How to Choose Hiking Pants

What's your perfect pair of trail pants? Wind-resistant and water-repellent? Breathable and stretchy? Plenty of secure pockets? That's the women's REI Co-op Activator soft-shell pants!
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Imported.
View the REI Co-op Activator Product LineView all REI Co-op Women's Hiking PantsBest Use | Hiking |
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Fabric | 63% nylon/26% polyester/11% spandex (bluesign approved) |
Pants Rise | Mid |
Pant Fit | Standard |
Pant Leg Style | Straight |
Inseam (in.) | 30, 32.5, 35.5 inches |
Gender | Women's |
Weight | 13.3 ounces |
Sustainability | Contains materials that meet the bluesign® criteria From a Climate Label Certified brand |
XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | 1X | 2X | 3X | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18W | 20W | 22W | 24W | 26W | |
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Numerical Size | 00 | 0-2 | 4-6 | 8-10 | 12-14 | 16 | 18 | 20-22 | 24-26 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
Bust | 31 | 32-33 | 34-35 | 36-37 | 38.5-40 | 41-42.5 | 43-45 | 47-49 | 51-53 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38.5 | 40 | 42.5 | 45 | 47 | 49 | 51 | 53 |
Sleeve Length | 29.5 | 30 | 30.5 | 31 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 30 | 30 | 30.5 | 30.5 | 31 | 31 | 31.5 | 31.5 | 32 | 32.5 | 33.5 | 33.5 | 34.5 | 34.5 |
Waist | 24.5 | 25.5-26.5 | 27.5-28.5 | 29.5-30.5 | 32-33.5 | 34.5-36.5 | 37.5-39.5 | 40.5-42.5 | 44.5-46.5 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30.5 | 32 | 33.5 | 36 | 38.5 | 40.5 | 42.5 | 44.5 | 46.5 |
Hip | 34 | 35-36 | 37-38 | 39-40 | 41.5-43 | 44-46 | 47-49 | 50-52 | 54-56 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41.5 | 43 | 45.5 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 |
Inseam | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated. Size chart values represent body measurements, not garment measurements. Some women's pants are available in petite and tall sizes. Typically petite sizes fit women 4'11" to 5'3". Regular sizes fit women 5'4" to 5'8". Tall sizes fit women 5'9" to 5'11".
PETITE: Generally, as compared to regular sizes, petite sizes are 2.5 inches shorter in inseam, 1 inch shorter in body length, 1.25 inches shorter in sleeve length and ¾ inch shorter in total rise.
TALL: tall sizes are 3 inches longer in inseam, 2 inches longer in body length, 2.5 inches longer in sleeve length and 1.25 inches longer in total rise.
Capri or cropped pants have an intentionally shorter inseam—reference the technical specs instead of this chart.
Inseam is measured to the floor.
From feedback to field testing, all of our gear is dialed-in by REI Co-op members. Their adventures informed every stitch and detail—making for better, longer-lasting gear.
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Love, love, love these pants! Got them for cross-country skiing and cold weather hikes. I keep reaching for them again and again and I've been pushing my friends to get them. They are super comfortable and versatile. The fit is true to size and is a little roomy to allow for a thin base layer if needed. The fabric is soft on the inside. It is stretchy allowing for a wide range of movement. The waistband is high enough (just below navel) to give overlap with shirts and jackets so no cold air sneaks in. The cuffs can be cinched around your ankles or be loose enough to cover the top of boots so no snow gets in. There are 5 functional pockets that are big enough that you can actually put real things in. The 3 front pockets have zippers. The rear pockets have a single snap button and I really like this design. It is easy to open/close the front zippers, however, trying to zipper a rear pocket is awkward. Having the snap button makes it much easier to use the pocket. I use these pants on hikes (1-2 hours) and xc-ski outings (2-4) hours. They allow easy movement and kept me warm. Temps in these scenarios ranged from 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 to -1 Celsius). I did not need a base layer for these conditions. I may want one for colder weather or longer outings. I appreciate that these pants look great too. I went for dinner and drinks with friends after an outing and didn't feel like I was wearing some super active sporting gear for climbing a giant mountain. They just look like normal pants even though they can do a lot more than normal pants can.
I’m 5ft 8in and got a size small, which fit perfectly, with room for a pair of thermals underneath. I haven’t tried these pants on a proper hike yet, but took them out for a walk in 10°C weather on a cool, wet, post rain morning in SF, and felt like they were the perfect choice for pants. They’re not just made of a lightweight, cooling material, but feel like they have a separate, thin layer of fabric which help a bit with insulation. Obviously I wouldn’t say these are insulated pants - they’re pretty lightweight, but I’m just saying they’re not pants that make my legs feel cold. If the weather was colder, like closer to freezing temps, I’d definitely put a warm base layer underneath. These pants feel well made.
