The problem of how to stay both warm and comfortable in winter weather is a conundrum that down jackets solved a long time ago. They are known for their softness, coziness, and luxury, and yet they can also be tough enough to be used in rigorous outdoor activities.
Imagine hiking a mountain trail in the winter and feeling comfortably warm and cushioned in your winter wear. Think about how freeing it would feel to have liberty of movement with a jacket that doesn’t restrict your body at all. The plentiful air pockets and lightweight attributes of down jackets provide all that.
The powerful insulation of a down jacket means that you won’t need to bundle up in as many layers as you might with another kind of winter jacket. Wearing down is like getting a warm hug from Mother Nature.
To help you purchase the right down jacket for your needs, we have put together a guide featuring some of the best options available today. Every jacket in our list below is one that you could purchase today and that you’ll likely be very happy with.
Top 10 Best Down Jackets
- Mountain Hardwear Men’s Super/Ds StretchDown Hooded Jacket
- RAB Neutrino Pro Jacket – Men’s
- The North Face Men’s Aconcagua Insulated Hooded Jacket
- Mountain Hardwear Men’s Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody
- Little Donkey Andy Men’s Waterproof Puffer Jacket
- Marmot Men’s Stockholm Down Puffer Jacket
- First Lite Men’s Chamberlin Down Jacket
- Columbia Men’s Grand Trek Down Jacket
- LAPASA Men’s Lightweight Packable Down Jacket
- Triple F.A.T. Goose Logan Puffer Jacket
1. Mountain Hardwear Men’s Super/Ds StretchDown Hooded Jacket
Price: $$$
Hood: Yes
Pockets: Hand and chest
Outer Material: Nylon and Elastane
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 700-fill
Pros: Allows for maneuverability and flexibility, Keeps you incredibly warm, Unlikely to tear
Cons: Hood is very large
This one takes our top spot because of its flexibility and comfort. It gives you plenty of maneuverability because your movement won’t be restricted by over-puffed features or sensitive stitching. A single weave of fabric is used, eliminating stitching and the opportunity for the jacket to fall apart at stress points.
This also means that it is a warmer jacket that is less likely to let out warm air. The trim fit stays close to you, making it an excellent jacket for whatever level of activity you’re doing.
One drawback that people mention with this jacket is that the hood is overly large. It may be too bulky and big for your liking. However, there’s a reason for the oversized hood. It blocks out the wind and keeps you warm in any kind of weather, keeping rain away from you as well, and it does it better than most competing jackets.
2. RAB Neutrino Pro Jacket – Men’s
Price: $$$
Hood: Yes
Pockets: Hand and internal
Outer Material: Pertex
Machine Washable: No
Fill: 800
Pros: Convenient internal storage, Waterproof and weatherproof, Great at trapping in heat
Cons: The price
This jacket uses lightweight Pertex, which is waterproof and designed for rigorous activity. The outer fabric is tough and can handle extreme weather conditions, and you’ll be kept warm and comfortable thanks to the heat-trapping 800 fill power. The hood is roomy and large enough to house your head while you are wearing a helmet.
One of the better features of this jacket is an internal zipper pocket that’s great for keeping your cell phone, wallet, or other valuables protected. This RAB jacket packs easily, and it comes with a stuff sack, so you can transport it conveniently anywhere. This jacket boasts ethically sourced materials and an adjustable hood that is down filled for extra warmth and protection.
3. The North Face Men’s Aconcagua Insulated Hooded Jacket
Price: $$
Hood: Yes
Pockets: Hand and chest
Outer Material: Polyester
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 550
Pros: Great fit gives you freedom of movement, Elastic components ensure you stay warm, Affordable price
Cons: Made from cheaper stuff than other down jackets
This midweight jacket is excellent winter weather wear, and with a water-resistant design and insulated hood, it’s going to keep you warm in most conditions.
It uses recycled synthetic materials that are fairly durable, though it is not as durable as some of the other options on this list. That’s why you’re seeing a cheaper price on this jacket compared to some of the other down coats we are covering here.
The standard fit design gives you plenty of flexibility and range of movement, particularly around your chest and shoulders, where it matters most. The fact that this jacket is machine washable makes it easy to keep clean, though hand washing will make it last longer. It’s worth noting that some reviewers said this jacket started to lose feathers after about a year.
This North Face Men’s jacket is fitted with several zipper-secured pockets to keep your belongings secure. The cuffs and hem are fitted with elastic to ensure that your movement is not inhibited and that heat is trapped inside the jacket.
