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

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Whether you find yourself in the mountains, at the beach, or in the city, if you want to stay warm while adventuring, there’s no better way to do it than with a solid puffer jacket. 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 insane 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.

Over the past few years, we’ve gotten our hands on the top men’s puffer jackets on the market and given them a run for their money out on the slopes, at the campground, and on our way to and from the surf. These are our top picks.

For ease of comparison, we broke the options down into Lightweight, Midweight, and Heavyweight puffers. When deciding which jacket to purchase, take a second to think about how you plan on using it the most, and for more information on those categories, as well as buying advice, check out our Comparison Table and Buyer’s Guide. For women’s puffers, see our guide to the Best Women’s Puffer Jackets.

The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets of 2024

Most Versatile/Best Midweight Puffer Jacket: Patagonia Down Sweater
Best Heavyweight Puffer Jacket: Rab Mythic Ultra
Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2
Best Budget Puffer Jacket: Decathlon Forclaz Mt100
Best Sustainable Puffer Jacket: Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie

Most Versatile/Best Midweight Puffer Jacket

Patagonia Down Sweater ($279)

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

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-repellant 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 hands on the latest version we were stoked on the updates this timeless classic has received since our first encounters with the 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. It’s not the most technical piece with a The biggest downside is the price, but it helps to know that this is an item that is easy on the planet and will stay in your closet for years to come.

Warmest/Best Heavyweight Puffer Jacket

Rab Mythic Ultra ($495)

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

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 the supreme packability and warmth-for-weight ratio, this is a technical piece of equipment made for superior warmth in truly cold conditions.

Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 ($360)

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

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

The 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 adjustable hem (some ultralight jackets cut down on such features to reduce weight) make this our top pick for lightweight puffer jackets.

Best Budget Puffer Jacket

Decathlon Forclaz MT100 ($100)

Category: Lightweight
Insulation: 800 fill-power RDS-certified down

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.

Best/Most Sustainable Puffer Jacket

Jones Re-Up Down Recycled Hoodie ($330)

Category: Midweight+
Insulation: 750 fill-power recycled down

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

The Jones Re Up Recycled Down Puffy 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. And 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.

Best of the Rest

Best Long Puffer Jacket

Helly Hansen Active Long Winter Parka ($350)

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: Primaloft synthetic insulation

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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Retro (And Now Popular) Style

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse ($320)

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 700 fill-power down

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, who have 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 it’s 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 a 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.

Runner-Up Best Budget Puffer Jacket

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket ($129)

Category: Midweight
Insulation: 650 fill-power of RDS-certified down

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, interior drop-in pockets, and it can be packed into the left-hand pocket for easy storage. The downsides are 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).

Best Down Alternative Puffer Jacket

Ibex Wool Aire ($285)

Category: Lightweight
Insulation: 2.82 oz of merino wool

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.

Best Warmth-to-Weight Ratio

Rab Mythic G Jacket ($525)

Category: Light/midweight
Insulation: 1000 fill-power goose down

Pros: Super warm, super low weight
Cons: Pricey, not the most durable construction, only two pockets

Rab has been pushing the envelope recently when it comes to warmth-to-weight ratios, and the brand’s Mythic G jacket is the epitome of that endeavor.

Clocking in at only 9.8 oz, it’s only an ounce heavier than our top-pick lightweight jacket, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2, but has the warmth and insulating power of jackets twice its weight. The 1000-fill-power down insulation is the highest fill-power on this list, and Rab’s TILT reflective lining helps retain and regulate body heat without adding more bulk. A stuffsack is included for compressing the jacket for travel/storage.

With all that in mind, we categorized this jacket as a light/midweight jacket. However, that insane warmth-to-weight ratio means some compromises were made to reduce weight – most notably, the outer fabric is fairly thin, and is not the most durable. The jacket also only sports two pockets (handwarmer pockets) and since it stuffs into a stuffsack rather than a pocket, if you don’t want to lose that stuffsack you’ll probably want to keep one of those handwarmer pockets zipped shut with the stuffsack inside. This is a very minor detail, but felt like a bit of an oversight from such a high-quality brand like Rab.

Those compromises, along with the high price, kept this jacket out of our top picks. That said, if you’re engaging in a technical endeavor like winter climbing or backcountry skiing where light weight and supreme warmth are a priority, look no further.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka ($340)

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 700 fill-power goose down

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.

Patagonia Pack In Pullover Hoodie ($199)

Category: Lightweight
Insulation: Polyester fill

Pros:  A solid lightweight outer layer with plenty of room to layer underneath
Cons: More of a focus on style than warmth

Patagonia is always thinking outside of the box when it comes to quality and function — the Pack In Pullover is one of the most unique puffers we’ve come across thus far. Ultra lightweight and comfortable, the Pack In Pullover has a similar feel to your favorite cozy hoodie, but with added warmth.

Fair trade certified sewn, the shell is made from 91 percent recycled polyester and is lined with 100 percent recycled polyester double knit. Additionally, the hoodie is coated with a durable water-repellent coating to ensure it’s weather resistant and features a half-zip front design, a kangaroo pocket, an adjustable drop-tail hem, a hidden zippered pocket, and an elastic-bound hood for a snug fit. We found that the jacket was incredibly lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, and sported a gender neutral design, making it ideal for anyone, or just sharing.

Jack Wolfskin Nebelhorn Down Hoody ($350)

Category: Heavyweight
Insulation: 700 fill-power RDS-certified down

Pros: Very warm, nice hood, trim fit with decent room for layering
Cons: Not a high-performance garment, doesn’t pack down, sleeve cuffs make layering tricky

The Nebelhorn Down Hoody from German brand Jack Wolfskin might not be one you’ve seen before, and you might not recognize the brand either (if you’re reading this in North America) but it sure doesn’t disappoint. Jack Wolfskin is a 40-year-old brand from Germany that’s just hitting its stride here in the states, but has a proven track record for quality across the pond.

The jacket itself is quite warm, and has a more robust outer shell than the packable options on this list, translating to higher-than-average durability and weather protection. Fleece-lined hand warmer pockets are quite cozy, and there is an internal chest pocket as well for storage of smaller items. The hood is warm and adjustable, if you’re looking for an “around town” puffer, you can’t go wrong here.

One interesting feature is the internal cuff system, that some will love, and others might find annoying. Halfway down the forearm a thin second sleeve starts, ending with an elastic cuff at the wrist. Worn by itself, the cuff is quite comfortable and does a great job of keeping out drafts and snow, but can get a little bulky when layering another sleeve underneath it, like a sweatshirt. Thinner baselayer sleeves are much less of a problem.

Taking the updated Patagonia Down Sweater for a spin. Photo: Ryan Salm

Comparison Table

How We Tested The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets are an interesting category, because the term in fact covers many different ones. 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’s 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 North West, 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.

In our most recent update in January of 2024, we added 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.

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

Best 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, 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.

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 geese 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.

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, Ibex’s Wool Aire Hoodie, was our top pick for lightweight 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.

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 will stand up to wetness much better than down that hasn’t undergone such a process. It’s also worth noting that most down and synthetic jackets have some amount of water repellence in terms of a DWR coating 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 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.

The Decathlon Forclaz MT100. Photo: Skyler Fitzmaurice

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 lofts 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.

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.

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.

Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.