Winter weather is merciless. And the only way to tackle the cold season is by having a well-insulated jacket. Luckily, that’s where a down jacket can become your best friend. Down jackets, aka puffer jackets, are filled with duck or geese feather that acts as a natural insulation barrier to keep you warm even in freezing temperatures. When looking for that perfect down jacket, you must consider the fill count. It’s a rating on how warm the jacket will be; the higher the number, the warmer.
While down jackets will prevent you from being cold during extreme weather, some of them should be worn in layers. Depending on the thickness of the jacket, it can act as a mid-layer or outer layer. Now you might be wondering if these jackets are durable enough to serve as an outer layer. Yes, thankfully, they can do that well. This is accomplished as most of these coats are constructed of water-resistant materials, leaving you without the fear of messing up the jacket. Honestly, a down jacket is going to be one of the best lines of defense against whatever winter may throw at you. Whether that’s a severe winter snowstorm or a light rain shower, a down jacket will have you covered.
Below, we’ve rounded up 14 of our favorite jackets from some of the best brands around to ensure you’re nice and warm all winter long.
1. Canada Goose Hybridge Base Down Jacket
BEST OVERALL
When it comes to reliable winter outerwear, Canada Goose has always been one of the top brands for customers to flock towards, and for a good reason. The Hybridge Base Down Jacket is built for style and comfort. It’s crafted from a Cordura fabric and comes insulated with 750 fill power Hutterite white duck down, making this piece extremely warm. This jacket has a standard fit that is breathable and lightweight, perfect for traveling or winter activities. Not to mention, it features a water-resistant outer shell and thermal mapping design to ensure maximum warmth in frigid temperatures.
Buy: Canada Goose Hybridge Base Down Jacket $695.00
2. Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Puffer Jacket
BEST VALUE
Are you looking to get warmth for winter that won’t require you to break your bank account? Then, we suggest going with this puffer jacket from Amazon Essentials. Made from a polyester-fill down, it’s warm enough for the majority of activities you’ll find yourself doing throughout the winter. Unfortunately, the jacket doesn’t have a hood. So if it’s raining outside, you may want to layer a hoodie underneath. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a warm and reliable jacket on a budget.
Buy: Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Puffer Jacket $39.30
3. Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Down Jacket
BEST COMBO
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean the rain (or snow!) should stop you. To combat the elements, sometimes you need to reach for something capable of handling the worst of what winter weather throws at you — and that’s exactly where the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 down jacket comes into play. As evidenced by its namesake, the jacket is three different pieces in one: an outer rain jacket, an interior 700-fill down jacket and a waterproof down raincoat. With the Voltron of winter weather gear, you’ll be prepared for whatever may come your way.
Buy: Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Down Jacket $599.00
4. Eddie Bauer Micortherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket
BEST HOODED OPTION
If you’re tired of wearing bulky and heavy down jackets to keep warm, we recommend swapping that oldie out for a new and improved Eddie Bauer Micortherm Down Hooded Jacket. Weighing in at 13.4 ounces, it’s a lightweight 800 fill RDS jacket designed to maintain your body heat when the temperature drops. It features a StormRepel®outer shell, an insulated hood, and a zippered media port in the chest pocket.
Buy: Eddie Bauer Micortherm 2.0 Down Hooded Jacket $248.00
5. Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hooded Jacket
BEST QUILTED DESIGN
Traditionally, down jackets have a quilted design, and this piece from Outdoor Research takes it to another level. It’s made from a recycled nylon Pertex Quantum fabric and is filled with VerticalX Eco insulation. The jacket has an adjustable hood equipped with low-pro biding to keep any unwanted cold air out. It’s truly a nice jacket to have for outdoor activities.
Buy: Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hooded Jacket $199.00
6. 32 Degrees Lightweight Recycled Poly-Fill Packable Jacket
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
You’ll find yourself loving and wearing this jacket much more than your other options in your wardrobe. The jacket is made of recycled nylon that is lightweight and soft to the touch. It has 100% recycled cloud-fill insulation, a stand collar, and side zip pockets. The jacket is easy to store away when needed as it comes with a pouch to pack it in.
Buy: 32 Degrees Lightweight Recycled Poly-Fill Packable Jacket $100.00
7. Fjallraven Greenland No. 1Down Jacket
MOST STYLISH
A down jacket wrapped in a fun, cotton shell, this Fjallraven is our pick for the most durable down jacket. Designed in the brand’s signature orange, it looks like a standard canvas jacket you’d wear as a transitional spring or fall layer but is instead bolstered with a warm 600-fill down. The cotton shell will do wonders to cut down on wind, while the hood adds another bit of protection. Furthermore, two chest pockets will give you room to store any sort of random knickknack you may need to carry without you having to fumble around to try and find it.
