I love my first pair of REI Sahara Convertible Pants, sadly, after a long winter of hibernation the size 16 is a bit to tight this spring. What is a girl to do when she needs a good pair of lightweight pants to protect from ticks, bugs, and brambles when getting back in shape on the trails and conventional sizes are too small? Not to mention a nice lightweight material for these muggy Virginia summers, with zip off legs for relaxing around the campsite or an impromptu dash into the stream when fishing? I was excited see that online REI offers plus sizes. Based on the size chart provided I ordered a 20W, and they are HUGE, especially in the thigh area. If I had measured my "waist" about 6 inches over my belly button then I would need a 16W. If you are ordering these, beware not to measure your natural waist or where you might be used to the normal rise of pants hitting. The waist is an extremely high rise which means that unless you belt the pants underneath your bra line the crotch hangs down between your thighs. To put this in perspective, I am 5'10", so its not from being short waisted. I have a feeling if I ordered these in a smaller size, and pulled them up where they belong they would look like capris, which essentially renders the zip off leg useless. Based on the advice of other reviewers I will be ordering the convertible capri pants with fingers crossed that they will have a proper rise and the inseam is long enough.
REI, please, please, please tell someone in charge of designing your plus size women's outdoor clothing to have actual plus size women try the clothes on first. I would love to see pants and shirts available in tall sizing and cut realistically, not all of us big girls have a 30-32 inch inseam or shorter. Not to mention it would be nice to have few more fashionable items such as those you make for so called "normal" sizes, I have to say the majority of your plus hiking apparel is frumpy.

For the last two months, I've been shopping for an upcoming trip to Asia. I was really excited about these pants, and I ordered them as soon as they were available.
I ordered the same size I got in the REI Rendezvous Convertible Pants (darker pants in the picture), but these feel so much bigger. The rise is really high, they seem longer, the pant leg is really wide (very unflattering when the bottoms are attached), and the waist fits much bigger (doesn't help that it's part elastic). If it weren't for the attached belt, I'm not sure they would stay up!
However, the length of the shorts is what I was expecting, and the material seems like it will be really cool for a summer in Asia, which is what I need. These are almost perfect for my needs.
I think a size down would fit much better (and be more flattering). Unfortunately, I leave before I could get a smaller pair in the mail, and they're not yet available in REI stores near me. I'm not yet sure if I will keep them.

The petite sizing was great for length, but the rise was too short. The Womens' sizing was perfect in the rise but the length was way too long, and with the zipper, very challenging to hem.
bottom line: don't order by mail..go try them on in the store.