REI Co-op  Microtrek Insulated Hoodie - Men's

At 5'11" and 180 lbs, the medium REI Co-op Microtrek Insulated Hoodie offers a comfortably roomy, non-athletic fit that provides ample space for layering heavy clothes underneath. It has proven to be an excellent everyday casual piece for the elements, keeping me very warm during active tasks like shoveling snow in Minneapolis temperatures ranging from the 20s to the 30s. While it feels like a significantly more affordable version of my technical La Sportiva Phase Down Jacket, it maintains impressive thermal protection and versatility for daily use. This hoodie excels as a practical, high-value workhorse for anyone needing a reliable outer layer that balances warmth with a relaxed, layer-friendly silhouette

In a nutshell: I like this jacket and will continue regularly using it until it falls apart. I got this jacket about a month ago and have used it every day in temperatures ranging from 10F to 40F, windchills from 0F to 35F, and in clear weather to snow, sleet, and light rain. REI sent it for free to review, so I was deliberately much rougher on it than I otherwise would've been. Regularly wore it as an outer layer while moving through dense Michigan underbrush, including scraping against thorns numerous times, and surprisingly it didn't get torn open anywhere. It's obviously not made to constantly scrape against branches and whatnot, but I wouldn't worry too much about damaging it with normal use. How I've used it: 1. The coldest weather I wore it in was 0F windchill while shoveling snow. Layered under it was a long-sleeve merino baselayer and a long-sleeve fleece. With boots, light socks, boxer briefs, hiking pants, fleece-lined gloves, and a hat, I was comfortably warm. 2. Typical use was 20-30F air temps and 15-25F windchill. In these conditions I was shoveling, hiking in hilly forests, and other moderate-to-heavy exertion activities. I was comfortably warm while wearing it with everything above except the fleece layer and hat. 3. Tried wearing it with the same clothes as #2 above in windchills at 35F during moderate physical exertion and it was borderline too warm. At 35F windchill I had to take gloves off and unzip the jacket to cool down occasionally. What I like: 1. Comfortable. I'm 6'2" and 190lbs and got the jacket in Large, and I never felt my movement was constrained/restricted with the jacket on, even while reaching straight above me. Main zipper is comfortable fully zipped up due to the cover/pocket at the top. 2. Sleeve length is a good fit for me but the jacket is slightly baggy overall. I like this because it makes layering very easy and comfortable. 3. Zipper pulls are all long enough to easily grab with gloves. 4. Hood isn't too tight -- it can easily be pulled on and off my head so long as the main zipper isn't fully zipped, and it stays on my head when the jacket is fully zipped. 5. Material/fabric does a good job at blocking wind. 6. Drawstring at the waist is easy to adjust -- basically what you'd expect in any comparable jacket. 7. The hip pocket zippers are covered by a fabric flap. Very minor feature, but it makes the pockets effectively deeper when warming your hands in them. Also -maybe- looks nicer with the zippers not visible. What could improve: 1. Hip pockets* and chest pocket zippers* could be slightly longer. My hands are above average in size but not enormous, and the side/waist pockets feel slightly too small when I have gloves on. 2. Zipper pull on the inside of the left hip pocket* (for zipping it once the jacket is packed into the pocket) feels a bit too small without a string attached to it. Easy to fix myself, but I'd prefer if it came with one attached. 3. Inner pouches* (behind the hip pockets) could be more useful if they were a few inches deeper. What I disliked: • (nothing) Would I buy it? • Yes, but I'd personally wait for a discount because I almost never buy outdoor gear at full price. In my experience, REI-branded clothes & gear vary widely in quality -- sometimes they're much worse than alternatives, sometimes they're comparable or better at the price point. Maybe I'll have a different opinion after next winter, but currently this jacket seems to be the latter (comparable or better than alternatives, considering the price). I would've gotten the Tall size* if it was available as I think it'd fit my body better. Notes: *1. Hip pockets each have a ~6.5" zipper, ~8" width (depth from zipper), and ~12" height. *2. Chest pocket has a ~6" zipper, ~5.75" width, and ~7.75" height. My phone is a Pixel 7a at roughly 6.0x2.9" and it easily fits inside but needs to go in & out at an angle. *3. The jacket can pack into either hip pocket as they're the same size, but only the left hip pocket has an interior zipper pull and is labeled "packable". *4. Inner pouches (on the inside of the jacket behind the hip pockets) are ~7.75" depth. *5. Every pocket zipper gets covered when wearing a full backpack/rucksack with a hip belt and chest strap. Expected but worth noting.

