Name: REI Co-op 650 Down
Brand: REI Co-op

The REI 650 Down Jacket provides adequate warmth for cool, but not full-on, winter cold temperatures. REI unfortunately doesn’t provide a fill weight (the amount of down in the jacket) for the women’s version, but the men’s has 3.5 ounces of 650-fill-power down, which is a little below average among lightweight down jackets. In use, I’ve found it’s a noticeable step down in warmth compared with my Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody and prior-gen Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody. I wore the 650 Down spring camping at Icicle Creek in Washington state, where temps dropped to the high 40s degrees Fahrenheit with wind picking up—classic conditions for the Down Sweater and Cerium—and I was quite chilly wearing just this jacket and a baselayer.

That said, while you can certainly find warmer down jackets, it’s important to look at the 650 Down in the context of price. At $129, it costs hundreds of dollars less than the aforementioned jackets from Patagonia and Arc’teryx, and the warmth it provides is still quite practical. The 650 Down has kept me comfortable on everything from early summer day hikes in the Cascade Mountains to walking around town in the Seattle area through the shoulder seasons. As long as you don’t push the limits—dipping below roughly 45 to 50 degrees without adding additional layers—the 650 Down is a great midlayer or standalone option.

car camping in the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

The 650 Down has a listed weight of 10.2 ounces for the non-hooded women’s version (there isn’t currently a hoody version available in women’s sizing). This weight puts it on par with the non-hooded Down Sweater (10.3 oz.), although it’s important to note that the Down Sweater (read our Down Sweater review) is substantially warmer due to its higher-quality down—but also more than double the price. The good news is that the 650 Down’s low weight makes it a no-brainer to toss in a daypack or suitcase for travel.

For packing away, the 650 Down doesn’t come with a stuff sack, pack into its pocket, or have a hood to roll up into. That said, it squishes down small enough to store in anything from a duffel to my small, Nathan trail running pack. Given the jacket’s intended uses of everyday wear and hiking, we think the REI’s weight and packed size are a win.

One of the big surprises given the REI 650 Down Jacket’s price is its high level of comfort. With a smooth and soft face fabric and lining, the jacket feels great to wear. It’s comfortable, easy to slide on and take off, and allows average freedom of movement. Since I went with a size small (I’m between women’s size small and medium), my shoulders and chest do feel slightly constricted wearing a thicker mid-weight fleece underneath. However, it's perfectly flexible and comfortable when I have only a light layer on. Plus, the collar is soft against my face, even when fully zipped up. It’s so cozy that my mom likes to “steal” this jacket when I’m over because she likes it so much.

Adjusting cuffs on the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

Down jackets are typically built around thin nylon shells that aren’t known for their durability, and that holds true with the 650 Down. That being said, its 20-denier (D) nylon ripstop shell is on par with popular options in the category, which are usually in the 20D to 30D range. The 650 Down’s fabric feels more substantial than ultralight designs like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (10D) and is more in line with the Patagonia Down Sweater (20D). Provided you take care around sharp gear and even gates and fences (a chainlink fence ripped a big hole in another Better Trail tester’s prior-gen 650 Down), the jacket should have a long life. Finally, it’s worth noting that the zippers feel strong, are easy to operate, and never got stuck.

starting a fire in the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

Although the 650 Down’s nylon shell and durable water-repellent (DWR) coating provide some protection from wind and rain, it’s nothing to write home about. On a drizzly Seattle day, droplets did bead up at first, but within roughly 30 minutes, they seeped into the fabric. Granted, the moisture never got all the way to the inside, but given how quickly the jacket absorbed moisture, I do not trust the DWR will hold up for a significant amount of time; rather, it’s sufficient for quick errands on rainy days, like walking from the car to the grocery store when it’s pouring. If you prioritize weather resistance, there are more protective options—Outdoor Research’s Helium Down is a good example (for more, read our Helium Down review)—although in most cases you’ll want to pair your down jacket with a waterproof shell if rain is in the forecast.

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Longevity

Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact—the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced. Our proprietary longevity rating evaluates overall build quality based on factors such as materials, fabric denier, component durability (including zippers and toggles), real-world performance as reported by our field testers, and our experiences with the brand.

