REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece - Women's Review

The REI Co-op Trailmade is a low-cost midweight fleece that balances warmth, breathability, and comfort. It is versatile and functional during high-output activities in cold weather. The soft fleece material feels marvelous against the skin, and it performs well throughout the seasons.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

As a midweight fleece jacket, this one offers an average amount of warmth. Built with 100% recycled polyester, it generates heat with movement and completely covers the arms and torso to keep you toasty in cold weather. However, wind can move through the fabric as a standalone jacket, so it's best to wear it with a base layer in cooler weather. It's a perfect midweight layer in a layered system, performing well in our testing on downhill ski slopes and while hiking through wintery forest landscapes.

The High Sierras are the perfect testing ground for wind protection. We wore this fleece during multiple windy day adventures and noted that you could immediately feel the windbreak through the layer. REI did add a wind flap on the inside of the zipper, which helps block some draft through the zipper's bigger teeth. The pockets also help block some of the wind coming through the layer, but we'd prefer it to have an adjustable hem at the hip for even more wind protection. That being said, this is for those seeking a budget-friendly lifestyle fleece rather than a performance layer, as it is far from the warmest in our lineup.

Comfort

The Trailmade has a lightweight feel with midweight warmth, making it an especially comfortable piece. The super-soft fabrics feel nice against the skin, while the flat seam construction doesn't chafe or cause discomfort. The fabric's stretch flows with the body, leaving you without any restriction. While this has a relaxed fit, it does fit a bit large, so if you're on the fence between sizes, we recommend sizing down. Another feature that any human can appreciate is functional pockets. This fleece has huge hand-warming pockets that will fit a large wallet or Smartphone, and it also has a couple of interior pockets that we could use for more oversized items like a letter or a small water bottle.

The fit runs a little large. The small felt a bit big on our size six tester, who usually wears between a small and medium. There is also plenty of space in the shoulders, and the fabric has additional stretch to accommodate most body types. The arms felt long enough, and they didn't slip too far down when they reached overhead. Overall, it has a nice, streamlined fit with plenty of stretch and room to move, adding to its comfort level.

Breathability

Constructed of mainly polyester, it has an average level of breathability. While the materials allow wind to pass through easily, heat and moisture can get trapped in the fabric. This is due to its midweight construction — so it's not our go-to for super sweaty adventures. It functions well for medium to low-output activities like hiking and bouldering on cooler days. Its ventilation primarily comes from its large pockets, the full zip design, and through the fabric itself.

During our tests, we wore the Trailmade while jogging in cool weather and hiking in winter. During our hiking tests, we realized this fleece is truly made for the trail. It ventilated perfectly for that output level and kept our skin dry, making us warm and comfortable. While this fleece is nice for hiking, it's not great for other activities in cool weather, like running. During our running tests, we had to remove it after 15 minutes. Given this performance, it's not the top fleece we recommend for challenging high-output missions where you might build up a lot of sweat. However, it's excellent for low to medium-output activities like hiking on less strenuous terrain.

Layering Ability

Earning another “about average” score, the Trailmade easily layers under and over other layers. Since the material is polyester without slick nylon or tech fabrics, it can catch on other soft layers. The cuffs are elastic without thumb holes but long enough to grasp the wrist material while pulling layers on and off.

When testing for layering ability, we tried this fleece over all types of base layers: short sleeves, tank tops, polyester long sleeves, and more. We also tried it with super plump insulated jackets, shells, and thinner tight jackets. Through these tests, we learned that this fleece slides easily over most layers. There is also enough room to add another light mid-layer if you wish. As for layering over, most jackets worked well except for the tight and thin ones due to a bit of bunching in the arms. Overall, it works well with most layered systems.

Weight

While this fleece is midweight, it feels lightweight, and the scales support this observation. A size small weighs only 10.7 ounces, ranking it among some of the lightest layers we tested.

It also packs relatively small, making it easy to throw into a backpack or suitcase. Given its lightweight construction, it scores relatively high in this category.

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade?

This budget-friendly fleece jacket receives an average score in almost every category, making it a pretty traditional option perfect for low-output adventures. It is cozy and comfortable, offering functionality both on and off the trail. While it's not our go-to for high-output sports, it is undoubtedly a gem if you're seeking a more traditional, thinner fleece at a good price.

What Other Fleece Jackets for Women Should You Consider?

If you are searching for a fleece that will keep you warm when it's cold outside, no other beats The North Face Denali. While not as breathable as the REI Trailmade, it is a lot warmer and thicker. If you're searching for fleece that can keep up with you during big alpine missions or high-output sports, like skiing and cold weather running, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody is one of our favorite performance layers. If a well-priced technical fleece is what you seek, look no further than the REI Co-op Flash Hyperstretch. The Hyperstretch is also considered a midweight fleece, yet features a hood and a drawcord at the waist to help trap essential body heat during cold weather adventures.