Males’s REI Activator Pants Assessment

Backside Line

The REI Activator is a solidly constructed softshell pant that’s good for summit hikes or shoulder-season temperatures that decision for barely hotter and thicker pants. We examined our pair on winter hikes and spring summits in coastal Alaska and had been stunned by its resiliency in nasty climate and heat in chilly temperatures. The Activator is considered one of our high males’s climbing pants for its glorious worth, excessive efficiency, and reasonably priced worth level.

Attainably priced, the Activator is a superb pant for these new to the outside or seasoned veterans alike. However don’t let its lower cost idiot you; its efficiency compares to pants that price twice as a lot. The gusseted crotch and extremely elastic materials make for an especially comfy and cellular pant. We by no means felt restricted or encumbered when scrambling over rocks, and we accomplished a multi-pitch rock climb in it on a blustery spring day. The thicker materials helps to dam the wind and repel mild moisture.

The thick materials that offers the Activator its cool climate efficiency shortly turns into a hindrance as soon as the temperatures climb to summer season temps. These pants are very heat, making them much less engaging for summer season temperatures. Nice for cooler days or alpine summits, the Activator is a high-value pant that’s certain to discover a place in your closet.

How We Examined

We examined the REI Activator pants for 4 months in Alaska – from snow to sleet and springtime rain. Climbing, snowboarding, climbing, and scrambling, we completely examined its sturdiness, consolation, and climate resistance.

Consolation & Mobility

When placing on the Activator for the primary time, we instantly seen how comfy these pants are on the pores and skin. The within of the softshell materials nearly appears like a brushed lining. It’s cozy and comfy. Articulated knees and a gusseted crotch improve mobility, and we by no means felt restricted and encumbered when squatting, kneeling, or taking excessive steps. The nylon, polyester, and spandex blended materials has a 4-way stretch, making all actions comfy and free. We notably loved carrying these pants on a multi-pitch rock climb in cooler climate, the place they saved our legs heat sufficient for a blustery spring day.

Breathability

The soft-shell cloth of the Activator feels thick sufficient to be a winter pant. And, actually, we wore these pants on winter hikes and located them heat sufficient for reasonably cool temperatures. These pants are most comfy in temperatures round freezing and as much as about sixty levels. As soon as the thermometer climbs to extra summer-like temperatures, the Activor shortly feels too scorching. 

We discovered that these pants would not have a excessive stage of breathability and will not be our best choice for warm-weather hikes. With none type of vents, there is no such thing as a solution to improve the airflow, so we turned overly scorching when climbing in heat temperatures or at excessive exertion ranges. These will not be those we attain for on heat days, however these pants are nice for cooler temperatures or windy days.

Climate Resistance

Handled with nonfluorinated sturdy water repellent (DWR), the Activator can bead very mild moisture. These gained’t substitute your rain pants by any means, however they’re sufficient to maintain you protected if caught out in a day storm. 

We examined these in spitting rain and postholing by deep, moist snow. We had been stunned by how lengthy they saved us dry. That being stated, as soon as they did moist by, they took a very long time to dry on account of their thick materials.

Regardless that the REI activator can get you by in a pinch, don’t depend on them to maintain you dry for hours within the rain. However for alpine environments the place chances are you’ll encounter some combined circumstances, the Activator is a superb alternative.

Sturdiness

For a budget-priced pant, the Activator has withstood all of our assessments remarkably properly. Our pair has but to indicate any indicators of wear and tear or misery. We examined it by scraping up rock slabs on a multi-pitch rock climb, and so they confirmed no indicators of abrasion. As we hiked by Alaska’s notoriously thick brush, they protected our legs from cuts or scratches. We have now been completely impressed with their sturdiness. Mixed with its attainable worth level, the Activator is a high-value pair of climbing pants.

Options

The Activator is a straightforward pant with refined options that improve its performance. Most notably, the ankle cinches seal out snow and sticks after we post-holed off-trail. Alternatively, we used the ankle cinches to carry up the pants when rolled up on the calf. This helps add a little bit air flow on hotter outings. 

With six pockets, there’s sufficient capability to hold small gadgets straight on the physique. Nonetheless, we discovered all these pockets to be barely too small. Even carrying a mobile phone pushes them to the max with a decent and awkward match. These don’t have the carrying capability of a cargo pant, however their modern design is nice for fast outings and for individuals who desire a extra streamlined design.

Ought to You Purchase the REI Activator Pants?

The REI Activator is a high-value climbing pant with efficiency that punches far above its worth level. This makes them nice for entry-level hikers and budget-conscious veterans alike. We love the mushy inside and elastic materials and the thicker materials to dam wind and maintain mild moisture at bay. These pants are finest fitted to winter climbing, alpine adventures, and colder temperatures as they keep heat however lack the breathability present in lighter pants. They shortly turn into too scorching in summer-time temperatures, limiting their versatility. Nonetheless, their excessive stage of sturdiness, low worth, and easy but efficient options make them considered one of our favourite pants available on the market.

What Different Climbing Pants Ought to You Take into account?

Try our full gear information to see all our favourite climbing pants.

Arc’teryx Gamma Assessment: With nice climate resistance and sturdiness however the next worth level, the Gamma is a premium piece of drugs.

REI Trailmade Assessment: One other reasonably priced choice from REI, the Trailmade is a lighter-weight choice for heat summer season hikes.

Mammut Runbold IV Assessment: One other nice pant for alpine adventures, the Runbold IV is the latest replace to considered one of our favourite light-weight pants.