For these of us braving the chilly climate every season, a down jacket is an absolute necessity. Down jackets are constituted of duck or geese feathers, they usually normally have a down fill energy ranking — the next fill energy is normally light-weight, compressible, and insulating. Whether or not you’re packing a 10-ounce ultralight layer for evenings across the campfire or throwing on an enormous parka-length choice for a frigid commute, the vary of jackets within the down-insulated class is huge, and there’s a jacket to suit each want.
We examined 41 down jackets for girls — from packable layers for chilly locations to waterproof commuter kinds — and thought of every thing from insulation and heat to suit and sturdiness. After our preliminary testing interval, we continued to put on the jackets for a further six months as a result of down jackets will be fast to abrade or lose insulation, and we needed to ensure our high jackets held as much as prolonged seasonal assessments. Learn on for our high examined picks, in addition to our ideas for getting the most effective down jackets.
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The fashionable tailoring, considerate options, and affordable worth level made this our high choose for the yr.
This trendy down coat stored us heat throughout chilly commutes through the testing interval, together with a number of days with biting chilly wind. The Claudia matches true to measurement and works properly with a sweater layered beneath with out impeding vary of movement. It is a pretty streamlined coat that by no means felt cumbersome or cumbersome, and we appreciated the fashionable midthigh lower with a drop-tail again that stored our bottoms heat when seated open air. This jacket was lighter than we anticipated, and it does have a decrease fill energy than a number of the others we examined, so chances are you’ll need to layer in particularly chilly temperatures.
The variety of options, tailor-made lower, enjoyable colorways, and considerate options solidified this jacket as our high choose this yr. The hood is detachable and adjustable, the cuffs have an elastic end to assist maintain out the wind, and the zippered hand pockets are properly positioned and generously sized for keys, snacks, cellphone, and pockets. The development feels high-quality general, which we have been thrilled about contemplating the affordable worth level. The coat packs down sufficiently small to be a good selection for journey, and the match is flattering sufficient to look good round city. This wouldn’t be our high choose for frigid climate, as we felt some drafts and it does have a thinner construct than others we examined, however general this is a wonderful and well-priced choose, particularly for journey.
The Particulars: XXS-XXL | 80/20 down-to-feather ratio | 650-fill energy | Detachable hood | Waterproof
Touchdown on the high of our Finest Puffer Jackets information, the Quince Accountable Down Puffer Jacket is cozily plush with a excessive loft and hip-length hemline. We liked the prolonged sleeves that went properly previous our midlayer and helped forestall draftiness, in addition to the big baffles that helped maintain the down in place.
We wore this puffer round city through the cold-weather check interval, primarily for working errands and happening walks. The match was true to measurement, becoming carefully however with out limiting vary of movement. We have been in a position to layer a midweight fleece beneath, which is probably going all we’d want with this city type. The liner felt softer than different jackets we examined, and the down-filled, outsized hood did much more to create the sensation that we have been carrying a puffy blanket as a substitute of a jacket. If you happen to discover the hood to be cumbersome, it’s detachable and took us just a few seconds to detach and reattach. We additionally recognize the inexpensive price ticket.
The Particulars: XS-XL | Shell and lining: 100% recycled polyester; shell and lining on shiny black model: 100% nylon | Fill: 90 % goose down, 10 % goose feathers | 700-fill energy | Detachable hood | Water-repellent
Most individuals will acknowledge the ever-present color-blocking of Cotopaxi’s widespread down coat, and we’ve been carrying ours constantly for greater than a yr now. It matches true to measurement with none binding by way of the shoulders, although we advocate carrying slimmer-fit layers beneath, because it doesn’t accommodate bulkier insulation tops. It hits at hip-length however is on the shorter facet. We’ve got worn this jacket in all kinds of cases, from cold-weather hikes to chilly mornings in Jackson Gap, and the average match, packability, and athletic look make it a go-to at dwelling and for journey.
The 800-fill down is among the many highest high quality in our examined jackets, and the 20-denier nylon materials helps scale back bulk even additional. This makes it an wonderful alternative for packing as a journey layer, because it takes up little or no room in your pack and packs down into its personal pocket. It’s additionally surprisingly heat for a way light-weight it feels. The scuba hood is spacious, even over ponytails however is just not detachable. Lastly, this jacket is available in a variety of sizes as much as 4XL, and you’ve got your choose of solids or rainbow-striped colours.
The Particulars: XXS-4XL | Shell and lining: 100% 20D ripstop nylon with C0 DWR end | 800-fill energy | 14 ounces | Waterproof | Packable into one in all its pockets
Maybe some of the well-traveled jackets of our picks, the Columbia Arctic Crest has been with us on climbing trails, chilly seashores, a glacier, and all the best way to the sting of a volcano in Iceland. This jacket is designated as activewear and lives as much as its title with a DWR-treated nylon shell, ample quantities of 700-fill RDS down and OmniHeat lining, and equal components heat and breathability for high-output actions.
