Best Down Jacket: 8 Options To Keep You Toasty In All Conditions

If you’re a fan of the outdoors, you’re probably no stranger to the down jacket. Nature’s best insulator combined with the latest advancements in clothing technology can keep you warm in the most extreme of climates. But finding the best down jacket can be difficult. And finding the best one for you at a price you can afford? You can do it, but you’re going to have to do your homework.

If you want to stay safe and warm in harsh conditions, choosing your equipment is not a task to be undertaken lightly. You can’t just look at the price. It’s also important to consider key features, as well as consumer and professional reviews. Most importantly, you have to not only know what’s on the market — you have to know your own needs.

Why Choosing The Best Down Jacket Can Be Tricky

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Shopping for the best down jacket requires more considerations than other clothing purchases. Your down jacket is an item you’ll rely on during the winter months, especially if you’re exploring colder climates. There are a few features, in particular, to take into consideration.

Ethical Issues

The down in down jackets is an animal product, which can make the ethics of purchasing these garments a little tricky to navigate. Many animal welfare groups target and protest the biggest down jacket brands, claiming the sourcing of this down is an unnecessarily cruel process.

There are responsible down sourcing standards. Many companies claim their down is only sourced from down which has already been shed, for example. If this is something which concerns you, we recommend you research your brand before making any purchase. If you’re vegan or only buy clothing which is animal product free, though, then you may be better off going for man-made insulating material over down.

Style vs. Substance

In recent years, sportswear and outerwear have garnered a place in the fashion world. Looking ready to climb a mountain and construct a tent has never been so on-trend. The downside to this is that it’s spawned a market packed full of “outdoor wear” which is no warmer or hardier than a blazer jacket. Many people want the look of a down jacket and don’t care so much for its functionality.

If you’re purchasing your down jacket out of need, rather than want, the primary factor you’ll be considering is how well it works. Make sure you’re looking at the jacket’s specification and features, rather than just how it looks. Going for well-established outdoor clothing brands can help ensure you’re making an intelligent purchase. And remember, if a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is.

Price Range

You can find down jackets all across the price spectrum. For the purposes of our review, we’ve selected the best down jacket options at different price points, to help you find the one that suits you. When shopping, consider how much you actually need your jacket to do. If you’re trying to stay warm in a chilly, but essentially mild, climate, it’s unlikely you’ll need to get the most expensive down jacket on the market. However, if you’re going to be outdoors in more extreme climates, a down jacket may be a great investment for you.

Where To Shop For The Best Down Jacket?

You can find many options in outdoor clothing and equipment stores. However, for the purposes of our review, we’ve selected our best down jacket options online. We’ve done so because it means these jackets are more readily accessible, and therefore easier to buy.

How We Reviewed

We selected our favorites based on a few factors. First, we looked at the specifications of each jacket. Then we considered their pros and cons. To get a wider perspective, we also used customer review information to get a first-hand perspective on these jackets. We also took additional information, such as price, style, and warranty, into consideration. By doing all this, we hope to provide the definitive list of the best down jacket options.

8 Contenders For The Best Down Jacket

We’ve researched the down jacket market, and selected eight of the best down jacket purchases out there. By collating all of our information, we hope to help you find the best down jacket for you.

1. Tommy Hilfiger Repackable Down Jacket

This Tommy Hilfiger option is a great middle of the road jacket. It’s mid-range in price, and offers medium insulation, while still looking stylish.

Key Features

The Tommy Hilfiger Repackable Down Jacket combines nylon with real down. It has a zipper closure and two side entry pockets. It’s also packable, meaning you can compress it and take it on trips.

Where To Buy

The Tommy Hilfiger Repackable Down Jacket is available on Amazon. It has a 4.1 out of 5-star rating based on over 800 customer reviews.

Pros

• This jacket offers a stylish look and good protection against temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit
• The down fill has a rating of 650
• There are a standing collar and a side logo, which give it a sleek and stylish look.
• It also comes in a huge range of sizes and color options.

Cons

• The general criticisms of this jacket are that it’s a little cheaply made
• Can leak down
• We think this jacket is ideal for less intense outdoor wear

2. Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water Resistant Hooded Down Jacket

This is a great bargain option. It comes in a good selection of sizes and colors and has the helpful addition of a hood.

Key Features

The Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water Resistant Hooded Down Jacket has a nylon shell and a filling of 90 percent down and 10 percent feathers, making it warm but lightweight. It has a zip closure, and two zip pockets plus elasticated cuffs for extra insulation. It can also be packed into a bag.

Where To Buy

The Amazon Essentials Jacket is available from Amazon. This jacket has a 4 out of 5-star rating, based on over 120 customer reviews.

Pros

• This coat offers an affordable option in terms of down jackets.
• It has large pockets
• a comfortable fit
• a warm feel, especially considering how slim and lightweight it is.

Cons

• The coat is at the lower end of the price spectrum, and its quality reflects that.
• While it’s a good option for mild to cold temperatures, it may not offer adequate protection in all terrains.

3. Canada Goose Men’s Lodge Jacket

This premium quality down jacket option comes at a higher price point. It’s made with the highest quality materials to ensure the best possible insulation.

Key Features

The Canada Goose Men’s Lodge Jacket has a Canadian Hutterite down insulation, well known for being some of the warmest and most lightweight material. It also has a windproof and rip-proof nylon shell.

Where To Buy

The Canada Goose Men’s Lodge Jacket is available on Amazon. It has a 3.7 out of 5-star rating based on 20 customer reviews.

