Backside Line
The REI Trailmade Shorts are a wonderful all-around useful pair of mountain climbing shorts with superior quick-drying capabilities. Even higher, you’re pulling these on at a comparatively low value level. Our gear analyst hiked in these shorts within the coastal forests of Occidental, CA, to see if they need to make it on our information to the most effective mountain climbing shorts for girls.
The UPF 50+ materials, DWR end, elastic waistband, and 2-way stretch all mix to create a comfortable, high-performing, and sturdy product. For probably the most half, we liked the six pockets, together with the deep hand pockets and handy envelope-style thigh pockets. The one gripe is that the thinner materials sags with the burden of a cellphone and different heavier objects.
General, we advocate the Trailmade Shorts for being a packable, sturdy, and quick-drying choice for backcountry adventures, day hikes, and even watersports. This is a wonderful worth brief that ranks excessive in each class with solely minor strategies for enchancment. These on the lookout for choices past the 5” size might want to maintain purchasing (the Trailmade solely sells at 5”).
How We Examined
We field-tested these shorts mountain climbing within the Northern California coastal forests. We hiked up and down steep terrain, by means of shade and solar, and likewise jumped right into a lake to submerge the shorts and see how they felt (spoiler alert, they did nice). On the path, we examined their DWR end, quick-drying capabilities, and luxury.
Fast Specs
Ladies’s REI Trailmade Shorts
Greatest Ladies’s Mountaineering Shorts General & Quickest Drying
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.8/5.0
Worth:
$50
Weight:
5.7 oz.
Inseam:
5 in
UPF Ranking:
50+
Cloth:
96% nylon, 6% spandex
Pockets:
6
Execs
- Stretchy, delicate & light-weight
- Tremendous fast to dry
- Efficient DWR end
- 6 pockets
- UPF 50+
- Works for mountain climbing and boating
- Good colorways
Cons
- Cellphone does not really feel good within the pocket
- Entrance cinch on waistband stands out and cannot be tucked in
- Just one size choice
Consolation
The REI Trailmade Mountaineering Shorts are exceptionally snug and stretchy with their 2-way stretch breathable nylon and spandex materials. The material feels delicate towards the pores and skin and by no means prompted any chafing or discomfort after we had been high-stepping, squatting, or bending on the path.
The waistband sits comfortably with out pinching or using up on strenuous hikes. Nonetheless, the bungee adjustment on the entrance of the waistband does stick out a bit and can’t be tucked away contained in the shorts. Whereas this didn’t straight have an effect on consolation, the bungee was noticeable when carrying tight shirts over the shorts, which made it much less flattering.
Sturdiness
Even with their comparatively low value level, thinner and light-weight materials, the Trailmade shorts are surprisingly sturdy. The fabric held up properly in all types of terrain that we hiked in, together with rocky scrambles, bushy trails, and moist climates.
The DWR end provides it a powerful efficiency, and the shorts additionally don’t stain simply, even when uncovered to filth and dust. After subject testing, we didn’t discover any put on and tear on the shorts, and the material maintained its form even after alternating between being moist and dry.
These shorts are additionally simple to look after, by simply machine washing on chilly and tumble drying low.
Options
These Trailmade Shorts are extraordinarily useful and provide quite a lot of useful options. With six pockets, together with two within the again, two hand pockets, and two envelope thigh pockets, these shorts can carry all of your smaller important objects.
The entrance hand pockets are extremely deep, reaching down the complete 5” size of the shorts. Nonetheless, the light-weight and stretchy materials isn’t good for carrying heavier objects within the pockets, equivalent to a cellphone. They sag, really feel heavy, and trigger some discomfort, so when you “can” load them, we don’t recommend it. With that being mentioned, they’re nonetheless glorious for lighter and smaller objects equivalent to keys, a fast snack, and chapstick. There’s additionally a small twine loop on the waistband the place you’ll be able to cling sun shades or clip on keys.
One other function of those shorts contains their UPF 50+ rated materials, which gives further solar safety when mountain climbing in sizzling or uncovered climates.
Dry Time
The DWR end on these shorts is working thus far, although we all know it will fade over time. We wore these shorts on a hike to a lake, noting their consolation earlier than and after leaping into the water. We appreciated that the shorts didn’t cling to her physique after getting submerged and dried inside 15-20 minutes of hitting the path.
If the Trailmade shorts simply get splashed, the DWR end successfully repels any moisture, with water beading off the fabric with out reaching the pores and skin. When dry time is a precedence, these shorts can be a wonderful choice to have in your outside gear wardrobe.
Weight & Packed Dimension
At 5.7 oz, the REI Trailmade shorts are comparatively light-weight for the worth and use case. They’ve a relaxed match, however aren’t cumbersome or saggy. The skinny materials folds simply, and these shorts could be rolled up or stuffed away in a pinch. Whereas there are lighter shorts on the market, we wouldn’t hesitate to tackle a backpacking journey. We will additionally simply put on a pair of mountain climbing pants over the Trailmade shorts.
Ought to You Purchase the REI Trailmade Ladies’s Mountaineering Shorts?
The REI Trailmade shorts are a wonderful worth with their excessive rankings in consolation, sturdiness, dry-time, performance and packability. Anybody on the lookout for a mid-length brief with pockets, UPF score, and water resistant coating can look no additional. We like them greatest for day hikes and water sports activities.
Nonetheless, these on the lookout for a unique size aside from 5” might want to look elsewhere for the reason that Trailmade solely is available in one size choice. Hikers preferring to hold their bigger cellphone of their pocket whereas on the path may even need to contemplate different mountain climbing shorts. The fabric of the Trailmade sags and pulls when carrying heavier objects like telephones.
What Different Mountaineering Shorts Ought to You Contemplate?
Whereas the REI Trailmade Mountaineering Shorts are a extremely beneficial choice, we’ve examined quite a few different mountain climbing shorts from all kinds of top-tier manufacturers within the business. To match the REI Trailmade shorts to different comparable, but extremely rated merchandise, try our greatest mountain climbing shorts for girls gear information.
Patagonia Baggies Assessment: These shorts have fewer pockets and options and barely stiffer materials. Nonetheless, they’ve a easy and handy elastic waistband (no entrance bungee), are quick-drying, and are available a few completely different lengths.
Outside Analysis Ferrosi Assessment: A fan favourite, these shorts have comparable options to the Trailmade, equivalent to UPF 50, longer size, stretchy materials, and fast drying. Nonetheless, they’ve a barely baggier match, and the belt on the waistband makes them really feel bulkier.
Patagonia Multi Trails Assessment: These mountain climbing shorts are famend for his or her ultralight weight at simply 3.8 ounces. Whereas they function comparable properties to the REI Trailmade, they do embody an internal liner within the shorts, which can or might not be desired relying on private choice.