4. Mountain Hardwear Men’s Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody
Price: $$$
Pockets: Hand pockets
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Nylon
Machine Washable: No
Fill: 800
Pros: Not puffy, unlikely to snag easily, Great heat retention, Competitive price
Cons: A little tight around the arms, Thin outer layer
The Ghost Whisperer is a great value men’s jacket, and though it is not quite as high end as the very finest down jackets on the market, it still offers a lot of the same features. It can run a little tight, especially around the underarm area, but it’s otherwise flexible and comfortable.
This jacket is designed with an anatomical cut, which means people with extra weight around the midsection or those with heftier arms may have a little trouble moving around in this jacket. Keep that in mind as you compare it to some of the other options.
The bountiful down filling ensures that you stay warm, even in temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s worth noting that this jacket isn’t as tough and hardy as some of the other options for winter wear we’re mentioning on this list, so you may not want to take it in dense forests. Otherwise, it does a great job of keeping you warm in cold weather.
It’s an excellent hiking jacket because of how lightweight it is and how close it stays to your body. It’s less likely to snag on bushes and branches than other jackets, as it doesn’t have the bulkiness of many of its competitors. That makes it an excellent choice for outdoor runs and biking in winter weather, as the design keeps the jacket close to the body for a less puffy look than what you typically get with a down jacket.
5. Little Donkey Andy Men’s Waterproof Puffer Jacket
Price: $
Pockets: Hands and chest
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Polyester
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 500
Pros: Fantastic value, Adjustable hood and body, Waterproof design
Cons: Does not compress well, Durability issues
You’re obviously not getting any super tough jacket at the $70 price point for this puffer jacket from Little Donkey Andy, however, it does a good job of holding up against the elements. The waterproof design and synthetic polyester filling will keep you warm and keep water out. The jacket is also designed with an adjustable hood and body. You can use elastic drawcords to tighten up the jacket, giving you a closer fit on the torso and keeping the cold air out from the hood area.
What helps make this jacket a little more durable than it otherwise would be is that no sewing thread is used. It’s less likely to tear or come apart at the seams than jackets made in a more traditional way. There’s also plenty of storage, with a zippered chest pocket and two zippered side pockets.
One downside to this jacket that we want to point out is its heavier construction compared to other down jackets or down alternative jackets. It won’t fold into itself very well, even though it is a lightweight jacket. You probably won’t be able to stuff it into a backpack very easily, but don’t expect it to weigh you down on the hiking trail either. At $70, you might think you’re getting a thin jacket that can keep out the heat very well, but that’s definitely not the case here. It’s an excellent winter weather jacket and a great value for the price.
6. Marmot Men’s Stockholm Down Puffer Jacket
Price: $$$
Pockets: Hand, sleeve, and interior
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Polyester
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 700
Pros: One of the warmest jackets available, Great at keeping out weather of all kinds, Removable hood
Cons: Uneven down filling, Kind of bulky
The standout feature for this jacket is its zip off, removable hood. That makes it a more versatile jacket than a lot of the competition. The hood features elastic drawcords that help keep the heat trapped in.
Marmot has crafted a very weather resistant jacket here, featuring waterproof, windproof material with a comfortable down filling that keeps you warm. Testimonials from customers who tried the jacket says it keeps them warm in temperatures below 0 degrees without any problems, but it is a little on the puffy side. A jacket that’s so good at keeping you warm is probably not going to be the most formfitting thing you’ve ever worn, so be aware of the bulkiness that comes with wearing this jacket.
The waist has an adjustable drawcord to help trap in the heat, but even before you adjust the coat, the size may be a bit small. Be prepared to order a size larger than what you would normally get with the Marmot jacket. One issue people had with the jacket was that it is not evenly filled everywhere with down. Some areas of the jacket seem to have more down than others.
7. First Lite Men’s Chamberlin Down Jacket
Price: $$$$
Pockets: Hand and internal
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Synthetic
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 800
Pros: Some of the best heat protection available, Very lightweight, Plenty of pocket storage
Cons: Cannot compress
The Chamberlin jacket is one of the best efforts we’ve seen to create a comfortable, maneuverable jacket with top tier cold weather protection. It is equipped with a turret hood that can cover most of your face when tightened. It is also packed with tons of activated down to create a warmer layer of protection against the cold than most jackets offer.
This jacket also features multiple pockets, including two zippered hand pockets and two internal pockets. One of the internal pockets has a zipper and the other is a drop in.
Because of how heavily filled the Chamberlin jacket is, don’t expect it to fold up very easily and pack away. However, it’s super light, weighing in at about 25 ounces.
