It’s one of many easy truths of the outside: When heat is a should, it’s gotta be down. Artificial insulation has come a good distance, however its warmth-to-weight ratio simply doesn’t fairly rival that of the perfect down jackets (but).
Down is plush, heat, packable, and even one thing of a style staple these days. However with dozens of manufacturers providing tons of of various kinds, it may be loopy overwhelming to peg which down jacket is best for you. So we leaned on our private expertise and in depth hands-on testing to find out the perfect of the perfect.
Our crew has collectively examined almost 50 of the perfect down jackets for the creation of this information, with our present authors Chris Carter and Nick Bruckbauer having donned over 30 completely different fashions on all kinds of untamed escapades up to now 12 months alone. From snowy alpine ascents to chilly windblown nights within the African desert to canine strolling and snow shoveling, our crew has put these jackets to the check everywhere in the world in nearly each setting possible.
Whether or not you’re searching for the most recent in ultralight heat for quick and lightweight mountain adventures, the final word insulation for hanging out in frigid circumstances, or a flexible on a regular basis piece that may take you across the neighborhood or round city, we’ve examined the perfect of the perfect down jackets that will help you discover the proper one for you, irrespective of your wants or finances.
Scroll by to see all of our suggestions. On the finish of our record, remember to take a look at our complete purchaser’s information, in addition to our comparability chart. And when you’ve got some questions, check out our record of often requested questions.
Editor’s Observe: We up to date this Purchaser’s Information on April 30, 2024, including two further fashions with excellent warmth-to-weight efficiency, the Rab Mythic G Down Jacket and the Montane Alpine 850 Lite.
The Greatest Down Jackets of 2024
Greatest Funds Down Jacket
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Fill
650 -
Weight
11.0 oz. -
Key options
Sturdy and recycled shell material, slimmed down easy design seems good round city
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Reasonably priced -
Fairly sturdy given the worth -
Easy and modern design seems good round city
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Considerably heavy for the shortage of options (no hood) -
Not a lot adjustability
Greatest Down Jacket for On a regular basis Type
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Fill
800 -
Weight
15.0 oz. -
Key options
Recycled ripstop polyester material and liner, inside chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack
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Easy, traditional model -
Snug match -
Contains an adjustable hood and hem -
Contains 5 complete pockets
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On the heavier aspect for a technical piece
Greatest Heat-to-Weight Ratio
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Fill
1,000 -
Weight
10.1 oz. -
Key options
1,000 fill-power goose down plus a heat-reflective internal lining mix for a implausible warmth-to-weight ratio
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Unimaginable heat for its weight -
Warmth-reflective lining provides heat with out further weight -
7-Denier Atmos outer shell has DWR end -
Snug match and materials, together with the hood -
Contains stuff sack
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Costly -
7-Denier outer materials is fairly delicate -
Lacks further pockets and options
Warmest Midweight Down Jacket
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Fill
800 -
Weight
20.6 oz. -
Key options
Harder ripstop material over high-use areas, two-way zipper with storm flap, over-the-helmet hood with stiffened peak for elevated safety
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Superior warmth-to-weight ratio -
Anatomical form that permits the jacket to maneuver with you throughout exercise -
Sturdy
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Hood is fairly giant and floppy except you might be sporting a helmet
Greatest Down Jacket for Climate Resistance
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Fill
800 -
Weight
15.4 oz. -
Key options
Wind, water, and abrasion resistance plus waterproof shoulders and hood
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Accountable Down Commonplace (RDS) licensed down -
5 pockets: two exterior hand pockets, chest pocket, twin inner stash pockets
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Cozy however not constructed for supreme heat
Better of the Relaxation
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Fill
800 -
Weight
22.3 oz. -
Key options
Licensed Superior International TDS by NSF Worldwide, DWR therapy, Honest Commerce Licensed sewn
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Helmet-compatible hood -
Two exterior chest pockets and two hand pockets for simple entry whereas on the wall
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Take care: Not essentially the most tenacious face material
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Incredible heat for its weight -
850 fill-power down consists of HyperDRY water-proof therapy -
10-Denier Pertex Quantum Eco shell consists of DWR therapy -
Contains internal stuff pockets
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Considerably dear -
Minimal further options
The Greatest Down Jackets Comparability Chart


