REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie Review

REI Co-op is a consistent leader in the value space, but many of their designs are decidedly casual. The Magma 850 Down Hoodie bucks that trend, combining premium 850-fill down with a nice array of technical features and distinctive styling that wears well both outdoors and around town. We tested the latest version on a backpacking trip in Chilean Patagonia earlier this year, and while we wish REI retained the water-resistant shell of the previous model, the Magma remains a solid shoulder-season companion at an excellent price. Below we break down the Magma 850’s performance. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our article on the best down jackets.

Editor's note: We updated this review to reflect the newest version of this jacket on September 5, 2024. The previous model was called the 850 Down Hoodie 2.0 and sold for $219. The latest version boasts a trimmer cut and more sustainability considerations, though the outer shell is now recycled ripstop nylon instead of Pertex Quantum as it was previously. 
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Weather Resistance
• Weight and Packability
• Construction and Durability
• Features: Hood and Pockets
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

As a lightweight down jacket, the REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie provides adequate warmth for the shoulder seasons but falls short of being a true winter piece. Unfortunately, REI doesn’t provide a fill weight for the jacket, which makes it hard to pinpoint where it stands in the market, but I’d estimate it’s a little less insulated than Patagonia’s Down Sweater Hoody (which uses 5.3 oz. of 800-fill down in a men’s medium) and on par with Stio’s Pinion Down Hooded Jacket (3.3 oz. of 800-fill down). To help maximize warmth, REI opted for variable baffles, which provide more insulation where it’s needed (mainly around the core) and reduce bulk where it’s not. You also get heat-trapping features like a drawcord hem, internal draft tube at the neck, and a protective wind flap backing the main zipper. 
 

With just a lightweight baselayer underneath, the Magma was comfortable into the low 40s Fahrenheit. However, as temperatures continued to drop, pairing it with a more substantial midlayer was necessary. If you spend a lot of time in temperatures around freezing and below, it’s worth investing in a heavier-duty midweight piece like the Outdoor Research Coldfront or Arc’teryx Thorium.

Weather Resistance

As with most down jackets, the REI Magma 850 shouldn’t be relied upon in anything more than light moisture. It’s worth noting that the past iteration used a water-resistant Pertex Quantum shell, but REI opted for a more basic ripstop nylon shell with the latest version. To be fair, you still get a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating for fending off light moisture, and the down insulation is treated for added assurance. However, if you plan on spending any extended period of time in wet weather, it’s best to pair the Magma with a waterproof rain jacket or hardshell. And the same goes for gusty conditions: The jacket cuts a breeze just fine but can’t replace a shell in truly blustery weather.
 

In all fairness, down rarely excels in wet environments. If you’re looking for the best insulation performance for damp conditions, we recommend picking up a synthetic jacket instead. Unlike down, synthetics continue to insulate when wet and dry out much quicker (for a deeper dive, check out our article on Down vs. Synthetic Insulation). Some also feature weather-resistant shells that do a better job keeping wind and rain at bay. For a nice middle ground, there are a growing number of performance-ready down jackets that incorporate synthetic fill in moisture-prone areas, like Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody and Himali’s Accelerator Down Jacket, although cost goes up substantially.
 

Weight and Packability

At 12.5 ounces for the men’s version, the Magma 850 Down Hoodie is well positioned in terms of weight in the down jacket market. For comparison, it undercuts popular models like the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (14.8 oz.) and Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie (13.3 oz.) while checking in heavier than trimmed-down ultralight pieces like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody (10.7 oz.) and Rab Mythic Alpine Light (8.8 oz.). In practice, the Magma feels as light as its weight would suggest, and I have no qualms about taking it on longer backcountry objectives.
 

Given its relatively low weight, thin materials, and high-quality 850-fill down (which is more compressible than lower-quality options), the Magma 850 Down Hoodie packs down quite small. The left hand pocket boasts a two-sided zipper for easily stuffing it away, and REI included a fabric loop for toting from a climbing harness. Once compressed, I found it very easy to slide the compact package into the bottom of a daypack or full backpacking pack. And if you want to reduce packed size even further, you could always use a dedicated compression sack.
 

Construction and Durability

The REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie is well built and decently durable for a lightweight down jacket at this price point. REI smartly chose to use a ripstop face fabric, which is more abrasion-resistant than standard nylon, although it does feel fairly thin in hand. REI doesn’t list the fabric thickness, but I’d estimate it falls somewhere around 15-denier (D), which is thinner than competitors like the Patagonia Down Sweater and Stio Pinion (both 20D). With this in mind, it’s a good idea to be mindful around branches, thorns, and sharp equipment. Otherwise, I have very few qualms about durability: The zippers are lightweight but not fragile-feeling, and the stitching and seams are clean and neat. I have had to snip a couple threads at the cuffs and work a few loose feathers back inside the shell, but the jacket is overall in great shape. The only questionable decision, in my opinion, is the branding on the cuff, which looks and feels relatively cheap—I won’t be surprised if it peels off over time.
 

Key Features

Hood

The Magma 850 Down Hoodie has a nicely sized hood that works well both for casual and backcountry use. The single drawcord at the back makes it easy to fine-tune fit, and I had no issues with security even in strong winds. In terms of size, it’s too small to fit over a helmet but pairs well with a beanie or ball cap, and I personally enjoyed the close fit for maximizing warmth. In fact, it was my saving grace on nights that dipped below my sleeping bag’s temperature rating, effectively fending off the late-night and early-morning chill.
 