I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review. This is a warm and thin jacket, great for layering, or wearing alone in ~20F weather. It has all the features I could ask for; packs into itself, zippered pockets, additional inner pockets, and more. I like having an attached hood available, although any wind/rain resistant material like this will be loud and stop you from hearing the great outdoors. It's a backup option to me, but when needed is a lifesaver. The jacket compares well to comparable jackets from other well known companies.

This jacket has turned into my default layer for hikes and running around town in cooler weather. It feels warmer than you would expect for how light it is, cuts the wind pretty well, and does not get overly sweaty when I am moving. The fit gives me enough room for a layer underneath without feeling boxy, and the hood and cuffs do a good job of keeping the warmth in. I also really like that it packs down so it is easy to toss in a daypack or carry‑on. I wore it in the rain and it’s a typical insulated puffy that soaks in the water droplets over time. Overall, it is a solid lightweight insulated hoodie that feels like a great value.

I am very impressed with this lightweight hoodie! First off, it has been a great everyday jacket. It’s lightweight, water resistant and easy to stash if it gets warm later in the day. I especially like that it folds up into the left pocket (and doubles as a pillow). It’s warm enough for those cool days, and with layers it works great on the very cold days! I’m impressed with the quality of the stitching, the small details like elastic on the wrists, high quality zipper pulls and cinch straps around the waist make it easy to fit. I have the Stone Blue color, which is very unique and eye catching, yet not bright like a lot of jackets these days. I’m 6’4” and the length of the arms and torso are a good fit. I’m used to jackets being too short on me, but this one fit well!

I’ve been really impressed with this hoodie so far. The color is fantastic — a greenish blue metallic gray that looks even better in person than online. The material is super soft and incredibly lightweight, making it comfortable to wear for long periods without feeling bulky. One of the standout features is how packable it is. It compresses down very small, which makes it easy to throw into a backpack for changing conditions or travel. Sizing seems true to size overall. I intentionally ordered one size larger than I normally wear, and it fits a bit big, as expected. That said, the extra room actually made it excellent for layering. I wore this jacket on a day that was 34°F but felt like 22°F, and I stayed comfortable while moving. I used it as an outer layer over a hooded sweatshirt, and it performed really well in colder, windy conditions. It does a surprisingly good job blocking wind for such a lightweight piece. The hood is also a huge plus — it covered the back of my neck well when a stocking cap alone wasn’t enough to keep me warm. If purchased in your normal size (or even slightly smaller), I think it would also work very well as a mid-layer under a heavier jacket. Overall, this is a versatile, lightweight insulated hoodie that packs small, layers easily, and performs better than expected in wind and cool weather.

This is a well-made and warm insulated hoodie with a lot of thoughtful details like the adjustable hood and waist. The zipper pulls are nice as well with enough length that adjusting them with thick gloves is possible. It kept me warm on a couple hikes and while biking. On really cold days (under 30 degrees) I layered with a windbreaker on top and I was warm. If working up a sweat it’s better without the windbreaker though as it will let a little air in. I do wish it had a double zipper so I could unzip it from the bottom to vent it a little. Another thing to note is that this runs a little bigger than other medium jackets I have, so if you’re in between sizes, size down. It’s an excellent jacket overall though.

“I received these products for free from the REI Trailblazers sampling program in exchange for my honest review.” First, the size is accurate (XL). I am 6'0 215 pounds. The fit is comfortable with a shirt and a thermal base layer. There is a chest pocket and side pockets with zippers. I used the jacket for walking in the urban forest preserves at various temperatures. I had a thermal base layer for days with temperatures between 35 and 50 degrees with wind. I was warm and was able to maintain a fast. I always wore the jacket with a shirt on days when the temperature was between 50 and 60 degrees. It did get warm, and I had to unzip the jacket. The jacket can be rolled up into a ball and placed into a backpack. I can see myself using this jacket for hiking in the different mountain ranges. However, one has to be aware of the temperatures. Once the weather gets above 50 degrees, I will wear it biking to work. I have not tested it in the rain or snow. Overall, it is light, fits well, has provide comfort when walking.

Extremely light and warm! Live in New England and have work nothing but a t-shirt or flannel under this jacket and was not cold at all in 10 degree weather. Fit is great, true to size, not too tight on the chest or arms. I am 5’7” 175 pounds with a wide chest and this still fits great (not too long on sleeves or waist) and allows for great mobility. Also not nearly as puffy looking as most of these style jackets which I love! Buy it and you will not regret it!

I have several REI jackets and each one has a specific purpose when I am outside, hiking, climbing, biking and camping. This REI Microtrek Insulated jacket is the perfect blend for hiking in my nearby park of Acadia. It is lightweight, warm and I am also using it for early morning rides on my mountain bike. An extremely versatile jacket.