I ordered these for my son for our trip to China.  I originally ordered the size 10/12, but had to exchange them for the size 8.  My son is extremely thin and most of the reviews said they were made a little thin.  They do have the adjustable waist, which is very helpful, but my son is VERY thin.  The size 8 fit him perfectly.  He is about 4'9" tall and weighs about 63 lbs.  If he grows a lot before our trip, they will be shorts.  Nevertheless, once he put them on, he didn't want to take them off.  He wore them all weekend!  Great feel.  No pockets in the back, but they do have vented pockets in the front and the side velcro flap pocket on each leg, which he loves.  I think these pants will be great!  Or they will be great shorts if he loses the bottom part or grows!