The Best Puffer Jackets
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The puffer jacket offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any piece of cold-weather clothing you can own. It's also an essential—when you need a good down jacket, nothing else will do. More times than not, a good puffer is the difference between comfort and misery.
To save you from that misery, we've spent months testing down parkas of all shapes, sizes, and down fill power to find the best jackets for around town, out on the trail, and in the serious, dangerous cold of high-altitude and high-latitude adventures.
Whether you're headed to the top of the Empire State Building or Denali, we've found the best down jackets for you. Need more outdoor gear? Check out our guides to the Best Sleeping Bags and Best Tents.
WIRED outdoor experts Martin Cizmar, Chris Haslam, and Adrienne So also contributed to this guide.
What to Look for in a Puffer Jacket
The temptation with down jackets is to get the warmest one you can. If you're spending the winter in northern Wisconsin, as I did while testing these, that's not a bad idea. But if you're just looking for a little extra warm during shoulder season trips, or even high-altitude summer backpacking, you don't need an 800-fill-power, massively overstuffed winter parka.
We do suggest sticking with jackets that have a down fill power rating of at least 500 for light use, but there's no reason to spend on a jacket with 900 fill-power down unless you're going to be out in below-freezing temps (or you're a perpetually cold person). If you mainly spend your time in less extreme climates, get a lighter jacket.
Also remember that in the case of backpacking, you’ll want to keep in mind how packable a jacket is and how much weight it adds to your pack. Unfortunately, the lightest jackets do tend to be higher fill power, since you can trap more warmth with less down, but again, be realistic about the temperatures you're going to be in and you can get away with a cheaper jacket.
What Is Down Fill Power?
Down jackets are difficult to compare, but the best place to start is by understanding down fill power and fill weight, which we've explained in our guide to down fill power. That guide explains what the numbers mean (and don't mean) and how you can use them to compare jackets. The short answer is that down fill power tells you what quality of down you're getting, while the fill weight tells you how much of it is in the jacket.
Combining down fill power with the fill weight gives a rough way to compare jackets. For example, a 600-fill-power jacket with 2 ounces of fill weight will be roughly the same warmth as an 800-fill-power jacket with 1.5 ounces of fill (because 2 ounces times 600 equals 1,200, and 1.5 ounces times 800 also equals 1,200). There are other things to consider, like the baffle construction and how much loft height there is, but the fill power to fill weight gives you a good starting point.
Ethical Down
Down fill comes from ducks and geese. The Responsible Down Standard is a voluntary effort to improve the welfare of ducks and geese used for down. The idea is to provide a way for you to know that the down you're getting is taken from geese and ducks that were not mistreated. You can read more about what the Responsible Down Standard entails on the website. Note that jacket makers often abbreviate this as “RDS-certified down.”
- Photograph: Adrienne So
The Most Versatile Hoody
Arc'teryx Cerium HoodyThis is my favorite jacket and also, objectively, the best jacket. If I’m out hiking, climbing, or snowboarding, and the temperatures are anywhere between 20 and 50 degrees, I will probably be wearing this jacket. It is a ridiculously warm 850-fill down that’s designed for technical activities, so while it’s cut close to the body, there is plenty of room in the shoulders and arms for maneuverability. It fits within Arc’teryx’s layering system and under a Beta shell, although for anything less than summiting a mountain, it’s way too warm for that.
Everything about this jacket works and is high quality and well designed. It packs down incredibly small into its stuff sack—I took it in a personal item duffel for a two-week winter trip to Ireland, whilst hiking across cliffs that had ripping wind in the 20s—and you can cinch it or adjust it almost anywhere. It has DWR so you won’t get soaked if you get caught in the rain. When it gets dirty, I machine-wash it on the gentle cycle, hang it up to line-dry, and it fluffs right back out again. Also, despite some truly magnificent abuse, the zippers have never gotten stuck the way they do on even similarly priced jackets. I love this thing. —Adrienne So
Specs Down fill power 850 Fill weight 5.7 oz. Weight 11.9 oz. - Photograph: Patagonia
A Timeless Classic
Patagonia Down Sweater HoodyI've owned Patagonia's classic down puffer for the better part of a decade and usually reach for it after the first snowfall. It uses 800-fill-power down and borders on overstuffed, making for a beefier coat than many others I've tried. It has plenty of loft nonetheless, and the recycled nylon ripstop fabric still looks like it does the day I took it home (that fabric is now made from recycled fishing nets). Patagonia jackets do tend to run a little large in my experience, and my puffer is a size large though I usually wear an XL. —Martin Cizmar
Specs Down fill power 800 Fill weight 5.6 oz. Weight 12.1 oz.
