Affordable, Warm, Light Puffy Jackets for Kids?

Well, how does this look?  https://www.rei.com/product/119294/rei-co-op-650-down-jacket-kids

In the Questions section under the item, REI service states that the size S weighs 6 oz.  If I was the pack mule (been there done that), I would stock up on these.  No hood, but hats are easy.

REI has a big sale going on now.  You can peruse the website to see what else is available, but this might work for you guys.  Check the Outlet website, too, might find some things there.  (Disclaimer:  I do work at REI.)

REI will not post to Australia any longer or I would have bought 4 of those in different sizes as a static layer. For the grandkids

They do look to be a very slim fit tho and if wearing over a light fleece layer I’d be tempted to go up 2 sizes

We’ve been using a combination of Patagonia, REI and Feathered Friends for our kids (currently 6 and 8.)  I’ve managed to find them all used, and the Patagonia down jackets have definitely been the best in terms of having a decent amount of insulation without being crazy bulky/heavy.  The FF jacket is nice, but probably really expensive new (a friend found it at the goodwill for $8!)

Most of the lighter synthetic jackets either have very little insulation or are super bulky, so we tend to just take fleece as a replacement for those.

As far as I’ve seen, there just isn’t much competition for the Patagonia stuff for kids.  I have heard some people like the Uniqlo jackets, and they’re cheap, but I’ve never tried them.

I have these from mountain hardware.  A little heavy at 10.5 oz for a size 9/10.  Compacts really well.  Very comparable to the Costco jackets.  I think I payed $25 CAD for mine.  It’s lasted reasonably well.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/ca/kids/jackets/kids-padded-jackets/?qs=1&gender=&colour=&size=&use=&s=sortBestSellers&lp=&hp=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3pyVuZ6v4gIVSh-tBh05lgQaEAAYASAAEgJpxPD_BwE

We had good luck with the smaller adult sizes from Uniqlo when my kids were younger. It looks like they have kids sizes now. On sale for  US$29!

We always got gender neutral colors that could be handed down.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/boys-light-warm-padded-parka-409219.html?dwvar_409219_color=COL08&cgid=boys-outerwear-warm-padded#start=2&cgid=boys-outerwear-warm-padded

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/boys-light-warm-padded-parka-412653.html?dwvar_412653_color=COL25&cgid=boys-outerwear-warm-padded#start=1&cgid=boys-outerwear-warm-padded

my kids had Gerry jackets which we got at costco, they worked great and were affordable.

I bought my kids down jackets off of Amazon.  They seem pretty comparable to the Costco jackets, though prices sometimes are not as cheap as the Adult jackets. I’m guessing that is due to the size of the market.  I’ve usually been able to find something good under $50.  The search terms I use are usually: “packable down jacket kids”

I’ve purchased this Marmot one for under $50:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075LG8Q5W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

and this one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072JW4436/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Marmot is a higher quality jacket with heavier duty fabric.  The generic one is pretty similar to a Costco jackets.  There are a few options with a hood:

https://www.amazon.com/Wantdo-Lightweight-Packable-Outdoor-Windbreaker/dp/B071G2QPHH/ref=pd_sbs_193_4/145-5623006-2978351?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B071G2QPHH&pd_rd_r=ebe568bf-7cac-11e9-9dc7-616d082ecaa5&pd_rd_w=aHRpv&pd_rd_wg=JX5u5&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=8YSCYQ2XMAXVGZTDWJVW&refRID=8YSCYQ2XMAXVGZTDWJVW

https://www.amazon.com/Rokka-Rolla-Lightweight-Hooded-Packable/dp/B07B95VXFP/ref=pd_sbs_193_1/145-5623006-2978351?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07B95VXFP&pd_rd_r=f24f19ca-7cac-11e9-b5e6-8f4709db8492&pd_rd_w=AfOUi&pd_rd_wg=fQah0&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=C8R21GWRWT2HSQ1K48Y2&refRID=C8R21GWRWT2HSQ1K48Y2