Andy and I have a healthy relationship with outdoor gear and clothing. We love testing the latest and greatest gear. Some may say it’s an obsession. We say it’s better to be prepared than not be. We started Crankshaft Culture’s Gear Garage several years ago and tested a wide variety of products. From duffle bags, tech gizmos, sleeping setups, tires, and more, we’ve seen a lot of cool stuff and also products that could be improved upon. The Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket – Men’s and Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket – Women’s are the latest gear items we’re trying. Will they stand up to cold temps and inclement weather and be as good of quality as the Cotopaxi Tarak Del Dia 20l Backpack we reviewed many moons ago? Let’s take a look.
Who is Cotopaxi?
Cotopaxi is based in Salt Lake City and isn’t your average backpack or clothing company. Cotopaxi is focused on innovative products to support sustainable poverty alleviation. The company looks to grow partnerships and opportunities to support communities through empowerment, education, health, and livelihoods. Cotopaxi’s creed is: Guaranteed For Good. They see their business as a way to make an impact to those less fortunate.
The company supports people impacted by poverty around the world, with a primary focus on Latin America. Cotopaxi dedicates 1% of annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofits “with proven track records of reducing poverty through health care, education, and livelihoods.”
There are many companies that put people and planet before profit. Depending on what type of product you’re buying, certifications like 1% for the Planet, B Corp, USDA Organic, Forest Stewardship Council, bluesign approved, Rainforest Alliance, Responsible Down Standard, and Fair Trade TM are great ways to ensure that the product you’re purchasing (or the company you’re buying from) is doing more good than harm. Cotopaxi relies heavily on recycled materials and leftover deadstock fabric that might have otherwise ended up in the landfill, and then some.
Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jackets
The Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket is just like the company’s popular Fuego iteration, but with more puff and warmth. It’s wind- and water-resistant and has oversized hand and chest pockets to stuff personal belongings in, too. Both men’s and women’s versions come in edgy, fun colorways or singular subdued tones—perfect to appease both audiences.
Both men’s and women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jackets have an adjustable hem with bungee to tighten if temps drop. They can also pack into an interior pocket. That’s great for stowing or if you forgot your pillow when camping.
On the Cotopaxi scale of warmth, the men’s and women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jackets have the warmest rating of the company’s down lineup. While we haven’t worn these in below-freezing temps yet, we’ve been close to it and have been warm.
Women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket
I thought my Sienna/Fjord-colored women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket was oversized, comfortable, and had roomy pockets. The jacket is also well-made with good attention to detail. It has a generous hood and larger and loftier baffles, which kept me warm even on cold, wet, and rainy days.
This jacket could also be worn when temps are warmer as you still stay comfortable within it. It’s made from responsibly sourced 800-fill down and has a 100% recycled shell and lining. Bonus in my book. It also has a beefy and durable-feeling front zipper, too.
My tester was much larger and boxier in size than my normal street-sized medium jackets. I was told by our Portland, Oregon retail store that Cotopaxi recently updated their sizes and made them larger. But, with this update, I could fit into a small size and still have room for a thinner sweatshirt underneath. However, I opted for a medium size as I wanted the ability to layer bulky clothing underneath it. With this choice, I had no problem.
Add to that three large, zippered pocket on the exterior and huge ones on the interior, and I didn’t feel the need to bring an external bag with me on day-long excursions for bare necessities.
The women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket has hidden elastic cuffs that can pull out of their location on occasion. Its outer lining seems thin, but so far, it hasn’t torn or degraded after use.
This jacket has also lost some feathers along the way, though that’s typical of down clothing, at least to start with. The Fuego Max’s shell is made with a DWR 80/10 finish and downproof coating. I haven’t seen any issue after getting caught in light rain, yet. Price: $350.00
Men’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket
The men’s Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket is nearly a carbon copy of the women’s iteration, just with different colors and perhaps a longer fitment with overall body and sleeve lengths. Andy got the Woods/Fatigue colorway in a size small, but he could’ve used an extra small if it was available.
“The Cotopaxi Fuego feels like it’s a high-quality piece,” Andy said. “It has a boxy style with three exterior zippered pockets, and a few interior pouches, including one that zips. The zippers feel solid; overall, a well-made jacket.”
As mentioned before, we’ve been advised that Cotopaxi has revised its size, and the Fuego Max jacket runs big, which it does. “Even with my thickest layers on, it feels roomier than I like,” Andy stated. “The sleeves feel too long for a size small, and the hood feels big compared to other brands’ small sizes.”
However, on a cool, damp Oregon day, the jacket feels warm. Andy’s certain it’d be good on days well below freezing. “But if you’re a smaller person, even the small might be a bit big.” Price: $350.00
Although a weight rating wasn’t given for either jacket, we’re confident in its lightweight and lofty characteristics. Its style and color selections are a bonus, too. The his-n-hers Cotopaxi Fuego Max Down Hooded Jacket is warm, comfortable, roomy, and well-made. Time will tell if it’ll stand up in the long haul and the elements.
Photos of Andy by Mercedes Lilienthal. Photos of Mercedes by Andy Lilienthal.
Mercedes Lilienthal is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and content creator who specializes in vehicular adventure travel, the automotive industry, and inspiring people within it. Mercedes, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, loves to document her travels. Her work includes journalism and photography for a wide array of publications in multiple countries, including The New York Times, Forbes, Car and Driver, and many more.
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