As a senior designer at REI, Britt Berg has been asked more than once about her all-time favorite design. “I’m like, we’re gonna talk about five things,” Berg says, laughing. And that’s not just because she’s designed so many wonderful pieces—it’s because Berg knows that there’s no such thing as a magical piece that’s perfect for all activities, in any weather. “It’s the right tool, the right piece of apparel for the right time,” she says.
That can make shopping for outdoor wear an overwhelming prospect. There is a perfect base layer, pair of pants or puffy jacket for every occasion—but it requires some self-knowledge to sift through the options and match pieces to your favored activities and the typical conditions they’ll need to withstand, not to mention all the little details that make clothing comfortable, convenient and fun to wear.
The minds behind the REI Co-op brand do a little of this thinking before they ever make a piece of clothing. As Berg explains it, each product made under the REI Co-op brand—like Flash, Sahara or Trailmade—is designed to meet a different set of the wearer’s goals. There may be two pieces from different collections designed for the same activity, but each made with variations in materials, fit and features that serve different priorities like packability, layerability or weatherproofness. One product may appeal to someone who wants more affordable options for casual hikes and errands, while another item appeals to someone seeking lighter, warmer gear that layers well with technical gear for long treks and skiing. In other words, Berg says, each one is geared toward “a different kind of thinker.”
To spark some fruitful thinking of your own, we’ve put together some kits that will go far for whichever goal is yours.
Errand-Running and Day-Hiking Heroes
Some miles, we put in while loaded down with snacks on the trail, some while hauling groceries on busy sidewalks. Either way, a casual trail-to-town kit needs to hold up for long days of movement but with no need for technical bells and whistles.
For chilly breezes (or unexpectedly strong air-conditioning), the Trailmade Fleece Jacket offers everyday coziness at a lower price point. The midweight fleece is a simple design, with a full-zip front for versatile wear, two external pockets, zipper-secured hand pocket and two internal drop pockets to quickly stash a phone or wallet. “Can easily be stuffed into a backpack for a chilly airplane ride and tough enough for a long hike while wearing a daypack. Nice enough for a dinner out when a jacket just isn’t needed,” writes one REI customer-reviewer, summing it up nicely: “Why spend more?”
Pair it with the beloved Trailmade Pants, which look the part both on trail and off, offering a stylishly minimal profile with hiking-friendly features like water resistance and durable double-layer panels in high-wear places like the knees. Further versatility is baked in with bungee adjustments at the hems to fit to different shoes and the option of both a drawcord and belt loops at the waist. As one customer-reviewer gushed, “I wear these constantly for: racing sailboats (lightweight, dries fast, cool, UPF), gardening (adjustable leg height, bug protection, easy washing), hiking (great pockets), and cross-country skiing (over a base layer, dries fast, excellent range of motion).” The Trail 2 Waist Pack is the adaptable cherry on top for this kit, ready to hold trail mix for a hike or treats for the dog park.
Warm-Weather Wanderers
Less isn’t always more when you’re a hot-weather hiker (or very serious gardener). A good kit should feel breezy but offer serious protection when the UV index isn’t messing around.
For that, you’ll want sun-protective layers. Wearing long sleeves on a hot day may feel counterintuitive, but this pastel pal works by providing physical shade, UPF 50+ sun protection and sweat-wicking, quick-drying capabilities. The loose cut and soft material doesn’t feel restrictive on sweltering days when you don’t want anything touching your skin. For those days, the Sahara Convertible Pants also quite handily turn into shorts—you don’t even have to sit down to remove the bottoms, since they have a full zipper from mid-thigh to bottom hem. Their lightweight, durable fabric offers critical breathability no matter which length you’re wearing.
Just don’t forget that the hottest accessories on blazing days are a full-shade-throwing hat like the Sahara Guide Hat and a big reusable water bottle.
Travelers and Shoulder Season Stars
Sometimes, the weather is confused—and so are you. It’s not easy to dress for the muddy, sorta-warm -sorta-cold times between seasons, or just when you’re on the road and switching between outdoor temps, plane temps and maybe even time zones. In times like these, smart layers can bring order to the ordeal.
Start with a simple base that dries quickly to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, then top it as necessary. The Trailmade Rain Jacket, a two-layer waterproof-yet-breathable shell, keeps out whatever elements you may encounter. It includes serious wind protection without threatening to put you into sweaty territory. For colder conditions, add in the Magma 850 Down Hoodie for top-notch warmth and travel-friendly packability. The only thing left to commit to is the hemline—unless of course, you have a convertible option. The Sahara pants can fit in just about anywhere, any time of year. One REI Co-op member put that to the test by bringing hers to 13 countries, 14 national parks, several cross-country road trips and deployments with the Army Reserve over the last 12 years.
For your feet, merino wool is a favorite material for its flexibility, being cozy but breathable (and, importantly, odor-banishing). The merino-blend Trailmade lightweight hiking socks check those boxes come in quarter and crew heights for different coverage preferences. And the snugly adjustable, ventilated On The Trail Cap can be easily tossed in a backpack or luggage for unexpected jogs or bad hair days.
Backpacking Buddies
Long treks call for more thought about the weight you’ll be lugging around, and require more technical pieces that can hold up to multiple days of use in rugged backcountry conditions. If you’re heading above treeline (lucky you!), you’ll likely want a kit that keeps you cool while you’re on the move, but transitions to protect you from significantly colder, windier conditions at a moment’s notice.
Hitting the sweet spot between warmth and weight, the Magma 850 Down Hoodie packs maximal weather protection into a lightweight, simple-as-possible package. In other words, as Berg says, “How can we make this one everything you need and nothing you don’t? Meaning minimal but not minimalist.” Designers trimmed down the adjustable components on the hood of the Magma 850 so there would only be toggles and bungees at the front. And they moved the chest pocket to the outside so you don’t have to unzip your jacket to access it, letting cold air in. They added warmth to that pocket by adding synthetic insulation without quilt lines. The Magma 850 is designed to fit over a base layer with the right amount of air space between each layer, translating to more insulation. It also has a “draft tube” in the neck to keep cold air out, a feature designers borrowed from sleeping bags. “I’m obsessive, I will admit it,” Berg jokes. The Magma 850 is water-resistant, but for very wet conditions, bring a waterproof shell along too.
Underneath, Sahara convertible pants can add versatility, but for buggy areas or frequent cold-weather hikers, a full-coverage option like the Trailmade pants can do the trick every time. All that’s left to pack is a good pair of trekking poles to keep you feeling as stable as those mountain goats in the distance.
