No matter your interests, background or identity, the outdoors is open to all. But when it comes to outdoor gear and apparel, the industry has traditionally designed products with a narrow lens of what the average adventurer looks like — mainly, those with a thin and trim body and those who fall within the male and female gender binaries.
REI Co-op, a brand that prides itself on fostering a more inclusive outdoors, wants to close the gap in inclusive outdoor gear. Over the last few years, the company has committed to developing a more inclusive design process that centers marginalized voices — like BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female and gender nonconforming folks. The goal: to design a new wave of outdoor apparel and hiking gear for a more diverse range of people.
The recently launched REI Co-op Active Pursuits collection of active and fitness apparel includes gender-neutral products ranging from T-shirts and a long-sleeve shirt to joggers and shorts. The collection was designed first and foremost for those who’ve historically been left out of the conversation and design process, including transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming individuals, as well as those who want to fine-tune the fit and feel of what they wear outdoors. In addition to the Active Pursuits line, REI launched the gender-neutral Swiftland Pack Running Anorak, a lightweight, ultra-breathable and wind- and water-resistant jacket made with stretch-woven fabric.
Across the entire Active Pursuits line, REI says, “If it fits you, it’s for you.” In other words, while this apparel lineup was intentionally designed for marginalized outdoor enthusiasts, all are welcome to wear this collection of inclusive, comfortable and versatile gear.
Why gender neutral?
Browse online or walk into any gear store today, and you’re immediately forced to make a choice to shop within the men’s or women’s section. However, with a growing number of Americans identifying as transgender and using gender-neutral pronouns, the needs (and identities) of today’s shoppers are changing.
What’s more, gender-neutral gear and apparel aren’t just for those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s for anyone who is interested in shopping outside traditional gender norms or who may be interested in different forms of gender expression, fit and style than what they’d typically shop for.
To meet this need, outdoor brands like REI are stepping up to design gender-neutral outdoor gear and apparel. From relaxed fits without gendered labels to extended sizing that fits a wider array of bodies, gender-neutral gear is opening up the opportunity for more people — no matter how they identify — to feel comfortable with what they wear and use outdoors.
How did REI Co-op design the Active Pursuits collection?
Made for hanging out or hitting the trail, the REI Co-op Active Pursuits collection was designed with specific identities and experiences in mind. Leveraging inclusive design principles from product ideation to design to manufacturing, the line showcases the company’s commitment to designing products for an inclusive outdoors.
“We really try to strive for an inclusive design ethos at the Co-op — which means thinking about those who have been most historically marginalized, including within the outdoor industry, to understand how we can center in the design process so that more people feel seen,” says Nani Vishwanath, senior program manager for racial equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) innovation at REI Co-op. “We know from our own work, and from inclusive design more broadly, that when you design with specific experiences and identities in mind, you actually can improve the experience for a lot of people.”
To design for a wider range of body types and identities traditionally ignored in the outdoor industry, and to find solutions for better fit and style beyond the male and female gender binaries, REI’s design team worked closely with community partners and consultants through every step of the ideation, design and go-to-market process for the Active Pursuits collection.
Core partners included nonprofit Venture Out Project, focused on supporting the LGBTQ+ community; openly transgender athlete and photographer Nikki Smith; and gender-neutral apparel consultancy AG Group.
The line includes extended styles, fits and sizes, ranging from XXS to XXXL across all products, as well as short and tall variations for the jogger pants. As this gear rolls out in-store, REI says it will be working to train employees about how to communicate the intention behind the collection to customers, and properly discuss fit and sizing across the Active Pursuits line. REI also says its design team intends to learn from and improve on customer feedback from this initial launch so it can continue improving and expanding its gendered product offerings in the future.
This fresh take on a traditional workout tee is designed with dropped shoulders to fit a wider range of bodies. It’s more relaxed than your average shirt, so those who don’t love the traditional style of gendered athletic shirts may prefer this fit. Side vents at the hem also accommodate wider hips, a boxier fit, improved ease of movement and extra length on the back of the shirt for more coverage. It’s also available in a cropped version.
This midweight long-sleeve crewneck packs technical performance with a more relaxed fit. The polyester-and-spandex blend fabric wicks sweat, dries quickly and features four-way stretch for added mobility. We love the drop-shoulder design, which provides more room for movement and a more free-flowing fit. With added room around the waist and shoulders, there’s plenty of room for layering too.
These unlined shorts with a 6-inch inseam are extremely breathable, lightweight and comfortable. An elastic waistband flexes to fit a variety of body shapes and a drawstring keeps them on tight while hiking, biking, running or walking. Deep pockets with snap closures keep not only your pockets shut but your items inside secure too.
Lounge and explore in comfort without compromising on fit and feel. These midweight jogger pants are extremely stretchy, durable and cozy. A blend of polyester and spandex, the fabric stretches and feels soft against the skin. Elastic cuffs keep the pants tight and secure at the ankle. You can also choose from three different inseam lengths: short (23 inches), regular (27 inches) and tall (30.5 inches).
What we liked about it
Relaxed fit
Most gender-neutral apparel you’ll find on the market today is designed with a relaxed fit. Compared to traditional men’s and women’s styles, unisex apparel ditches the classic hourglass shape you’d typically find on a women’s shirt and the standard tapered waist you’d typically find on a men’s top. Gender-neutral apparel also tends to be boxier to accommodate different body types and style preferences.
