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The 6 Best Down Jackets of 2024

We tested the best down jackets from Patagonia, Rab, Mountain Hardwear, The North Face, and more to find the warmest, most comfortable, and reasonably priced options
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Best Down Jackets of 2024
Side by side testing of down jackets in Colorado.
Credit: Sam Schild
Tuesday January 23, 2024

Searching for the best down and puffy jackets? Since 2010, we've tested more than 75 down coats to bring you these 16 most promising options. We've worn them up mountains and around campfires, on morning commutes and dog walks. We layered them over sweatshirts and under hardshell jackets and wore them down ski hills and picking out Christmas trees. We packed them into suitcases and daypacks, measured their weight, stuffed their pockets full of gear and snacks, and poured water on them — all in the name of science. Whether you're looking for something warm to make snowmen in the park or armor for an alpine adventure, our in-depth testing will help you find the perfect jacket for your needs and budget.

When it comes to keeping warm when it's cold outside, there are a lot of options — and we've tested hundreds of winter coats. We've determined the best winter jackets for keeping warm in a variety of frosty locations. We tested the best women's down jackets, too. And we've tested the best insulated jackets with synthetic filling that offer a more water-resistant puffy layer. We've also found the best ski jackets for hitting the slopes.

Editor's Note: Our down jacket article was revised on January 23, 2024, adding new options from The North Face, REI, Marmot, Columbia, and more to our testing lineup.

Top 16 Product Ratings

Displaying 1 - 5 of 16
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Awards Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award Top Pick Award  
Price $241.50 at Backcountry
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$379.99 at Amazon
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$295.00 at REI
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$233.99 at Backcountry
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$164.50 at Backcountry
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Pros Great features, very warm, good weather resistance, comfortable, massive hand pockets, recycled down insulationWarm, soft lining material, hydrophobic down insulation, excellent pocketsInexpensive, great fit, weather resistant, recycled shell and down, hydrophobic downLightweight, great compressibility, good warmth-to-weight ratioWarm, fits great, stylish, classic puffy jacket look
Cons Bulky, no internal slip pocketsPricey, not the lightestRelatively heavy, doesn't have slip-in internal pocketsLimited features, minimal adjustabilitySlightly heavy, not the highest performing
Bottom Line This jacket is warm, breathable, weather-resistant, very comfortable, and just awesome all aroundThis all-condition jacket stands out most for a level of comfort and warmth that will keep you cozy all winterThis inexpensive jacket will keep you warm and protected from the weather wherever you take itAn outstanding jacket with high-quality down that's lighter than the competition and stands out for its functional simplicityThis classic down jacket is super comfortable, has excellent style, and is warm enough to wear from downtown to the mountains
Rating Categories Rab Electron Pro The North Face Summ... Rab Microlight Alpine Mountain Hardwear G... Patagonia Down Swea...
Warmth (30%)
9.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
Comfort (30%)
9.5
9.0
9.0
7.0
9.5
Portability (15%)
4.0
5.0
5.0
10.0
6.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
9.0
8.0
9.0
8.0
6.0
Breathability (10%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
7.0
Specs Rab Electron Pro The North Face Summ... Rab Microlight Alpine Mountain Hardwear G... Patagonia Down Swea...
Down Fill 800-fill European goose down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish 800 fill ProDown with water repellency Recycled 700-fill Down with Nikwax hydrophobic finish 800-fill goose down 800-fill goose down
Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Outer Fabric 20D nylon Pertex Quantum Pro 20D recycled nylon ripstop Recycled 30D nylon Pertex Quantum 10D recycled ripstop nylon Recycled nylon downproof ripstop
Weight (Size Small) 16.1 oz 15.2 oz 14.9 oz 8.3 oz 13.7 oz
Hem Type Drop hem (large) Straight Drop hem (large) Drop hem (small) Drop hem (large)
Fit Standard Standard Standard Slim Standard
Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered internal chest 2 zippered hand, zippered external chest, 2 internal stretch mesh pockets, 2 internal slip in pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered external chest 2 zippered hand 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered internal chest, 2 internal slip in pockets
Hood Yes Yes Yes Yes, hoodless option Yes, hoodless option
Cuff Construction Two stretch-panel cuffs Stretch-knit cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic cuffs Elastic cuffs
Adjustment Points Hem shockcord, hood shockcord, hood velcro Hem shockcord, hood shockcord Hem shockcord, hood shockcord Hem drawcord Hem drawcord, hood shockcord
Stow Option Stuff sack Zips into interior strech pocket Stuff sack Zips into pocket Zips into pocket
Features Harness compatible pockets, helmet compatible hood, stiffened bill, hydrophobic down Helmet compatabile hood, harness compatible hand pockets Stiffened hood bill, recycled hydrophobic down Recycled shell matierials, harness compatible hand pockets Comes with repair patches


Best Overall Down Jacket


Rab Electron Pro


83
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 9.0
  • Comfort 9.5
  • Portability 4.0
  • Weather Resistance 9.0
  • Breathability 8.0
Weight: 16.1 oz | Fill: Recycled 800-fill European goose down, Nikwax treated, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Weather resistant
Nikwax-treated hydrophobic down
Harness friendly pockets
Great warmth-to-weight ratio
REASONS TO AVOID
No internal drop pockets
Not the most packable

The Rab Electron Pro will keep you warm and cozy on backcountry ski trips or while layering up during stop-and-go winter activities. Rab stuffed this jacket with 800-fill, Nikwax-treated hydrophobic down. While no down jacket can replace a hardshell jacket or rain jacket, the Electron Pro fights the elements the best of any we tested. This highly functional cold-weather workhorse fits really well and was a favorite to wear during most activities among all our testers. It also has a bunch of great adjustability and versatile features: an adjustable and pinchable waist hem, a helmet-compatible brimmed hood, elastic hood cinch cords with velcro on the back for micro-adjustments, and the hand pockets sit high and go deep so you can use them with a climbing harness or while wearing a hip belt. It has elastic strips sewn into the underside of the wrist cuffs that allow plenty of stretch without leaving a large elastic wristband exposed to the elements.

