The 8 Greatest Down Jackets of 2024-2025

It’s one of many easy truths of the outside: when heat is a should, you want the most effective down jackets accessible. Artificial insulation has come a great distance, however its warmth-to-weight ratio simply doesn’t fairly rival that of the perfect down jackets.

Our staff has collectively examined almost 50 of the perfect down jackets for the creation of this information, with our present authors Ryan Kempfer, Chris Carter, and Nick Bruckbauer having donned over 30 completely different fashions on all kinds of untamed escapades prior to now yr alone. From snowy alpine ascents to chilly windblown nights within the Kenyan deserts to canine strolling and snow shoveling, our staff has put these jackets to the take a look at everywhere in the world in nearly each atmosphere possible.

Whether or not you’re in search of the final word insulation of our prime choose, the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody, or a budget-friendly possibility just like the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket, we’ve examined the perfect down jackets that will help you discover the best one for you, regardless of your wants or price range.

Editor’s Observe: We up to date this Purchaser’s Information on December 13, 2024, by including the newly up to date Out of doors Analysis Transcendent Down Hoodie, increasing our assessment of the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody, and utterly revamping our listing of award winners in our down jacket line-up.

The Greatest Down Jackets of 2024-2025

Extra Down Jackets We Examined & Love

The Greatest Down Jackets Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Greatest Down Jackets

Our staff has examined, reviewed, and printed 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 a wide range of situations and current a variety of costs.

Our Professional Testers

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 is dependent upon within the backcountry and used his years of expertise to put the framework for this complete Information.

Senior Editor Chris Carter took the reins of this Information in August 2022 and has been sifting via mountains of those puffy layers ever since to deliver you the streamlined choice you see immediately. He left no feather unturned. A protracted-distance thru-hiker and rock climber at coronary heart, he examined numerous down jackets in each concoction of situations possible and gained’t accept something however the perfect on his escapades.

In spring 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 forest and neighborhood walks and runs, and whereas shoveling and plowing Tahoe’s well-known Sierra Cement snowfall. Ryan Kempfer, an avid backcountry skier, hiker, biker, and general gear nerd, took over this information and added jackets he hadtested within the Tetons and Rockies excessive nation.

Our Testing Grounds & Course of

To problem and decide the highest designs, we enlisted quite a lot of different employees authors and editors to get as numerous a perspective as doable, and take a look at 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 onerous to remain on prime of latest developments and novel applied sciences, and carefully look at up to date jackets and new fashions the second they hit the market to deliver you essentially the most up-to-date selections doable. In the event you’d want one thing higher for moist climates, take a look at our information to the finest artificial insulated jackets, or when you’re available in the market for one thing cozy, take a look at our information to the finest fleece jackets.

Purchaser’s Information: Easy methods to Select the Greatest Down Jacket

This text consists of the perfect down jackets for women and men. You may also take a look at our expanded listing of the finest down jackets for ladies.

Heat

In contrast to sleeping baggage 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 aware of the “fill energy” of down jackets, however an equally, if no more, essential part is “fill weight.”

There are actually different elements that contribute to a down jacket’s heat — like baffle form, design, and development, jacket supplies, dimension, 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 influence on a jacket’s heat.

Fill Energy

Fill energy is a quantity that quantifies the standard of the down when it comes to its loft — or fluffiness.

Fill energy rankings vary from round 400 to 900 and even larger. A lot of the jackets on this listing are within the 700- to 800-fill-power vary, with a number of 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 1-ounce pattern of down is positioned in a standardized cylinder, after which the entire quantity of that pattern is measured in cubic inches.

The upper the fill energy, the much less down filling wanted to create the identical quantity of insulation, which is ready to lure extra air and heat inside the jacket. Increased fill energy can be extra compressible, loftier, lighter, and pricier.

Fill Weight

Fill weight, alternatively, is the exact measured weight of down discovered within the jacket, typically expressed in both grams or ounces.

To get an inexpensive 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 can yield a quantity that represents the three-dimensional quantity of the jacket’s insulation, or loft, in cubic inches.

On paper, we will, due to this fact, estimate that the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (5.3 ounces of 800-fill-power down) will likely be hotter than the Feathered Associates Eos (4.0 ounces of 900-fill-power down). Regardless 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 whole cubic inches of insulation
Feathered Associates Eos: 900 cubic inches per ounce x 4.0 ounces = 3,600 whole cubic inches of insulation

Heat-to-Weight Ratio

Although the Down Sweater is barely hotter than the Eos, the Eos is way lighter general (10.8 ounces vs. 15.0 ounces), and has a better warmth-to-weight ratio.