How We Examined the Greatest Down Jackets
Our crew has examined, reviewed, and revealed down jacket Purchaser’s Guides for women and men throughout a number of seasons. For this Information, we thought of essentially the most sturdy, extremely acclaimed, well-constructed, and environmentally accountable down jackets. These layers are made for quite a lot of circumstances and current a variety of costs.
Editor-in-Chief Adam Ruggiero led the cost in curating and testing our preliminary lineup of over 20 down jackets in 2020. A seasoned, well-rounded outdoorsman, he is aware of what to search for within the insulation he will depend on within the backcountry, and used his years of expertise to put the framework for this complete Information.
Senior Editor Chris Carter took the reigns of this Information in August of 2022, and has been sifting by mountains of those puffy layers ever since to carry you the streamlined choice you see right this moment. No feather was left unturned. An extended-distance thru-hiker and rock climber at coronary heart, he’s examined numerous down jackets in each concoction of circumstances possible, and received’t accept something however the perfect on his escapades.
In Spring of 2024, Lake Tahoe resident Nick Bruckbauer contributed his testing expertise to this Information, including two new light-weight fashions that he examined on quick and lightweight hikes within the Tahoe backcountry, chilly forrest and neighborhood walks and runs, and whereas shoveling and plowing Tahoe’s well-known Sierra Cement snowfall.
To problem and decide the highest designs, we enlisted quite a few different employees authors and editors to get as numerous a perspective as doable, and check these puffies throughout a broad vary of outside pursuits. Our testers donned these jackets in all seasons, from snowy environments within the Rockies, to chilly large wall ascents of El Cap in Yosemite.
The crew has used these jackets for tenting and concrete commutes, in addition to alpine and mountain climbing, backcountry snowboarding and splitboarding, bikepacking, and alpine snowboarding. The testers ranged from AIARE-certified backcountry venturers to lifelong recreationists.
Lastly, that is an natural, continuously evolving Information. We work arduous to remain on prime of recent tendencies and novel applied sciences, and carefully study up to date jackets and new fashions the second they hit the market to carry you essentially the most up-to-date decisions doable.
Purchaser’s Information: Learn how to Select the Greatest Down Jacket


This text consists of the perfect down jackets for women and men. You can even take a look at our expanded record of the greatest down jackets for girls.
Heat
In contrast to sleeping luggage which often have a helpful EN (European Norm) temperature score related to them, determining how heat a down jacket is can typically be a tough course of. Many people are accustomed to the “fill energy” of down jackets, however an equally, if no more, vital element is “fill weight.”
There are definitely different components that contribute to a down jacket’s heat — like baffle form, design, and building, jacket supplies, measurement, and match, and different options like hood, hem, or cuff closures — however all issues being equal, the down fill energy and fill weight may have essentially the most direct affect on a jacket’s heat.
Fill Energy
Fill energy is a quantity that quantifies the standard of the down by way of its loft — or fluffiness.
Fill energy scores vary from round 400 to 900 and even larger. Many of the jackets on this record are within the 700- to 800-fill-power vary, with just a few clocking in above or under. Typically, the standard and fluffiness of the down will increase with the fill-power quantity:
- 400-500: truthful high quality
- 600: good high quality
- 700: nice high quality
- 800: wonderful high quality
- 900 and above: highest high quality
The numbers listed above signify the quantity per unit of down filling in cubic inches per one ounce. To calculate fill energy, a one ounce pattern of down is positioned in a standardized cylinder, after which the full quantity of that pattern is measured in cubic inches.
The upper the fill energy, the much less down filling is required to create the identical quantity of insulation, which is ready to entice extra air and heat inside the jacket. Increased fill energy can be extra compressible, loftier, lighter, and pricier.
Fill Weight
Fill weight, however, is the exact measured weight of down that has been positioned into the jacket, usually expressed in both grams or ounces.
To get an affordable estimate of a jacket’s general heat, you possibly can multiply the down’s fill energy (expressed in cubic inches per ounce) by the jacket’s fill weight (expressed in ounces), which is able to yield a quantity that represents the three-dimensional quantity of the jacket’s insulation, or loft, in cubic inches.
On paper, we will therefor estimate that the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (5.3 ounces of 800-fill-power down) will likely be hotter than the Feathered Buddies Eos (4.0 ounces of 900-fill-power down). Despite the fact that the Eos has a increased fill energy of 900, the Down Sweater has a increased fill weight of 5.3 ounces.
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody: 800 cubic inches per ounce x 5.3 ounces = 4,240 complete cubic inches of insulation
Feathered Buddies Eos: 900 cubic inches per ounce x 4.0 ounces = 3,600 complete cubic inches of insulation
Although the Down Sweater is barely hotter than the Eos, the Eos is far lighter general (10.8 ounces vs. 15.0 ounces), and has the next warmth-to-weight ratio.
Fill weight isn’t at all times marketed as readily as fill energy, however is — in our opinion — a way more essential stat to contemplate when gearing up for any journey. Whereas different components equivalent to face material, sewn-through appears vs. field baffles, and different options play a task in how heat a jacket is, the next fill weight will nearly at all times point out a toastier puffy.


