REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

I just picked this jacket up last week and took it on a three day packpacking trip that weekend in subfreezing temps. So I don't have tons of use with it yet but I'll give the jist so far. For starters, this jacket is not a competitor to the Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero parka (for the review below). That parka is designed to be a mountaineering jacket used in extreme conditions. It has a lower grade fill down and a tougher shell with a great DWR coating to repel snow and stand up to use in extreme conditions and exposure to sharp objects like crampons and ice axes. It is a fantastic jacket if that is your intended us for a down parka. This is not that jacket. The Antifreeze II is incredibly lightweight and rediculously warm. Lighter than the most down parkas with comparible warmth. It is also extremely compressible. The material for the outer and inner shell is comparible to the material that REI uses in their high end lightweight sleeping bags and this jacket feels as comfortable as one when you put it on. That being said the material is thin. It is intended to be a lightweight jacket. As far a durability goes I did take bushwacking and it scraped against some braches and brush and survived without a scratch. I was however being very careful as to where the jacket was hitting and avoided all possible branches. You do have to be a little cautious where you take it because it probably won't stand up to serious abuse. It has tapered sides which make it a lot more comfortable and not as poofy looking. The fit is standard to fit over a few layers (not larger like mountaineering jackets which are designed to fit over ALL of your outer layer). This standard fit keeps the jacket relatively close to you so your body doesn't have to heat up as much dead space before getting to the insulating down. And this jacket is incredibly warm (I've already said that but I can't over state how warm this jacket is). The hood is also a very nice feature for keeping in that extra heat and is removable when it's not needed. The fleece lining around the neck and the fleece wristcuffs are a nice touch and add to the overall warmth. Also the drawstring waist locks in that little bit of heat that would escape from the bottom. Now to the downsides. The zipper of this jacket is a little flimsy (I assume to save weight) and sometimes tricky to zip up. This is the only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. For mine I have to make sure the zipper handle is held ALL the way down to the bottom of the coat before inserting the opposite part otherwise it won't catch and zip up or down. Kind of annoying but once you get the hang of it you don't really notice it. There also isn't any durable material between the zipper and outer shell of the coat, so if you go to zip the jacket up in a hurry, sometimes the shell gets caught in the zipper. This happened the first few times I tried to zip up the coat and I noticed some zipper lines in the shell but no real damage. So you have to take your time zipping this coat up or you risk repeated abuse to the shell. Also I've noticed some very minor down leakage from the seams of the coat. Nothing major but just a tiny more than I would like, but this will most likely slow down over time as all down pieces tend to leak a little down when you first use them. There also hasn't been much down leakage from the shell itself.In recap, I love this jacket. I haven't found a down parka that matches the Antifreeze II for warmth to weight. It's light, compressible, and as comfortable as a down sleeping bag. If you're looking for that kind of jacket, or you want a warm, lightweight winter coat to wear around town, then this is a great choice. If you're looking for a jacket that'll be exposed to a more harsh environment, or you're just tough on your gear than this may not be the jacket for you, and as the other reviewer stated the MH Sub Zero parka is a great place to look. I[...]Hope this helps.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

I own the REI Antifreeze jacket (the precursor to this jacket), and it is by far the warmest and most compressible jacket I have ever owned. This updated version can only be better. The hood does wonders for warmth, and there are cinch cords at every opening that cold air could get in, so it keeps you warm by keeping cold air out. This jacket is especially useful for backpacking because it compresses down so small, and it is SO WARM. It is also wonderful for traveling because you can keep warm with it in the cold, and then when you get into a car or plane, you can stuff it into its stuff sack (included) and use it as a pillow. When you get out, just pop it out of the stuff sack and put it right on. To give you an idea of how warm this jacket is, I was warm outside in 20 degree weather last winter just wearing a t-shirt and this jacket for my upper body layers. This is a SPECTACULAR product.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

I tried this jacket on at my local shop and it fit nicely and seemed like it would be warm. I noticed the polyester material used felt a bit flimsy compared to the nylon used on Mountain Hardwear's jackets, but I figured with REI's satisfaction guaranteed policy, I'd give it a shot.I ordered online as the local store did not have the color I wanted. I picked it up shortly before closing and I was anxious to put it on as I had left my coat home and it was now 40F outside. As soon as I opened the package, I noticed there was a hole about twice the size of a ladybug with feathers popping out. I hadn't even put it on yet and it was ready to be returned.Because it was 40F outside I decided to put it on anyway while I called REI. Wearing only an REI tech tee and a pair of Under Amrour running pants, I actually started to sweat after 20m with the jacket zipped. I know 40F isn't that cold but that was impressive considering my lack of a proper base layer and the extreme light weight of the jacket. It's a shame the jacket is made so poorly that it rips before you even wear it.Anyway, the jacket is headed back to REI the day after I got it and I have already ordered the Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero parka. It cost me an extra $80 but having looked at both in the local store, I can see the MH is made a lot better and I expect it to hold up for some time.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

The other reviews covered the good things about this jacket adequately, so I won't repeat them. One thing online shoppers should be aware of though, because you can't tell from the pictures, is that this thing has a shiny metallic sheen that makes you look like you're wearing a spacesuit. I got the black, but the shininess makes it look more like silver. If you're someone with a quieter fashion sense, be aware this jacket will make you look like a lunar explorer.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

Jacket is super warm and puffy, and extremely comfortable. The main zipper is a little finicky, but isn't too bad. I love that the pockets are lined with fleece and that the hood is removable.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

There is no jacket that offers this much warmth for so little weight at such a reasonable price. Nothing comes close. The tapered cut of the jacket concentrates warmth where it is needed most. The fit is outstanding. The North Face Prism Optimus offers a similar combination of light weight and warmth, but for more than $100 additional. This jacket does not offer the ultimate in abrasion resistance and toughness, opting instead for light weight and low cost. When I use this jacket in rough conditions, I use a large, tough shell over it and this seems to work fine.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

A casual hiker, I purchased the jacket more for light activities. Living in cold Michigan I found this is the best winter jacket for driving! It is warm, lightweight, and not bulky - super for everyday activities. Oh yeah - it is also great for day hikes, shoveling, and sleigh riding!

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

This coat is incredibly warm and lightweight for its price. Being one of the cheapest down coats in the store, it holds it own easily. I received this coat during Alaska's coldest winters in years. It's been dropping to around -20 every day, and this thing has been a life-saver. I can wear it with a t-shirt or thin synthetic layer and stay perfectly warm when it drops this cold too!

Cons: it acquired a hole in the stitching between the barrier cuff and the inner sleeve.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

I have used this coat almost everyday for the past 2 months. It is the best winter coat I have ever owned. When I am outside with a merino baselayer and this jacket, I am as warm in -10 as I would be sitting inside on my couch! Even though it is warm, it is not too poofy to drive in. Other coats I have had were a pain because I had to take them off when I got into my car and then put them on again when I got out. I agree that the zipper could be a little easier to use, but now I am used to it and hardly even notice it. I just have to make sure that it is all the way at the bottom. I actually enjoy shoveling snow in this coat because it is so warm and light. Even in blowing wind and snow, you feel no air leakage whatsoever. I highly recommend this coat.

Comments about REI Antifreeze II Down Jacket - Men's:

I was about to buy this same type of jacket from The North Face, but glad I did not. This is an awesome jacket. When the package came (bought via internet) the box was so light I figured no way this could be any good. Was I wrong. Excellent fit (better than The North Face equivalent , very warm and extremely light weight. [...] One more thing, the sleeve length is perfect. I am 6' and have long arms, perfect fit.