I’m a giant fan of REI Sahara Convertible Mountaineering Pants. They’re fairly priced, and having zip-off legs could be very handy as a result of a lot of my hikes and backpacking journeys happen on well-maintained trails, much less common trails, and bushwhacks. After I hike by way of dense vegetation or excessive grass, I zip on the decrease legs to keep away from ticks, however the remainder of the time, I normally hike in shorts as a result of it’s cooler and I perspire much less in humid summer season climate.
- Weight: 13.6 oz in a males’s 36 x 30, additionally out there in ladies’s sizes
- Kind: Convertible, zip-off
- Pockets: 6, together with a zippered right-hand aspect cargo pocket
- Belt: Not included
- Closure: Button w/zip fly
- Materials: 96% recycled nylon/4% spandex
- UPF Ranking: 50
- Shorts Inseam: 10″
- Execs: Sturdy zippers, Cool for Summer time use, Numerous Pockets
- Cons: Belt not included
I’ve been utilizing REI Sahara Convertible Pants for at the least 10 years, though these cool blue-colored ones are new. I personal 4 pairs, they usually by no means appear to wear down. At this level, I’ve in all probability washed and dried my older pairs tons of of instances. They by no means shrink, and the zippers nonetheless work in any case this time.
They’ve 6 pockets: two in entrance, two within the rear, and two aspect cargo pockets, which is nice so I don’t misplace the chances and ends I prefer to preserve useful in camp or when climbing. The 2 entrance pockets are minimize excessive, whereas the aspect cargo and rear pockets have flaps overlaying the highest so gadgets don’t fall out. I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of cargo pants as a result of I don’t like the majority of massive aspect pockets. However these pants are light-weight and funky sufficient for summer season use, even when it’s humid.
The Sahara Convertibles even have thigh-high aspect zippers on the legs, making them straightforward to take off and pull on with out having to take off your footwear first. That’s a must have characteristic for any pair of convertible climbing pants.
For those who’re a daily reader, you realize I’m a longtime fan of RailRiders EcoMesh lengthy pants for climbing in tick territory as a result of they’ve been pre-treated with Insect Protect (Permethrin) which kills bugs that land on the pants. Whereas the EcoMesh Pants have lengthy mesh vents alongside the legs, they’ve change into too uncomfortable to put on when it’s actually scorching and humid and have now been largely relegated to fly fishing use after I’m standing in freezing calf-deep water. Possibly my metabolism has modified, or local weather change is actual, however I run scorching more often than not and want skinny, extremely breathable climbing garments to keep away from perspiring round.
Advice
For those who’re trying for cheap climbing or on a regular basis utility pants which are cool sufficient for warm climate use, I like to recommend attempting these REI Sahara Convertible Pants. I like shopping for REI clothes as a result of it’s at all times prime quality and comparatively cheap in comparison with extra mainstream manufacturers. One trick I exploit is to purchase “unpopular” colours or those that REI gives gross sales pricing on. It can save you a considerable sum of money that manner.