Compared to some of the other down jackets we tested, the Electron Pro is pretty heavy and doesn't pack down very small. It packs into an included stuff sack, but that stuff sack isn't the smallest and you have to keep track of it when the jacket isn't packed away. It also doesn't have internal drop pockets, where we like to stash our gloves. But if you're looking for an all-around awesome jacket that will keep you very warm without adding too much weight, look no further. If you want plenty of warmth but are planning to wear an outer shell, we also love the warm Feathered Friends Eos and the cozy The North Face Summit Breithorn.

Read more: Rab Electron Pro review

Testing the Rab Electron Pro on a chilly, sunny day in Colorado's San Luis Valley.
Credit: Sam Schild

Best Value Down Jacket for Everyday Use


REI Co-op 650 Down


68
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 5.0
  • Comfort 8.0
  • Portability 8.5
  • Weather Resistance 6.0
  • Breathability 7.0
Weight: 10.1 oz | Fill: 650-fill down, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Comfortable
Looks great
Inclusive sizing
REASONS TO AVOID
No hood
Not the warmest

The REI Co-op 650 Down costs much less than many of the other jackets we tested, yet it has most of the same great features as jackets that cost twice as much. This model is high quality, very comfortable, and lightweight. It's versatile enough to wear around town and keep wearing on the trail. Plus, it's comfortable enough that you won't want to take it off when you're done with it all. It weighs a mere 10.1 ounces, making it one of the lightest jackets in this review. This is a simple jacket and doesn't have too many extra features, but that simplicity makes it a great option for everyday wear and keeps the price extremely affordable. It also comes in the most sizes of any jacket we tested, so any body shape will be able to find a size that fits — from small through 3XL, as well as L Tall, XL Tall, and XXL Tall.

Despite the 650 Down's overall high performance, this isn't the warmest jacket we tested. It's also one of the only down jackets that doesn't have a hood — though there is a hooded version of this jacket. While it's pretty lightweight, it also doesn't have any packability features. We simply used the drop-in pocket as a stow spot, which works great, but this jacket doesn't have a dedicated stuff sack or double-sided zipper pocket for packing it away. And despite the lack of a stuff sack, it's plenty packable. If affordability and performance are at the top of your list, there's no jacket we'd recommend more for everyday wear at a reasonable price.

Read more: REI Co-op 650 Down review

The REI Co-op 650 Down jacket is a great value for an all-around puffy.
Credit: Sam Schild

An Affordable Alpine Jacket


Rab Microlight Alpine


79
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 8.0
  • Comfort 9.0
  • Portability 5.0
  • Weather Resistance 9.0
  • Breathability 7.0
Weight: 14.9 oz | Fill: Recycled 700-fill down, Nikwax treated, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Less expensive
Excellent alpine fit
Recycled hydrophobic down
Layers well
REASONS TO AVOID
No drop-in pockets
Heavier than some jackets

The Rab Microlight Alpine is our top pick for an affordable jacket with all the features you'd need in a true alpine jacket. This jacket is weather-resistant, warm, and incredibly comfortable. The 700-fill recycled down insulation has a hydrophobic coating, and the shell material resists soaking through longer than many other puffies. It's warm enough to wear in cold conditions and has an excellent cinch cord adjustable hood to seal in heat around your head. The hood also has a sewn-in visor to keep snow out of your eyes, and there's a cozy knit zipper garage inside to protect your chin when wearing the hood all day.

The Microlight Alpine isn't the most portable jacket, however. At 14.9 ounces for a men's small, this is heavier than many other jackets. While it's easier to pack this jacket into its separate stuff sack, it's also easier to lose a stuff sack when it isn't integrated into a pocket of the jacket, and it adds some extra weight. But this model fits really well, is warm and weather-resistant enough for any alpine adventure, and is more affordable than most of the other top performers. If you don't need the adventure-focused features, the affordable REI 650 and the comfortable Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody are two of our favorite everyday jackets.

Read more: Rab Microlight Alpine review

The Rab Microlight Alpine is an affordable all-around down jacket for high-elevation pursuits.
Credit: Sam Schild

Good Value on a Very Limited Budget


Wantdo Packable Down Hoody


55
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 5.0
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Portability 8.0
  • Weather Resistance 5.0
  • Breathability 5.0
Weight: 10.6 oz | Fill: 90% duck down, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Shockingly inexpensive
Lightweight
Very compressible
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most durable
Hand pocket zippers snag easily
Boxy fit

Down puffies can get expensive, but not the Wantdo Packable Down Hoody. This model costs about half as much as the second most inexpensive down jacket in our testing lineup and less than a quarter of some of the priciest. It has an average warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down into an included stuff sack. It's filled with 90% duck down insulation and has a thin outer shell with an adequately comfortable liner. Whether you're heading to work or out for a day spent playing outside, a small and light insulation layer like this one is an excellent option to carry. It's easy to take with you anywhere you go, just in case. And it costs less than an average lift ticket, so it's hard to pass this deal up.

