REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pant Review
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Category
Light/midweight
Materials
96% nylon, 4% spandex
Weight
12.7 oz.
Waist
Button/fly & drawcord
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Sahara Convertible
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Hiking Pants.
The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible pants are made with a 96% recycled nylon and 4% spandex blend, offering a bit of stretch but nowhere near the freedom of movement you get with a pant like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi, which packs in 14% elastane. While the Saharas are perfectly functional on the trail, they lack that fluid, natural mobility of stretchier options. The abundance of zippers also adds bulk and pressure points—something I noticed when lounging at camp or attempting to sleep in them (I sometimes ditch long underwear to save weight, so comfort in a sleeping bag matters).
That said, they’re undeniably capable. I wore the REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants on a four-day backpacking trip in Washington’s Enchantments, including a brutal 2,500-foot ascent of Aasgard Pass, including boulder hopping, creek crossings, and extra steep sections of root climbing. Even with constant scrambling and hands-on-knees high stepping, they never felt restrictive. Later, my 74-year-old mother adopted the Saharas and wore them as her only pant on a three-week trek through Patagonia. If a pair of hiking pants can handle that level of daily use, they must be doing something right.
The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible pants are a budget-friendly option, so it’s no surprise that the build quality isn’t on par with premium designs, including hiking pants like the Arc’teryx Gamma. The biggest drawback I’ve noticed is the fabric’s tendency to stretch out—after just four days of backpacking, the fit became noticeably baggier. By contrast, the Prana Halle (another pant I’ve worn for long trips without washing) holds its shape much better and still looks fresh days into a trip. What’s more, fter a year of heavy use—mostly by my mom—the Sahara’s fabric has developed a fuzzy veneer, the DWR treatment no longer beads moisture (though that’s easily fixed with a spray-on or wash-in treatment), and the pants continue to stretch out between washes.
That said, I’ve found the Sahara impressively hardwearing for a budget pant. REI included thoughtful durability touches like reinforced cuffs at the back of the legs, which should help resist long-term wear. The zippers (and there are many) still operate smoothly without breakage, and despite all that use, the fabric hasn’t developed any holes. While it won’t outlast burlier options, the Sahara has proven it can go the distance.
The REI Sahara Convertible Pants strike a great balance between breathability and coverage. Their light-to-midweight fabric is ideal for temps below 60°F—not as thin or airy as the REI Co-op Trailmade pants but noticeably lighter than the Prana Halle. They don’t dry as quickly as some nylon-heavy alternatives, but their biggest advantage is right in the name: zip-off legs. The ability to switch between pants and shorts on the fly makes them one of the most versatile options out there.
On day two of my backpacking trip, I started in what I dubbed “short-mode,” enjoying the sun at lower elevations. As we climbed Aasgard Pass, the sky darkened and the temperature steadily dropped. About halfway up, I zipped the legs back on—quick and easy without removing my hiking boots, thanks to the full-length zippers. By the time we reached the Core Zone, it was snowy, windy, and just above freezing. If ever there were a perfect test for convertible pants, this was it—and the Saharas passed with flying colors. That night, I layered a thin pair of long underwear underneath but still had to cozy up in my sleeping bag to comfortably hang out with friends.
I’m all for hiking in shorts and rarely hesitate to zip off the Sahara’s lower legs, but if you need extra airflow while keeping your legs covered, these pants have a workaround. While not designed with dedicated vents, their abundance of zippers allows for some creative ventilation. You can crack open the circumference zippers to let air circulate or unzip the leg zippers from the hem up toward the knee—just be ready to embrace a full ‘90s bell-bottom aesthetic on the trail.
The Sahara Convertible pants come with a standard DWR finish, which initially sheds light rain and creek splashes with ease. However, like most lightweight hiking pants, the finish wears off quickly, and my pair now absorbs moisture rather than repelling it. This isn’t unique to the Sahara—most nylon hiking pants lose their water resistance over time unless they have a more protective hard face, like the Arc’teryx Gamma. If you want to keep the Sahara’s fabric beading up water, a quick refresh with a spray-on or wash-in treatment (we like Nikwax products) will do the trick.
I pushed the limits of the Sahara while backpacking in Washington’s Enchantments, where a sunny morning turned into wind and light rain as we climbed higher. The pants felt a little underbuilt for the conditions—I could feel the wind cutting through the fabric and found myself wishing I had packed rain pants or a more protective softshell. That said, if conditions swing the other way, the Sahara Convertible pants provide excellent sun protection with a 50+ UPF rating, making them a great option for high-exposure hikes and warm-weather trekking.
Pockets
The Sahara Convertible pants come with six pockets: two front hand pockets, two back pockets, and two cargo pockets (one zippered). On paper, that sounds great for carrying essentials, but in practice, I found the design disappointing. The women’s version I tested barely fit my iPhone 14—if cargo pockets aren’t functional, they’re just extra bulk for no reason. To make matters worse, the men’s version does accommodate a phone. It’s 2025, REI—are we really still debating whether women want usable pockets on their pants?
