The North Face Women's Paramount Valley Convertible Pants

Not so great
April 26, 2012

I was looking for some convertible pants to take on a trip to Africa. These looked wonderful. However, they are very heavy pants, will be too warm for the hot African clime. Not to mention they run about a size too small. I also don't like the shortness of the shorts when you remove the lower pants portion. They sit very high up on the thigh compared to others I have worn. They are a great idea, and if you like your shorts short and want a sturdy, heavy weight pant, then maybe these are for you.

nice quality runs a little small and short
March 28, 2012

i have always worn northface zip offs hiking. i chose these for the shorter inseam on the shorts. everything seems good but they are a little shorter than all my other northface longs and a little tight in the butt, could be my fault on that!

Not for the curvy big thighed woman
February 14, 2012

These pants could have been great, but they weren't made for my shape (5'4", 140lbs). I have very big thighs, and the zippers are tight on my thighs. The waist is loose, and the hips are about right. I really wanted these to work, but probably not. The rise is alright, although a little higher than I would have liked. I am sure they are a great pant, just not right for me. They seem to have good build, and would be just the right material as well.

Great pants!
January 20, 2012

Chose these since you could wear them three different ways. Haven't been able to hike in them yet but have worn them around the house and I really like them so far. Like people have said, they are slightly tight around the thighs but nothing horrible. I was nervous so bought my size plus a size larger but ended up keeping my normal size.

Versitle Pants
December 25, 2011

These are quality pants that are versatile for many settings, be it spring, summer or fall. (They are not heavy enough for winter trekking.) What makes them unique is the length you can make them based upon the weather or warmth generated from trekking. Instead of just the standard zip off, you also have a roll up button to pull the pants up to the mid/high calf. This feature is also useful if you decide to cross a waterway and don’t wish to get your pants wet. The only negative – and this can be said for many hiking attire – is that the size is a bit large, so I would advice buying one size down when purchasing. Otherwise, enjoy!

Pants for Petites
November 26, 2011

I purchased these convertible pants to bring with me on safari. I really like how there are different lengths of the pants as many are too long for "vertically challenged" folks and they do not hem well. These Short versions were a good length - a little on the longer side to cover the tops of the shoes and definitely not too short. The shorts were also a good length, hitting mid thigh. Many convertible pants that I tried on had long shorts that were down to the knee. Plenty of pockets, the closure is good and I didn't feel the need to use the drawstring. Good quality material. Vents in some pockets. The one downside to these pants is that the thigh area was a little tight. The waist was true to size but the thighs/leg opening was on the slimmer side. So it you have larger, athletic thighs and booty, these may not be for you.

October 16, 2011

I just got them in the mail and tried them on. I ordered a size 2 short (I'm 5'0 100lbs) and it fits great. Only complaint I have is that it is still too long. I probably would still need to get it hemmed. The material seems durable and the length of the short is just right. It about mid-thigh on me. Will update my review soon as I have tested it out in the field.

Stylish and resistant
October 11, 2011

These pants fit pretty well. They look nice and they are perfect for hiking and exploring. I love the fact that they are convertible. The only downside is that they are not really comfortable.

Well planned pants
August 17, 2011

These are the best hiking pants I've found. The pockets are excellent with small ones on each leg for small things like a key or chapstick, but they also have the regular pockets on each side and in the back. The zipoff length of ~7" inseem is flattering and the pants can be rolled up with the legs on for more of a capri length. I have fallen in these pants and they have not torn also. They a little scratchy until they are washed. I bought my first pair of these in ~ 2006 and they look as good as the brand new ones after many washings.

August 08, 2011

Pants were a great fit for my outdoor adventures. However the zipper on the thigh was not flexible enough for me. I would recommend these pants to a friend.

Poor design for petites
July 23, 2011

It's so difficult to find proper fitting lightweight trekking pants for petites. Ordered these in size 2. The rise is mid to high-waisted (too high for me) and there is so much extra fabric in the thighs and legs they look sloppy -- my husband laughed when he saw these on me. I was also hoping for a lighter weight fabric. I do like the length of the shorts.

wish these would have worked!!
July 18, 2011

I love these pants (for the most part) the material, the length of the shorts once the pants are zipped off. The down side is they do run small, I had to buy a size bigger and they still are quite snug thru the quads and hips. I am an athletic build with very strong quads, and have hips if you have either of these you might want to reconsider and try the North Face Paramount Peak (which I have just ordered and will be sending the Valleys back), I am not totally happy that I have to go with the Peak’s because they have a little higher rise and the shorts are a little longer; I am 30yrs old and love my low rise pants which the Valley’s offer. Bottom line if you are a slender build with no hips and average size quads these pants would be great for you; but if you are a former college athlete that did hours of jump training and still have the quads to prove it, or hips at all…go with a different pant.