Ensure that to carry an acceptable weight for the complete vary of climate circumstances and temperature fluctuations you’re certain to come across in your journey, and don’t focus an excessive amount of on going ultralight that you just put your self in a harmful place. Whereas it could be tempting to chop weight with the 6.7-ounce Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL, with its flashy 1,000-fill-power stat, the fill weight is just a mere 70 grams (2.5 ounces). It’s truly one of many least-warmest jackets we examined, however boasts a wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio.
The heavier Rab Neutrino Professional, however, is adorned with barely much less lofty 800-fill-power down, however its baffles are filled with 212 grams (7.5 ounces) of the stuff — making it a a lot hotter barrier when temps plummet at excessive altitudes.
Sturdiness
The shell material is a vital issue for each sturdiness and packability. Ultralight jackets are usually made with a lighter, thinner shell materials. Denier is the measurement used right here. A decrease denier score means the outer material is lighter and due to this fact extra vulnerable to tears.
For backcountry excursions, the decrease weight is usually a worthy tradeoff. However for every day use, the next denier is advisable. And when you do get a tear or campfire burn gap, there’s at all times the dependable duct tape, Tenacious Tape, or Noso Puffy Patch restore choices.
On one finish of the spectrum, the Rab Mythic G Down Jacket stands out for its spectacular heat matched with a scant 10.1-ounce weight, achieved partly through the use of a fragile 7-Denier shell material. Many of the jackets we examined have a 10-Denier or 20-Denier shell material, with some 30-Denier fashions.


Water Resistance & Hydrophobic Down
Down doesn’t carry out effectively when moist. And this is among the locations artificial jackets are likely to win out. Prior to now decade, there was a rising use of hydrophobic down. Primarily, the down feathers are coated in a waterproof polymer. It nonetheless doesn’t match the water resistance of synthetics, however for gentle precipitation, hydrophobic down can’t be overwhelmed.
The face materials of some down jackets are handled with DWR to assist block gentle moisture, too.
Down vs. Artificial
Many of the jackets on this information are made with down, although a handful are full of artificial insulation that mimics down or a mix of the 2.
Artificial insulation, however, is made out of polyester fibers and designed to mimic down clusters and properties with just a few key variations. Should you examine two jackets of equal weight, down is hotter than this various. However artificial insulation retains heat even when moist. It’s additionally simpler to clean and often comes at a lower cost level.
- Professionals of down: wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, consolation, compressibility, light-weight, excessive inherent heat
- Cons of down: lack of ability to insulate when moist, not tremendous breathable, tougher to clean, pricier


