REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

I own at least 5 pair of REI Sahara pants that I've bought over the past 8 years or so and never found a better design in a convertible pant than the older version. I've used the pants on backpack trips of 2-10 days in cool and hot weather, desert and mountains. Unfortunately, this new version is absolutely terrible and seem as if they were designed by people who don't actually go hiking.

As others have already said, the hips now fit rather snug and the waist is bigger than before, with no belt, so they constantly slip down and shift around while hiking, even with a pack on. However, the fit of the rise has been changed and it seems they no longer have a gusseted crotch, so they fit much tighter and are VERY uncomfortable!

The older version had a great small zip pocket inside one of the regular front pockets, which was a perfect place to keep my money while hiking. The new front pockets both now have zippers but sit in an odd place. The pant also used to have excellent cargo pockets which had 2 compartments - perfect for my map, lip balm, snacks, tissues, etc. This new cargo pocket is much smaller, has only one compartment and the zipper adds weight. So the pockets are smaller, but heavier. Same goes for the new ankle closure. Why add snaps? The velcro was perfect - versatile and lightweight. And easy to replace if necessary. Everything about this new design seems heavier and less comfortable.

Whatever happened to "if it ain't broke, don't 'fix' it?"

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

A very old pair of REI convertible pants were destroyed in the wash last month. I also have a pair of REI convertible pants that are only a few years old and I love them, so I went looking for another pair.

Realizing REI no longer makes the same pair I have from a few years back, I went with these. The idea of the longer shorts appealed to me.

No, no, no, no, no. There are so many problems with these pants!

1. While the velcro closure on the legs would sometimes stick to sock, it's very easy to control how open or closed you need the legs to be. Sometime I have them very loose and sometime I have to cinch up very tight due to burs on the trail. This new design has 2 snaps at the ankle. It's either open or not-as-open. There is not way to really close up the pants if you need it.

2. The placement of the front zip pockets is off so that when they are open, the pucker out. This happens in other designs but since these are zippers, the weight of the zipper causes the pocket to pucker out even more.

3. The longer shorts - while it's a nice concept it's not really a good idea for pants designed for hiking/scrambling over rocks, hills, logs, etc. The zipper now falls just below my thigh. When the pants are attached, the weight of the legs holds that bulk of the pant below the curve of my thigh - when I want to step over something while hiking or walking, I must grasp the pants and pull them up and over my thigh or they TOTALLY restrict my movement. My thighs are not huge - I'm neither fat nor muscular. This design is just not right for hiking pants.

4. No belt - minor issue - but a big deal when hiking. When out on the trial I either where a loaded fanny pack or backpack. The hip belts tend to pull pants down with them. Without a belt on elastic pants, the pants go too! Every other pair of zip off pants comes with a belt - why did REI stop putting them in their pants?

In general I feel this design has not been totally thought out. Of course the are well made, nice a long, waist sits at natural waist - all good! But I need these pants for hiking and hauling a pack for 6 - 10 hours a day. I need pockets that are easy to get into and out of, that don't pucker and get in the way. I need freedom of movement and I need the ability to adjust the ankle. Most of all - they need to stay on!

I'll be sending them back and maybe getting my old pair fixed. Cheaper and I know they are designed for serious hiking.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

I wear these when I'm teaching PE, but the new design is way off -
1) too tight around the hips - gone is the comfort fit of the previous design - too restrictive when you're trying to move freely
2) waist is way too large - in order too get hip comfort I had to go to a bigger size but the waist is way too big - this means that they do need a belt but then too much material at the waist is bulky and uncomfortable
3) No belt - had to spend extra money to buy a belt - not easy to find an exact width belt - the previously included webbing belt was wonderful
4) snaps at ankles - loved the velcro as it was far more useable/adjustable and easier to deal with

I still love the fabric in these, but won't be buying my usual 'pairs' until the design reverts back to something more comfortable and practical.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

I am really disappointed that REI has changed the style of what was once my favorite pair of outdoor pants. The fit is bigger in the waist and less generous in the hips and thighs. Since no belt is included now, I will have to try to find an acceptable belt to wear with these that won't discolor if they get wet while I am hiking - not an easy thing to do in my area.