The zip pocket on the chest is a pleasant contact for maintaining your cellphone and pockets helpful. We thought the adjustable waist was a pleasant contact to tailor the match and airflow, whereas the draw-cord adjustable hem helped forestall chilly air from seeping up beneath the coat. We thought it seemed slightly cumbersome and felt a bit tight throughout the chest, but it surely does have the flexibility to pack down small into one in all its personal pockets for journey.
This jacket was made for actions, that includes articulated arms, body-mapped baffle patterns to stop movement restriction, and Columbia’s OmniShield therapy on the face material that repels water and wind higher than different handled supplies. “This jacket is designed to imitate the pores and skin of Arctic animals like polar bears, whose black pores and skin absorbs as a lot daylight as attainable to retain warmth beneath their white fur, so this jacket retains you very heat for a way mild and agile it’s,” says Journey + Leisure Senior Editor Lydia Value. “I used to be in a position to hike and climb with a full vary of movement, stretching my arms up, bending over, and carrying gear with ease.”
The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell: 100% nylon | 700-fill energy (goose down) | Waterproof | Packable into one in all its pockets
This thoughtfully designed, high-fashion cropped puffer feels fitted and flattering whereas nonetheless leaving room to layer. It’s mild and lofted, and has fleece-lined zippered hand pockets for cozy heat in addition to bungee adjusters on the hem. The small print are what make Canada Goose well worth the splurge — together with grippy zipper pulls, stretchy wrist gaiters, and distinctive inside suspenders that let you carry the jacket like a backpack as a substitute of carrying it when you want to take it off
Not like the opposite jackets on our checklist, which use nylon or polyester as their floor material, Canada Goose makes use of Pima cotton, a gentle, silky cotton selection that may be handled for water resistance with out the slippery feeling of synthetics. This jacket additionally has a bolder baffle type than thinner technical baffles, which makes it stand out within the crowd. A $1,600-plus jacket isn’t for everybody, however we have been so impressed with the consolation, heat, and sturdiness that we’d say in case you’re going to splurge on a down jacket, this can be a good guess.
“I really like how heat it’s regardless that it is cropped,” says Affiliate Editor Anna Popp. “It stored my entire higher physique heat and toasty in freezing situations due to the high-quality supplies.”
The Particulars: XXS-XXL | Shell: 100% Pima cotton | 90/10 down-to-feather ratio | 750-fill energy | Waterproof | Detachable backpack straps
Although this coat has one of many decrease fill powers on this checklist, its lengthy size stored us heat in below-freezing temperatures due to its full protection and barely puffy nature. We wore it over the course of six months by way of a New York Metropolis autumn and winter, and it proved to be a go-to for frigid walks, lengthy commutes, and actions like ice skating.
We appreciated the two-way zipper to make the lengthy size straightforward to take a seat in. The jacket has three pockets complete — one small zipper pocket on the chest that may maintain a cellphone and two massive pockets which are positioned on the entrance of the thighs slightly than the perimeters of the coat. We liked how spacious the big pockets have been, however some folks might desire a zipper to the single-button closure. We’d additionally add an inside pocket if we might. We’d advocate sizing up one full measurement due to its slim silhouette in each the physique and arms, particularly if you wish to go away room for layering. That slim match additionally makes it extra flattering and never as cumbersome as different lengthy parkas.
The Particulars: XS-XL | Shell: 77 % cotton, 23 % polyamide; lining: 100% recycled polyester | 60/40 down-to-feather ratio | 300-to-350-fill energy | Water-repellent
This light-weight parka-length coat weighs barely over 1 pound and someway avoids the downfall of different long-hemline jackets by not impeding our vary of movement — it even feels snug whereas sitting down. It does have a two-way zipper to ease any restriction, however we have been pleasantly shocked at how straightforward it has been to maneuver round in.
That mentioned, the Recycled Down Sweater Parka is a lighter jacket, and we’ve discovered it finest for average winter climate in addition to shoulder-season temperatures throughout our assessments within the chilly Northeast. It’s additionally a superb journey choice, packing away into its personal zippered pocket and tucking neatly into carry-on baggage. Patagonia has a constant dedication towards sustainability in its attire, and this parka isn’t any totally different, utilizing the model’s NetPlus postconsumer recycled ripstop nylon (constituted of recycled fishing nets) in addition to absolutely recycled goose and duck down filling.
