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Best Puffer Jackets Rab Mythic Ultra

If warmth is what you’re looking for, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the Rab Mythic Ultra. Photo: Ryan Salm//The Inertia


The Inertia

Puffer jackets are our go-to for cold-weather pursuits. They provide the most warmth out of any type of insulating layer, can pack down the smallest for easy transport, and with today’s latest material technology, can even repel a bit of rain while doing so.

Down has historically been the material of choice when it comes to puffy insulation thanks to its exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, breathability, and packability, but it’s not the only option and in this article, we look at all kinds of puffer jackets, including down, synthetic, and even merino wool options.

For ease of comparison, we broke the options down into Lightweight, Midweight, and Heavyweight puffers. When deciding which jacket to purchase, we recommend choosing a fill weight based on how you plan to use your puffer jacket the most.

Navigate To: Comparison Table | How We Tested | Buyer’s Guide | Best Women’s Puffer Jackets

Editor’s Note: Some of the products in this guide are available at deep discounts during the REI and Backcountry holiday sales.

We updated this guide in November 2024 with some new picks, updated navigation, and refreshed links.

The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets of 2024/2025

Best Midweight Puffer Jacket: Patagonia Down Sweater
Best Heavyweight Puffer Jacket: Rab Mythic Ultra
Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
Best Budget Puffer Jacket: Decathlon Forclaz Mt100
Best Sustainable Puffer Jacket: Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie
Best Technical Puffer Jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody

Jump To Best of the Rest


Best Midweight Puffer Jacket

Patagonia Down Sweater ($279)

Patagonia Down Sweater

Category: Midweight
Insulation:
5.0 oz of 800 fill-power down
Weight: 13 oz

Pros: Updated 22/23 design features interior drop pockets, recycled materials, and an included patch kit
Cons:
More of a focus on casual wear/style than lightweight performance

The Patagonia Down Sweater is iconic for a reason. This packable puffy jacket brings incredible coziness and top-notch sustainability with an 800-fill Responsible Down Standard lining, a PFC-free water-repellent finish that wards off light drizzles, and more. It’s pretty light, super toasty, and quite hard to take off.

We’ve seen this jacket in many different iterations over the years, and when we got our hands on the latest version we were stoked on the updates this timeless classic has received since our first encounters with the Patagonia Down Sweater. The jacket now sports three internal pockets – two drop-in and one zippered chest pocket (which it packs into for easy storage), as well as the two external (zippered) handwarmer pockets. The jacket is also made from recycled fishing nets, and an included patch kit is ready for whenever the first tear occurs.

As mentioned earlier, the PFC-free DWR, in combination with the slightly stiffer face fabric is sufficient for light drizzles but we wouldn’t recommend getting caught in much heavier rain. While it’s not the most technical piece, the Down Sweater is a truly versatile puffer. The biggest downside is the price, but it helps to know that this option is easy on the planet and will stay in your closet for years to come. Don’t believe us? One of our editors has a Down Sweater that’s nearly 10 years old and still looks mint.

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Warmest/Best Heavyweight Puffer Jacket

Rab Mythic Ultra ($495)

Rab Mythic Ultra

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation:
8.5 oz of 900 fill-power down
Weight: 18.9 oz

Pros: Insane warmth paired with lightweight packability
Cons:
Too warm for active pursuits, outer shell isn’t super durable

Pulling on the Rab Mythic Ultra is a (dare we say it?) life-changing experience in hyper-cozy warmth. Once you’ve donned this lightweight cloud of a jacket, no other puffer will feel the same. The jacket sports 8.5 oz of 900 fill-power down, but weighs just 18.9 oz, making use of a lightweight, recycled Polyamide material for the outer and inner lining. The inner lining also sports a heat-reflecting material for even more warmth.

The down inside the jacket is treated with a Nikwax hydrophobic treatment for increased performance in wet conditions, and the included stuff sack packs this jacket down to the size of about 1.5 Nalgene water bottles, a true disappearing act.

While the jacket is certainly too warm for active pursuits like skiing (and would likely produce a “Michelin Man” effect under most shell jackets) for more stationary activities like snow camping, belaying in the cold, or just walking around town, you’ll be hard-pressed to find its equal. With supreme packability and warmth-for-weight ratio, this is a technical piece of equipment made for superior warmth in truly cold conditions.

