Author
If you're planning to buy a new winter jacket this year, you can't go wrong with down. Fluffy, lightweight, and impressively warm, down is an age-old and incredibly effective and cozy insulation option. The down feathers inside down jackets is typically goose, duck, or a combination of the two. And although down insulation is often more expensive than synthetic alternatives (or other natural ones, like wool), it's still the best in terms of warmth and packability, making a well-made packable down jacket a must have piece of outerwear to protect you from winter's worst weather.
In this feature we will dive into what you should know before buying a down jacket, and lay out our top picks for the best packable down jacket options currently available. Read on an dig in
Things to Know Before Buying a Down Jacket
Down vs Synthetic Insulation
You have two choices when it comes to puffy jackets: down or synthetic. There are pros and cons to both, and the type of insulation inside your ripstop affects a variety of things from weight, warmth, compressibility, and price.
Down is the soft plumage found underneath the exterior feathers of birds, and jackets (and sleeping bags and other insulated gear) typically use goose or duck down. The pros are that down is extremely lightweight and compressible, and has a high warmth-to-weight ratio. The cons are that it gets soggy and clumpy once wet, losing its ability to hold warmth, and takes a long time to dry (you might consider rocking a Gore-Tex rain jacket over your down layer in stormy weather). It also tends to be more expensive than the synthetic alternative.
Synthetic insulation is made from polyester. The pros are that it continues to insulate even when wet and tends to be a little cheaper than down. The cons are that the warmth-to-weight ratio of synthetic fill is lower, making it less packable (though companies are making good progress in producing synthetic insulation on par with down).
Down Fill Powers
A down jacket's warmth-to-weight ratio is perhaps its most important trait, whether you're in the backcountry, snowboarding, or braving frigid city winters, and that all boils down to fill power. Fill power refers to the loft of the down. Down clusters create tiny air pockets that trap warm air, and the higher the fill power, the more of those air pockets there will be, and the better the insulation-to-weight ratio.
Simply put, a down jacket with a higher fill power insulation will provide the same amount of warmth as a down jacket with a lower fill power while using less material, i.e. it will be lighter and more packable. A low fill power jacket stuffed with tons of feathers can still be warmer than one with a higher power, but it will be much heavier. Additionally, high fill power insulation tends to be more expensive.
Packability
Higher fill power down insulation tends to lead to more packable down jackets, and down jackets in general are more packable than synthetic puffy jackets, but there are a few other features to look for to find ultimate packability. One is an included stuff sack, or whether or not the jacket packs down into its own pocket. Another is fill power (see above). Another less discernible one is shell material—lighter shell materials like low-denier ripstop nylon will be lighter and more packable, but also less durable. On the other hand, down jackets shelled with super-durable materials like canvas won't be as packable. Look at the jacket's weight and how much down fill is in it for a hint at how packable it will be—as a general rule, the lighter it is, the more packable it is.
The 10 Best Down Jackets of 2022
Best Overall: Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
The new and improved version of the crowd-favorite Eos jacket is a great packable and lightweight option for use in many outdoor situations (including around town—this is our go-to for nasty NYC winters). With an adjustable drawstring hood, a new exterior zip pocket, an included stuff sack, a Pertex nylon shell treated with DWR, and 900+ fill down, this jacket will ensure you'll stay cozy in the cold weather all winter long, at the crag, the ski hill, and your daily commute.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 10.8 ounces
Fill Material: 900+ Fill Power Goose Down
Price: $389
Best for Alpine Adventures: The North Face Men’s Summit Series Breithorn 50/50 Hoodie
This lightweight full-zip-down hoody is the perfect pick for mountain adventures and general warmth around town. With 800-fill ProDown, it is sure to keep you warm even in the harshest alpine conditions. With a unique, tubular baffle structure that has gaps between each one, the jacket is surprisingly breathable, meaning you can leave it on even when you're starting to move a lot. This down hooded jacket features a high insulated collar to protect your face and neck from the elements. It is light enough to function as a super-warm mid-layer and its water-repellent coating will keep you dry in the snow or sleet.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 13.1 ounces
Fill Material: 800 Fill ProDown
Price: $475
Best for Cities: Arc'teryx Conduit Jacket
Arc'teryx is always the forerunner for sleek aesthetic and techwear-leaning designs, especially via their definitive Veilance collection. The new Conduit down coat works either as a mid-layer or standalone with an oversized fit that maintains a non-bulky profile. It has a slight stretch to it so that no movement is restricted and although it doesn't have a hood, the high collar adds an extra layer of comfort and warmth. The jacket's construction also includes the use of recycled and Bluesign materials and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish for water-resistance in wetter climates.
