REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Women's Review

Thanks to their killer comfort, super-stretch fabric, and useful features, these pants offer excellent value. We wore them hiking, climbing, working, and in yoga class, and they never held us back.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

The Trailmade pants are among the most comfortable we've tested. With a more generous cut through the bum and thighs than most, they have a relaxed feel. We wore them all day at the office and then straight out to the trails or climbing gym. They felt great the entire time.

The pants feature subtly articulated knees but do not have an extra triangle of fabric, or gusset, in the crotch. Luckily, the fabric offers excellent four-way stretch, so we never needed more room.

From high stepping up steep trails around Acadia to awkward climbing moves or pigeon pose, we never feel restricted when wearing these pants. A cinch that lets you tuck the hems out of the way when it's raining or you need to watch your footwork work doesn't hurt.

Venting and Breathability

These pants are light and airy, and those cinches at the hem make it easy to hold them up over your ankles to cool off. They also stay in place reasonably well if you roll them. That's as much ventilation as most hiking pants provide, and these work well.

During our breathability tests, we wore each pair of pants during a hard workout in the gym. These held onto more sweat than our favorite options, especially during a 10-minute stair climber workout. They dried quickly, but we thought the thin fabric would do a better job of letting heat escape. Luckily, as we mentioned, they're easy to roll up to increase airflow on hot days.

Weather Resistance

The Trailmade pants are treated with a durable water-repellent, or DWR, coating. It helps water bead up and roll off the pants, giving it less of a chance to soak into the fabric. The treatment buys you some time in wet weather, but water soaked through to our legs in about 21 seconds in the shower test. Luckily, they dry quickly.

You may have heard that DWR coatings have traditionally included dangerous forever chemicals, and many companies now use less toxic alternatives. The first step is often to switch from long-chain perfluorinated chemicals (C8) to shorter-chain versions (C6). Short-chain options should break down faster but are still harmful to the environment. We reached out to REI, and a representative confirmed that these pants are treated with DWR made of short-chain PFAs. They are not PFAs free like many of the other options we've tested.

REI doesn't claim that these pants are windproof, and they aren't, but the wind doesn't slice right through them either. But when a cool breeze kicks up, we find ourselves chilling quickly when it plasters the thin fabric against our legs. Wearing these pants with a wool base layer in the cooler months solved the issue.

Construction Quality

We appreciate the Trailmade pants cut, design, and features but are concerned about their longevity. Their lightweight fabric is easy to deform or puncture with the tip of a paperclip. When you do poke a hole, the fabric pulls, making it seem easier to tear.

Some of the stitches are loose after just a few months of wear and they are easy to snag. If you do catch one, it pulls and bunches the fabric. It is comforting that there are double fabric panels on the knees and heels. Still, these pants are better suited to well-cleared trails or climbing gym days than the rough faces of real rock. The zippers, cords, and pockets seem more solid.

The integrated belt is thinner than others in the test. The first time we washed the pants, it wrapped around them, bunching the fabric into an annoying tangle. The button at the waist isn't reinforced and seems a little loose already. These aren't dealbreakers, but you may need to pull out the emergency sewing kit at some point.

Versatility and Features

One of our favorite aspects of the Trailmade pants is how versatile they are. They work well for hiking, backpacking, climbing, and yoga. We get compliments on them at the bar. If you work at a casual office, they'll likely fit right in. The Trailmade's features are also well-executed, for the most part.

The soft rubber cord locks on the elastic ankle cinches are pleasant to use and work well. They are also lightweight and don't flap around your feet when unengaged.

The hand warmer pockets are large enough to be useful. The back pockets are also well-sized. They lack a zipper or snap, keeping them light and comfortable. There is a good-sized pocket on one thigh that is large enough for a phone and zips securely.

And, while we're not overly impressed by the heft and quality of the integrated drawstring at the waist, it works. It's also a fun, teal accent color in the green version of the pants we tested.

The pants are thin, though, making them best suited for summer and warm shoulder season conditions. If you're traveling in the mountains or by the coast, where sudden chilling winds could drop the temperature quickly, you'll want to have some layers handy, like long underwear or a pair of rain pants.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade Pants?

The Trailmade pants are an excellent choice for a casual or less frequent hiker who wants comfort and is looking to save some cash. It's awesome for day hikes or crag time in nice weather. If you'll be exposed to more variable weather or rough terrain, it's probably worth spending more to get pants that will stand up to more abrasion, wind, and wet weather.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant costs more than the Trailmade pants, but not a mind-bending amount. They have a slimmer cut and aren't quite as comfortable, but they do a better job cutting wind and shrugging off water. They've also stood up to years of use by our lead tester. The REI Co-op Sahara Convertible pants are another compelling option. They're pretty rough and tumble, have a wider cut like the Trailmade pants, and convert easily to shorts.