REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka - Women's Review

If you're after a weather-resistant puffy jacket that offers a longer length within a durable construction, look no further than the REI Stormhenge. We've tested several iterations of this jacket and find that it still provides reliable protection from sleet, soggy snow, and freezing rain. Strategically placed baffles of goose down and synthetic insulation optimize warmth where you need it most.

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Warmth

The Stormhenge jacket features a combination of 850-fill power (fp) goose down and recycled Bluesign-approved polyester insulation that keeps the jacket lightweight and compressible. 850 fp down packs a punch when it comes to how much warmth you get from each feather, but REI does not specify how much of this high-quality down they use, and we suspect they went a bit light on the insulation. This jacket is not the warmest. It was enough to keep us warm down to the mid-30s, but after that we'd need to layer up, or start moving to generate our own body heat.

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A sleeping bag-like neck baffle extends to cover the entire neck, trapping in body heat and limiting drafts at the neck. We felt like the neck baffle definitely helped keep out the cold, but we wish it were more substantial. It is better than nothing, but it doesn't quite replace a scarf. REI uses bonded baffles that are welded to the outer shell. This seamless design eliminates the tiny holes that you get with traditionally sewn seams, and keeps insulation in place without allowing cold air to penetrate the interior. The sleeves extend beyond the wrist, while two gaiters insulate the wrists and prevent drafts.

The Stormhenge design features a much shorter length than other jackets in our lineup, which is another reason it's not as warm. It reaches just past the bum on our 5'6" lead tester. While the shorter length definitely provides a more flattering silhouette, we prefer a longer hemline that offers more warmth and weather protection in cold climates. There are two drawcords at the hemline that help to pull the bottom of the jacket to your body and better eliminate drafts. Still, we noticed the lack of coverage around our legs when walking in 20°F weather. While not the highest performer when it comes to overall warmth, the Stormhenge does a great job of combining warmth, weather protection, and style into an affordable package.

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Weather Resistance

Given the incredible weather resistance of this jacket, we weren't entirely disappointed by the lower warmth level. The Stormhenge is made to thrive in temps that hover around freezing, or just above, when melted snow would quickly wet out a less protective jacket. In these conditions, the warmest jackets might actually be too warm. Body-mapped insulation in the Stormhenge places down insulation in higher-impact areas (around the core), and uses synthetic insulation in areas that are more likely to encounter moisture (like the sleeves). This detail is key to its weatherproofing, since synthetic material continues to insulate even if it gets wet, whereas down will not.

Multi-layer and DWR-treated outer shells are a great choice for soggy conditions.   Credit: Trish Matheny

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The jacket's outer shell is made with REI's proprietary Hydrowall two-layer waterproof and breathable nylon shell that has a DWR treatment (and is constructed without PFAS). Similar to other top-performing rain jackets, the Stormhenge also features fully sealed seams along with a waterproof two-way zipper. During some wet, heavy precipitation during our fall testing period, the exterior fabric did eventually absorb some moisture. But our team appreciated the recycled fiber synthetic insulation as it dried quickly without reaching our underlayers.

Perhaps the biggest drawback to the Stormnhenge design is the shallow hood; we wish it had a higher collar and larger baffle to prevent the face from getting pelted by snow and gusty winds. The hood is large enough to fit over a beanie or ball cap, and it has cinch cords to tighten around the face, but it just can't compare to the wind-blocking abilities of a fluffy ruff. An internal storm flap covers the full length of the zipper, but it doesn't provide as cozy an interaction with the chin as other jackets we tested for this review. We prefer jackets that feature a fleece or microfleece fabric near the chin.

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Comfort

The Stormhenge is comfortable, true to size, and easy to wear. While not a standout design, it scores just above average in the group. We generally enjoyed wearing this jacket, and we appreciate that we never had to shorten our stride due to a knee length hem-line. The sleeves extend beyond the wrist and feature internal cuffs that fit snug to the wrist while allowing a full range of motion. The jacket features two cozy hand-warming pockets on the outside. These are fleece-lined and feel good on cold knuckles and fingers.

The Stormhenge has some limitations, though. The neck collar zips up to just below the chin instead of all the way to the nose, and the brushed tricot detail that covers the zipper isn't the most comfortable interface that we've tested. Although the Stormhenge doesn't receive the highest marks when it comes to comfort, it's one of the lighter-weight jackets we tested, and we never felt like we were lugging around extra pounds when wearing it. We were satisfied overall with the compressible and lightweight design and a fit that doesn't restrict range of motion.

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Versatility and Style

While previous iterations of the Stormhenge featured a more fitted silhouette that combined with a shorter hemline for a more stylish look, we found the latest version to be a bit roomier, which makes it easy to layer. Unfortunately, the updated fit has less of a flattering waistline, making it a little less stylish than before.

In fact the newest version of the Stormhenge feels more technical all around. Though we wouldn't typically go hiking in a longer jacket like this, the lighter weight and two-way zipper are great ways to simply offload some heat if you start to work up a sweat. Fleece-lined hand warming pockets combine with an internal chest pocket and two internal drop-in pockets to optimize storage and protect your cell phone battery from draining or getting wet in a storm.

While we love the protective outer shell of the Stormhenge, we wish there was a little more style to the latest iteration. We love the flashy green color that makes a statement, but a cinch cord to give the design a little shape would also be nice. The latest round favors more of a boxy sleeping bag than the previous, more fitted silhouette.

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Construction Quality

The Stormhenge design provides solid construction quality and special attention to eco-friendly materials. We had no issues during our review period, and we expect this jacket to last through multiple seasons. The two-way main zipper functions well, as does the smaller internal chest pocket. We dragged a paper clip across the face of the fabric, and we couldn't get any seams or baffles to fail, nor did the exterior shell show any signs of wear and tear, even after plenty of rock climbing, belays, camping, or hikes around the Yosemite Valley.

We love that the Stormhenge is constructed in a Fair Trade-certified factory and features Bluesign-approved materials in both the polyester insulation and DWR exterior coating. The treated outer shell and Hydrowall fabric give this jacket a stiffer and more rigid construction, providing even greater durability than a typical puffy jacket.

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

If you're after an affordable winter jacket that performs well in wet climates, the Stormhenge is definitely worth your consideration. The down and polyester hybrid insulation uses each material to your advantage, keeping you warm and dry in sloppy weather. While it's by no means an expedition jacket, we found it to be versatile for everyday use, and even some casual winter hikes. That said, it's not the absolute warmest. We were able to compensate by adding a few extra layers underneath, but if you live in a city that is subject to annual Arctic blasts, you might want to invest in something a bit thicker, longer, and warmer.

What Other Women's Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Another jacket we love is the The North Face Arctic Parka. It's a little warmer, longer, and more protective. It features a healthy dose of 600 FP down and a faux fur ruff to protect your face from the wind. For those who care less about silhouette and simply want to be able to strap on a warm and cozy sleeping bag, our go-to jacket is the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka. It will protect you well in drier conditions thanks to a longer hemline, a large hood, and 240 grams of 700 FP down insulation throughout.