REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Assessment

Once I wakened, I may see my breath. Rain was falling frivolously on my tent. I didn’t need to get out of my sleeping bag, however the considered a heat cup of espresso was motivation sufficient. I wiggled out of the down bag, shivered, and instantly reached for my REI Co-op Trailmade jacket. Slipping into that tender, cozy fleece felt like swaddling myself in a blanket.

I sat with my canine, prepared my inner temperature to rise. With assist from the Trailmade jacket, it did. I used to be heat sufficient to unzip the tent and face that chilly April morning in about 10 minutes. I wore that jacket many of the morning as I chopped wooden, cleaned my campsite, and made breakfast, till the solar had burned off the clouds and began radiating warmth.

That was the primary time I’d used this fleece within the wild. Since then, it’s grow to be a everlasting a part of my tenting ensemble, and one I’ve used many occasions, even into the summer time. It’s easy, no-frills, and well-made.

I wouldn’t name it an ideal fleece jacket (there may be at the very least one function I actually want it had), nevertheless it’s a stable funds choice for mountaineering, tenting, and wherever you may get chilly.

Briefly: The REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket is a midweight fleece with a traditional, relaxed match. Its “best use” is listed as informal mountaineering, however I discovered it to be nice for tenting, touring, yard hangouts, and another scenario the place you may end up getting slightly chilly. Plus, it’s budget-friendly at solely $60 and comprised of recycled polyester.

Examine the REI Trailmade fleece with our different high picks in GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Fleece Jackets.

REI Trailmade Fleece Jacket Assessment

Funds-Pleasant Advantages

While you begin perusing the aisles of an outside gear retailer (individuals nonetheless do this, proper?), you’ll discover many fleece jackets priced at $100 and up. The Finest General fleece jacket in GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Fleece Jackets is the Patagonia R1 Air Hoody, which retails for $180. Arc’teryx’s Kyanite Hoody is $200.

Comparatively, the Trailmade Fleece Jacket is simply $60 (and as little as $40 when it’s on sale). That’s aggressive for nearly any piece of out of doors attire (besides possibly socks). It isn’t windproof, it isn’t water resistant, and it isn’t essentially a “premium” fleece jacket with all of the bells and whistles.

However as a fundamental fleece, the Trailmade serves its function. It would heat you up or preserve you heat on chilly and mildly chilly days. It’s additionally nice for tenting, which will be actually onerous on fleece jackets.

And on that word, the Trailmade has held up properly to my out of doors abuse. Regardless of approaching quite a few tenting journeys and hikes, it’s not displaying a lot put on and tear up to now.

Match & Model

The Trailmade jacket is a relaxed-fit fleece, so it’s slightly saggy. It’d even verge on “boxy” territory. If you happen to like tapered fleeces or slim suits, you may need to take a look at a few of the others on GearJunkie’s information to the Finest Fleece Jackets.

Regardless of the baggier match, the Trailmade may nonetheless be worn below an outer layer like a rain jacket or a down jacket if it had been actually chilly. You may additionally put on it over a flannel or sweater for further heat.

Personally, I just like the relaxed fashion of a fleece like this. It’s bought a sort of retro vibe, like some REI and Patagonia’s extra classic fleeces. The colourful paracord zipper pull tab enhances that aesthetic.

Recycled Polyester

REI used recycled polyester for the fleece within the Trailmade. That doesn’t have an effect on the efficiency of this jacket in any respect, nevertheless it’s peace of thoughts in the event you’re a sustainability-minded one who needs to scale back waste.

General, the polyester fleece is heat. It’s a midweight jacket, so I used it most on chilly mornings and evenings. However I additionally took it on a few airplanes and was grateful for the blanket-like further layer.

I believed the tender feeling of the polyester fleece used for the Trailmade felt good towards my pores and skin. However I do know that some individuals don’t like that feeling — if that’s you, this jacket in all probability gained’t be your cup of tea.

Options (And Lack Thereof)

The Trailmade consists of some good options and lacks others. REI added a wind flap alongside the entrance zipper to assist higher protect you on blustery days. I really like a superb wind flap, and this one helped cut back the quantity of air penetrating the jacket after I was in windy circumstances. Once more, it isn’t a windproof jacket, however it might be rather a lot much less immune to wind with out this function.

The collar, hem, and cuffs all use Lycra spandex binding. Some individuals don’t just like the look that provides (particularly on a looser, relaxed jacket), nevertheless it’s fairly normal and doesn’t hassle me. It’s designed to assist comfortable up the match round these areas so much less warmth escapes as you’re sporting it and shifting round. It additionally helps preserve out cool breezes.

The one factor I actually want this jacket included was a hood. For one thing designed particularly for mountaineering and tenting, I’m stunned REI didn’t put one on this fleece. For the area of interest it fills — budget-friendly, non-technical, midweight fleece jacket — it looks like this piece would profit from having a hood.

Some individuals want hoodless midlayers for layering in order to not have a stack of hoods below a shell, so that will have been the intent of REI designers. However I discovered myself wishing for a hood each time I wore this piece.

REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket: Who Is It For?

Hikers and campers on the lookout for a fundamental, do-all, midweight fleece jacket that gained’t price an arm and a leg will love the Trailmade. As a cherry on high, it’s made with 100% recycled polyester. For the value, it’s onerous to beat a normal fleece like this one.

The Trailmade is now a fixture of my tenting package. Not simply because it’s a low-cost piece that I don’t thoughts getting soiled or placing by means of onerous use, however as a result of it’s a stable fleece jacket. Even for its lack of a hood, I’ve come to understand it as a reliable layer for cold days and nights.