REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka Review

What sets the REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka apart is its near-perfect balance of quality and price. This jacket really is amazing for the price you'll pay.

Warmth

Warm? Not overwhelmingly. But, for this jacket's weight and insulation density, it does a pretty good job. We enjoyed wearing it, when we were moving or when temps were in the high 20s and above. We don't feel prolonged, standing-still exposure to serious cold is this jacket's forté.

Hopping onto a light rail train, exiting our car for the supermarket, shoveling snow, or taking a winter hike — the Stormhenge was perfect for all of the above and more.

This is not a heavyweight parka, but there's a reason for its airy design. At its core, it was designed for outdoor winter sports, like hiking or snowshoeing. Like we've already stated, the Stormhenge was crafted for movement. However, we also found it substantial enough for most daily routines. Heading to dinner, grabbing a beer with buddies, or catching a basketball game weren't a problem on average winter days. And, when temps dropped a bit, the fit is roomy enough to layer a thick sweater, beanie, and more underneath.

Our testing confirmed our initial feelings about its warmth. The Stormhenge didn't keep us as warm as other models. We stood motionless in sub-freezing temps for 20 minutes with a Bluetooth temperature device against our chest. Our interior reading was about 73 degrees. For comparison, some of our warmer parkas registered close to or above 80 degrees.

We wore this Bluetooth temperature gauge under our coat to measure how the Stormhenge held onto our body heat.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Having enough room under the hood for a beanie was a key feature in keeping us warm on chillier days. We liked the Stormhenge's tailored look, but it also had enough extra room for layering -- a perfect balance.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Weather Resistance

We subjected our Stormhenge to rain and wind. Its above-average performance impressed us enough to award solid scores for this metric. Again, for the price, this little beauty really packs a punch.

The Stormhenge is protected with a sturdy nylon shell that is backed by REI's HydroWall membrane (similar to Gore-Tex). All of its stitched seams are sealed. Whenever two pieces of fabric are sewn together, the result is a weakened area due to micro holes from needles and natural gaps between the two ends of the fabrics. To prevent water from penetrating these areas, waterproof tape is adhered along every seam of the Stormhenge. The same process is used on tents and canopies. During a recent storm, we were impressed with the Stormhenge's ability to fend off moisture, even after 30 minutes of moderate rain.

There were several other protective features that we loved. The Stormhenge offered a top-notch cinchable hood and a drawstring hem. Both of these features were a blessing when chilly winds swarmed us. Additionally, our tester loved the interior draft tube that encircled his neck. This is a feature that REI wasn't forced to add, but did so by choice — shout out to thoughtful designers. Draft tubes are a simple insulated baffle (more commonly placed at the openings of sleeping bags). When the Stormhenge is fully zipped, this insulation softly secures around the neck to help block core body heat from escaping through the top of the coat.

The hood on the Stormhenge is not detachable. Not everyone loved this, but it did come with benefits. Having a fully secured hood prevented heat loss and offered better protection against wind and rain. So, in terms of weather resistance, this was an absolute positive. Lastly, we didn't like that the exterior cuffs didn't adjust. Most jackets offer a Velcro strap that can be cinched down during extreme weather. However, the Stormhenge did make up for this with impressive interior spandex wrist gaiters. They secured nicely against our wrists, holding in heat and protecting against wind and rain.

The wrist gaitors are tucked under the cuffs.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

They have a high amount of spandex, so they sit snuggly against the wrists. This blocks out wind and moisture well, but some of our testers didn't like their tight fit.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Comfort

We've tested a few versions of this jacket, and we loved this latest model the best. Not a lot has changed, but we did notice a more tailored fit with our new Stormhenge. That, and its lightweight design, made it a pleasure to wear all day.

The slightly thinner nature of the Stormhendge made it easier for us to comfortably sit down without the jacket billowing up around our waist and chest. It also had a two-way zipper that allowed us to expand the hem if we needed more freedom. We also liked the construction around the neck and chin. When fully zipped, this entire area rested comfortably against the skin. This is a simple but key performance feature because it allowed us to wear our jacket all day without irritation to our face.