- Photograph: Katabatic Gear
Best Ultralight Down Jacket
Katabatic Gear Tin Cup PufferI have a half-dozen down puffers in my closets, but the Tin Cup jacket from Colorado down specialist Katabatic Gear has been my go-to all winter. The jacket uses ultra-lofty 850-fill-power down and extremely light 10D fabric made from recycled yarns, which gives it an impressive 48 percent ratio of fill to total weight. It's super light, super packable, and the size XL has a cut that fits me perfectly, hanging snug to my body to maintain warmth without feeling constrictive when I'm active outdoors.
Be warned that it's built for performance over sheer durability, and after months of wear I did end up with a mysterious burned hole in the shell after a long night out in frigid New York, which I had to awkwardly patch. I'd still buy and heartily recommend this jacket, though I'd keep it out of unpredictable urban environments. —Martin Cizmar
Specs Down fill power 850 Fill weight 5.6 oz. Weight 12.7 oz. - Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
A Great All-Around Down Jacket
Mammut Broad Peak IN Hooded JacketMammut's 700-fill-power down Waymarker IN hoodie stuffs down remarkably small (into its own pocket), weighs little for the warmth it provides, and makes a good all-around puffer. In fact, I think this is one of the best all-around puffer jackets you can buy. It's stylish enough to work well around town, but also great on the trail. The fill weight is 4.5 ounces, which I think is the perfect amount of down for two very common scenarios: when you're out being active on a winter day with temps in the 20- to 30-degree range, where you don't need anything when you're moving, but the minute you stop you need something. That's where a light but warm down jacket like this really shines. The other scenario is cool evenings and mornings during shoulder season trips, when you want warmth but don't want to fill your pack.
The 100 percent recycled, wind- and water-repellent Pertex outer shell is quite light, certainly compressible. It doesn't feel quite as durable as some others on this list, but I haven't had any issues after many months of testing. My one gripe here is that there's no drawcord at the waist, which means you can't seal it up as well as some others at this price. The hand pockets are also on the high side, which nicely accommodates a harness, and works well hiking with a pack, but might not be the best if that's not your use case.
Specs Down fill power 700 Fill weight 4.5 oz. Weight 13.5 oz.
- Photograph: Adrienne So
A Surprisingly Warm Cropped Jacket
Cotopaxi Alivio Down JacketWith the Cotopaxi Alivio, a few sacrifices have been made in the name of fashion. Cropped jackets expose your tuchus and let air in around your torso. I got the jacket in my correct size, but even so, the fit is extremely loose. It looks good, but makes it harder for me to keep backpacks and tote bags in place. Overall, it’s just a slightly weird, fashiony cut that makes it hard to layer. The company does not list specs on the jacket’s fill weight or overall weight (I asked the company for those specs myself), which reflects the fact that this is more of a stroll-about-town jacket than one meant for camping or hiking.
Still, it has 650-fill down insulation and has kept me plenty warm while walking around my neighborhood in 30- and 40-degree temperatures (with a sweater underneath, natch). You can cinch the waist to keep the heat in, and it has knit thumb loops to keep your wrists covered when you’re shoving your hands in gloves. It’s water-resistant, so it doesn’t matter if you get caught out in a drizzle, but my favorite feature is the huge, adjustable, stand-up hood and fuzzy chin guard. It’s surprisingly cozy in there, even on colder nights. It also comes in a bum-covering version (men’s, women’s). —Adrienne So
Specs Down fill power 650 Fill weight 8.8 oz. Weight 23 oz. - Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Best for Cold Weather Climbing
Rab Glaceon Pro Down JacketWhen the weather gets down well below freezing, when the wind makes your cheeks burn, this is the jacket I turned to. With a base layer at the bottom, wool sweater over that, then this jacket, I was toasty warm walking in the early morning chill of winter (usually –10 Fahrenheit in January). If you're familiar with Rab (which is a much bigger brand in Europe), this replaces the Axion Pro. The shell is lightweight (20D) Pertex ripstop nylon that's nicely windproof and water-resistant. I found it was able to shed snow without issue, though if you're in a decent downpour you'll want some kinds of outerwear, like a rain jacket, over it.
