For a 650-fill-power jacket to be as warm as an 850-fill-power one, it would need to be thicker, bulkier, and heavier. One ounce of 850 fill will be warmer than one ounce of 650 fill since it’s made up of higher-quality down with more loft. And it is usually packaged in a soft outer material that’s more susceptible to rips and tears.For our down options, this meant looking for a reasonable volume of high-quality down filling, which is measured by “fill value.” The fill value reflects how much loft and quality the down has fill values typically range from 650 to 850. Known to maintain warmth without needing active motion, down will protect against colder temperatures but will be rendered useless when wet. Down is favored by those who prefer the dry wintery conditions that see frigid temperatures without much moisture. Tester Tristan Baldwin chooses synthetics for “the high humidity conditions so commonly seen in between-season mountain sports.” When a synthetic jacket gets damp, it stays warm. Synthetics are better for those who live in damp, moist climates, as well as for pursuits that tend to be rougher on gear-shoulder-season hiking or bouldering, for example. Warmth: A great jacket should keep you warm, and we tested both down and synthetic insulators to find jackets that, when worn over a light base layer, will maintain reasonable warmth for activities like starting the car on a cold morning.It also has a DWR coating, which will help keep you dry for a short time, but the jacket is not fully waterproof. More susceptible to rips and tears because of its less-durable nylon taffeta shell, this jacket isn’t puppy-proof, but it is capable of brushing against undergrowth and backpack straps without noticeable wear. The cost savings show up in the form of sometimes-sticky zippers and in the wide baffling (which started shedding down fairly quickly). And due to this coat’s sturdy-seeming stitching, we think it should last for at least a few seasons. For those who live in climates that don’t require you to look like the Michelin Man to survive, this jacket is perfect for just-in-case scenarios when you need extra warmth. The jacket also comes in a wide range of sizes, is easy to layer under, and looks attractive. Unlike the makers of other budget jackets, REI actually lists down-fill-power numbers-and the 650-fill jacket performs well in moderately cold climates. Our testers found the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 (which comes in men’s and men’s tall sizes, and women’s and women’s plus sizes) to be the best low-cost option.
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