Inside artificial jackets, energetic insulation is one other progressive subcategory to know. These technical clothes are designed to dump further warmth and dry quick, so that you don’t must take away the jacket throughout vigorous exercise. However these layers want additionally to be sturdy, heat, and wind-resistant. It’s a tough steadiness.
Total, in moist or combined climate and when weight isn’t a difficulty, synthetics is usually a higher, safer alternative. Lively insulation is greatest for high-output motion. If it’s chilly and dry, down is perfect regardless of the next value. This information lists all kinds of the perfect down jackets to maintain you coated within the chilly.
Responsibly Sourced Down
Out of doors business manufacturers have made an effort to supply down ethically with out animal cruelty and create transparency within the international provide chain. Numerous certifications exist, such because the Accountable Down Commonplace, the Patagonia Traceable Down Commonplace, and the Nationwide Sanitation Basis’s International Traceable Down Commonplace.
With out assembly such requirements, abuse can develop into a part of the provision chain. Artificial decisions can set some people relaxed.


Eco-Pleasant & Recycled Supplies
Past accountable down, down jackets have a chance to incorporate a bunch of eco-friendly design traits. Some jackets are created with PFC-free DWR remedies or recycled supplies.
Different layers assure Honest Commerce stitching just like the Patagonia Fitz Roy. A handful of designs even have recycled down, together with the Rab Microlight Alpine.
Match
The actions you do whereas sporting your down jacket will affect the kind of fit your needs want. Some jackets are extra streamlined, whereas others are roomier, boxier, or longer.
Should you’re utilizing the layer for climbing and snowboarding, you’ll need an athletic or slender design that may be layered under or above a midlayer or shell. For large actions, it’s good to have a silhouette that’s additionally stretchy and versatile, particularly within the shoulder and chest space. Jackets equivalent to Rab’s Neutrino Professional have been particularly designed with an anatomical form that contributes to stellar freedom of motion whereas climbing or trekking in chilly climate.
Whereas many down jackets have an satisfactory quantity of wind resistance constructed into their shell, the stitching between baffles typically goes all over the jacket, permitting robust wind to squirm its method by to your core. In actually gusty circumstances, pairing your down jacket with a light-weight windbreaker jacket is usually a energy concoction of heat retention.
For every day commutes or bicycling round city, when your exercise is usually creating much less warmth, a puffier and fewer athletic down jacket might be actually cozy.


Weight
The down jackets on this information vary from 6.7 ounces on the low finish to greater than 30 ounces on the heavy aspect. The median weight is round 15 ounces, and the most typical weight is nearer to twenty to 23 ounces.
Tremendous light-weight down jackets sometimes include a premium price ticket, however the funding might be worthwhile for adventurers with restricted area trying to trim ounces. Fashions just like the Feathered Buddies Eos strike a stable steadiness between light-weight simplicity and premium efficiency. If pace and effectivity are of utmost significance, jackets like this received’t maintain you again. Ensure that to analysis the complete vary temperatures you’ll encounter in your journeys earlier than leaving, nonetheless, and don’t prioritize an ultralight base weight a lot that you just put your self at risk.
Storing and Caring for Down Jackets
A few of these down jackets can compress to the scale of a water bottle or smaller, whereas others are bulkier — influenced by the fill, face material, and general design. A tiny pack measurement can mean you can carry a smaller, lighter load on light-weight excursions, however ensure to not depart your down jacket smushed up for lengthy intervals of time. This will tremendously affect the down’s lofting and insulating talents, and scale back the jacket’s general lifespan.


It’s fantastic to maintain your jacket in its stuff sack for one or two days at a time, however attempt to pull it out of the sack usually and let it loft up absolutely over the length of your journey. When storing your jacket after you get dwelling, grasp it in your closet — and don’t mash it too tightly between your different garments. Washing your jacket with down-friendly detergent also can delay its life. We gravitate to Nikwax’s Down Wash Direct for this goal.
Hoods & Sleeves
Many down jackets embody a hood, a few of that are helmet-compatible, whereas others have a tall collar. Some hoods might have a stiff wire on the brim which improves safety and visibility throughout snowy circumstances. Zipper width, toggle measurement, and sturdiness can fluctuate. However as a basic rule of thumb, YKK produces the strongest zippers. Minimized zippers can scale back weight and bulk.
Cuffs and sleeves can have a versatile, snug elastic closure or a Velcro tab for further safety. Sometimes, designs have wrist gaiters with thumb loops.