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Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer ($360)

Ghost Whisperer 2 puffy jacket

Category: Lightweight
Insulation: 
3.0 oz of 800 fill-power down
Weight: 8.8 oz

Pros: Great warmth for an ultra-lightweight down jacket
Cons: 
A bit pricey (costs more than some much warmer options)

Editor’s Note: We are in the process of testing the updated Ghost Whisperer, which appears to be much the same as the former Ghost Whisperer/2. We’ll update this guide with any significant changes. 

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer has been a staple in the ultralight insulation category for years and with good reason. It’s very lightweight at 8.8 oz, but still packs the heat – plenty enough to keep you warm, but not so much as to overheat during high-output activities.

That perfect balance, along with a robust set of features like zippered pockets, an elasticated hood, and an adjustable hem (some ultralight jackets cut down on such features to reduce weight) make this our top pick for lightweight puffer jackets.

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Best Budget Puffer Jacket

Decathlon Forclaz MT100 ($100)

Decathlon Forclaz Jacket

Category: Lightweight
Insulation:
800 fill-power RDS-certified down
Weight: 10.22 oz

Pros: Well-made and comfortable, hooded, for just $100
Cons: 
Missing features such as interior drop-in/chest pockets, fairly lightweight insulation

There’s a reason why puffer jackets have become a bit of a status symbol nowadays – they don’t come cheap. However, as with most things outdoors-related, Decathlon, the French sporting goods mega-retailer (the largest in the world, as a matter of fact), has cracked the code when it comes to bang-for-buck puffer jackets. $100 isn’t what we’d call cheap, but when you’re comparing to products that rarely dip below $300, being only one dollar short of a two-figure sum is hard to beat.

Admittedly, that low price comes at its own cost – Decathlon products often get a bad rap for being cheaply made, but we found that not to be the case with the Forclaz Mt100 jacket. While you do sacrifice features like interior pockets, a cinch at the hem, or a chest pocket, and it’s a relatively lightweight puffer compared to some options on this list, the materials used are of good quality, it’s well constructed, has a trim, clean look, and comes with a hood, presenting an incredible bang-for-buck option in the puffer jacket category.

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Best Sustainable Puffer Jacket

Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie ($300)

Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie

Category: Midweight+
Insulation: 
750 fill-power recycled down
Weight: Not listed

Pros: Very warm for the weight, super sustainable
Cons: 
A bit too warm to layer under a shell for skiing

The Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie is a bit of a game changer, released in the fall of 2022 with 100% recycled materials – even the down insulation, a huge step forward. Jones Snowboards, founded by pro snowboarder and Protect Our Winters activist Jeremy Jones is a company committed to sustainability, and it’s awesome to see them leading the charge with a fully-recycled puffer jacket.

Even Patagonia, often the leader in sustainability practices, doesn’t use recycled down for its insulation. The jacket itself doesn’t take a hit in performance, with a full feature-set of handwarmer pockets, interior drop-in pockets, and a zippered chest pocket which the jacket packs into for easy storage. This year saw the jacket get a refresh, with more (read: warmer) insulation, and the addition of zippers on the handwarmer pockets.

In testing, we found it to be noticeably warmer than the Patagonia Down Sweater, due to a more streamlined fit, and overstuffed baffles– the Patagonia Down Sweater is a good bit boxier and doesn’t feel stuffed chock-full of down like the Jones jacket does. The only downsides are the relatively high price and lack of versatility due to the warmth – we found this jacket to run a bit too warm to work as a midlayer under a shell for skiing and snowboarding unless you find yourself riding in extremely cold conditions.

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Best Technical Puffer Jacket

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody ($400)

Category: Lightweight+
Insulation:
850-fill Down with Coreloft synthetic in targeted areas
Weight: 11.9 oz

Pros: Midweight warmth in lightweight jacket, down/synthetic hybrid for optimal insulation
Cons: 
Stuff sack isn’t integrated, pricey

If you are an avid climber, backpacker, or backcountry skier, the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is likely to be the best lightweight puffer jacket you can buy. With hybrid insulation comprised of 850-fill down and Coreloft synthetic insulation in wet-prone areas (armpits, shoulders), the Cerium is the warmest lightweight jacket we’ve tested. The jacket maintains superb loft and the fit is cut to move with you—it’s slim and spacious in the right areas. Plus, as versatile as it is in active pursuits, the Cerium looks great as your go-to jacket around town.