Theae pants have some really great features that i wish were included in more hiking pants. The back of the waistband is elastic, which means there is less need for a belt, it is also very comfortable when movibg throughout the day. All of the pockets zipper keeping phones and other objects from falling out. The material itself has a lot of stretch which is comfortable, but I found the pants to run a bit large because of this. All in all a great pair of pants for daily adventures.
These pants are amazing!! I usually wear leggings while hiking but my 22mi hike yesterday @ MT Lowe included rain so i finally bought some proper waterproof pants. I tried SO many and they all were either ugly, had no room in butt, had no stretch, were too wide in the waist, etc. These are everything right!! They are flattering and the ankle is just wide enough to fit around mid boots. The ventilated pockets are a nice touch too. They passed the water proof tests and no snags from sliding/climbing on jagged rocks! I just bought in the other colors and I'm going to try other sizes. Buy these!!
These pants are so soft and stretchy. They move with your every move weather you’re climbing over rocks or traversing the side of a mountain. The length is great. The side pockets are plenty deep enough and have the security of a zipper and the back pockets have a snap enclosure. The back pockets would fit a phone easily or even a folded map . The zipper pocket on the side is pretty small but you could put a protein bar in it.
I personally prefer hiking pants that have zip off or roll up/snap options as often times I get warm while on the trail. These pants don’t have that options, which is why I knocked down a few scores. I’m also not a fan of the waist part, it fits a little wide and doesn’t have any ties to tighten like I’ve seen other hiking pants. Fabric-wise, it’s a decent soft shell material so it keeps your legs warm from wind and also soft enough to allows a lot of movement easily (squats!). Decent hiking pants, but I prefer ones that have a little more accessories that this one is missing.
I purchased two pair of these Activaor pants for a two-week adventure trip around Iceland in July. They were so comfortable and perfect for the situation. We ran into another couple while hiking around the glacier lagoon, and guess what pants she was wearing??? She said her Activator pants were so comfortable she never wants to wear jeans again! REI, I would love these in other colors. I plan to wear them snowshoeing this winter, too!
I'm afraid that these pants aren't going to work with me. I wear a size small, and these pants are comically large on me. I'm 5'2", so I'm not surprised with the need to cuff pants, but the waist was so large that the pants are unwearable. I don't remember there being an XS option, but if there is it probably fits like a large small and still might not be a good fit for me (~115 lbs). Despite the sizing issue, the pants looks like they're great quality. The front pockets have zippers which always comes in handy while hiking or camping. The back pockets have snaps to keep them shut. Interior of all the pocket is mesh. The interior of the rest of the pants is really soft almost like fleece but much, much thinner The fabric feels durable and I like that only the back of the waistband is soft and stretchy; it makes the front of the waistband look more polished. Also, to keep the polished look, there are darts at the knees (I think these are called articulated knees) that allow more freedom for knee bending. Very helpful. the Armadillo Taupe color is exactly as pictured. Due to the sizing issue, I couldn't wear these out, so I don't know how they actually perform - but seems like they'd be really great for a hike in light rain.
I love these pants! I am 5’6” 140 and got the medium. They are superrr comfy and I love that I can move freely in them- no restriction of leg movement etc. I’ve worn them snow hiking and snowshoeing, as well as hiking in warmer weather and they hold up with keeping the snow / rain out! I wear a base layer underneath for winter activities and there’s plenty of room for it. The pockets are great in all the right places. My *only* complaint is I wish there was more than just the button closure to customize the waist (ie drawstring cinch to tighten in the waist) as the waist gaps out a bit, while the rest of the hip / leg fit is perfect. They don’t ride down or anything though, so it’s really just a preference to have them a little more flush in the waist and not gap out. Overall, I love these pants and have gotten so much use out of them already, and will continue to do so!
I received this product for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. The pants are lightweight and durable, with multiple zipping pockets conveniently located. The fit is great with an elastic waistband, straight legs, and long enough inseam for my almost 5’8” height. I like that the color is more of a sandy gray/beige combination than a yellow/orange khaki. I tried these pants as an outer shell over fleece leggings to walk through a holiday lights display in December weather in Wisconsin, and they helped keep me warm. I also tried these pants on a rainy night, and they kept me dry.