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KUHL Spyfire Hoody - Women's Review

A boxy-fit, casual jacket for moderate winters with features that are more fashionable than functional
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KUHL Spyfire Hoody - Women's Review
Credit: Kuhl
Price:  $289 List
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Manufacturer:   KÜHL
By Maggie Nichols ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 21, 2024
54
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#15 of 17
  • Warmth - 30% 5.0
  • Comfort - 30% 6.5
  • Portability - 15% 4.0
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 4.0
  • Breathability - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Kuhl Spyfire falls somewhere in between a fashion-forward down jacket and an outdoors-friendly layer, offering benefits for each. It has the most exaggerated waist of any model we tested, which flares out, while lacking a cinch along the bottom hem for storm day protection. While some testers liked this fit, it also seems to let in more wind and cold than other down jackets. Breathable armpit gussets facilitate movement and ventilation, and the front torso baffles have an additional layer of fabric to block the wind. At the same time, the hood toggles are made of metal and excessively heavy, and the Spyfire doesn't pack into its pocket, nor does it include a stuff sack. It's a unique model that's better suited to casual pursuits, but it has just enough features that it's not a bad choice for more intense activities.
REASONS TO BUY
Covered front baffles are warmer
Hood brim
Armpit vents
Sleeve pocket
REASONS TO AVOID
No hem cinch
Metal hood toggles are heavy
Reflective strips are inside pockets
Hood leaves gaps
Doesn't pack into its own pocket
Editor's Note: On February 21, 2024, we updated this review to reflect the current market.

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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line An exaggerated bottom flare, lack of adjustment and heavy metal toggles make this jacket more fashionable than technicalLiving up to its name, this ultralight down jacket makes a great layer for any adaptable cold-weather setupA high-end jacket without the high-end price tag, this down jacket can take you from the trails to downtown in a pinchA solid and reasonably warm puffy that's more affordable but does come with some flawsSimple and straightforward, this low-loft down jacket packs away small and costs less than most
Rating Categories KUHL Spyfire Hoody... Mountain Hardwear G... Marmot Highlander H... REI Co-op 650 - Wom... Wantdo Packable Hoody
Warmth (30%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
5.5
5.0
Comfort (30%)
6.5
7.5
8.5
7.0
5.5
Portability (15%)
4.0
9.5
6.5
7.0
7.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
4.0
7.0
5.0
5.0
6.5
Breathability (10%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
Specs KUHL Spyfire Hoody... Mountain Hardwear G... Marmot Highlander H... REI Co-op 650 - Wom... Wantdo Packable Hoody
Down Fill 800-fill down 800-fill down 700-fill down treated with 'Down Defender' 650-fill down 90% duck down
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified? Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Outer Fabric Microtex 20D (100% nylon), Microtex water resistant finish 10D recycled ripstop nylon 100% Recycled nylon and ripstop Recycled nylon, DWR finish 20D Nylon Taffetta
Weight (Size Small) 14.0 oz 6.9 oz 13.0 oz 9.9 oz 8.8 oz
Hem Type Drop hem (large) Drop hem (small) Straight hem; hip length Drop hem (small); hip length Straight hem; hip length
Fit Slim Slim Standard Standard Standard
Pockets 4; 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered chest, 1 zippered sleeve 2; 2 zippered hand pockets 3; 2 zippered hand pockets, 1 exterior zippered chest pocket 4; 2 zippered hand, 2 internal slip 4; 2 zippered hand, 2 interior stash pockets with media pass-through
Hood Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Cuff Construction Elastic Elastic Elastic Elastic Elastic
Adjustment Points Dual hood bungees; single back-of-hood bungee Single hem bungee Single hem bungee Dual hem bungees None
Stow Option No stow option Packs into a pocket with an integrated carabiner loop Packs into a pocket with an integrated carabiner loop No stow option Packs into an included drawstring stuff sack
Features Covered baffles on front, shoulders, and tops of sleeves, reinforced external shoulder material, strechy uninsulated armpit vents, reflective internal pocket trim, reinforced projecting hood brim The lightest option of the lineup, with high quality down and fill power. First two wrist baffles are synthetic fill to avoid wetting out when ice climbing, digging pits, shoveling snow, etc. N/A N/A N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Kuhl Spyfire is a midweight down jacket with RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified 800 fill down and a 20D Microtex nylon exterior. It has a tapered waist and wider hips than most, with an exaggerated drop hem. It weighs 14.0 ounces and does not pack into its own pocket or have an included stuff sack.

