Males’s REI Sahara Convertible Pants Evaluation

Backside Line

The REI Sahara is the picture of the traditional mountain climbing pant: versatile, sturdy, and loaded with options. These have lengthy been considered one of CleverHiker’s high mountain 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 geared up 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 any confusion when going again to pants mode. With six pockets, the Saharas are assured to hold something wanted for an extended hike.

Whereas the marginally dishevelled match won’t be for everybody, and the fabric is sluggish 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 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 desire for a looser minimize will get pleasure from this mannequin whereas others who desire a trimmer leg line won’t 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 somewhat extra. Regardless of their bagginess, we didn’t really feel hindered or encumbered whereas mountain 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 might in any other case convey each shorts and pants.

We did discover the Saharas  run on the hotter aspect in full pants mode. Their dishevelled match and thicker materials traps warmth greater than different fashions we’ve examined. Whereas changing to shorts is probably the most environment friendly strategy to improve 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, in addition 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, count on these pants to remain moist somewhat 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 obligation pant and we will 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 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 robust. With no abrasions or put on, the Saharas are a wonderful possibility for these needing sturdy and versatile pants for backcountry or path use.

Options

The REI Saharas have a number 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 all the pieces you want. With solely the precise 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 amazing characteristic in convertible pants. These enable hikers to simply grow to be shorts mode with out the pointless problem 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 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 on the lookout for operate over vogue, the Saharas lean strongly within the route of operate. Their barely dishevelled match and heaps of pockets won’t be for everybody, however it’s straightforward 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 flexibility to hold additional objects in a wide range of pockets. Their sturdiness speaks to these working and recreating in circumstances that require probably the most from their pants. Their budget-friendly value level makes these pants attainable to most and we admire the number of colours and sizes obtainable.

What Different Mountain climbing Pants Ought to You Contemplate?

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

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

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