convertible pants question

I returned the Pranas. I I need in the future will buy em again

since no one else has responded

I just wear pants.  When it’s hot I usually want pants for sun and bug protection.  “Convertibles” just a marketing gimmick.  If you try to be both pants and shorts it isn’t optimum at either.

</curmudgeon>

But a lot of people like them…

I gave up on convertibles. I decided to make my own stripped down supplex pants for the wife and I. Normally for 3 season hiking my lower extremities keep plenty warm on the move. If temps will be chilly at camp I will have an appropriate lower base layer on board, for sleeping as well. The pants I made can be easily rolled up to shorts length for really hot days if bugs and sun are not an issue. I like not having the extra weight of the convertibles and the fuss factor of converting them. Problem is I don’t see a lot of really simple light weight pants around for sale. FWIW the silver ridge would have been my choice if I still wore convert’s.

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I bought a pair of convertibles (REI Sahara) for a hike next summer and realized the zipper rubbed after a 20 mile hike. I switched them for non convertibles which I will try out before the trip. Otherwise, I’m going back to the shorts and long johns approach.

I don’t like most convertible pants that I’ve tried.  When you want shorts, you’re usually going to want something that breaths well and dries fast.  The material that most convertible pants are often made of is much thicker, more absorbent, and less breathable than the material for most running shorts or lightweight gym shorts.  Like others, I find the zippers on convertible pants really annoying.

For summer conditions (consistently 75 F or above daytime temps) I prefer running shorts with a sewn in liner.  If I’m worried about the occasional chilly rain or cold evening, then I pack along a pair of very thin running tights or lightweight synthetic long underwear.  Paired with rain pants, this is all I need while hiking in summer conditions.  When not hiking, I rely on my sleeping bag for any needed additional warmth.

For cooler Spring and Fall conditions or for when I expect overgrown trail conditions (i.e., lots of poison ivy), I prefer Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi Pants.  They are super durable and they breath pretty well.  The relatively high spandex content does make them a little bit slower drying compared to other hiking pants.

I like convertibles, I have a couple pair of the Silver Ridge. Lightweight, and gives the option of having both short and long pants for less total weight. I can definitely feel the zipper seams but get used to it quickly. In hot weather where I still need the protection of long pants (for example crashing through manzanita) I’ll unzip halfway across the knees to create air vents that make a noticeable difference. The one thing I don’t like about the Silver Ridge is that they don’t have an opening that runs up the ankle that would let me get the lower legs on and off with my shoes still on, instead I have to remove my shoes which is a pain.

the pranas are fine .. i own and use a pair

for the approach where you heat up, you take off the legs … then for belayed climbing just put em back on as your heat output is lower overall

the prana zions have the BEST thigh pockets for a camera with a harness on and when hanging from the belay … take a look and youll see

theyre fairly durable, through eventually youll blow em out like anything else

;)

I like the convertibles, too. Like JR says you can unzip halfway at the knees. They are also cargo pants which I really like for maps, compass, lunch bars, 500ml water bottles, lighter, knife, Steripen, etc. Stuff I always carry with me. Do no overload the pockets though. They can be tough to carry all day.

I purchased several pair for hiking about 10 years ago from EMS(5pr.) They weigh about 14oz (good for any pants) are 100% nylon (they take permethrin well), quick drying (stream crossings and trail “laundry” is easy), bug proof (even mosquitoes cannot bite through them,) fairly resistant to thorns, and highly resistant resistant to wear (I wear them daily.) They run about $69 dollars now. They have a built in belt. The used to have a side clip, which I really like. New ones have a front clip.

I rarely take the bottom section off. On wet trails, sometimes I do split them to let them dry a bit quicker. They have the bottom zips so getting them off/on over boots works well. I do not normally get gear from EMS, but their clothing is fine (Smartwool base layers, pants, socks etc.)

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I’m in the “don’t like convertibles” camp.  The zippers and zipper pulls seem to be a common area of failure, and then you just have half-assed shorts.  I think they get more stress in that location or something.  If I want better venting in hot weather then I wear RailRiders EcoMesh pants, and they work wonderfully.  At least with them if the zippers fail then you still have functional pants.

I rarely wear shorts.  Even an extremely lightweight pair of pants serves me better for bug and UV protection.