HikingRevolutionRaceDown Jacket
RevolutionRace Flexpedition down jacket review: when fashion almost meets function
A versatile and cosy down jacket designed for both outdoor and urban use.
✓ Worth ConsideringRevolutionRace Flexpedition Down Jacket
Weight1,050 gFill650fp down + syntheticPrice£299
The good✓ Very warm (warmest of 23/24 season tests)
✓ Incredibly cosy hood
✓ Less technical-looking than most competing lines
✓ Two large internal dump pockets
✓ Stretchy 88% polyamide outer — great freedom of movement
✓ Tonnes of pockets (6 total)
✓ Boxy fit — layers easily over hardshell
✓ Long rear hem covers your back
The not-so-good✗ Very heavy at 1,050g — by far the heaviest tested
✗ No stuff pouch
✗ Larger pack size than competing lines
✗ Cold spots under armpits at the fill junction
Check price at RevolutionRace →
At a glance
| Brand | RevolutionRace |
| Model | Flexpedition Down Jacket |
| Price | £299 direct from RevolutionRace |
| Weight | 1,050 g (medium tested) |
| Fill | 650-fill power down (torso/hood) + 100% polyester synthetic (sleeves) |
| Outer fabric | 88% polyamide, 12% elastane (DWR coated) |
| Temp range (stated) | –10°C to –20°C |
| Ideal for | Winter camping, winter hiking, very cold weather, urban use |
| Not suitable for | Ultralight adventures, summer trips, trail running, fastpacking |
Buy the Flexpedition Down Jacket at RevolutionRace →
Overview
The Flexpedition Down Jacket from Swedish brand RevolutionRace is the warmest and bulkiest insulating layer the brand sells. Featuring a blend of down and synthetic insulation, the coat promises to be reliably warm for the coldest winter adventures, while a DWR coating on the material provides a degree of water resistance.
Weighing in at 1,050 g in medium (the size we tested), the jacket is far from lightweight. Of all the insulating belay jackets we have tested at the GBAC, the Flexpedition is by far the heaviest — coming in a whopping 400 grams heavier than the next heaviest on our list. This is largely down to design considerations RevolutionRace have made to make the Flexpedition as at home on the streets as it is in the hills. Coats this warm — RevolutionRace state it is best used in temperatures ranging from –10°C to –20°C — are simply not needed for 95% of the year in the UK. And on the coldest days, you are likely going to use it just as much on trips into the office or town as you will on winter wild camping, hiking or backpacking trips. This is the very problem RevolutionRace aims to solve with the Flexpedition: a coat that delivers the same reliable warmth offered by more premium, purposefully designed models — just without any of the technical aesthetics.
At £299 direct from RevolutionRace, it sits right in the middle of the pack for burly down jackets of this type. The Patagonia Fitz Roy will set you back another £100 at £400, whereas the Rab Neutrino Pro comes in at £325. So, is this jacket really as flexible as the name implies, or might you be better served by buying a more technical down jacket designed explicitly for mountain use?
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How we tested
We have had a Flexpedition Down Jacket kicking around the GBAC kit room for quite some time now. We used it on a ton of hikes, a handful of deep winter wild camping trips, several snowy woodland walks and — to test its claimed flexibility — on lots of trips into town, to the office and in decidedly ordinary settings, through the cold winter of 2023/24.
Features and performance
Warmth
The first thing that really hits you with the RevolutionRace Flexpedition Down Jacket is the warmth it delivers. Without any real means to scientifically back this claim up, it feels as warm — if not warmer — than many of the big names out there. This is possibly down to the weight and fit of the jacket, which fully encompasses your upper body and cocoons you in warmth the moment you do it up. We found it too warm to wear when moving and noted that we quickly worked up a sweat under a pack. But on cold nights when the temperature hovered around –6°C, we felt warm and comfortable at camp wearing little more than a baselayer and a fleece mid-layer underneath.
Delivering this warmth is a blend of 650-fill power down and 100% polyester synthetic insulation, separated between the body and the arms. The hood and torso house down, whereas the sleeves use synthetic filling. We found this blend to be advantageous in the UK: the synthetic sleeves add extra durability in the parts you will most often scuff or wet from gloves. What is more, the sleeve insulation still keeps you warm even when damp — something pure down cannot do. Unfortunately, however, we did notice cold spots under the armpits where the synthetic filling stops and the down begins. The down does not seem to disperse as well here, which resulted in feeling noticeably colder along the seams directly under the arms.