While the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody doesn’t stuff into its own pocket, it does come with a small stuff sack that can be easily attached to a clip in the pocket. It packs down to about the size of a Nalgene, which, admittedly, is bigger than other lightweight puffer jackets, likely due to the extremely lofty 850-fill down. That said, at 11.9 ounces, the Cerium is a true lightweight puffer, especially considering how warm this jacket is.

The fit of a puffer jacket can make or break its utility, and the Cerium’s fit is one of the best we’ve tested. We measure fit against our other top picks, and this Arc’teryx puffer stacks up as one of the best. Sure, this jacket is expensive, but the Cerium will serve you well in the backcountry for years to come.

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More Puffer Jackets We Recommend

Our top six picks are tried and true puffer jackets for a range of activities. But don’t miss our full list: We’ve got a handful of excellent men’s puffer jackets that maintain important spots in our gear closet. Check out the rest of our recommendations below.

Best Long Puffer Jacket

Helly Hansen Active Long Winter Parka ($350)

Helly Hansen Active Long Winter Parka

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 
Primaloft synthetic insulation
Weight: 49 oz

Pros: Super warm and cozy with a knee-length cut and style for days
Cons:
Heavy and doesn’t pack down well due to the synthetic insulation

If you’re looking to stay warm and toasty in truly cold conditions, Helly Hansen has got your back (and butt) covered with the Active Long Winter Parka. Stuffed with Primaloft insulation, and sporting a knee-length cut, as long as your feet and calves are warm, the rest of your body has very little to worry about.

A full-coverage and adjustable hood completes the fit, as well as low-profile wrist gaiters to keep out snow and drafts, and a solid selection of pockets including two zippered handwarmer pockets, a hidden external chest pocket, and an internal mesh drop-in pocket for bulkier items. A two-way zipper is a matter of course for a jacket of this length, letting you keep the body zipped but free up the legs for easier movement.

The only downside to this awesome puffer is the bulk – because the insulation is synthetic, it doesn’t pack small as well as down insulation, and because of the length and heft of the jacket this is not an item you’re going to be able to stuff in a backpack when you get too warm – unless you’ve got a really big backpack.

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Warm and Storm Ready

Rab Neutrino Pro ($400)

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 
800 fill-power goose down
Weight: 21.3 ounces

Pros: Comfortable and ultra-warm puffer with a Pertex Quantum Pro outer shell for water-resistance and durability
Cons: 
No interior drop-in pockets

Rab’s Neutrino Pro is a top pick in many winter jacket and puffer jacket reviews, and deservedly so. With plenty of toasty 800 fill-power down, this jacket is a true heavyweight puffer, made to keep you warm in the coldest of conditions. The special sauce, however, lies in the Pertex Quantum Pro outer shell, a windproof and highly water-resistant material, that also adds a touch of durability in comparison to most puffer jacket face fabrics.

The jacket has a bit of a looser fit as well for easy layering underneath, and is fully capable of layering over a ski jacket to stay warm while taking a break out in the backcountry, and packs down well to fit in a backpack when it’s time to get moving again. Also of note is the price point, while $400 isn’t cheap, this jacket presents an awesome value at that price, with sufficient warmth and layering capability to replace a bulkier winter jacket in all but the wettest of conditions. If it’s truly raining, though, you’ll certainly be better served with a jacket that is actually waterproof.

In comparison to the Mythic Ultra, also from Rab, above, the Neutrino Pro offers the aforementioned looser fit for easier layering underneath, a touch less warmth, and that more durable outer shell which presents more of a robust jacket, similar to options like The North Face Retro Nuptse, below (though the Neutrino Pro is much more mobile, presenting a best-of-both-worlds puffer/winter jacket combo).

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Runner-Up Best Budget Puffer Jacket

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket ($129)

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket

Category: Lightweight+
Insulation:
650 fill-power of RDS-certified down
Weight: 10.9 oz

Pros: Incredible value for price, full suite of features
Cons: 
Boxy fit

Decathlon may win the “best budget” game by hitting the golden mark of a $100 down jacket, But for only $30 more ($50 more if you want the hooded version), REI Co-op’s 650 Down Jacket packs a punch with slightly warmer insulation, a full suite of premium features, and recycled materials.

While the popular outdoor retailer carries plenty of premium brands, with price tags to match, its own line of clothing and equipment can go toe-to-toe with the big boys, while maintaining a staggeringly low price point.

