I don't know why I didn't get full-side zip pants. There are nothing wrong with these pants at all, other than the fact that I overlooked the benefit of full side zips.

These pants are great quality although I haven't used them enough for a long enough time to determine their durability. However, I doubt it is anything less than great. REI stands by their stuff anyway so I wouldn't be too worried there.

They don't have any pockets at all. I found that to be rather annoying.

The ankle zippers are pretty good. I have a pair of size 12 Vasque Sundowner hiking boots and they will fit on and off over them but just barely and it is such a squeeze everytime that I worry that I'll rip the zipper, but I never do.

Customer Service

REI has the best C.S. I've seen anywhere. I had a jacket for a year that I returned to them and they gave me a refund because I wasn't satisfied. Nothing was wrong with the jackets workmanship. I just didn't feel like I got my money's worth out of it and they gave me my money back.

Similar Products Used:

None

Do you need full side zips? If so, check out REI's version of these pants. If, like me, you need nothing more than well-made pants to work like advertised, and can slip them on and off as necessary, then maybe these are all the pants you need, and for this price they're an excellent deal.
If you need heavy duty, reinforced knees/ankles/butt, then go ahead and spend the huge amounts the other guys demand. Marmot, TNF, even my favorite outdoor company, Arc'teryx, charges a huge amount of money for their technical wear, and if you need stuff that technical (or just have the money to spend even if you don't need it), then buy theirs. However, if you need a well-designed and made pair of pants for wind and rain, simple nearly to a fault, but utterly functional--and by a company that stands solidly behind their stuff--these are it.

Customer Service

REI's people are what the others try to be. Some do it, most fail, and REI gives money back to the pursuits we enjoy pursuing.