Males’s REI Sahara Convertible Pants Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Sahara is the picture of the traditional mountaineering pant: versatile, sturdy, and loaded with options. These have lengthy been one in all CleverHiker’s prime mountaineering pants and it’s simple to see why. We examined these pants in heavy Alaskan rain and on lengthy sunny hikes and we love utilizing one pair of pants for each outings.

These convertible pants come outfitted with vertical lower-leg zips to make altering over to shorts a breeze with out taking off your sneakers. Coloration-coded zips match as much as the corresponding legs so there isn’t a confusion when going again to pants mode. With six pockets, the Saharas are assured to hold something wanted for a protracted hike.

Whereas the marginally dishevelled match may not be for everybody, and the fabric is gradual to dry, the REI Saharas are a dependable possibility for these in search of a sturdy, no-nonsense, workhorse of a pant for his or her adventures.

Consolation & Mobility

We needed to measurement down within the waist to keep away from extra bagginess. The Saharas already include a barely dishevelled match, and their sizing leans towards the bigger finish of the spectrum. That being stated, as soon as we did measurement down, we discovered that the pants match effectively by means of the waist due to a stretchable waistband.

The largest factor that hikers will discover within the Saharas in comparison with different pants in our lineup is their bagginess by means of the legs. These with thicker legs or a choice for a looser minimize will get pleasure from this mannequin whereas others who need a trimmer leg line may not discover that it matches as effectively. The decrease leg materials swished and was in touch with the opposite leg whereas strolling which made us want for a hem-cinching system to dial in that match a bit of extra. Regardless of their bagginess, we didn’t really feel hindered or encumbered whereas mountaineering and had been in a position to transfer round with out feeling restricted.

Breathability

The Sahara’s defining attribute is its versatility to vary over from pants to shorts when the temperatures rise. Because of this, we give these pants excessive marks for breathability. We love solely bringing one pair of pants on a visit the place we might in any other case convey each shorts and pants.

We did discover the Saharas  run on the hotter facet in full pants mode. Their dishevelled match and thicker materials traps warmth greater than different fashions we’ve examined. Whereas changing to shorts is essentially the most environment friendly method to enhance breathability, the vertical facet zips on the decrease legs  additionally  confide in permit elevated airflow.

Climate Resistance

In taking these pants out in each heavy rain and sunshine, we had been impressed with their resistance to rain and wind. In heavy precipitaiton, the pants beaded moisture for for much longer than we anticipated earlier than wetting by means of. We observed the primary locations to moist by means of had been alongside the thighs and seams for the shorts zips.

Whereas the Saharas withstood rain longer than anticipated, additionally they took longer to dry than we hoped they might. The thicker materials held onto moisture for for much longer than different pants we examined. In conditions the place hikers are going from rain to solar, anticipate these pants to remain moist a bit of longer as soon as the climate passes.

Sturdiness

One other stalwart characteristic of the Saharas is their sturdiness. These pants have lengthy been a favourite of hikers needing a heavier responsibility pant and we are able to confirm that that is nonetheless true. Whereas initially involved with how their multitude of small tooth zippers would maintain up, we discovered that they proceed to operate as meant even when inhibited by gentle particles.

We took these pants by means of their paces, kneeling in mud and gravel, sitting on tough surfaces, and scraping between boulders and so they got here out the opposite facet robust. With no abrasions or put on, the Saharas are a superb possibility for these needing sturdy and versatile pants for backcountry or path use.

Options

The REI Saharas have among the most pockets we’ve seen in a pair of pants. With six (two again, two entrance, and two thigh cargo) they’re certain to suit the whole lot you want. With solely the best thigh pocket zippered, we want that extra of the pockets had been zippered for a safe closure. When totally loaded, the thigh pockets felt even baggier and would swing when strolling. As a pleasant added contact, the entrance pockets include additional reinforcement within the nook for clipping a knife or multitool to the pocket.

The vertical zippers on the decrease legs stand out to us as an important characteristic in convertible pants. These permit hikers to simply become shorts mode with out the pointless trouble of eradicating sneakers too. After changing to shorts, the zippers come color-coded to simply have the ability to match legs when going again to pants. The zippers on this mannequin had been comfy in opposition to the pores and skin with none emotions of snagging or rubbing. When kneeling, the zippers are comfortably above the contact level with the bottom. The hems of the shorts are simply above the knee for an athletic but comfy size.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Sahara Convertible Pants?

For hikers on the lookout for operate over trend, the Saharas lean strongly within the route of operate. Their barely dishevelled match and heaps of pockets may not be for everybody, but it surely’s simple to see why this pant is beloved by so many. We love the flexibility of with the ability to zip off into shorts and the power to hold additional gadgets in quite a lot of pockets. Their sturdiness speaks to these working and recreating in circumstances that require essentially the most from their pants. Their budget-friendly worth level makes these pants attainable to most and we recognize the number of colours and sizes accessible.

What Different Mountaineering Pants Ought to You Contemplate?

REI Trailmade Assessment: One other breathable and light-weight possibility, the REI Trailmade is another choice for the budget-conscious hiker.

Janji Transit Tech Pant Assessment: If breathability is your precedence, these pants are among the many most breathable we’ve examined.

Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: A equally elastic and breathable pant that provides a light-weight possibility with full-length protection.