Sitting in this jacket isn't a problem. A lot of coats tend to bulge through the mid section when you take a seat. We liked that the Stormhenge didn't.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Not all jackets offer a two-way zipper. It's great for accessing pockets, increasing ventilation, adding mobility, or when nature calls.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

On windy, cold days, we really liked the Stormhenge's extended collar. It's soft on the inside and can be worn for long periods of time without irritation.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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This jacket can certainly be used for daily wear; however, as mentioned, it was designed for outdoor recreation, so the helmet-compatible hood is slightly too large for normal wear — we didn't like this. Luckily, there was a cinching cord on the rear of the hood which remedied this problem. We also found ourselves nitpicking about the exterior hand pockets. They're zippered. This is great for security and weather resistance, but we didn't like how the zipper teeth pressed against our hands and wrists. This was lower on our list of complaints, but we did notice it often.

A close up of the zippered hand pocket.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We didn't like how the zipper rode against our wrists, especially if we were using the pockets while walking long distances. There's probably no quick fix to this -- it is what it is -- but it still bugged us.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Versatility and Style

Honest Abe, the Stormhenge is a jacket made for staying active in the winter, but it doesn't feel or look like one — we loved this. We appreciated its unpretentious versatility because it allowed us to wear it wherever and whenever we wanted.

All of the seams on the Stormhenge are reversed-stitched, which gives the exterior of this jacket a smooth, clean appearance that resembles higher-end outdoor wear. That, combined with its tailored lines, extended rear coat tail, and simple style, allows it to stylistically blend into just about any environment or activity. In short, this jacket has class and looks great. As for versatility, its recreational design allows it to easily transition to whatever activities you have in mind.

One versatile feature we loved was this jacket's “mapped” insulation. The Stormhenge uses a partitioned mix of down and synthetic fill. Each is strategically placed. For example, the hood, the end portion of each sleeve, and the bottom half of the jacket's rear are layered with polyester fill, while the core of the jacket uses down. Basically, since down-fill doesn't insulate as well when wet (but synthetic fill does), REI placed synthetic insulation in the areas most likely to become saturated. Not a bad idea. An additional feature we loved was the placement of the hand pockets. They sit perfectly on the jacket so they can still be accessed when wearing a harness or hip belt. This is an excellent convenience for climbers and hikers.

Construction Quality

We said it earlier, but we feel this jacket is underpriced. True, the Stormhenge is not perfect. It's a bit of a lightweight. But dang, for the price, REI really maxed out every square inch of this parka.

We've already mentioned this jacket's sealed seams, HyrdoWall waterproofing, draft tube, and drawstring hem. We also loved its less-noticeable construction features. We counted its stitches per inch and were impressed. Most of the seams were held with 14 to 16 stitches per inch (12 is considered average). We also ran the end of a paper clip across the shell fabric, and although it did leave some scratches, the nylon fended off any serious damage. The one reality that the Stormhenge can't outrun is its overall structure. Its shell fabric is not as dense or rugged as many of the jackets in our lineup. Over time, we feel it could more quickly show signs of normal wear and tear.

Reversed seams give the Stormhenge a classy look. They also are less likely to snag or tear.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved its durable, water-resistant zippers.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

It's a simple thing, but having a cinchable hem is the GOAT. It binds the bottom of the jacket to your waist and helps keep cold air out and warm air in, especially when there's a breeze.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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Should You Buy the REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka?

A thousand times, yes. We love this jacket and feel it is an excellent bargain. Again, one key caveat to consider is its warmth. This jacket certainly isn't a wimp, but it also wasn't designed for Arctic conditions. So if you need to be densely bubble-wrapped against frigid temps, you'll want to consider one of the heavier parkas in our lineup. Aside from that, we think this jacket will appeal to a very broad demographic, thanks to its style, construction quality, and versatility. If you're looking for a coat that will keep you warm and dry enough for everything from hiking to the daily commute, we think the Stormhenge should be added to your short list as a serious contender.

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