If you’re going to be spending any time outdoors once temperatures drop, whether that means going for some epic winter trips, exploring a new mountain town, or just commuting in cold weather, you want a good down jacket. The best down jackets keep you warm in frigid temps, layer well with other winter gear, and are almost as light as a feather, making them the perfect companion for travel and outdoor adventures. They also pack down very nicely.
So Who Makes the Best Down Jackets
To help you find the best down jackets, Under Blue researched and reviewed numerous, top-of-the-line, apparel from some of the leading trusted brands. We looked at these top-rated jackets, currently on the market, taking notes on fit, design, quality, warmth, and value, choosing the best picks for different outdoor scenarios. All of the jackets we tested are from reputable brands that adhere to a down standard, and designed to be durable and warm with consistent use. We will continue to update this article with more feedback as the winter sticks around.
Mark is 6’2″ tall and weighs 185lbs. All jackets shown are in a size medium with a light-weight fleece base-layer.
Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Jacket
The Expedition Pack Down Jacket is a lightweight, packable down jacket that is suitable for all winter adventures no matter how cold the weather turns. It is warm, and is all you need with a light base layer. An ideal jacket for extreme weather conditions, and just as easy to compress into its own inner pocket when you don’t need it. Padded with one layer of ethically produced down in stitch-through channels with synthetic insulation over the shoulders for extra resistance against pressure and moisture (think snow or cold rain coming down). Part of Fjällräven’s Expedition Series with iconic designs, sustainably produced materials and high reliability in cold conditions. 90% goose down, 10% feather
Down Standard: The Down Promise. Fully traceable down has been the reality at Fjällräven since 2014. With their Down Promise you can rest assured that when you purchase a down product from Fjällräven, the company aheres to strict animal welfare criteria which amongst other things means no live plucking; that we know exactly where the down comes from and that it is of the highest quality. Read more about the Fjällräven Down Promise.
Why this down coat appeals to us: This jacket is extremely warm even when the activity is sitting around relaxing. The fleece inner collar also makes a nice addition.
Retail Price $265.00 | Buy Online at fjallraven.com.
Helly Hanson Men’s Verglas Down Jacket 2.0
Whether you wear the Men’s Verglas Down Jacket 2.0 as a standalone jacket or as a layering piece on the ski slopes, it offers incredible versatility and functionality year-round. Its hydrophobic down is designed to keep you warm during chilly activities outdoors and keep you dry in mild, wet or snowy conditions. It features a recycled face ripstop shell, an inner pocket, and zippered hand pockets. You can also pack the jacket down into the hand pocket for convenient storage. This jacket is a certified bluesign® product.
Down Standard: Allied Feather & Down. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) has the largest brands and global animal welfare groups as important contributing stakeholders and certifies that all birds come from farms that abide by the five freedoms of animal welfare throughout all aspects of their lives – including travel. The RDS also requires a level of traceability for those certified brands and is built upon the content claim standard. That ensures that any RDS labeled product has been audited and certified throughout the entire supply chain – from farms through manufacturing.
Why this down coat appeals to us: The Verglas Down Jacket offers excellent insulating properties, has a slim fit and pairs well with an outer shell.
Retail Price $260.00 | Buy Online at hellyhanson.com.
Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket for Men
The Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket by Decathlon has an eye appealing MSRP of $99.99 which is hard to beat. This versatile lightweight puffer jacket features responsibly sourced 800-fill down and the quality is in-line with down jackets that cost 2-3 times as much. Its packability makes it a perfect travel companion, hiking layer and daily wear piece to keep the chill out with clean style that fits in anywhere. This is a great jacket for those 30°F to 40°F days or when paired with an outer layer,. Decathlon rates the jacket for temperatures up to 23°F when active and 41°F when static. This is a great jacket to wear on the way to office, for fall temperatures and for those that experience cold days in the south.
Down Standard: RDS-certified down. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is a voluntary standard that incentivizes the down and feather industry to treat ducks and geese more humanely and rewards organizations leading the way. The standard also gives companies and consumers a way to know more about the origin of materials in the products they buy.
Why this down coat appeals to us: This jacket is slim cut and has a great fit for taller, leaner individuals. Elastic on the wrist is great if commuting on a bike and keeps out the snow.
Retail Price $99.99 and available at Decatlon.com.
Mammut Broad Peak IN Hooded Down Jacket
Designed as a top tier down jacket for mountain adventures. After countless miles in alpine conditions, the Broad Peak IN Hooded Jacket has earned its place among hardcore adventurers. It provides reliable warmth with 800 fill down from responsibly sourced hydrophobic down that insulates even in wet conditions. The recycled, abrasion-resistant Pertex® Quantum outer fabric offers maximum thermal performance and keeps moisture out. This lightweight piece can be compactly stowed in one of its own backpack- and harness-friendly pockets. Together with the elastic hood, it stands as a reliable mountain companion for many years to come.
Down Standard: This product contains down and feathers sourced from well-treated animals. Collection from live birds (live-plucking) as well as force-feeding are strictly prohibited.
Why this down coat appeals to us: This jacket is warm, looks good and in really nasty weather you will appreciate the full wrap-around hood.
Retail Price $349.00 | Buy Online at mammut.com.
Patagonia Down Sweater
The perfect warmth for just about everything, Patagonia’s Down Sweater™ is lightweight and windproof with a shell built of NetPlus® 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution. In addition, it’s insulated with 800-fill-power 100% Responsible Down Standard down certified by Control Union (CU 880272). The purchase of Responsible Down Standard certified products demonstrates demand for better animal welfare practices in the down and feather supply chain.
Down Standard: Additional loft provides even more warmth from 800-fill-power 100% Responsible Down Standard down certified by Control Union (CU 880272); the quilting is patterned for warmth and movement
Why this down coat appeals to us: Being made by Patagonia, you know they are going to do the extra step for sustainability. That’s important to us. The amount of warmth provided by the Patagonia Down Sweater sits between the lightweight and expedition fill-making it a versatile piece.
Retail Price $279.00 | Buy Online at patagonia.com.
REI Down Jacket
Bundle up for chilly walks, crisp air and crunchy leaves in the REI Co-op men’s 650 Down jacket. This everyday jacket boasts recycled materials to help you feel good in more ways than one.
Down Standard: REI’s down jack features 650-fill-power down that is bluesign approved.
Why this down coat appeals to us: Easy to access. REI has over 190 stores which makes it easy for customers to shop in stores. Members can get rewards and free returns up to a year on this coat. It’s suitable to for the needs of most people, it looks good, comes in fun colors and is on the low end of the price scale at $129.00
Retail Price $129.00 | Buy Online at rei.com.
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody Down Jacket
Winter climbing midlayer, standalone at camp, packable warmth for backcountry rest periods – the Cerium is alpine proven. Driven by Arc’teryx’s obsessive attention to detail, they have refined the design, sourced sustainable materials, and kept its exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio. Responsibly-sourced 850 fill down – with Coreloft™ synthetic utilized in areas prone to moisture – provides premium insulation. The outer – recycled 15D Arato™ nylon – is light and durable, a bio-derived liner reduces petroleum use, and an insulated StormHood™ extends protection.
Down Standard: Responsibly-sourced 850 fill down. As an alternative to down fill insulation, Arc’teryx also offers synthetic fill products, such as the Atom Hoody.
Why this down coat appeals to us: The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody doesn’t cut corners and the price tag reflects that, but if you are going into the backcountry during extreme conditions, this is the jacket for you.
Retail Price $400.00 | Buy Online at arcteryx.com.
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