You’ll get plenty of heat protection here, with powerful technology that keeps your core body temperature up, keeps out wind and rain, and locks in heat. This is a jacket you can wear comfortably in subzero temperatures without having to pack on the layers.
8. Columbia Men’s Grand Trek Down Jacket
Price: $$
Pockets: Hand and interior
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Nylon
Machine Washable: Yes (but not to dry)
Fill: 650
Pros: Durable construction, Lots of comfort and convenience features, Lightweight design
Cons: Not designed for machine drying
The Grand Trek jacket from Columbia is made with reflective material that keeps heat trapped inside. There are a number of features built into the jacket that help repel cold and keep heat inside, and at the same time the jacket is designed to be very breathable. The lightweight jacket offers plenty of insulation made with real down, yet you’ll also be able to enjoy a flexible design that gives you movement around the chest and arms where it’s most needed.
Columbia designed their jacket with a quilted construction that prevents tearing. The waterproof fabric will keep you dry and warm even in rough weather conditions. This jacket comes with adjustable hood and hem, multiple pockets, and comfort cuffs (meaning you can adjust their tightness). The adjustable features give you room to wear layers underneath this jacket for greater warmth or tighten things up for a closer fit.
You shouldn’t put this jacket in the dryer, as it will likely shrink, though it is machine washable. According to customer reviews, the Grand Trek runs true to size.
9. LAPASA Men’s Lightweight Packable Down Jacket
Price: $
Pockets: Hand and interior
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Nylon
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 600+
Pros: Great price and value, Super light and compact
Cons: Can run a bit short
This is a lightweight puffer type jacket with plenty of white duck and waterfowl down insulation to ensure that you stay warm. The fabric has been designed with air valves to keep heat in and moisture out. This coat vents moisture and protects against both wind and water. So, even if you do get it wet, it’ll dry out quickly.
The LAPASA jacket is incredibly portable, folding down to fit into a stuff sack and weighing only 300 grams. The elastic cuffs help keep the openings around your wrists limited to trap in hot air and keep cool air out. Two inner pockets and two zippered side pockets provide plenty of storage, and the durable YKK zippers are known for their reliability.
As light as this jacket is, it’s still plenty warm, and even though you can’t cinch in the bottom of the jacket with a drawstring, the length and fit do an excellent job of keeping cold air from coming in that way.
10. Triple F.A.T. Goose Logan Puffer Jacket
Price: $250
Pockets: Hand pockets
Hood: Yes
Outer Material: Nylon and Polyester
Machine Washable: Yes
Fill: 750
Pros:Very high-quality materials, True to size fit, Excellent at repelling water
Cons: A little drafty on the bottom
This down jacket from Triple F.A.T. Goose boasts a nanotech layer that actively repels water, keeping you dry in the most brutal weather conditions. The jacket also features some of the industry-best down fill numbers, offering a 750 fill. That means you’ll be enjoying incredible warmth every time you slip this coat on.
If you’re looking for a jacket from a brand that’s proven reliable and trustworthy, you should know that Triple F.A.T. Goose has been making winter jackets since 1987. They’ve designed this one to be compressible so that it easily fits into a backpack or other small container. It doesn’t come with a stuff sack, however.
This hooded jacket offers an inner chest pocket, two side pockets, and breathable construction. It can handle being machine washed multiple times throughout its lifetime, though it should be washed on a delicate cycle. The manufacturers have made picking the right jacket size easy, as the Logan is made true to size, with a comfortable but not overly tight fit.
The only downside worth mentioning with this jacket is that there’s no elastic or drawstring around the lower end, which means that cold air may come in more easily than with other jackets.
How Warm Should Your Jacket Be?
If you’ve read through our list of the best down jackets, you probably noticed that some of them are considered warmer than others. Some down jackets provide more protection against the cold, making them ideal for places where the weather hits sub-zero temperatures frequently. If you live in one of those extremely cold places, like the northern United States, you’ll probably want a higher cold rating. Look for a jacket that can handle the coldest weather you’re expecting for your area. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to layer up when wearing that jacket outdoors.
Keep in mind that adding layers under your jacket can make the jacket feel bulkier and give you less maneuverability. If the jacket already has trouble providing a decent range of motion, then you want to be careful about wearing extra layers under it. Hopefully, these tidbits of advice help you choose a jacket that can handle the cold weather where you live.
Which Is Better, Down or Synthetic?
Both synthetic and down coats have their advantages. If you are debating between one or the other, then weighing their pros and cons should help you make a decision.