July 08, 2011

these pants are super, just beware that they do loosen with wear. however, the drawstring does help to keep them up for extended trekking if you can't wash and re-shrink.

Good
June 28, 2011

These pants are really nice and fit well. I would have rated them five stars if they had more flex. Since this is an active type pant, I thought it would be more geared toward lots of movement.

Paramount Valley Convertible Pant
June 23, 2011

I would have loved to be able to have kept these pants. I liked the weight & fabric. They weren’t the flimsy, slick parachute material they use to use (it’s been a while since I bought new pants). They would have made great traveling/hiking pants. I’m surprised at how many reviewers said they fit small. I ordered size 2 & they were huge. I’m 5/1, 100 lbs & I knew they’d be a little loose in the hips but I didn’t even have to unsnap to take them off. What really surprised me though was the length. My inseam is 31” so I ordered Regular instead of Short. I’d rather have an inch longer than too short. They were a good 6 or more inches too long. Too bad … Otherwise I thought the quality & value was very good.

Versatile pants
June 20, 2011

wore these on a backpacking trip in 60 degree weather and they were great. I usually wear a size 4 and am 5'9" 135lbs and the size 4 in these were better than the size 6 for me, although a little tight in the thigh. I love the versatility.

Love 'em
June 11, 2011

I am 5'1", and fluctuate between 120 and 125lbs. I am a very consistant 5/6 in pants. I ordered a size 8 because I have tried on The North Face clothing in a 6 and seem to always have to get a size 8 for comfort and flexibility purposes. I'm a curvy gal w/ a 27" waist and a 37" hip. The verdict: I'm glad I went with my gut and got an 8. I'm pretty sure a 6 would have fit, if I wasn't planning on sitting down or trying to maneuver. The one size up very comfortable. The rise sits just on the top of my hip- which for me with hiking pants is perfect. I'm a low rise girl, and these are good enough for me. The shorts are perfect length-even if you are short. They stop mid-thigh and I wouldn't want any shorter for being in the backcountry. I was skeptical, but am now glad I went for it! Oh, and altrec got them to me in 3 days!

Convertibles are Great!
May 10, 2011

The flexibility of these pants is the most attractive part. Long, short, or capri, they work great early morning or in the heat of the day. And the quality and details are top notch. You get what you pay for.

great pants
April 12, 2011

These pants are perfect for hiking. They are versatile for changing temperatures (pants can be made into crops or shorts). Of course, North Face is usually associated with high quality, and these pants are not any different. They run a bit small, but not too bad. These are my favorite hiking pants!

Excellent hiking pants
March 30, 2011

Love these pants. They are so comfortable and I love the fact that when it gets hot, you can just unzip and they are shorts. Both the pants and the shorts fit very well!

great quality but terrible sizing
March 17, 2011

These pants are great--quality, style, usefulness- 10 out of 10. The sizing is terrible. Horrible. I read all the reviews, here and on other sites. Most people said to order a size up, which is pretty typical for North Face from my experience. I'm 5 ' 7", 145 lbs, and athletic --usually a size 6 in pants. So I ordered an 8. Not even close. The length was good and the bum fit well, but the waist was way too small. I have a pretty small waist, but a long torso, so maybe that's why I had trouble. But I think when a pant is a low-rise style, the "waist" shouldn't be so small, since it's really fitting on your hips. As other reviewers have said, the pants are cut straight through the thighs so they are tight there if you have an athletic build. These pants are a tough fit. If you are built very straight, no hips, I think they will fit great. I loved the style and feel of them. Maybe North Face could improve these pants by making the waist adjustable. That might also help the tightness in the thighs. As is, I don't find them comfortable or appropriate for hiking, or any serious movement. And I personally wouldn't wear them just for their style.

traveler
February 23, 2011

I think these are nice pants. They feel very durable and I also like how the leg zippers are color coded to make it easy to figure out which leg goes where when you take them off. They look cute as pants, capris, or shorts. They fit well in the waist and the draw cord is nice if you need to tighten the waist a little. I used to play soccer for years and I have big thighs for my waist size. The thing I don't like about them is they feel a little tight in the thighs and don't move as easliy as I would have hoped. I'm still looking forward to trying them out hiking in Arkansas next week and then taking them to Peru to hike the Inca trail. I love the versatility of them and they feel like a good pant. They are stylish and made by a good brand and should last. Can't wait to give them a reall try for the money!

