REI Stormhenge 850 Hybrid Winter Jacket Review

Bottom Line

The REI Stormhenge 850 Hybrid is a versatile jacket with excellent performance across our testing metrics that ranks near the top of our lineup of best winter jackets. We love its excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, durable and weather-resistant outer shell, and well-thought-out features. The Stormhenge is a great addition to any winter enthusiast’s closet. 

When taking this jacket out backcountry ice skating in Alaska, we loved how it filled the role of multiple jackets in one, keeping our backpack lighter and more streamlined. It provides the warmth of a down jacket and the weather protection of a shell. It’s the type of jacket to throw on when the temperatures plummet and can count on it to keep you warm. It’s best suited for active adventures where some degree of body heat can aid the Stormhenge’s insulation.

Well-thought-out features complete this jacket like pit zips, synthetic insulation under the arms, and appropriately sized jackets. Functionality means affordability and the Stormhenge will continue to be a jacket we reach for when the temperatures plummet and the snow falls.

How We Tested

Testing this jacket was easy because of how wearable it is in pretty much any winter condition (dry and cold, wet and cold, damp, windy, sleet, snow, and rain). We wore it mostly during backcountry adventures in Alaska (snowshoeing, skiing and ice skating), but also in town running errands.

Warmth

The REI Stormhenge offers enough insulation for most winter activities and is best suited for temperatures down to 10 degrees.

During our testing, we found that this jacket was best suited for active outings where body heat can contribute to the warmth of the jacket. It features a fantastic warmth-to-weight ratio means you can stuff it in a pack and barely notice it’s there. Put the jacket on, and it provides quick warmth and insulation.

We loved the 850 down through the body combined with synthetic insulation in the hood and arms. The down provides excellent loft to keep your core warm, while the synthetic insulation provides warmth in areas more exposed to moisture.

The jacket extends down to the hip, which, although lacking the warmth of parka length jackets, makes it more suited for active adventures and less cold outings. Regardless, you’ll still want to pair this jacket with a mid-layer or insulated base layer to achieve the best temperature regulation.

Weather Resistance

Too often, the biggest drawback of down jackets is that they have little to no weather resistance. The REI Stormhenge bucks that trend with its waterproof outer shell.

We took this jacket through blizzards and snowstorms and were continually impressed by its performance. We found it to be resilient enough to keep out snow and moisture but light enough to avoid the stiff crinkling found in other shells.

To further aid its weather resistance, the down insulation is DWR treated. If the jacket’s shell does soak through with extreme moisture, the down will also repel water. We loved the brimmed hood that quickly shed moisture off and away from the jacket.

While testing, we accidentally dunked the sleeves of the jacket in ice water and were pleasantly surprised by its performance when wet. The shell mitigated most of the water penetration, and the little that did enter through the sleeve was not enough to compromise the synthetic insulation’s warmth when wet.

Comfort & Functionality

The REI Stormhenge fills an interesting niche in the winter jackets market. It embodies some of the features of a more casual jacket while boasting the performance of a more technical option. As such, we found this balance to be awkward at times.

Though technical enough for backcountry adventures, this jacket lacks some of the functionality needed for a truly backcountry-oriented jacket. It can be bulky in a backpack without an added stuff sack and lacks the extreme warmth needed for when there is no escaping exposure. At the same time, it has the look and style of a more casual jacket. The hip length is trim yet still long enough to offer weather resistance and warmth.

We did find the fit of the REI Stormhenge to be strangely cut. It’s relatively narrow through the shoulders, leading to feelings of constriction, particularly when layered underneath or when making larger movements and reaches. Those with broader shoulders and torsos might want to size up. At the same time, the body can feel boxy without tightening the hem tightly, further adding to the conundrum that is the fit of this jacket.

Features

The Stormhenge offers excellent features and some unique touches that we found to be well thought-out and designed. The chief among them are pit zips. While common in rain jackets, this is the only winter jacket in our lineup that offers this feature. We particularly loved this when hiking at higher exertion and generating extra heat. The pit zips make it easy to dump heat but when closed are warm and comfortable.

Cinches around the hem and hood help dial in the fit and keep the weather out. We loved the brimmed hood for shedding moisture and the synthetic insulation kept us warm when wet.

Fleece hand pockets are warm and comfortable against the skin and the chest pocket is large enough to easily fit a cell phone. The only feature we would like to see improved upon is the velcro cuff tighteners. The tabs are relatively small, and the material is slippery, making it difficult to grab while wearing gloves.

Should You Buy the REI Stormhenge 850 Hybrid?

If you’re looking for one jacket to fill most needs, look no further than the REI Stormhenge.

At an affordable price, its performance punches far above what its price tag suggests. We suggest the REI Stormhenge for someone who only wants to bring one jacket outdoors with them. Great warmth, combined with excellent weather resistance makes it the perfect quiver of one.

However, if you’re someone who prefers to have their down insulation and shell weather protection in separate layers, this jacket might not be the one for you. Its hip-length design is great for active outings but lacks the full protection and warmth of longer parkas.

This jacket is best suited to wear on active outings and will tie you over long enough through periods of cold till you get moving again. The REI Stormhenge can easily be the one jacket you use this winter for its versatility and solid performance across multiple metrics.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Check out our other best winter jackets for men.

Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka Review: With a slightly more resilient shell, the Super Alpine offers extreme warmth in a slightly more durable platform.

Patagonia DAS Parka Review: If you love the warmth-to-weight ratio of the Neutrino Pro, but are looking for the wet weather performance of synthetic insulation, the DAS Parka will be the jacket to try next.

Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka Review: With even more insulation than the Neutrino Pro, the Khumbu is the king of cold weather, expedition-level parkas fit for your next foray into the deep cold.