I couldn't find a good selection of women's convertible pants in local stores, so I ordered 7 different ones online. It didn’t occur to me to do reviews until I had returned most of them, so apologies for not having exact weights and other specifics.

I know the fit section of these reviews will be specific to my body, but I am writing the kind of review I wish other people would write. I wish ALL reviewers told their exact body measurements and what garment size they tried, and exactly how it fit. It would be so much more helpful than “runs a little big.”

I bought all these pants either online at Zappos (free return shipping) or online at REI (bring to store for return and don’t pay return shipping) just in case you want to give them a try risk-free!

About me:

Height: 5'4"

Weight: 140 lbs

Body type/shape: Fairly fit, somewhat muscular. I keep all my muscle and fat in my hips, legs and butt, so I often have trouble finding pants that are big enough in those areas, but aren't too big in the waist.

Size: Usually a 6, sometimes a 4.

PRANA MONARCH CONVERTIBLE PANTS

Price: $89 originally, but they are discontinued so you can find them various places on sale.

Claimed Weight: 12.8 oz

Size: 4 (Prana tends to run big)

Fit/Features: Fit was good! Enough room in the thighs, not too much gap in the waist. However, I did not like the length of the shorts after zipping off. They came well below my knee, which in my opinion is not short enough for shorts. The fabric was nice and stretchy, but way too thick for warm weather (in my opinion, but I get hot easily). These might be good cooler weather pants. Zippers were not annoying.

Appearance: These look pretty much like good, fitted hiking pants. The cut was modern, and you wouldn't be embarrassed to walk around town in them.

Link: http://www.campsaver.com/prana-monarch-convertible-pant-women-s-1

REI CO-OP CLASSIC SAHARA CONVERTIBLE PANTS (old version)

Price: $65 originally, but now discontinued and on sale for $45.

Claimed Weight: 10 oz

Size: 6

Fit/Features: Sort of okay fit. The waist is REALLY high, which I find uncomfortable. The legs were roomy enough, but a little tight across the seat. The material was not stretchy at all. If it had been, the tightness might have been okay. Zippers were not annoying. I like how the removable legs have a zipper all the way up the side so that they are really easy to put on over boots. Color coded zippers was a plus.

Appearance: Hideous. Like the horrible hiking pants your aunt wears to the farmers market. They are frumpy, and high waisted with an elastic waistband in the back.

Link: https://www.rei.com/product/861360/rei-co-op-classic-sahara-convertible-pants-womens

REI CO-OP SAHARA CONVERTIBLE PANTS (new version)

Price: $69

Claimed Weight: 10 oz

Size: I could have gone with the 6 short, or the 4 regular, both fit alright, I ended up going with the 6 short because it was a little roomier in the legs, and the adjustable belt did a good enough job taking up slack in the waist.

Fit/Features: Much better fit than the old version. Waist doesn't come up as high, although it's still pretty high. Roomier in the seat, and slimmer in the legs. Also has a great mini-adjustable belt in the front that took up my extra waist slack really well, and didn't seem like it would get in the way of a pack hip belt. The fabric is now a little stretchy! Big plus. I wore them around the house a bit, but ultimately decided that they were not quite stretchy enough for backpacking in. I do the high-knee test, which is where I lift my knees really high, and if the pants make it significantly difficult to lift my knee, then then they probably aren't roomy enough or stretchy enough for hiking. These pants did not do well in the high-knee test. They did have the same color coded zippers as the older version, and boot leg-zip features, which are a plus.

Appearance: Better than the old version, but still not great. The style has been updated, but I do feel like it is still geared toward a middle-age crowd. Definitely better fit, and a little trimmer.

Link: https://www.rei.com/product/108939/rei-co-op-sahara-convertible-pants-womens

THE NORTH FACE PARAMOUNT 2.0 CONVERTIBLE PANTS

Price: $80 originally, but on sale at Zappos for $55

Claimed Weight: 14 oz - This sounds too heavy, but I hated these pants so much I didn't bother weighing them, so it might be correct.

Size: 6, but a 4 would have probably fit better.

Fit/Features: These were way too big in the waist. I probably could have sized down, but it wouldn't have mattered because the zippers were SO annoying. They were stiff and bulky, and terrible, and I hated them. I liked the look of these pants because the shorts were shorter than the others, and when I hike in hot weather I like shorter shorts, but I think that may have contributed to the annoying zipper problem. The fabric was a bit stretchy, but thicker than I like for warm weather. I don't remember if these had other features, because I didn't wear them long before I decided I didn't like them. I would have paid closer attention if I had considered writing a review afterwards.

Appearance: They were too big, so it's hard to say.

Link: http://www.zappos.com/p/the-north-face-paramount-2-0-convertible-pants-sedona-sage-grey-prior-season/product/8633479/color/733181

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR MIRADA CONVERTIBLE PANT

Price: $65

Claimed Weight: 4.6 oz. I'm 99% sure this is incorrect. I really wish I had written down the weight. These were the lightest pants I tried, and I believe they were in the 8 oz range.

