REI Co-op Trailmade Insulated Hoodie Review

Warmth

There's no doubt the REI Co-op Trailmade Insulated Hoodie shines brightest in this metric. While your friend is shivering in their fancy breathable jacket on the first cold snap of the season, make sure you show off how warm you are and tell them how much you paid for the Trailmade. This still does not replace a true parka, but it can be used on its own for much cooler temperatures. While giving a temperature rating on a jacket or sleeping bag is a futile pursuit, we generally were comfy in the Trailmade down to about 40 degrees. Below that, we had to use more layers to stay warm.

REI built the Trailmade with 100-gram polyester insulation. In plain speak: it's got a decent amount of insulation and will keep you warm even if it gets wet. One of our most memorable mornings during our insulated jacket testing season was in the Trailmade, watching the first light hit our backyard peaks while hiking with the dogs. The cold helplessly tugged at the outside of the jacket, but was never permitted entry. On particularly chilly days, the drawstring hem reduced heat loss from the waist, and while we liked the overall fit of the hood, we wish we could have cinched it down for a better seal.

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Comfort

The Trailmade is easy to move in and feels great against the skin. It's almost as comforting as a pumpkin spice latte first thing in the morning, and we even wore the Trailmade indoors when we were trying to save some money on our heating bill.

The polyester fabric of the Trailmade is fairly comfy on days we only wore a T-shirt underneath, but we were most happy with its mobility. REI leaned on a relaxed cut, rather than high-tech stretch fabrics, to give the Trailmade an unencumbered range of motion.

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Weather Resistance

Insulated jackets like the Trailmade stand out for their synthetic insulation. Why do you care? Synthetic insulation still keeps you warm even if it gets wet (compared to down, which instantly loses all of its loft when wet). That said, you might be warm, but you will still be wet; we wouldn't recommend treating the Trailmade like a rain jacket. However, the exterior fabric will repel a light drizzle and keep dry snow at bay.

Repeat after me: “I will not use the Trailmade as my storm layer”. The primary use for the Trailmade is warmth, so don't expect this jacket to keep you dry in a rainstorm. We all get caught in an unforecasted drizzle or snow squall, which the Trailmade can handle, but make sure you bring a proper storm jacket alongside the Trailmade for your next cool weather mission.

Breathability

The Trailmade leans on warmth rather than breathability, so it's not the right jacket if you need a layer you can wear on high-output days. However, on easygoing trails, shopping days, or strolls around town, you're bound to stay dry on the inside of the Trailmade.

The Trailmade uses the same fabric and insulation construction throughout the entire jacket, without any venting tech unless you simply unzip the main zipper. Such a low price has to have some trade-offs, and the less technical fabric mapping is one area we suspect REI was able to keep costs down.

Everyday Versatility

In colder seasons, the Trailmade is a layer you can take with you on most adventures, but it does weigh a hefty 19.3 ounces, making it less ideal for obsessive, gram-counting recreationalists. We were able to squeeze this layer into luggage and backpacks, but it's about twice the packed size of ultralight options. Bottom line: use the Trailmade in cooler temperatures for casual hikes or backpacking, in-town hangs, office commutes, and as a “rest” layer when you need to take a break but it's cold out.

In the warmer months, the Trailmade can lead to overheating. We were able to get above treeline in the summer months and were happy with the Trailmade, but it's not a 12-month-a-year kind of jacket. Its baggier cut does offer some easy layering underneath it when temperatures get really chilly, but it's harder to fit jackets over the Trailmade unless you've got a larger shell jacket.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade Insulated Hoodie?

Sometimes we've got to shop within our means, and the Trailmade is both affordable and capable. Budget layers are rarely light, and the Trailmade is no exception, so be prepared to do a few more squats or wall sits if you plan to take this layer on bigger days. In the heat of summer, we suspect you'll end up sweating underneath the Trailmade, and its breathability makes it a low-heart-rate kind of layer. If the weight and reduced versatility aren't dealbreakers, this is a warm and cost-effective jacket with an impressive amount of longevity.

What Other Insulated Jackets Should You Consider?