Males’s REI Sahara Convertible Pants Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Sahara is the picture of the traditional climbing pant: versatile, sturdy, and loaded with options. These have lengthy been considered one of CleverHiker’s prime climbing pants and it’s straightforward 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 footwear. Shade-coded zips match as much as the corresponding legs so there isn’t any 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 saggy match won’t be for everybody, and the fabric is sluggish to dry, the REI Saharas are a dependable choice for these searching for a sturdy, no-nonsense, workhorse of a pant for his or her adventures.

Consolation & Mobility

We needed to dimension down within the waist to keep away from extra bagginess. The Saharas already include a barely saggy match, and their sizing leans towards the bigger finish of the spectrum. That being stated, as soon as we did dimension down, we discovered that the pants match properly by way 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 way 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 won’t discover that it suits as properly. 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 just a little extra. Regardless of their bagginess, we didn’t really feel hindered or encumbered whereas climbing and had been in a position to transfer round with out feeling restricted.

Breathability

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

We did discover the Saharas  run on the hotter aspect in full pants mode. Their saggy match and thicker materials traps warmth greater than different fashions we’ve examined. Whereas changing to shorts is essentially the most environment friendly technique to enhance breathability, the vertical aspect zips on the decrease legs  additionally  divulge heart’s contents to enable 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 way of. We seen the primary locations to moist by way 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’d. 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 just a little longer as soon as the climate passes.

Sturdiness

One other stalwart function of the Saharas is their sturdiness. These pants have lengthy been a favourite of hikers needing a heavier obligation 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 supposed even when inhibited by mild particles.

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

Options

The REI Saharas have a few of the most pockets we’ve seen in a pair of pants. With six (two again, two entrance, and two thigh cargo) they’re positive to suit every part you want. With solely the fitting 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 further 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 a fantastic function in convertible pants. These enable hikers to simply become shorts mode with out the pointless problem of eradicating footwear too. After changing to shorts, the zippers come color-coded to simply be capable of match legs when going again to pants. The zippers on this mannequin had been snug 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 snug size.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Sahara Convertible Pants?

For hikers searching for operate over style, the Saharas lean strongly within the route of operate. Their barely saggy match and heaps of pockets won’t be for everybody, nevertheless it’s straightforward to see why this pant is beloved by so many. We love the flexibility of having the ability to zip off into shorts and the power to hold further gadgets in a wide range of pockets. Their sturdiness speaks to these working and recreating in circumstances that require essentially the most from their pants. Their budget-friendly value level makes these pants attainable to most and we recognize the number of colours and sizes out there.

What Different Climbing Pants Ought to You Take into account?

REI Trailmade Assessment: One other breathable and light-weight choice, 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 choice with full-length protection.