Men’s REI Trailmade Pants Review

Bottom Line

The REI Trailmade is an excellent choice for the price-conscious hiker looking for a lightweight pant. Being one of the least expensive hiking pants we’ve tested, but also one of the lightest, we are impressed with the Trailmade’s value.

With a wide array of colors and sizes, the REI Trailmade has an option for everyone. We love how accessible these pants are to a variety of tastes, budgets, and body sizes. A gusseted crotch, quick-dry materials, and thoughtful features exhibit a level of quality not usually seen in budget-friendly pants. 

We put these pants to the test during backcountry biological fieldwork in Alaska and were able to find where they excelled and where they left us wanting more. While their slightly stiffer fabric and lack of weather resistance leave something to be desired, we found these pants perfect for most trail applications.

Comfort & Mobility

With a slightly tapered leg profile, the Trailmades offer a well-fitting and comfortable option for those looking for slightly athletic yet relaxed cut pants. A gusseted crotch and articulated knees are high-quality design components that allow for increased mobility.

While testing these pants off trail where crawling over logs, around boulders, and through the brush was common, we found that the Trailmade didn’t have that extra degree of mobility that some other pants did. They often felt stretched to capacity across the crotch and thighs and the material of the pants itself is not as elastic as others we tested. For most applications, we found the Trailmade to be a great option and were impressed with how they went to the field and the front country again feeling comfortable in both scenarios.

Breathability

The Trailmades shine with their breathability and quick-drying material. When testing these during heavy exertion, they surprised us with how breathable they are. The material of the pants feels almost cottony to the touch but breathes as well as any on the market.

After heavy exertion and sweating, the pants dried much quicker than expected. During stop-and-go activity, the pants quickly wicked sweat and released heat, while at rest felt warm and dry. These are great pants for hikers exerting and resting multiple times in an outing.

Weather Resistance

Their ability to dry quickly comes with a tradeoff of limited weather resistance. These pants wet through almost instantly and are not a great choice for outings where exposure to moisture is certain. The pants quickly became wet and clingy in light rain and walking through wet grass. 

While this lack of weather protection is somewhat offset by how quickly they dry, we won’t be reaching for these to bring out on long wet days. The Trailmade’s lightweight material and breathability make them a great warm-weather option for those wanting pants for sun protection.

Durability

We are pleasantly surprised by the durability of the Trailmades. After putting them to the test off trail and through thick brush followed by several wash cycles, they show no obvious signs of wear. While the material of the pants is quite thin, we were impressed with how they held up throughout our testing. The cuffs of the Trailmades are specifically designed to resist abrasion with double-layer fabric at the back of the ankles which we thought was an excellent touch for added durability.

While traveling through heavy brush wearing these pants, we felt sticks branches, and thorns through the thin material, but the pants themselves received no damage. While these might not be our go-to option for heavy field or tactical use, they’re surprisingly resilient for lightweight and budget-friendly pants.

Features

These pants come with some nice details. They are equipped with both external belt loops as well as an internal drawstring to dial in the fit. While we were able to fit the pants such that the drawstring was not necessary, those hikers in between sizes will appreciate the customization of the waist’s fit.

With five pockets (two front, two back, and one thigh) the Trailmades come with a variety of storage options. Although the back pockets felt slightly too small to store items securely, we appreciated the zippered option for the thigh. This pocket comes with a large-tooth zipper and long zipper pull that although functional, sticks out visually and does not blend in quite as well as the thigh pockets on other pants we tested.

Should You Buy the REI Trailmade Pants?

The REI Trailmade is the perfect pant for hikers looking for a lightweight and durable product at an affordable price. While these pants may not offer the highest level of weather resistance and stretch, they are suitable for most trail uses. We love the Trailmades for their range of color and size options, which cater to hikers of various styles and body types.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Rab Incline Light Review: A similarly lightweight pant, the Rab Incline Light is another great lightweight option with a relaxed fit.

REI Sahara Convertible Review: Another attainably priced option from REI with a more breathable, convertible style.

Mammut Runbold Review: A lightweight, high stretch, and durable option for those seeking a slightly higher priced pant.