REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket Assessment

The REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka comes very near top-notch efficiency whereas costing round half of what you may count on from a few of its extra commemorated opponents. The REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka isn’t the lightest backpacking or expedition-style puffy.

It doesn’t have a breathable GORE-TEX membrane, and it doesn’t come down previous your knees like a extra trendy, city-slicker parka may. However it does present glorious heat, climate safety, and sturdiness at $300.

I’ve examined comparable choices from Patagonia and Arc’teryx, just like the Patagonia Stormshadow Parka and the  Arc’teryx Therme SV Parka. Each jackets are heat, trendy, and well-loved by GearJunkie editors. Each are over $900. I’m pleasantly shocked that the efficiency disparity between the $300 Stormhenge and its pricier opponents is fairly dang marginal. 

Whereas I wouldn’t seize this jacket for a ski tour or lengthy hike within the backcountry, I might be carrying all of it winter lengthy, round city, and in between climbs on the sport crag. It’s not fairly the proper match for a ski jacket, however for those who solely get to the ski hill a number of occasions a yr, the Stormhenge will do the trick on colder, stormier days.

Briefly: REI retains the worth in examine with its proprietary waterproof breathable membrane and strategic placement of artificial insulation, however the Stormhenge is well-designed and well-constructed the place it counts. This versatile parka is a superb choice for anybody who needs to remain heat and dry with out shelling out the massive bucks. It’s been the highest finances choose in GearJunkie’s information to one of the best winter jackets for the final three winters.

REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka Assessment 

I examined the Stormhenge within the context it was meant for — round city on chilly winter days, slushy spring mornings, plus some laps at Mammoth Mountain, my native ski resort. What stood out to me instantly was this jacket’s loft and sturdiness.

Heat

The Stormhenge makes use of high-quality 850-fill energy goose down within the chest, again, and sleeves; 850-fill is just not the standard I’m used to seeing at this worth. Normally, that’s reserved for a costlier parka. All that down is held in place with baffles contained by baffles welded to the shell, so there aren’t any chilly spots. Although the shell makes this jacket look much less lofty as a result of it hides the puffy baffles, there’s a strong 2 inches of down between the wearer and the surface world. 

Standing in line for the ice skating rink with a chilly beer in hand, I felt heat and shielded from the wind. I’ve worn some parkas that go under the knee, and the sensation is fairly cozy, virtually like carrying a sleeping bag.

The Stormhenge park stops round mid-thigh, so it’s not as heat as a full-length parka, however the shorter size does make ice skating and mountain climbing, simpler whereas carrying it. A two-way zipper allowed me to open up the underside for elevated mobility whereas operating errands round city on my bike. 

The “Hybrid” a part of the title refers back to the polyester insulation used across the hem and aspect panels. Not solely does this avoid wasting price by requiring much less down, however the polyester insulates higher than down when it will get moist.

You’re almost definitely to get moist across the hem whereas sitting in melting snow, or via sweat below your arms the place the aspect panels are. Right here’s the factor, although —  within the time I’ve been utilizing this jacket, sitting on slushy ski lifts, getting pelted by heavy moist snow, I’ve but to see any moisture soak in via the shell.

Wind and Water Resistance

The shell isn’t as efficient as a raincoat, nevertheless it’s fairly shut and does nice in moist snow. I run each jacket via a standardized bathe take a look at, the place I stand below the water, slowly rotating, searching for leaks, noting how water runs off the hood, and checking to see how the DWR remedy performs.

Whereas I didn’t get to put on the jacket in a correct deluge, the bathe take a look at outcomes have me fairly assured that the Stormhenge can deal with any type of precip, frozen or not. After 10 minutes of standing across the bathe, handing over circles like a weirdo, I remained dry beneath the Stormhenge, and I couldn’t discover any indicators of water soaking via the shell cloth.

There’s no costly GORE-TEX waterproof breathable membrane right here, however REI does use a proprietary membrane referred to as Hydrowall. I can’t converse to its efficiency by way of breathability when in comparison with GORE-TEX.

However right here’s the factor — you’re in all probability not going to be doing numerous high-output actions like operating or quick mountain climbing whereas carrying this parka. The breathability issue isn’t all that essential for those who’re standing round within the chilly.

Options

The Stormhenge has lots of the identical options as costlier big-brand jackets, like a two-way adjustable hood and elastic inside cuffs (moderately than Velcro cinches). I might simply safe the hood whereas bike commuting, protecting my ears heat with out obstructing my view when turning my head, whereas the cuffs stored the wind out while not having to fiddle with a Velcro closure.

There’s additionally a two-way zipper, so the hem didn’t intervene after I pedaled my bike. I even used it whereas belaying on a chilly day within the Owen’s River Gorge, although the Stormhenge is a bit of bit heavier than the light-weight down jacket I often carry in my climbing pack.

The Verdict

GearJunkie editor Nick Bruckbauer and I’ve had the Stormhenge in testing for a couple of yr now. There are many fancier choices on the market, and that is the one we’d advocate to our buddies in the event that they had been in search of one thing strong that would go away them with some cash left over for the heating invoice.

It might not have that coveted brand throughout the chest, nevertheless it does its job about in addition to one of the best of them. In each accessible colours (black and forest inexperienced), it appears smooth and low-key — dare I say, timeless. The Stormhenge is the highest finances choose in our Finest Males’s winter jacket information and has been for 3 years operating. I’m betting will probably be powerful to unseat.