How to Choose Hiking Pants

Inspired by our iconic hiking pants—but designed with extra stretch and a slimmer leg—the women's REI Co-op Sahara Stretch Convertible pants repel water, dry fast and zip off into shorts as needed.
Imported.
View the REI Co-op Sahara Product LineView all REI Co-op Women's Convertible PantsBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | 88% nylon/12% spandex (bluesign approved) |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 50+ |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Convertible | Yes |
Pants Rise | Mid |
Pant Fit | Standard |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Inseam (in.) | 26.5, 29, 32 inches |
Shorts Inseam (in.) | 3.5, 4.25, 5.25 inches |
Gender | Women's |
Weight | 14.1 ounces |
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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I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. I’m liking these pants. I’ve worn them both hiking in the Sandia foothills and at my garden center nursery job in New Mexico. The cut of these pants isn’t quite right for my body but they are still comfortable. Personally I need around 4” more inches of length and a thinner cut in the legs. The waist fits perfect although the drawstring is so short it’s unusable. I’ve included photos of the measurements, mine are women’s XL. I wish they were a little quieter, but they will dry quickly and shed dirt well. The five pockets are ample and the converted length of the shorts is perfect. I do prefer a zippered cuff opening, the elastic cuff isn’t quite big enough to get a boot through. These washed up well and are pretty much wrinkle free. I love the color. Overall a great light weight simple hiking pant.
I was very excited to see this product offered in "petite" sizes. I'm 5'2", and often pant length is a problem. These come with elasticized ankles, and fell perfectly over boots, hiking shoes, and allowed me to see my feet while climbing. I could also hike up the legs to over the calf height. They are made of a medium heavy nylon, so they seem like they would stand up to bushwhacking without tearing, but still be comfortable in the warm weather. The stretchy waist was a good fit, and can be tightened with a tie cord. The color is fun, and I got a few positive comments from friends about it. Small dings: For me, the shorts are a little short, especially under a climbing harness. Personally, I never understand the point of the extra side pocket-which hits me right above the knee. I also wished the rear pocket had a zipper or flap. Overall, these are super comfortable for me and will get used for hiking in all but the coldest weather. Maybe I'll even throw some long underwear on, and use them all year 'round.
I really like these pants! The color is a refreshing take on “outdoorsy neutral,” and is a lovely turquoise blue. It’s not garish when outside, but it’s still fun. On first wear the material and zippers are fairly stiff, but they’ve been loosening up with wearing and washing. The silhouette is looser than I’d expect for the size, but comfortable overall. The length is nice for a jogger style. The waist is comfortable but could be stretchier to accommodate wider hips. I’ve used these around town and on shorter hikes and they’ve felt durable and comfortable. No noticeable wear and tear even after pushing through brush and kneeling in dirt. Very breathable.
I wore these pants on numerous hikes of varying lengths and in different weather conditions. The pants were comfortable to wear with a soft material that stretched with movement. There were plenty of pockets but, none of them on the top part had any type of closure (zipper or snaps). I didn't care about the elastic on the bottom of the pant leg because the legs didn't fall right around my hiking boots. I didn't think the cloth strip within the waist band was necessary. The seat area of the backside and the legs was a bit to big (to roomy). I liked that the zippers on the convertible part were color coded to make it easier to figure out which pant leg they go back on. A zipper on the side bottom of the pant leg would be nice to have when converting the pants to shorts (or the other way around).
The fit and quality of these are significant worse than the previous “Sahara guide convertible pants”. The pants feel thinner, but not in a breathable way. They removed the fly and button which makes this new model significantly tighter on the waist and difficult to get on/off. The proportions are also way off in the thighs which are very baggy and the regular length runs short compared to previous. Overall is an awkward fit, with cheap draw strings at the ankle. They even cheaped out on the tag on the Inside of the pants which makes it itchy all while raising the price, these used to be 89.99. Bring back the old quality and style please.
These are very comfortable pants! I was very hesitant when I first got them, worried that they would be uncomfortable to where while I’m hiking or climbing. But they’ve been really great! And having the option of switching these to pants is awesome for a boulder session or a hot hike!
If you are 5’2 ish in height, the petite length is great. The pant leg falls at the ankle without bunching at the end. The zippers for the legs are color coded to help match to the correct side. This waist is quite narrow compared to the hips. So it might be tight if you have a little belly pooch. But it’s not uncomfortable because the band is elastic. It doesn’t dig in like a button would. My main complaint is that fabric is really scratchy. It was most noticeable when on the move due to the friction between the skin and fabric. It was distracting but tolerable.
I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. These pants are well-constructed. The material is comfortable and I like the color. The waistband is comfortable as well. They are not the best fit for my body-shape though. The pants run a little shorter than I like- but I do have long legs. The shorts, when you zip-off the lower legs, also were shorter than I prefer. That being said, the zippers worked very smoothly and I do like the zippered pocket. (My dog liked the smell ) Great pants! - just not the right fit for me.
I biked 60 miles in these pants/shorts and couldn't be happier. Plenty of stretch for bicycling. True to size chart. Wide waist band doesn't roll. The elastic on back hem of pants kept fabric slim (but not tight) to avoid gears/chain. Besides the color-coded pant zipper, the elastic helped orient back for success on 1st try at zipping back together. Smooth front hem for 'dressier' appearance. Deep pockets. All around great option. Shorts a bit short for my taste, but not super short. I ordered a 2nd pair.
Fits worse than the previous version of this. Liked the old fit and fabric. Wish they would bring it back