Outdoor/technical primarily. I've been able to find jeans that fit ok. I have on some older Mountain Hardwear Refueler shorts right now that are a small and fit ok, but most more traditional styled hiking shorts and pants are a couple of inches too big in a small. Montane says their extra small is for a 28, so I'm checking in to those.

i have a pair of light zip off pants from REI that say medium (probably a small now) but have a elastic waist and belt that work for me. i haven't backpacked much until recently so they've held up since '96 or so haha.

my rain pants are patagonia size small that fit perfect.

>>Outdoor/technical primarily

I have a 30" waist, and have found Mountain Hardwear hiking pants and shorts to fit well -- true to size. I just bought a pair of Marmot rain pants, also a good fit.

My big problem are shirts -- I need a medium for my shoulders, but too often end up with excess fabric at the bottom...

I have a 31 inch waist, 30 is a little too small and 32 is a little too big. And to top it off, sometimes 30 is more like 32 and 32 is more like 30, depending on the brand. I don't wear hiking pants anymore, I just wear running shorts most of the time and put some long underwear on underneath them. Not the most fashionable thing, but it works for chilly mornings and hot days.

"check little boy sizes"

I lol'd...

bm

I have the same problem. I'm around a 28-29" waist and have a difficult time finding hiking pants. Either the waist is too big or the inseam is too long (I'm also short at 5'5"). I haven't found anything that works great. Right now I'm using some REI pants that don't fit great.

I have a 31 waist these days. I have a problem sometimes because smalls are often ~30 with skinny legs. Mediums are 32-34 with huge butts and crotch down to the knees. Just have to shop around and use a belt. Too baggy is better than too tight.

Currently there is some zip off synthetic pants at Bass Pro shops that fit me OK in medium, the small is more like a 30.

Edited by livingontheroad on 04/06/2012 17:26:43 MDT.

Tropical flats pants. come in XS and have a bit of stretch.

Since the general population is getting fat, these sizes are hard to find. It was impossible for me to find off the rack clothes for my kids when they were in high school. So...

1. Buy a sewing machine and learn how to take things in.

2. Find a good tailor.

A second vote for Mountain Hardwear Mesa zipoff pants. I'm a 28-29 inch waist and have had mine for a couple of years now, just renewed the DWR. I wish the legs were cut a bit slimmer, but love them for the versatility and backpack-friendly waist belt.