The 650 Down Jacket 2.0 is no exception, with a decently warm 3.0 oz of 650 fill-power down, and features like zippered hand pockets, and interior drop-in pockets, and it can be packed into the left-hand pocket for easy storage. The downsides include the fact that it’s certainly not a leader in warmth and has a bit of a boxier fit (a pro for layering but a con if used by itself).

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Best Down Alternative Puffer Jacket

Ibex Wool Aire ($285)

Ibex Wool Aire Puffer Jacket

Category: Lightweight
Insulation:
2.82 oz of merino wool
Weight: 11.4 oz

Pros: Merino wool insulation provides comparable warmth and loft to down, with the insulating-when-wet performance of synthetic materials
Cons: 
Merino insulation is a bit heavier/not as lofty as down

Last year, Ibex debuted the Wool Aire Hoodie, a lightweight puffer jacket that uses merino wool instead of down or polyester as insulation. The merino wool tufts loft in a way similar to down (with a bit of added weight), but like synthetics still insulates when wet, and is quite breathable to boot.

While not a true “ultralight” jacket with the slight uptick in weight from the merino wool insulation, this jacket is a great insulator for active pursuits like skiing and hiking, or as a light insulating layer for warmer climates.

The jacket sports an athletic fit, three zippered pockets (it stuffs into the chest pocket for packability), a cozy hood and elastic cuffs and hem. Bluesign certified, it’s made with PFC-free materials, and there’s no doubt that shearing a sheep is less harmful to the animal than taking the feathers from a goose. Responsible Down Standard (RDS) insulation means the geese from which the down came were treated humanely, in other words not live-plucked or force-fed, but the geese are still being slaughtered (for their meat as well as their feathers) to produce the fluffy material.

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Retro (And Now Popular) Style

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse ($330)

The North Face Retro Nuptse Puffer Jacket

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 
700 fill-power down
Weight: 27.34 oz

Pros: Warm, with lasting “retro” style that is all the rage this winter
Cons:
On the heavier side, boxy, overstuffed fit places an emphasis on style over functionality for outdoors activities

No puffer jacket review would be complete without The North Face, which has been a leader in the space for decades. Its 1996 Retro Nuptse jacket is a classic, having perfected the boxy, oversized puffer look that has seen a recent resurgence in popularity.

While the jacket isn’t necessarily geared towards high-performance or active pursuits, if the puffer you’re looking for will do most of its work looking good and keeping you warm around town or in the city, look no further. The jacket is available in a wide variety of colors from the classic blue/black to neon yellow and has a robust feature set, including zippered hand-pockets (it packs into the right-hand one to a surprisingly small size), a thin, uninsulated hood that packs into the collar, and an inside zippered chest pocket.

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Comfortable Heavyweight Puffer

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka ($350)

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 
700 fill-power goose down
Weight: 27.3 oz

Pros: Stretchy outer fabric provides comfortable ease of movement and durability
Cons: 
Boxy fit

While we can’t say who started the stretch-puffer movement, it’s safe to say that Mountain Hardwear has helped push this category to the forefront with its series of Stretchdown jackets, vests, and more.

The Stretchdown Parka is the warmest Stretchdown offering, with solid 700-fill-power down insulation, a longer hem that extends past the hips, and a cozy hood and collar with full wrap-around coverage that fits perfectly just under the chin for max warmth without being too cumbersome. The fit is a bit on the boxy side, reducing warmth potential as a stand-alone piece, but allowing for better layering underneath.

The stretch shell fabric is the most notable feature of this jacket, allowing the jacket to move with you in a way that puffer jackets are rarely able to accomplish. The stretch fabric is also more durable than the classic “ripstop” puffer material and will help keep this item looking new far longer than your average puffer.

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man wearing puffer jacket in desert

Who says the desert doesn’t get cold? We tested these jackets in every condition. Photo: Nathan Lemin//The Inertia

Honorable Mentions

We are in the process of testing a handful of other puffer jackets that haven’t yet cracked our top picks. We’re loving them so far, but need a bit more time testing to see if they’ll take a top spot. These include but aren’t limited to: the Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie, the REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie, The North Face Breithorn Hoodie, the Jones Dark Start, and a few others. We also moved the Rab Mythic G out of our list; we still love this puffer jacket, and its 1000-fill down is incredibly warm, but the jacket’s super thin face fabric is a bit too prone to losing feathers and tears, so we swapped in the Rab Neutrino Pro, another favorite of ours.


