Advnture Verdict
Pack the REI Co-op Sahara for hiking abroad in hot weather – it’s breathable and easy to care for, and is definitely worth a look for petite women looking for a hiking shirt that really fits. It’s just a pity the fabric has a slightly rumpled finish.
Pros
- +
Easy to care for
- +
Quick-drying
- +
Good sun protection
Cons
- -
Rumpled finish to fabric
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REI Co-op Sahara: first impressions
As the name suggests, the REI Co-op Sahara is desert-ready and is ideal for hot weather and international travel.
Five neutral, classic colors look smart enough to wear on evenings out after a big day in the hills. Petite testers also report that this shirt’s smaller sizes fit brilliantly, so this might be a good choice if you find most hiking shirts tend to swamp your frame.
• RRP: $60 (US) / £40 (UK)
• Materials: Nylon (95%), spandex (5%)
• Weight: 164g / 5.8oz
• Sizes available: XS / S / M / L / XL
• Colors: Heron Blue / Rust Marsala / Sea Olive / Stellar Grey / White / Toadstool
• Compatibility: Wear in warm weather or strong sun
REI Co-op Sahara: on the trails
This soft-to-touch shirt is highly breathable and was one of the quickest drying fabrics we tested for our best women’s hiking tops buying guide – ideal for wicking away sweat, or for washing on the go if you’re travelling light.
Once dry, the shirt doesn’t need any care or ironing to be ready to pop on again, although it does have a naturally slightly rumpled finish that not everyone will like. The fabric offers decent sun protection, and while it isn’t treated with any insect repellents, the weave is dense enough to keep them at bay.
We wore the Sahara on hot summer city walks in Spain and were impressed by how well it kept the sun off and wicked away sweat over the course of a day, and still looked neat and tidy come dinnertime.
The sleeves were the most roll-able we tried, too, and can be buttoned up neatly for a short-sleeve look. The two front pockets sit nicely flush with the shirt but aren’t huge.