The Particulars: XS-XL | Shell and lining: 20D NetPlus 100% recycled nylon downproof ripstop | 700-fill energy | 1.03 kilos | Waterproof | Packable into one in all its pocket
The Columbia Mountain Croo III is a stellar mixture of heat and waterproofing safety in a trendy, thigh-length jacket. Regardless of its longer hemline, absolutely waterproof construct, and mixture of supplies, this jacket didn’t really feel cumbersome throughout testing, and we appreciated the chance to put on a sleeker coat as a substitute of the extra tech-oriented marshmallow fashions. Nothing in opposition to these … typically it’s simply good to really feel heat and stylish. That mentioned, this coat was nonetheless very breathable, and we by no means wound up feeling clammy or sweaty, even after we threw it on postworkout earlier than our sweat had absolutely dried.
We examined this on the steep, hilly streets of Seattle (the place we sometimes work up a sweat throughout canine walks) and felt dry and cozy each time we wore it. Columbia makes use of its proprietary Omni-Tech waterproofing, which stands as much as the costlier manufacturers in the case of breathability and efficiency, with out the eye-watering worth factors. This jacket makes use of a 650-fill energy RDS down, which is correct in the course of the street so far as loft and heat go.
The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell and lining: 100% polyester | 650-fill energy | Waterproof
We love a size-inclusive choice, and this Out of doors analysis jacket is available in 10 sizes from XS to 4XL which are tailor-made to suit a wide range of physique shapes for layering each over and beneath. We determined to measurement as much as accommodate extra layers and have been pleased with that alternative for bulkier midlayers. We’ve misplaced observe of what number of iterations of this coat have been produced, and it continues to be one in all Out of doors Analysis’s most versatile choices. It packs down small, lofts properly due to the high-quality 800-fill down, and has the usual smooth streamline we anticipate from this technical open air model. This jacket has a number of inside pockets in addition to lined hand-warmer pockets, and the angled baffle design provides a little bit of aptitude to the development.
The Particulars: XS-4XL | Shell and lining: 100% recycled nylon 20D | 800-fill energy | 11.6 ounces | Waterproof
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Anoraks are an acquired style, and this jacket is a bit too comfortable within the shoulders to simply tackle and off, so measurement up.
A pullover down jacket isn’t for everybody, however we’d be remiss to not embody this fantastically designed anorak from Fjallraven. Like most of the jackets on our checklist, this jacket got here in properly beneath the burden we have been anticipating and packed down small for journey and into our baggage after we didn’t need to carry it round between outside stints. It has held up properly to each day use and exhibits no indicators of zipper failures or materials degrading.
The midsection incorporates a kangaroo pouch widespread on anorak type jackets, and we discovered the goose down fill to be ethereal and breathable whereas nonetheless being lots heat. That mentioned, pullover down jackets aren’t for everybody, particularly ones with no good quantity of stretch. We thought this one had extra of a slim match, which did make it a bit difficult to tug on and off over our heads, so we’d advocate sizing up. However for a singular type and to keep away from the draftiness of a full zipper, it’s a well-made pullover with an attention-grabbing type.
The Particulars: XXS-XL | Shell and lining: 100% recycled polyamide | Fill: 90 % goose down, 10 % feather | 700-fill energy | 1.14 kilos | Waterproof | Packable into one in all its pocket
Different Down Jackets We Appreciated
Down jackets are a broad class, and we examined too many for all of them to incorporate in our major suggestions. Nevertheless, the next jackets will work properly for a lot of vacationers regardless of a number of setbacks.
Cotopaxi Alivio Down Jacket: We liked this jacket throughout our White Mountain tenting journey due to its heat and sturdy supplies however discovered the sizing to be much less correct than others we examined. Plus, it’s a shorter lower so that you’re extra susceptible to drafts.
Eddie Bauer Girls’s StratusLite Down Parka: The down fill is light-weight and packed down small after we wanted it to, however we discovered the zipper to be considerably cumbersome, and the match of the coat ran slightly massive for our liking.
The North Face Girls’s Terra Peak Hoodie: The elastic hem and cuffs did an amazing job sealing in warmth, and it has an athletic lower that works for winter actions. Like the opposite two jackets on this class, the match of the Terra Peak felt inaccurate, and the medium we examined match extra like a small.
Our Testing Course of
We examined 41 girls’s down jackets, from light-weight, athletic fashions to knee-length parkas — and every thing in between. We wore every jacket a number of occasions through the testing interval and traveled extensively with our jackets for our six-month long-term testing. We thought of every thing from sturdiness of face material to general weight and really feel to heat and match.
After initially carrying every jacket for 2 weeks after which an extended testing interval of six months, we reported again on consolation, packability, layering room, measurement accuracy, and the way simply the zippers and equipment labored. We seemed for a wide range of jackets to swimsuit totally different wants and winter climate situations and made positive that the entire jackets had not less than some degree of weatherproofing to guard the down insulation from precipitation. We are going to proceed to replace this text to replicate any extra findings as we check extra down jackets.