Women's Option: No
Weight: 20.1 ounces
Fill Material: 850 Fill European Goose Down
Price: $700
Best Ultralight Down Jacket: Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
Made with ultra-thin nylon, this is the perfect jacket for backpackers and mountain climbers. Even though it isn't the lightest jacket on the market, it is probably one of the best options if you need to cut weight without sacrificing any of the warmth. That's due to its rare 1000 fill down insulation (remember: the higher the fill power, the less down is needed in order to achieve warmth). That coupled with the unique zigzag baffle patterns makes this one of the best packable down jackets you can get. If you're looking for a slightly cheaper version, Montbell's Superior Down Parka ($249) is similar, but has 800 fill down.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 8.4 ounces
Fill Material: 1000 Fill Power EX Down
Price: $479
Best Affordable Down Jacket: Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket
This is the most affordable jacket (by far) on this list and you can't beat what you'll get for the price point. Sleek and sporty in design, Uniqlo's Ultra Light Down Jacket manages to be a solid all-rounder that checks all the boxes, despite its price. Those include: 750 fill responsibly sourced down, a DWR coating, a windproof zipper, and an included stuff sack for packability. If you'd rather rock a puffer jacket with a hood, Uniqlo makes the Ultra Light Down Parka ($90), and if you're looking for an affordable down vest, there's the Ultra Light Down Vest ($60).
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 8.3 ounces
Fill Material: 750+ Down
Price: $80
Best Full Featured Down Jacket: Foehn Salem Down Parka
Built like your favorite sleeping bag, Foehn's Salem Down Parka uses a feature-loaded, quilted construction to bring you stylish warmth down to -15 Fahrenheit. The jacket's wide baffles are loaded with 800-fill down for serious packability and warmth, and it includes two hand pockets, two zippered chest pockets, a zippered interior pocket, and two large mesh stash pockets for easy access to gear. The jacket also has a high collar, and its recycled Japanese nylon shell has a pleasant sheen to it. Foehn also made a wild Dyneema version for unparalleled durability.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 26.8 ounces
Fill Material: 800 fill power responsibly sourced down
Price: $400
Best Retro Down Jacket: Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
Available in loads of different color combinations and retro stripes, Cotopaxi's Fuego Hooded Down Jacket proves style and packability aren't mutually exclusive. The jacket packs down into one of its two internal pockets and is stuffed with 800-fill responsibly sourced and water-resistant down that will keep you warm on chilly winter days. It's a good layer to take summer camping when the nights get cool too.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 14 ounces
Fill Material: 800-fill responsibly sourced, water-resistant down
Price: $275
Most Unique Design: Klattermusen Idun 2.0
You've heard of puffy jackets, down hoodies, puffy pants, and maybe even puffy shoes, but have you seen the puffy T-shirt? Designed to provide warmth to your core, the Idun 2.0 pullover is ideal for layering over a baselayer or even wearing as a stand-alone on an active winter day. It's lightweight enough that it can pack into its interior chest pocket, and the abrasion-resistant fabric on the shoulders will ensure that it lasts even if you're regularly hefting skis or climbing equipment.
Women's Option: Unisex
Weight: 10.75 ounces
Fill Material: 800+ (IDFB/US method) White Goose Down 93/7
Price: $459
Best Super Ultralight Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody
Weighing in at under seven ounces, Mountain Hardwear's Ghost Whisperer UL is in a category of its own, and it's the lightest down jacket on the list. The 1000 fill down cuts weight and makes it more packable. The first baffle on both cuffs is synthetic insulation to guard against wetting out and the elastic binding seals in warmth. Always pushing the limits on the highest quality down with the thinnest fabric, the Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody is an excellent midlayer in a pared-down system, and the perfect shoulder season jacket for when the days and nights start to get chilly.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 6.67 ounces
Fill Material: 1000-fill Allied RDS-certified down insulation
Price: $400
Best Down Parka: LifeLabs MegaWarm Jacket
LifeLabs was founded by a Stanford Professor and a clean energy CEO, and used material science research and unique textiles to create an apparel collection that's sustainable, energy-efficient, and functional. Although it's not the most packable down jacket, the MegaWarm still has a relatively low profile compared to a lot of the big, quilted, sub-zero puffys out there. LifeLabs claims the Mega Warm Jacket as the world's warmest jacket, and though it may seem hyperbolic, we aren't doubting that it will keep you pretty darn toasty on even the coldest winter days.
Women's Option: Yes
Weight: 9.25 ounces
Fill Material: 800 Fill Power Ethically-Sourced Goose Down
Price: $699
More Down Jackets We Love
We also like Arc'teryx's Cerium LT Hoody ($379) as a great jacket for all-around use, Rab's Microlight Alpine ($280) for its body-mapped fit, and Patagonia's classic and affordable Down Sweater ($279).
Published 09-27-2022
