Side by Side Comparison of: Columbia

These are nice casual pants with a great fit. I am 5'6" 128lbs and have both the regular and short. The short size is a good length overall but the regular are ok, too, because of the drawcord at the hem. I like the cut and the material. There is just enough stretch and they keep their shape really well. I got these specifically for fishing because I like the stretch material, fit, and length of the zip short better than Columbia's fishing designs. I do not feel that the zippers are too tight or uncomfortable, but I have worn zip-off pants a lot. Perhaps those that think they are too tight just are not comfortable with the zippers. I have the gray (grill I think) and tan (fossil) and both colors are good. I will buy these again if they are available when I need to replace the ones I have.

Excellent hiking pants!! I ordered these last minute, as my husband and I were spending a week in Colorado and I was afraid my jeans wouldn't hold up in the cold temps and the rain and snow. SO thankful I ordered these!! They are extremely durable, they breath in the sun but keep you warm and dry in the rain, wind, and snow! I was in 60-30 degree weather, in sun, rain, mud, and snow and they were perfect! They do run small, so order a size up. I'm 5'8, 120 pounds, I ordered six long and wore them unbuttoned for most of the trip. I probably would have been more comfortable in a size 8 even though I've never worn size 8, but 6 was felt fine buttoned just hard to climb up hill with them so tight. Besides the sizing, excellent pants, Amazon has the best price, and I would highly recommend them!!

Wanted to love, and I did, but the fit wasn't for my body type. Great fabric. It's nice you can try it on and return if not fitting right. The fabric is fantastic and would work as expected I'm sure. It's also AWESOME they come in Petite - not everyone is the same height, size, shape!!! Love Columbia and many a time have been tempted to purchase this again with hopes! It's hard to say if it fit as expected or not, because EVERY brand of EVERY clothing item has their own idea of what a small or size 8 is. My expectation was it would fit, but it was too small in some areas (torso area mainly). It does have a higher waist, but not over belly button. I think for this product you have to try it and see how it works. It does fit different than the same sizes I have bought in other Columbia pants. Looks great for any time of wear - casual and hiking and also even dressy to some bit.

These are perfect for hiking. I bought two sizes up from my normal size (12 instead of 8) and it works just fine. The 10 would fit, but tight and I like the extra room for taking big steps. The shorts are a good length and the material is great--stays dry and clean so you can wear multiple days on a hiking trip.

I love these pants for hiking, yet they look good enough to wear around town also, which is great for vacations.Very versatile as the legs zip off to become walking length shorts.The legs can be quickly removed without having to remove hiking boots.Tiny profile zipper on the legs make the pants comfortable to wear full length or as shorts, you cannot feel the zipper at all.As they stretch in all directions they are very forgiving and comfortable.I launder them in cold water, followed by just a couple of minutes in the dryer on a low heat, then hang them up to complete drying. They are very soon dry enough to wear. No ironing needed, YEY!They sit very slightly below the natural waist at the front, on the waistline at the back. The wide waistband is very comfortable. The belt loops are useful too, the one at the back covers about 3-4 inches, so a belt does not pull in the weird way it can with some narrow belt loops.Tiny zippered pocket on the right leg, just above the knee is the perfect size for credit cards and cash.I'd highly recommend them.

Just got these pants (size 2 tall black) and love them!Here are some great features:Deep front and back pocketsSide pocket with zipper for securely holding items like a credit card or keysSlim fit (hard to find this in hiking pants)Draw string (not sure what to call this) around ankles lets you scrunch up your pants to make them caprisPeople have mentioned feeling the zipper - this hasn't been an issue for me. Like with any zip off pants you can feel the seam but it hasn't rubbed or constrained me. There is a flap over the zipper so you don't feel cold metal.As far as size, I usually wear a 0 or 2 and these fit fine. They may even be a hair too loose at the waist, but they are fine.I tried both the tall and regular and opted for the tall. I'm 5'9" and probably could have gone with either.I also tried columbia's silver ridge convertible pant and preferred the Saturday stretch pant. The silver ridge material was more crinkly and doesn't have as smooth and sleek and quality of a look (though I'm sure it's still quality).Would definitely recommend these! Ill probably wear these not just for hiking but for traveling and as casual black pants for around town.Hope that helps!

I really like that these convertible pants are made with a stretchy material. I have a couple others that are woven and swish when you walk- they are less comfortable for a curvy figure than the stretch ones. I normally wear a size 4 but ordered a size 6 because of all the comments about the legs being tight. They are very comfortable! The part of the pants where the zippers are, are tighter than they should be, but it only feels a little binding when I sit down, so not a big issue- I bought them for hiking. I think if the zippers had been placed higher on the thigh where the pants are naturally wider they would have been no problem. Pants are very long, but I am 5 feet tall so I hem everything. If you have slender legs you will have no problem.