Size: 6

Fit/Features: Good fit. The waist, hip and thigh all seemed to fit well, but unfortunately the fabric had zero stretch and did not pass the high-knee test. If I was just going to wear them around town, they would be great though. I really liked how lightweight the fabric was. It seemed much cooler than the other fabrics I tried. Zippers were pretty tiny, and not color coded. Did not have boot zips if I recall. It did have snaps if you wanted to roll them up into capris, which was nice.

Appearance: Great. One of my favorites. Mostly because the fit was so spot-on for me. Good, modern, trim cut. If they had been stretchy, they might have been perfect. Also loved the purple color of the ones I found on Zappos.

Link: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/womens-mirada-convertible-pant-1574581.html

OUTDOOR RESEARCH FERROSI CONVERTIBLE PANT

Price: $89

Claimed Weight: 11.1 oz

Size: 6, but was big in the waist. Might have been able to size down.

Fit/Features: Waist was too big. I probably could have sized down, but they would have been skin tight in the legs, which I don't like. However, it had a great drawstring, which was surprisingly effective in keeping the pants up. Fabric was very lightweight, and SUPER stretchy. These were the most comfortable fabric, and performed the best in the high-knee test. They overall felt the most hike-able EXCEPT for the horrible scratchy annoying leg zippers!!! Most of the other pants sewed down the zipper seams flat, but these didn't and I found them really really annoying. It's a shame, because I really wanted to keep them, but couldn't stand the zippers.

Appearance: Really good. Even though they were a little big in the waist, they looked fitted, modern and flattering in the mirror. These probably looked the least like hiking pants.

Link: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/womens-ferrosi-convertible-pants/p/2438260001291

MARMOT LOBO'S CONVERTIBLE PANT

Price: $80

Claimed Weight: 9.9 oz

Size: 6

Fit/Features: Great fit. Not too big in the waist, trim through the hip and thigh without being too tight. Even though the fit was really nice, these weren't what I was looking for, because if the pants are too trim in the hip and thigh, I think they get too hot in warm weather (for me anyway). The fabric was pretty stretchy, and they performed well in the high-knee test. I think they had color-coded zippers too, but I'm not sure.

Appearance: Very good. Very trim-fitting, and nice looking. Modern cut.

Link: https://marmot.com/women-bottoms-pants/wms-lobos-convertible-pant/59100.html

BODY WRAPPERS RIPSTOP PANTS (not convertible)

Price: $26 at local dance supply store, also available on Amazon.

Actual Weight: 3.4 oz on my kitchen scale

Size: Medium

Fit/Features: Fit is really baggy, and the waistband is slightly too tight, which is a problem I don’t usually run into. Also are way long on me. Could probably cut off 2" or more. Elastic around ankles is comfortable. They perform exceptionally well in the high-knee test. I love how light the fabric is. Seems like it would dry super fast and be somewhat insulating for over my thermal tights, but also breathable on a windy hike. They are baggy enough to fit over my hiking shorts. While all the pants I tried on were big enough to wear on top of my thermal leggings, these were the only ones that were actually comfortable, and moved easily when layered. I do wonder if the fabric will be clammy if I sweat in it.

Appearance: Fit is like wind pants from the 80's. Elastic waistband, super baggy, elastic around the ankles. I kind of love/hate it. It's mildly nostalgic, especially since you can get them in colors like purple and teal.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Wrappers-701-Ripstop-Pants/dp/B004BFGEA0

CONCLUSION AND CLOSING THOUGHTS

Best overall fit: Marmot Lobo's. Would be a good choice if you have a smaller hip-to-waist ratio than I, or if you don’t mind hiking in fairly fitted pants. Prana Monarch were great overall fit too. Would be good for cooler weather since the shorts are so long and the fabric is so thick.

Best hike-ability: Outdoor Research Ferrosi wins because of the super stretchy, lightweight, breathable fabric. Would be a good choice if you can handle the scratchy zipper seams.

Most lightweight/light fabric: Body Wrappers rip-stop pants won hands down although I do wonder if they will get a little clammy when I sweat in them because of the material. Mountain Hardwear Mirada was the next most lightweight, and seemed like they would be the next fastest drying. For someone with a smaller hip-to-waist ratio, these might be roomy enough for hiking.

Best Appearance: The Outdoor Research Ferrosi look the most attractive and like normal pants. I think it also helps they are black. Honorable mentions would also be Prana Monarch, MH Mirada, and Marmot Lobo’s.

Best Value: Body Wrappers rip-stop pants for $26.

I ended up returning all the convertible pants and keeping the ripstop dance pants. They are lighter, and since I can pull them over my shorts, they do essentially the same thing that convertible pants do, which is allow you to go from shorts, to pants without having to undress. You can't beat the $26 price. I would still like to have a pair of good convertible pants so I will keep looking. Maybe if you have some you love (or hate) you can add a review in the comments! I don't know why good women's convertible pants are so difficult to find. I feel like manufacturers are trying too hard to make them stylish, which makes them less utilitarian. I would totally have gone with the hideous REI pants if they had fit comfortably.

There are not enough women’s gear reviews in my opinion, so hopefully this will be of use to someone. If you are a lady backpacker, please help out a fellow hiker and share your opinions!