Though it's light, packable, and affordable, the Wantdo doesn't have the same premium features you'd find on many other jackets. The zippers on the hand pockets are very small and snag easily. This makes them hard to operate bare-handed and nearly impossible to use with gloves on. It's also one of the least warm jackets we tested. But for this price, we couldn't not recommend this model for folks living in mild climates or who need a down jacket irregularly. If you plan on wearing your puffy a lot, we think spending a little more for a better-performing jacket like the REI 650 is well worth it.

The Wantdo Packable Down Hoody is the least expensive down jacket we've found.
Credit: Sam Schild

Ultracomfortable Warmth


The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie


81
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 9.0
  • Comfort 9.0
  • Portability 5.0
  • Weather Resistance 8.0
  • Breathability 7.0
Weight: 15.2 oz | Fill: 800 fill ProDown, water-repellent, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Comfortable
Water repellant down
Great pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Heavy

The The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie is the jacket we grab when we need all-around warmth and comfort. This is one of the warmest and most comfortable models overall and has tons of unique features that make it a pleasure to wear. It has supple lining material that's some of the softest feeling fabric against your skin. The wrist cuffs are some of the most comfortable as well. They're stretchy knit material that feels like a well-worn T-shirt, unlike the simple elastic sewn into wrist cuffs of most other jackets. The hood adjusts with a single toggle on the back that tightens around your face edge and then twists to wrap around the back of your head. The result is a super simple one-handed adjustment to lock the hood in place. It also has the most pockets of any model we tested — seven! They include two zippered hand pockets, a zippered external chest pocket, two internal stretch mesh pockets, and two slip-in pockets behind those stretch mesh pockets.

The Summit Breithorn Hoodie has tons of great features to keep you warm and cozy when the temperature drops, but it's relatively heavy. At 15.2 ounces for a men's small, it's certainly overkill for summer backpacking conditions. It's also rather expensive. However, this jacket is an excellent choice for everything from ice climbing and mountaineering to hanging around the campfire and walking around the city in the winter. If comfort is paramount for you and your pursuits don't include high-octane excursions, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is another superbly cozy jacket that we love for everyday wear.

Read more: The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie review

The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie keeps you warm on cold and snowy days in the mountains.
Credit: Sam Schild

Best For Ultralight Adventures


Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2


75
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth 6.0
  • Comfort 7.0
  • Portability 10.0
  • Weather Resistance 8.0
  • Breathability 9.0
Weight: 8.3 oz | Fill: 800-fill goose down, RDS certified
REASONS TO BUY
Ultralight
Athletic fit
100% recycled ripstop nylon shell
Layers well
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not many pockets
Little adjustability

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is the best down jacket when weight saving is your top priority. At 8.3 ounces for a men's small, it offers incredible packability. This model easily packs into its pocket and compresses into the smallest size of any jacket we've found. This is our go-to layer for backpacking and alpine climbing, and it acts as a just-in-case layer that will practically disappear into your pack when you aren't wearing it. The athletic fit accommodates broader shoulders, allowing for easy overhead movement, and it breathes better than many jackets, so you can keep wearing it as you move faster. Layering a light fleece underneath proved easy, and the jacket's tailored fit keeps it from feeling bulky while you're active.

The Ghost Whisperer/2 has just two zippered hand pockets with no drawcord, no interior pockets, and no adjustment on the hood. While the absence of these features makes it as light as it is, an additional pocket and more hood adjustment would be nice in some instances. Overall, this jacket's packability and incredible overall performance make it a great option for anyone looking for an ultralight puffy jacket for adventuring. If you're not heading out on an ice climbing expedition, the more casual MontBell Superior Down is another lightweight contender that's more casual in its fit and costs a lot less.

Read more: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 review

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is our top choice for fast and light adventures.
Credit: Sam Schild

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
83
Rab Electron Pro
Best Overall Down Jacket
$345
Editors' Choice Award
81
The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie
Ultracomfortable Warmth
$380
Top Pick Award
79
Rab Microlight Alpine
An Affordable Alpine Jacket
$295
Best Buy Award
75
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2
Best For Ultralight Adventures
$360
Top Pick Award
72
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
$329
69
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody
$400
68
REI Co-op 650 Down
Best Value Down Jacket for Everyday Use
$129
Best Buy Award
68
Feathered Friends Eos
$409
65
Marmot Highlander Hoody
$250
63
MontBell Superior Down
$249
58
Fjallraven Expedition Pack Hood
$275
57
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded
$295
56
Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded
$180
56
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
$299
55
Wantdo Packable Down Hoody
Good Value on a Very Limited Budget
$66
Best Buy Award
55
Rokka and Rolla Ultra Lightweight Puffer
$169

down jacket - we did extensive in-field testing to find the best down jackets.
We did extensive in-field testing to find the best down jackets.
Credit: Sam Schild

Why You Should Trust Us


For this review, we identified the key metrics essential to grading any down jacket. Then, we created a rigorous set of tests to perform in the field and in the test lab to test each of these metrics on their own. Since 2010, we've purchased the most interesting, most compelling jackets and pushed them to their limits around the world, climbing, hiking, skiing, camping, and even sleeping in them. We took them to frigid places like the High Sierra, the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, the Big Horn Mountains, and the Green Mountains.

