REASONS TO BUY
Roomy pockets
Quality fabric
High comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Average features
Not the most stylish
Not super versatile
REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts - Women's Review
A cargo-inspired design that prioritizes pocket size, comfort, and overall quality
Relatively simple yet technical, the casualness of this pair is an attractive quality.
Credit: Sara Aranda
By Sara Aranda ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ September 23, 2025
RELATED: The 7 Best Hiking Shorts for Women
Our Verdict
The REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts are a stand-out pair for their comfort, construction quality, pocket sizes, and relatively quick drying time. The fabric is technical, and the style is athletic. We enjoyed the deep pockets and the adjustable elastic waistband. The inseam length is a nice middle-ground, not too short and not too long. While not quite as versatile as others due to having an elastic waistband and so many pockets, they are still a great option for more than just hiking.
Our Analysis and Test Results
With a 5-inch inseam and six impressively sized pockets, the REI Trailmade shorts are a unique and quality choice of high value. They're constructed with 94% nylon and 6% spandex, so there is a decent amount of stretch to the fabric, and it's also treated with non-fluorinated durable water repellent (DWR). The material weave boasts a UPF rating of 50+ for sun protection and is also Bluesign approved — which means the materials used met the high standards of a third-party certification system ensuring that the production adheres to requirements developed to minimize impacts on both people and the environment.
Beyond comfort, mobility, and quality fabric, the hand pockets are notably deep, reaching the bottom of the hemline.
Credit: Sara Aranda
Comfort and Mobility
The more we wore the Trailmade, the more we became fans of them. The wrapped elastic waistband is a lot more relaxed than other designs we've experienced, which means less unexpected tightness and irritation. There is an elastic drawcord built within the waistband, which can be tightened with a plastic toggle. We appreciated this when sitting down for longer periods of time because it allowed us to loosen the fit and relaxing the pressure on our waists. But when we're hiking, we can cinch it up to our desired fit, and we love the toggle, which means we weren't constantly tying and untying. We also loved how lightweight they are, just 4.9 ounces on our scale for the size Medium we tested. Being lightweight helps general comfort and mobility, as the fabric doesn't feel cumbersome or bulky.
The design has a relaxed cut with wide leg openings. We measured the leg opening circumference to be 27 inches, which is very roomy for our lead tester's frame. This wide leg circumference felt non-restrictive, all the more aided by the spandex in the fabric weave. When hiking a steep trail, we noticed the fabric slightly pulling around the top of our thighs, but this didn't impede our high-stepping.
Mobility is fluid thanks to the elasticity in the fabric and wide leg openings.
Credit: Sara Aranda
Our few critiques here are in regards to the rear seam, which didn't stretch as much, sometimes creating a wedgie scenario. This was exacerbated going uphill, but it also wasn't so terrible (we've experienced much worse). We think the sizing runs slightly small. Our tester shared, “Depending on the brand, I can wear a size Small or Medium. I usually wear a Small in REI, so I was surprised to have to size up to a Medium for the Trailmade.” Overall, these shorts earned high marks for comfort and mobility, and are a joy to wear both indoors and outdoors.
We appreciate their toggled drawstring at the waist for dialing in the fit.
Fabric Performance
The REI Co-op Trailmade is notable for its technical features like a UPF rating of 50+ and water resistance. When we splashed water on them to assess their relative repellency, the water beaded instantly and remained beaded until, after lifting the shorts, they rolled off. There was hardly a trace of water left — impressive! Fabric performance was also informed by its soaking and drying. With a notable water repellency, it took around one full minute to thoroughly soak in our assessment.
After 38 minutes of drying, the fabric felt dry to the touch. This is quite fast, and we'd definitely call this a quick-drying short. Regarding ventilation features, the wide leg openings significantly enhance breathability, and the mesh in the two rear pockets also contributes to airflow. Overall, we applaud these shorts for being both technical and functional in these ways.
Water beads up and rolls right off the Trailmade's fabric.
Versatility and Style
Our assessment for this metric is, of course, subjective. We personally do not mind the style at all, but we also spend a lot of time in athletic wear anyway (and live in places where most people do, too). We appreciate that the cargo-inspired pocket design is rather sleek and unassuming. We love the various color options, and the overall design itself feels modern. We didn't always find the fit to be the most flattering (though it is functional). Style is difficult to score for, but within the realm of hiking apparel alone, the Trailmade is a nice-looking pair of shorts.
The other, arguably more important, aspect of this metric is versatility. Given the high comfort and mobility, we were able to casually ride a bike, go bouldering, stretch, and do strength exercises in them. Wearing a climbing harness is doable, but not the most practical, given the inseam length and waistband design (and you'd definitely want the pockets to be empty). We enjoy that the number and depth of the pockets allow us to carry more than other pairs, but filling them up makes the shorts cumbersome and limits the types of activities we're willing to do.
Construction Quality
We take note of any snagging, pilling, or tearing on our test shorts, and even tried to snag the material using the end of a paperclip. Hats off to the Trailmade's material, because there were no marks or rips after this test. We also took a look at all the various seams. We counted anywhere from 10 to 12 stitching loops per inch, and we didn't notice any unraveling or loose threads during our testing.
Where these shorts truly shine is in the land of pockets. There are six pockets, and every single one of them is sized to fit a smartphone. The two front “accessory” pockets are envelope closure style, and the remaining four are traditional hand pockets (a simple opening, nothing fancy). The two front hand pockets are impressively large. They begin at the hip and end at the very bottom of the 5-inch inseam — we can fit the lower portions of our forearms into them. It's amazing to us how the pocket landscape for women has changed over the years, and this is certainly a great example. Everything about these shorts is tidy and well-made. Where appropriate, seams are reinforced to support high-stress areas, adding to the general durability.
This pair's smallest pockets are still large enough for a phone and have an envelope design.
Credit: Sara Aranda
Should You Buy the REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts?
If you're a fan of their look, the inseam length, and you find the right fit, we believe you won't be disappointed with their performance. On top of their quality, the price tag is surprisingly affordable. They may not be the most budget-friendly, but the price for their performance is modest and worth the investment.
What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?
If these pockets are a little too much, but you want something similar in quality, check out the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Shorts. Made with a unique, integrated belt design, the Ferrosi are well-crafted and offer similar comfort and versatility. If you're willing to try something much more minimalistic, the REI Co-op Active Pursuits Shorts are a great alternative, providing all the more comfort and mobility (and they're cheaper, too!).
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare REI Co-op Trailmade Shorts - Women's versus top competing products:
—Sara Aranda
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