Serious Warmth at a Standout Price: REI Co-op Women’s Campwell Down Parka Review

The REI Campwell Down Parka is like a comforting cup of cocoa on a chilly day. After 3 weeks of testing this women’s parka around Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, I found it delivers serious warmth and coziness when you want it most. And it comes at a price that’s tough to beat.

This jacket replaces REI’s older Norseland Parka, and while the name has changed, the intent remains similar. The Campwell leans hard into lifestyle warmth rather than technical outerwear, but it does it well. I mainly wore it in my hometown outside of Aspen during errands, evening walks, and local events where warmth matters.

With this evolution, the Campwell intentionally underscores comfort-oriented features. A longer cut improves warmth, while size zip vents add mobility and a little temperature regulation. The insulated, fleece-lined hood emphasizes sheer coziness over storm-ready features.

All of it adds up to a parka that takes the Norseland’s wear-everywhere feel and cranks it up a notch. This version feels warmer, softer, and more forgiving when you’re bundled up for long winter days.

In short: The REI Co-op Women’s Campwell Down Parka ($229) delivers impressive warmth, standout coziness, and thoughtful everyday features at a downright delightful price. While the relaxed fit prioritizes comfort over a sleek silhouette, the Campwell shines where it counts most: keeping you warm and comfortable through long, cold winter days.

To see how the Campwell compares to its competition, check out our buyer’s guide to the Best Women’s Winter Jackets.

REI Co-op Women’s Campwell Down Parka Review

I’ll keep it simple: Warmth is where this parka truly shines. And, I’m not talking about a smidge of warmth. This is not a jacket built for aerobic winter activities, but for cold-weather living: standing, strolling, waiting, and watching. It is warm.

In conditions where you’re not doing much, the parka delivers consistent, reliable warmth that keeps you cozy. A big part of that comes from the Campwell’s insulation: 650-fill-power down through the main body, paired with synthetic insulation in the lower body and hood, where moisture is more likely to be an issue.

Warmth That Lasts No Matter What You’re Doing

My coldest test came during our town’s Christmas tree lighting in early December. It was held after dark, with Rocky Mountain temperatures hovering around 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and light snow falling.

While our daughter visited with Santa, I barely moved, but stayed comfortably warm in the Campwell layered over a heavy wool sweater and jeans. That slow chill that usually comes with standing still never showed up.

The parka’s longer length plays a big role here, helping trap heat through the hips and upper thighs. I’m 5’5″, and the jacket definitely reaches to my mid-thigh, if not a little lower. That extra coverage, combined with knit cuff gaskets at the wrists and an insulated hood (more on this below), helps seal in warmth and minimize the small drafts that can slowly sap heat when you’re standing around outside.

Cozy Features That Keep You Happy

The Campwell isn’t just warm; it’s also comfortable in the ways that matter when you’re wearing it all day. My favorite feature is the pair of zippered side vents that unzip about 6 inches on each side.

Depending on the temperature and what I was doing, I used them in different ways: unzipped slightly while walking around town in the upper 20s and low 30s, and cracked just enough to let off heat without having to unzip the jacket from the front. Because the parka uses 650-fill-power down in the main body, those vents were handy for fine-tuning warmth without full-send exposing yourself to the elements.

Warmth aside, I was delighted to realize that the side zips on the hem helped with mobility. I have wider hips, so long parkas often feel tight when I’m sitting or getting in and out of the car. But, these side zips took the edge off that entirely. With the zips open, the jacket felt less restrictive through the hips and thighs — especially when sitting down — and it never felt like I lost any warmth.

The fleece-lined hood is another standout. REI packed it with synthetic fill, along with some down on the brim. This gives it a soft, warm feel against your face while still holding heat in light snow or damp conditions. During our Christmas tree lighting, enough snow fell on the hood that it was moist to the touch. Fortunately, I never experienced any issues with it wetting out or soaking through.

It doesn’t cinch down, so it isn’t meant for strong winds. But for calm evenings, it’s genuinely cozy. I often wore the hood purely for warmth and liked how easy it was to pull on and off.

Stretchy knit cuff gaskets round out the comfort story. They did an excellent job of sealing out 20-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and made a noticeable difference during longer stretches outside. The cuffs are stretchy enough to fit comfortably over a watch, but they did feel bulky and annoying with my Suunto sports watch.

A Relaxed Fit With Plenty of Wiggle Room

The Campwell fits like a big, warm hug: cozy and relaxed. I tested a size medium, which is my usual size at 5’5″ and 145 pounds. From the shoulders to the arms and chest, the fit felt just right, even when layered over a bulky sweater.

I have longer arms and slightly broader shoulders from years of weightlifting, and I never once felt restricted or lacking mobility. Honestly, that happens a lot with cute jackets like this (and with others that I’m testing this season). It was refreshing not to worry about my shoulder size.

Through the waist, however, the silhouette is noticeably relaxed — like super-relaxed. The jacket hangs fairly straight and lacks definition, giving it a boxier look. I kept telling my husband that I felt like I was wearing a cute potato sack. With my hands in my pockets, the shape felt more intentional and flattering. But otherwise, yeah: potato sack. It’s not egregious, and it feels like a bit of a tradeoff.

Personally, I’ll take full-range movement and all-around coziness with a side of potato sack any day of the week. But it’s worth noting since it may not be as flattering as other full-length jackets out there.

Room for Improvement

Fit is the biggest drawback. While the relaxed silhouette contributes to its comfort, it won’t appeal to everyone. If you prefer a tailored fit, I’m talking to you. My size medium fit well through the shoulders and arms, but the waist felt loose and undefined unless my hands were in the pockets.

Additionally, the Campwell isn’t particularly packable, which limits its versatility for travel. That said, I don’t think many women are buying this parka for its ultralight and streamlined fit. Still, if you are someone who travels a lot and frequently crams your jacket into a duffel or suitcase, keep it in mind.

Final Thoughts

The REI Co-op Women’s Campwell Down Parka isn’t trying to be the most technical or the most tailored winter coat on the market. And yet, that’s exactly why it works so well. This is a jacket built for cold, everyday life, where you want to be cozy. It delivers warmth in spades, wrapping you in insulation that feels genuinely comforting the moment you pull it on.

If you’re looking for a parka that prioritizes pure warmth and comfort over a sculpted fit, the Campwell makes a strong case. It’s not the most flattering option out there, but it makes up for that with how comfortable it feels in real-world conditions.

I think this jacket is a screaming deal, especially when compared to other parkas that cost hundreds more. If your main goal is staying warm without blowing your budget, the Campwell is hard to beat.