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REI Co-op Midweight Tights - Women's Review

This synthetic base layer option features a soft and stretchy polyester fabric that offers moderate levels of warmth and breathability for an affordable price
rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review
An affordable pair of long underwear that doesn't sacrifice performance.
Credit: Lindsey Fell
Best Buy Award
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Price:  $55 List
Manufacturer:   REI
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 22, 2022
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 13
  • Warmth - 30% 7.0
  • Breathability - 30% 6.0
  • Comfort and Fit - 30% 8.0
  • Durability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The REI Co-op Midweight Tights are a great synthetic option if you are seeking an affordable base layer. Boasting one of the lowest retail prices in this review, these synthetic tights still offer a competitive performance. While the fabric is thinner and lighter weight, these tights are still thick enough to trap a surprising amount of body heat. They also successfully wick moisture away from the skin, but the fabric can absorb the moisture and requires a longer drying time. Featuring a soft and stretchy fabric that is comfortable and thick enough to be worn on its own, we experienced no durability issues during our testing period. While not one of the highest-performing pairs of long underwear, these are a great wardrobe addition, and the price is very approachable.
REASONS TO BUY
Smooth and silky fabric
Easy to wear alone or when layered
Cute and fitted style
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Absorbs and holds moisture
Fabric retains odor immediately
Editor's Note: This review was updated on November 22, 2022, to include the latest iteration of these tights.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award Best Buy Award  Top Pick Award  
Price $55 List
$54.95 at REI
$80 List$60 List
$59.99 at Amazon
$65 List$40 List
$39.95 at REI
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Pros Smooth and silky fabric, easy to wear alone or when layered, cute and fitted style, affordableExcellent warmth, soft elastic waistband, odor-free, high waisted design for additional coverageGreat value, very warm, breathable, comfortable waistband, versatile fitVery breathable, ultralight construction, quick drying, great snug fitAffordable, incredibly breathable, soft and stretchy fabric
Cons Absorbs and holds moisture, fabric retains odor immediatelyThicker fabric doesn't breathe as well in warm climates, fabric shows signs of wear after minimal useStretches out over timeNot as comfortable as merino fabricWaistband doesn't provide enough structure, lacks warmth, fit runs large
Bottom Line This synthetic base layer option features a soft and stretchy polyester fabric that offers moderate levels of warmth and breathability for an affordable priceThese heavyweight 100% Merino wool long johns offer superior warmth and comfort at a fraction of the costA Merino wool pant that's warm, comfortable, and offers a great value, though they do stretch out the longer you wear themA highly breathable layer that dries quickly, making it exceptional for intense cool to cold weather activityLightweight, breathable, and highly affordable, these tights unfortunately lack warmth and require constant adjustment due to the stretchy fabric and wide waistband
Rating Categories REI Co-op Midweight... Ridge Merino Invers... Meriwool Merino 250... Odlo Performance Li... REI Co-op Lightweig...
Warmth (30%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
5.0
6.0
Breathability (30%)
6.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
Comfort and Fit (30%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Durability (10%)
7.0
8.0
5.0
6.0
6.0
Specs REI Co-op Midweight... Ridge Merino Invers... Meriwool Merino 250... Odlo Performance Li... REI Co-op Lightweig...
Material 92% polyester, 8% spandex 100% Merino wool 100% Merino wool 69% polyester, 27% polyamide, 4% elastane 92% polyester, 8% spandex
Fabric Weight (g/m²) Not disclosed 270 g/m² 250 g/m² Not disclosed Not disclosed
Weight Class Midweight Heavyweight Midweight Lightweight Lightweight
Measured Weight (size medium) 6.4 oz 7.9 oz 7.8 oz 3.1 oz 5.8 oz
Cuts Avaliable Full length Full length Full length Full length Full length
Smelly Over Time? Yes No No No Yes
Odor Control Fabric N/A Naturally odor resistant Naturally odor resistant N/A N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The REI Co-op Midweight Tights are a fully synthetic base layer option for those allergic to wool or simply looking for an affordable layer that doesn't break the bank. Constructed from 92% polyester and 8% spandex, they offer a four-way stretch that allows for freedom of movement and a thicker waistband that provides structure, should you wear them a few times between washes. While they are not the most breathable option available, they do efficiently wick moisture away from the skin; however, the fabric then absorbs the moisture and takes a while to dry. Still, these tights are easy to layer, thanks to their smooth exterior, and they are a great choice for those moderate cold weather activities like resort and cross-country skiing where you're not necessarily looking to work up a major sweat.

