Regatta Andreson Lightweight Insulated Hybrid Jacket

Regatta's Andreson Hybrid Jacket is a ridiculously inexpensive garment. The price-warmth ration can’t be beat. While The Trek is blogging about $250 synthetic jackets, I have found this $35 jacket to be an exceptional value (and as warm as the high-end brands).

The saying goes you can have two of three things in hiking equipment: Price, Weight, and Quality. Regatta’s Andreson Hybrid Jacket nails the first two, and I’m hoping it might prove the third over time. 

When my jacket arrived from MooseJaw, I thought I had made a mistake. The packaging was far too light to be a warm jacket. The jacket only weighs 15.3 ounces on my scale. No way that was going to keep me warm! But as soon as I put it on, I realized I had a great jacket.

I have day-hiked in it a dozen times in temperatures ranging from low 20’s-mid 30’s. In one test, I did a brisk hike in the mid-20’s (wind chill in upper teens) wearing only a t-shirt underneath. My core was toasty, while my arms were a bit cold.

The best way to explain this “hybrid” jacket is to think of a synthetic down vest, with polyester stretch sleeves (the green sections of the jacket). The effect is a warm core with breathable arms and sides. 

The jacket is wind “resistant” and water “repellent” in the core, but not the sleeves. I have used it in misty weather and light snow. Moisture does bead on the surface, but no way it would hold up in a downpour. The jacket is fitted and layers nicely. Since purchasing the jacket, local temps have dropped into single digits one time. I layered this jacket with a shell and was quite comfortable on a short hike.

Other features include:

Two large zippered pockets

Zipper pulls that work well with gloved hands 

An interior pocket deep enough to hold the largest cell phone 

Standard thumb loops

A roomy elastic hood (but does not draw down to become snug). 

Regatta calls their synthetic fill “Warmloft.” Of course the website is pretty vague on what that means, but it is aptly named. 

Quality: There are a few loose threads on this garment that make me wonder how it will hold up over time. But even if I only get a couple of years out of it, the price has made it worth it.

One last noteworthy item. MooseJaw didn’t list where this jacket was made. Starting this review, I have seen several retailers say it is made in China. My tag says Bangladesh. In either case, you are not getting an American-made product, but that’s standard for most garments these days. 

Background

I've worn this jacket on more than a dozen day hikes in Southern Illinois in temps ranging from low 20s-mid 40s. I have worn it down into the single digits by adding a shell.