Lovely fabric and beautiful quality. Great for travel - work for trekking during the day and a restaurant at night. Fit is true to size. As some have noted, the thigh zippers (which hit a couple of inches above knee) are surprisingly snug - they weren't binding or chafing on me, but I would have enjoyed a little more air space in the hot weather.

OK, I am pretty slender and still, I didn't believe the reviews that these were tight in the thighs - they really are!! Luckily, my chicken legs are just the right size that they weren't constricting. I loved these pants during my 2 weeks in Nepal and wore them almost every day. The slimness actually makes them look pretty hip (some of these hiking pants look baggy). They were also fairly long (I'm 5'5 with long legs), so I had to roll them up most times if I wore something smaller than hiking boots.

They look even better than advertised. The fabric is fantastic, very lightweight and fresh. The details on the pants are great, like the side pocket for cash or even a cellphone. I tried it and it fit as if tailored, thus they are true to size and like many have commented they have a slim fit to it, not tight but just right. Tomorrow I'm taking them for a test drive, while sailing. But, I've encountered the issue I should have paid attention to. I tried the pants while walking around the house for a little while and then noticed that when I sat down, the pants would pull up slightly (duh) and the zipper (not elastic) would become too tight. Now I'm 5'5, with 150 lbs and I chose a size 10 because I like pants slightly loose and not feel like I can't breathe. I'm unsure as if I should have ordered a size up, because of the zipper situation, but maybe it would have been too loose. I will be posting an update after I give them a proper try tomorrow.*Update 12/07/14*After wearing the pants all day, I have mixed feelings as to if I'd wear them again. The lightness of the fabric and its stretchiness is amazing. Despiste being in the sun 8+H you can feel fresh (plus the UV protection is a win). The pockets, both front and back, are deep, which is always a plus. Although I wouldn't have minded a proper side pocket, cargo style. Also worth mentioning, the strings at the end of the pants that allow you to close the end, not allowing mosquitos in, or in my case being hooked to anything on the boat. Alright so lets talk zipper. I want to love these pants and wear them all the time. But the zipper is cut too high thus whenever you sit or bend or are on your knees they become really right. I had to stop several times and fix the pants so they wouldn't bother anymore. I'm torn as if they are a deal breaker. It is uncomfortable, specially if you're on the move, which you expect to be when you purchase outdoors trail pants. To whomever is ordering a one, I suggest you to try them on first, then you can see if maybe ordering size up would solve the zipper issue.

Very comfortable and great for hiking. Kept me cool in warm weather and warm when the temperature dropped. They have several pockets, the two back ones have velcro closures and the front ones are fairly deep. There is one on the side near the thigh but one more on the other side would be nice. I bought 2 pair of these in different colors. The Fossil colored ones fit tighter than the Gravel color for some reason, but they do give a little when worn. They pants were perfect for hiking in Colorado but also great for casual local wear too!

I have these in the green color in a size 10 and they fit perfectly. I ordered the same size in the Fossil color and found that they were way too small, so I returned them and went up a size to a 12. The 12 is actually a little too big, but not so much that they weren't wearable. I just wish this product had more consistent sizing so I could feel confident when I order.That being said, both pairs are extremely comfortable, breathable, and dry very fast. I didn't find that the zipper for the legs bothered me at all after I'd had them on for about 10 minutes. The soft lining in the waistband is very nice and, while I expected that it would trap moisture, it did not. I'm tall, too, and the regular was still a perfect length for me (which is rare).Once you figure out your size, these are a great buy!

I wish I listened to the reviews. The zipper in the middle of the pants are super tights, it give an uncomfortable feeling.Other than that I love these pants. I am a size 6. At first I bought it on sale as size 40 so I didn't see the problem with the zipper around the thigh area, but it was too big in the behind area. Now that I got a size 6, it was kind of tight. I wish they fix this issue because in the end this the perfect pants and fit for the dry and humid climate. Next time I will order a size bigger maybe size 8.

I'm 5'9" and 190 lbs. I buy size 16 pants across multiple brands and they usually fit very well without pulling in odd places. I purchased these pants for an upcoming canoe trip and tried them on as soon as they got to my house. The fabric was nice, airy and breathable but they were a little snug in the thighs, especially at the leg zippers. I thought they would still be okay until I sat down. The zippers dug into my thighs and they were extremely uncomfortable. Think about putting a rubber band around the middle of a water balloon... that was how they fit on my thighs when I was sitting. After a bit more investigation and comparing them to other pants I own, these appear to taper off on the legs a bit too soon. The waist and hips fit perfectly and the length was great. If they had been a bit looser around the leg zippers I probably would have kept them. Since the rest of the pant fit so well, there's no reason for me to try a different size, so back they go. Too bad, they would have been great otherwise.

