REI 650 Down Jacket Assessment

Backside Line

Ever end up carrying 3+ hoods in your layering system? It’s an excessive amount of. That’s why we expect everybody wants a easy puffy and not using a hood just like the REI 650 Down Jacket (males’s / girls’s) for layering. This feature gives distinctive worth for anybody searching for a light-weight, versatile layer, excellent for on a regular basis put on or mild out of doors adventures. 

Its responsibly sourced 650-fill down insulation supplies wonderful heat for delicate to reasonably chilly circumstances, whereas the ripstop nylon shell provides a degree of sturdiness that’s not often discovered at this worth level. 

Weighing simply over 10 ounces, it’s each light-weight and packable, making it a sensible alternative for journey, day hikes, or layering beneath a shell for added heat. With a streamlined design, adjustable hem, and roomy inside drop pockets, the jacket combines sensible options with respectable heat.

Nonetheless, as a result of it’s best paired with a hardshell or rain jacket, it lacks outer layer options like a hood, chest pocket, or superior climate resistance. Nonetheless, these trade-offs are minor. General it’s excellent for informal customers, these targeted on affordability, and anybody utilizing it as a part of a layering system. Take a look at our information on the most effective down jackets for extra high-performing choices.

How We Examined

We examined the REI 650 Down Jacket over a number of months throughout Colorado, taking it on daybreak patrol ski excursions close to Loveland Move, crisp day hikes in Boulder’s Flatirons, and frosty city errands in Golden. From layering it beneath a shell for resort snowboarding to counting on it as a standalone layer on chilly shoulder-season hikes, we assessed its heat, consolation, packability, and efficiency in unpredictable mountain climate.

Consolation

The REI 650 Down Jacket is surprisingly comfy for its worth. Its plush really feel and well-rounded design make it an important on a regular basis jacket or chilly hike outer layer. Its 20D ripstop nylon shell and lining are tender to the contact, making it comfy to put on over a T-shirt or with different light-weight layers . 

Throughout testing, we appreciated how simply the relaxed match and easy material slid over baselayers with out catching or bunching. It’s heat sufficient to face alone in cool climate (~40 levels) however slim sufficient to suit beneath a shell when wanted.

The elastic cuffs and adjustable hem maintain the drafts out with out feeling too tight, making the jacket tremendous comfortable. Its light-weight design means you possibly can throw it on for a hike or an informal outing and barely discover it’s there. Plus, the collar zips up snugly to maintain your neck heat and comfy on chilly days.

That stated, the jacket’s lack of a hood barely limits its coziness in chilly, windy circumstances in comparison with hooded alternate options. Moreover, whereas the match is flexible, it might really feel boxy for these preferring a extra athletic minimize. Nonetheless, the REI 650’s mixture of soppy supplies, considerate options, and a light-weight design makes it a standout within the finances down jacket class for consolation.

Heat

This jacket delivers stable heat for on a regular basis put on and light-weight out of doors use, nevertheless it’s not constructed for frigid circumstances. 

With 3.5 ounces of 650-fill down, it balances insulation and affordability effectively. It’s not as toasty as higher-fill-power choices on our information to the most effective down jackets , nevertheless it’s heat sufficient for shoulder-season adventures and delicate winter days. 

We wore it on chilly morning hikes in Colorado’s foothills, ski excursions, and even round city, and it held up effectively in temps right down to the low 40s with only a base layer. Including a mid-layer made it comfy for resort snowboarding on colder days.

The thick baffles and adjustable hem assist entice warmth, however and not using a hood and with lower-quality down, it doesn’t carry out as effectively in freezing temps. The 650-fill down additionally lacks the loft and warmth retention of premium alternate options, making it much less environment friendly when compressed.

That stated, for a budget-friendly jacket, it does the job. It’s a stable choose for informal put on and delicate out of doors adventures, providing respectable heat with out the excessive price ticket of premium choices.

Weight & Packability

The REI 650 Down Jacket is a light-weight, packable layer that’s nice for informal adventures and on a regular basis put on. At 10.9 ounces for the boys’s model (our dimension massive weighed 11.9 ounces), it’s one of many lighter jackets in its worth vary. 

It’s not as ethereal as ultralight choices just like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2, nevertheless it finds a pleasant center floor between weight and sturdiness, making it a stable all-around alternative.