Fill weight isn’t all the time 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 elements reminiscent of face material, sewn-through appears versus field baffles, and different options play a job in how heat a jacket is, a better fill weight will nearly all the time point out a toastier puffy.

Ensure that to deliver an acceptable weight for the complete vary of climate situations and temperature fluctuations you can encounter in your journey. Don’t focus an excessive amount of on going ultralight that you just put your self in a harmful place. It could be tempting to chop weight with the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer, which weighs 8.8 ounces and has 3 ounces of 800-fill down. Although it boasts the most effective warmth-to-weight ratios on the market, it isn’t almost heat sufficient for extended chilly alpine adventures or hanging out at a cold crag on belay.

The heavier Rab Neutrino Professional can be adorned with 800-fill-power down, however its baffles are full of 212 g (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 crucial issue for each sturdiness and packability. Ultralight jackets are typically 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 susceptible to tears.

For backcountry excursions, the decrease weight generally is a worthy tradeoff. However for day by day use, we suggest a better denier like we see within the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody. A lot of the jackets we examined have a 10-denier or 20-denier shell material, with some 30-denier fashions. And when you do get a tear or campfire burn gap, there’s all the time the dependable duct tape, Tenacious Tape, or Noso Puffy Patch restore choices.

A lot 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 nicely when moist. And this is among the locations artificial jackets are likely to win out. Previously 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 mild precipitation, hydrophobic down like the sort used within the Black Diamond Method Hoody can’t be crushed.

Producers deal with the face materials of some jackets just like the Patagonia Fitz Roy Hoody and the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie with DWR to assist block mild moisture, too.

Down vs. Artificial

A lot 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. For instance, each Arc’teryx fashions we examined, the Cerium and the Thorium, use artificial insulation in locations that tfinish to get moist, so that they keep loftier and preserve you heat even once you get moist.

Artificial insulation, alternatively, is constituted of polyester fibers and designed to mimic down clusters and properties with a number of key variations. In the event 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 cheaper price level.

• Professionals of down: wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio, consolation, compressibility, light-weight, excessive inherent heat
• Cons of down: incapability 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 additional warmth and dry quick, so that you don’t need to take away the jacket throughout vigorous exercise. However these layers want additionally to be sturdy, heat, and wind-resistant. It’s a tough stability.

Total, synthetics generally is a higher, safer selection in moist or combined climate and when weight isn’t a difficulty. Lively insulation is finest for high-output motion. If it’s chilly and dry, down is perfect regardless of its increased price. This information lists all kinds of the perfect down jackets to maintain you lined within the chilly.

Responsibly Sourced Down

Out of doors trade manufacturers have made an effort to supply down ethically with out animal cruelty and create transparency within the world provide chain. Varied 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 availability chain. Artificial selections can set some people comfortable.

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 and recycled down just like the Patagonia Fitz Roy and the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer.

Match

The actions you do whereas carrying your down jacket will affect the kind of suit you want. Some jackets are extra streamlined, whereas others are roomier, boxier, or longer.

In the event 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 reminiscent of Rab’s Neutrino Professional and the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody 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 enough quantity of wind resistance constructed into their shell, the stitching between baffles typically goes during the jacket, permitting sturdy wind to squirm its approach to your core. In actually gusty situations, pairing your down jacket with a light-weight windbreaker jacket generally is a highly effective mixture of heat retention.

For day by day commutes or bicycling round city, when your exercise is usually creating much less warmth, a puffier and fewer athletic down jacket just like the Arc’teryx Thorium might be actually cozy. Nonetheless, when you’re going from a ski tour to a piece assembly or the espresso store, you’ll desire a jacket that additionally appears good just like the Stio Pinion Hoody or the Out of doors Analysis Transcendent Hoody.

Weight

The down jackets on this information vary from 6.7 ounces on the low finish to greater than 30 ounces on the heavy facet. The median weight is round 15 ounces, and the most typical weight is nearer to twenty to 23 ounces.

As you may count on, the warmest down jackets are usually additionally on the heavier finish, because the down fill weight has a big effect on general heat. That is the place fill energy is available in. Jackets with a better fill energy can obtain an equal heat degree at a lighter general weight.

