REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 Review

Stuffed with 650-fill down and featuring a DWR (durable water repellent) treated nylon ripstop shell, the Rei Down 2.0 provides a lot of warmth, especially for its price point. With minimal features to add bulk, this simple coat compresses into a reasonably small package, making it an ideal carry-on piece while traveling or on your daily commute to work.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

Built with cool to moderate temperatures in mind, this lightweight down isn't the jacket we'd be grabbing for a winter trip to Colorado.

With that in mind, it does offer enough warmth to take the chill out of cool mornings and cold evenings, especially if you're on the move. The 650-fill down used in this coat just doesn't offer up the same weight to warmth ratio as jackets made with higher loft down.

Weight

With a size medium weighing in at 10.44 ounces, this is a fairly lightweight jacket. Its low weight makes it a no-brainer to throw it in your backpack anytime you leave the house, ensuring you're prepared for any unexpected dips in temperature. As noted above, while it is lightweight, the actual weight to warmth ratio is, when compared to other jackets in this review, quite poor.

However, you'll want to consider what your intended purpose is for this jacket and which adventures you'll be planning to head out on while wearing it. If you're after a budget-friendly option, have layering capabilities, and will not be heading into the extreme cold, this may be just the ticket.

Water Resistance

The water-resistance of this coat comes entirely from the DWR coating on the nylon shell.

While it can resist light precipitation, more serious rainfall will render this coat a soggy un-insulating nylon mess. This problem isn't unique to this down jacket and is just par for the course with the most insulating layers. If you think there might be any chance of rain, be sure to pack a waterproof shell.

Fit

Our review team found the fit to be boxy. The torso is built like a rectangle, which accommodates those with wider shoulders and barrel chests quite well. If you prefer a tapered fit or are on the slender side, consider sizing down. The 2.0's fit is a bonus if you're hoping to find an option that will allow for layering.

Compressibility

The 2.0 has decent compressibility. It packs into its own pocket but doesn't have a built-in clip-in loop. As with warmth to weight ratios, compressibility is largely a function of the quality of down used.

The 650-fill down used in this model won't compress as well as a down jacket of similar size and weight that is filled with higher loft down.

Features

This jacket is more or less devoid of any notable features. The 2.0 features two internal pockets and two hand pockets with zips. It has no way to tighten or adjust the waist hemline. Especially given the boxy torso, the lack of a cinchable waist lets warm air escape and makes it a less capable insulator.

Value

When compared to the other jackets in our testing lineup, this one falls short. However, keep in mind that the models in our fleet are top-notch and often boast a high price; the 2.0 is almost half the price of many in our review. This option from REI will be more than adequate for most people who want some lightweight insulation while out for day hikes or on chilly mornings. All things considered, we would say that this coat is a heck of a deal.

Conclusion

The REI Co-op 650 Down 2.0 is a budget-priced down that's ideal for casual hiking and around town use. While its performance didn't wow our testers, when you consider the price point and what it's up against, it's a very capable coat. Providing decent warmth and acceptable compressibility, this simply constructed down jacket isn't our top choice for serious backcountry and mountain-oriented missions, but is more than adequate for casual everyday wear.