The REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket is wallet-friendly and lightweight. It's a great first down jacket for those dabbling in outdoor activities, and who don't want to spend a lot of money. It's a decent jacket for a first summer backpacking trip at low elevations or summer camping trips. This model will likely not please the avid backpacker or climber, however.
REI Co-op 650 Down 2.0 - Women's Review
This is a very light, entry-level down jacket for moderate temperatures.
Price: $100 List | $74.89 at REI
Pros: Inexpensive, lightweight
Cons: Less warm, lower quality down
Manufacturer: REI
Cons: Less warm, lower quality down
Manufacturer: REI
By Lyra Pierotti ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Feb 23, 2020
Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket is an amazingly affordable jacket that can be worn for a relatively broad range of uses. It has its limits, but for all but the most advanced applications, this is an excellent choice.
Cozy in the coffee shop wearing the REI 650 down jacket.
Warmth
The 650 Down is far from the warmest in this review. It uses lower quality 650 fill down and is very lightweight. This means much less loft, and lower quality loft—so while it is still super lightweight, this comes at a significant cost to the warmth of the jacket. The larger baffling in the current model provides a little more loft than previous models, which we like, making this version much cozier than its predecessors.
The bigger rectangular baffles on the REI 650 down jacket make it feel more cozy and warm than its predecessor with narrower baffles.
Weight
This model is impressively lightweight. It comes at a cost to the warmth and compressibility metrics though, because the jacket uses lower quality 650 fill down. We prefer the Ghost Whisperer if weight is your top priority, as it weighs only 7.5 ounces, and features high quality down, making it extra warm for the weight.
Compressibility
Similar to the issues with warmth, this jacket is less compressible than it could be, due to the use of 650 fill down. This is a less compressible quality down, so while this jacket looks thin and feels light, it does not pack as small as a similar jacket with 850 fill down. It's an excellent jacket for casual use, as it will still save an impressive amount of space in your backpack or messenger bag on your daily commute—but it probably won't fulfill the needs of an avid lightweight backpacker.
Lighter than a latte and not much bigger, the REI 650 down jacket stuffs easily into its own hand pocket.
Features
This 650 Down Jacket from REI does not have a hood, which is always a favorite feature among our reviewers, as a hood adds a tremendous amount of warmth and protection from the elements. It does, however, pack into the left-hand pocket, but it does not have a loop to clip it to a bag or harness, etc. This model from REI does not have a chest pocket, but it does have a deep inside pocket which is excellent for stashing gloves, snacks, or your phone to keep them warm while venturing in cold places, or just to keep them accessible.
The 650 stuffs easily into its left-hand pocket, as shown by the reversible zipper in the pocket.
The jacket has a recycled nylon shell with durable water repellent (DWR) finish. The fabric is bluesign-approved, indicating that the material is produced sustainably, and it features down that's certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) - both excellent features.
It's a simple jacket with minimal features, and there is always something to be said for that.
We love the big bucket pockets inside the REI Coop 650 down jacket. They're great for keeping gloves and other items warm and dry.
Durability
We had no durability issues come up with this jacket during our testing period. The fabric is relatively average when compared to the rest of the models in this review: it is soft and supple, which tends to detract from a jacket's durability (especially around sharp or catchy and scratchy objects), but it is not as soft and supple as the lightest jackets in this review.
The 650 down jacket is sturdy enough for the occasional rock climb.
Water Resistance
The 650 Down 2.0 is reasonably water-resistant with the durable water repellent (DWR) finish, which is another improvement over the previous year's models. It's certainly not our first choice if out in the rain, and we would recommend pairing it with a rain jacket or hardshell.
Style
The 650 Down Jacket from REI is a simple, straightforward, down jacket. It has a casual, outdoorsy look to it that is hard to dress up when going out on the town, unless your town is outdoorsy, in which case it's perfect. We like the new baffling pattern, with larger, regular rectangles. It also feels and looks cozier as these larger baffles provide a little more puff.
The simple rectangular baffles pleased our reviewers, but you can make your own assessment here.
Value
The price of this jacket is stunning, and it's the best deal we've found for sure. This does come at a cost to some important features, notably warmth, compressibility, and water resistance. If you don't use a down jacket often and you find this one is adequate, then it will be a great value.
Conclusion
The REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket is a great entry-level model for someone curious about camping and backpacking, but who doesn't want to spend a lot of money on a down jacket. The 650 is adequate for midsummer, low elevation camping, and is suitable for the occasional backpacking trip.
Cozying up with a favorite book in the REI Coop 650 down jacket.
— Lyra Pierotti