Men’s REI Activator Pants Review

Bottom Line

The REI Activator is a solidly built softshell pant that is perfect for summit hikes or shoulder-season temperatures that call for slightly warmer and thicker pants. We tested our pair on winter hikes and spring summits in coastal Alaska and were surprised by its resiliency in nasty weather and warmth in cold temperatures. The Activator is one of our top men’s hiking pants for its excellent value, high performance, and affordable price point.

Attainably priced, the Activator is a great pant for those new to the outdoors or seasoned veterans alike. But don’t let its lower price fool you; its performance compares to pants that cost twice as much. The gusseted crotch and highly elastic material make for an extremely comfortable and mobile pant. We never felt restricted or encumbered when scrambling over rocks, and we completed a multi-pitch rock climb in it on a blustery spring day. The thicker material helps to block the wind and repel light moisture.

The thick material that gives the Activator its cool weather performance quickly becomes a hindrance once the temperatures climb to summer time temps. These pants are very warm, making them less attractive for summer temperatures. Great for cooler days or alpine summits, the Activator is a high-value pant that is sure to find a place in your closet.

How We Tested

We tested the REI Activator pants for four months in Alaska – from snow to sleet and springtime rain. Hiking, skiing, climbing, and scrambling, we thoroughly tested its durability, comfort, and weather resistance.

Comfort & Mobility

When putting on the Activator for the first time, we immediately noticed how comfortable these pants are on the skin. The inside of the softshell material almost feels like a brushed lining. It’s cozy and comfortable. Articulated knees and a gusseted crotch enhance mobility, and we never felt restricted and encumbered when squatting, kneeling, or taking high steps. The nylon, polyester, and spandex blended material has a 4-way stretch, making all movements comfortable and free. We particularly enjoyed wearing these pants on a multi-pitch rock climb in cooler weather, where they kept our legs warm enough for a blustery spring day.

Breathability

The soft-shell fabric of the Activator feels thick enough to be a winter pant. And, in fact, we wore these pants on winter hikes and found them warm enough for moderately cool temperatures. These pants are most comfortable in temperatures around freezing and up to about sixty degrees. Once the thermometer climbs to more summer-like temperatures, the Activor quickly feels too hot. 

We found that these pants do not have a high level of breathability and are not our top choice for warm-weather hikes. Without any kind of vents, there is no way to increase the airflow, so we became overly hot when hiking in warm temperatures or at high exertion levels. These are not the ones we reach for on warm days, but these pants are great for cooler temperatures or windy days.

Weather Resistance

Treated with nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR), the Activator can bead very light moisture. These won’t replace your rain pants by any means, but they are enough to keep you protected if caught out in an afternoon storm. 

We tested these in spitting rain and postholing through deep, wet snow. We were surprised by how long they kept us dry. That being said, once they did wet through, they took a long time to dry due to their thick material.

Even though the REI activator can get you by in a pinch, don’t count on them to keep you dry for hours in the rain. But for alpine environments where you may encounter some mixed conditions, the Activator is a great choice.

Durability

For a budget-priced pant, the Activator has withstood all of our tests remarkably well. Our pair has yet to show any signs of wear or distress. We tested it by scraping up rock slabs on a multi-pitch rock climb, and they showed no signs of abrasion. As we hiked through Alaska’s notoriously thick brush, they protected our legs from cuts or scratches. We have been thoroughly impressed with their durability. Combined with its attainable price point, the Activator is a high-value pair of hiking pants.

Features

The Activator is a simple pant with subtle features that enhance its functionality. Most notably, the ankle cinches seal out snow and sticks when we post-holed off-trail. Alternatively, we used the ankle cinches to hold up the pants when rolled up at the calf. This helps add a little ventilation on warmer outings. 

With six pockets, there is enough capacity to carry small items directly on the body. However, we found all these pockets to be slightly too small. Even carrying a cell phone pushes them to the max with a tight and awkward fit. These don’t have the carrying capacity of a cargo pant, but their sleek design is great for quick outings and for those who prefer a more streamlined design.

Should You Buy the REI Activator Pants?

The REI Activator is a high-value hiking pant with performance that punches far above its price point. This makes them great for entry-level hikers and budget-conscious veterans alike. We love the soft interior and elastic material and the thicker material to block wind and keep light moisture at bay. These pants are best suited for winter hiking, alpine adventures, and colder temperatures as they retain warmth but lack the breathability found in lighter pants. They quickly become too hot in summer-time temperatures, limiting their versatility. However, their high level of durability, low price, and simple yet effective features make them one of our favorite pants on the market.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

Check out our full gear guide to see all our favorite hiking pants.

Arc’teryx Gamma Review: With great weather resistance and durability but a higher price point, the Gamma is a premium piece of gear.

REI Trailmade Review: Another affordable option from REI, the Trailmade is a lighter-weight option for warm summer hikes.

Mammut Runbold IV Review: Another great pant for alpine adventures, the Runbold IV is the newest update to one of our favorite lightweight pants.