The Rab Mythic Extremely with its 900-fill-power down insulation actually stands out for its wonderful heat for the burden. We weighed the boys’s dimension Giant that we examined at 17.4 ounces — and this jacket is as heat or hotter than many others within the 20- to 23-ounce vary.

Tremendous-lightweight down jackets usually include a premium price ticket, however the funding might be worthwhile for adventurers with restricted area trying to trim ounces. Fashions just like the Black Diamond Method Hoody and Feathered Associates Eos strike a strong stability between light-weight simplicity and premium efficiency.

If velocity and effectivity are of utmost significance, jackets like this gained’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 in peril.

Storing and Caring for Down Jackets

A few of these down jackets can compress to the dimensions of a water bottle or smaller, whereas others are bulkier — influenced by the fill, face material, and general design. A tiny pack dimension can can help you carry a smaller, lighter load on light-weight excursions, however be certain to not depart your down jacket smushed up for lengthy durations of time. This may significantly influence the down’s lofting and insulating skills, and scale back the jacket’s general lifespan.

It’s nice 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 commonly and let it loft up totally over the period 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 lengthen its life. We gravitate to Nikwax’s Down Wash Direct for this objective.

Down Jacket Hoods & Sleeves

Many down jackets embrace a hood, a few of that are helmet-compatible, whereas others have a tall collar. Some hoods could have a stiff wire on the brim which improves safety and visibility throughout snowy situations. Zipper width, toggle dimension, and sturdiness can range. 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, comfy elastic closure or a Velcro tab for additional safety. Often, 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 essential for maintaining warmth from escaping your extremities as soon as the temps begin to drop.

Further accent pockets may embrace 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 carrying a harness and belaying.

Value & Worth

It’s straightforward to spend $250-500 on a down jacket. And that’s no small funding. The primary factor to contemplate when taking a look at your price range is the tip use.

Finances

There aren’t many choices on this class. In the event you’re commonly packing into the backcountry, an ultralight, super-packable, reasonably costly jacket could also be essential. In the event you’ll largely put on it round city or for mild path use, one thing just like the budget-friendly REI 650 Down Jacket will preserve you heat for simply over $100.

Mid-Tier

Most down jackets on our listing vary from $280 to $400. With this improve in value, you’ll usually see a rise in fill energy and fill weight, which interprets to a rise in heat. Even our greatest warmth-to-weight ratio choose, the Black Diamond Method Down Hoody ($380), and our warmest midweight, the Rab Neutrino Professional ($400) fall on this vary. Mid-tier jackets like our most sturdy choose, the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody ($300), even have extra options, together with added pockets, adjustable hoods, weather-resistant supplies, and extra. Whereas this will likely seem to be a ton to pay for a jacket, with correct remedy, jackets on this tier ought to final lengthy sufficient to be definitely worth the funding.

Premium

These jackets, which vary from $409 and above, are typically designed for adventures or expeditions in frigid temperatures. The Rab Mythic G Down Jacket ($525), the Rab Mythic Extremely ($495 ), the Arc’teryx Thorium ($500), and the Feathered Associates EOS ($409) have among the highest fill powers on this listing, which suggests they’ve a wonderful warmth-to-weight ratio. They’re typically weather-resistant and extra sturdy, as nicely. Nonetheless, when you’re going to throw down this a lot for a jacket, you’ll wish to make sure you may have the necessity for it. We usually seize these jackets atop excessive peaks in mid-winter earlier than snowboarding down or once we’re tackling technical aims in Nepal or Alaska. They’re additionally ideally suited for once you’re going to be stationary in freezing temps; assume ice fishing, mountaineering, your child’s soccer recreation in December, or belaying.

Continuously Requested Questions

A down jacket holds warmth round your physique’s core in an effort to keep a snug 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 we measure 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 basically, the decrease the fill energy, the much less loft and heat.

Down jackets have an enormous variance of heat. Some jackets are constructed to face up to freezing or sub-zero temperatures, whereas others are a match for summer time, spring, and fall backpacking journeys. Listed here 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 situations

The mixture of the fill weight and fill energy, which is the loft and high quality of the down, modifications 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 incredible selection for cramming into your pack for emergency use. However they typically price 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 very best down jacket for you relies 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 might be definitely worth the funding. In the event you’ll be in a very moist atmosphere, an artificial down jacket may be a better option.

As you seek for a down jacket, take note of the fill energy, general match, and value. Be certain 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. In the event you plan on venturing into the backcountry, weight and compressibility make a distinction, too.