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REI Co-op 650 Down Review

This is a great deal for a lightweight down jacket with basic features that will add some warmth to your wardrobe
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REI Co-op 650 Down Review
Credit: Sam Schild
Price:  $129 List
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Manufacturer:   REI Co-op
By Sam Schild ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 23, 2024
68
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 16
  • Warmth - 30% 5.0
  • Comfort - 30% 8.0
  • Portability - 15% 8.5
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 6.0
  • Breathability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The REI Co-op 650 Down is a basic, hoodless down jacket option that won't break the bank. This is one of the most affordable down jacket options we tested and the most affordable jacket in our lineup that still has some adjustment features. It's stuffed with a very reasonable 650-fill down and offers better warmth than many models we considered. It's surprisingly comfortable and fits all our testers well. The lining material feels as soft as jackets that cost more than twice as much as this model. This is a great jacket for anyone looking for an everyday jacket to wear around town that's relatively light, packable, and isn't too expensive.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Affordable
Comfortable lining material
Stylish
Inclusive sizing
REASONS TO AVOID
Hoodless
Not the warmest

Compare to Similar Products

 
rei co-op 650 down
This Product
REI Co-op 650 Down
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Value Down Jacket for Everyday Use
Best Buy Award
An Affordable Alpine Jacket
 Best Buy Award
Good Value on a Very Limited Budget
 
Price $129 List
$90.29 at REI
$221.25 at Amazon
Compare at 4 sellers
$180 List
$165.85 at Amazon
$64 List
$63.98 at Amazon
$169 List
$54.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This lightweight hoodless option has a basic set of features, is comfortable, and looks greatThis midweight down jacket features excellent weather resistance and solid warmth in an affordable packageThis jacket stands out with its thermally reflective lining but was otherwise disappointingYou'll probably do a double-take when you look at the price of this jacketThis hoodless down jacket is pretty affordable, but there are less expensive options that perform better
Rating Categories REI Co-op 650 Down Rab Microlight Alpine Columbia Delta Ridg... Wantdo Packable Dow... Rokka and Rolla Ult...
Warmth (30%)
5.0
8.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
Comfort (30%)
8.0
9.0
4.0
5.0
5.0
Portability (15%)
8.5
5.0
4.5
8.0
9.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
6.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
Breathability (10%)
7.0
7.0
3.0
5.0
4.0
Specs REI Co-op 650 Down Rab Microlight Alpine Columbia Delta Ridg... Wantdo Packable Dow... Rokka and Rolla Ult...
Down Fill 650-fill down Recycled 700-fill Down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish 650-fill down 90% duck down 650-fill duck down 90% down, 10% feather
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Outer Fabric Recycled ripstop nylon Recycled 30D nylon Pertex Quantum Polyester 20D 400T nylon Nylon
Weight (Size Small) 10.1 oz 14.9 oz 15.4 oz 10.6 oz 9.2 oz
Hem Type Drop hem (small) Drop hem (large) Straight Straight Straight
Fit Standard Standard Standard Standard Slim
Pockets 2 zippered hand. 2 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered external chest 2 zippered hand, 2 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered external chest, 2 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered front pockets, 2 internal slip in pockets
Hood No, hooded option Yes Yes Yes No
Cuff Construction Elastic cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic Elastic cuffs
Adjustment Points Hem drawcord Hem shockcord, hood shockcord None None None
Stow Option None Stuff sack None Stuff sack Stuff sack
Features N/A Stiffened hood bill, recycled hydrophobic down Thermal-reflective lining, welded baffles N/A N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The REI Co-op 650 Down is a very affordable hoodless down jacket that stands out for its comfort, lightweight portability, and all-around style. This midweight model is filled with affordable RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified 650-fill down. Its shell is made of recycled nylon taffeta with a DWR finish.

Performance Comparison


rei co-op 650 down - the rei co-op 650 down jacket is more lifestyle-oriented than a high...
The REI Co-op 650 Down jacket is more lifestyle-oriented than a high performance jacket, but it holds its own on the trail nonetheless.
Credit: Sam Schild

Warmth


The REI 650 is insulated with 650-fill goose down, which is some of the lowest fill power of any down in a jacket we tested. Because it's thickly filled, it kept us warmer than we expected, though we wouldn't say this is a warm jacket.


Over time, lower-fill quality down will compress and not be as warm. This can be fixed somewhat by washing your down jacket, but you might find yourself needing to break out the down wash kit sooner with this option. After several months of testing, we haven't noticed any reduction in loft, but it's something to keep in mind over years of wear.

This model doesn't have a hood, so there is no way to keep your head warm, obviously. There is a hooded version of this jacket available as well, though it does cost slightly more than the hoodless version we tested.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down isn't the warmest, but it's warm enough to wear as...
The REI 650 Down isn't the warmest, but it's warm enough to wear as part of a layering system.
Credit: Sam Schild

One thing we like about the hoodless version is that it makes it easier to layer with. During a cold day spent snowboarding, we wore this jacket over a hooded fleece mid-layer and under a winter hardshell jacket. When you have that many layers, it's better if they don't all have a hood. If you want to wear three hoods over a beanie, you're probably going to want a mountain parka, not this thin down jacket.

The REI 650 has wide baffles that have an average amount of down stuffed into each one. This jacket is above average in baffle thickness, too. The thicker baffles block more wind and allow less heat to escape from your core.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down has a waist cinch shock cord and a small drop hem...
The REI 650 Down has a waist cinch shock cord and a small drop hem in the back.
Credit: Sam Schild


It has a waist cinch shock cord to tighten the jacket at the bottom hem. The back of the bottom hem has a slight drop to it as well, for a little more coverage when you lean forward.

