Backside Line
The REI Trailmade (males’s / ladies’s) is a wonderful alternative for the price-conscious hiker on the lookout for light-weight rain pants. It is without doubt one of the least costly mountaineering pants on our information to the perfect rain pants, however additionally it is one of many lightest, so we’re impressed with its worth.
These rain pants are available a wide selection of colours and sizes, so there may be an possibility 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 normally seen in budget-friendly pants.
The Trailmades are sensible, fairly light-weight, and pack-friendly. They provide strong safety from rain, snow, and wind at an inexpensive worth, although they fall wanting higher-end choices in a couple of key areas. The primary drawbacks are the quick 11-inch ankle zips, which make them difficult 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 alternative for budget-conscious adventurers or those that solely want them often and might dwell with out premium options.
How We Examined
We have been like toddlers testing these, turning into mud magnets, puddle jumpers, and rain dancers. We took these pants by way of Colorado’s entrance nation and the Nice Western Path for subject testing and carried out lab take a look at hose-downs and dry-time trials. We even showered with them (nicely, the pants not less than) to check how lengthy earlier than they’d give up and moist out.
Fast Specs

REI Trailmade Rain Pants
Greatest Price range Rain Pants
CleverHiker Score:
4.5/5.0
Worth:
$70
Weight:
7.8 oz. / 13.1 oz.(males’s / ladies’s)
Zipper Size:
Ankle
Execs
- Worth
- Packs down
- Light-weight
- Satisfactory water resistance
Cons
- Really feel is a 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 way of dense brush on entrance nation slopes—we seen the Trailmades lacked the additional diploma of flexibility present in some rivals. At occasions, 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 mountaineering eventualities. Whether or not out on the path or again on the town, they proved to be a flexible and comfy alternative, excelling in subject and informal settings.
Climate Resistance
The Trailmades are fairly fundamental in relation to climate resistance. We wouldn’t belief our lives with them however would depend on them for forecasts which have a “probability of rain,” not the cats-and-dogs form 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 way of on a very wet afternoon. The material additionally wetted out whereas strolling by way of 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 alternative 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 eventualities.
Throughout common exertion testing, we have been impressed by how nicely these pants allowed warmth and moisture to flee regardless of a scarcity of aspect 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 advised, these pants is usually a dependable companion for hikers who alternate between average mountaineering 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 listing and a number of the most inexpensive.
For packing, these received’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 alternative for normal path use and average mountaineering. The polyester cloth does have a DWR coating, however due to its skinny building, it received’t maintain as much as excessive climate (and it doesn’t declare to take action).
If you would like higher safety, spend your cash on Gore-tex, which received’t “moist out” like we discovered strolling by way of tall, moist grass. The skinny cloth didn’t fare nicely towards the shell in bramble wooded sections both.
However, in case your hikes are shorter and the moist climate isn’t steady or harsh, take into account these finances pants when 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 wonderful alternative for hikers searching for light-weight rain pants at a budget-friendly worth.
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 dimension choices, making them a wonderful match for hikers of all physique varieties.
What Different Rain Pants Ought to You Contemplate?
You may additionally be interested by these different prime rain pants from our greatest rain pants gear information in the event you’re contemplating the REI Trailmade Rain Pants.
REI Rainier Overview: The REI Rainiers are a step up in options and climate safety however not an excessive amount of extra in worth.
Columbia Insurgent Roamer / Storm Surge Overview: These pants are additionally budget-friendly and no-nonsense designed however took longer to moist by way of than the Trailmades.
Marmot Precip Eco Overview: That is one other strong possibility, however it’s a bit spendy. These ought to last more and hold you drier than the Trailmades in the event you want them for moist outings.