REI Flash Hyperstretch Fleece Jacket

Bottom Line

The REI Flash Hyperstretch offers top-notch comfort and excellent value. It’s made with super soft, stretchy material with an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio. During our testing in North Park, Colorado, the Hyperstretch excelled in the backcountry, proving breathable and protective on demanding cool and windy hikes. While the fit isn’t quite as streamlined and stylish as other similar models, the Hyperstretch jacket is one of the best values on the market for a technical fleece.

To perfectly suit your mid-layer needs, see our guide to the best fleeces for more tested and reviewed jackets.

Warmth

The REI Flash Hyperstretch is an effective mid-layer, providing good warmth for cool mornings and chilly days on the trail. While it’s not ideal as the sole layer in below-freezing temperatures, it was sufficient in moderate conditions. We tested it in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park on brisk mornings and some cloud-covered, windy fall hikes, and it performed well. The fleece keeps you warm as your primary jacket in spring and fall, and as a mid-laying in the winter. The cozy hood helps retain body heat, adding to its overall warmth.

Comfort

The REI Hyperstretch is very comfortable on and off the trail. We tested this on hikes and around the neighborhood on walks. Its spandex and fleece combination make it soft and stretchy, so your mobility is unencumbered. The polyester-backed fleece creates a soft, warm interior with a durable exterior. It also has a wind barrier behind the front zipper that blocks cool air and is comfortable against your chin. The scuba-style hood is a nice addition with an elastic binding around the edge, making it easy and comfortable to wear on a cold or windy day.

Durability

In our testing, the REI Hyperstretch held up well. We hiked and camped in it and found it did just fine for everyday wear and tear. It also came out of the wash looking trail-ready, with no fuzz or loose threads in sight. Over time, the material and stitching could come apart as the recycled polyester is soft and does not appear as durable as some other designs. This jacket is described as more of a sweatshirt or hoodie-type layer, which resonated with our testing. The quality design, material, and stitching give us confidence that the REI Hyperstretch might become your most beloved layer.

Weight

This model is 13 ounces, making it one of the lighter options on our list. The price point combined, weight, and comfort make it hard to find fault in the REI Hyperstretch. It was easy to stash in a pack, as it balls up into a lightweight ball about the size of a grapefruit. It is certainly compact and lightweight enough to keep in a backpack as a warm backup for cool mornings and evenings around the fire.

Features

The REI Hyperstretch has the standard features expected of a mid-layer. It has two zippered hand pockets. The sleeves have an elastic binding on the cuff, a nice feature that keeps the sleeves warm and in place. The scuba hood works with hoodies, hats, and helmets for cold and windy days. The drawcord at the hem cinches tight and retains warm air. The soft backing behind the front zipper is a nice feature that blocks wind and cold air from entering through the zipper.

Should You Buy The REI Flash Hyperstretch?

The REI Flash Hyperstretch is a great bang for your buck. It offers solid warmth and comfort without the bulk and weight. It won’t work as well in extremely cold weather, and the lightweight, soft materials could wear down over time. But this is an excellent fleece for everything from sitting in the backyard on a chilly fall day to a strike mission with an alpine start. 

What Other Fleeces Should You Consider?

Kuhl Interceptr: This version is warmer and a bit burlier than the REI Flash Hyperstretch Fleece, but offers a similar style and function. 

Outdoor Research Vigor: Like the REI Flash Hyperstretch, the OR Vigor is a lightweight option that works great for backcountry hikes. It is not the warmest fleece, but it is lightweight, comfortable, and will breathe easy on high-output hikes.