These athletic, lightweight shorts come with an interior liner and ventilation holes that help you stay cool
66
OVERALL
SCORE
RANKED
#8 of 10
Comfort and Mobility - 35%8.0
Features - 25%6.0
Versatility and Style - 20%5.0
Venting and Breathability - 10%8.0
Weather Resistance and Dry Time - 10%5.0
RELATED: Best Hiking Shorts
Our Verdict
The REI Active Pursuits is a pair of hiking shorts that are meant to keep you cool. Lightweight and breathable, this pair keeps its features basic. The interior liner provides support on trail runs while remaining stretchy and comfortable. The ventilation points are a thoughtful addition that help dissipate heat. The elastic waist accommodates a range of waist sizes and they dry fast when they get wet. These shorts are meant for those who like to move quickly and don't need a lot of extra features. While we like these shorts, we generally recommend spending a little bit more to get the Patagonia Nine Trails, a much nicer pair of shorts geared toward the same usage.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Elastic waist
Dry quickly
REASONS TO AVOID
No rear pockets
No fly
Compare to Similar Products
(change comparison)
This Product |
Patagonia Quandary Short |
Patagonia Nine Trails Short |
REI Co-op Sahara Cargo Short |
Patagonia Baggies Longs Shorts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  |  | ||
| Price | $45 List $44.95 at REI | $79 List $31.60 at Backcountry | $75 List $16.25 at Backcountry | $60 List $59.95 at REI | $31.83 at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
| Overall Score | 66 | 82 | 81 | 70 | 69 |
| Star Rating |
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| Bottom Line | Shorts that are geared for trail-running and hot weather, sporting a design that mimics another pair we like better for the same purposes | These practical shorts kept us comfortable on a variety of adventures | These shorts are lightweight, comfortable, and versatile | A lightweight yet durable pair of shorts that won't break the bank | Basic shorts with strong wind resistance and a super casual look |
| Rating Categories | REI Co-op Active Pu... | Patagonia Quandary... | Patagonia Nine Trai... | REI Co-op Sahara Ca... | Patagonia Baggies L... |
| Comfort and Mobility (35%) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| Features (25%) | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Versatility and Style (20%) | 5.0 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 7.0 |
| Venting and Breathability (10%) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Weather Resistance and Dry Time (10%) | 5.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
| Specs | REI Co-op Active Pu... | Patagonia Quandary... | Patagonia Nine Trai... | REI Co-op Sahara Ca... | Patagonia Baggies L... |
| Weight | 5.8 oz | 7.1 oz | 6.6 oz | 5.9 oz | 7.8 oz |
| Material | 86% polyester/14% spandex | 95% nylon 5% spandex | 100% recycled polyester | 96% recycled nylon, 4% spandex | 100% recycled nylon |
| Water Resistance | Not specified | DWR coating | DWR coating | DWR finish | DWR finish |
| Sizing (Waist, Length options) | Size S - XL | W: 28" - 41" L: 8", 10", 12" | XS - XXL | W: 30" - 44" | W: XS - XXL L: 5", 7" |
| Sun Protection | UPF 50 | UPF 50+ | Not specified | UPF 50+ | Not specified |
| Convertible, or option available? | Pants, shorts | Pants available | No | Pants, convertible available | No |
| Pockets | 2 hand, 1 embedded zip | 5 (plus right coin) | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Waist Strap/Fasten | Elastic, drawstring | Button and zip fly | Elastic/Draw string | Button and zip fly | Elastic, drawstring |
| Other Features | Ventilation holes, interior liner | Classic fit, curved waistband, gusseted crotch | Odor control liner, waist drawcord, reflective logo | Relaxed fit, Elastic on back waist, gusseted crotch | Pockets have dry-and-dry mesh corners, quick-drying black mesh liner |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
With a 7-inch inseam and lightweight fabric, these shorter shorts will keep you cool. The 86/14% polyester/spandex blend also makes them comfortable.
Performance Comparison
Comfort & Mobility
These shorts have a lot going for them on the comfort front. Their high proportion of spandex makes them extra stretchy. The elastic waist can also adjust to different sizes, which makes them useful if you are planning to use them on a longer trip where your waist size might fluctuate.
The interior liner is somewhat sheer and even stretchier than the main body of the shorts which helps to maintain both support and mobility. It has a briefs-style design (as opposed to something more like compression shorts) which feels more restrictive to some people, but we ultimately didn't find it distracting.
Features
This model is highlighted by a simple feature set. It has two traditional front handwarmer pockets. In addition, the righthand side has an embedded zippered pocket for keys or other small items that you can't afford to escape mid-activity. We found this pocket to be the best inclusion of all. The elastic waist stays up on its own, but the inclusion of a drawstring as well adds some additional security.
Notably, this pair does not have any rear pockets. In most cases, when all we needed was our keys, this wasn't an issue. However, we did occasionally find ourselves reaching back for a pocket that wasn't there and wishing that it was.
Versatility & Style
As far as style goes, these are most definitely a pair of outdoor activewear shorts. There's just no way around it. That's not a bad thing if that's what you are going for, but the straight-from-the-workout look is what this pair is bringing to the table. They are great for trail running, day hikes as well as longer backpacking adventures.
Because of the tight cut of the liner, they aren't ideal for activities like yoga or fitness classes that require a lot of stretching. However, their design essentially makes them a bathing suit, so they are a great stand-in for swimming, paddling, or other watersports.
Venting & Breathability
There are a few features we really appreciate that are focused specifically on venting and breathability. The inseam is shorter to begin with, meaning that there is less fabric overall. The interior liner is sheer and very breathable.
The pockets are mesh-lined and there are even sets of holes at each hip to facilitate ventilation. On top of that, these are among the lightest shorts that we have tested. Taken together, there are a lot of elements that are geared toward good ventilation and increased breathability.
Weather Resistance & Dry Time
Water resistance is not a strength of this pair. In fact, they absorb precipitation immediately. In a heavy storm, they also get rather heavy. However, on the plus side, their thin fabric also dries very quickly.
These shorts thrive in warmer, dry weather and allow for really nice air flow on breezy days.
Value
These shorts offer strong value. As one of the least expensive models in this review, they earn a performance mark that exceeds what we would have expected. Though you might need to wash them more frequently (as a consequence of the interior liner), if you prefer more athletic hiking shorts over traditional hiking shorts (with more pockets, features, and thicker fabric), this pair works and keeps costs low.
Conclusion
The REI Co-op Active Pursuits stands up to its name by offering high performance and comfort for trail running and hiking. The shorter length and ventilation points help you stay cool in the heat, and the basic features have enough of what we needed to find a lot of utility with this pair.
— Ben Applebaum-Bauch
