REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka (Women's) Review
The REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka ($229) is not a refined jacket, and that's kind of the point. The fit is relaxed to the point of being almost shapeless, the hood isn't winning any beauty contests, and the hardware is chunky. But spend some time with it, and you'll start to understand the appeal. We wore it throughout an Alaskan winter and subjected it to everything from hauling wood to shoveling snow without any concern for wear, and it held up without a mark. It’s comfortable, easy to throw on over any number of layers, and can handle temperatures into the teens. The Campwell is no fashion statement, but it might just end up being the jacket you reach for more than any other in your closet.
Warmth
Comfort
Weather Protection
Features
Durability
Sustainability
Weight
2 lb. 2.9 oz.
Insulation
650-fill down, 120g synthetic
Waterproofing
None
Fabric
Nylon
Back Length
36.5 in.
Pros
Cons
REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka
For this season's top models, see our guides to the Best Women's Winter Jackets.
The REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka is a cold-weather down parka that's at its best in the 20-degree range. I wore it day in and day out for a full winter in Anchorage—neighborhood walks, running errands, clearing last night's snow off the car, making a quick dash to the store—and found it capable in everything from light snow at 25 degrees Fahrenheit to bluebird sun dipping to 15. Below 15 degrees, being at rest started to feel too chilly. I typically wore the Campwell over a long-sleeve shirt and a fleece jacket, which hit a comfortable sweet spot for most days out.
The REI Campwell Down Parka gets its warmth from 650-fill down in the main body and the brim of the hood, along with 120-gram synthetic insulation in the lower body and hood. This is a strategic use of insulation that maximizes loft and warmth while giving you protection against moisture where you need it most (unlike down, synthetic insulation continues to work when wet). And another benefit of the jacket’s mostly down construction is that it packs down surprisingly well: I threw it in my duffle for a weekend getaway, and it took up only marginally more space than the Patagonia Down With It Parka—a far cry from the jacket my husband packed, which needed its own bag entirely.
The Campwell's relaxed fit is both its biggest asset and its main warmth limitation. It makes the jacket incredibly easy to grab and go—no wrestling with a fitted cut over bulky layers—but the roominess lets cold air sneak up from the hem, and with no drawcord at the waist, there's no way to close the gap. The other features are serviceable: gasket cuffs do a solid job sealing out wind at the wrists, and the fleece-lined hood cinches down nicely to keep cold air from running down the back of the neck. The Campwell falls a step short of a women's winter jacket like the Patagonia Down With It Parka in outright warmth, but paired with the right layers, it gets the job done.
The Campwell Down Parka is a genuinely comfortable jacket, largely thanks to its relaxed, almost shapeless fit. I found plenty of room to layer whatever I wanted underneath without having to think too hard about it, which made it an easy grab for quick outings when I didn’t want to squeeze a more form-fitting parka over bulky layers. And if the mobility wasn’t enough, REI added vertical zips at the hem on each side, in addition to a two-way front zipper, both of which I’ve found to be welcome touches when sitting down or driving. It’s not as stylishly form-fitting as something like the Patagonia Down With It Parka or The North Face's Arctic Parka, but it's the much easier, more relaxed choice for everyday wear without feeling like I’m wearing a marshmallow.
It’s funny how the Campwell’s budget construction actually leads to pretty impressive comfort. There’s nothing special about the interior fabric, but it’s silky-smooth against the skin, and the shell is soft and supple, with a less technical, more sweatshirt-like feel. The fleece-lined hood and collar don’t look particularly premium, but they feel cozy against the face, and the knit cuff gaskets offer a snug, hugging feel around the wrists. And in my opinion, the jacket’s heft (over 2 lb.) contributes to its warmth, offering the secure sensation of a weighted blanket.
Starting with the obvious: The Campwell Down Parka is a down jacket without a waterproof membrane, meaning it’s not built to wear in heavy or sustained precipitation. If you’re looking for a winter parka that can play double duty as a rain jacket in a 34-degree drizzle, this isn’t it.
