REASONS TO BUY
Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
Full of features
Reasonably priced
Easily packable
REASONS TO AVOID
No pull tab on stuff-pocket zipper
Short hem length
REI Co-op Magma 850 Hoodie - Women's Review
A lightweight and relatively affordable down jacket that provides excellent warmth for its weight, making it a great option for outdoor enthusiasts who prioritize performance without the bulk
From mountain adventures to everyday chores, the REI Magma 850 is our favorite down jacket.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
RELATED: The Best Down Jacket for Women
Our Verdict
The REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie is an affordable, high-performance down jacket. It's stuffed with ethically sourced, 850-fill-power down insulation, which keeps the weight to a minimum while maximizing warmth. Bolstered by additional heat-trapping features, this hoodie offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio compared to heavier, bulkier alternatives. It's ideal for anyone who wants a versatile down jacket – it's great as a standalone layer while camping and hiking in the shoulder seasons or as a mid-layer during the colder, mid-winter months. The Magma 850 isn't the absolute warmest jacket nor the absolute lightest among the women's down jackets we tested. However, its exceptional performance across the board and a very reasonable price point make it our top recommendation for anyone looking for their new favorite puffy.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
REI Co-op Magma 850 Hoodie - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Overall Down Jacket for Women |  Best Value Down Jacket for Women | Good Value on a Very Limited Budget | ||
| Price | $249 List $123.83 at REI | $100 List | $129 List $129.00 at REI | $64 List $51.18 at Amazon | $59 List $46.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Balancing warmth, weight, and cost, this is an ideal choice for folks who want a high-performance down jacket without breaking the bank | A budget-friendly jacket that balances warmth, weight, and packability, making it a practical choice for both trail adventures and everyday wear | A solid and reasonably warm puffy that's more affordable but does come with some flaws | Simple and straightforward, this low-loft down jacket packs away small and costs less than most | This budget-friendly option comes in a ton of cute colors, has a removable hood, and packs down tiny for travel |
| Rating Categories | REI Co-op Magma 850... | Decathlon Forclaz M... | REI Co-op 650 - Wom... | Wantdo Packable Hoody | Lock and Love Ultra... |
| Warmth (30%) | |||||
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Breathability (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | REI Co-op Magma 850... | Decathlon Forclaz M... | REI Co-op 650 - Wom... | Wantdo Packable Hoody | Lock and Love Ultra... |
| Down Fill | 850-fill-power goose down, treated with DWR | 800-fill-power down | 650-fill-power down, 80% minimum | 90% duck down | 80% duck down, 20% duck feather |
| Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Outer Fabric | 100% recycled ripstop nylon shell, DWR treated | 100% 15D polyamide (35 g/sqm) | Recycled nylon, DWR finish | 20D nylon taffetta | Nylon |
| Measured Weight | 11.5 oz ( size L) | 11.3 oz (size L) | 11.1 oz (size L) | 8.8 oz (size S) | 10.0 oz (size S) |
| Measured Weight | 12. oz ( size XL) | 11.4 oz (size XL) | |||
| Hem Type | Drop hem (small) | Drop hem (small) | Drop hem (small); hip length | Straight hem; hip length | Straight hem; short length |
| Fit | Standard | Slim | Standard | Standard | Slim |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest | 2 zippered hand pockets | 2 zippered hand, 2 internal slip | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior stash pockets with media pass-through | 2 zippered hand, 2 internal slip |
| Hood | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cuff Construction | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic | Elastic |
| Adjustment Points | Drawcord hem; adjustable hood | Single hem bungee | Single hem bungee | None | Dual hood bungees |
| Stow Option | Packs into pocket | Packs into pocket with double sided-zipper and attachment clip point | Packs into the right pocket with double tab on zipper | Packs into an included drawstring stuff sack | Packs into an included drawstring stuff sack |
| Features | Draft neck tube. Available in XS to 3XL Made with bluesign approved material in Fairtrade Certified factory, REI is Climate Neutral Certified | Stuff pocket has double-sided zipper with pull tab. Clip loop for attaching | Made in Fairtrade Certified factory, REI is Climate Neutral Certified | N/A | N/A |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The REI Magma 850 features a recycled ripstop nylon shell treated with a durable water repellant (DWR). The insulation of this baffled jacket is an 850-fill-power goose down, which has also been treated with a DWR. What sets the Magma 850 apart from other lightweight down jackets is an unbeatable combination of high-quality down, compressibility, and a competitive price.
The Magma 850 is available in a range of sizes. It is designed with an athletic fit that layers well over midlayers and under an outer shell. I put this jacket through its paces to see how well it held up against other premium brands – let's see how it performed!
This wonderful down jacket is comfortable, packed with features, and more affordable than expected.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Warmth
The Magma 850 is insulated with responsibly sourced 850-fill-power goose down, a fill-power commonly used for its excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. It is among the warmer jackets in our lineup, making it ideal for cool to cold weather conditions. It's comfortable to wear down to around 30 °F with just a base layer, though in sub-freezing conditions, I recommend adding a mid-layer or outer shell to maximize warmth.
Even though it isn't the absolute warmest down jacket on the market, various design points help efficiently trap heat without adding bulk or weight. The insulated, adjustable hood provides a cozy fit. This coziness is further enhanced by the draft tube collar, ensuring no wind or snow will blow down your neck. The elastic-bound cuffs and drawcord-adjustable hem also help seal in heat.
