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The 8 Finest Down Jackets for Males of 2024, Examined and Reviewed


For those who’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 perfect down jackets preserve you heat in frigid temps, layer effectively 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 simple to pack.

Down jackets characteristic 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 greater 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 by which weight and house are issues. 

That can assist you discover the very best down jackets, our Journey + Leisure crew examined 29 of the top-rated jackets available on the market, taking notes on match, design, high quality, heat, and worth, selecting the very best picks for various journey situations. We are going to check every jacket for no less than six months to ensure they keep sturdy and heat with constant use, and can proceed to replace this text with extra suggestions.

Stio Men's Hometown Down Hooded Jacket

PHOTO: Stio

Due to a really perfect mix of heat, high quality, and flexibility, the Stio Hometown Down Hooded Jacket is our high decide. We examined the jacket on brisk days on the lake, placing it up towards 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 journey. The down stored its form effectively and rebounded rapidly, even after being packed away for lengthy durations. 

We discovered the jacket to be very comfy. Its slim match remains to be roomy sufficient for layering however received’t give Michelin Man vibes, and the size — which works down simply previous the hips — is good for maintaining your complete torso heat. The zippered pockets are good for maintaining little bits of drugs shut by, however we discovered them to be smaller than we’d want. Little particulars like easy-pull bungy cords across the waist and hood are icing on the cake. Total, we predict the jacket is a good worth for the worth and will likely be one that you just attain for day-after-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

LLBean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket

PHOTO: L.L.Bean

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 simple to compress while you don’t want it and is derived proper again into place while you do. Regardless of its gentle weight, it holds its personal within the heat division, although after testing we don’t assume it’d be good for an excellent chilly local weather. We do, nevertheless, assume it’s nice for on a regular basis put on, owing to its mushy outer materials and light-weight down that doesn’t really feel confining. It additionally makes an ideal choice for a day of mountaineering or sightseeing, when you could 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

Cotopaxi Calidez Men's Down Parka

PHOTO: Cotopaxi

Down jackets should not typically waterproof as a result of the down filling can create mildew 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 shield towards the weather. We thought the jacket was very heat and surprisingly light-weight, given its capacity to insulate warmth even in very chilly temperatures. It has a number of options that may’t be ignored, like nice pockets and fleece lining across the neck and chin to forestall 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 often related to a water-resistant end. The match was beneficiant, however this is smart given that you just’ll in all probability at all times be doing a little layering in case you’re sporting a parka. The one factor to remember when choosing the proper dimension is that the sleeves are a bit lengthy. 

The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: 100% recycled polyester | 650-fill energy | Common match | Waterproof

REI Patagonia Men's Fitz Roy Down Hoody

PHOTO: REI

Perfect for alpine adventures, this jacket was made for motion and all-day put on. Its roomy match and breathability permits for straightforward layering, which means you possibly can head out within the morning understanding you’ll at all times be comfy, regardless of how the climate modifications. For those who 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 sporting only a T-shirt. The outer layer is light-weight but heat — ultimate for layering — and the mushy materials is comfy to put on. We’ve some issues about whether or not the mushy materials will stand as much as sharp objects and abrasive surfaces; nevertheless, utilizing a extra sturdy material would additionally make it heavier and probably much less mushy, and we cherished 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

Kühl Mens' Spyfire Hoody

PHOTO: REI

Proper out of the gate, we admired the Spyfire for its versatility, with a pleasant stability of heat and weight that makes it an ideal decide 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 effectively, although virtually too effectively in some circumstances — we famous that one thing extra breathable was needed 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 is likely to be a little bit of a decent squeeze. Nevertheless, that’s in all probability why it helps preserve heat in so effectively. 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 possibly can decide whichever silhouette most accurately fits your adventures. . 

The Particulars: S-XXL | Shell: MikrotexI 20-denier nylon | Fill: RDC-certified goose down | 800-fill energy | Slim match | Water resistant

Marmot Men's Hype Down Jacket

PHOTO: Marmot

For those who want a jacket you possibly can put on each day with many alternative layering mixtures, the Marmot Hype is the one you need. We discovered the match fairly customary, with sufficient room for a layer or two and light-weight sufficient to put on underneath a heavier parka if wanted. After testing, we love this decide for each 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 preserve us comfy throughout various temperatures. The down is hydrophobic, which means that it’ll resist water and preserve 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 assume 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 Men’s Summit Series Breithorn Jacket

PHOTO: The North Face

The North Face might be most well-known for its ‘90s-inspired down jackets, however it’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 occasions — making it an ideal jacket for sporting as a single outer layer or on chilly days when freezing chilly temperatures are anticipated. We predict the match is nice, albeit slimmer than initially anticipated. However because it’s so heat, we don’t assume 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 ultimate for journey or commuting. It’s so tiny and light-weight that we thought the bundle 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

Decathlon Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket

PHOTO: Decathlon

For those who want one thing extra reasonably priced, packable, and layerable, the Decathlon Forclaz ticks all of the packing containers. Whereas not as sturdy or technical as different jackets on the checklist, 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 decent, comfy match across the wrists, two massive hand pockets are sufficiently big to heat your fingers whereas additionally storing some EDC, and the simple sizing makes it nice for layering. Whereas this jacket could not excel on Everest, its value 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 p.c duck down, 10 p.c 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 checklist, however we nonetheless assume they’re value mentioning. 

