How to Choose Hiking Pants
REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants - Men's
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Embrace your inner utilitarian. They may not be your date pants, but the men's lightweight REI Co-op Sahara Convertible pants are a trail staple—and, of course, transform into shorts.
Shop newer versionKey Details
Fabric
Nylon
Quick Drying
Yes
Best Use
Travel
Hiking
- Durable water repellent (DWR) coating sloughs off moisture while lightweight nylon dries fast if it does get wet
- Low-bulk fabric with flatseam stitching not only prevents chafing, it also allows pants to pack down small
- Color-coded thigh zippers help you determine the right leg from the left leg when converting the shorts back to pants
- UPF 50+ fabric shields against harmful UV rays
- Elastic on the back of the hips allows you to move freely and comfortably
- Loaded with pockets for essentials, including zippered back pockets and a hidden cellphone drop-in pocket on the right side
- Reinforced cuff backs stand up to abrasion from hiking boots
- Bottom side zips give you airflow without converting to shorts
- Zip fly with button closure
- Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria
- REI Co-op brand is certified to The Climate Label; we actively fund efforts to reduce carbon emissions across our business and support climate projects around the world
Imported.
View the REI Co-op Sahara Product LineView all REI Co-op Men's Convertible Pants| Best Use | Travel Hiking |
|---|---|
| Fabric | Nylon |
| Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
| UPF Rating | 50 |
| Quick Drying | Yes |
| Convertible | Yes |
| Side Cargo Pockets | Yes |
| Pant Fit | Relaxed |
| Pant Leg Style | Straight |
| Shorts Inseam (in.) | 10 inches |
| Gender | Men's |
| Weight | Unavailable |
| Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria From a Climate Label Certified brand |
REI Co-op Clothing - Men's
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Sizing Notes
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.
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Most Helpful Favorable Review
Zip off legs will not fit over boots
Anonymous5 years ago
I bought these to be able to zip the legs off and remove the pant legs without having to take my boots off. Wearing my (excellent) Zamberlan boots (from REI) these pants would need a longer vertical zipper to reach a wider part of the pant leg. It is 22.5 around the boot heal to over the arch and back. The pant leg at the top of the 9 inch zipper is only 19 to 19.5 inches. You would need an 18 inch tall zipper to get the pant legs wide enough to fit over the boots and keep this slim cut leg. A better solution may be to re-cut the legs a little fuller to allow a shorter vertical zipper. I hear a lot of friends say REI is notorious for slim fitting clothes and while they look at REI they buy elsewhere. I am 6 foot and 205 pounds I should be able to get zip off pant legs that fit over my boots.
I prefer 2 inch belt loops on pants rather than the 1 1/2 loops on these pants. My instructor belt doubles as a positioning harness which with the proper lanyard keeps me from reaching the edge and prevents falling over the edge. But it needs 2 inch belt loops.
I would also suggest listing the pant leg circumference at top of the vertical zipper on the spec page for the pants to allow online customers to determine if these will come off without removing their boots. The circumference around the heals of my size 12 walking shoes over my arch is 19 inches. So the pant legs will come off. But the idea is to be able to change to shorts as the day warms up or back to long pants without having to sit down and take your boots off. And I should not have to have one pair of pants for my walking shoes and a second for my boots.
Please let me know when you solve this issue. I am still looking for convertible pant legs that will come off over boots.
I would recommend these pants except for the points mentioned above.
Anonymous
Earth
6 people found this review helpful
Most Helpful Critical Review
These changed and I'm sad
Kjkjk6 years ago
These used to be my favorite hiking pants, and I'm a backpacking guide. Now the same size is too small (in all dimensions), the cargo pockets are too small to comfortably hold a cell phone and there is no integrated belt. What happened? Why'd you change? Do you have the old version in the warehouse somewhere? I'll take 5 pairs if you do.