To evaluate each, we wore every jacket back to back, in the same conditions on the same day, and assessed which kept us the warmest while also inspecting which jackets had extra insulation in areas prone to heat loss. While wearing each jacket in the field, we paid attention to which were the most comfortable and assessed how each felt on our bare skin. We took every model to the lab, spraying water on every jacket and rubbing it in to assess water resistance and putting each against a fan to find out how wind resistant they are. We weighed every jacket and packed them into their pockets and stuff sacks. We wore them during sweaty activities like hiking and keeping up with the dog to learn how breathable they are.

We tested every jacket across 5 mutually exclusive metrics to take a deep dive into the performance of each model. Here are our testing metrics for down jackets and a few considerations for each:
  • Warmth (30% of overall weight): How warm and cozy is this jacket? How thick and lofty is the down? Will it keep me warm and protected in various winter conditions?
  • Comfort (30% weight): How does this jacket feels against my skin? How is the fit? Is it restrictive when I move? Does it have extra features that add comfort, like fleece lining?
  • Portability (15% weight): How much does this jacket weigh? How packable is it? Is this light enough to carry in my pack into the backcountry or throw in a suitcase? Does it pack into its own pocket? Does it come with a stuff sack? Can it hold up to being frequently compressed?
  • Weather Resistance (15% weight) Does this jacket protect me from wind? Does it repel snow and light rain? How well does the hood work for keeping out the elements?
  • Breathability (10% weight): Can I use this jacket while running, hiking, biking, skiing, or climbing without overheating? Does it have any ventilation features that help manage heat during high-output activities?

Our in-depth men's down jacket testing is headed up by Sam Schild, a backpacker, trail runner, and mountain biker based in Colorado. He has backpacked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Grand Enchantment Trail, Arizona Trail, and Colorado Trail (three times!), along with countless other outdoor adventures, long and short, in every season. Sam is joined by a panel of expert gear testers, including James Lucas, Buck Yedor, and Adam Paashaus. Growing up in New England, James's appreciation for quality insulation started young. After graduating from college, he worked for Yosemite Search and Rescue, where he saw firsthand that having the right outerwear can be the difference between a pleasant day out in the mountains or needing a rescue. Over the years, James has tested gear in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, the boulders of Rocky Mountain National Park, and his home in Boulder, Colorado. Adam has been an active member of the outdoor community for many years. His passion for helping others find the right gear for their adventures started in 2001 when he started working in the retail side of the industry. He's had his hands on more jackets than he can count and knows how to help folks find the right jacket for them.

Testing wind resistance using a fan.
Testing wind resistance using a fan.
Testing the Marmot Highlander on a cold snowy day in the mountains.
Testing the Marmot Highlander on a cold snowy day in the mountains.
The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie weighs 15.2 ounces in men&#039;s...
The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie weighs 15.2 ounces in men's small.
We tested these jackets in the field and the lab, on everyday adventures and epic backcountry missions.

Analysis and Test Results


All the finalists in our lineup underwent our extensive, side-by-side testing that includes everything that makes up a great down jacket. We chose each contender based on exhaustive research on innovation, quality, and popularity, as well as countless other factors that make a top-quality down jacket. We aim to give you practical and thorough information so you can make the right purchasing decision for your needs.


Value


Spending hundreds of dollars every season to have the latest innovation adds up quickly. In our testing, we consistently find that value often comes with a higher price tag, but not always. Our top pick for a high-value jacket that performs well and doesn't break the bank is the REI Co-op 650 Down. This jacket balances price with comfort and versatility better than most.

down jacket - the rei 650 is one of the best values for a down jacket.
The REI 650 is one of the best values for a down jacket.
Credit: Sam Schild


The Wantdo Packable Down Hoody also offers incredible value. This jacket comes at a startlingly low price — less than half as much as the REI 650 costs. It's not as warm as many other models and doesn't perform as well overall, but that low price does make this an awesome value. While not as inexpensive as the Wantdo Down Hoody, the Rokka and Rolla Ultra Lightweight Puffer and Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded are also notable for their low price, reasonable performances in everyday situations and, therefore, high value.

down jacket - the wantdo packable hoody is a small fraction of the cost of most...
The Wantdo Packable Hoody is a small fraction of the cost of most jackets we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Rab Microlight Alpine is another great value option for those who need more from their jacket. This coat offers incredible weather resistance and everything else you'd want for a true alpine insulation piece at a very competitive price. In the same price range as the Microlight Alpine, the Marmot Highlander and MontBell Superior Down both offer a great value. We think jackets in this price range are a great choice since they're usually well-made using high-quality materials in a no-frills way that keeps costs low.

down jacket - the rab microlight alpine is a great value for a weather-resistant...
The Rab Microlight Alpine is a great value for a weather-resistant, adventure-ready down jacket.
Credit: Sam Schild

Some jackets are just too expensive for what they are. One of those jackets is the Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody. While it's a great jacket in many regards, it's also outperformed by less expensive models in every metric. Unless you require that little fossilized logo on your puffy, we think there are better-value items available.

down jacket - the arc&#039;teryx cerium hoody performed about as well as the...
The Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody performed about as well as the competition but is the most expensive jacket in the lineup.
Credit: Sam Schild

Warmth


Simply put, down jackets are designed to keep you warm. That's what they're designed to do. We assessed every model's warmth in extreme winter conditions — snowstorms, early morning mountain ascents, and long winter nights backpacking in the winter desert. We made note of the type of down insulation of each jacket and measured the thickness, and we wore every jacket during side-by-side testing to assess which ones actually kept us warmer in the same conditions.


