REI Co-op’s 650 Down has been our favorite budget-friendly down jacket for years and recently underwent a revamp. After testing the latest model in Chile, we’re happy to report that the improvements justify the $30 jump in price, including a more tear-resistant shell fabric, stronger sustainability focus, and cleaner look. REI also added a waist cinch for sealing out drafts. Performance and durability still fall short of more premium models, but at this price point, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded piece. Below we break down our full experience with the 650 Down Jacket. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best down jackets and best midlayers.
Table of Contents
Performance
Warmth
If you’re searching for a cozy down jacket at a low price point, the REI Co-op 650 is a great candidate. The jacket’s lining is soft against the skin, and the 3.5 ounces of 650-fill down kept me warm into the 40s Fahrenheit with just a t-shirt on underneath. I also enjoyed wearing the jacket as a midlayer on cold (mid-teens) ski days with a midweight baselayer underneath and a shell overtop. It’s worth noting that the past version of the jacket was theoretically a little warmer with an additional 0.7 ounces of down, but in practice I didn’t find there to be a discernible difference. Backcountry-goers may want to upgrade to the hooded version for the boost in insulation and coverage, but the non-hooded jacket is a great everyday companion that crosses over well for light adventuring.
We found the 650 Down Jacket warm down into the 40s Fahrenheit with minimal layering underneath | Credit: Jason Hummel
However, when pitted against more expensive alternatives, the REI 650 Down Jacket does fall short in terms of performance. For example, Patagonia’s popular Down Sweater packs in 5 ounces of 800-fill down (higher fill power delivers more warmth). Backcountry-ready designs like Arc’teryx’s Cerium and Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer/2 also use higher-quality down that offers more efficient warmth. That said, all of these jackets will start to suffer when temperatures dip down toward freezing. For true winter conditions, a heavyweight design like the Rab Neutrino Pro (7.5 oz. of 800-fill down in a size medium) is much warmer and more weather-resistant.
The jacket’s 650-fill down falls short of pricier alternatives in terms of warmth for the weight | Credit: Jason Hummel
Weather Resistance
Considering its casual slant, the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket offers decent protection against the elements. The durable water repellent (DWR) coating effectively beads water on the surface for short periods of time, and light snowfall easily slides off the shell. REI also added a hem cinch to the latest model for sealing out wind and dialing in fit, which was a complaint we had about the prior version. In the end, the 650 Down Jacket certainly wouldn’t be my first pick for anything more than light rain or snowfall—and we always recommend bringing a shell into the backcountry—but it provides a small dose of weather protection in mild conditions.
We appreciate that REI added a hem cinch to the latest version of the 650 Down | Credit: Jason Hummel
As with warmth, however, the REI’s weather resistance doesn’t stack up as favorably when you compare it to the premium down jacket competition. For example, the Rab Microlight Down Jacket ($295) uses hydrophobic down as an added layer of defense in wet weather, while the Arc’teryx Cerium Jacket ($380) boasts synthetic Coreloft in moisture-prone areas. That said, the vast majority of down jackets are far from impervious to the elements and will eventually succumb to sustained rain or snow. If you’re looking for a piece to withstand these conditions, a synthetic jacket is a much better bet and will continue to insulate when wet.
Like most down jackets, the 650 Down is best suited for dry conditions | Credit: Jason Hummel
Weight and Packability
Despite its affordable price and casual design, the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket feels very light in hand. Checking in at 10.9 ounces for the men’s version, it easily undercuts other popular options like the Patagonia Down Sweater (13 oz.) and Rab Microlight Down Jacket (14 oz.) while stacking up closely to Arc’teryx’s much pricier Cerium Jacket (10.6 oz.). You can shave weight with a more specialized and performance-ready option like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 (8.3 oz.), but that jacket is less everyday-friendly and over double the cost of the REI. For most folks, especially those who plan to wear the 650 Down casually, the jacket is plenty light.
