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REI Co-op Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed Review

A cotton-soft yoga pant that hugs you gently through all your moves and offers a fashion-forward fit you can wear for work or play
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REI Co-op Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed Review
Credit: Kate Pitts
Price:  $70 List
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Manufacturer:   REI Co-op
By Kate Pitts ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 2, 2024
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 18
  • Comfort and Fit - 30% 8.0
  • Ease of Movement - 30% 9.0
  • Breathability - 25% 6.0
  • Construction Quality - 15% 7.0

Our Verdict

The slimming, narrow ribbed material, skin-hugging design, and non-constrictive fit of the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed set it apart in a crowded yoga pants market. They offer a unique balance of comfort, style, and practicality and move with you comfortably, whether stretching your legs on the mat or hiking up a mountain. The ribbed fabric, well-designed gusset, and high waistband offer a streamlined fit that supports a free-flowing yoga practice. Flatlocked seaming on the hip band prevents it from rolling and hugs flat on the skin. We love how these leggings let your breath expand on all sides without pinching. We also appreciate that they have no logo branding, so these technical yoga pants easily double as dress leggings and are easy to dress up or down for other daily activities.
REASONS TO BUY
Ultrasoft
Hold in place
Double as daywear leggings
Comfortable for all styles of yoga
Deep side pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Not enough compression for some yogis
Longer drying time

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Yoga Pants for Budget-Conscious Yogis
Best Buy Award
Best Buy for Sweaty Yogis
  
Price $70 List
$48.93 at REI
$27 List
$22.49 at Amazon
$26 List
$26.00 at Amazon
$34 List
$32.99 at Amazon
$33 List
$24.98 at Amazon
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Bottom Line If you are looking for a comfortable set of yoga pants that can move through your day with you, we love this ultra-soft do-it-all optionAt a third of the price of designer pairs, these pants deliver top performance in comfort, fit, and mobilityThese budget yoga pants are comfortable, flattering, and breathable, making them perfect for sweaty practices and pretzel-shaped stretches. They even repel pet hairA sculpting pant that wicks your sweat and offers high-performing breathability while feeling light weightFor an affordable legging with pockets, these provide a decent fit and breathability. However, better shape retention throughout the day would avoid the saggy bottom blues
Rating Categories REI Co-op Active Pu... ColorfulKoala High... Crz NakedFeel Leggi... Baleaf High Waisted Ododos High Waisted...
Comfort and Fit (30%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Ease of Movement (30%)
9.0
9.5
9.5
7.0
6.0
Breathability (25%)
6.0
9.0
9.5
7.0
6.0
Construction Quality (15%)
7.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
4.0
Specs REI Co-op Active Pu... ColorfulKoala High... Crz NakedFeel Leggi... Baleaf High Waisted Ododos High Waisted...
Available Sizes XS-3X XS-XL XXS-4X XS-3X S-2XL
Material 79% Tactel nylon, 21% Lycra spandex 75% polyester, 25% spandex 71% polyamide, 29% spandex 87% nylon, 13% spandex 72% polyamide / 28% elastane
Features Two deep side pockets, wide and flat-seemed stitched waistband , gusset, 4-way stretch Flatlock construction, seamless waistband, hidden waistband pocket, v-contour seam on back Hidden pocket, crotch gusset, pet-hair resistant Hidden waistband pocket, moisture wic, flatlock seemingking Gusseted crotch, 2 side pockets
Key Pocket? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Other Versions Non-ribbed 25", 28" 25" and 28", flare and shorts No Capri

Our Analysis and Test Results

The REI Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed are one of our lineup's most sustainable options, coming from a Climate Neutral Certified Brand. The ribbed material is a 79% Tactel nylon/21% Lycra spandex blend. While textiles are one of the most polluting industries, the material in these pants meets Bluesign standards for environmental impact and worker safety. The design features two deep hip pockets, a gusset, and a flat-seam stitched waistband. The inseam is 25 inches for an ankle-length cut and is available in size XS-3X in multiple colors.

Performance Comparison


rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - we loved the active pursuits on the mat and everywhere else - from...
We loved the Active Pursuits on the mat and everywhere else - from mountaintops to art galleries, we love a good fit.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Comfort and Fit


The cotton-soft ribbed design of the Active Pursuit is as comfortable as it is flattering. The ultra-high waistband uses flat-seam stitched panels to create a smooth fit that flows with your skin when you bend at the waist. It was one of the most comfortable waistbands in our lineup during forward folds and deep twists. No muffin tops in these pants.

