REI Co-op – the home model for outside retailer REI – persistently gives a formidable steadiness between high quality and worth. The most recent instance is the 650 down jacket, which is light-weight, made out of recycled supplies and heat.
The earlier model of this jacket is the 650 Down Jacket 2.0, so whereas that’s technically the present model 3.0, it’s now merely referred to as the 650 Down Jacket. REI has made some good adjustments, like including a drawstring hem to tighten the waist and forestall warmth loss from the underside of the jacket. The excellent news? It stays the most effective puffy jackets you should purchase.
Model 3.0
Probably the most noticeable change is the transition from a sq. grid sample to horizontal tubes. It is nonetheless a topstitched sample, which is not as heat (or costly) as baffled field development, however that is to be anticipated with a jacket at this worth. The vertical stitching within the outdated mannequin prevented the down from shifting inwards and inflicting chilly spots. If it shifts as a result of new development whereas sporting, you’ll be able to knead it again into place.
Picture: REI
The graceful nylon taffeta materials has been changed with Bluesign-approved ripstop nylon. Ripstop nylon has a grid-like construction that stops holes and tears from getting greater. That is an important transfer by REI, because it improves sturdiness with out including important weight. You’d suppose that outside clothes is powerful and sturdy, however loads of technical outside clothes is kind of fragile. To avoid wasting weight and area in a backpack, down jackets sometimes sacrifice sturdiness. Then again, sturdy clothes from manufacturers akin to Filson or Carharrt typically makes use of heavier supplies.
The one draw back is that this jacket prices $30 greater than the outdated one. That stated, the 650 Down Jacket stays the perfect deal in down jackets right now at $129. The value of goose down has risen lately as a result of elevated demand, and even low-cost jackets are likely to value extra.
The Down Low
The 650 down jacket has a fill energy of 650. Fill energy is a approach to measure and evaluate the warmth-to-weight ratio of goose down supplies (we now have a broader rationalization of fill energy right here). The ranking of 650 is typical for a jacket at this worth.
In comparison with artificial puffy coats, goose down has some benefits and a few disadvantages. Goose down is ounce for ounce hotter. You possibly can compact it and crush it right into a smaller area, which is nice for backpacking and touring. The most important drawback is that goose down doesn’t insulate you to maintain you heat when moist, and it takes longer to dry out than artificial insulation. Lastly, some individuals keep away from animal merchandise, together with goose down.
As with digital cameras and their megapixels, it is best to not get carried away with the fill energy numbers until you’ve particular wants. Anybody searching for absolutely the warmest down jacket for a climbing or climbing journey can discover loads of jackets with 800 to 900 fill, like REI Co-op’s personal Magma 850 Hoodie ($249), however it’s not. low-cost.
