REI Co-op Screeline Pants 2.0 Review

With my REI Annual Membership Dividend in hand, I went on a blow-it-all-at-once shopping spree at REI last month. I had recently ripped a pair of pants in a place where repair wasn’t possible and was looking to replace them. I ran across the REI Co-op Screeline Pants 2.0 online. I’m usually picky about the pants I wear. I usually search for months to find the perfect fitting pair of pants, so I’m often skeptical about fit when shopping online. I like to try clothing on in person, but I needed the pants. With my dividend in hand I figured why not? If they didn’t fit, I could easily return them through REI’s mail order return policy.

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When I’m looking for a pair of pants for canoeing and the outdoors, I look for the following:

• Khaki color: this started out as a joke from my workshop clients. One always saw me in khaki pants and gave me grief about it, so I just started wearing pants that were always khaki in color. My Appalachian Trail trail name was Fashion, so what can I say?
• Baggy but not too baggy that they constantly fall down.
• Built-in belt or the ability to handle a Bison Designs Elliptagon Belt. I prefer an unobtrusive built-in belt that doesn’t bunch under the weight of a pack.
• A secure cargo pocket or two
• A zippered back pocket
• Gusseted knees.
• Abrasion patches on high wear areas.
• Breathable and quick-drying fabric.

Description

REI constructed the REI Co-Op Screeline Pants 2.0 from a 4-way stretch nylon/spandex with nylon panels in the seat and knees for extra durability. They offer a water-resistant, moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric that REI treated with a durable water repellent (DWR). They claim a UPF 50+ sun protection rating to block harmful UV rays from hitting your legs. The waste includes a webbing belt and belt loops if you want something fancier. There are mesh vents on the backs of the knees to help prevent overheating. A zippered side security pocket is big enough for a Google Pixel 3 phone. There are leg and side panel gussets to help maximize the range of motion, and there’s a higher pant rise to work well with a backpack. The pocket openings are reinforced.

They weigh 14.7 ounces on my scale for size 36×32. I bought them in khaki.

REI Co-Op Screeline Pants 2.0 Review

I usually like to wear something for 20 to 30 days before I write a review, but I’ve been wearing these pants nonstop for the last week and have been happy with them. I’m happy enough to feel confident in providing an initial review.

Over the last few years, I’ve purchased a lot of outdoor pants. My favorites include prAna’a Stretch Zion Pants and Under Armour UA Storm Tactical Patrol Pants (read my review). I’m still wearing the same Under Armour pants I had in that review over 5 years later, and I’ve worn them at least once a week if not two or three times a week except when it switches to shorts season. I have problems with both of those pants. The prAna’s stretch is just a touch too tight for me and it’s cargo pocket goes down to the knee so anything in there abrades my knee as I walk. The Under Armour pants tend to cause my legs to overheat and don’t sit well under a pack on longer hikes. So far, the REI Co-Op Screeline Pants 2.0 solves those issues.

The REI Co-Op Screeline Pants 2.0 fit me about as perfect as any pant has (I’m 185 pound and 5’10”), and they use a light fabric that breaths well. The security cargo pocket on the side doesn’t interfere with the knee and my phone seems to disappear once in it. The REI designers did a great job of hiding the pocket except for the red cordage used on the zipper pull. The pocket doesn’t make it look like you’re wearing cargo pants but provides enough functionality to carry your cell phone or a compass and small map.

Usually I’m skeptical of stretchy fabrics in pants, because it seems like manufacturers that use stretchy fabrics tend to make the cut a tight fit. I’m not sure why that is, but REI nailed the fit on this pair of pants for me. It’s the first pair of stretchy fabric pants that I’ve actually liked the stretch fabric. It doesn’t feel like it’s directly against my skin, but I can feel it give when I’d want it to give, such as when getting into and out of a canoe or when making a high step.

The abrasion patches line up perfectly where they should.

The front pockets are deep. I mean: DEEP! I haven’t had any change fall out of them. The back pocket is also deep. It has kept my wallet in without issues, although I wish it was zippered or had a button. I’ll be adding a snap or two to it soon.

Other than the back pocket that doesn’t have a zipper, the only thing that I have concerns about these pants is minor. In temps between the high 30s and lower 40s Fahrenheit, they feel a little too airy. If I’m on the move, they’re fine, but sitting around outside or in a canoe in those temps, my legs felt a little cooler than I normally like. I’d likely wear a thin layer of long underwear on a trip to account for this.

I’ll be wearing the REI Co-Op Screeline Pants 2.0 often over the next year, so I’ll watch for durability. If they turn out to be durable, these may become my new favorite pants.