Storage: Pockets

In terms of storage, REI kept it simple but practical with two hand pockets and one exterior chest pocket. As I touched on above, the left hand pocket has a two-sided zipper for stuffing the jacket away, and both pockets are nicely sized for warming cold hands. The chest pocket is great for stashing a phone or small valuables, and I love that REI used both down and synthetic insulation to help preserve battery life in cold and/or damp conditions (remember, synthetic insulation will continue to insulate when wet).
 

Fit and Sizing

Past versions of the Magma 850 Hoodie had a noticeably boxy fit, but the latest model’s semi-trim cut is a big improvement and lines up well for performance use. For reference, I typically size down from my standard men’s medium to a small in REI jackets, and that size in the Magma fit my 5’9” frame very well. It paired great with a T-shirt or baselayer underneath and easily layered under a rain shell when the skies opened up. I did find the jacket a little short for my preference—bending over or crouching resulted in it riding up to my belt line—but the flip side is that it remains fully protected underneath a shell. 
 

Sustainability

With the Magma 850 Down Hoodie, REI continues the trend of sustainability with their in-house products. For starters, the shell and lining are both made from 100%-recycled ripstop nylon and treated with nonfluorinated water-repellent coatings. The Magma also contains bluesign-approved materials, which indicates REI took steps during production to minimize their impact on the environment, workers, and consumers. Finally, the jacket is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, which helps ensure safe working conditions, and REI’s status as a Climate Neutral Certified brand means they’re actively working to reduce and offset their carbon emissions. All in all, it’s a competitive effort that only adds to the Magma’s appeal.
 

Other Versions of the REI Co-op Magma 850

Our review above covers the men’s Magma 850 Down Hoodie, and REI also makes the jacket in a women’s version for the same price. The women’s Magma 850 features a mostly identical design but comes in different colorways, weighs a little less at 10.5 ounces, and has a trimmer cut. There are also non-hooded options available for men and women, which retail for $239. A final decision will largely come down to your objectives, with the non-hooded version being the better option for use as a midlayer (extra hoods can get in the way). For more on the topic, check out our article: Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?
 

What We Like

• Packed with premium 850-fill down, which we don’t often see at this price point.
• Reasonably light at 12.5 ounces and highly packable—great for weight- and space-conscious backcountry adventures.
• Nice assortment of technical features, including an adjustable hood, hydrophobic down, and variable baffles that maximize warmth while minimizing bulk.
• Distinctive styling wears well both outdoors and around town.
• Sustainably built with recycled nylon, bluesign-approved materials, and nonfluorinated DWR coatings. 

What We Don’t

• Relatively lacking in protection, especially compared to the past version that featured a water-resistant Pertex Quantum shell.
• Thin shell should be treated with care around branches and sharp equipment. 
• Branding on the cuff detracts from the jacket’s otherwise clean appearance and seems susceptible to peeling off over time.
• Our 5’9” tester found the Magma a little short for his liking—bending over resulted in it riding up to his belt line.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

The REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie is a lightweight down jacket that offers solid levels of warmth, and the longtime leader in this category is Patagonia’s Down Sweater Hoody. As I touched on above, it’s difficult to provide an accurate comparison since REI doesn’t list the Magma’s fill weight, but the Down Sweater felt notably warmer in testing. The Patagonia also wins out in storage with the addition of two interior drop-in pockets—great for stashing a beanie and gloves—and has a more trustworthy shell that doesn’t feel as delicate as the REI’s. A final advantage is the wider selection of colorways, although some will appreciate the REI’s more distinctive styling. In the end, it’s hard to argue with Patagonia’s high-end fit and finish, but the Magma will save you a substantial $80 without making any major sacrifices.
 

The Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoodie is another longstanding and popular design to consider. Stacked up against the Magma, the Transcendent uses slightly lower-quality 800-fill down—which doesn’t compress as well as the REI’s 850-fill insulation—weighs a bit more at 13.3 ounces, and omits a drawcord for adjusting the size of the hood. However, you do get an additional internal stash pocket with the OR, along with a thicker-feeling shell that inspires more confidence around sharp equipment. All told, both are well-priced and capable down jackets, but the REI’s lower price and weight give it the overall edge for us.

Next up is Stio’s Pinion Down Hooded Jacket, which is another design that outperforms its price tag. For just $36 more than the Magma 850, the Stio offers a sizable step up in protection with a highly water-resistant Pertex Quantum shell and YKK zippers for added assurance. The rest of the design is largely similar to the REI, including a three-pocket layout, good packability, an adjustable hood and hem, and a competitive sustainability slant. The REI is a little more performance-ready, but the Stio weighs 0.5 ounces less, crosses over better for everyday wear, and comes in a wider assortment of colorways. Whether or not the added protection is worth the price increase is up to you, but we consider both jackets to be excellent values.
 

Last but not least is an in-house alternative to consider: REI’s 650 Down Hoodie. As its name suggests, the 650 uses much lower-quality down that lacks the loft and compressibility of the Magma’s premium 850-fill variety. True to its casual intentions, the 650 also has a more streamlined feature set, including a fixed hood, non-treated down that’s quicker to clump up when wet, no dedicated stuff pocket, and no draft tube or wind flap for sealing out cold. You do get an additional pocket with the 650, and the $149 price tag is hard to beat for a quality everyday piece, but the Magma is far and away the better performance option (for more, see our in-depth 650 Down Jacket review).

Editor’s note: We usually provide a live price comparison table below our outdoor gear reviews, but the Magma 850 is sold exclusively by REI Co-op. You can see the Magma 850 Down Hoodie page here and support us in the process. Thanks!