I ordered these in a 4, but probably should have gotten a 6. However, the real problem I had with them was that the zippers where the legs attach were very snug around the thighs. If it weren't for that I would have exchanged for another size, but they were so uncomfortably tight at that point that I didn't even want to bother.

I liked these pants a LOT. I liked many of the features of the pants, except for one thing. They were uncomfortable where the convertible legs zip on/off, therefore I returned them.

I got these pants for hiking and when I tried them on at home - it was great. Then I got on the trail and the zipper part on the thighs was annoying. They need to be lower on the leg or something. The pants are a lovely stretchy light weight material, but zippers don't stretch and the placement is really awkward. I would buy these pants in every color if it weren't for the zipper placement.Other than that - the material and fit everywhere else is great. Maybe if you have super skinny thighs the zipper wont be an issue.

good fit, length, material, workmanship, but the zipper was just in a spot that I constantly felt it on my thigh with every step and felt it would drive me crazy at some point.

I didn't listen to other reviews about this product being to small. I wish I had. I am 5'11" and 135lbs and I ordered size 6 (I normally were that size) long. my thigh is 19 inches 5-6 inches above the knee and i had to return because I tried them on and I couldn't lift up my leg because the zipper was so tight. I have to return and exchange for size 8 long now. I would still recommend this product but order a size bigger!

The material on these pants is nice but the fit is extremely odd. I am normally pant size 4/6. The size 4 fit properly in the waist but was very tight in the thigh and very very shorty (I am 5'7"). I returned and ordered the size 6 long and they seemed just as small as the size 4, particularly tight in the thigh where the zipper is. Even the long size was still a bit short, so i can't imagine what even taller women would do. Had to return the 6L as well and won't be ordering another size.

Yes, I read all the reviews and saw all the comments about how tight the shorts are around the thigh, but I decided to get them anyway. Big mistake. While the color is beautiful and the pants are lightweight, all the comments about the constriction around the thigh are spot on. I wouldn't recommend if you're at all shapely in the thigh.

I wanted to love these pants, but my thighs didn't allow it. They come in too tightly at the knee and would be absolutely TERRIBLE to go hiking in, considering I could barely wear them comfortably while merely trying them on. I am a consistent 8 (10 in The North Face) in other Columbia pants, so I'm not sure why these legs are so much tighter. If you have skinny legs, they may work for you!

As others have stated, the zipper part is tighter than the pants and therefore they did not fit right. The length was good and I would have liked the pants. The tight zipper made them uncomfortable. Returned them.

These pants had great potential. They seemed to run a little small (I ordered a size up from normal) but the length was good (I ordered them in long for my 34" inseam). I loved how the pants fit in general- it's a flattering style and they had plenty of stretch, so were very comfortable.Except where the pant legs zipped off. The zipper around the thigh was so much more snug than the rest of the pant that it chafed my legs while simply walking around the house for a few minutes. A proper hike was definitely out of the question. I do not think it's a size issue, as the pants fit me perfectly everywhere else... it truly was only the zipper that was tight. Considering buying the non-convertible Saturday Trail pant for this reason.

These pants are OK. I don't love them. The fit is not the best for me. they run a little big and are stretchy. and they are also a bit long on my too. and the zippers are tight on my thighs when I sit. All and all I wouldn't get them again. I have had better luck with the REI brand.

This is both too small and too large. I ordered a larger size to accomodate my hips, the pants were tight and baggy everywhere else to the point they are unwearable. I wanted to like them, but they didn't work. I think the Columbia brand just doesn't work for my body type. Disappointing.

Had to return not because the waist was small, but the pants constricted at the area of the zipper and squeezed my legs! Made me feel fat, wasn't comfortable. The color was great, and I was sad to return the well priced pants. But I had to do so.

The zipper connecting the lower pant leg to the thigh area is very tight and would be very uncomfortable in any type of climbing. The previous review was right! I had hoped it was a one time issue with the previous customer's pants, but it appears to be the design.

These pants did not fit well at all. I have a curvy athletic figure and they were very tight in the thighs. Plus they were made of a thin soft material which would have snagged easily and I can just imagine how stained they probably would have gotten. These pants are not intended for hiking in my opinion.

I read the other reviewers' comments saying that the zip-off area on these pants was tight and uncomfortable. I thought, "How bad can it be?" They were right. Tight and uncomfortable. I sent them back.