Read Sustainability Report

Storage
With two zippered hand pockets and two interior drop-in pockets, the REI 650 Down offers plenty of storage options. The hand pockets are surprisingly large, fitting multiple snacks and a large smartphone. The interior pockets have an elastic to lightly secure belongings, and are a great place for gloves. Notably, it lacks an internal zippered pocket that some other jackets offer.

gloves stashed in internal drop-in pocket on the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

Tester: 5’6” 140 lb.; 37" chest; 32" waist

Size tested: Women’s small

I’m typically between a women’s size small and medium, and chose the REI 650 Down in a small. It fits true to size with a slightly shorter crop at the hips, and the sleeves feel a bit shorter too (shorter than the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody at least). The cut is on the boxier end, with no contouring at the waist. Both zipped and unzipped, it was flattering, even for city wear. I sized down because I planned to wear this jacket on warmer days, and therefore would not have to layer much underneath. Instead, it fits and looks great underneath a shell. Due to the lack of hood, it’s one of my favorite layering options for under a rain jacket.

Hiking in wildflowers in REI Co-op 650 down jacket

Patagonia Down Sweater ($279): THE Down Sweater
We’ve referenced the Patagonia Down Sweater throughout this review because it’s practically synonymous with the lightweight down jacket category. In non-hoody form, the Down Sweater is substantially more expensive at $279 but comes with tangible upgrades like higher-quality down—and more of it—for a boost in warmth. You also get a zippered chest pocket, which doubles as a stuff sack (two things the 650 Down lacks). But for everyday wear in cool weather, it’s hard to argue with the 650 Down’s value, and it’s surprisingly close to the Down Sweater in terms of all-around comfort and durability, too. For more, read our review of the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody.

Outdoor Research Transcendent ($259): Small Upgrades, With a Couple of Issues
After a brief hiatus, OR brought back their Transcendent down jacket. The latest model aims to balance price with performance, featuring 800-fill-power down (an upgrade over the 650-fill REI) and niceties like tricot-lined pockets. At 12.7 ounces, it’s heavier than the 650 Down but also warmer and more feature-rich with an internal zip chest pocket. In testing the Transcendent, we did have a couple complaints, though. First, the down leaked excessively through the shell; second, the fit landed on the short and boxy end of the spectrum. We think there are better options at this price point (like the Patagonia Down Sweater), which is why we give the all-around edge to the far more affordable 650 Down. For a deeper dive, read our Outdoor Research Transcendent review.

REI Co-op 650 Down ($129)

hands in pockets of REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

4.7/5

For just $129, REI’s 650 offers incredible value for those looking for a casual down jacket that can tackle the odd mild-weathered backcountry adventure. However, you won’t want to push it into too cold of temperatures, the DWR is disappointing, and the boxy fit isn’t for everyone (although our tester actually liked it).

Shop Women's Shop Men's

Weight

10.2 oz.

Insulation

650-fill down

Fabric

20D nylon

Packable

Warmth

2/5

Weight & Packability

4/5

Comfort

4.5/5

Durability

2/5

Weather Resistance

2/5

Sustainability

4/5

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody ($329)

hood up and fully zipped up Patagonia Down Sweater Down Jacket

4.9/5

The Down Sweater is an iconic and versatile down jacket that fits the bill for everyday use and casual backcountry adventures. However, it’s a bit heavier and features a less trim fit than performance jackets of similar warmth.

Shop Women's Shop Men's

Weight

12.1 oz.

Insulation

4 oz. of 800-fill down

Fabric

20D nylon

Packable

Yes (pocket)

Warmth

3.5/5

Weight & Packability

3.5/5

Comfort

5/5

Durability

3/5

Weather Resistance

2/5

Sustainability

4.6/5

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie ($279)

Adjusting hood of Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody down jacket

3.9/5

The newly redesigned Transcendent Down Hoodie prioritizes comfort, with a soft matte shell and fleece-lined hand pockets. However, the fit is unrefined, and our jacket leaked down feathers through minuscule holes in the shell fabric.

Shop Women's Shop Men's

Weight

11.6 oz.

Insulation

4.2 oz. of 800-fill down

Fabric

20D nylon

Packable

Yes (pocket)

Warmth

3/5

Weight & Packability

3.5/5

Comfort

5/5

Durability

2/5

Weather Resistance

2/5

Sustainability

3/5

Is the REI 650 Down for You?

With its lightweight build, non-hoody design, and versatile warmth, the REI 650 Down Jacket has become an everyday staple for me. Although it falls short for cold days—roughly below 45 to 50 degrees—and gets left at home on big adventures in the mountains (or multi-day trips), it’s amazing how often I turn to it. I consider it the perfect athleisure puffy—I wear it to yoga, the grocery store, restaurants downtown, essentially everywhere. And we’ve made it this far without even mentioning the price. Simply put, you won’t find a better-made and more comfortable down jacket with real sustainability chops at a lower price.