Jackets on Snow Best Puffer Jackets

A small selection of jackets we tested. These were some of our favorites. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Men’s Puffer Jackets Comparison Table

Jacket Price Category Weight Fill Fill Power Fill Weight Notable Features
Patagonia Down Sweater $279 Midweight 13 0z Down 800 5.0 oz Comes with repair kit, packs into pocket
Rab Mythic Ultra $475 Heavyweight 18.9 oz Down 900 8.5 oz Packs into stuff sack
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 $360 Lightweight 8.8 oz Down 800 3.0 Very lightweight, packs into pocket
Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded $100 Lightweight 10.22 oz Down 800 2.85 oz Hooded, packs into pocket
Jones Re Up Down Recycled Hoodie $300 Midweight+ Not listed Down 750 Not listed 100% recycled materials, even the down, packs into pocket
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody $400 Lightweight+ 11.9 oz Down 850 3.5 oz down, 2.8 oz Coreloft Body-mapped down/synthetic hybrid insulation for wet-protection
Helly Hansen Active Long Winter Parka $350 Heavyweight 49 oz Primaloft N/A Not listed Knee-length cut
Rab Neutrino Pro $400 Midweight+ 21.3 oz Down 800 7.47 oz Excellent warmth/weight ratio
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket $129 Lightweight+ 10.9 oz Down 650 Not listed Great value
Ibex Wool Aire $285 Lightweight 11.4 oz Merino Wool N/A 2.82 oz (merino) Packs into pocket, Merino wool insulation
The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse $330 Heavyweight 27.34 oz Down 700 Not listed Stowable hood, packs into pocket
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka $350 Heavyweight 27.3 oz Down 700 Not listed Stretchy shell fabric

We examined all the features and considered all the details when testing puffer jackets. Photo: Ella Boyd//The Inertia

How We Tested Men’s Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets are an interesting category because the term in fact covers many different options. Down jackets, synthetic-insulated jackets, lightweight puffers made for high-output activities, heavyweights for snow camping and staying warm while stationary, and stylish parkas made for the city. And now, there are merino wool and even alpaca wool puffer jackets as well, pushing the boundaries of sustainability in puffy insulation.

For this review, lead tester Will Sileo has spent the last three years keeping a close eye on the puffer jacket market and getting hands on the latest and greatest for testing. Based in San Francisco, and with frequent trips to Lake Tahoe, the frigid Northeast, and the Pacific Northwest, Sileo has the perfect varied testing environment to determine the best all-around puffer jackets for a variety of temperatures and conditions. We first published this review in the winter of 2022, and since then have continued to keep the article regularly updated as new products hit the market.

Nathan Lemin, our other gear editor, also contributed testing to this guide. An experienced backpacker, hiker, and snowboarder, Lemin tested puffer jackets in a range of conditions, from sub-freezing nights in the backcountry to high-elevation expeditions in Northern Arizona.

We updated this guide in January 2024 with four new jackets, updated the listings for the Jones and REI puffers which received big improvements in the fall of 2023, and adjusted our rankings based on our continued testing. Then we recalibrated in November 2024 with a couple of new picks (the incredible Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody and Rab Neutrino Pro), as well as removed some that no longer represented the top options.


From the slopes to the ski town, puffer jackets are our go-to winter wear. Photo: Ella Boyd//The Inertia

Men’s Puffer Jackets Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to buying a jacket, not all puffers are created equal. Since the puffy jacket will be your warmest outer layer, you want to make sure you’re purchasing one that’s going to get the job done.

For ease of comparison, we divided this review into three categories: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight puffer jackets. Lightweight puffers are best for high-output activities like backcountry skiing, and winter trail running, or as a light outer layer for spring, summer, and fall depending on where you live. we find ourselves reaching for a midweight puffer to layer over a sweatshirt or fleece for nights that get down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit or as a main insulating layer for colder resort-skiing days. Heavyweight puffers truly shine in low-output activities in the cold, like snow or winter camping, belaying, and exploring colder cities like New York or Chicago, but our favorite use for them is for post-surf warmth when we need some insane insulation to stop the shivers.

The Ibex Wool Aire Jacket features wool insulation rather than down or synthetic. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia

Down, Synthetic, or Merino Wool Insulation?

Puffer jackets used to be available in just two options: down or synthetic insulation. Down simply refers to the duck or goose feathers that provide the thermal insulation, which is an incredible insulator, effectively trapping heat while remaining lightweight, and extremely packable. Down is also an extremely long-lasting material, rebounding back into shape after being packed down to provide the same warmth on day 300 of use as it did on day one.