The past-generation 650 Down Jacket stuffed into its left hand pocket, but REI removed the two-way zipper with the latest update. It’s still possible to pack the jacket into either hand pocket (although there’s no way to secure it), but many will prefer to simply shove the jacket into their pack to fill in the gaps surrounding other gear. However, if you plan to take the jacket on hiking and backpacking trips where space is limited, I’d recommend purchasing a separate stuff sack that compresses it down a bit more.
You may want to use a separate stuff sack since the jacket doesn’t come with one | Credit: Jason Hummel
Construction and Durability
Throwing on the 650 Down Jacket for the first time, you’d never know that it’s a budget piece—a big reason why it earns our endorsement as the best cheap down jacket on the market. The lining feels relatively soft against the skin, most of the smaller details look clean and neat (including very subtle branding on the chest), and the jacket has an overall premium feel, which isn’t something I expected at this price point. And in terms of durability, everything is holding up quite well. There are a few loose threads to snip, and the cuffs have started to pill a bit, but both issues are minor and largely cosmetic. I also had one of the hand pocket zippers come off of its track but was able to reconnect it with some patience. And importantly, REI upgraded from standard nylon to more abrasion-resistant ripstop nylon with the latest update, which gives the relatively thin 20-denier (D) shell more of a trustworthy and hardwearing feel. You’ll still need to be careful to avoid snags and tears, but that’s true of any lightweight down jacket.
The 650 Down Jacket feels much more premium than its price tag would suggest | Credit: Jason Hummel
Features: Pockets, Hem, and Cuffs
While not the most feature-rich design, the REI 650 Down Jacket checks most of the boxes for casual wear and light outdoor use. For storage, the jacket comes equipped with two zippered hand pockets, which are nicely sized, along with two generous interior drop-in pockets for stashing items like gloves or a beanie. The only notable omission is a chest pocket, which is our preferred spot for stowing valuables. The hand pockets will work, but you’ll need to be careful when opening and closing them to avoid items falling out. And as I touched on above, REI addressed a complaint we had about the past-generation 650 Down by adding a hem cinch to the latest model. All told, I felt the jacket was adequately appointed for most outings while retaining a relatively streamlined look and feel.
We love the jacket’s internal dump pockets for stashing items like a beanie or gloves | Credit: Jason Hummel
Fit and Sizing
As I’ve found with most other REI jackets I’ve worn, the 650 Down Jacket falls on the larger side of the spectrum. For reference, I’m around 5’10” and 155 pounds, and my standard men’s medium was noticeably big. It would have worked for use as an outer layer, but a small afforded me a better fit overall and a sleeker look for casual outings. Importantly, I was still able to fit a layer underneath or add a rain shell or hardshell jacket overtop. For those on the fence, I recommend sizing down in the 650 Down. And importantly, REI offers an extensive selection of options to choose from: The men’s jacket comes in 10 sizes, including four “Tall” options, while the women’s jacket is available in eight sizes from XS to 3X.
We ended up sizing down to achieve a streamlined—but still layering-friendly—fit | Credit: Jason Hummel
Other Versions of the REI Co-op 650 Down
We put the men’s 650 Down Jacket to the test for this review, and REI also makes the design in a women’s version. The women’s 650 Down Jacket costs the same and has a nearly identical feature set but runs a bit shorter (26.5 in. vs. 28.5 in.) and is offered in different colorways. Given the popularity of the design, REI also sells the 650 Down Vest in both men’s and women’s styles, along with a couple cheaper jackets for toddlers and kids. Rounding out the lineup is the 650 Down Hoodie, which tacks on a hood for $20 more than the version we tested (note: There’s only a men’s version currently). We like the non-hooded style for layering under a shell, but those who anticipate wearing the jacket as an outer layer may want to upgrade.
Sustainability
The outdoor industry has seen a sizable uptick in the use of sustainable practices of late, and the 650 Down Jacket is a great example. In addition to using 100%-recycled nylon for the shell, REI utilized a non-fluorinated DWR coating that forgoes the use of harmful chemicals. The jacket is also made with bluesign-approved materials that have been deemed safe for workers, consumers, and the environment. Finally, REI is a Climate Neutral Certified brand that has worked to measure, reduce, and ultimately offset greenhouse gasses emitted during production.