Performance Comparison


rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review - featuring super stretchy and durable synthetic fabric, the rei...
Featuring super stretchy and durable synthetic fabric, the REI Midweight are available at a price that won't break the bank.
Credit: Lindsey Fell

Warmth


The Midweight Tights are built with midweight comfort thanks to their soft and stretchy polyester blend, but we found that they offer more of a lightweight level of warmth. Tightly woven fabric successfully traps body heat generated through moderate activity, but the synthetic fabric itself feels cold when getting dressed early in the morning. When worn alone, our testers found the thinness of the fabric provided enough insulation for spring and fall, but once the nighttime temperatures dropped, we were happy to layer some wearm puffy pants over the top.



During our fall testing period in Yosemite Valley and Indian Creek (Northern California and Utah), our testers found these tights perfect for the crisp days and nights when the first signs of winter catch you by surprise. A perfect amount of warmth for the 30-50 degree Fahrenheit range — anything warmer and the lack of breathability made these tights absorb moisture which dropped our core body temperature. Colder than 30 degrees when out for a two-hour trail run, we'd want thicker insulation. All in all, these tights offer a solid amount of warmth for shoulder seasons and work well to insulate at the base of your lower body layering system as long as your activities are lower intensity.

rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review - the affordable rei midweight tights offer the perfect amount of...
The affordable REI Midweight Tights offer the perfect amount of warmth when worn on their own during the shoulder seasons.
Credit: Lindsey Fell

Breathability


While the Midweight Tights successfully wicked moisture away from our skin, the fabric unfortunately held onto that moisture and required a longer drying time. The tightly woven fabric is somewhat air permeable and allows for a little air to flow through, but the slim fit and thicker waistband tend to pool moisture and reduce overall body heat.


On fall training runs in high humidity, we found this layer to retain sweat, which dropped our core temperature. Afterward, we found ourselves seeking more insulation due to the extended drying time once wet. Therefore, we only feel comfortable recommending these tights for moderate activities where you won't be working up a lot of sweat. Great for those in-between seasons when the temperatures drop but not the best for cold winter days of backcountry skiing or high-intensity training runs that require a layer that offers better thermoregulation to maintain warmth and comfort.

rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review - when we picked up the pace, our testers noticed that sweat could...
When we picked up the pace, our testers noticed that sweat could collect in and just below the thick waistband, often not breathing or drying as quickly as we would prefer.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Comfort and Fit


The Midweight Tights feature a silky smooth and stretchy fabric that is soft to the touch and feels comfortable next to the skin. The four-way stretch doesn't restrict range of motion, and the flatlock seams increase comfort while reducing any potential for chafing. These are one of the most comfortable synthetic base layers we've had the pleasure of testing. We love the thicker elastic waistband, but it, unfortunately, does not lay entirely flat against the skin.


The slim-fitting design of the Midweight Tights sat right in line with our lead tester's belly button. These tights are cute and thick enough to be worn alone without embarrassment. We found the fit to be true to size, and the spandex blended fabric allows enough stretchiness to fit a variety of body types. While not as cozy and comfortable as some of the Merino wool options we tested, these still have one of our favorite synthetic fabrics.

rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review - featuring a polyester and spandex blended fabric, these tights feel...
Featuring a polyester and spandex blended fabric, these tights feel comfortable next to the skin and offer a fit that is true to size.
Credit: Lindsey Fell

Durability


The Midweight Tights have a flatlock seam construction that gave us no trouble during our fall testing season. While the fabric can show some signs of wear through minor pilling, we were satisfied with the durable polyester fabric, which kept its shape even when taken on multiple adventures between washes. This is a durable yet affordable design.


However, our testers were disappointed when these tights retained body odor after our first extended trail run. This has been our experience with most synthetic polyester blended base layers — they tend to retain odor after minimal use. While we're not psyched about the smelly fabric, this wasn't helped by the fact that, during testing, we were on an extended camping trip and not showering as often. If you shower regularly while wearing these, you'll likely have less of an issue with odor retention.

rei co-op midweight tights for women long underwear review - thickly stitched flatlock seams inspire confidence in overall...
Thickly stitched Flatlock seams inspire confidence in overall durability.
Credit: Trish Matheny

Should You Buy the REI Co-op Midweight Tights?


You simply can't beat the price of these synthetic long underwear tights. While they are not the highest performer regarding overall warmth and breathability, our testers love their light and stretchy fabric that doesn't restrict range of motion. While the fabric does retain body odor, the reinforced flatlock seams and thick waistband inspire confidence in their durability. If you're looking for an affordable pair of long johns for the upcoming winter season, these tights are a great option for your consideration.

What Other Long Underwear Should You Consider?


If you're looking to invest in a synthetic pair of long underwear that offers better performance, check out the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottom. If you'd like to check out another affordable and lightweight synthetic option that features better breathability, the Odlo Performance Light Bottoms are excellent. And finally, if you're open to a Merino wool blend and after top-of-the-line performance, check out our top dog, the Icebreaker BodyfitZone Merino 260 Zone Thermal Leggings.

Trish Matheny
 
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