Waistband, Cuffs, & Other Features
The Sahara Convertible pants have a fairly standard waistband for a budget pant: a zipper fly with a button closure and an integrated drawcord on the inside. A small elastic panel at the back adds a bit of stretch for a better fit, which I appreciate. It does the job of keeping the pant in place, but the design feels undeniably clunky compared to the streamlined built-in waistbelt on a higher-end pant like the Arc’teryx Gamma. It also loosens noticeably throughout the day, leading to the dreaded pant slump. Personally, I prefer a yoga-style waistband—like the one on the women’s Black Diamond Alpine Light—which is a better design for women’s pants, considering most of us don’t need (or want) a fly anyway.
At the cuffs, REI kept things simple—maybe too simple. There’s no cinch or roll-up feature, so if you’re hot, your only option is to zip the legs off entirely. Fortunately, the vertical zippers running from the bottom hem to mid-thigh make it easy to remove the pant legs without taking off your hiking shoes or boots. The pant legs reattach via color-coded zippers, which is a thoughtful touch, though I did find the tiny zipper pulls tough to toggle with cold hands (and basically impossible with gloves on). I half expected them to break by now, but they’ve held up surprisingly well despite repeated use.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Tester: 5’6” 135 lb.
Size tested: Women’s 4
I’m generally between a women’s size 4 and 6, but the size 4 REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants fit me well—they run slightly large compared to brands like Patagonia and Arc’teryx, where I consistently wear a size 6. The overall cut leans toward functional rather than stylish, and while I appreciated the roomy fit for hiking, I couldn’t help but feel a little outdated next to friends wearing more modern, streamlined options like the Rab Incline, Patagonia Terravia Trail, and Prana Halle.
REI offers an impressive range of sizes in the women’s Sahara Convertible, with three inseam lengths (petite, regular, and tall) from size 0 to 16, plus five plus-size options from 18W to 26W. The men’s version is offered in a whopping five inseam lengths and weight sizes 28 to 50. It’s always great to see inclusive sizing, though I wish the fit itself had a bit more shape to it.
REI Co-op Trailmade ($80): Save With Summer Weight
If you’re a Co-op devotee—or simply like a good deal—it’s also worth checking out the Trailmade pants. These pants haven’t been around as long as the Sahara, but they’ve become a quick favorite of our testers thanks to their simple yet good-looking design and thin, summer-weight fabric. The Trailmade’s temperature range extends much higher than that of the Sahara, and the pants are overall more breathable and easy-moving thanks to their lightweight fabric. On the flip side, the Sahara’s thicker build will hold up much better to heavy use, and we like that REI also thought to add the reinforced cuffs. Both pants are wildly functional and great values, and your final decision will likely come down to the temperatures in which you hike, longevity considerations, and if you like the convertible design. For more, read our in-depth review of the REI Co-op Trailmade.
Patagonia Quandary Convertible ($135): Sleeker Convertibles…an Oxymoron?
A number of hiking pant models come in both non-convertible and convertible designs, and the Quandary is a case in point. The Quandary Convertible is a toned-down take on the concept, losing the cargo pockets and the side zippers that the Sahara so confidently touts. As a result, you’ll have to remove most bulky shoes and boots to get the pant legs on or off, but hopefully, that’s just a once-a-day event. And the Quandary makes up for the loss in cargo pockets with a generous array of storage, including a zip pocket at the rear and a side zip pocket that accommodates a phone better than the Sahara's. It’ll cost you significantly more, but some will appreciate Patagonia’s sleeker take on the convertible style. For more details, read our review of the non-convertible Quandary.
If you’re looking for function and versatility, the Sahara Convertible delivers in spades with a design that easily converts from pants to shorts (no need to remove your boots!). Not everyone will like the extra bulk and faff, though, and we wish the side pockets were larger.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
The Trailmade’s low price isn’t its only strong suit—it’s also stylish, lightweight, and available in an impressive range of sizes. The result is one of our favorite pants for warm-weather hiking. However, the waistband is nothing to write home about, and the thin nylon doesn’t hold up to heavy use.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Patagonia’s all-rounder hiking pants, the Quandary are light and breathable enough for summer use, surprisingly durable for their weight, and have styling that crosses over to daily wear and travel. They come up short in stretchiness and mobility but are otherwise a quality choice.
Comfort & Mobility
Durability
Breathability
Weather Resistance
Features
Sustainability
Is the Sahara Convertible for You?
The REI Sahara Convertible Pants are a great fit for budget-conscious hikers who prioritize versatility on the trail. If you often hike in variable conditions or need a reliable option for extended travel, the ability to switch between pants and shorts without packing an extra layer is a major plus. They’re also impressively durable for the price, and with a wide range of sizes, nearly everyone can find a good fit. That said, if style matters to you, these aren’t the most modern-looking hiking pants (though we hear convertible designs are making a comeback), and for truly wet or windy conditions, a softshell pant will serve you better. But for those looking for a practical, all-purpose hiking pant with built-in adaptability for warm weather, the Sahara Convertible gets the job done.
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