The ribbed pattern gives the Active Pursuits a unique and slimming look. The material has an ultra-soft, brushed cotton feel, making it one of our softest textured leggings. The waistband is double-walled, offering more sculpting in the core, but overall, this pant provides light to mid-compression. Choose pants with more sculpt-power if you want more tummy tucking. The plus side is that too many pants designed for ultra compression also constrict breathing, and these pants give you the freedom to move and breathe deeply.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - flat-lock seams give this comfortable waistband a second-skin...
Flat-lock seams give this comfortable waistband a second-skin ability to move lithely with your body. It isn't confining so you can breathe deep into the low belly.
Credit: Wayne Hartlerode

If you don't like branding on your clothes, you will appreciate that the Active Pursuits do not have a logo, so you won't feel like a company billboard in class. The clean design also makes them easier to dress up than most yoga pants. With the chic ribbed texture, they can easily switch gears after your yoga class into a fashion legging. These pants “made the cut” on an international trip where we could only pack a few outfits. We used them for yoga most mornings and then coupled them with various tops and scarves to make different outfits — keeping our travel footprint ultralight. Pair these with a blazer or sweater dress, and they are an excellent fit for anywhere you go next.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - super-soft, the active pursuits are a good fit from top to bottom...
Super-soft, the Active Pursuits are a good fit from top to bottom. Two deep pockets blend in nicely on each side.
Credit: Kate Pitts


Ease of Movement


The capability of four-way stretch fabric shines when paired with a good design like in the Active Pursuits. We especially appreciate the gusset in these pants, which allows them to remain form-fitting in the crotch and hips through your entire class. It is no fun in a yoga class when your pants bag and sag around your underwear, and you spend much of your energy hiking them up after each vinyasa. You don't have to worry about this with the Active Pursuits because they hug enough not to sag but never tight enough to create a muffin top.

The pants are ankle-length, and the fabric maintains a flat fit on the legs. The skintight fit is handy when entering pretzel-like shapes, as you won't have to worry about the fabric bunching up.

We bent over backwards testing the stretch in the Active Pursuits pants and flippin' love how good they feel. 4-way stretch material supports all your moves.
Credit: Kate Pitts

It is lovely to go through a class without tugging and pulling at your pants, and these are stretchy and perform higher than most at “sustainable comfort” from sun salutations to Shavasana.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - even when we flow in many directions, we love not having to tug and...
Even when we flow in many directions, we love not having to tug and pull our pants to keep up. Pants that stay in place are one less distraction as you focus.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Breathability


The fabric that comprises the Active Pursuits breathes incredibly well, even sweat-soaked. We wore these leggings while hiking up a mountain on a hot day, and it didn't feel like our legs were baking in the high UV. Although they never felt cloying or hot like some synthetic materials, we don't consider them moisture-wicking. They retain moisture and remain wet after hiking or a hot yoga practice. In tests where we soak pants and then monitor their time to air dry, the Active Pursuits took significantly longer than other moisture-wicking pants to dry thoroughly.

Although these don't feel warm, the moisture retention does cause sweat stains. We tested these in a light color, and sweat and raindrops changed the color of the pants—a good reminder that lighter colors show moisture.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - after hours of hiking, we still felt cool, but you can see sweat...
After hours of hiking, we still felt cool, but you can see sweat from a backpack on the light-colored fabric.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Construction Quality


We are glad for the lightweight feel of the Active Pursuits when we sweat, but unlike many cheap and light pants on the market, they are not see-through and don't reveal the pattern of your panties when you squat. The unique quality of the cotton ribbed material is that it has a brushed look that shows pilling slower than smoother textiles. We were pleased that these showed significantly less pilling than many top-dollar brands.

We took these pants bushwhacking up a Colorado 13er, and they didn't show any wear after sitting on sharp granite. They showed only slight fuzzing after a month of field testing. The fabric feels high quality, and we were pleased not to notice any threading. We recommend air drying these yoga pants to extend their life.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - extend the life of your new yoga pants by air-drying them instead of...
Extend the life of your new yoga pants by air-drying them instead of using the dryer.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Active Pursuits 7/8 Ribbed?


The Active Pursuits are soft on your skin, easy to move with, and cute to wear after class. With a thoughtfully designed waistband, they never constrict your stretch or your breath. At a fraction of the price of designer pants, these are a good value if you want a pair of pants that are ultra comfortable for any style of yoga but can also fit into other parts of your active schedule. If the feel of good fabric brings you joy, the softness of the ribbed texture won't disappoint. These will be a good fit if you flow best in lightly supportive and unconfining pants, but some may prefer an option with more compression. Finally, for those voting with your dollars, these pants are one of our more sustainable options.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - two deep side pockets hold your tiny essentials, so they are easy to...
Two deep side pockets hold your tiny essentials, so they are easy to grab on the go.
Credit: Kate Pitts

What Other Yoga Pants Should You Consider?


While the Active Pursuits are one of the most comfortable pants to move in, they do tend to hold moisture, so you might choose a pant with more moisture-wicking like the Crz Yoga NakedFeel Leggings Double Waist Seam or Sweaty Betty Power 7/8 Workout Leggings if you are signing up for hot yoga. They are a light to mid compression, so if you want more support, you might enjoy the belly-flattening fit of the Alo Yoga High-Waist Airbrush or the ultra high waist of the Athleta Ultra High Rise Elation 7/8 Tight. That said, the Active Pursuits are one of our favorite pairs for all-day wear and travel, and if you have a trip coming up, they would be great to pack with some of our recommended travel gear.

rei co-op active pursuits 7/8 ribbed - we love how comfortable these pants are to wear all day even when we...
We love how comfortable these pants are to wear all day even when we stretch our limits.
Credit: Kate Pitts

Kate Pitts