Down is lighter weight than synthetic fiber jackets. It packs smaller too, as it compresses easily. It keeps you warmer than synthetic jackets, when you compare the warmth to size ratio. Most people agree that down is more comfortable as well.
Synthetic jackets win out in a couple of categories, particularly in their cost. Synthetic jackets are much cheaper than down ones, and they also clean easier. If they get wet, it doesn’t take as long to dry them out. You can clean synthetic jackets in your normal wash cycle, whereas down jackets usually require specialized cleaning.
How to Choose the Best Down Jacket?
You likely want to choose a jacket that gives you plenty of value and that feels good to wear. Here are a few things to consider before you make that purchase.
Cost
If you don’t have plenty of money to burn on a down jacket, then you definitely want to take the price into consideration. Just because it’s expensive does not mean it is a good buy, however. It’s wise to shop around and check the prices on few different jackets, considering the features they’re offering at a price point that’s affordable for you. With a little searching, you may be able to find a competitively priced jacket that has everything you want.
Warmth
Does the coat keep you warm enough for where you live? This should be one of the top factors you’re considering, and you can read customer reviews to find out temperature ratings if the manufacturer doesn’t list it in the product details.Â
Down Fill
Also pay attention to the down fill number for any jacket you’re considering. A higher down fill number means it’s less likely to fold up and compact easily. The higher number also means that the jacket provides a greater level of warmth, in most cases.
Flexibility
Does the jacket give you a decent range of motion? It might not matter so much if you’re just walking down the street or to your vehicle with your jacket, but if you’ll be hiking, climbing, running, or camping in your jacket, you definitely want some maneuverability. Key areas of flexibility in a down jacket will be in the chest and arm areas.
Durability
Down jackets can be expensive, so you want your purchase to last. Read customer reviews and product descriptions carefully to make sure you’re getting a quality jacket that’s worth what you’re paying for. Running some down jackets through a washing machine can destroy their durability and greatly shorten their lifespan, so be sure to follow manufacturers washing instructions.
Features
What are you looking for in a down jacket? Think about how many pockets you’ll need and where you want those pockets to be. You may want to look for features like a removable hood, cinched wrists and waist, and waterproofing.Â
How To Wash Your Down Jacket?
Down jackets often require special care. If they are made with authentic duck down feathers, then they will likely need to be washed by hand or put through a gentle wash cycle. You may also not be able to run them through your dryer and may need to allow them to drip dry. If down jackets are made with down alternative, which is typically synthetic material, you may be able to wash them in the machine more easily. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s washing instructions to clean any down jacket.
What is down Fill Power?
The fill power is not so much a measurement of how much down is in the coat but its lifting and insulating power. The higher the number, the more insulating the coat is. If you’re looking for something really warm and comfortable, you want to go with a higher down fill power. Those coats with higher numbers, like anywhere above 650, tend to be very soft and luxurious.
What is RDS down?
If you have done any research on down coats or where down comes from, you may have come across RDS. This stands for Responsible Down Standard, and it is a set of standards for manufacturers to follow. Basically, the RDS requires manufacturers to source their down responsibly, ensuring that no animals are harmed unnecessarily in the process. Seeing this label on a jacket can give the buyer assurance that the manufacturers provided a certain standard of care for any animals they harvested down from.
What is DWR?
DWR stands for Durable Water Repellant, which is a finish used to treat most types of rain wear. This finish repels water, as you would imagine, and once it starts to break down, the raincoat will more easily take on water. It will become heavy and have difficulty repelling water. It will take longer to dry and be more cumbersome to wear in wet weather.
DWR wears down for many reasons, including wear and tear, overuse, and dirt accumulation. The good news is that the DWR coating can be reapplied to help the jacket retain its water resistance.
What is hydrophobic down?
Another kind of coating that can be used for down jackets is known as hydrophobic down. This is applied directly to the down rather than the exterior jacket. As the name implies, this coating helps the jacket get rid of water faster and ensures the down dries out quickly. This coating may come from silicone, wax, or PFC, and it is very effective at preventing water absorption
Takeaway
Down jackets provide a type of comforting warmth that make them a joy to wear. If you are careful to choose high quality down and a jacket that’s well constructed, you can enjoy years of use from your purchase.
The right kind of down jacket can help you navigate frigid environments and can give you the motivation to spend time outdoors when the weather is unpleasantly and bitterly cold. You will feel like you can do more, go farther, and even enjoy yourself despite freezing temperatures when you are bundled up in warm, comforting down.
