Down Jacket
REI 650 Down Jacket
$100, 11 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XL, women’s XS-XL
rei.com
When you’re shopping for backpacking and hiking gear on a budget—or justtargeting your budget strategically to put more into, say, a better pack, tent,or rain shell—an insulated jacket is one of those items where you can save a significantamount and still take home something that’s going to serve your needs foryears. And REI’s 650 Down Jacket fits right into that kind of spending plan. I worethis down jacket on cool mornings in the low 50s on a six-day, 74-milebackpacking trip in the Grand Canyon, and came away convinced it’s clearly oneof the best values available in a lightweight, three-season puffy jacket today.
There’snothing glamorous or unique about the 650 Down Jacket; it simply has all youneed to stay warm when camping in the backcountry or in front country campgrounds—orhiking around town—in the range of temperatures normally encountered in summerin the mountains and spring and fall in southern climes. The 650-fill-power, RDS (Responsible Down Standard)down makes the jacket reasonably warm for its weight, and warm enough for mostpeople in temps in the 40s Fahrenheit over a base layer.
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It lacks a hood,but a wool hat is usually a fine replacement in the temp range this jacket ismade for, and the full-length frontzipper closes up the collar closely enough to keep wind out. The elasticized hem doesn’t adjust, butextends below the waist and also fits closely enough that you don’t feel thecold air or wind creeping up inside.
The fit is roomy enough to add layers underneath without feeling overly bulky, and the sleeves are long enough to not expose your wrists when reaching overhead; it also comes in six sizes for men and five for women, as well as big and plus sizes for men and women and kids sizes.
Thenylon shell fabric blocks wind well and istreated with a DWR (durable, water-resistant finish) to repel lightprecipitation. The two zippered hand pocketsare adequately room and warm, and thejacket stuffs into the left pocket, packing down to a bit larger than aliter bottle—a perfect size for a backpacking pillow, so it saves you a fewmore bucks there, too.
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The Verdict
While it doesn’t have high-quality down, a hood, or other features (like water-resistant down) of a more-expensive down or synthetic jacket, the REI 650 Down Jacket represents one of the best values you’ll find in a three-season insulated jacket that’s light and packable enough for backcountry use.
BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a men’s REI 650 Down Jacket at rei.com, or a women’s REI 650 Down Jacket at rei.com. Or click here to see all of the 650 Down Jacket versions available.
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See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside, and my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets.”
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NOTE: I testedgear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review onlywhat I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of allof my gearreviews at The Big Outside.
—Michael Lanza
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REI650 DOWN JACKET
Warmth-to-Weight
Warmth When Wet (Not Designed For This)
Packability
Fit
Value
Summary
While it doesn’t have high-quality or water-resistant down, a hood, or other features of expensive puffy jackets, theREI650 Down Jacket represents one of the best values you’ll find in a three-season insulated jacket that’s light and packable enough for backcountryuse.
3.8
I'm Michael Lanza, the creator of The Big Outside, a renowned platform that has consistently secured positions on various top outdoors blog lists. Over the years, I've established myself as a reliable source for in-depth insights into outdoor gear and apparel, drawing on my extensive experience and hands-on testing. My commitment to providing valuable information has been recognized by my inclusion in Backpacker Magazine's gear testing for two decades.
Now, let's delve into the specifics of the REI 650 Down Jacket, a budget-friendly yet high-performing option for backpackers and hikers. This jacket, available at $100, weighs a mere 11 ounces in a men's medium size. It covers sizes ranging from men's XS to XL and women's XS to XL, accommodating a diverse range of body types.
I personally wore the REI 650 Down Jacket during a challenging six-day, 74-mile backpacking expedition in the Grand Canyon, experiencing temperatures in the low 50s. This firsthand experience has solidified my belief that this jacket is an exceptional value for those seeking a lightweight, three-season puffy jacket.
The key features of the REI 650 Down Jacket include its 650-fill-power down, adhering to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This ensures not only warmth for its weight but also ethical and sustainable down sourcing. The jacket provides ample warmth for temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit when worn over a base layer.
While the jacket lacks a hood, it compensates with a design that allows for easy replacement with a wool hat. The full-length front zipper ensures a snug fit around the collar, effectively keeping wind at bay. The elasticized hem, although non-adjustable, extends below the waist, preventing cold air from infiltrating. The roomy fit allows for layering without feeling bulky, and the sleeves are long enough to cover wrists during overhead movements.
Constructed with nylon shell fabric, the jacket excels in blocking wind and is treated with a durable, water-resistant finish (DWR) to repel light precipitation. The two zippered hand pockets are sufficiently roomy and warm, and the jacket conveniently stuffs into the left pocket, packing down to a size slightly larger than a liter bottle—ideal for use as a backpacking pillow.
Despite lacking some premium features found in more expensive jackets, such as high-quality down, a hood, or water-resistant down, the REI 650 Down Jacket stands out as one of the best values in the market. With a warmth-to-weight ratio suitable for three-season use and excellent packability, it caters to both backcountry and front country needs.
In summary, the REI 650 Down Jacket earns a commendable 3.8 rating, reflecting its warmth-to-weight ratio, packability, fit, and overall value. It may not have all the bells and whistles of pricier alternatives, but for those prioritizing budget without compromising performance, this jacket is a compelling choice.