Kjkjk
47 people found this review helpful
Customer Images
Dan35
Moyock NC
Tight Fitting
6 years ago
This item seems to run much smaller and tighter in both waist and inseam than the Sarahara Classic. Really too tight to allow freedom of movement for more than just walking. Other than that pants are comfortable to wear. Pockets are on the small side. Something I personally found annoying: Any movement more than walking pulls the pant leg on top of the boot, which slowly, over time opens the leg zipper (leg opening is small enough that the pants don't right themselves) Then you have to stop, zip, pull down over boot...until the next time it happens. Honestly, I much prefer the Classic Sahara, but even those need a pocket large enough to hold a map.
No, I do not recommend this product
bksldr7
Reno, NV
CHANGED FOR THE WORSE
6 years ago
Why do you keep screwing with an outstanding design. I too have multiple pairs of the older design. When I looked at these in the store I found that the design has changed. The velcro flaps over the zipper pocket have been changed to no velcro closure flaps tacked at the sides. This reduces the opening with the zipper open and makes it a pain in the neck(for lack of more descriptive word-cheaper to make?) to get things like maps and wallets in and out. The shorter leg zips will be a pain when trying to slip them over boots. Pocket sizes seem to be smaller also. I decided to purchase the Kuhl Convertibles instead though I really loved the original Sahara design.
No, I do not recommend this product
SpruceBringsteen
Seattle
not the same
5 years ago
Unbelievably disappointed with the new iteration of these once great pants. Obviously REI thought it would be a good idea to cut corners to make a quick buck from loyal customers. There is no longer elastic in the waist, there is no longer an internal belt built in, there are no longer buttons to secure the bottom of the pant legs. The lack of elastic makes these pants fit very tight. My usual size in all pants, 34 seems to fit more like a 30 or 32 at best. The zipper on the bottom of the pant legs works it’s way unzipped due to the lack of button to hold them together. Needless to say I will be returning these pants and researching other options.
Age:25–34
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:6'0"
No, I do not recommend this product
Dave454
Quality going down hill
4 years ago
REI's Sahara Convertible Pants have been a good product over the years and I have owned several. However, the quality of workmanship has been going downhill. I rate this current model with 2 stars for the following reasons. First, the inseam length is no longer accurate. I have always had a 30" inseam and the Saharas I have had have been accurate. Now it seems that REI thinks 30" is less than 29". I compared the pair I just bought to my current Saharas and sure enough, the new pair was over an inch shorter. I took them to the store to return it and I compared them to other like-sized Saharas. Sure enough, they were all short too. That tells me that REI has changed its tailoring standards. If I buy a pair of pants that states it has a 30" inseam, I expect a 30" inseam and not a 29" inseam. After all, this isn't like buying lumber where a 2x4 doesn't actually measure out to 2"x4". Now, when I go to buy a pair with a 32" inseam to compensate, they will be too long. Second, the cargo pockets now seem to be more for decoration than function, in particular, the cargo pocket on the right leg. The top flap is now sewn down on the corners, making it impossible to access the pocket. I consider this a critical design flaw. It does me no good if I can't use the cargo pockets because I can't even get my hand in it to insert and extract items. I did order a different waist size and it seemed to be accurate. So, hope is not lost.
Age:45–54
Weight:175–200 lbs.
Height:5'9"
Steve
Colorado
Very disappointed
5 years ago
I went to buy additional Sahara Convertible Pants, which have been my favorite for years. Unfortunately I found out that the "new" version has totally changed, sized wrong, different fabric, doesn't allow free movement, no built-in belt, to name a few differences. Asked at the store and was told these are the new design going forward, old design no longer available. I am going to try the Columbia version, though they are still not as comfortable and feature filled as the old Sahara Convertibles. PLEASE bring them back and let everyone know, as it appears you would sell a ton of them, according to the reviews. Thanks
No, I do not recommend this product
Zaijien
Sacramento
New design for fashion, not function.