We looked at how well you can layer underneath and on top of each jacket, and we looked at how well these jackets can cinch down to seal in your body's heat. Although they don't come with temperature ratings like sleeping bags, these jackets offer good-to-adequate standalone warmth down to freezing temperatures. They can also help you stay warm in lower temperatures when used as part of a layering system.

down jacket - testing the warmth of the north face summit breithorn hoodie on a...
Testing the warmth of The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie on a crisp winter day.
Credit: Sam Schild

A jacket's warmth relates to the size of the baffles and the fill power. Simply put, the puffier a jacket looks, the warmer it likely is. But it gets more complicated than that. Down's fill quality, or fill power, is determined by filling a cylindrical container with one ounce of down and then compressing it for a minute. After the sixty seconds, the amount of space filled is considered the fill. So, 600 cubic inches of down equals 600-fill. 900-fill down is about as good as it gets. Most of the jackets in this review have 800-fill power down.

down jacket - the rab microlight alpine, with its 700-fill down insulation, is a...
The Rab Microlight Alpine, with its 700-fill down insulation, is a great layer for morning outdoor chores like shoveling.
Credit: Sam Schild

The warmth of a jacket is then determined not only by the quality of the fill but also by the amount of it. Higher quality down means more loft per ounce of down, and more loft is warmer. So, a higher fill-power jacket will be puffier but weigh less and be warmer than a lower fill-power jacket.

The Feathered Friends Eos, with 900+ fill power goose down, has the highest fill power and highest quality down of any jacket we tested (goose down is more insulating than duck down). This jacket is very warm considering the weight, and this is because it's thickly stuffed with high-quality 900+ fill down.

The Feathered Friends Eos has 900+ fill power down, which is the reason it's so warm.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody is stuffed with 850-fill down. This jacket is almost as warm as the Feathered Friends Eos. But it doesn't have quite as much loft and isn't quite as thick, so it isn't as warm. Jackets using a lower fill power sacrifice weight and compressibility but can still provide a warmth-to-weight ratio that outperforms synthetic insulation jackets.

The Rab Electron Pro and The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie both use 800-fill down — and a lot of it — to insulate you. Because these models are both so thickly filled, they are impressively warm, even compared to models with higher fill power down. They both weigh significantly more than the Feathered Friends Eos or Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody, mostly because they contain more down and are actually warmer than these higher-fill power jackets.

The Rab Electron Pro has a lot of 800-fill down insulation stuffed into every large baffle, making for a very warm jacket.
Credit: Sam Schild

Most companies produce lighter, less expensive down jackets by using sewn-through baffle construction. The baffles, the cavities between the stitching, hold the down in place, keeping it from sinking or clumping. Sewn-through baffle construction involves sewing the outer fabric to the inner fabric, creating a horizontal or occasionally square baffle. The size of the baffles varies between jackets, and square baffles tend to be lighter, thinner, and less expensive. However, sewn-through baffles create thin spots at the seams where there's no down, and warm air can escape. Some companies use different methods for sewing baffles, but the sewn-through method tends to be the most common.

The Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded jacket has welded baffles to...
The Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded jacket has welded baffles to eliminate cold spots as well as a thermally reflective lining to bounce your body heat back at you.
The Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded has a thermally reflective lining to...
The Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded has a thermally reflective lining to bounce your body heat back at you.
Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded uses welded baffle seams and a thermally reflective lining to create a remarkably warm jacket

The Columbia Delta Ridge Hooded jacket has welded seams to create the baffles. This means there aren't tiny holes from stitching the baffles, though there are still thin spots where the two layers of fabric are bonded. This jacket also has a thermally reflective lining that bounces your body heat back at you, though, and the result of these features is a very warm jacket.

The loft of a jacket makes up part of a jacket's warmth, while the cut and adjustability make up another portion. Slim, thermally efficient jackets and those with a longer hemline tend to be warmer. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 isn't the warmest jacket, but it's pretty warm considering how little it weighs. The trim, thermally efficient fit certainly has something to do with this jacket punching above its weight class in terms of warmth.

Responsibly Sourced Down
In the past few years, most companies have started using certified Responsibly Sourced Down. Harvesting down from ducks and geese can be a cruel process. To be RDS certified, the animals must be treated compassionately.

The only jacket in this lineup that isn't RDS certified is the MontBell Superior Down. According to MontBell's website, they source their down from the meat industry. So, while those feathers aren't plucked off of live birds, they aren't RDS certified. You can make your own judgments on the ethical implications here.

down jacket - the mountain hardwear ghost whisperer/2 isn&#039;t the warmest jacket...
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 isn't the warmest jacket, but it does have a high warmth to weight ratio.
Credit: Sam Schild

Comfort


If a jacket isn't comfortable to wear, then are you even going to use it? Probably not. We tested comfort by assessing the fit of each jacket on different body shapes and the feeling of the fabric against our skin.


We took careful note of how high-touch areas, such as the inside of the hood and the top of the zipper, felt against our bare skin. We also assessed how well each jacket fit, noting any restrictions to the movements you'd make during activities like climbing, chasing the kids at the park, commuting by bike, or even skiing.

down jacket - the patagonia down sweater hoody performed well across most of our...
The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody performed well across most of our testing metrics but really stood out in comfort.
Credit: Sam Schild

The most comfortable jackets were the Rab Electron Pro and Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody. Both of these jackets have an extremely comfortable fabric feel against your bare skin. The Electron Pro has some of the most comfortable wrist cuffs and knit fabric on the inside of the hood, which makes it that much more comfortable. The Down Sweater doesn't have any extra comfortable features built in, but the fit for the men's version is about as close to perfect as we found. This awesome fit, paired with the softest fabric of any we tested, makes this jacket a joy to wear all day long.

