I want to get a pair of zip off pants to start the AT but I'm concerned about what size waist to buy. I have worn 33x32s for 10 years. All the brands online are even numbers, 32, 34, 36 etc. I can't wear 32" waist so if I buy 34's they'll already be a tad big and after I lose weight.... no worky. So for those who have thru hiked and like wearing pants, how did you adjust as you lost weight? Belt, elastic band, hike naked? Just trying to figure out whether the convertible pants are a feasible option or not. So if you have experience with pants on the AT let me know how yours fared and how your waist changed. Thanks in advance!
_DrBrown_Waist size changes
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#1
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#2
I know the feeling. I would never do a long distance hike without zip offs. I started in 2005 with a comfortable 32 inch waist. Three months later, going from 155 lbs to 132 lbs, they got awful baggy. No choise but to cinch the belt tighter.
An alternate approach might be to buy a smaller size when you get to Damascus at one of the two outfitters there. by that time you will have a smaller waist size. Otherwise you will need more holes in the belt.
_swampfox_
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#3
Right idea about the type of pants. I wear mine all the time on th trail. Before you buy go to your closest outfitter and try them on. You may come to find out the sizes you are conerned about may be right on target to start with. A good military style web belt may help keep them on as you loose belly fat.
_J D Cool_
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#4
With jeans I wear 33 or 34 waist depending on brand so that's worth looking at. One brand may be totally different on size. Only problem is I'm literally 2-3 hours from any outfitters. And what bugs me is I'm perfectly average, wearing 33x32 jeans so there are A LOT of people that size so most stores never have anything my size. So driving a few hours to try on clothes and walking out empty handed yanks my crank! Guess I'll roll the dice and try buying a pair online and I'll just cinch the belt tighter when I need to.
You guys have any brand recommendations?
_DrBrown_
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#5
Just about all the online gear stores offer great shipping and return policies so there should be no issue trying your pants on at home and then sending them back for an exchange. I know that one of the sites own slogan is " your living room is our fitting room" Getting close to April 1st so better make your move!
_Murray_
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#6
I hiked in zip-off pants. As I got smaller I ended up using a piece of shoe lace to tie together a couple of belt loops to make them tighter. At that point I purchased smaller pants which were fine the rest of the trip.
_Big B_
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#7
I went browsing through Sierra Trading Post and found a couple pairs on a really good sale. The first pair are khaki color Columbia brand and were 32x32. 2nd pair were white sierra brand and were listed as 32-35" waist. They have elastic and are pretty light, so I love them. I got pretty lucky across the board with this order. They had some great sales I couldn't pass up. Now it's time to get out and use them somewhere for a test run.
_DrBrown_