Inside, this jacket has 9.3 ounces of recycled 700-fill-power down. There are generously large, fleece-lined hand pockets and a chest pocket, though no inside stash pockets. The drawstring at the bottom keeps drafts out, and the generous hood is made to go over your helmet. That, combined with the two-way main zipper, which makes belaying easier, make this our pick for cold-weather climbing. My only issue with the Rab Glaceon Pro is that I've yet to find gloves that can do for my hands what this jacket down for the rest of me.
Specs Down fill power 700 Fill weight 9.3 oz. Weight 21 oz.
- Photograph: REI
Best Budget 3-Season Puffy
REI Co-op 650 Down JacketREI's 650 Down Jacket (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is a great value for the money. At 10.9 ounces it's reasonably lightweight and has large hand pockets and some very nice internal pockets for stashing a hat or gloves (though you won't find a chest pocket here like on more expensive jackets). You do get a ripstop nylon shell fabric, though, which is Bluesign-approved, along with a waist cinch for keeping out wind gusts. The fit is what you might charitably call boxy, and you probably won't win any fashion awards, but it doesn't look bad to me. On the plus side, the slightly oversize cut makes it easy to get some base layers and even another mid-layer under it, extending its possible uses. I found it quite comfortable down into the low 40s wearing just a merino wool T-shirt under it. Throw a proper base layer in and a midweight merino sweater, and I was comfortable down to below freezing. If you do expect to use it in cold climes, consider the hooded version, which offers good head and neck insulation for only $20 more.
The durable water repellent (DWR) coating did a reasonable job of beading water during light rains, but you won't want to push it. I did notice that when my son held a piece of lake ice for a few minutes, the jacket was obviously wet where it had direct contact with the ice and water. It fared much better with snow, which slid off without issue. The 650 down jacket packs down small enough to take on the trail without feeling like you have an extra sleeping bag along, and it makes a decent pillow if you shove it in the appropriate-size stuff sack.
Specs Down fill power 650 Fill weight 3.5 oz. Weight 10.9 oz. - Photograph: Backcountry
A Good Synthetic Jacket
Rab Cirrus Flex HoodyThe Cirrus Flex is a synthetic jacket, with PrimaLoft Silver RISE recycled synthetic insulation. It has 5.5 ounces of fill in a size medium jacket, and in practice has about the same warmth and performance as the REI 650 above. The difference is the Thermic stretch fleece side panels, which offer a flexibility and freedom of movement you won't find in any other jacket here. It feels less like you're wearing a puffer jacket, more like a mid layer (but with the warmth of a puffer).
I liked the Cirrus Flex hoodie a lot because it keeps the weight down, packs up relatively small, and it's easy to toss in your bag as kind of “just in case” jacket. It's not the warmest thing here, but it's great as an active insulating layer when temps drop or the wind picks up and you want to keep going.
Specs Down fill power Synthetic Fill weight 5.5 oz. Weight 15.7 oz.
- Photograph: Chris Haslam
A Classic Swedish Winter Jacket
Fjallraven Expedition Down Lite JacketBased on a classic design from 1974, this deeply impressive jacket from Swedish outdoor specialists Fjällräven reminds us just how warm goose down can be. With 415 grams/700 cubic inches of insulation, I doubt I will ever be cold in it. In fact, in a 17-degree cold snap recently, I don’t think I even zipped it up. It’s big, bulky, but brilliantly insulating, thanks to a clever combination of sustainably sourced goose down, feathers, and a generous helping of synthetic fill around the shoulders. This clever idea means you won’t ruin the effectiveness of the down if you get caught in the rain. Oh, and the hood is next-level. Just don't expect to be able to see behind you.
The polyamide outer has a PFAS-free DWR and is 100 percent recycled, as is the liner. The zippers are huge too, making them easy to use when wearing big gloves and mitts, and there’s five generous pockets for stashing layers—not that you’ll need them. At 2.7 pounds (1,260 grams), this is not a jacket for fast and light adventures, and the bulk from the down can feel almost excessive if you’re having to do much while wearing it, especially around the huge (gloriously warm) hood. But, if you’re faced with a winter of sub-zero temperatures, this is as good as I’ve found without having to invest in an Everest-ready suit. Remarkably, this is the Lite version. If you do need even more cold protection, there’s the original Fjällräven Expedition Down jacket with a longer profile and 680 grams of insulation. —Chris Haslam
Specs Down Fill Power 700 Fill Weight 14.6 oz. Weight 44.4 oz. - Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
A Great Value Down Jacket
REI Co-op Magma 850 Down JacketREI's warmer, more packable (and more expensive) down jacket is the Magma line, which is available with or without a hood. This features a similiar recycled ripstop nylon shell as the 650 Down Jacket, but ups the fill power to 850. This is a similarly great value as the 650 jacket, but it is considerably warmer. At 12.5 ounces it's not the lightest in the list, but for the price it's hard to argue.