When I’m not wearing gender-neutral apparel, I tend to mix and match men’s and women’s clothes to account for more width in the chest (which I usually find in men’s tops) and a curvier waistline (which I usually find in women’s bottoms). However, as soon as I put on each item of clothing in the REI Active Pursuits line, I was pleasantly surprised to find all the products fit vastly different from the typical clothes you’d find in gendered sections of the store.
The dropped-shoulder design of the Active Pursuits Pullover Midweight Crew and the Relaxed T-Shirt gave me plenty of room in the chest and shoulders. I didn’t feel any tightness or tapering in the slightest. The fit also provides ample room for layering without limiting mobility or comfort. Side vents at the hem of the T-shirt also helped to avoid feeling like the shirt was too tight at the waistline. What stood out most about the Midweight Joggers were their comfort and fit. They’re a bit baggy (more on that below), but I appreciated the cuffed ankles that keep the fabric away from the ground and shoes.
Extremely comfortable (and gender affirming)
As someone who identifies as nonbinary, I am beyond grateful to find an outdoor brand that offers nongendered apparel. It feels like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders not having to shop for a specific men’s or women’s product — and having to face the uncomfortable feeling of clothes that don’t feel right on my body. Beyond their gender-affirming qualities, the items in the Active Pursuits collection are also comfortable in terms of physical fit and feel on the skin. A buttery-soft fabric on the inside of the Pullover Midweight Crew and Midweight Joggers are both comfortable while on a casual hike or bike ride near home and while hanging out on the couch during a night in.
Extended sizing
REI’s Active Pursuits collection comes in extended sizing from XXS to XXXL, including three different inseam lengths for the Midweight Joggers. While brands can and should continue to bring bigger and more accommodating sizes to market across all their apparel and gear offerings, it’s impressive to see such a wide variety of sizing among every product in the Active Pursuits lineup.
Adjustable
One feature that’s critical to inclusive sizing is customization. The more you can adjust the fit of a piece of clothing, the more inclusive it can be. That’s one big reason why I love the Swiftland Pack Running Anorak in particular. Cinches at the waist and hem allow you to fine-tune tightness at the middle and bottom of the jacket — both a practical and stylistic feature. I found the adjustability of this jacket especially helpful while hiking on a windy day near the Chicago River. I was able to cinch the hem of the jacket tight so that it didn’t flap around but loosen it up indoors for a more relaxed fit and comfortable feel. The Midweight Joggers are also adjustable and can be fine-tuned as needed at the waist. Seeing as though they’re baggier than most activewear pants I own, I appreciated the ability to tighten up the drawstring so they didn’t sag or fall off while hiking, jogging or biking.
What we didn’t like about it
Overly baggy
Truth be told, most of the items within the Active Pursuits line are baggier than I would’ve liked. It was necessary for me to size down one full size to feel like I could comfortably wear this apparel — especially while being active outdoors. In particular, the Midweight Joggers were very large around my thighs and calves. With such wide pant legs, I found it challenging to hike and bike at my normal speed with the large amount of extra material slowing me down. The sleeves on the Relaxed T-Shirt were also much baggier than my normal style preference. While this extremely relaxed fit and style might not be an issue for everyone who wears the Active Pursuits apparel, it’s certainly something to consider when trying them on or ordering them for the first time.
High price point
Like most name-brand outdoor gear, the Active Pursuits line comes in at a high price point, with most of the gear falling above the $50 mark. While it’s not exorbitant in price compared to gendered apparel made of similar fabrics and materials on the market, you should come ready to dole out the dough for this collection. All to say, REI is known for having some of the most affordable gear on the market, including across its Active Pursuits line.
Despite this higher price point, you can rest assured the high-quality materials used in the Active Pursuits line (paired with REI Co-op’s 100% Satisfaction Guarantee policy for returns and exchanges) will stand up to wear and tear for many, many years to come.
How it compares
It’s challenging to compare the REI Co-op Active Pursuits line, as so few genderless apparel and gear items by outdoor companies exist. That said, my roundup of gender-neutral outdoor gear is a great place to start if you’re looking for more nongendered options.
For more casual activewear, check out the Smartwool gender-neutral Recycled Terry Hoodie Sweatshirt and Recycled Terry Pants. What stands out about this top-and-bottom set is its added warmth and odor-preventing properties, thanks to the merino wool they’re made of. If durability is important to you, check out the Prana gender-neutral Indio Heritage Shorts and Mojave Pants. These climbing-specific pants and shorts are made of thick, organic cotton and feature an adjustable elastic waistband for added comfort.
Another gender-free favorite are the Coalatree Trailhead Pants. These durable and comfortable ripstop nylon pants are also breathable and odor-resistant, making them great for long days on the trail or adventures in the middle of summer.
Bottom line
Gender-neutral gear is here, and we’re thrilled. The REI Co-op Active Pursuits line of T-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, jogger pants, shorts and more is bringing more choice in style, fit and function to today’s outdoor activewear, especially for those with varying gender identities and expressions. Whether you want to support a brand that’s prioritizing minority voices and experiences in the product ideation and design process or you’re seeking gender-neutral-specific outdoor apparel, the Active Pursuits collection offers a more relaxed, comfortable and affirming fit than your standard activewear.