How to Choose Hiking Pants

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The women's REI Co-op Savanna Trails pants give you the stretch and strength you need to tackle trails and crags with confidence and in total comfort.
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View all REI Co-op Women's Hiking PantsBest Use | Hiking Rock Climbing |
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Fabric | 94% nylon/6% spandex (bluesign® approved) |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 50 |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Pants Rise | Mid |
Pant Fit | Standard |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Inseam (in.) | 30.5 inches |
Gender | Women's |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria From a Climate Label Certified brand |
XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | 1X | 2X | 3X | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18W | 20W | 22W | 24W | 26W | |
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Numerical Size | 00 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 16 | 18 | 20-22 | 24-26 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
Bust | 31 | 32-33 | 34-35 | 36-37 | 38.5-40 | 41-42.5 | 43-45 | 47-49 | 51-53 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38.5 | 40 | 42.5 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 51 | 53 |
Sleeve Length | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 30 | 30 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 31 | 31 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 34.5 |
Waist | 24.5 | 25.5-26.5 | 27.5-28.5 | 29.5-30.5 | 32-33.5 | 34.5-36.5 | 37.5-39.5 | 40.5-42.5 | 44.5-46.5 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30.5 | 32 | 33.5 | 36 | 38.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 46.5 |
Hip | 34 | 35-36 | 37-38 | 39-40 | 41.5-43 | 44-46 | 47-49 | 50-52 | 54-56 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41.5 | 43 | 45.5 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 |
Inseam | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated. Size chart values represent body measurements, not garment measurements. Some women's pants are available in petite and tall sizes. Typically petite sizes fit women 4'11" to 5'3". Regular sizes fit women 5'4" to 5'8". Tall sizes fit women 5'9" to 5'11".
PETITE: Generally, as compared to regular sizes, petite sizes are 2.5 inches shorter in inseam, 1 inch shorter in body length, 1.25 inches shorter in sleeve length and ¾ inch shorter in total rise.
TALL: tall sizes are 3 inches longer in inseam, 2 inches longer in body length, 2.5 inches longer in sleeve length and 1.25 inches longer in total rise.
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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Love these but they run rather big. I typically wear a 4, and read other comments, so got a 2, BUT I would have even gone with a 0. The 2 works with spandex underneath but if I am wearing normal underwear, you can totally see it as the pants ride down a bit. It does come with a belt loop but I'm adverse to belts in the outdoors. I do love these though and have the same pants in the shorts style. It feels like you are wearing nothing and I love it. They also dry SUPER fast, wore these in a downpour in Arizona and they were dry very fast. Also great for sport climbing but would likely tear if you are on any sharp rocks. Length was perfect for my long legs.
The pants fitted snugly yet comfortably, except the waist was saggy. I wear size 8-10 in pants (8 for jeans, 10 for hiking pants) and the size 10 fit perfectly - except at the waist. It gapped significantly in the front and back and felt like it would sag down over a day hike, never mind a backpacking trip. The elastic is only in the back. (Every pair of pants or shorts I've had with elastic in the back are too big and the waist... why?!) There are belt loops but I hate belts and also fear they would not fit with a pack hip strap on these pants. Going down a size was not an option for me. I am not exactly "curvy" because my hips are narrow and my waist is not slim, but I have a muscular butt and legs. Most straight-cut hiking pants make this impossible to accommodate without significant waistband gaps. Aside from the fitting issues, these pants are amaaazing! The fabric is stretchy and lightweight and the cut offers full range of motion. I love the leg style and elastic drawstring at the ankles. They convert easily to capris and because the fabric is light and the cut is narrow it does not feel like you have a bunch of material bunched around your knees. The pants are stylish enough to wear around town as well as on the trail/rocks. The pockets were fairly large but you won't have much room for stuff if the pants are snug. (This didn't bother me as I don't store much in my pants when hiking anyways.) I did not get a chance to test the durability of the fabric.