The front zip has a wind flap, and there's even a draft collar, something you hardly ever find in a puffer at this price. Even better, the hood uses an elastic cord in the back that allows you to cinch it down and keep cold air from blowing in the sides. I've worn this in some pretty icy winds coming off Lake Superior, and I haven't been anything but warm. My only real concern is the sloped baffles on the chest, which seem like they would lead to down piling up and cold spots, but I haven’t seen that in my three months of testing.
Specs Down fill power 850 Fill weight unlisted Weight 12.5 oz.
- Photograph: Kattermusen
Fashion Looks, Outdoor Performance
Klattermusen Lopt Hooded Down JacketYet more insulated brilliance from Sweden, where northerly winter temperatures can hit −20 degrees Fahrenheit or even −40. Klättermusen, which translates to “Climbing Mouse,” manufactures some of the highest-performing and stylish outdoor gear available. Yes, they’ve been co-opted by the fashion-oriented Gorpcore Gang, but don’t let the hipsters put you off. The Lopt, which is also available as a vest and without a hood in both men's and women's sizes, weighs just 15 ounces (435 grams) and boasts a generous 800 fill power of sustainably sourced white goose down. It’s water-repellent, temperature rated between +10 and –10 Celsius, and the PFC-free bio-based outer fabric is impressively wind-resistant.
I’ve been using this jacket daily in London and also as a midlayer while skiing, and I’ve been impressed by the lofty warmth from the down and the comfort of the fit. It can also pack down into a pocket, which is always a bonus. The asymmetrical opening—something you find on a lot of their gear—does take a bit of getting used to, but once fully zipped up there’s absolutely zero chin chafing or annoyance from the zipper. You might not think you’ve ever been irritated by a zip, but trust me, you notice when it has been eliminated.
It is hard to look past the high price of Klättermusen gear, and you do not need to spend $400 to find a jacket to keep you warm, but if you do have deep pockets, I think the brand offers a significant upgrade on athletic and aesthetic performance compared to fashion-focused brands such as Moncler and Canada Goose. —Chris Haslam
Specs Down fill power 800 Fill weight unlisted Weight 15.3 oz. - Photograph: Amazon
Ororo Heated Jacket
Heated Puffer JacketUnlike everything else on this page, Ororo's insulated jacket isn't just insulated. In addition to the synthetic Thermolite insulation, the Ororo Heated Jacket generates heat through a series of carbon-fiber heating elements, which plug into a rechargeable battery. There are heating pads on the left and right chest, mid-back, and collar. You can't control heat to individual pads, but there are three heat settings to let you dial in a comfortable temperature to match your exertion level. The outer shell is a DWR-treated nylon that does a good job of shedding light rain and snow, though as with most of these puffer coats, you'll want a rain jacket if it really starts to rain.
Ororo claims up to 10 hours of battery life. That's on low. Running at high in some very cold conditions, I found that five to seven hours was more realistic, but it’s plenty of time for most things you'd want this jacket for (my daughter declared it the perfect ice-skating jacket). Due to the limitations of batteries, I would not take this jacket into the backcountry, but for around town, running errands, walking the dog, this is a great jacket for those coldest of days.
- Photograph: REI
For a Warmer Winter (or Cooler Spring) Day
Outdoor Research Transcendent Down HoodieIf you're only buying one down jacket, don't make it this one. However, if you have a big, beefy parka and need something for warmer days (think: 40 and overcast, or 30 and sunny), this Outdoor Research down hoodie is a lot warmer than a fleece. (It can also work as a layer under a shell, though I prefer a fleece inner layer, since any shell crushes a lot of the loft in my opinion.) It uses 800-fill down, has tighter-than-typical baffles, and folds into its own pocket for packability so that it can be used on shoulder season trips. The hood and the sleeves are a little too loose for my taste, but I don't use it when it's cold enough to matter much. —Marton Cizmar
Specs Down fill power 800+ Fill weight unlisted Weight 12.8 oz.