“On cold nights when the temperature hovered around –6°C, we felt warm and comfortable at camp wearing little more than a baselayer and a fleece mid-layer underneath. But the moment we started moving, it was simply too warm.”
Weight and packability
The Flexpedition weighs in at a whopping 1,050 g — right at the top end for jackets of this type, and will render it an unattractive option for many based on that fact alone. In our experience, however, we found the weight not to be a big issue, especially considering you will only ever take this jacket on deep winter trips where warmth, comfort and safety take priority over being ultralight. Despite its heavy weight, it still packs down to a relatively manageable size — when squashed into a dry bag, it resembles something like a 2-season synthetic sleeping bag. It is easy to sling into the bottom of a 60-litre bag for use only when the temperature plummets — as long as you are happy to carry the weight.
Durability and fit
The liner is made from 88% polyamide and 12% elastane — a lovely stretchy fabric that is a joy to wear. Unlike most other technical down jackets, we found this material to be comparatively harder to rip, as it extends under pressure. That said, it is still relatively delicate, so avoid craggy scrambles and overgrown woodland. The fit is decidedly boxy. If you are looking for a more athletic cut, you may want to size down. For proper mountain use, however, it is important to be able to layer underneath — and the boxy fit allows you to pull this over a hardshell for a quick break at a belay. The jacket is also relatively long at the back, completely covering your behind and preventing draughts from riding up in truly cold weather.
Pockets
One thing we really like about this jacket is the number of pockets. On most jackets of this type, you will be lucky to get hip pockets and a singular stash pocket inside. But the Flexpedition gives you two large handwarmer hip pockets, two Napoleon chest pockets (easily fit a smartphone), and two large internal dump pockets which can easily fit an OS Map or a pair of large winter gloves. With the exception of the hip pockets, all the zips are easy to operate in thick gloves thanks to large toggles and smooth teeth.
Buy the Flexpedition Down Jacket at RevolutionRace →
Our verdictA warm, pocket-packed belay jacket — but not for those heading into the hills with a serious pack.Overall, we think the Flexpedition Down Jacket is a decent deep winter down jacket for anyone looking for one singular option to keep them warm on camps and commutes alike. If you are planning on regular trips through the coldest parts of the year, however, the 1,050 g weight and bulkier pack size may make this option a relatively unattractive choice — despite its reasonable £299 price tag. For serious wild campers and backpackers, more technical and lighter options will serve you better. For the urban adventurer who wants one very warm coat that can swing between a Scottish winter camp and a Friday afternoon in the office, this is worth a look.Buy the Flexpedition Down Jacket at RevolutionRace →
FAQs
How warm is the Revolution Race Flexpedition Down Jacket?Very warm — perhaps the warmest of all down jackets we tested in the 2023/24 winter season. It fully cocoons your upper body and kept us comfortable hanging at camp in temperatures hovering around –6°C, wearing just a baselayer and fleece underneath.
What activities is the Revolution Race Flexpedition Down Jacket suitable for?Cold-weather camping, winter hiking, belay use and everyday urban wear. It is designed to bridge town and trail — though its weight makes it a less attractive choice for those who need to carry it under a pack over long distances.
How waterproof is the Revolution Race Flexpedition Down Jacket?Not waterproof at all. It comes with a DWR coating that offers a degree of water resistance, but this jacket is not designed to keep you warm when wet. Avoid getting it soaked altogether.
Is the Revolution Race Flexpedition Down Jacket worth the money?It depends. If you want one coat for camp and commute, it offers real value at £299. If you are after a dedicated mountain down jacket for backpacking, more technical and lighter options like the Forclaz MT900 –18°C (£109.99) deliver more bang for your buck.
How durable is the Revolution Race Flexpedition Down Jacket?The 88% polyamide and 12% elastane outer is more durable than typical down jacket shells — it stretches rather than rips. That said, it is still a delicate material: avoid craggy scrambles, gorse or overgrown woodland.