Suggestions for Shopping for Down Jackets
Be sure that it matches accurately
With the expectation of city-ready parkas, a down jacket is a reasonably commonplace layering piece — you need to go away slightly little bit of room to layer beneath (we like to suit not less than a midweight fleece beneath our jackets), however you don’t need it to be too outsized for drafts to seep by way of. Strive it on whereas carrying the same old layers chances are you’ll put on with no matter actions you’ve gotten deliberate, so that you could get an correct learn on the match. Ensure you can comfortably cross your arms; if it’s too tight, you’ll really feel a irritating restriction in your vary of movement that may put a damper on winter actions.
Take into consideration the climate
The coats in our roundup vary from light-weight 300-fill down for average days to extremely lofted 800-fill down for bitter chilly temps. Whereas down jackets don’t have a standardized heat ranking, learn the producer’s suggestions for temperature ranges, and perceive the fill energy and fill weight each contribute to how a lot insulation the jacket goes to supply. If you happen to’re planning on milder climate, search for a thinner jacket with much less insulation. If you happen to’re going to bundle up for frigid climate, search for increased fill energy and fill weight, and you should definitely prioritize DWR-treated face material or different famous weatherproofing. We’ve famous whether or not the jackets are waterproof or waterproof within the particulars above.
Contemplate how you propose to make use of it
The jackets on our checklist of suggestions vary from ultralight and packable to lengthy and thick. The one you select depends upon what you’ll use it for. If you happen to’re planning principally athletic actions, search for a slimmer match with a shorter hemline that received’t prohibit your actions, in addition to a breathable materials. If you happen to’re planning to principally put on this round city and for commuting, you will get an extended, extra trendy jacket that’s extra insulating. For journey, search for jackets beneath 1 pound that pack down small and have high-quality down fill that received’t compress if it’s crammed in a suitcase.
Steadily Requested Questions
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What’s down fill energy?
We listed the down fill energy for every jacket, and most producer websites and retailer pages may also supply this info. Fill energy is the measurement that tells you the standard of down insulation, considerably confusingly decided by the quantity of area a single ounce of down will occupy when absolutely lofted. The upper the fill energy, the lighter and hotter the down shall be and the extra effectively it traps warmth. The higher warmth-to-weight ratios correlate with a rise in worth.
Additional, some manufacturers denote the share of down versus feathers of their insulation. Down is the beneath layer beneath the feathers; it packs smaller and traps warmth higher. Feathers are decrease high quality, denser, and don’t insulate as properly.
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How are you aware if down is ethically sourced?
With immediately’s rising emphasis on sustainability, if an organization is utilizing ethically sourced down, it’s going to inform you. Search for markers on retailer or producer pages — or on tags in case you’re attempting the jackets on in individual. The commonest certification is RDS, or “Accountable Down Customary.” This implies the down got here from farms the place the animals are raised inside moral requirements. Traceable down can be an choice, and you may simply discover these markers and badges on most product pages.
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How do you wash and dry a down jacket?
Opposite to widespread perception, you do have to clean and dry your down jacket. It helps the face material preserve water resistance and retains your insulation lofted. If you happen to don’t dry a down jacket correctly, the feathers inside can clump and create mildew. Every jacket is totally different, so ensure you learn the care directions. However for probably the most half, an at-home washer on a mild cycle utilizing chilly water is a secure guess. We advocate utilizing a down-specific wash, and don’t use material softener. To dry, tumble dry on low warmth with balled-up tin foil or a number of tennis balls to interrupt up the down clumps because the jacket dries. Some jackets, just like the Canada Goose jacket on our checklist, could also be dry clear solely, so double test every thing earlier than washing.
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How do you repair a tear in a down jacket?
A tear in your down jacket simply offers it extra road cred — it doesn’t imply it is best to trash it. If you happen to’re not sending it again to the producer to be repaired, you’ll be able to simply patch small tears and holes with matching duct tape or technical restore patches like Noso patches, that are made to stick to the floor materials, and maintain the outlet from spreading or the down from escaping. Clear the world across the gap fastidiously to eliminate grease or oil, slap the patch on, and also you’re good to go. Bonus factors if it’s a enjoyable design.
Why Belief Journey + Leisure
Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based author and editor with a decade {of professional} gear-testing expertise within the outside world. She is an avid backpacker, bikepacker, and four-season outdoorsperson, and assessments dozens of jackets and layers every season, from ultralight and packable down jackets to heavy-duty, in-town down parkas. To compile this checklist, she coordinated with T+L’s inside editorial crew, combining their examined down jackets together with her background in layering and winter attire that will help you select the most effective girls’s winter jacket for this season.
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