Backside Line
REI’s Sahara pants provide plentiful options and qualities that make them a strong alternative for these trying to take their adventures to new heights and preserve their packing checklist to a minimal.
Whereas backpacking with these pants within the San Juan mountains, we discovered that they not solely repel water properly but additionally dry extraordinarily shortly, a uncommon trick contemplating most pants solely do one or the opposite properly quite than each. This iteration of the Sahara has improved sturdiness, and as at all times, we love having a wide range of pockets which might 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, now we have extra suggestions on our greatest mountaineering pants for girls’s gear information so you will discover the precise type in your mountaineering wants.
Fast Specs
Girls’s REI Sahara Convertible
Finest Convertible Climbing Pants for Girls
Value:
$90
Weight:
12.7 oz.
Inseam:
29
Match:
Relaxed
Cloth:
96% nylon, 4% Spandex
Professionals
- Extremely versatile
- Breathable
- Many helpful pockets
- Simply converts to shorts
- Inclusive sizing
Cons
- Prime & backside can present uneven indicators of wear and tear
- Considerably unflattering as pants & as shorts
Consolation & Mobility
As a result of the Sahara pants can convert from shorts to pants, the development isn’t essentially the most comfy available on the market. One factor we seen when sporting 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 on account of extra resistance between the pants and the leg, largely whereas mountaineering uphill. The pants usually really feel extra restrictive in that location, even when worn as shorts. The fabric is much less comfortable on the pores and skin than different fashions we tried. General, these pants are extra sensible than comfy, one thing consumers ought to bear in mind when deciding crucial options for his or her wants.
Sturdiness
Throughout our checks, we had been stunned that the Sahara pants had been one of the 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. Nonetheless, after we put the latest mannequin by our sturdiness checks, which included abrasion trials, they held up properly. 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 unfastened threads. The material used on these pants feels extra strong and reliable than previous fashions and different mountaineering pants, corresponding to joggers. The Sahara pants can be a strong alternative for extra adventurous outings within the backcountry.
Breathability
These searching for fast drying capabilities want to go looking no additional: the REI Sahara pants wick moisture exceptionally quick. Throughout our side-by-side comparability checks, we dunked the underside of every pant leg in some water and timed the drying time. The Sahara pants had been the quickest to lose moisture. Out within the discipline, we had been impressed with its efficiency on wet afternoons. On one event, it rained whereas mountaineering 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 had been pleasantly stunned to search out that the pants had been fully dry after we began so as to add layers within the tent. Except for wicking moisture, the REI Sahara’s convertible nature implies that pure air flow also can 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 power 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 minimize 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 stop objects from falling out. Our solely criticism is that the precise leg pocket might be tough to open as a result of envelope cowl over the zipper. Typically, the zipper catches on the material, and also you want two fingers to work it.
As for different options, zip-off pants provide flexibility on backpacking journeys whereas lowering the quantity of clothes objects 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 straightforward to place them again on later. A facet zipper runs up the decrease leg for added air flow choices and makes reattaching the decrease leg panels simpler whereas sporting 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. Must you get caught in a storm, moisture beads up and rolls off them far longer than every other pants we examined. On one in all our backpacking journeys, the place it rained, this beading was obvious on the legs of the pants. After we made it to camp, the decrease legs of the pants had been hardly moist despite the fact that we had been strolling by the rain out within the open. The pants’ higher quads and hip space did finally soak by, however because of 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 alternative for these trying to get quite a lot of bang for his or her buck. After we have a look at how a lot worth a pair of pants has, we think about 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 professionals, will final a very long time, and has a good price ticket. The Sahara pants deliver rather a lot to the desk with quick drying instances, many pockets, options like zip-off pants, and good sturdiness. The cherry on high is a price ticket beneath 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 alternative for these trying to go on extra technical and distant adventures.
What Different Climbing Pants Ought to You Take into account?
Kühl FreeFlex Rollup Overview: The FreeFlex and Sahara pants have many related 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 necessary. The FreeFlex pants are a bit sturdier and extra dependable in rugged environments, however the REI Sahara pants resist moisture higher and dry sooner after they do get moist.
REI Trailmade Overview: For a tradeoff in sturdiness, the REI Trailmade pants provide a extra comfy, fashionable expertise with a smaller price ticket. Just like the Sahara mannequin, the Trailmade pants dry extraordinarily shortly and are one of many extra waterproof fashions we tried. The zippered pocket is straightforward to make use of, and we loved lounging round in them at residence. The material will not be fairly as strong, however they’re an excellent various.
Outside Analysis Ferrosi: One other technical possibility, the Outside Analysis Ferrosi is a good possibility for many who need to place barely extra emphasis on water resistance over sturdiness whereas staying in the identical worth vary.
