Backside Line
The REI Trailmade (males’s / girls’s) is a superb selection for the price-conscious hiker in search of light-weight rain pants. It is likely one of the least costly mountain climbing pants on our information to the perfect rain pants, however it is usually one of many lightest, so we’re impressed with its worth.
These rain pants are available in a wide selection of colours and sizes, so there may be an choice for everybody. We love how accessible these pants are to varied tastes, budgets, and physique sizes. A gusseted crotch, quick-dry supplies, and considerate options exhibit high quality not often seen in budget-friendly pants.
The Trailmades are sensible, moderately light-weight, and pack-friendly. They provide strong safety from rain, snow, and wind at an inexpensive value, although they fall wanting higher-end choices in a couple of key areas. The principle drawbacks are the quick 11-inch ankle zips, which make them tough to placed on and take off over boots. Moreover, their breathability is restricted, inflicting them to really feel clammy throughout extended use.
Nonetheless, these rain pants are a dependable selection for budget-conscious adventurers or those that solely want them often and may reside with out premium options.
How We Examined
We had been like toddlers testing these, turning into mud magnets, puddle jumpers, and rain dancers. We took these pants by Colorado’s entrance nation and the Nice Western Path for discipline testing and carried out lab check hose-downs and dry-time trials. We even showered with them (properly, the pants at the very least) to check how lengthy earlier than they’d give up and moist out.
Fast Specs
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REI Trailmade Rain Pants
Finest Price range Rain Pants
CleverHiker Score:
4.5/5.0
Worth:
$70
Weight:
7.8 oz. / 13.1 oz.(males’s / girls’s)
Zipper Size:
Ankle
Professionals
- Worth
- Packs down
- Light-weight
- Ample water resistance
Cons
- Really feel is a little bit awkward
- Not tremendous breathable
- Skinny materials can tear and is not very wind resistant
- Weary of long-term sturdiness
Consolation & Mobility
With a barely tapered leg, the Trailmades mix an athletic and relaxed match that’s fairly darn snug. Considerate design parts like a gusseted crotch and articulated knees improve mobility and contribute to an total well-tailored really feel.
Throughout off-trail testing—navigating over logs, scrambling round boulders, and pushing by dense brush on entrance nation slopes—we seen the Trailmades lacked the additional diploma of flexibility present in some opponents. At instances, they felt stretched to their restrict throughout the crotch and thighs, and the material itself didn’t have as a lot elasticity as different choices we’ve examined.
That mentioned, the Trailmades carry out admirably in most mountain climbing situations. Whether or not out on the path or again on the town, they proved to be a flexible and comfy selection, excelling in discipline and informal settings.
Climate Resistance
The Trailmades are fairly fundamental in the case of climate resistance. We wouldn’t belief our lives with them however would depend on them for forecasts which have a “likelihood of rain,” not the cats-and-dogs sort of rain.
Fortunately, they’re quick-drying in non-humid situations, however we nonetheless have to say their restricted climate resistance.
Our tester seen some soaking by on a very wet afternoon. The material additionally wetted out whereas strolling by damp grass, turning into clingy and uncomfortable. These pants merely aren’t constructed for outings the place extended publicity to moisture is a given.
Whereas their quick drying time helps mitigate a few of these drawbacks, they’re removed from our first selection for lengthy, moist days on the path.
Air flow
The Trailmades are reasonably breathable and quick-drying. They aren’t the perfect in scorching and humid situations.
Throughout common exertion testing, we had been impressed by how properly these pants allowed warmth and moisture to flee regardless of a scarcity of facet vents or entrance pockets. The material is gentle, virtually cotton-like, but breathes successfully.
The Trailmades felt sticky after intense sweating, particularly in hotter temperatures. Warmth administration was suboptimal, and we felt scorching after a excessive output. Throughout stop-and-go actions at a slower tempo, although, they effectively depraved away sweat however remained heat and comfy throughout relaxation durations.
All informed, these pants is usually a dependable companion for hikers who alternate between reasonable mountain climbing and leisure durations, retaining them dry and relaxed all through the day.
Weight
Light-weight and inexpensive don’t at all times go collectively in rain pants, however it’s a actuality with the Trailmade. At 7.8 ounces (undecided why the ladies’s are WAY heavier at 13 oz.), these are a number of the lightest pants on our record and a number of the most inexpensive.
For packing, these gained’t price you a lot quite a lot of protein bars by way of area. We appreciated the minimalist design and skinny shell materials for straightforward transport, particularly on day journeys or quick outings when the sky is threatening.
The ankle zippers will accommodate regular-sized sneakers or light-weight, small-profile boots, however something bigger would require eradicating your footwear.
Sturdiness
The REI Trailmade is a light-weight selection for traditional path use and reasonable mountain climbing. The polyester cloth does have a DWR coating, however due to its skinny development, it gained’t maintain as much as excessive climate (and it doesn’t declare to take action).
If you’d like higher safety, spend your cash on Gore-tex, which gained’t “moist out” like we discovered strolling by tall, moist grass. The skinny cloth didn’t fare properly towards the shell in bramble wooded sections both.
Then again, in case your hikes are shorter and the moist climate isn’t steady or harsh, think about these finances pants whilst you knock out a lap across the lake or take the pooch to run within the rain on the native canine park. For a low price, you possibly can defend your legs and pocketbook whereas grabbing your Mom Nature repair.
Ought to You Purchase the REI Trailmade Rain Pants?
The REI Trailmade is a superb selection for hikers searching for light-weight rain pants at a budget-friendly value.
Whereas they don’t ship top-tier climate resistance or stretch, they’re greater than succesful for many path adventures. What units the Trailmades aside is their wide selection of measurement choices, making them a wonderful match for hikers of all physique sorts.
What Different Rain Pants Ought to You Contemplate?
You may additionally be involved in these different high rain pants from our greatest rain pants gear information should you’re contemplating the REI Trailmade Rain Pants.
REI Rainier Evaluate: The REI Rainiers are a step up in options and climate safety however not an excessive amount of extra in value.
Columbia Insurgent Roamer / Storm Surge Evaluate: These pants are additionally budget-friendly and no-nonsense designed however took longer to moist by than the Trailmades.
Marmot Precip Eco Evaluate: That is one other strong choice, however it’s a little bit spendy. These ought to last more and preserve you drier than the Trailmades should you want them for moist outings.