Bottom Line
The REI Trailmade is a superb alternative for the price-conscious hiker in search of a light-weight pant. Being one of many least costly climbing pants we’ve examined, but additionally one of many lightest, we’re impressed with the Trailmade’s worth.
With a big selection of colours and sizes, the REI Trailmade has an possibility for everybody. We love how accessible these pants are to a wide range of tastes, budgets, and physique sizes. A gusseted crotch, quick-dry supplies, and considerate options exhibit a degree of high quality not normally seen in budget-friendly pants.
We put these pants to the take a look at throughout backcountry organic fieldwork in Alaska and have been capable of finding the place they excelled and the place they left us wanting extra. While their barely stiffer cloth and lack of climate resistance go away one thing to be desired, we discovered these pants excellent for many path functions.
Quick Specs
Men’s REI Trailmade
Most Affordable Lightweight Hiking Pants
Score:
78.5/100
Price:
$70
Weight:
9.8 oz.
Fit:
Tappered
Fabric:
94% nylon, 6% spandex
Pros
- Less costly
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Good coloration choices
Cons
- Not water-proof
- Not as resilient in harsh situations
Comfort & Mobility
With a barely tapered leg profile, the Trailmades provide a well-fitting and comfy possibility for these in search of barely athletic but relaxed reduce pants. A gusseted crotch and articulated knees are high-quality design parts that enable for elevated mobility.
While testing these pants off path the place crawling over logs, round boulders, and thru the comb was widespread, we discovered that the Trailmade didn’t have that additional diploma of mobility that another pants did. They usually felt stretched to capability throughout the crotch and thighs and the fabric of the pants itself shouldn’t be as elastic as others we examined. For most functions, we discovered the Trailmade to be a terrific possibility and have been impressed with how they went to the sphere and the entrance nation once more feeling snug in each situations.
Breathability
The Trailmades shine with their breathability and quick-drying materials. When testing these throughout heavy exertion, they stunned us with how breathable they’re. The materials of the pants feels virtually cottony to the contact however breathes in addition to any in the marketplace.
After heavy exertion and sweating, the pants dried a lot faster than anticipated. During stop-and-go exercise, the pants shortly depraved sweat and launched warmth, whereas at relaxation felt heat and dry. These are nice pants for hikers exerting and resting a number of instances in an outing.
Weather Resistance
Their skill to dry shortly comes with a tradeoff of restricted climate resistance. These pants moist by virtually immediately and aren’t a terrific alternative for outings the place publicity to moisture is for certain. The pants shortly turned moist and clingy in mild rain and strolling by moist grass.
While this lack of climate safety is considerably offset by how shortly they dry, we gained’t be reaching for these to convey out on lengthy moist days. The Trailmade’s light-weight materials and breathability make them a terrific warm-weather possibility for these wanting pants for solar safety.
Durability
We are pleasantly stunned by the sturdiness of the Trailmades. After placing them to the take a look at off path and thru thick brush adopted by a number of wash cycles, they present no apparent indicators of wear and tear. While the fabric of the pants is sort of skinny, we have been impressed with how they held up all through our testing. The cuffs of the Trailmades are particularly designed to withstand abrasion with double-layer cloth in the back of the ankles which we thought was a superb contact for added sturdiness.
While touring by heavy brush carrying these pants, we felt sticks branches, and thorns by the skinny materials, however the pants themselves obtained no harm. While these may not be our go-to possibility for heavy discipline or tactical use, they’re surprisingly resilient for light-weight and budget-friendly pants.
Features
These pants include some good particulars. They are outfitted with each exterior belt loops in addition to an inside drawstring to dial within the match. While we have been capable of match the pants such that the drawstring was not crucial, these hikers in between sizes will respect the customization of the waist’s match.
With 5 pockets (two entrance, two again, and one thigh) the Trailmades include a wide range of storage choices. Although the again pockets felt barely too small to retailer gadgets securely, we appreciated the zippered possibility for the thigh. This pocket comes with a large-tooth zipper and lengthy zipper pull that though useful, stands proud visually and doesn’t mix in fairly in addition to the thigh pockets on different pants we examined.
Should You Buy the REI Trailmade Pants?
The REI Trailmade is the proper pant for hikers in search of a light-weight and sturdy product at an inexpensive worth. While these pants could not provide the very best degree of climate resistance and stretch, they’re appropriate for many path makes use of. We love the Trailmades for his or her vary of coloration and measurement choices, which cater to hikers of assorted types and physique varieties.
What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?
Rab Incline Light Review: A equally light-weight pant, the Rab Incline Light is one other nice light-weight possibility with a relaxed match.
REI Sahara Convertible Review: Another attainably priced possibility from REI with a extra breathable, convertible model.
Mammut Runbold Review: A light-weight, excessive stretch, and sturdy possibility for these searching for a barely increased priced pant.