REI Sahara Convertible Ladies’s Mountaineering Pants Overview, Path Examined

Backside Line

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

Whereas backpacking with these pants within the San Juan mountains, we discovered that they not solely repel water nicely but in addition dry extraordinarily rapidly, a uncommon trick contemplating most pants solely do one or the opposite nicely reasonably 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, now we have extra suggestions on our finest mountaineering pants for ladies’s gear information so you will discover the correct model in your mountaineering wants.

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 carrying these on a backpacking journey within the Weminuche Wilderness is how the zipper the place the higher and decrease pants join makes it tougher 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 mushy on the pores and skin than different fashions we tried. General, these pants are extra sensible than comfy, one thing patrons ought to consider when deciding a very powerful options for his or her wants.

Sturdiness

Throughout our exams, we have been stunned that the Sahara pants have been one of the vital 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, after we put the most recent mannequin via our sturdiness exams, which included abrasion trials, they held up nicely. 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 strong and reliable than previous fashions and different mountaineering pants, similar to joggers. The Sahara pants can be a stable selection for extra adventurous outings within the backcountry.

Breathability

These searching for fast drying capabilities want to look no additional: the REI Sahara pants wick moisture exceptionally quick. Throughout our side-by-side comparability exams, 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 area, we have 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 have been pleasantly stunned to seek out that the pants have been fully dry after we began so as to add layers within the tent. Other than wicking moisture, the REI Sahara’s convertible nature implies 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 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 forestall objects from falling out. Our solely grievance is that the correct leg pocket will be tough to open as a result of envelope cowl over the zipper. Generally, the zipper catches on the material, and also you want two fingers to work it.

As for different options, zip-off pants supply flexibility on backpacking journeys whereas lowering the quantity of clothes objects that should be packed. The zipper tends to catch on the material lining when eradicating the pants bottoms; nonetheless, 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 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 another pants we examined. On considered one of 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 have been hardly moist regardless that we had been strolling via the rain out within the open. The pants’ higher quads and hip space did finally soak via, however due to their quick-drying properties, that drawback rapidly evaporated.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Sahara Convertible Pants?

An inexpensive 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. After we take a look at how a lot worth a pair of pants has, we think about what number of containers they verify 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 carry loads 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 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 Mountaineering Pants Ought to You Think about?

Kühl FreeFlex Rollup Overview: The FreeFlex and Sahara pants have many comparable qualities: six usable pockets, good sturdiness, fast-drying material, and good worth. The largest 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 quicker after they do get moist. 

REI Trailmade Overview: For a tradeoff in sturdiness, the REI Trailmade pants supply a extra comfy, fashionable expertise with a smaller price ticket. Just like the Sahara mannequin, the Trailmade pants dry extraordinarily rapidly and are one of many extra waterproof fashions we tried. The zippered pocket is simple to make use of, and we loved lounging round in them at dwelling. The material just isn’t fairly as strong, however they’re an incredible various.

Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi: One other technical possibility, the Out of doors 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 value vary.