REI Sahara Convertible Ladies’s Climbing Pants Evaluation, Path Examined

Backside Line

REI’s Sahara pants supply plentiful options and qualities that make them a strong selection for these seeking to take their adventures to new heights and preserve their packing listing to a minimal.

Whereas backpacking with these pants within the San Juan mountains, we discovered that they not solely repel water effectively but additionally dry extraordinarily shortly, a uncommon trick contemplating most pants solely do one or the opposite effectively quite than each. This iteration of the Sahara has improved sturdiness, and as at all times, we love having quite a lot of pockets which can be giant sufficient to make use of.

Whereas we predict the Sahara is a flexible pair, nice for anyplace from the desert to the rainforest, we have now extra suggestions on our greatest climbing pants for girls’s gear information so you will discover the fitting model to your climbing wants.

Consolation & Mobility

As a result of the Sahara pants can convert from shorts to pants, the development isn’t essentially the most snug available on the market. One factor we seen when carrying these on a backpacking journey within the Weminuche Wilderness is how the zipper the place the higher and decrease pants join makes it more durable to stroll. This was primarily because of extra resistance between the pants and the leg, largely whereas climbing uphill. The pants usually really feel extra restrictive in that location, even when worn as shorts. The fabric is much less gentle on the pores and skin than different fashions we tried. General, these pants are extra sensible than snug, one thing consumers ought to take into accout when deciding an important options for his or her wants.

Sturdiness

Throughout our assessments, we have been stunned that the Sahara pants have been probably the most sturdy fashions we tried. Our expertise with older Sahara fashions was that these pants would tear simply from a fall on the path, particularly on the knee. Nevertheless, once we put the most recent mannequin by way of our sturdiness assessments, which included abrasion trials, they held up effectively. When used on a number of day hikes and backpacking journeys, the material confirmed no indicators of piling, and we didn’t discover any proof of free threads. The material used on these pants feels extra sturdy and reliable than previous fashions and different climbing pants, equivalent to joggers. The Sahara pants can be a strong selection for extra adventurous outings within the backcountry.

Breathability

These in search of fast drying capabilities want to go looking no additional: the REI Sahara pants wick moisture exceptionally quick. Throughout our side-by-side comparability assessments, we dunked the underside of every pant leg in some water and timed the drying time. The Sahara pants have been the quickest to lose moisture. Out within the discipline, we have been impressed with its efficiency on wet afternoons. On one event, it rained whereas climbing over an alpine cross proper earlier than establishing camp(ugh). After taking about 15 or 20 minutes to arrange the tent throughout a lull within the storm, we have been pleasantly stunned to search out that the pants have been fully dry once we began so as to add layers within the tent. Other than wicking moisture, the REI Sahara’s convertible nature signifies that pure air flow may also assist with breathability. We discovered the pants to be a lot cooler when worn in shorts mode.

Options

The REI Sahara pants stitches many options collectively, together with a number of usable pockets, the flexibility to transform to shorts, a waist drawstring, and belt loops. We love that these pants have six pockets giant sufficient to suit a contemporary smartphone. The hip-level pockets are deep and well-positioned in order that objects don’t hinder motion. Likewise, the lower and match of the Sahara pants are such that telephones or heavier objects don’t swing or transfer round when positioned within the leg pockets. The rear and left leg pockets have envelope covers to assist forestall gadgets from falling out. Our solely grievance is that the fitting leg pocket might be tough to open because of the envelope cowl over the zipper. Typically, the zipper catches on the material, and also you want two arms to work it.

As for different options, zip-off pants supply flexibility on backpacking journeys whereas decreasing the quantity of clothes gadgets that must be packed. The zipper tends to catch on the material lining when eradicating the pants bottoms; nevertheless, the color-coded zippers make it simple to place them again on later. A facet zipper runs up the decrease leg for extra air flow choices and makes reattaching the decrease leg panels simpler whereas carrying boots. We like that these pants have each a waist tie and belt loops, which implies they’re adjustable for a lot of conditions.

Climate Resistance

The Sahara pants shed moisture like a champ. Do you have to get caught in a storm, moisture beads up and rolls off them far longer than every other pants we examined. On one in every of our backpacking journeys, the place it rained, this beading was obvious on the legs of the pants. Once we made it to camp, the decrease legs of the pants have been hardly moist regardless that we had been strolling by way of the rain out within the open. The pants’ higher quads and hip space did finally soak by way of, however due to their quick-drying properties, that downside shortly evaporated.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Sahara Convertible Pants?

An affordable price ticket paired with a number of fascinating options makes the REI Sahara Convertible pants a superb selection for these seeking to get a whole lot of bang for his or her buck. Once we have a look at how a lot worth a pair of pants has, we contemplate what number of bins they test and the way lengthy they’ll final compared to the price of the pants. A high-value pair of pants has many execs, will final a very long time, and has a good price ticket. The Sahara pants deliver so much to the desk with quick drying instances, many pockets, options like zip-off pants, and good sturdiness. The cherry on prime is a price ticket under common in comparison with different pants available on the market.

What the Sahara lacks in aesthetics and luxury, it makes up for in options, sturdiness, and breathability. These qualities make it a superb selection for these seeking to go on extra technical and distant adventures.

What Different Climbing Pants Ought to You Think about?

Kühl FreeFlex Rollup Evaluation: The FreeFlex and Sahara pants have many comparable qualities: six usable pockets, good sturdiness, fast-drying material, and good worth. The most important tradeoff is whether or not sturdiness or drying time are extra vital. The FreeFlex pants are a bit sturdier and extra dependable in rugged environments, however the REI Sahara pants resist moisture higher and dry sooner once they do get moist. 

REI Trailmade Evaluation: For a tradeoff in sturdiness, the REI Trailmade pants supply a extra snug, fashionable expertise with a smaller price ticket. Just like the Sahara mannequin, the Trailmade pants dry extraordinarily shortly and are one of many extra water resistant fashions we tried. The zippered pocket is straightforward to make use of, and we loved lounging round in them at residence. The material isn’t fairly as sturdy, however they’re an ideal different.

Outside Analysis Ferrosi: One other technical choice, the Outside Analysis Ferrosi is a superb choice for individuals who need to place barely extra emphasis on water resistance over sturdiness whereas staying in the identical worth vary.