One in all its greatest options is how simply it packs down into its personal pocket, making a compact little bundle that matches neatly in a backpack. We discovered it tremendous handy for tossing in a daypack on hikes or stuffing right into a carry-on for journeys. It doesn’t compress as a lot as high-end technical jackets, nevertheless it’s lots transportable for most individuals.

That stated, when you’re a minimalist backpacker searching for absolutely the smallest packed dimension, this shouldn’t be your high choose. However if you’d like a dependable, light-weight jacket that’s straightforward to carry alongside and received’t break the financial institution, the REI 650 Down is a good worth..

Climate Resistance

The REI 650 Down Jacket holds up fantastic towards mild wind and drizzle, however like most down-filled jackets, it’s not constructed for tough climate. The 20D ripstop nylon shell has a DWR coating that does a good job of shedding mild rain and snow, protecting moisture from soaking in—at the least for some time.

Throughout testing, we seen water beaded up and rolled off in delicate drizzle and dry snow, which helped the jacket preserve its heat for twenty to thirty minutes. 

This isn’t the sort of jacket you need to depend on in regular rain or moist circumstances. In contrast to some pricier down jackets, it doesn’t have hydrophobic down or artificial insulation in key spots, so as soon as it will get moist, it loses heat quick. If there’s an opportunity of heavier rain or snow, you’ll need to throw on a shell for further safety.

We discovered the wind resistance to be respectable. The adjustable hem successfully blocks drafts, however the absence of a hood and wrist changes permits chilly air to sneak in. It’s not a technical outer layer by any means, however for on a regular basis put on and informal out of doors use in delicate circumstances, the 650 Down Jacket will get the job completed.

Breathability

The REI 650 Down Jacket breathes effectively sufficient for on a regular basis put on and light-weight exercise, nevertheless it’s not the only option for high-exertion adventures. The 20D ripstop nylon shell prioritizes heat and sturdiness over airflow, so it doesn’t ventilate in addition to extra technical materials. 

We stayed comfy with out overheating on informal walks and simple hikes in cool climate. However, larger exertion checks on hill-climbs and brisk walks in delicate temps led to noticeable warmth buildup.

The jacket’s relaxed match permits for some pure airflow, which helps throughout reasonable exercise. However like most down jackets, it lacks air flow options like pit zips or mesh panels, making it much less excellent for something too strenuous. 

Unzipping the entrance may also help you dump some warmth, however general, this jacket is best suited to cooler temperatures and lower-intensity outings. 

If breathability is a high precedence, an artificial or hybrid choice is perhaps a greater guess. Nonetheless, the 650 Down is a stable, budget-friendly choose for layering in shoulder seasons and on a regular basis use.

Ought to You Purchase the REI 650 Down Jacket?

The REI 650 Down Jacket is a wonderful alternative for anybody looking for a budget-friendly, light-weight, and versatile down layer for on a regular basis put on and informal out of doors adventures. 

Its tender supplies, dependable heat, and considerate design options, like a cinchable hem and elastic cuffs, make it a robust contender for shoulder-season hikes, city commutes, and journey. The jacket’s compact packability additional enhances its practicality, making certain it’s straightforward to stow in a bag or suitcase.

Nonetheless, this jacket will not be meant for technical or excessive circumstances. It lacks a hood, makes use of mid-range high quality down, and doesn’t provide the extent of safety wanted for harsh climate or extended publicity to the weather.

For these prioritizing affordability and performance, the REI 650 delivers excellent worth. It excels as a easy, reliable layering piece for reasonable climates and on a regular basis use. For extra choices, see our information to the most effective down jackets.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Take into account?

In case you’re exploring the most effective down jackets, there are a number of alternate options to the REI 650 Down Jacket that cater to various priorities. For extra choices, take a look at our information to the most effective down jackets.

Patagonia Down Sweater Assessment: This iconic jacket delivers superior heat with its 800-fill down and premium supplies. Whereas it comes at the next worth level, its considerate design and distinctive insulation make it a wonderful alternative for these seeking to elevate their cold-weather gear.

REI 650 Down Hooded Jacket Assessment: For individuals who love the affordability and ease of the REI 650 however need extra protection, the hooded model supplies further heat and flexibility. It’s an important choice for cooler climates and light-weight winter use.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Assessment: A high choose for ultralight fans, this jacket is lighter and extra technical, with 800-fill down and a packable design. It’s excellent for backpacking and fast-and-light adventures.