REI’s Activator Pants are softshell pants that are ideal for winter hiking with a great balance of warmth, water resistance, and stretch. They’ve been my go-to winter hiking pants for over 10 years in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
- Gender: Men’s (Women’s also available)
- Pockets: 5
- Material: 63% nylon/26% polyester/11% spandex (bluesign approved)
- DWR: Nonfluorinated durable water repellent
- Closure: Zipper fly with double snap closure
- Fit: True to size.
- Weight: 15.1 oz
- Pros: Windproof to 30 mph, great pockets, water resistant, breathable
- Cons: Belt not included.
Available for both men and women, these softshell pants are highly breathable to prevent sweat build-up, with articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for freedom of movement. They’re rated windproof to 30 mph wind and coated with non-florinated DWR (durable water repellent) for moisture protection. The DWR prevents the pants from becoming soaked when you fall on snow.
The Activator Pants have five pockets. There are two side pockets and one over the knee that close with zippers, and two rear pockets that close with snaps. The women’s model has a slightly different knee pocket that zips up along the inseam and not over the knee. All five of the pockets are mesh-backed for enhanced ventilation.
The pant’s fabric is quite stretchy, which also enhances their comfort. The pants close in front with a burly zipper and two robust snaps at the waist.
The Activator Pant legs are slightly flared to fit over insulated winter hiking boots but they don’t have ankle zips or snaps. However, they do come with a drawcord adjustment at the ankle that lets you cinch your pants down over your boots to keep out debris or roll them up to ford a stream. Mind you, I find these pants too warm in anything but winter temperatures when most streams are frozen over.
Softshell Pants are Ideal in Winter
While everyone’s metabolism is different, I’ve found that softshell pants alone provide the most comfort in terms of breathability, temperature regulation, water resistance, and wind resistance for winter hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. I can wear these Activator pants down to 15-20 degrees F before adding a wind layer on top for added protection and warmth when I’m actively hiking, snowshoeing, or XC skiing.
I usually wear my Activator Pants with 6″ Under Armour boxer shorts, insulated Oboz winter boots, and high gaiters. While none of these are considered layers in the strict sense of the word, they do significantly boost the range of the Activator Pants in cold temperatures, covering everything except my knees in a second layer of insulation.
Breathability
Water Resistance
Ease of Movement
Comfort
Sizing
You actually want to run a little cool when winter hiking or snowshoeing because your body is generating so much heat. That’s why it’s important to have extra layers handy when you stop, like a puffy insulated jacket or a pair of rain or wind pants that you can pull over your winter hiking pants, to slow the release of body heat. The combination will warm you right up if you’re standing still.
Recommendation
REI’s Activator Softshell Pants are available in 30, 32, and 34″ lengths and in waist sizes from 30 to 50″, including women’s regular, tall, and petite sizes. If this is your first pair of winter hiking pants, I’d recommend getting them a bit shorter than normal since you’ll be wearing winter boots and gaiters: any bunching of extra pant fabric around your feet will be awkward and make your calves sweat significantly more.
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