REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Short Review

These lightweight and breathable shorts performed well on both day-long and distance hikes. We took them on some hot and humid summer trips on the Pinhoti Trail as well as some cooler, wetter climbs on the Oregon coast. They lack the technical aesthetic of some more expensive pairs, but they are ultimately practical.

Performance Comparison

These shorts are for the utility-minded hiker.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve

Comfort and Mobility

These shorts are comfortable. The fabric is surprisingly thin and the crotch is gusseted. The swatches of elastic behind each hip also accommodate a range of waist sizes if you find that you are between two of the advertised short sizes. For some of our testers, this adds up to a pair that gives you enough room to high step, scramble, and stretch on trail. With a 10" inseam, they are just about average in length of the models that we tested; on one of our six-foot testers, they fell just above the knee.

With all of that in mind, we did notice that the nylon fabric is fairly static relative to other hiking shorts. In fact, as far as we can tell, there is no spandex, elastane, or anything else that would give them some stretch and mobility. Consequently, they do bunch up when sitting down, especially if you are just doing a partial lean on a log during a water break. One other minor issue that we experienced is that the fly doesn't quite go down low enough to be optimally useful and one tester reported that the corner of fabric near the button closure rubbed slightly against their skin.

In addition to traditional belt loops, this pair also has elastic sections in the waist behind each hip.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve

Features

The features of these shorts center around their pockets. They come equipped with two front handwarmer, two rear, and two cargo pockets. The cargo pockets have a small gusset/pleat at the bottom to expand volume and the right one has two compartments, one of which is 'hidden' and provides a little more security for small items. We like this for securing a car key. The rear and cargo pockets come with cover flaps to prevent items from falling out, however, they also make it decidedly more difficult to reach into each of the pockets. The right rear and left cargo pockets also have zippers in addition to the flaps. However, all of them are large enough to hold a large smartphone.

This pair comes with traditional belt loops as well as elastic swatches in the waist (it doesn't extend all the way around, just three inches or so behind each hip). The Sahara Cargo also comes with a traditional sewn front plastic button, as opposed to a riveted metal snap or button. We didn't have any issues during initial testing, but we could imagine that the thread will wear over time. They are a good option for traveling because they pack down small and have a wide array of pockets. The fabric is also Bluesign approved, meaning that these shorts have been manufactured in a way that considers their environmental and human impact.

A cargo pocket with a zipper and flap secures snacks, a map, or other small items.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve

Versatility and Style

The Sahara Cargo is versatile, but not stylish. This pair is good for day hikes, traveling, and any time you may need to keep a lot of stuff close at hand but don't necessarily have a pack with you. Their low weight makes them a decent choice for longer backpacking trips as well (though thru-hikers may want something a little shorter and even thinner). Our word of caution is that the fabric is not stretchy at all which makes them not ideal for climbing, stretching, or yoga.

The primary downside of these shorts is that they are just kind of goofy looking. Coming in army cot green, asphalt, and cork, the combination of the cargo pockets and the flap covers convey more of utilitarianism than outdoor chic. We wouldn't opt to wear them when style is a consideration, but if you are a hiker or a traveler that is all about functionality, these shorts won't let you down.

They aren't the most fashion-forward, but these shorts have the versatility to handle hikes or work around the house.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve

Weather Resistance and Dry Time

Because of the thinness of the fabric, we expected precipitation to seep through fairly quickly. However, testing showed that these shorts have some of the best DWR (durable water repellent) coating of any model that we tested. They resisted water the longest with moisture still beading up after a few minutes of moderate rain, and dried quickly because of the light material and the fact that they absorbed less water to begin with. On longer trips, they were a suitable stand-in for a bathing suit.

They also come with a UPF rating of 50+ to keep you protected in the sunshine. They provide more skin coverage than models that are made specifically for trail-running and/or long-distance hiking and they also break the wind well.

Water eventually seeps in during heavy rain, but even large splashes stay on the surface long enough to roll off and let the shorts dry quickly.

Photo: Ben Applebaum-Bauch

Ventilation and Breathability

These shorts have the same ventilation benefits as most other pairs in this review, that is, the front pockets are partially mesh-lined. However, it is the fabric itself that kept us cool on hot days. When you hold it up to the light, the reason for its breathability becomes evident in the amount of light that passes through the fabric.

This pair barely tips the scales at 5.9 ounces, making these shorts one of the lightest models in the bunch. Their UPF rating will keep you protected from the sun, while the breathability of the fabric allows sweat to evaporate quickly. Though the legs don't really have any stretch to them, they fit loosely enough (without being baggy) that air circulates freely.

In terms of venting and breathability, these shorts are right in the middle: not too long (and hot), not too short either. They aren't too heavy, but also won't leave you feeling naked like other trail running models.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve

Value

These shorts are among the least expensive that we tested. The Sahara Cargo is worth the cost and they perform well enough to justify the price tag. If we were committed to the investment in a pair of hiking shorts, we would opt to spend $15-$20 more for a pair that performs equally well but looks way better. Even so, if everything else about this pair looks good to you, you certainly won't be disappointed by what you get for your money.

Conclusion

The REI Co-Op Sahara shorts are lightweight and breathable. With an elastic waistband, they offer good comfort, and their initial water resistance is some of the best of any model that we tested in this review. They earn a top spot for their higher performance at a lower price. They aren't the first pair that we would choose to wear — we prefer ones with a little more style — but we think that they are one of the best for the money.

This all-purpose pair comes in at a reasonable price.

Photo: Piper Van Cleve