I do not like the pockets. The main hand pockets now have zippers, which are just extra weight and prevent easy access if zipped closed. There is no longer a small security pocket inside the right hand pocket, which was my very favorite feature. The cargo pockets are now single zip pockets with no Velcro pocket behind them.

The leg bottom adjustment has changed to snaps, which can be harder to open and close than Velcro, especially if they get dirty.

The fabric is still nice, and the pants have good long zippers on the zip off portion so they can be pulled over pants, but that's about all I like about them now. Every time these pants have changed the last few years I have liked them less, and now after having bought many pairs and having used the Sahara's for at least 5 years, I will be looking for a different brand to buy.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

my first thought when I tried on the new Sahara pants was "oh no! they ruined my favorite pants!". they are restrictive, too wide at the waist, and not forgiving enough at the hips and thighs. Of course even before trying them on I could see that the elastic waist with no belt was going to be a problem (stuff in pockets weighs down pants, causing pants to fall without a belt. using a separate belt involves _finding_ a belt that works, then having said belt dig into your hips when wearing a pack. anyone who has ever worn a pack knows that, so who designed these pants??).

I wont rant more because I would just be repeating the other comments. I just hope that the REI designers will take these reviews to heart and go back to an old design (the design they had 5-7 yrs ago was actually my favorite, with the slash back pockets and double cargo pockets, but last year's pants were pretty good too).

These really used to be the best, most comfortable and reasonably-priced pants for hiking and camping. Now they are just like every other tight-in-all-the-wrong-spots women's pants.

:(

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

These are the best pants ever designed for outdoor activities. They are the only pants I wear hiking and backpacking. I start with them full length, and as I warm up, the legs are easy to unzip and remove, even over boots. They are very lightweight and cool, even when the rest of me is hot.
My husband loves his also. Because they have lots of pockets, he wears them (as shorts) to the gym, and doesn't have to worry about where to put his keys and wallet.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

There is not much I can add that hasn't already been said. But I feel compelled to write a review in the hopes that the designers will make some crucial modifications to next year's design.

I bought a pair of these for a hiking trip to Utah. I already owned a pair of REI convertible pants from many years back and wanted a backup. Well, after one wearing I buried the new pair in the bottom of my suitcase and returned them as soon as I got home. I couldn't even lift my leg up to climb over a knee-high bolder, the new design is so restrictive. And the further I hiked, the further the pants slide down, since there is no longer a belt.

It made me wonder if REI actually tests its clothing designs on real people before launching them.

I'm going to treat my existing pair with great care, and I hope REI will come out with a revamped version next year.

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

I spend 3-6 weeks in the field as an archaeologist. I loved the old design I got three years ago. I wear my pants for 4-5 days in a row, all they need is a could shake and they are ready for another hard day. The pants were comfortable, lightweight, dried quickly and were even comfortable in 113 heat. I was able to carry heavy loads, spend hours squatting in a very small area and sort my stuff ie. notebook, pencils, sharpies, plastic bags, tweezers etc in very well designed pockets. In short the old design was perfect and very comfortable.
I bought the new pants and regretted it almost immediately, squatting is uncomfortable, the pants become too tight in hips and around thighs and crotch area. The lack of a belt reduces the fit, when squatting the elastic rides down. Although the fabric is the same and they are lightweight, the negatives definitely out weight the positives, I am returning them right away and well hunt for a different pant which will work for me. I miss the old design and regrettably will only have one pair to get me through my upcoming 6 week adventure bummer!!

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

I have been wearing my Saharas for years. I want more but want the old style with short shorts and a belt in petite size. Maybe next year??

Comments about REI Sahara Convertible Pants - Women's:

Good job REI! Love the new design! I've never liked the old Saharas because they fit like a bag with bagged-out pockets. Love all the zippered pockets! I am trim (and work at it), so I don't like baggy clothing. These fit nicely enough I could actually use for casual wear as well. I also prefer a below the waist fit, but since this new style is inbetween the below the waist and a the waist fit, I'm comfortable and they look/feel fine with shirt tucked in too. The long zippers in the lower leg pants will be a bonus to take off over boots! Not sure yet about the snap vs the velcro there, will have to try them longer.