Pros

• This jacket has a 750 fill power down lining and a top-quality nylon shell.
• It’s constructed of the highest quality materials.
• It has an ergonomically designed fit around the neck and cuffs for maximum insulation.
• It’s also easily compressed for packing.

Cons

• The only real drawback to this coat is its high price tag.
• If you’re an extremely keen camper who requires this type of quality, you won’t go far wrong.
• However, if you’re unsure about whether you need such a high priced item for the types of terrain you encounter, you may wish to look elsewhere on our list.

4. The North Face Gotham Jacket III

This jacket is a good mid-range option. It’s made of high-quality materials and offers excellent features for a slightly higher (but reasonable) price.

Key Features

The North Face Gotham Jacket is filled with responsibly sourced, high fill power down with an excellent rating. The outer shell is made of dryvent polyurethane, which is waterproof and windproof but still breathable. You can adjust the collar and sleeves for the best fit, and the jacket has many useful pockets.

Where To Buy

The North Face Gotham Jacket III is available from Amazon. This jacket has a 4.8 out of 5-star rating, based on seven customer reviews.

Pros

• This jacket is extremely hardy against harsh terrains
• If you’re outdoors in extreme climates, it’ll protect you while keeping you warm and safe.
• The jacket is stylish but extremely functional. It also comes in a good range of sizes and colors.

Cons

• The only potential drawback to this jacket is the price.
• However, it’s by no means our most expensive option, and it still stands up against jackets at even higher prices.
• With this jacket, you get what you pay for.

5. Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket

Patagonia is another well-established mid-range outdoor brand. This jacket is an ideal piece for layering and offers excellent warmth with a slim fit.

Key Features

The Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket has an 800 fill goose down lining and a water-repellent polyester shell. It’s very lightweight and easy to pack. Additionally, it’s suitable for many different weather conditions.

Where To Buy

The Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket is available on Amazon. This jacket has a 4.4 out of 5-star rating based on 12 customer reviews.

Pros

• This jacket is made of very high-quality materials and is extremely insulating against colder temperatures.
• It’s also very slim and great for layering, which also makes it packable for traveling.
• The jacket has a very stylish appearance, too.

Cons

• This jacket isn’t as thick or hard-wearing as some of its competitors in a similar price range.
• While the down filling is high-quality, the shell isn’t waterproof or wind resistant, making it good in low temperatures but not in harsher conditions.

6. Cherry Chick Women Light Weight

Moncler produces some of the very finest down jackets on the market, and have an excellent reputation. They’re a luxury brand, and their prices reflect that.

Key Features

This jacket has a 90 percent down fill and a water-resistant outer shell. There are two pockets and a two-way zip fastening. The jacket is lightweight and easy to pack.

Where To buy

The Moncler Lightweight Puffer is available on Amazon. This jacket has a 5 out of 5-star rating, although only one customer review.

Pros

• This jacket is constructed of the highest quality materials.
• It’s lightweight but extremely warm
• It’s also very stylish and comfortable

Cons

• The main drawback is the extremely high price.
• While this is standard for Moncler (and is a reflection of their high-quality materials and construction), it does firmly place the brand outside of many people’s budgets.

7. Eddie Bauer Cirruslite Down Jacket

This jacket is mid-priced but is constructed of very high-quality materials. It comes in a good range of sizes and colors, too.

Key Features

This jacket has a 650 premium down fill and a nylon shell. It’s also water resistant. It has a high neck for extra warmth, plus two secure pockets. The jacket is also easy to compress for packing and has a slim, non-restrictive fit.

Where To Buy

The Eddie Bauer Cirruslite Down Jacket is available on Amazon. It has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating based on over 90 customer reviews.

Pros

• Both the down fill and the nylon shell are of good quality and will keep you protected in mild to moderate conditions.
• The down fill is responsibly sourced, too.
• . The jacket is very lightweight and comfortable to wear.

Cons

• One drawback to this jacket is its lack of pockets.
• It has just two and none on the inside.
• This jacket is also not well-suited to extreme conditions
• It’s fine for cold temperatures, but not protective at extreme lows.

8. Columbia Frost Fighter Insulated Jacket

This jacket is our vegan option. It’s filled with only synthetic down, so is totally free from animal products, without sacrificing on performance.

Key Features

The Columbia Frost Fighter Insulated Jacket has a water-repellent polyester shell and a polyester synthetic down filling. It’s very adjustable to offer maximum insulation and is both lightweight and compressible.

Where To Buy

The Columbia Frost Fighter Insulated Jacket is available on Amazon. This jacket has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating based on over 600 customer reviews.

Pros

• For those who aren’t ethically ok with down, this Columbia jacket offers the best vegan alternative.
• It has a lightweight yet extremely insulating feel which is very similar to down.
• That also makes it a great option for those with feather allergies

Cons

• The main criticism of this jacket is that it needs extra pockets
• While there are two, you can’t close them with a zip which can make it feel less secure.

Our Pick For The Best Down Jacket

Based on all of this information, we think the best down jacket option is the North Face Gotham III Jacket. We think this option offers the best features for the price and is suitable for even the harshest of terrains and weather conditions. However, we encourage you to consider whether you need to invest in such a hardcore jacket. If you don’t, many of the more affordable items on our list may be an excellent option for you.

What do you think of our list? What, in your opinion, is the best down jacket? Let us know in the comments below.