REI Co-op Activator Pants

Review by Kate Agathon

The REI Co-op Activator Pants are multipurpose pants that do it all.

Designed for hiking, I like the softshell fabric for their comfort and 4-way stretch so much that I wear them everywhere: at work, around town, and even mountain biking.

Fit and Look

These are the only trail pants that I have worn in recent memory where I have received compliments for how they look.

The midrise straight fit pants are stretchy, flattering, and give the appearance of elongating my legs.

Thanks to the partial elastic waistband, the fit is comfortable around my waist and the pants stay in place no matter how much I bend or stretch.

Features

Constructed from a blend of bluesign-approved nylon, polyester, and spandex, the fabric is treated with DWR to repel light rain and resist wind.

Key features include:

• Partial elastic waistband
• DWR treated fabric
• Articulated knees
• Center gusset

Drawcord cuff adjustments to cinch pants down (I didn’t use this feature since I had them hemmed)

The REI Co-op Activator Pants have pockets galore: 2 zippered hand pockets, 1 zippered thigh pocket, and 2 back pockets with hidden plastic snaps.

I originally got these for casual hiking. Using them for other activities (work and mountain biking) was a happenstance.

I first wore them to work after I realized that I had a stain on my normal canvas work pants and had to change into something else quickly. Then, I wore them mountain biking when the forecast delivered cold wind and rain instead of the promised sun and bluebird skies that had lured us to the Western Slope in the first place.

Both times when I wore the REI Co-op Activator Pants in environments I hadn’t planned for, they performed admirably.

At work in the warehouse, the stretch and articulated knees were perfect for all the bending and reaching I do preparing packages of all sizes for shipment.

While I didn’t find myself using the back pockets because the placement was higher than I’m used to, I did use the other pockets to stash pens, box cutters, keys, and my hand held scanner.

Then, on a recent mountain biking trip to Grand Junction, the weather was colder than expected. I had only packed shorts and it was unexpectedly windy and rainy the day we had planned to ride.

I dove into my travel bag, found the REI Co-op Activator Pants that I had brought for hiking, and asked myself, why not?

I slipped the pants over my chamois, hoping that the straight legs would accommodate something else underneath, and that I would be able to fasten the waist. It worked!

I was pleasantly surprised to discover there was room to wear my chamois underneath. The pant stretch properties worked well on the trail and the DWR treated fabric did an adequate job of repelling the light rain and wind.

Not too thin or too heavy, the weight was adequate for spring mountain biking.

Both times I wore them I was in a pinch, and both times they performed well. In fact, I have since worn the REI Co-op Activator Pants nearly every shift in the warehouse.

I also like wearing these around town because they don’t scream trail pants and give the appearance of a slightly more elevated look.

Other Considerations

REI does seem to have some inconsistencies with pant sizes.

For example, in the Sahara Convertible Pant, I wear a size 6P. But in the Trailsmith Pants I wear a size 4P. Therefore, I was surprised that in the Activator Pants I wore a size XS P.

The REI Co-op Activator Pants petite inseam is 30 inches. However, I still needed to get the pants hemmed, as I wear 28 inch inseam in pants.

Overall Thoughts

I got the pants for hiking the neighborhood trails with our dogs. But to my surprise and delight, the REI Co-op Activator Pants have turned out to be do-it-all pants that I wear nearly every day.

I like them for the way they look, the way they stretch, and how versatile they are. If you can only have one pant for everything, the REI Co-op Activator Pants would be a serious contender.

The REI Co-op Activator Pants are available in three colors (Black, Asphalt, Armadillo Taupe) and extended sizes.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbabies, Sansa and Benjen.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing.

Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers. She and her fiancé, Paul, live in Summit County with their dogs, Benjen and Sansa.

Kate earned a BA in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving two terms on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

The Dr. of Stoke has been part of the Engearment team since 2016.