REI Co-op Swiftland Gear Review: Running Apparel for Every Season

REI Co-op’s Swiftland apparel and accessories keep you ready to rock the trails and cover changing weather conditions with lightweight pieces and practical ways to carry the essentials with you.

In my experience, trail running doesn’t always come down to your fitness – sometimes it really does come down to being prepared with the right gear to keep you strong in all of the elements! That’s where REI Co-op’s Swiftland line enters the picture.

Here’s a quick look at several pieces from this line and where each one fits into a trail running kit.

REI Co-op Swiftland Review

I received this gear at the perfect time to test out gear that’s meant to withstand all of the seasons, since Fall in Colorado can bring just about any weather out on the run!

The Swiftland gear arrived just in time for hot Denver runs and cooler early-fall mornings, plus a little rain on the trail.

Let’s go through some key pieces from the Swiftland lineup to help you understand the fit and features that will keep you ready for the upcoming fall temps and beyond.

REI Co-op Swiftland Running T-Shirt

The Swiftland running T-shirt is probably my favorite piece I tested.

It’s a practical piece I’ve reached for over and over since I got it. It’s made from a lightweight, stretchy fabric called SwiftTex™ that wicks sweat off your skin and dries quickly, so it’s perfect for long, hot days on the trail.

The shirt also has underarm gussets and side vents that give you breathability and room to move.

I loved that this shirt had clean, flat seams so I didn’t have to worry about chafing or rubbing in areas where I tend to have issues on those longer, hotter miles out on the trail.

I went with a small for this shirt, and it fit perfectly. The shirt ran true to size and fit comfortably and relaxed through the body, so it didn’t stick to me when I got hot.

My only complaint is that I am relatively petite but have broad shoulders, and at times, the neckline felt a little uneven right at my shoulders.

This didn’t affect the shirt’s performance or comfort.

The Swiftland Running T-Shirt comes in:

• Sizes from XS to 3X
• 8 colors
• Available in Men’s and Women’s
• Available for $44.95

REI Co-op Swiftland 5” High Rise Running Shorts

As a thicker thighed girly, I can have a hard time finding the right shorts for running that will not only sit in the right places on my hips and thighs but also stay in place on the run.

The Swiftland 5” high-rise running short was an interesting option to check out given its built-in support liner, high-rise thick waistband, and loose fit through the thigh.

For me, the standout feature on these shorts is the weight of the fabric. These shorts are made of an ultralightweight recycled nylon/spandex O²Grid™ fabric designed to stretch, breathe, wick sweat, and dry fast. 

These shorts do feature some storage for your runs, including a zippered back waistband pocket. The wide waistband has an internal drawcord, which meant I could adjust the shorts easily and they stayed in place.

I ordered a women’s small. At first, I really struggled to pull them up over my hips, but they sat perfectly once I got them up—they eventually stretched slightly to fit better.

The liner softened after I washed these shorts and didn’t chafe or rub when I was running. Most importantly, the legs didn’t ride up or move around too much despite the loose fit, making them really comfortable over the miles.

The Swiftland 5” High Rise Running Shorts come in:

• Sizes from XS to 3X
• 5 colors
• Available in Men’s and Women’s
• Available for $64.95

REI Co-op Swiftland Running Short Tights

Another pair of shorts I got to try out were the Swiftland running short tights, which are a pretty standard bike short design if you prefer a more fitted style for your running.

These provide a little more coverage than traditional running shorts, and they have plenty of storage to stash your essentials.

The short tights feature five different pockets – one at the back waistband, one on each thigh, and two smaller waistband pockets for gels.

The stretchy, sweat-wicking fabric and adjustable high-rise waistband make them a practical option for runs when you want to carry your phone without a separate waist pack, and the tighter fit means they won’t sag down or stretch out on your run to keep the storage reliable.

I found these to fit true to size, although I had a similar initial issue of pulling them up over my hips, paired with a very good fit once on.

I ordered these in a small, and they were just right in the way they fit my waist and thighs. I liked that the inseam on these was a perfect 6” – not too short or too long and providing just enough coverage for comfort on a longer run or running out and about.

The Swiftland Running Short Tights come in:

• Sizes from XS to 3X
• 3 colors
• Available in Men’s and Women’s
• Available for $59.95

REI Co-op Swiftland H2O Running Jacket

For the days on the trail where the forecast is a little unpredictable, the Swiftland H2O Running Jacket is a star!

This is the piece I would turn to in the fall and spring when you aren’t sure exactly how hot, cold, or rainy you’re about to be on the run. 

The lightweight, seam-sealed jacket offers waterproof and windproof protection, with vents at the back, sleeves, and underarms to help release heat. A front snap lets you leave the zipper open for airflow while keeping the jacket in place. 

I also really liked that this jacket had an adjustable hood that can be secured when you aren’t using it, and the whole jacket packs into its interior pocket.

That lightweight packability makes this jacket a great option for throwing in your hydration vest or larger waist pack.

I threw this one on at a rainy soccer practice and felt protected from wind and rain without overheating. The packability also makes this jacket a perfect option for travel.

From a fit perspective, it runs true to size and fits slightly relaxed, so you can layer underneath if you anticipate colder temps while you’re out.

The Swiftland H2O Running Jacket comes in:

• Sizes from XS to 1X
• 2 colors
• Available in Men’s and Women’s
• Available for $179.00

REI Co-op Swiftland Waist Pack

If you’re heading out for a run or hike and your shorts pockets won’t hold enough, the Swiftland waist pack can be a great addition to your gear.

The waist pack is pretty sizeable and adds 1.25 liters of capacity to your storage without moving up to a full vest.

This waist pack features a main compartment and a side pocket for items you might need to reach more easily. It also has small elastic lash loops in case you want to attach a small jacket or other light items – I used this feature when I needed to shed my shirt out on a hot run.

This pack held my phone, headphones case, some gels, a small water bottle, bulky car keys, plus wipes and chapstick! That’s A LOT of extra storage without having to go to a full backpack or vest setup that can sometimes feel weighty.

What surprised me was that even with all that stuff, it didn’t feel insecure or heavy when fitted correctly on my waist. It also features a breathable mesh back panel and a stretchy belt, so it stays comfortable on the go.

This waist pack comes in two sizes – regular and extended.

The Swiftland Waist Pack comes in:

• Sizes: Regular or Extended
• 2 colors
• Available for $49.95

In addition to great performance and comfort, the Swiftland line exemplifies REI’s commitment to sustainability.

All gear in the Swiftland lineup is manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ Factory and made from materials that meet the bluesign® criteria from a Climate Label Certified brand.

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