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REI Co-op—the home model for outside retailer REI—constantly strikes a formidable steadiness between high quality and worth. The newest instance is the 650 Down Jacket, which is light-weight, manufactured from recycled supplies, and heat.
The earlier model of this jacket is the 650 Down Jacket 2.0, so whereas that technically makes the present model 3.0, it is now simply referred to as the 650 Down Jacket. REI made a number of good modifications, like including a drawstring hem wire to cinch the waist and forestall warmth loss on the backside of the jacket. The excellent news? It stays top-of-the-line puffy jackets you should buy.
Model 3.0
Probably the most noticeable change is the transfer from a sq. grid sample to horizontal tubes. It is nonetheless a stitch-through sample, which is not as heat (or costly) as baffled field development, however that is to be anticipated on a jacket at this worth. The vertical stitching within the previous mannequin stored the down from shifting internally and creating chilly spots. If it does shift throughout put on with the brand new development, you’ll be able to knead it again into place.
{Photograph}: REI
The sleek nylon taffeta materials has been swapped for Bluesign-approved ripstop nylon. Ripstop nylon has a gridlike construction that stops holes and tears from rising bigger. That is an ideal transfer on REI’s half, because it improves sturdiness with out including vital weight. You’d assume outside clothes can be powerful and sturdy, however lots of technical outside clothes are pretty fragile. To save lots of weight and room in a pack, down jackets sometimes sacrifice sturdiness. Rugged clothes from manufacturers like Filson or Carharrt, against this, have a tendency to make use of heavier supplies.
The one draw back is that this jacket prices $30 greater than the previous one. That stated, at $129 the 650 Down Jacket stays one of the best deal in down jackets in the present day. The value of goose down has risen lately, resulting from elevated demand, and even discount jackets are likely to value extra.
The Down-Low
The 650 Down Jacket has a 650 fill energy. Fill energy is a strategy to measure and examine the warmth-to-weight ratio of goose down supplies (now we have a broader explainer about fill power here). The 650 ranking is typical for a jacket at this worth.
In comparison with artificial puffy jackets, goose down has a number of benefits and a few disadvantages. Ounce for ounce, goose down is hotter. You’ll be able to compact it and crush it right into a smaller house, which is nice for backpacking and touring. The principle draw back is that goose down would not insulate you to maintain you heat when it is moist, and it takes longer to dry out than artificial insulation. Lastly, some folks keep away from animal merchandise, which incorporates goose down.
Like digital cameras and their megapixels, it is best to not get caught up in fill energy numbers until you’ve gotten particular wants. Anybody searching for absolutely the warmest-per-ounce down jacket for a climbing or climbing journey can discover loads of 800- to 900-fill jackets on the market, like REI Co-op’s own Magma 850 Hoodie ($249), however they are not low cost.
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