The 650 Down is a nice reflection of REI’s ongoing sustainability efforts | Credit: Jason Hummel
What We Like
One of the best values on the market—you’d be hard-pressed to find a more well-rounded down jacket from a reputable outdoor brand for less.
Despite its casual slant, the 650 Down Jacket is surprisingly light and well built.
The addition of ripstop nylon and a hem cinch adds a nice boost in performance compared to the past-generation version.
The jacket has a streamlined look and feel with its subtle branding, sleek exterior, and classy colorway selection.
REI is an industry leader in inclusive sizing: The 650 Down is available in 10 sizes for men (including dedicated “Tall” options) and eight for women.
What We Don’t
Large and boxy fit isn’t ideal for performance use, and we ended up sizing down.
No chest pocket for stashing valuables.
We experienced a few fit and finish issues, including loose threads, minor pilling along the cuffs, and one of the hand pocket zippers disconnecting from its track.
Not a standout in warmth, although you’d be hard-pressed to find more insulation or higher-quality down for the price.
The 650 is well built inside and out, from the soft lining to the ripstop nylon shell | Credit: Jason Hummel
Comparison Table
The Competition
REI’s 650 Down is one of the best values on the market and handily beats out most other budget down jackets in overall quality and performance. One design that comes close is Decathlon’s Forclaz MT100, which costs around $30 less but uses loftier and higher-quality 800-fill down (2.9 oz. in a size medium). Weight is also competitive between the two designs, with the Decathlon checking in at 10.2 ounces. And unlike the REI, the Forclaz packs down into one of its hand pockets and includes a hood (the comparable 650 Down Hoodie costs $149). However, in addition to a drop in storage (there are just two hand pockets), the Decathlon has a more fragile 15D fabric and lacks the soft, higher-end feel of the REI. All told, the 650 Down exceeded our expectations, while the Forclaz looks and feels like a $100 down jacket.
Another popular down jacket, albeit at a higher price point, is the Patagonia Down Sweater. Both jackets are super versatile for casual outings and light backcountry use. Compared to the REI, the Patagonia uses 5 ounces of higher-quality 800-fill down and feels more premium throughout. It also fits better in general with a more flattering—but still layering-friendly—cut, tacks on an interior chest pocket that converts to a stuff sack (complete with a carabiner loop), and doesn’t skimp on the details with features like welted zippers and tons of classy colorways to choose from (for more, see our in-depth Down Sweater review). If your budget allows, the Down Sweater is tough to beat for its high-end feel, sleek looks, and range of potential uses. But for less than half the price (and a couple ounces less), the 650 Down Jacket is an attractive budget alternative.
The 650 Down Jacket offers a truly hard-to-beat combination of price and performance | Credit: Jason Hummel
Next up is The North Face’s Aconcagua 3, which uses a combination of 600-fill down and synthetic insulation (220g). This gives it the edge in weather resistance over the REI—synthetic fill will continue to insulate when wet rather than clump up like down. The North Face jacket also has a thicker shell (50D x 50D) that’s more confidence-inspiring overall, although most other features fall short. Specifically, storage is more limited with just two hand pockets, there’s no hem drawcord for sealing out wind, and weight and packed size go up. Taken together, we prefer the 650 Down for its lighter, cozier, and more feature-rich design at a considerably cheaper price.
A final option to consider is Eddie Bauer’s CirrusLite Down Jacket, which costs the same as the REI at $129. Both jackets also use 650-fill down for warmth and are competitively lightweight (the CirrusLite is 9.6 oz.). However, the Eddie Bauer falls short of the 650 Down in most metrics: It has less storage with just two zippered hand pockets, doesn’t include a hem drawcord, and uses standard nylon that’s less abrasion-resistant than the REI’s ripstop variety. The only potential advantage with the CirrusLite—apart from the minor drop in weight—is that you can often score past-season colorways at a significant discount. If you’re willing to pay full price, however, the 650 Down strikes us as the better all-around value.
Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but the 650 Down Jacket is sold exclusively by REI Co-op. You can see the 650 Down Jacket page here and support us in the process. Thanks!