The internal draft tube collar is a unique feature that adds significant warmth.
Credit: Sara James
The variable baffle design strategically places down insulation for optimal warmth, with most of the insulation focused around your core. Less critical areas are made with less material, further bolstering the Magma 850's warmth-to-weight ratio.
Our testers were surprised by the short hem of this jacket, which resulted in a cold butt if we had to bend down or reach up.
Credit: Sara James
Comfort
The Magma 850 stands out for its soft, lightweight fabric and well-tailored fit. The interior lining avoids the slippery or crinkly feel of some other ultralight down jackets I tested, making it comfortable for extended wear (even if you work up a slight sweat).
The jacket features two ample, zippered hand pockets positioned high enough for easy access when wearing a pack or harness. A smaller chest pocket is perfectly sized for stashing a phone.
The Magma 850 features a chest pocket, well-positioned side pockets, and stretch-knit cuffs, adding even more comfort and convenience to this cozy jacket.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The athletic cut of the Magma 850 is form-fitting, yet allows for moderate layering. Although it has a small drop hem, many of our testers felt that the length of the hem was on the shorter side relative to other jackets we tested. The jacket would ride up if I were stretching to reach something or bending over – I particularly noticed the lack of coverage while riding my bike.
Ashley typically wears a small jacket, but she appreciated the extra length of this size large.
Credit: Sara James
Portability
I weighed our women's size large at only 11.5 ounces, making the Magma 850 an excellent option for folks prioritizing a light pack. This jacket compresses down small enough to fit into a backpack easily, making it an ideal choice for backpackers, climbers, backcountry skiers, or anyone looking to pack an extra warm layer without the extra bulk.
The left-handed pocket doubles as a stuff sack, theoretically allowing for convenient packing. However, it took nearly twice as long on average in timed packing tests to pack the Magma 850 than directly comparable jackets. Even though the stuff pocket has a double-sided zipper, the lack of a pull tab on the internal zipper left us fiddling to zip it closed. Although it includes a clip to attach the capsule to a backpack or climbing harness, adding a simple pull tab to the internal zipper would dramatically improve packability.
The zipper to close the stuff sack is small and lacks a pull tab, making it harder to grab and harder to close than many other similar jackets we tested.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Weather Resistance
The updated version of the Magma 850 no longer uses Pertex Diamond Fuse for the outer shell, opting for a more environmentally friendly, bluesign-approved, recycled ripstop nylon treated with a DWR. Regardless of the change in design, this jacket is still suitable for dry to moderately wet conditions (layered appropriately, that is).
This jacket held up well against light rain and snow, with water beading off the ripstop nylon shell. The down insulation is also treated with a DWR, which helps the Magma 850 perform better than non-treated down jackets in humid climates or wet conditions. That said, this jacket is not fully waterproof, and prolonged exposure to heavy rain or wet snow will compromise the down's insulating ability.
Thanks to its DWR treatment, water easily beaded off this jacket in light rain.
Credit: Sara James
If you're planning on facing prolonged wet conditions, I recommend pairing this jacket with a waterproof shell – otherwise, you should consider other, more weather-resistant alternatives. While it offers decent weather protection for a down jacket, the Magma 850 will not perform as well as a synthetic insulated jacket with insulation specifically designed to maintain loft when wet.
I poured one-half liter of water onto the shoulders and rubbed it in to simulate wetting out under a backpack strap. The stitching appeared to absorb some water, but none penetrated the inside.
Credit: Sara James
The Magma 850 also performed well in wind resistance tests. An internal lining ensures that gusts that push through the seams don't reach your core. Although this jacket isn't a replacement for a dedicated wind shell, it provides solid protection against the elements, especially for a down jacket.
Unfortunately, the hood lacks the same interior lining as the rest of the jacket, making it a bit more susceptible to consistent winds.
Credit: Sara James
Breathability
Ultimately, this jacket is designed for warmth, so I only recommended wearing it for high-output activities in very cold conditions. When I went out for a ski tour on a chilly powder day, I paired the Magma 850 with a shell jacket and didn't overheat.
However, on days when the sun was out and the weather was a bit warmer, the Magma 850 was a bit too warm to wear while moving uphill. It was better to pack this jacket away and pull it out when necessary, rather than try and wear it through all-day activities. If you get hot on the move, the large pockets and center zip allow for quick and effective ventilation.
Even though this jacket is great for casual hikes, it is a bit too warm to wear for any sustained time uphill.
Credit: Sara James
Should You Buy the REI Co-Op Magma 850 Hoodie?
The Magma 850 is an excellent choice for folks seeking a premium, ultralight down jacket without the hefty price tag. It is impressively warm, highly compressible, surprisingly weather resistant, and exceptionally versatile. With high-quality materials and thoughtful construction, the Magma 850 competes with top-tier ultralight down jackets while maintaining REI's commitment to affordability and sustainability.
No matter the activity, this has quickly become our go-to down jacket.
Credit: Sara James
What Other Women's Down Jackets Should You Consider?
If you're looking for an even lighter down jacket, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody is ultralight and supremely packable. The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody offers a more relaxed fit and better wind resistance, while the Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody combines down and synthetic insulation for better performance in wetter climates. However, all of these alternatives are more expensive than the Magma 850 – if you to spend less, check out the reliable REI Co-op 650.
There are warmer, cheaper, and lighter options on the market, but it's hard to find another down jacket that beats the Magma 850 in all three categories.
Credit: Sara James
—Sara James
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