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REI Revelcloud Hoodie Jacket

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
photo: REI Revelcloud Hoodie Jacket synthetic insulated jacket

This jacket has been good for casual, non-hiking uses and for long-distance hikes. Due to its weight and the effectiveness of its insulation, I wouldn't hesitate to take this jacket on any hike, though for extreme low temperatures it is obviously not enough on its own. I recommend buying it. This review is intended for the Men's version of this jacket, though I doubt there is any significant difference.

Pros

  • Weight
  • Insulation

Fit & ComfortThe jacket fit my body well at the arms and torso. Its lightness and flexibility made it almost invisible to wear - accomplishing tasks while hiking was extremely easy.

Adjustability: There isn't much to adjust with this jacket. It's a simple design with three outer pockets that is fairly form-fitting.

Water resistance: It has reasonable water resistance. As an insulated jacket, I imagine it would take sustained contact with rain to soak through. However, I haven't put this to the test. I use it paired with a simple, lightweight rain jacket which helps to protect the weight and fit advantages of this jacket.

Breathability: As an insulated jacket, breathability is not the first thing I was looking for. Quite the opposite. This jacket holds heat extremely well.

Moisture: As an insulating jacket, its ability to wick is not relevant.

Warmth: The jacket holds heat well and was sufficient for keeping my arms and torso warm at temperatures as low as 40 degrees, though this also involved some level of activity (walking, setting up camp, etc). I wouldn't necessarily say it will keep you warm if you're sitting still in low temperatures for an extended period of time, but again, its lightness and fit make it really ideal as an inner-layer on top of other cold-weather clothing.

Layering: This jacket is ideally suited for layering.

Abrasion: While the jacket has not shown any abrasion, it does have a feel that it needs to be cared for somewhat. I wouldn't necessarily go rolling around in a pile of thorns with this jacket. Having said that, it accompanied me on a 70 mile thru hike where it was worn for six to four hours per day during camp set up and tear down and was perfectly fine. I wear it casually as well and it's still as good as new.

Functions: Zippers and pockets are convenient and easy to use. All pockets have zippers.

Ease of use: Extremely easy.

Features: Jacket collapses into a small stuff sack about the size of a softball. This is by far the best feature. When not wearing this jacket, you can make it virtually invisible in so far as it's extremely light and extremely small.

Durability: While I feel like it could potentially be damaged under stress, I've worn it quite a bit and it's still good as new. I recommend buying it and seeing for yourself.

Conditions: I've had it for about a year and taken it on strenuous hiking and also used it around the town. It's still as good as new.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $80

I bought this jacket as an impulse buy at REI with my 20% off outlet coupon. The jacket was already marked down due to not a popular color? (This color purple was the only color marked down and there were a ton of them) The rest were $129. So with coupon I paid $47.93. What a deal I couldn't pass it up! I learned to live with the bright odd color purple. It is super lightweight and crazy warm!

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Packs into side pocket
  • Has a zipper pocket on left chest area that I love!
  • Inside hole for headphones to come through chest pocket
  • Warm
  • Great for backpacking
  • Great for layering clothing

Cons

  • Weird color

image.jpg

image.jpg
Packs into side pocket 

Crazy color, but great buy! As you see above the reason I bought the jacket. I got it for a steal and it makes a great backpacking jacket, great camp jacket when mornings are chilly, to keep warm while eating my breakfast.

The two things I love are the chest pocket with headphone wiring capabilities and that the whole jacket packs into one of the side pockets for easy transport and putting in a backpack. 

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $47.93

This is an affordable, warm, packable, lightweight jacket and very good quality for REI.

Pros

  • Packable
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Warm

Cons

  • Could use more pockets

I picked up the Revelcloud jacket at REI on clearance. I had been eyeing the Patagonia version of this style down shirt/jacket for a while but could justify the cost. Now that I have it, I'm glad I waited, but also know that it's worth its original price, especially when compared to the price of the Patagonia. 

The quality is very good.  A lot of times, with gear from REI, it's a mixed bag.  On this one, they've got a winner.  The stitching looks great, the material is very nice too, and you can't go wrong with Primaloft. (I wonder if they'll move to something like Primaloft's new Alpha for the next version of this jacket?)

As far as function, it does what it is supposed to. It's warm and has a nice fit.  It comes with an included stuff sack which makes the jacket pack down to a tube about 4"x 9".  It has a breast pocket on the outside, just like my marmot softshell (a great place for an iPhone) and it also has a headphone port in the fabric on the inside of that pocket so you can route earbuds out. 

I do wish it had at least one more pocket on the inside.  I really like the larger mesh pockets in the REI rain jackets, but I guess with this application, as a insulating layer, they deemed it unnecessary.

I highly recommend this jacket to anyone looking for a lightweight insulating layer, it's more than enough for going around town or on the trail in 30-40 degree weather.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $73.83

G**D**** you REI for making the perfect jacket and then removing it from your line several years ago and then re-releasing it without telling me!!!

Pros

  • Warm
  • Durable
  • Hood
  • Hood
  • Hood

Cons

  • Worn till its stuffing shows through the holes

Just now I find out about this newest rendition in time to see that it's also been discontinued.  I lament my old rag of a jacket, that I still wear because it still works after performing flawlessly thru hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Pinenut

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: What is behind me does not matter.

Awesome all-purpose jacket. Ultra comfort and ultra-utility.

Pros

  • Lightweight and packable
  • Amazingly warm
  • Can be an insulating layer or casual jacket

Cons

  • Material is by no means flimsy, but it's not the most durable

I've had this jacket (actually a men's large) for three years now and it's been a dream the whole time. It's kept me warm across a dozen counties, including in the Inland Northwest and Norwegian winter, all while staying still looking almost new. Except the oil stain from where I spilled nearly a cup of mayonnaise off a Zapikanka in Poland :P

Makes an awesome pillow once stowed, too!

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: ~$100

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Specs

Men's
Price Historic Range: $73.73-$99.93
Reviewers Paid: $73.83-$100.00
Women's
Price Historic Range: $73.73-$159.00
Reviewers Paid: $47.93
Product Details from REI »

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