REI Trailmade Rain Jacket Review

Bottom Line

Carrying on REI’s long tradition of making the outdoors more affordable and accessible, the Trailmade (men’s / women’s) is an inexpensive jacket perfect for the entry-level hiker or anyone looking to save on their next piece of gear. We like it for short excursions and low-exertion hikes, and we bring it as a just-in-case layer when we know the rain won’t be full-on. The Trailmade is a good fit for around town or quick outings on local trails.

Surprisingly comfortable, the Trailmade features two materials on the interior: a mesh top and a taffeta bottom. While comfortable, this lining also added bulk and reduced breathability. This slightly heavy (15.5 oz men’s / 13.1 oz women’s) and bulky jacket was warmer than others in our lineup, making it better suited for lower-intensity activities or shoulder-season temperatures.

Because it isn’t constructed with GORE-TEX or other waterproof fabrics, the DWR-coated polyester liner was only effective against light rain for brief periods. It dampens in heavier downpours or any rain lasting more than an hour, making it less suited for severe weather and extended backcountry trips when your mood and life depend on staying dry.

While not our first choice in our guide to the best rain jackets for rugged backcountry adventures, the Trailmade provides just enough performance for front country outings and shorter adventures. Anyone looking for a highly affordable rain jacket will find a worthy companion in the REI Trailmade.

How We Tested

We tested the REI Trailmade in Alaska’s notoriously wet and windy weather. From soggy trail runs to rainy and sleeting hikes in cold fall weather, the Trailmade was tested in heavy precipitation. With testing conducted by Gear Analyst Miles Knotek, rest assured that every aspect of this jacket’s performance has been thoroughly evaluated.

Comfort & Mobility

For a budget rain jacket, the Trailmade surprised us with its comfort. The inner lining has two components: a taffeta lower half and a mesh upper half. This eliminated the plastic feeling found in other jackets and was surprisingly comfortable with a t-shirt or base layer underneath.

Like many other REI products, the Trailmade runs a little large, so we suggest sizing down from your usual size, unless you plan to wear thicker layers underneath. The jacket has a relaxed, slightly baggy, boxy cut. 

The wrists do not have velcro tabs to tighten the excess material; instead, they use partially elasticized cuffs. This does not provide the level of fit customization we would like, and the bungee hem on the jacket did not pull in as much material as we hoped. While comfortable, the Trailmade is a slightly oversized fit for more casual outings.

Weather Resistance

Testing this jacket in the heavy rain of a coastal Alaska fall, we found that it falls short for long-term weather resistance. Good enough for a casual outing or for around town, don’t count on this jacket to keep you dry for extended trips. 

With some of the fastest-wearing off-DWR of any jacket we’ve tested, the Trailmade needs to be refreshed regularly to stay somewhat waterproof. The two-layer polyester fabric does not hold a candle to wind resistance, but on dry, blustery days, it blocks wind decently.

The Trailmade has a couple of design weaknesses that further compromise its weather resistance. The hood was a particularly weak point for keeping the weather out. The elastic toggles don’t tighten it down as well as we would like, leaving it vulnerable to wind and rain. The main zipper also lacks any velcro on the storm flap, leaving it to be pushed open in heavy wind.

For outings with only intermittent rain or around town, the Trailmade offers enough protection. However, this is not one we choose for downpours lasting more than an hour or for backcountry trips where we rely on solid weather resistance to keep us safe and warm.

Ventilation

The Trailmade noticeably lacks in breathability and ventilation. To test its ventilation, we wore this jacket on a five-mile run in cold fall rain in coastal Alaska. Within twenty minutes, the inside was laden with perspiration, and we would have been just as wet without wearing the jacket. For temperatures warmer than the mid-fifties, this jacket is stuffy and hot. 

The lack of pit zips severely limits this jacket’s ventilation, and the 2-layer construction traps excess heat. This is far from our first choice for high-output adventures, but it provides just enough ventilation for lower intensity walks and hikes.

Durability

While inexpensive and durable don’t often coincide, they do so in the Trailmade. The polyester shell is thick and withstood all scratches and abrasions. The material is soft and flexible, lacking the crunch found in more expensive jackets, and surprised us with its longevity. The large-tooth center zipper is a great addition to help boost durability. 

However, its weather resistance was notably lacking in durability. After a few outings, it was clear that the DWR coating was wearing off, and the little weather resistance this jacket had was rapidly depleted. For the price, the Trailmade offers reasonable durability, but it isn’t one that we will count on for years of heavy use.

Weight

At 15.5 ounces, the Trailmade is the heaviest jacket in our lineup. Three times heavier than our lightest option, this is not our top choice for long backcountry adventures or for anyone who is a stickler for pack weight. 

In addition to its heavy weight, it does not come with the ability to zip into its own pocket. This means it takes up a large volume in your backpack and struggles to compress into a small space. While affordable, this jacket is bulky and heavy and best suited for front-country outings.

Should You Buy the REI Trailmade Rain Jacket?

If price is your number one consideration in buying a rain jacket, it’s hard to beat the REI Trailmade. The cheapest jacket in our lineup, it’s perfect for the entry-level enthusiast or for anyone looking to save their money. 

While inexpensive, this jacket makes some serious sacrifices in its performance. It does not have as strong a weather resistance and is clammy from sweat during high exertion. Good enough for short excursions or variable weather, the Trailmade is a good entry-level jacket, but we hesitate to bring it out in stormy weather or for backcountry trips.

What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?

Check out our full gear guide for more of our other favorites for rainy weather.

REI XeroCloud 3L Review: Another great option from REI, the XeroCloud offers better weather resistance with its three-layer construction.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Review: At the opposite end of the price spectrum, the Beta SL has supreme weather resistance and build quality.

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Review: With more mobility and stronger weather resistance, the FineLine Stretch is a high performer while still being under $200.