I Tried on All of REI’s Hiking Pants

These pull-ons with an adjustable elastic waistband very much buck the currentwide-leg hiking-pant trend, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Swishy silhouettes can kind of get in the way of actual hiking and climbing; if you prefer total freedom of movement, skinny is the way to go.

They are available in three inseam lengths. The 28-inch (“regular”) small fit me well, and the elastic drawstring offered some adjustability. They definitely stay up but aren’t constricting. I was happy with how the hem skimmed just above my newMerrell Relays, but anyone taller than me might want to opt for the 31-inch inseam to avoid an overly cropped look.

I found the Trailmade Pull-Ons to be just as comfortable as sweatpants or yoga pants but a lot more lightweight and breezy to wear. Maybetoobreezy, in that the thin and slightly stretchy fabric (which is quick-drying, water repellent, and UPF 50-plus) doesn’t seem particularly snagproof. They have six pockets, sadly none of which have zippers. For the price, I think they’re flattering and useful, especially as the pull-on design makes them suitable for wearing around the house or even when jogging.

I tried on the “pure stone” color, which looks rather pretty in person. But do note that wearing off-white when actually outdoors is asking for trouble.

Instead of a thin elastic drawstring, these pants have a thicker, exposed elastic waistband that recalls men’s underwear. I found them ugly on the hanger but surprisingly flattering in the fitting room. You’d probably want to wear a shirt that covers the band, however, as it looks a bit zhlubby otherwise.

I went down one size (to an XS) and would advise others to do the same. Coming in three inseam lengths (I wore regular), these pants have a relaxed fit and are made from a stretchier yet slightly thicker fabric than the Trailmade’s, although it is similarly water resistant, quick-drying, and sun protective. They win points for having a zippered pocket.

I’d totally hike in them and imagine they’d be ideal for trail running, too. They’re not thick enough to keep you warm during shoulder season, and backcountry enthusiasts should note that they will likely snag on rocks or branches. But they’re ideal for summer day hikes on well-marked trails.

Here, we have REI’s take on the Big Hiking Pants trend, and unfortunately I’m not convinced. The Trailmade Barrel Pants are sewn from a very thin, very drapey fabric that swishes a bit when you walk and, as you can see in the photo below, shows creases easily. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care to iron or steam my hiking gear. I’m barely doing it for street clothes.

As for the shape: It is definitely big and baggy and Instagram-ready. Not nearlysohorseshoe-shaped as a pair ofbarrel jeans(the taper is actually rather subtle) but certainly voluminous. I took my usual size — in the regular inseam length (there are also petite and tall options) — but you might want to go down one size if you’re unsure. The small plastic buckle on the adjustable waistband feels flimsy and cheap, and I’m not sure that I’d trust it to last more than one season. But maybe that’s all that’s required of such obviously on-trend pants.

Much more so than any of the styles above, the REI Sahara Convertible Pants seem like what a park ranger or Boy Scout might wear. Which is, to me, a good thing.

These, too, come in three different inseam lengths. They’re a true straight-leg pant, fitting like a pair of Levi’s 501s, the cuffs showing not even a small hint of sock. And they’re wide enough to slide over the top of tallhiking boots. I took my usual size small, which was a perfect fit. The waistband has plenty of stretch, too.

While the fabric (which is lighter in weight than it looks and has a slight stretch but isn’t as flexible as, say, PrAna’s pricier Stretch Zion material) isn’tsuper-breathable, you can always cool off by turning these pants into shorts. They’re an ideal option for hikers who hit the trails in all seasons.

There are six reasonably large pockets (I canalwaysdo with bigger pockets), one of which is happily zippered. And speaking of zips, detaching and reattaching shorts from a convertible pair of hiking pants is always at least a bit annoying, but the color-coding zippers do help here.

Of all the pants I tried, these seemed the most durable and practical as well as timeless in look. They lack the adjustable belt that you get with more expensive pairs of hiking pants, such as those from Arc’teryx, but there’s a hidden drawstring that helps with fit if necessary.