All of male testers found the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody fit the best of any jacket.
Credit: Sam Schild

Men's vs. Women's Down Jacket Fit

This seems obvious when we write it down, but just because the men's version of a jacket fits men really well doesn't mean that the women's version is going to fit women as well. All our male testers found the fit of the Marmot Highlander was too boxy to be very comfortable, and the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody fit so well that it nearly earned a perfect score in our comfort metric. On the other hand, our female testers of the best down jackets for women found the opposite was true of the fit of these jackets. Our lady testing team found that the women's Marmot Highlander fit nearly perfectly, while the women's Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody just didn't fit right. So, just because we're saying a particular men's jacket fits really well, that doesn't mean the corresponding women's version will fit as well.

As a final note, all bodies are different, and we can't possibly assess how well any jacket will fit everyone, no matter how many testers we have wear these jackets.

The The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie and Rab Microlight Alpine were each almost as comfortable as the Rab Electron and Patagonia Down Sweater. The Summit Breithorn Hoodie has stretchy and soft knit wrist cuffs and a knit edge along the outside seam of the hood, where it can rub against your cheeks. The Rab Microlight fits really well, has a comfortable knit zipper garage to prevent your chin from chafing in cold conditions, and has a similar feeling fabric to the other most comfortable jackets.

down jacket - testing the range of motion in the feathered friends eos.
Testing the range of motion in the Feathered Friends Eos.
Credit: Sam Schild

An ideal-fitting jacket mimics the body's shape so that it moves as we do but also features enough space large enough to wear a layer beneath it. Sleeve length and the shape through the shoulders, upper back, and chest also affect comfort. We want jackets ready for ice climbing, backpacking, hiking, skiing, scrambling, or any activity where we are likely to be moving our arms about and swinging them over our heads. Most of the jackets we tested work well as part of a layering system as well as a standalone piece. Sometimes, you'll use a down jacket as a mid-layer, and sometimes, a down jacket serves as your outer layer with a fleece mid-layer underneath.

down jacket - the mountain hardwear ghost whisperer/2 allows for good range of...
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 allows for good range of motion, but we found it runs slightly slimmer than some jackets.
Credit: Sam Schild

We found slimmer fitting jackets like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 fit really well over a thin baselayer or short sleeve shirt, but if you plan to layer thicker fleeces underneath, you might want to size one size up. This isn't an issue, but it is worth noting. The same is the case with the Rokka and Rolla Ultra Lightweight Puffer: if you want to wear this over anything more than a T-shirt, we recommend getting a size larger than you normally wear. This particular model also had the shortest sleeves of any jacket in our review, and allowed for the least range of motion overall.

down jacket - the rokka and rolla ultra lightweight puffer doesn&#039;t weigh a lot...
The Rokka and Rolla Ultra Lightweight Puffer doesn't weigh a lot, but it also fits the smallest of all the jackets we tested.
Credit: Sam Schild

Portability


While portability barely matters when you're wearing a jacket close to home, the higher, further, and steeper you venture, the more every ounce matters. In the backcountry, we prioritize weight to conserve energy and allow us to get farther up the mountain. Thus, a jacket's portability is a crucial consideration for backpackers, travelers, climbers, and anyone else who plans to carry the jacket in their pack at least some of the time.


In general, down is the best insulation material for packability since it is very compressible, but some down jackets are still more portable than others. To test portability, we weighed every jacket. We packed and unpacked each model repeatedly to see how well the fabrics held up over extended use and assessed which ones packed away the easiest.

down jacket - packability is important with a down jacket, because sometimes you...
Packability is important with a down jacket, because sometimes you won't need to wear it.
Credit: Sam Schild

Generally, down fill power, the type or weight of the fabric, the amount of down, and the number of features all affect the weight and portability of a down jacket. Using higher fill-power down translates to a higher loft with less filling, so higher fill-power jackets tend to be lighter (or at least warmer) but more expensive. Similarly, thinner fabric can make a jacket lighter, but that thinner fabric can compromise durability. Lastly, to save weight, some models include fewer features or simply use less down. A jacket with chest pockets, burly zippers, multiple drawcords, and tons of down packed into every baffle is going to weigh more than a jacket with two hand pockets, thin baffles, and little else.


The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2, at 8.3 ounces in a size small, is the most portable jacket we tested. This model doesn't have any hood adjustment features and only has two zippered hand pockets. But, it packs into its own pocket and is light enough that we never hesitated to pack it just in case. We use the Ghost Whisperer as the only warm layer we carry while backpacking, and you can't do better than this jacket if ultralight packability is your top concern.

down jacket - the mountain hardwear ghost whisperer/2 weighs a mere 8.3 ounces.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 weighs a mere 8.3 ounces.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Feathered Friends Eos is one of the best jackets you can get for warmth in an extremely portable package. This jacket weighs only 11.3 ounces yet is almost as warm as the warmest jackets we tested. The MontBell Superior Down weighs a mere 8.7 ounces, too, but we found this jacket wasn't nearly as warm as the Ghost Whisperer/2 and didn't even compare to the Eos in terms of warmth.