Pockets
Two entrance hand pockets with zip closures are frequent, although some pockets are smaller or positioned increased than others for harness compatibility. These handwarmer pockets typically develop into tremendous vital for protecting warmth from escaping your extremities as soon as the temps begin to drop.
Further accent pockets would possibly embody an inside or exterior chest, inside mesh pockets, and a pocket the jacket itself stuffs into.
Athletic Options
For top-output exercise, down jackets can characteristic mesh-lined pit zips and a powder skirt. Some designs even have a two-way zipper down the entrance, which is useful when sporting a harness and belaying.
Worth
It’s straightforward to spend $250-500 on a down jacket. And that’s no small funding. The principle factor to contemplate when your finances is the tip use.
Should you’re usually packing into the backcountry, an ultralight, super-packable, reasonably costly jacket could also be obligatory. Should you’ll principally put on it round city, one thing just like the budget-friendly REI 650 Down Jacket will hold you heat for simply over $100.


FAQ
A down jacket holds warmth round your physique’s core in an effort to preserve a cushty degree of heat when the temperatures drop. A spectrum of down jackets exists from plush and classy for on a regular basis use to lighter, packable designs for year-round backcountry adventures.
A jacket’s fill energy is the down’s high quality and quantity of loft. You’ll see jackets labeled as 600-fill or 800-fill, as an illustration. The fill weight, which is measured in ounces, displays the density or quantity of down stuffed contained in the jacket.
So when two 700-fill jackets have completely different weights, we all know the heavier one is hotter.
However, if two down jackets weigh the identical with completely different fill energy (two 15-ounce jackets with 650-fill and 800-fill), the upper fill jacket goes to be much less cumbersome, lighter, and extra compressible.
It’s difficult to match jackets with differing fill energy. However generally, the decrease the fill energy, the much less loft and heat.


Down jackets have an enormous variance of heat. Some jackets are constructed to resist freezing or sub-zero temperatures, whereas others are a match for summer season, spring, and fall backpacking journeys. Listed below are the broad classes of jackets, relying on their fill weight:
- Light-weight: 3-4 ounces of down fill, three-season jacket, snowboarding midlayer
- Average weight: 5-6 ounces of down fill, extra heat for sub-freezing temperatures
- Heavyweight: Greater than 6 ounces of down fill, tenacious design for winter circumstances
The mix of the fill weight and fill energy, which is the loft and high quality of the down, adjustments how heat a jacket is. The upper the fill energy and better the burden, the extra warmth the jacket retains.


Light-weight down jackets are very compressible and an ideal alternative for cramming into your pack for emergency use. However they typically value extra. These weights vary from shut to eight to fifteen ounces. Midweight choices bump as much as the 20-ounce vary, and heavier down jackets are round 30 ounces.
The perfect down jacket for you is predicated on the place and the way you’ll use it. If the climate is comparatively dry and tremendous chilly, a down jacket with larger down fill that may retain extra warmth may very well be well worth the funding. Should you’ll be in a extremely moist setting, an artificial down jacket is likely to be a more sensible choice.


As you seek for a down jacket, take note of the fill energy, general match, and worth. Ensure the heat and options match your wants, like whether or not or not the jacket has a helmet-compatible hood, underarm zippers, and harness-compatible hand pockets.
Study the extent of climate resistance, like DWR-treated materials or down, and if it matches the publicity you’ll be in. Some jackets are even bolstered in high-use areas, like within the shoulders for pulling on and off a pack. Should you plan on venturing into the backcountry, weight and compressibility make a distinction, too.