In case you’re going to be spending any time open air as soon as temperatures drop, whether or not which means going for some epic winter snowboarding, exploring a brand new metropolis overseas, or simply commuting in chilly climate, you want a down jacket. The most effective down jackets maintain you heat in frigid temps, layer properly with different winter gear, and are supremely light-weight, making them the right companion for journey and out of doors adventures since they’re typically straightforward to pack.
Down jackets function feather insulation from geese or geese, and the key to a down jacket’s warmth-to-weight ratio is its down fill energy, which measures the standard and insulating effectivity of the fabric. Merchandise with increased fill energy are sometimes extra light-weight and compressible whereas offering the identical insulation as heavier merchandise with decrease fill energy, which is good for actions wherein weight and house are issues.
That can assist you discover the most effective down jackets, our Journey + Leisure group examined 29 of the top-rated jackets available on the market, taking notes on match, design, high quality, heat, and worth, selecting the most effective picks for various journey eventualities. We’ll check every jacket for no less than six months to verify they keep sturdy and heat with constant use, and can proceed to replace this text with extra suggestions.
Due to a really perfect mix of heat, high quality, and flexibility, the Stio Hometown Down Hooded Jacket is our high choose. We examined the jacket on brisk days on the lake, placing it up in opposition to chilly temperatures and a few fierce wind chill. Every put on proved higher than the final. The jacket could be very light-weight because of 800-fill, RDS-certified down insulation that we discovered to be comfy throughout various temperatures and actions, whether or not that meant working errands, going to work, or heading out on a leisurely bike trip. The down saved its form properly and rebounded shortly, even after being packed away for lengthy intervals.
We discovered the jacket to be very comfy. Its slim match remains to be roomy sufficient for layering however gained’t give Michelin Man vibes, and the size — which matches down simply previous the hips — is good for preserving the whole torso heat. The zippered pockets are good for preserving little bits of substances shut by, however we discovered them to be smaller than we’d desire. Little particulars like easy-pull bungy cords across the waist and hood are icing on the cake. Total, we expect the jacket is a good worth for the value and might be one that you just attain for each day all winter lengthy, regardless of the place life takes you.
The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell: Recycled HTD, 20 denier ripstop, 100% recycled nylon | Fill: Allied feather and down HyperDry, 90/10 goose down | 800-fill energy | Common match | Water resistant
One factor about down jackets that makes them nice is that they’re so packable. Our favourite for packing down small is the L.L.Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket. It makes use of light-weight, high-loft, 850-fill down that’s straightforward to compress once you don’t want it and is derived proper again into place once you do. Regardless of its gentle weight, it holds its personal within the heat division, although after testing we don’t suppose it’d be good for a brilliant chilly local weather. We do, nevertheless, suppose it’s nice for on a regular basis put on, owing to its delicate outer materials and light-weight down that doesn’t really feel confining. It additionally makes an amazing possibility for a day of mountain climbing or sightseeing, when chances are you’ll wish to stash it in a backpack for later use.
The Particulars: S-3XL (common); M-3XL (tall) | Shell: 100% recycled ripstop nylon | Fill: DownTek down | 850-fill energy | 0.98 lbs | Barely fitted | Water-repellent
Down jackets should not usually waterproof as a result of the down filling can create mould if it will get moist and clumpy and doesn’t dry correctly. Nevertheless, this Cotopaxi Calidez Down Parka has a windproof and waterproof shell and is totally seam-sealed to defend in opposition to the weather. We thought the jacket was very heat and surprisingly light-weight, given its capability to insulate warmth even in very chilly temperatures. It has a variety of options that may’t be ignored, like nice pockets and fleece lining across the neck and chin to stop discomfort. The supplies really feel high-end and luxe — we famous that it was doable to inform the jacket was waterproof however with out the scratchiness normally related to a water-proof end. The match was beneficiant, however this is smart given that you just’ll in all probability all the time be performing some layering in case you’re carrying a parka. The one factor to bear in mind when selecting the best dimension is that the sleeves are a bit lengthy.
The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: 100% recycled polyester | 650-fill energy | Common match | Waterproof
Preferrred for alpine adventures, this jacket was made for motion and all-day put on. Its roomy match and breathability permits for straightforward layering, that means you’ll be able to head out within the morning figuring out you’ll all the time be comfy, regardless of how the climate modifications. In case you don’t wish to layer up or have already eliminated your midlayers, the Fitz Roy has bungee cinch cords that we discovered to be useful when carrying only a T-shirt. The outer layer is light-weight but heat — preferrred for layering — and the delicate materials is comfy to put on. We have now some considerations about whether or not the delicate materials will stand as much as sharp objects and abrasive surfaces; nevertheless, utilizing a extra sturdy cloth would additionally make it heavier and probably much less delicate, and we beloved the light-weight really feel.