Lolë Odin Down Jacket: An built-in powder skirt and wrist gaiters make this an ideal selection for snowboarding or snowboarding. Nevertheless, the acknowledged temperature vary appeared a bit too good to be true, and after testing, we predict it’s not as heat because the product description claims. 

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Rab Neutrino Professional: This easy, high-quality jacket is recommendable by itself deserves, together with a strong match and all-winter versatility, however the excessive price ticket made it laborious to check with among the different jackets we examined. 

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Marmot Males’s WarmCube Lively Alt HB Jacket: We favored this jacket for its match, consolation, and heat, however finally it wasn’t nearly as good as the same Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hoodie that it was competing towards. We additionally most popular the Marmot choice on our principal checklist.

Orolay Males’s Thickened Down Jacket: An reasonably priced parka that can preserve informal winter-goers from freezing, this jacket carried out effectively for its value however didn’t stand out among the many relaxation.

Our Testing Course of

Our T+L crew has examined 29 down jackets in chilly climate, judging them for heat, consolation, sturdiness, and worth. First, we evaluated any design options, corresponding to 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 everywhere in 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, value, and weight in thoughts, the down jacket choices with the very best 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

Make sure that it matches appropriately

A down jacket needs to be a bit extra on the cosy aspect 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 received’t need it to be too tight, as a result of it’s going to forestall you from comfortably including extra layers for heat. A lot of the jackets on our checklist have an analogous match that enables for layering, however some are roomier or extra slim than others — we’ve famous that wherever doable.

Think about your meant use 

For those who plan on utilizing your down jacket for out of doors adventures by which you’ll be very lively, you should definitely think about lighter jackets with higher-loft down, which can enable your physique to breathe and exhaust warmth whereas nonetheless trapping sufficient heat to maintain you comfy. For those who simply wish to put on it on a visit to town or round city, a bulkier jacket will fit your wants simply fantastic. If you wish to pack your jacket, both in a suitcase or a backpack, you should definitely take a look at the burden and compressibility — some jackets even include a storage pouch or the flexibility to fold into their very own pockets.

Take note of design options

Whereas lots of the jackets we examined have related technical specs and extra options, it’s essential to be sure you know what you’re on the lookout for in a down jacket. If it’s essential to preserve your keys, pockets, and different on a regular basis carry gadgets shut by, be sure you decide a jacket with simply accessible pockets. For those who wish 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 want a jacket with an adjustable hood or perhaps a detachable hood to make it extra versatile. Different options are essential to contemplate, like hand-warming pockets and multidirectional zippers.

Steadily Requested Questions

  • 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. Larger fill energy signifies higher loft and insulating effectivity, making it hotter for its weight. Merchandise with greater fill energy are sometimes extra light-weight and compressible whereas offering the identical insulation as heavier merchandise with decrease fill energy. 

    Some jackets characteristic a mixture of down and down feathers, which can sound like the identical factor however are barely completely different. Not like down feathers, which have a central quill, down consists of sentimental, fluffy clusters discovered beneath the outer feathers of birds, sometimes geese or geese, and is prized for its superior insulating properties.

  • How have you learnt if down is ethically sourced?

    Ethically sourced down is obtained with out inflicting hurt or pointless struggling to birds, typically licensed by requirements just like the Accountable Down Commonplace (RDS) or World Traceable Down Commonplace (World TDS). These certifications make sure the birds should not live-plucked or force-fed and are handled humanely all through their lifecycle. Test product labels or model transparency experiences to confirm compliance with these requirements.

  • How do you wash and dry a down jacket?

    To clean a down jacket, use a front-loading washer with a mild 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 forestall mildew or harm to the down insulation. For that reason, we wouldn’t air dry a down jacket. All the time verify the care directions in your jacket’s tag. 

  • 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 material restore patch or use a robust material 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 through the course of, as it could 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 intensive expertise writing about out of doors gear, health gear, and elegance, 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 by T+L’s in-house testing insights, then referenced product descriptions and opinions to create a complete roundup of the very best down jackets obtainable at this time. T+L editors will proceed to replace this text as we check extra jackets.

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