Buy: Fjallraven Greenland No. 1Down Jacket $500.00
8. Polo Ralph Lauren Convertible Down Jacket
MOST UNIQUE DESIGN
Trying to find the perfect down jacket can be tough, especially when you want one that has a great design. Luckily, Ralph Lauren has created a jacket that sets itself apart from any other option on our list. The jacket’s design is inspired by a southwestern motif print that is sure to give you a few head turns on the street (in a good way). It comes with a 650 fill power of feathers that will keep you warm. And the best part about this outwear is that it has a convertible design that allows you to detach the hood and sleeves to make it into a vest. Talk about innovation.
Buy: Polo Ralph Lauren Convertible Down Jacket $498.00
9. Moncler Ecrins Hooded Down Puffer Jacket
BEST SPLURGE
Now your new year’s resolution may have been to save money, but who can resist this stylish jacket from Moncler? The brand is known for creating durable and warm winter outerwear that’ll last for years. If that doesn’t sell you, then these features will. It has a two-way zip closure, toggle-adjustable hood, and adjustable snap cuffs. You’ll be sure to keep warm this winter season while flexing in style.
Buy: Moncler Ecrins Hooded Down Puffer Jacket $1,560.00
10. Columbia Infinity Down Jacket
BEST WATER-RESISTANT
If you live in an area prone to wet weather in the winter, then you’ll find this jacket from Columbia a great investment. The jacket consists of a water-resistant outer shell designed to keep the water out and the heat in. It has a multi-layer construction equipped with Omni-Heat technology that will help direct your internal body heat back into itself. The jacket also features a chin guard, zippered hand and chest pockets, and Drawcord adjustable hem for a perfect fit.
Buy: Columbia Down Jacket $220.00
11. Helly Hansen Lifa Loft Hybrid Insulator Jacket
BEST MID-LAYER
We all know that down jackets are really warm, but sometimes they aren’t meant to be worn alone or even as the outer layer in the winter. This hybrid jacket is made of polyamide fabric with Lifaloft insulation to help you retain your body heat in cold weather. It also has a PFC water repellent outer shell that will come in handy if you’re ever stuck in a rainstorm. The jacket is super lightweight and breathable, making it super comfortable to wear underneath a thicker winter coat.
Buy: Helly Hansen Lifa Loft Hybrid Insulator Jacket $185.00
12. Carhartt Yukon Extremes Insulated Parka
BEST FOR EXTREME TEMPERATURES
If you live in a state with extreme freezing temperatures or plan on taking a ski trip in a few weeks, then you’ll love Carhartt’s Yukon Extremes Insulated Parka. This jacket is designed to keep you warm no matter what mother nature throws at you as it’s wind-resistant and water-repellent. It features a Cordura nylon outer shell with 700-fill featherless down insulation. And if you find yourself stuck in a snowstorm for some reason, the jacket has 3M Scotchlite Carbon Black reflective tapings.
Buy: Carhartt Yukon Extremes Insulated Parka $319.99
13. Marmot Men’s Stockholm Down Puffer Jacket, Fill Power 700
BEST FILL
Marmot has really gone above and beyond with this coat: A 700-fill synthetic down is some of the warmest rated down around which means it will stand up to even the harshest of conditions. That down has also been treated with the brand’s “Down Defender” which prevents it from clumping together when it’s introduced to water, so you’ll stay warm even in the rain. There’s added versatility too, the hood is removable so you can tailor the jacket to your needs. Plus, it’s at a price point well below the competition. All in all, it’s a well-rounded jacket that won’t fail you, even when the cold is at its worst.
Buy: Marmot Men's Stockholm Down Puffer Jacket, Fill Power 700 $242.00 (orig. $275.00) 12% OFF
14. L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket
HONORABLE MENTION
You may not anticipate a down jacket from L.L. Bean being among the highest quality down jackets on the market — but trust us, the brand nails it with this jacket. The water-resistant and windproof nylon shell is actually made from recycled fabric, while the down itself has been treated to keep its warmth and loft even if it comes into contact with water. Meanwhile, the 850-fill puts it as one of the warmest options on this list. But if that wasn’t enough, it will also stow into itself for added portability. Tough as nails features, environmentally friendly, with an excellent price point? Well, that’s one hell of a statement.
Buy: L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket $229.00
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