That said, it handles light moisture surprisingly well. My fizzy water exploded all over me in the car on my first day wearing it, and I was relieved to find I could wipe it off without a trace. I also wore it through a light snow shower on an hour-long neighborhood walk and came home looking like I'd never been outside. During a winter in Anchorage, I snowblowed the driveway, cleared the car, and logged miles in the snow without issue. Among the long parkas I've worn—including the Montbell Ultralight Long Down Travel and the Patagonia Down With It and Down Sweater Parkas—the Campwell stands out for its weather-resistant shell.
The Campwell is even less equipped for heavy winds. I didn't encounter any truly windy days during testing, but I often felt cold air sneaking up from the hem—the consequence of the relaxed, open cut with no drawcord at the waist. The gasket cuffs are a genuine bright spot, keeping wind from running up the sleeves entirely, and the fleece-lined hood adds meaningful wind protection when cinched down. Would I want to rely on the Campwell Down Parka for protection in a serious squall? Certainly not. But for errands, chores, and short jaunts in inclement weather, it gets the job done.
The Campwell Down Parka doesn't offer anything surprising in terms of features, but it has everything I need and little to complain about. The hood is very roomy—large enough for me to wear a beanie with a pompom underneath—but it snugs down at the front with a pair of toggle cord locks, and the fleece lining and down-insulated brim really add to the cozy, locked-in feel. While I know it’s not the best-looking hood, it sure is comfortable, and like most of the jacket’s features, I appreciate that the toggles are large enough to operate with gloves on.
At the wrists, knit cuff gaskets do a solid job of keeping cold air from running up the sleeves. Gloves slide over them cleanly in most cases, though layering gets complicated when you add a full glove system—a liner glove worn under a shell glove creates a bit of a traffic jam at the wrist. I found that a single midweight glove or oversized mitts with long gaiters worked best, as they stayed out of the way of the gasket entirely.
The Campwell also features a two-way front zipper and two 4-inch vent zippers on each side of the hem. It’s a bit overkill in my opinion: The two-way zipper is genuinely useful for sitting or driving, but the vent zippers feel like a solution in search of a problem. Given the jacket's already relaxed, open cut, I never found the need for more ventilation and mobility. The side vents would make a lot more sense on a trimmer-fitting parka, but they're there if you want them on the Campwell.
The Campwell keeps things simple with three zippered pockets: two side-entry hand pockets and a single internal chest pocket on the left. I like to keep my phone warm in the chest pocket, and the hand pockets are spacious enough for keys, lip balm, a wallet, and a phone. I really appreciate the zip closures on all three, which means I don’t have to think twice about items falling out.
The one quirk worth noting is the pocket lining. The side pockets have a brushed tricot lining on the back of the hand but a plain polyester lining on the front, so the soft, warm material is on the wrong side for actually warming your hands. It's a puzzling design choice that's hard to explain, and a missed opportunity for a jacket at this price point. Overall, the storage is functional and comparable to a jacket like the Patagonia Down With It Parka, but nothing that will wow you.
After five weeks of consistent use during a cold Alaskan winter, the Campwell Down Parka looks exactly the same as the day I received it. It's my go-to whenever I head out the door: I've worn it to haul wood from the shed multiple times, stacking logs in my arms without a second thought about the shell getting snagged or torn. It's the kind of jacket you don't feel guilty for the everyday chores and errands that would give you pause in a more precious parka.
The hardware deserves a mention too. Albeit bulky, the zipper pulls are substantial and easy to grip, and the hood toggles are large enough to use with liner gloves—a small but meaningful detail compared to the Patagonia Down With It Parka, whose toggles I found frustratingly minimal. The DWR finish shows no signs of deterioration, the stitching remains fully intact, and there are no loose threads anywhere. Of all the casual winter jackets I've tested, the Campwell stands out as the most confidence-inspiring for daily wear. It's not the jacket I'd choose for a fancy night out, but for everything else, it's an easy choice.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Responsible Down
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS), developed by Textile Exchange, is the leading certification for responsibly sourced down and uses third-party audits throughout the supply chain to verify animal welfare, responsible farming practices, and safe working conditions. Recycled down is another responsible choice that helps reduce demand for newly sourced down while keeping existing materials in circulation. A green check mark indicates a product uses responsibly sourced or recycled down, a yellow check mark indicates the brand sources responsible or recycled down for the majority of its products but does not specify it at the product level, and a red X indicates the product does not use responsibly sourced or recycled down.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Tester: 5’4” 125 lb.; 32” chest, 26” waist, 36” hips
Size tested: Women's small
I typically wear an extra-small or small depending on the brand, and tested a small here. The jacket fit well through the shoulders, but was notably roomy through the waist and hips, which makes sense given the Campwell's relaxed, almost shapeless cut. The extra room also meant I never needed to use the side vent zips or two-way front zipper for walking or driving, which speaks to just how generous the fit is. For someone with a more pear-shaped figure, that roominess through the hips would actually be a welcome feature rather than a fit quirk. But in the end, I wish I had opted for an extra-small, and I’d recommend sizing down if you're between sizes or have a more hourglass figure.
REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka ($299): Same Brand, Different Mission
If the Campwell doesn't cut it on your wettest days, the Stormhenge is REI's answer to that problem. Its 2-layer HydroWall waterproof membrane and more weather-resistant nylon shell handle sustained rain and wet snow in a way the Campwell simply can't. It also uses higher-quality 850-fill down, delivering more efficient warmth with less bulk—though that efficiency comes with a slimmer, more structured cut that limits layering and feels less relaxed than the Campwell's generous fit. For cold, wet winters where staying dry is the priority, the Stormhenge is the smarter pick. For cold, dry conditions where comfort and warmth are the goals, the Campwell offers better value. For a deeper dive, read our Stormhenge 850 Parka review.
Patagonia Silent Down Long Parka ($429): More Style, More Coverage
If the Campwell's no-frills aesthetic leaves you wanting something more refined, the Silent Down Long is worth a look — though at $200 more, it's a meaningful step up. It offers a similar amount of warmth in a dramatically more elegant package, with a below-the-knee cut, a sweatshirt-soft face fabric, and a sleek, minimalist silhouette that the Campwell can't touch. The tradeoff is practicality: the Silent Down's stretchy shell is more vulnerable to moisture and snags, its storage is more limited, and it requires more careful handling than the Campwell's workhorse construction. For those who want a capable everyday parka they can throw on without thinking, the Campwell is the easier choice. For those who want elegance and coverage on cold, dry city days, check out the Silent Down Long Parka. To learn more, read our review of the Patagonia Silent Down Long Parka.
The REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka won't turn heads, but it'll keep you warm through winter without ever making you think twice about throwing it on. It's unrefined in the best possible way—comfortable, durable, and surprisingly capable for a jacket at this price point.
Warmth
Comfort
Weather Protection
Features
Durability
Sustainability
Designed to handle cold, wet winters, the Stormhenge Parka delivers full waterproofing, moderate insulation, and parka-length coverage at a fraction of the price of premium competitors. It’s not the warmest jacket here, but it’s one of the best values for soggy conditions.
Warmth
Comfort
Weather Protection
Features
Durability
Sustainability
The Silent Down Long Parka is the rare cold-weather jacket that boasts warmth and style in equal measure, with a below-the-knee cut and sweatshirt-soft fabric that sets it apart from most heavily insulated parkas. Just keep it away from wet weather and outdoorsy use—it’s built for cold, dry days in the city.
Warmth
Comfort
Weather Protection
Features
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Campwell Down Parka for You?
The REI Co-op Campwell Down Parka is a compelling everyday parka for those who want below-the-belt coverage and genuine cold-weather warmth without spending a fortune. At $229, it undercuts most comparable thigh-length down parkas by a significant margin, and it doesn't ask you to sacrifice much to get there—the warmth is real, the durability is impressive, and the relaxed fit makes it the easiest jacket in the category to live in day after day. You don’t get a polished, body-hugging fit; there’s no waterproof protection; and the features are bulkier than streamlined, but for a cold-climate dweller who wants a capable, no-fuss parka that can handle multiple winters of hard use, the Campwell is one of the better values we've tested.
Go for it if you want a warm thigh-length parka at an accessible price that you won't have to baby.
Pass on it if you need waterproof protection, prefer a more fitted silhouette, or want a jacket polished enough for a night out.
stay warm out there
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