The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell: 20-denier Pertex Quantum 100% recycled nylon | 800-fill energy | 1.1 kilos | Common match | Water-repellent
Proper out of the gate, we admired the Spyfire for its versatility, with a pleasant steadiness of heat and weight that makes it an amazing choose for gentle train, touring a brand new metropolis, or working errands. We even rode a motorbike in it and didn’t have any points with heat. It regulates warmth properly, although virtually too properly in some instances — we famous that one thing extra breathable was essential if actually attempting to exert oneself. We discovered that it runs barely small and fitted, so it’s doable to layer beneath, however something greater than a sweatshirt beneath could be a little bit of a good squeeze. Nevertheless, that’s in all probability why it helps maintain heat in so properly. One other win within the versatility column: in case you don’t like having a hood, it additionally is available in a jacket, a shirt-jac, and a vest model, so you’ll be able to choose whichever silhouette most closely fits your adventures. .
The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: MikrotexI 20-denier nylon | Fill: RDC-certified goose down | 800-fill energy | Slim match | Water resistant
In case you want a jacket you’ll be able to put on every day with many various layering combos, the Marmot Hype is the one you need. We discovered the match fairly normal, with sufficient room for a layer or two and lightweight sufficient to put on underneath a heavier parka if wanted. After testing, we love this choose for every day put on as a result of, even after a brisk stroll, once we entered a constructing, we didn’t really feel the necessity to peel the jacket off instantly — it was gentle sufficient to exhaust the nice and cozy air inside and maintain us comfy throughout various temperatures. The down is hydrophobic, that means that it’s going to resist water and maintain its loft even when precipitation begins to threaten your out of doors adventures (although it’s not waterproof, so don’t put on it in a downpour and count on to remain heat or dry). We don’t suppose it’s heat sufficient to put on by itself in deep winter, and it’s not windproof — it’s significantly better used as a layering piece.
The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: Pertex Quantum, 100% presconsumer recycled nylon, ripstop | 800-fill energy | 10 ounces | Common match
The North Face might be most well-known for its ‘90s-inspired down jackets, but it surely’s additionally a efficiency model that makes high-quality gear made to deal with the harshest components. The Breithorn is the latter. It’s extremely heat — too heat at instances — making it an amazing jacket for carrying as a single outer layer or on chilly days when freezing chilly temperatures are anticipated. We expect the match is nice, albeit slimmer than initially anticipated. However because it’s so heat, we don’t suppose it must have a ton of room for layers. It’s not very breathable, so we wouldn’t put on it for delicate climate or winter sports activities. The jacket additionally packs down fairly small, making it preferrred for journey or commuting. It’s so tiny and lightweight that we thought the package deal was empty when it arrived for testing.
The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: 15 denier Pertex Y Fuse 100% recycled ripstop nylon | 800-fill energy | 12.45 ounces | Slim match | Water-repellent
In case you want one thing extra reasonably priced, packable, and layerable, the Decathlon Forclaz ticks all of the bins. Whereas not as sturdy or technical as different jackets on the listing, it makes use of a considerable 800-fill energy down and feather mixture to maintain you heat whereas nonetheless being tremendous light-weight. It packs into its personal pocket for fast stowage, whether or not that’s into your carry-on for winter journey otherwise you wish to flip it right into a pillow for cold-weather tenting journeys. Elastic cuffs present a good, comfy match across the wrists, two massive hand pockets are sufficiently big to heat your fingers whereas additionally storing some EDC, and the easy sizing makes it nice for layering. Whereas this jacket could not excel on Everest, its worth level and light-weight heat make it nice for somebody who wants to select up a jacket for a fast journey to a chilly local weather or who doesn’t wish to break the financial institution on one thing too technical.
The Particulars: S-3XL | Shell: 100% polyamide with polyester padding inside | Fill: 90 % duck down, 10 % duck feathers | 800-fill energy | 10.5 ounces | Water-repellant
Different Down Jackets We Appreciated
4 jackets we examined couldn’t discover a place on our listing, however we nonetheless suppose they’re price mentioning.
Lolë Odin Down Jacket: An built-in powder skirt and wrist gaiters make this an amazing alternative for snowboarding or snowboarding. Nevertheless, the acknowledged temperature vary appeared a bit too good to be true, and after testing, we expect it’s not as heat because the product description claims.
Rab Neutrino Professional: This easy, high-quality jacket is recommendable by itself deserves, together with a stable match and all-winter versatility, however the excessive price ticket made it exhausting to match with a few of the different jackets we examined.
Marmot Males’s WarmCube Lively Alt HB Jacket: We appreciated this jacket for its match, consolation, and heat, however in the end it wasn’t pretty much as good as the same Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hoodie that it was competing in opposition to. We additionally most well-liked the Marmot possibility on our primary listing.
Orolay Males’s Thickened Down Jacket: An reasonably priced parka that may maintain informal winter-goers from freezing, this jacket carried out properly for its worth however didn’t stand out among the many relaxation.