Synthetic insulation is made with polyester fibers that are designed to mimic the qualities of down. Although heavier and not quite as good of an insulator as down (which also translates to increased breathability), synthetic retains heat even when wet and dries much faster as well. However, it tends to pack down and lose its shape much quicker than down insulation. Our favorite innovation for technical puffer jackets is found in the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody, which combines down insulation with strategically located synthetic insulation in wet-prone areas. This brings you the best of both worlds, and it’s a fantastic option for high-output activities.

Merino wool is a new fill material that just hit the market in the past couple of years, to incredible success. The most popular merino wool puffer, the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie, was our top pick for down-alternative puffer jackets, packing plenty of warmth into a relatively lightweight construction. Merino wool insulation seeks to bridge the gap between down and synthetic options, bringing a similar use of natural materials as down as well as the warm-when-wet performance of synthetic materials.

A longer puffer jacket like the Helly Hansen is great for apres and around town. Photo: Ella Boyd//The Inertia

Another recent innovation is “hydrophobic” down, where the feathers themselves (rather than the shell of the jacket) are treated with a water-repellent finish that is treated to stand up to wetness. The jury is still out on how beneficial hydrophobic down treatment is, and indeed some brands actively push against it as helpful. It’s also worth noting that most down and synthetic jackets have some amount of water repellence in terms of a DWR coating on the face fabric up to a full-blown waterproof membrane like what you might find in a ski or rain jacket to keep that insulation dry in all but the most extreme of circumstances. But in those extreme circumstances, synthetic takes the cake.

For those looking to shop responsibly, down vs. synthetic is a tough call. Down, being made of feathers has to come from a bird, usually geese or ducks, which are sometimes raised and slaughtered in horrible circumstances for their feathers. Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-Certified down like that found in the Patagonia Down Sweater is something to look for here, meaning the down has come from sources that treated the animals which the feathers came from as humanely as possible. Synthetic fills (polyester is a popular choice) are almost always based on fossil fuels, making them not a super sustainable option. However, the use of recycled materials can reduce synthetics’ impact on the environment. This is a big selling point for alternative insulation like Merino wool, as it doesn’t fall prey to either of these pitfalls.

Decathlon Forclaz puffer jacket

The Decathlon Forclaz MT100. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice//The Inertia

Fill Power vs. Fill Weight

As with most outdoor gear, the devil is in the details, and when it comes to puffer jackets, especially down puffers, that could not be more true. Fill power is perhaps the most touted number when it comes to down insulation, but probably the least useful. Fill power speaks to the quality of the down inside the jacket. Higher fill-power down stays lofted better than lower fill-power down, meaning it takes up more room and insulates better than the same weight of lower-quality down. Fill weight refers to how much of said down is stuffed into the jacket by weight, but is often not listed. If it is listed, be sure to take a look at both numbers to get a sense of the relative warmth of the jacket. For example, the 850-fill down in the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody doesn’t necessarily make that jacket warmer than the 700-fill down Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka, because the latter has a higher fill weight.

Fit is also an important consideration for warmth, a boxier fit will allow for easier layering but can be a bit drafty if worn by itself, while a jacket with a more streamlined fit will keep you warmer, but can be more difficult to layer underneath. Overall weight is another good number to look at, but this can be skewed by heavier or lighter-weight shell and lining materials as well as features like hoods or zippered pockets.

Best Puffer Jackets Jones Pockets

Roomy drop-in pockets are a top feature on the Jones Re-Up Recycled Puffer. Photo: Ryan Salm//The Inertia

Other Features to Look For in Puffer Jackets

If you’re spending 200+ on a jacket, it’s worth taking a second to decide what features matter to you, and how you plan on using the jacket. Packability is a big one, if you’re looking for a puffer for any sort of technical application like backpacking or backcountry skiing where space in your pack matters, you’re going to want a jacket that packs down small.

Pockets are another consideration. We’re huge fans of jackets with internal drop-in pockets for stashing hats and other items, but that’s certainly not a deal-breaker for everyone. Skiers and snowboarders probably don’t care about hoods, and might explicitly be looking for a jacket without one for easy layering under a shell, but campers, climbers who will be standing and belaying, as well as those looking for an around-town puffer jacket, will certainly appreciate the uptick in warmth a hood provides.

Return To: Top Picks | Comparison Table

Editor’s Note: Also check out our Best Women’s Puffer Jackets. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.

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