REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants

Hiking pants are a dime a dozen. Every brand’s got one. Or two. Or maybe even three. Me, I decided to go for the cheapest option, and the most colorful. Lately, my go-to trail and outdoor climbing pants have been the REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants, like zip pants, minus the zip functionality because the way those are cut are never attractive.

The Sahara Roll-Up Pants come in every size imaginable for every gender and every age. In fact, these purple ones I’m wearing? They’re a girl’s large, which fits essentially like a size 0 in women’s. They might even be a little big. The Sahara Pants have plus-sized and petite varieties, which have been pretty rare for me to see.

The polyester/spandex fabric is incredibly lightweight. It dries quickly and wicks moisture.The pants roll up to a tab that you button up. It’s super easy. No need to keep track of pant legs here. The Sahara Roll-Up Pants have one side slip pocket, two hand pockets, and two butt pockets to stash all your things. A soft waistband liner means these still fit comfortably even after your post-trip foodfest.

I’m such a huge fan of the REI Sahara Roll-Up Pants. First, the color just gets me every time. How can I turn down purple? And these are just so darn comfortable and versatile. I can take em on spring hikes. I can take them on winter hikes. I can layer a pair of leggings underneath. I can layer rain pants over. I can climb in them on hot, sweaty days and they don’t stick to my butt. I’ve glissaded down peaks, fallen into creeks, stood under waterfalls in these, and they dry fast. For the last two years they’ve withstood abuse from me falling down and rubbing on things and look nearly as good as new. They’ve gone to Idaho, Mt. Whitney, and beyond.

$70 for an everlasting pair of versatile pants? You can’t really beat that. Available through REI. Also available in petite and kids. Zippers are more your thing? They come in a zip-off version too.

Last updated on May 27, 2015.