5 years ago
It seems REI has decided cutting corners and saving money is more important than quality products. The old design , of which I have several pair, was excellent for fit, function and durability. The economy cargo pockets, full lower leg zippers, and Velcro All culminated is highly comfortable functional outdoor wear. The new design seems to cater to the ‘street hiker’ who’s only need is to look good while hiking the mall. I won’t repeat all the shortcomings that have previously been written, suffice to say I agree with them. Won’t be buying these again until/ unless REI goes back to placing quality and function over cost cutting. Please go back to the style that works.
Age:55–64
Weight:225–250 lbs.
Height:6'3"
No, I do not recommend this product
Bill
Disappointed
6 years ago
I am disappointed that the side zippers do not open to the upper zipper. To get the lower part of the pants off I have to sit to take them off. They are difficult to remove over my shoes. If I wore my boots I would have to take off my boots to get the bottom of the legs off. I have a similar pair of these pants I bought from REI several years ago and the side zipper on those pants unzip to the upper zipper. With these pants I can stand and zip off the bottoms of the pants. I wish the side zipper opened to the upper zipper. There was a problem with the size label on the pants. They were labeled one size smaller than they were labeled. I did get the correct size of pants and they are a good fit.
No, I do not recommend this product
Anonymous
Earth
Zip off legs will not fit over boots
5 years ago
I bought these to be able to zip the legs off and remove the pant legs without having to take my boots off. Wearing my (excellent) Zamberlan boots (from REI) these pants would need a longer vertical zipper to reach a wider part of the pant leg. It is 22.5 around the boot heal to over the arch and back. The pant leg at the top of the 9 inch zipper is only 19 to 19.5 inches. You would need an 18 inch tall zipper to get the pant legs wide enough to fit over the boots and keep this slim cut leg. A better solution may be to re-cut the legs a little fuller to allow a shorter vertical zipper. I hear a lot of friends say REI is notorious for slim fitting clothes and while they look at REI they buy elsewhere. I am 6 foot and 205 pounds I should be able to get zip off pant legs that fit over my boots. I prefer 2 inch belt loops on pants rather than the 1 1/2 loops on these pants. My instructor belt doubles as a positioning harness which with the proper lanyard keeps me from reaching the edge and prevents falling over the edge. But it needs 2 inch belt loops. I would also suggest listing the pant leg circumference at top of the vertical zipper on the spec page for the pants to allow online customers to determine if these will come off without removing their boots. The circumference around the heals of my size 12 walking shoes over my arch is 19 inches. So the pant legs will come off. But the idea is to be able to change to shorts as the day warms up or back to long pants without having to sit down and take your boots off. And I should not have to have one pair of pants for my walking shoes and a second for my boots. Please let me know when you solve this issue. I am still looking for convertible pant legs that will come off over boots. I would recommend these pants except for the points mentioned above.
Age:65–74
Weight:200–225 lbs.
Height:6'0"
Rob81
Florida
REI, If it aint broke dont fix it!
5 years ago
Being a loyal REI customer for years I am shocked that these pants exist in their current condition. Review after reciew echos the same thing, they suck! The older ones circa 2012 time frame were on point amazing pants, the best ones I own. The next generation were not as good but still good as the material changed some pockets moved or went away and the waste band had a padding type material added. But generally still great pants. Now whats the point? I will not be buying another pair of these unless REI changes back and considering i have also recommend these pants to many people, that will also stop. REI please listen to a vast majority of us and change these pants back to being amazing.
No, I do not recommend this product
MP SLC
Don't buy.
4 years ago
2 yeas ago I bought a pair of REI convertible hiking pants, and was very happy with them. Hence I had no hesitation about buying what I thought was another pair of the same on line. The old pair had an elastic insert that made them very flexible for climbing over logs, etc. The new ones did not. The old ones had a metal fastener at the waist, and two at the bottom of the legs for the leg zippers. The new one had a button at the waste that looked like it would't last a month, and none on the legs. The sizing was wrong. A totally inferior product, that I returned unworn. It shouldn't have an REI label on it, something I have always associated with value.
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