Performance Comparison


kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the spyfire offers a more fashion-forward look, with enough features...
The Spyfire offers a more fashion-forward look, with enough features to keep it functional and protective.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Warmth


The Spyfire comes with good quality 800-fill goose down. It's on the thinner side of down jackets we tested, but still offers decent warmth. An extra layer of fabric covers the front baffles on the outside to help prevent the wind from cutting through the seams. Dual hood bungees, a volume adjustment bungee on the back, and a small brim make this hood protective and warm. The Spyfire is thin enough to easily add a shell over the top, which comes in handy in inclement weather, as the jacket itself has no cinch around the hem to keep cold air from rushing up and chilling your core. For truly cold weather, this jacket works better as part of a layering system rather than a stand-alone piece.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the spyfire's hood has an extended brim for added protection.
The Spyfire's hood has an extended brim for added protection.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Comfort


Kuhl makes this jacket with a “women's fit”, which translates to a highly tapered waist and wider hips. If you're someone with a curvy build, the Spyfire may be just the right fit for you, but we weren't universally fans of the flaring waist. A large drop hem helps to keep your booty warm, even though you can't tighten the jacket around the bottom at all. Small armpit gussets add some mobility to the jacket's range of motion, and elastic cuffs help stop the long sleeves from falling over our hands while walking. In addition to the typical three pockets found on most down jackets (two hand pockets and one chest pocket), the Spyfire has a small zippered pocket on the upper portion of the left sleeve. While Kuhl emphasizes reflective trim as a part of this jacket, all of these reflective bits are inside the pockets, meaning you have to leave them unzipped and unhindered by your chilly hands for the reflective stripes to show. The metal toggles on the hood give it a decidedly fashionable appearance. In practice, they work well enough but can be a bit awkward as they are heavy, floppy, and require two hands to adjust.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the reflective strips on the spyfire are on the inside of the pockets.
The reflective strips on the Spyfire are on the inside of the pockets.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Portability


The size Small Spyfire weighs 14 ounces, which is on the heavy side of jackets we tested, despite being one of the thinner models. It clearly isn't designed with portability in mind, as it's covered with heavy toggles and thick materials better suited to hanging in your closet or around town wear than being packed in your backpack for a long outdoor mission. It also doesn't stuff into any of its pockets, nor does it come with a stuff sack, as most others in our lineup do.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the spyfire has covered front baffles that help block wind from...
The Spyfire has covered front baffles that help block wind from coming through the baffle seams.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Weather Resistance


The Spyfire isn't our favorite jacket to brave windy days. The adjustable hood helps, but the cinching system bunches the sides of the hood, leaving large channels through the folds of the fabric for air to rush in. The cuffs are a bit loose for good hand protection as well. Yet the most challenging aspect of wearing the Spyfire on a windy day is the bottom hem that cannot adjust. We appreciate that the front baffles have an added layer to block the wind, but it turns into a moot point when all that cold air comes up the front of this bell-bottomed jacket. Treated with Microtex, the 20D nylon exterior of the Spyfire does a decent job of beading water in light precipitation. The shoulders have a slightly different exterior material that doesn't repel water for nearly as long — an unfortunate design choice for anyone caught out in inclement weather.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the microtex coating on the spyfire does a solid job repelling light...
The Microtex coating on the Spyfire does a solid job repelling light precipitation.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Breathability


Wearing the Spyfire is a tad on the plasticky-feeling side of things, but not terribly so. It's a pretty thin jacket, and the open bottom (depending on how it fits you) facilitates airflow. It's one of the few coats we tested that has any focused breathability features. The armpit gussets are a stretchy fabric without insulation that help both with movement and with venting excess heat.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the spyfire has small breathable patches in the armpits for easier...
The Spyfire has small breathable patches in the armpits for easier ventilation.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


Should You Buy the Kuhl Spyfire?


The Spyfire is a decidedly non-technical down jacket. It has a certain style that many other down jackets lack, making it a better choice for those who don't want winter to be synonymous with bulky and unfashionable. It's a better fit for wider-hipped and curvier ladies and is well-suited to moderating body temperature in mild to moderate climates or fall weather. If you like the look and the flared hips of the Spyfire, it's a decent jacket that's enjoyable to wear around town.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - the metal toggles on the spyfire hood aren't doing it any favors...
The metal toggles on the Spyfire hood aren't doing it any favors when it comes to weight, but we like how they look.
Credit: Maggie Nichols


What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?


If you like this price point but want a jacket with a little better functionality and protection, check out the comfortable and affordable Rab Microlight Alpine. For anyone who finds themselves wanting a little more wind protection from their jacket and perhaps some added warmth for everyday pursuits, the Rab Neutrino Pro and Feathered Friends Eos are warm jackets we adore. But if you like the fit and fashion of this casual jacket, the mild-weather Spyfire is a decent choice.

kuhl spyfire hoody for women - for a down jacket with a little more style, the spyfire delivers.
For a down jacket with a little more style, the Spyfire delivers.
Credit: Maggie Nichols

Maggie Nichols