Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded - Women's Review

The Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded down jacket has a 90/10 blend of 800-fill power responsibly sourced down, and an exterior of 20D ripstop recycled nylon with an eco-friendly DWR finish. The updated version has a slightly longer torso than previous designs, but it still has a straight hem and an overall boxy cut. It weighs 11.7 ounces (size large) and stuffs into its interior zippered pocket.

Warmth

The Fuego uses 800-fill power down encased in a 20-denier nylon shell, with small to medium-width baffles that hold a moderate amount of insulation. While this design keeps weight and bulk down, it isn't as generously filled as some competitors, which limits its overall warmth. The updated design has a slightly longer torso; however, it still lacks a drop hem to keep your bottom warm on exceptionally cold or stormy days. Dually adjustable hem cords can be cinched tight in a stiff breeze, and the cuffs and hood both feature soft elastic rims that are very comfortable, but can't be adjusted. We like wearing this coat around town and hanging out all day at the campsite, but we would look for something thicker for use in truly cold conditions.

Comfort

With a loose, boxy fit, the Fuego is easy to layer over bulky fleeces. Its lack of bulk also means it fits well under a protective shell. It lacks any mobility-specific features and often exposed our wrists and torsos as we reached for things, so we don't recommend it for dynamic activities like ice climbing or ski touring. The Fuego has four total pockets: two zippered hand pockets, an internal drop-in pocket, and an internal zip pocket (which is overtop of the drop-in pocket and functions as a stuff sack). The hem is dually adjustable, cinching completely closed all the way around.

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Portability

The Fuego is one of the lighter jackets we tested, but it doesn't quite cut it as an ultralight jacket. The size L we tested weighed just 11.7 ounces, which is quite impressive for its warmth.

The Cotopaxi Fuego stuffs into its internal zippered pocket. It was relatively easy to stuff the jacket into this pocket, and we appreciated the reversible zipper to seal it shut. The resulting dense bundle is an easy size to stick inside your backpack, or you can use the carabiner tab to clip it to your pack while on the move.

Weather Resistance

Both the down filling and the exterior nylon fabric of the Fuego have water-resistant treatments. During our water testing, the fabric beaded water on its surface, but after just 10 minutes, a light misting had soaked through the seams of the baffling. After sitting for 30 minutes, we were easily able to feel the moisture seeping through to the inside of the coat. If having a highly water-resistant down jacket is important to you, we wouldn't recommend the Fuego. Alternatively, you may consider pairing it with a light rain shell.

Breathability

The DWR-treated nylon exterior of the Fuego limits breathability somewhat, but the numerous small to medium baffles allow for decent airflow through the seams. Its loose fit also promotes ventilation, making it relatively breathable for a down jacket. However, with its puffy construction and non-wicking materials, it's not ideal for high-output winter activities where you're likely to sweat. That said, it's a great companion for moderate cold-weather adventures like winter hikes or everyday wear in chilly conditions.

Should You Buy the Cotopaxi Fuego?

The Cotopaxi Fuego is a comfortable, cozy down jacket that's great for sitting around and appreciating the outdoors in warmth. Its boxy shape gives it a retro fit that's easy to layer over thick garments as the temperatures drop. If you're after a technical, performance jacket to take on your next expedition, this simplistic jacket is likely to disappoint. But if you want a cozy and stylish coat to rock around town or on chilly evenings around the campfire, the Fuego is a solid, budget-friendly pick.

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?

If you love the idea of a warm down jacket but need more technical features, the Arc'teryx Cerium may be more up your alley. Alternatively, if sticking to this price point is important, the Rab Microlight Alpine is in a similar price range but weighs less and provides more precipitation protection than the Fuego. But for cool, dry, chill mornings spent sipping a hot beverage and basking in your surroundings, we enjoy the feel and look of the Cotopaxi Fuego.