I am in love with these pants! They are breezy, light, soft and have a slight stretch. The elastic waistband at the back allows the waist of the pant to hug my waist in all the right places. The thighs, for my body type, are where the pants are the snuggest, but it is just the right amount. The front pockets are generous – my iPhone 11 fits in there with room to spare. One back pocket is a snap closure and the other back pocket is a zipper. There is also a zipper stash pocket inside the right front pocket that is big enough for my id and other credit cards. The ankles have an elastic cord with simple synch design that make it easy to cuff the pants around your ankles. Something I have noticed that is not important but certainly a perk is that these pants do not seem to expose panty lines. I have worn them plenty on 90+ degree days and they keep the breeze going and help keep me cool while keeping the sun off my legs. It does not even feel like I am wearing pants! They are a much thinner material than the REI Co-op Taereen pant, but I was specifically looking for a breezy pair of pants for hot summer adventures. I did also buy the Taereen pant for a more durable version of these for the rest of the year. The Army Cot Green color, btw, is divine. Of note – I wore these in a 12 also before deciding which one fit better. At first the 10 felt like it might have been a tad too tight around my midsection, but not long after wearing them they stretched every so slightly and they are perfect.
These are great as far as they go - lightweight fabric, nice deep pockets and quite a few of them, the cords at the ankle are good. These could almost be my favorite pants ever...BUT....I wish they came in Long. The bottom seam of the knee patches hit me just where my knee bends. Not too comfortable for a long hike, or a bike ride. And if they were longer they could come over the tops of my boots instead of brushing the edge, which would be nice. They do also creep down a bit, so I will be adding elastic at the back waist. Otherwise, the size seems to be about right. Due to the short length of the legs, I will not be buying these again.
These pants are the best pants I have ever purchased. And I’ve purchased a lot of pants. Let me list the ways in which these pants beat out any other ones you could buy: 1. True to size. They fit exactly as they should! This is a big deal as someone who is a smidgeon tall at 5’8” but not actually tall. Also I’m pleasantly plump and these are flattering to my size 12 figure. 2. The fabric! No polyester (I’m looking at you Prana pants). They are so soft and don’t make my skin crawl. They are light but not too light. 3. The leg. Straight leg but with a drawstring at the ankles. 4. The price! Better looking than Prana and cheaper to boot.
These pants are great. Lightweight, comfortable, and flattering. Really love the burnt orange colour. My one gripe is that they stretch out when you wear them for a bit. I’ve worn them on a couple of big hikes and backpacking trips, and they consistently start sliding down my hips after an hour or two. I’m 5’3”, 118 lbs, and I usually wear a size 4 in pants, but got these in a size 2 because they ran large. I could probably have gotten the size 0 and maybe I wouldn’t have the stretching out issue, but I don’t usually anticipate being two sizes smaller in standard hiking pants. They’re still great pants, so I’m going to add some elastic in the waistband.
I recently wore a pair while walking the 500-mile Camino Frances across northern Spain and as a result of all that walking, lost a little weight, so had to buy more upon return. I preferred the Savanna Trails Pants over the other style I used on the Camino because they are light weight, durable, comfortable, wash easily, dry incredibly fast, pack great, with pockets that were just what I needed and they fit very well. I looked very fit and trim in the end of Camino photo in my black Savannah pants. Can't beat that. These are now my go to hiking pants. Oh, almost forgot to mention, for all this value, the price is fabulous.
I loved these pants for 3 months and took them on many day hikes in the hot summer. They are extremely lightweight, stretchy, and quick-drying. I loved the bungee cord at the bottom of the cuffs. Also, being short (5'1") with big thighs and a butt, it's hard finding pants in the right length that will also fit me in other places. These were perfect for my height, and I bought a size 12 to accomodate my derriere. The waist was, as a result, way too big so I had to wear a belt with them. Not a super big deal but it would be nice to have a built-in belt buckle like the REI Sahara Shorts do. However, a few days ago I just noticed that the seams above the knee on one leg have been coming apart. I have not even done anything rigorous or abrasive to these pants other than hike in them. To have the seams fall apart in such a short time at this price range is extremely disappointing. Since I love how these fit and feel, I am going to exchange these for a new pair and see if I had a dud or if this is a consistent issue in the quality.
I was really excited to purchase these pants as it was my first time buying co-op. The fabric is lightweight and great for warm weather...however, the pants lose their shape and become extremely baggy! I had to roll the waistband to keep them up after only a day of wear. I want to love these pants but can’t because the fabric gives so much that the pants end up not fitting by the end of the day and are not flattering after shape loss. I also sized down when I purchased as the pants run large. Very disappointed.
The pants are very comfortable and flexible, they were great for rock climbing and hiking but DO NOT use them when you are backpacking. The zipper at the right hip sits right underneath the waist strap of a backpack. After backpacking for most of a day I had some pretty bad bruising underneath where the slide/pull part of the zipper sat and had issues for the rest of the journey because of the initial injury to the skin. While I will continue to wear them rock climbing they will never see another backpacking journey.