When you zip this jacket all the way to your chin, it covers most of your neck to keep you as warm as possible. It's tight enough to seal in heat without being too tight to be uncomfortable. The elastic cuffs prevent heat loss at the end of your sleeves while also remaining comfortable.

rei co-op 650 down - the collar covers most of your neck when zipped up all the way.
The collar covers most of your neck when zipped up all the way.
Credit: Sam Schild

Comfort


The 650 Down is comfortable enough to wear every day. It is one of the more plush-feeling jackets we tested and definitely the least expensive model that was still enjoyable to wear all day. This isn't the most technical layer, but it doesn't try to be. It's a classic puffy jacket with a slightly more soft and silky material than you'd expect.


The lining material feels good against your bare arms. It's soft enough to slide over other layers and doesn't create that swish-swish sound as you walk. It fits better than many of the models we tested. It's just wide enough in the arms and torso to layer under but also not too big to layer on top of. This also has the most inclusive sizing of any jacket we tested, with sizes from small through XXXL as well as L Tall, XL Tall, and XXL Tall.

You can raise your arms above your head with very little restriction in this jacket. While this isn't exactly the jacket to take on an intense climbing trip, you certainly could climb in this jacket.

It has four pockets: two zippered hand pockets and two slip pockets inside the jacket. The outside pockets are a comfortable and warm place to keep your hands while you're out for a walk.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down is comfortable enough for any activity.
The REI 650 Down is comfortable enough for any activity.
Credit: Sam Schild

Portability


The men's size small we tested weighs just 10.1 ounces. This is one of the lightest models we tested. However, since it doesn't have a hood, it has a slightly unfair advantage up against a bunch of hooded jackets.


You can pack this jacket into the internal slip pocket or one of the hand pockets, but there is no way to zip it shut because the newest version of this jacket does not have a dual-sided zipper. We're not too disappointed about this since it's still a very lightweight and packable option. But, it could be more packable with the addition of a double-side pocket zipper. We mostly found ourselves wearing this jacket around town and not packing it into a bag for the mountains, anyway.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down weighs 10.1 ounces and can be packed relatively...
The REI 650 Down weighs 10.1 ounces and can be packed relatively easily into the internal slip pockets, even though these pockets weren't intended for this.
Credit: Sam Schild

Weather Resistance


The 650 Down is impressively wind and water-resistant. It performed well in the field in cold winter winds and snow. It did well in our water resistance lab tests, too.


The large, thick baffles block most of the wind as it blows across the jacket. Compared to many of the jackets we tested, this does a good job of blocking strong winds.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down is one of the more wind resistant jackets we tested.
The REI 650 Down is one of the more wind resistant jackets we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild

The DWR coating on the shell material will effectively keep you dry in light rain and dry snow, too. In our water-resistance spray and rub test, the shell material stays pretty dry after a minute of rubbing water directly onto the fabric. This is better than many of the other down jackets performed.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down stays pretty dry in snow and light rain.
The REI 650 Down stays pretty dry in snow and light rain.
Credit: Sam Schild

This jacket would be much more weather-resistant if it had a hood and more adjustment options. It has no way to cinch the neck tighter — or the wrists — and only a single cinch cord around the lower hem.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down stayed relatively dry in our spray and rub...
The REI 650 Down stayed relatively dry in our spray and rub waterproof test.
Credit: Sam Schild

Breathability


The REI 650 Down is middle-of-the-road in terms of breathability. Really, it's only as breathable as it is due to the fact that it lacks many features that can cause you to overheat — like a hood and ultra-warm down.


The only way you can ventilate this model is by unzipping the front. You can also open the pockets to ventilate your lower core, but the openings on these pockets aren't as big as some other jackets, where this method of mechanical venting works better.

However, since this model doesn't have a hood, you're not going to get hot as fast when wearing it. In that sense, this is one of the better-suited jackets for high-output activities.

rei co-op 650 down - this model lacks any true breathability features other than the...
This model lacks any true breathability features other than the front zipper.
Credit: Sam Schild

Its slightly looser fit also helps facilitate airflow through the jacket. When working hard, we found unzipping most of the zipper allowed us to dump a lot of heat quickly, and the loose fit and lack of hood made the process easier. All this isn't to say this jacket is breathable; it's simply not as bad as it could be. The shell material is less permeable than many fabrics. It starts to feel clammy as you sweat more than the most breathable models.

rei co-op 650 down - while it's less hot than many other jackets, the rei 650 down isn't...
While it's less hot than many other jackets, the REI 650 down isn't the most breathable.
Credit: Sam Schild

Should You Buy the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket?


This jacket hits the sweet spot in terms of affordability. It costs a lot less than many other down models, and that alone is a good enough reason for us. However, it's also one of the more comfortable options and has a classic puffy jacket style that we'd rock every day all winter. If you're in the market for a high-performing technical down jacket to get into some serious adventures with, this probably isn't for you. But if you're looking for a simple puffy you can wear around town or bring on vacation, the REI 650 will hold its own.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down isn't the highest-performing technical layer, but...
The REI 650 Down isn't the highest-performing technical layer, but it's a great value for an everyday puffy.
Credit: Sam Schild

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?


The REI 650 Down is a great option if you're on a budget. But if you're looking for a higher performing and still lightweight down jacket, we think you should check out the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. For a warmer, more technical jacket that is still a good deal, check out the Rab Microlight Alpine. For a slightly warmer jacket with the same casual look, albeit at a higher price, check out the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody.

rei co-op 650 down - the rei 650 down is a great value for an everyday down jacket.
The REI 650 Down is a great value for an everyday down jacket.
Credit: Sam Schild

Sam Schild