Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket

Austen Beason

The Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket (Men’s) is Cotopaxi’s signature down layer that combines function, comfort, and style into one piece that’s just at home out on the town as it is up the mountains. I had the opportunity to check out the Fuego over the fall season in Colorado and North Carolina, and was pleased in the versatility I found with this piece, wearing it from cold desert evenings camping, to casual trips to the grocery store, and even a few days skiing.

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket

 

Fit: For reference, I am 6’3” and 180 lbs. and went with a men’s large, though in hindsight I think I would take an XL next time. The Fuego fits fairly true to t-shirt sizing in my opinion however being tall myself I’ve found the sleeves can pull up short when I raise my arms high/reach out for something, the hem length was never really an issue.  Really, this is a lesson I should have learned already as a tall person, but if you’re unsure I would size up for sleeve length. That being said, I was happy with the room under the jacket for wearing an extra layer or two on colder days and didn’t feel too tight. Similarly, I had no problem getting a hardshell jacket on over the Fuego for a couple damp days.

Function: Speaking of cold days, the Fuego (that’s means Fire for us gringos) lived up to its name quite satisfactorily. The Fuego receives its warmth from its 800-fill goose down while limiting the bulk. In above freezing temperatures I found the Fuego was often warm enough as a stand-alone, while on the sub-freezing days I spent out, a few in the 15-30 F range, I was plenty comfortable combining the Fuego with a quality mid and base layer underneath. I did not get out in temps colder than 15 F but I’d imagine it would handle fine in combination with more/quality layering, though to be honest I wouldn’t necessarily choose the Fuego as my primary down layer if you plan on being out in sub-zero temperatures consistently.

In addition to quality down fill, the Fuego has elastic on the wrists and around the hood, and an adjustable bungie cord along the hem to help keep the heat in and the wind out. As for pockets, the Fuego has the standard zippered, exterior hand pockets as well as an interior, zippered pocket. The Fuego felt like it achieved a good balance of accessories without becoming excessive or too ‘techy’ looking for more casual wear. In fact, I think the Fuego looks pretty stylish with the multi-colored chest panels contrasted with the main body. I went with the Cayenne Stripes, but the Fuego has 8 different colors to choose from to find your style.

Durability: Time will tell of course but so far, I’ve had no issues with durability, and would even say it still looks near new after two months of use. My Fuego certainly has not had the hardest life a gear tester could give; however, I have spent a cold November week in the Utah desert nearly living in the jacket and several days of backcountry skiing, and it’s still going strong. The zippers run smoothly and the fabric shows no signs of scuffing or fraying, and the elastic still feels lively. To provide longevity, the Fuego is designed with 20D giant ripstop nylon exterior and 20D micro ripstop nylon interior for tear-protection.

Summary: If I had to choose one word to describe Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, it would have to be Versatility. Its style moves effortlessly between wilderness and urban settings, all while keeping you plenty warm no matter where the cold is. If you’re looking for a single down jacket to handle all of your adventures, the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket should be high on your list.


Fuego Hooded Down Jacket - Men's