How to Choose Hiking Pants

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Durable, flexible and lightweight, the REI Co-op Screeline Technical pants offer incredible comfort, hike after hike.
Shop similar productsBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | 94% nylon/6% spandex ( bluesign® approved) |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 50 |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria 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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These pants are very comfortable with a great range of motion for hiking, backpacking, and general travelling. I like the ample, well-thought-out pockets and integrated belt. The built in reinforcement in wear-prone areas is a welcome addition over the regular Screeline Pants. The only negative I could find is that for me the fit in the legs is a little too baggy despite the waist fit and length being dead on. That said, I never found the extra material got in the way, just a little baggier than I'd like. Lastly, if you're wearing these pants for a hike below freezing you'll want a baselayer. Above freezing these pants are great on their own and wick well when it's warm out.
Bought a pair of these pants and wore them around town and while doing yardwork for just under 6 weeks. The right main pocket developed a hole that gradually grew, allowing my keys to slip out on several occasions. Had to stitch the hole up with my very primitive sewing skills, spending an hour to close the 2.5" span. Days later I noticed that the first stitch line in both back pockets were loosening up, so I threw in the towel and returned the pants to the store. The person working with me was very pleasant about the return. Have not had this problem with the regular Screeline pants nor the Sahara pants. An additional oddity is the belt design on the Screeline Technical pants, which consists of a hook-anchor for the belt-end that fits with some effort (difficult to do without looking or in the dark) into loops on your right side. So you lose the continuously adjustable aspect and create a challenging closure.
Wore my pants many times for outdoor activities and for work. The have a nice feel to them and are very light weight. Worked well over thin long under wear for winter hikes and xcountry skiing. Wore them to work and got many compliments. Liked the draw string bottom to keep tight to my boots. I ordered them in 32" but really need the 33" would buy again in the odd size. I usually buy North face or Rei brand similar pants and wear them to work(General Contractor) because they are light weight and don't get too hot. These pants are a step up and look great too. Did not wear them for many years to see how they hold up but the many washing so far they still look great.
Top notch idea and materials but stretches to end up not fitting in the hips and waist quite a bit. For example: I wear a 32” in everything and these were unbearable for a few hours around my house and definitely too tight for activities they were designed for. Had to buy a 34” in these or it wouldn’t fit my hips and upper thighs. Thought 34” would be great with the built in belt but they stretch so much that it ends up not fitting well. Since I removed tags I decided they’d be great yardwork and gardening pants because they are tough materials but I won’t be backpacking in them as planned. They are too untrustworthy size wise for a few days of desert/mountain backcountry.
I love these pants. I wore them for a few winter hikes, and found them to be very comfortable. The elastic panels in the legs stretch just right, I never felt like the pants were restricting my movements. The cinch cords at the bottom of the legs are great too, I could tighten them up to keep snow out, or loosen them to fit over boots. I am looking forward to using these pants in the summer for hiking, they are very lightweight and should work well in warmer temperatures as well (I do recommend thermal underwear underneath in the winter!). They do seem to run a bit small, I normally wear a size 34x32, the 36x32 fits me perfectly. Overall I would highly recommend these pants to anyone needing a comfortable, flexible and functional pair of pants for outdoor activities.
Could not get a comfortable fit. I started with 34 inch waist (I normally wear 33 inch) and it was too tight, in the waist, seat, inseam. I went up a size to 36 inches, which fit better until I wore the pants about 2 hours in the woods, and then they "stretched" adding over two inches to the waist. The belt is more aesthetic than functional. It was difficult to fasten, and had a limited number of pre-set adjustments. On a lesser note, the belt will not stay fastened in the wash, so the metal buckle constantly banged the metal drum of my washer and dryer.
I’m not sure what they did for sizing and fit but they just don’t fit. I’m 32x32 in every pant I own and could even wear a 31 waist but never can find then. The 32x32 were way to tight, the waist, but and thighs were stretch tight. I’m wearing Levi’s 32 slim fit with plenty of room right now. Do not buy without actually trying them on. Many others have complained about the fit as well.
At first look, these pants had everything one could request. Upon using in the field, the fatal flaw was the cut of the pants. First off, I loved loved everything I saw and later found more features upon use that were awesome. - The draw cord at the bottom of the pant leg allowing for different inseam sizes which allows for perfect fit with a boot, climbing shoes, or trail runner (my preferred hiking shoe). I also made them into a 3/4 length for climbing, and the taper stayed put! - The flat part of the hip pocket, at the bottom, allows for a pocket knife or EDC to be carried without risk of falling out as it sits horizontal in its orientation. - The cargo style pockets which should allow for good range of movement if slightly bulky items were contained. - Map pocket near the knee, so very useful! - Re-enforced bottom, inside ankle, and knees with durable material but not to bulky (wished this was waterproof material). The item remains lite and free. - Integrated belt that is not bulky and felt comfortable with a pack and the option to utilize a different belt... but that would be weird to have overlapping belts and potentially uncomfortable. - The breathable mesh on the back pockets... man these pants breath in all the right spots! The major problem: The pants' cut around the hips was so slim and not giving that any incline was difficult and I was continually fighting with the pants to allow my knee above my waist or even mid thigh depending on where the pant lay; any knee incline would ride the pants up and I experienced restrictions at the crotch... it was annoying to say the least. The material is amazingly giving with its stretch but has its limits unlike a more stretchy softshell material that is utilized in winter sports (not a fan of these more stretchy materials unless I'm utilizing for winter sport). Mind you I don't have a lot of girth in the butt or waste and I'm pretty slim, so this problem never happens to me. I tried a size bigger; the same issue happened in addition to other issues with entirety of fit. That is the achilles heel of the pant, if its meant for hiking and outdoor adventure... one will surely run into a incline and these pants will pester a majority of you. I'm sure others will not mind this noted issues at all and enjoy all the amazing features for than this pesky issue. Cheers
The "new and improved" version of these pants, the ones you are buying in late 2018, are a horrible new version with a belt that can only be described as nearly impossible to secure. Were these not selling? There is no way they are selling now. I returned them because it took me ten minutes to get the belt hooked in to the teeny tiny opening. WHAT THE HECK IS THAT BELT?
I tend to ignore comments regarding fit and function when i really want something. In thecase of these pants, i shouldnt have. The fit is quite bizarre. I sized up from 32 to 34 waist to be sure of a comfortable fit. I found the hips and thighs tight and restrictive with the waist so loose the belt couldnt cinch the waist. The belt hook piece isnt adjustable. Maybe cutting and restitching shorter is a solution, but seems excessive. The "map" pocket is another blunder. Oh, its large. My ginormous phone actually fits, but theocket pacemwnt is awkward. Not quite in the front, and not quite on the side. Maybe REI can take a hint fro lululemon or carhartt and stick the pocket directly on the side. I want to keep these, as pants with an integrated belt are rare. Maybe some folks can maintain their weight and size while backpacking, but i tend to shrink. Looks like i will keep hunting......