 2.5 inches shorter than regular sizes.
TALL: Some pants, shirts, jackets and parkas are available in tall sizes, which generally means an inseam that is 3 inches longer and a rise that is 1 inch longer, a shirt or jacket body that is 2 inches longer, a parka body that is 2.5 inches longer and sleeves that are 2.5 inches longer than regular sizes.
Capri or cropped pants have an intentionally shorter inseam—reference the technical specs instead of this chart.
Inseam is measured to the floor.
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Just bought these pants, really liked the fit, material, and features, such as pockets, zip-able calf for easy removal; however, the waist button came undone very easily, with little resistance. I thought perhaps it was just this pair of pants, but after examining several other pairs, the snap button seems to be the weak link, which is a shame because otherwise liked them. Overall the pant is pretty lightweight, and probably would not hold up under heavy wear. So, if you are looking to do serious hiking, might be worth it to pay a little extra to get the next level up convertible hiking pant.
In my view this product falls short of previous Sahara pant models. I have a number of the older models and love them. But for travel and hiking no back pocket zipper creates a lack of security, rear belt loops weirdly spaced cause the pant to bunch up in the back for slim guys, and the fabric is not better than or comparable to the China 100% Nylon RN #37249 used on one of the previous models. As a result, the current model is not worth buying in my opinion. It takes a big disappointment to make me write a review so this is not sent lightly! The design staff is welcome to contact me if they would like further comment.
These pants are comfortable and waterproof but have a major flaw which will lead me to return them. I bought these for a trek in Peru which I just completed. These pants have a snap button and a built in belt. The snap button was the absolute worst idea for these pants as every time I would tighten the belt the button would pop open. Why on earth they went with a snap button versus a conventional button is beyond me but it made me wish I had different pants to wear over the course of my 4 day trek as I had to continuously snap the button every five minutes. I do not recommend these unless you intend to sew a real button on them. Whoever is in charge of r&d for these needs to go back to the drawing board.
I was very excited for the redesign of the Sahara pants, and even though I had read some bad reviews about the snap button, I decided to go into my local REI to try on a pair anyway and judge for myself. I own other REI pants and I am very happy with them, but I have never owned a convertible pair. Everything about these pants felt great, until I began to adjust the fit around my waist, and sure enough, the snap came undone. So disappointing, but glad this happened in the store and not in the field like others have experienced.
Just returned from 3 weeks of hiking in Norway. I will be returning these pants. 1) Snap keeps popping open. Integrated belt is attached to top of snap on one side and bottom of snap on the other side rather than crossing over it-tightening the belt exerts lateral force tending to pull the snap apart. Additionally, the snap is not nearly as aggressive as my other REI convertible pants. 2) I wear size 11 boots and it is a struggle to get the legs off over the boots. 3) The nylon material is a bit too thin and flimsy. They do dry quickly after rain or washing but the look is not good for around town wear.
They removed key functional elements that made this pant a very practical piece of gear suitable not just for backpacking but for travel abroad as well: 1. They pockets used to be gusseted. Now you cannot put even a bottle of water or a tavel guide. 2. The back pocket used to have a zipper, ideal to prevent pickpockets from stealing your wallet, now it only has little, cheap looking velcro. 3. A front pocket used to have a zippered from pocket reinforced with velcro which was ideal to carry passports and important credit cards tha pickpocket owuld not have access. Now they removed that. The result is a pant that does not seve the purposed for which it was designed.
As others have noted, the button continuously pops open. Especially disappointing since, otherwise, I love the pants. Fatal flaw
I bought my first pair of these about a month back and absolutely love them. I just purchased my second pair in a different color. I wear them to work, I unzip and convert to shorts and trail run, I climb in them, and they are super comfy for traveling. Favorite pair of pants I have ever owned. They are extremely light weight and water resistant (which is super nice because I tend to spill coffee and other drinks on me all the time). The only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is due to the button. I don't have a lot of issues with it coming undone like some of the reviews, but sometimes when I sit down or something if they are a little to low on my hips it will pop open... annoying at times but not a deal breaker.
I like the fabric better than the previous generation but not as much as 2 generations ago (the last version that came with the belt). As others have said...the built in waist tensioner combined with the weak snap is a terrible design. Anyone wearing these for a day unless the pants are way to big on them know that these pop open regularly (like when you bend over). Only solution is to wear a secondary belt which isn't very comfortable as it presses the waist-band tensioner into you. I got these as a replacement for a pair of previous generation with a busted zipper. I will take them back. REI really needs to go back to the material and design from 2 versions ago and try again.
I have the version that had the no-sit zip's on the lower legs, allowing you to convert to shorts without sitting down or removing boots. This was unique in the market and was fantastic. I am extremely disappointed that you removed that feature. There are MANY good options for convertible hiking pants apart from REI. You removed key and unique feature. Very disappointed as the pair I have is wearing out.