If you're after a weather-resistant puffy jacket that offers a longer length within a durable and stylish silhouette, look no further than the REI Stormhenge. This affordable and eco-friendly jacket provides reliable protection from precipitation, complemented by a flattering silhouette. Strategically-placed baffles of goose down and synthetic insulation optimize warmth where you need it most.
The Stormhenge jacket features a combination of 850-fill goose down and recycled Bluesign-approved polyester insulation that remains lightweight and compressible. Like most jackets, it also includes an insulated hood, but it is not as protective as some others we tested. It is large enough to fit a beanie underneath, but doesn't have a ruff or brim to keep out wind and snow. A sleeping bag-like neck baffle extends to cover the entire neck and zips just below the mouth at the chin, trapping in body heat and limiting drafts at the neck. 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. Body-mapping technology places down insulation in higher-impact areas, and uses synthetic insulation in areas (like the sleeves) that are more likely to encounter moisture. 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, reaching just over the bum to about the mid thigh 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 form the bottom of the jacket to your body and better eliminate draft, but it still remains a noticeable difference in coverage. And while the hood is adjustable and provides adequate coverage, we wish it had a larger baffle ruff or faux fur ruff, along with a higher collar to prevent the face from getting chilled in precipitation and gusty winds. 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.
The weather resistance is one of the main reasons you may want to buy the Stormhenge. The jacket's outer shell is made with REI's exclusive 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 Vision 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 that lacks a faux fur ruff to prevent precipitation and wind from chilling the face and neck in the coldest conditions. 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 windblocking 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.
The Stormhenge is comfortable, true to size, and easy to wear. While not a standout design, it scores just about average in the group. Thoughtfully-placed seams help eliminate chafing for those carrying a heavy backpack, while the body-mapping technology places hemlines and insulation right where you need them. 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 hip belt-compatible, meaning you can fasten your backpack strap and still reach into your hand pockets.
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. And while we love the neck baffle for eliminating draft, we wish it were more substantial; it is better than nothing, but it doesn't quite replace a scarf. Although the Stormhenge doesn't receive the highest marks when it comes to comfort, we were satisfied overall with the compressible and lightweight design and a fit that doesn't restrict range of motion.
The Stormhenge offers solid versatility and style primarily due to a more fitted silhouette and shorter hemline. The sleek and flattering outer shell fabric also helps. Body-mapped technology improves the fit without increasing bulk, and the design is lightweight and very compressible should you need to pack it away in warmer temps. The two-way zipper is also a great way 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 the Stormhenge has more shape and style than other jackets that we tested, we would happily trade some style for a longer hemline and a larger hood to better protect our bodies from persistent cold weather. The hemline features adjustable drawcords to help keep the heat in, but we wish it also had zippered side panels to allow for better mobility, or effecient heat dumping in warmer climates.
The Stormhenge design provides solid construction quality and special attention to eco-friendly materials. We had no issues during our review period, and we see this jacket lasting through multiple seasons. The Vision YKK two way main zipper functions well, as does the smaller internal chest pocket. During our paper clip testing, we couldn't get any seams or baffles to fail, nor did the exterior outer 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.
If you're after an affordable winter jacket that performs well in wet climates, the Stormhenge is definitely worth your consideration. The jacket features an 850-fill goose down and polyester construction, protected by REI's two-layer Hydrowall outer shell and sealed with a DWR treatment. Body-mapping technology keeps a flattering silhouette while ample pockets warm your hands and keep your essentials close by. We wish this eco-friendly design featured a larger hood with a faux fur ruff to block the wind and precipitation even more, but the hood is sufficient for most weather conditions as is. The Stormhenge is perfect for those seeking to optimize warmth, style, and weather protection without breaking the bank.
The REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka is among our top performers in terms of a more affordable design that delivers solid performance in inclement weather. Another jacket with a similar price point, featuring 600 fill down and a faux fur ruff to protect your face, is the The North Face Arctic Parka. If you're willing to invest in a high-quality design that features a faux fur ruff to capture precipitation, along with preventing wind from chilling your face, the Fjallraven Nuuk design offers weather resistance, warmth, and great style. For those who care less about style 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 that will protect you well in drier conditions thanks to a longer hemline, a large hood, fleece-lined hand pockets, and 240 grams of 700 fill down insulation.