Hiking Pants
February 14, 2011

Overall, I am excited to test out these pants. They do run a size small. I am normally a 0 but I ordered a size 2 and they are snug. I am 5'9 and 120lbs, the length on the long fits perfectly.

Great for various temps
February 07, 2011

I was so excited to get these but alas a little too snug for layering (I'm hiking/camping in Peru this summer, their winter, and temps will vary from 60's to below freezing at night). I need a base layer at night so needed them a little roomier. The weight of the fabric is perfect and comfy and love the flexibility if I get warm to change the length. I returned the 8/short for 10 short (I'm 5'3 1/2" and 140 lbs)

February 04, 2011

Great for hiking and mixed climate areas! Easy to zip off and compact to store when not using as pants. When wearing as pants the zippers feel a little strange on your legs. Multi-functional-less to pack, so great for travel

December 10, 2010

I love these pants for hiking and they are very comfortable, not too bad either in cooler weather with a good base layer.

Great Buy
December 05, 2010

The pants fit a little small. I definetly needed a size bigger than I wear normally. They ar form fitting in the hip and thighs. I am 5'10 and the 'long' length fit just right. The material is lightweight and drys quickly. I used them on a hiking excursion in Costa Rica and they were perfect Absolutely love the three way convertible option. These are my favorite outdoors pant and sometimes I just wear them anytime!

Great-fitting pant!
November 17, 2010

I looked far and wide for a quick-dry convertible pant that fit well and was somewhat feminine. Here it is. These pants are appropriately sized, just a bit low slung for style, and not too baggy in the legs. They do run a bit long but also have the handy tab so that you can roll up to capri length.The fabric is a bit heavier than I expected, but of superior quality and still quick drying.

Great convertible pants!
November 14, 2010

I wear these pretty frequently when hiking. They are one of the few convertible pants that actually zip to a shorter short length- which is great. I found the fit to be a bit boxy but not too big. The length of the full pant is great. The material is slighter thicker than other NF pants I have purchased. The pockets are great. Overall, these are fantastic hiking pants.

The Every Day Pants
October 27, 2010

Since they finally arrived, I have just about worn them every day! They are GREAT to hike in, lounge in, and wear pretty much anywhere. I thought they fit true to size. They were a little long if you wear them as long pants, but roll them up once or twice = no problem. Love them!!

October 19, 2010

I was so excitedto recieved this pant. I will be using them for hiking and my photo jobs that don't require formal attire. My only complaint is that they seem a little tight in the thighs--but I'm sure once I wear them for a bit they will stretch some. Btw I am 5'8" 125lbs and bought the size 4 long.

Great Pants
September 04, 2010

I bought these for a Peru trip I'm going on. These fit well and seem very comfortable.

Good look, great fit
July 15, 2010

I bought these pants for hiking, but they look so good I'm saving them for casual wear. I'm 5'3", 120 pounds and the size 4 fits well. The legs would need hemming if I didn't wear them as capris.

Great Pants
June 03, 2010

These pants are awesome, I wear them for work and outdoor play. They hold up really well, don't make me sweat, and are comfortable! I love the easy zip off pant legs

Good quality, buy your normal size
May 07, 2010

I've been searching for convertible pants for an upcoming trek in Peru - but I'm in my 20's so I also wanted something that was a lower rise and zipped off to something shorter than knee-length jams. These pants fit all those requirements! The material is great quality and very durable. I've researched so many online reviews of these pants and most of them say to buy a size up - DON'T. I'm 5'4", 112 lbs with a small frame and mistakenly bought a size 2 upon the advice of online reviews. I should have stuck with my usual size 0. I re-ordered and can't wait to test them out!

Great Pants
March 30, 2010

I've been looking for a pair of [con-vert]ible pants for awhile that would fit (I'm 5'2 - 110 lbs) and the size 2 short fit very well, but were still a bit long. I like this material better than that of the other north face paramount pants. I haven't tested them in the field yet, but hopefully they will do great!