Our Testing Course of
Our T+L group has examined 29 down jackets in chilly climate, judging them for heat, consolation, sturdiness, and worth. First, we evaluated any design options, reminiscent of zippers, pockets, a detachable hood, and some other adjustable parts. We wore the jackets in numerous temperatures and for various actions starting from low- to high-intensity to get a really feel for every jacket’s degree of insulation, warmth retention, and breathability. We famous whether or not the situation of the jackets modified at all around the course of two weeks and 6 months to see if there have been any sturdiness points, if any feathers escaped, and if the down maintained its quantity or flattened over time.
With design, match, worth, and weight in thoughts, the down jacket choices with the most effective suggestions had been chosen for this roundup, and we are going to proceed to replace this text as we check new jackets in our travels.
Suggestions for Shopping for a Down Jacket
Be sure it matches accurately
A down jacket ought to be a bit extra on the comfortable facet as a result of if it’s too massive, it leaves room for chilly air and wind to get in. The extra physique warmth your down jacket can use, the hotter you’ll be. Nevertheless, in case you plan to layer, you gained’t need it to be too tight, as a result of it would stop you from comfortably including extra layers for heat. Many of the jackets on our listing have an identical match that enables for layering, however some are roomier or extra slim than others — we’ve famous that wherever doable.
Contemplate your meant use
In case you plan on utilizing your down jacket for out of doors adventures wherein you’ll be very energetic, you should definitely contemplate lighter jackets with higher-loft down, which can permit your physique to breathe and exhaust warmth whereas nonetheless trapping sufficient heat to maintain you comfy. In case you simply wish to put on it on a visit to town or round city, a bulkier jacket will fit your wants simply effective. If you wish to pack your jacket, both in a suitcase or a backpack, you should definitely try the burden and compressibility — some jackets even include a storage pouch or the power to fold into their very own pockets.
Take note of design options
Whereas most of the jackets we examined have comparable technical specs and extra options, it’s vital to ensure you know what you’re on the lookout for in a down jacket. If you could maintain your keys, pockets, and different on a regular basis carry objects shut by, ensure you choose a jacket with simply accessible pockets. In case you prefer to zip it to the highest 24/7, take into consideration discovering a jacket with fleece on the chin to maintain you comfy. You could desire a jacket with an adjustable hood or perhaps a detachable hood to make it extra versatile. Different options are vital to think about, like hand-warming pockets and multidirectional zippers.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
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What’s down fill energy?
Down fill energy is a measure of the insulation high quality of down, expressed as the amount (in cubic inches) that one ounce of down can fill. Greater fill energy signifies higher loft and insulating effectivity, making it hotter for its weight. Merchandise with increased fill energy are sometimes extra light-weight and compressible whereas offering the identical insulation as heavier merchandise with decrease fill energy.
Some jackets function a mix of down and down feathers, which can sound like the identical factor however are barely totally different. In contrast to down feathers, which have a central quill, down consists of sentimental, fluffy clusters discovered beneath the outer feathers of birds, usually geese or geese, and is prized for its superior insulating properties.
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How are you aware if down is ethically sourced?
Ethically sourced down is obtained with out inflicting hurt or pointless struggling to birds, usually licensed by requirements just like the Accountable Down Commonplace (RDS) or International Traceable Down Commonplace (International TDS). These certifications make sure the birds should not live-plucked or force-fed and are handled humanely all through their lifecycle. Examine product labels or model transparency reviews to confirm compliance with these requirements.
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How do you wash and dry a down jacket?
To scrub a down jacket, use a front-loading washer with a delicate cycle and delicate, down-specific detergent. After washing, tumble dry on low warmth with clear tennis balls or dryer balls to revive the jacket’s loft and stop clumping. Keep away from extreme warmth and make sure the jacket is totally dry to stop mildew or injury to the down insulation. Because of this, we wouldn’t air dry a down jacket. All the time test the care directions in your jacket’s tag.
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How do you repair a tear in a down jacket?
To repair a tear in a down jacket, clear the world and apply a self-adhesive cloth restore patch or use a powerful cloth glue for a fast repair. For a extra sturdy restore, sew the tear with matching thread or carry it to an expert restore service. Guarantee no down escapes in the course of the course of, as it may possibly have an effect on the jacket’s insulation. For a quick-and-dirty restore, throw some electrical tape over the opening, and also you’ll look similar to the professionals.
Why Belief Journey + Leisure
Author Will Porter has in depth expertise writing about out of doors gear, health gear, and magnificence, and has tried a handful of the above manufacturers himself, together with The North Face, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, and Stio. For this text, he combed via T+L’s in-house testing insights, then referenced product descriptions and critiques to create a complete roundup of the most effective down jackets obtainable as we speak. T+L editors will proceed to replace this text as we check extra jackets.
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