The Rab Electron Pro and The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie are two of the heaviest jackets in the lineup. These jackets each weigh about a pound and are examples of how warmth and weight are often a tradeoff. Though the Ghost Whisperer/2 is warm for its weight, it only weighs half as much as the Electron Pro — but isn't nearly as warm as that ultra-thick jacket.

down jacket - including its stuff sack, the electron pro tips the scales at just...
Including its stuff sack, the Electron Pro tips the scales at just 16.1 ounces.
Credit: sam schild


The Wantdo Packable and Rokka and Rolla Puffer are light in your pack and on your pocketbook. These jackets weigh 10.6 and 9.2 ounces, respectively, though we worry about the long-term durability of these budget options. They're also not nearly as warm, and we end up carrying more layers when taking these jackets into seriously cold places, which negates any weight savings we get from them. But if mild climates are your gig, their weight savings may suit you well.

down jacket - the mh ghost whisperer/2 practically disappears inside your bag when...
The MH Ghost Whisperer/2 practically disappears inside your bag when you don't need to have it on.
Credit: Sam Schild

Except in extremely cold conditions, strenuous activity causes overheating in down jackets. That means your puffy will spend a lot of time in your pack when you're backpacking, skiing, or hiking. The superior compressibility of down jackets versus synthetic ones is significant. More importantly, down's durability is greater than synthetic insulation, which degrades and loses its re-lofting ability over time.

down jacket - the size and weight of every jacket varied, as did how well they...
The size and weight of every jacket varied, as did how well they stuffed into their included stuff sack or stash pocket.
Credit: Sam Schild

Most of the jackets in our review use high-quality down that remains lofty, compression after compression. The size and how easily they pack away sets the different jackets apart. Most models we tested stuff down into an internal pocket, while others come with a stuff sack to pack it away.

Packing the Rab Electron Pro was relatively easy, but you must keep track of the stuff sack. And it is bulky compared to much of the competition.
Credit: Chris McNamara

The Feathered Friends Eos, Rab Electron Pro, Rab Microlight Alpine, Wantdo Packable, Arc'teryx Cerium, Rokka and Rolla Lightweight Puffer, and MontBell Superior pack into a stuff sack. While we found it easier to pack a down jacket into a separate stuff sack than into its own pocket, we don't love having to keep track of a stuff sack while we're wearing the coat.

down jacket - having a stuff sack separate from the jacket allows for an easy...
Having a stuff sack separate from the jacket allows for an easy place to pack the garment and the MontBell stuffed down into a reasonable size.
Credit: James Lucas

A stowaway pocket with a reversible zipper cuts down on extra weight and material. It also means there's no stuff sack to lose. The jackets that pack into their own pocket are the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie, Marmot Highlander Hoody, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2, Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, and The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie. In general, we found it slightly more difficult to pack away jackets into an integrated stuff sack pocket than it was to pack jackets into a separate stuff sack. It's particularly difficult to pack the Ghost Whisperer/2 into its own pocket — and especially challenging to close the zipper.

The Ghost Whisperer/2 packs small into its pocket, but it is hard to close the zipper.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Weather Resistance


While you shouldn't rely on a down jacket to stay dry, we'd like to stay dry enough in a light mist or when it's snowing. It's also very important that a down jacket blocks the wind because if the wind can cut through your jacket, it isn't going to keep you warm. We measured water and wind resistance for these reasons.

We gauged the weather resistance of each jacket against the other down jackets in our testing lineup, keeping the rest of the outdoor apparel wardrobe out of the comparison. When we discuss the quality of a jacket's water resistance, we compare it to other down jackets and not to a top-ranked rain jacket.

Wearing a down jacket in the rain will quickly make you realize why all jackets aren't made of lightweight insulation. Down fails to insulate when wet, and wearing a down jacket in a storm can go from uncomfortable to dangerous as down takes a painfully long time to dry and re-loft when saturated. Fortunately, designers have several strategies for negating this vulnerability.


Drydown, ProDown, Downtec, and other "hydrophobic down" all claimed to have better water resistance and faster drying times than untreated down. Evaluating the hydrophobic quality of these treated downs is difficult. Even after soaking jackets in the shower, we found it difficult to isolate the waterproofness of the down from other factors that add to each jacket's water resistance. However, we have found that down with a hydrophobic treatment seems to stay drier for longer.

down jacket - the rab microlight alpine has a robust dwr coating and hydrophobic...
The Rab Microlight Alpine has a robust DWR coating and hydrophobic treated down for extra weather resistance.
Credit: Sam Schild

A great choice for wet weather, the Rab Microlight Alpine combines a water-resistant Pertex microlight shell fabric with an impressive DWR coating, Nikwax treated down, and a brimmed hood that deflects rain. While not waterproof, this down jacket works well in wet climates. The warmer and heavier-duty Rab Electron Pro sports the same waterproofing technology, performs about the same in wetter conditions, and has an even more protective hood.

The Ghost Whisperer/2 has reasonable weather protection but is so thin that it won't last very long in trying conditions.
Credit: Chris McNamara

The Marmot Highlander also has water-resistant treated down insulation. However, it didn't perform as well when we put water directly on the fabric and rubbed it with our hands. The TNF Summit Breithorn has down that's been treated with a water-repellent coating, and this jacket's shell material performed better than the Highlander in our spray and rub test.

down jacket - testing the water resistance of the tnf summit breithorn.
Testing the water resistance of the TNF Summit Breithorn.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie is also relatively weather resistant. It has a more waterproof material on the hood and the tops of the shoulders. This keeps water off while the rest of the jacket remains breathable.

down jacket - the summit breithorn is one of several models stuffed with...
The Summit Breithorn is one of several models stuffed with water-repellent down that resists becoming soaked for longer.
Credit: Sam Schild

Remember that most folks aren't looking at down products for their water-resistance properties. This is not their intended purpose, nor is any down jacket truly waterproof. We stress warmth as the top priority when selecting a puffy. However, a down jacket should be weather-resistant enough to protect you when it snows.

Durable Water Repellent Treatments
The chemical coating of a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment causes water to bead and roll off the treated material. Out of the box, DWR-treated models effectively keep the down dry and lofty in light rain. Unfortunately, these chemicals lose their effectiveness as the jacket is worn. Everyday use exposes the shell fabric to dirt and oils, causing spots on the jacket to "wet out," especially on the back of the neck and shoulders. Regular cleaning prolongs the DWR treatment, and you can reapply certain DWR treatment with a product like Nikwax.

While using these jackets for everyday activities gives you a sense of how well each jacket blocks the wind, we also created a repeatable lab test to measure wind resistance. Using a fan set to high, we placed every jacket on top of the fan to feel how much air passed through.

We tested every jacket's wind resistance in the lab, as well as in the field.
Credit: Sam Schild

Most of the jackets in our lineup did an excellent job blocking the wind blowing through our test fan, but the Rab Electron Pro, The North Face Summit Breithorn, Rab Microlight Alpine, Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody, and Feathered Friends Eos stood out the most for their wind blocking properties.

down jacket - the feathered friends eos does a great job of blocking wind.
The Feathered Friends Eos does a great job of blocking wind.
Credit: Sam Schild

Breathabilty


While you want a jacket to keep you warm, when you're working hard outside, you don't want to overheat, either. For this reason, it's important that a down jacket is breathable enough so you don't work up a sweat when your body is working harder. Whether you're chasing your dog (who is finally going to catch that squirrel) or on that final push to reach the summit, a breathable jacket is key. We tested the breathability of these jackets by wearing every one during high-output activities. We wore them biking, running, snowboarding, skiing, and climbing. We considered ventilation features that help regulate your core temperature when moving fast, such as armpit vents, sleeves that can easily be pushed up, and two-way zippers.


Thinner jackets don't keep you as warm, but they're also typically more breathable. If a jacket has less down, by definition, there is less insulating material that will trap your body heat. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is a perfect example of this. This ultralight jacket vents heat better than the thicker and warmer down jackets we tested.

down jacket - taking the mountain hardwear ghost whisperer/2 on a trail run to...
Taking the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 on a trail run to test breathability.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Arc'teryx Cerium has thinner synthetic insulation under the arms and on the top of the shoulders. While the overall performance of this jacket in terms of breathability didn't blow us out of the water, we did find the thinner insulating material under the armpits helped with breathability.

down jacket - the arc&#039;teryx cerium hoody has thinner synthetic insulation under...
The Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody has thinner synthetic insulation under the arms and on the tops of the shoulders to resist moisture from your sweat and the elements.
Credit: Sam Schild

The Rab Electron Pro was the only jacket with two-way zippers to aid in ventilation. This model allows you to unzip the jacket from the top, bottom, or both at the same time, which helps a ton with breathability.

down jacket - the rab electron pro has dual zippers that allow you to vent the...
The Rab Electron Pro has dual zippers that allow you to vent the bottom of the jacket while leaving it zipped around your neck.
Credit: Sam Schild

Many manufacturers also sew thinner baffles into high-heat areas to aid in breathability. The Patagonia Down Sweater and Rab Microlight Alpine both have smaller baffles in the armpit area for this reason. While down doesn't compare to a highly breathable fleece, we found both of these jackets are breathable enough while hiking, biking, and generally moving around.

down jacket - the patagonia down sweater has thinner baffles under the arms for...
The Patagonia Down Sweater has thinner baffles under the arms for breathability.
Credit: Sam Schild

Another great way to vent a jacket is to push up the sleeves. The Rab Electron Pro has the most stretch in the wrists, and it accomplishes this with a pair of triangle-shaped elastic pieces. This allows the wrists to be tighter but stretch farther than your average wrist cuff.

down jacket - the wrist cuffs on the rab electron pro feature two elastic pieces...
The wrist cuffs on the Rab Electron Pro feature two elastic pieces for extra stretch.
Credit: Sam Schild


While it's pretty easy to push the sleeves up on most of these jackets, a few were too tight to push them up as far. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 has tighter arms, and we weren't able to push the sleeves up as far, especially with a fleece underneath it. As a side note, this is directly contradictory to the findings from our women's down jacket testers and almost certainly correlates with relative forearm circumference. If we were to size up on any of these men's jackets, we would do so with the Ghost Whisperer. A larger size would solve the minor problems our male testers had with pushing up the arms.

down jacket - a down jacket will keep you warm on the mountain and in the parking...
A down jacket will keep you warm on the mountain and in the parking lot afterwards.
Credit: Sam Schild

Conclusion


Having a warm, insulating jacket is an essential part of any cold-weather layering system. Making the right decision when purchasing a down jacket can seem like a daunting task. We aim to guide you through the jargon to let you know which jackets are the warmest, most comfortable, portable, weather resistant, and breathable so you can make an informed decision. We hope our in-depth breakdown of these down jackets will help you decide which one will work best for you. As down jackets keep getting lighter and warmer, we'll continue to stay on top of new developments and present our findings here.

Sam Schild, James Lucas, Buck Yedor, and Adam Paashaus