As the seasons shift and the air takes on a brisk chill, there’s one essential piece of clothing that can effortlessly bridge the gap between the fluctuating temperatures of fall and spring – the lightweight down jacket. This versatile garment isn’t just a savior during transitional periods; it’s also a trusty companion for a variety of winter outdoor activities, from skiing down snow-covered slopes to conquering rugged hiking trails.
We’ve rounded up and reviewed the lightest down jackets on the market and evaluated them for warmth, fit, lightness, and more.
For those taking on extreme cold, we’ve got you covered with our guide to the the best winter jackets and parkas that’ll keep you toasty in the harshest of winter conditions.
Best Overall Down Jacket
Stay warm without getting weighed down with the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie. This insulated jacket is filled with responsibly sourced water-repellent goose down, and boasts a left-hand pocket that doubles as a stuff sack.
The high-quality, 30D, 2.5L Pertex Diamond Fuse outer material is abrasion-resistant and water-repellent. This technical jacket is perfect to wear either as a mid-layer or outer shell. Also comes in a hoodless version for both men and women.
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Stay warm without getting weighed down with the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie. This insulated jacket is filled with responsibly sourced water-repellent goose down, and boasts a left-hand pocket that doubles as a stuff sack.
The high-quality, 30D, 2.5L Pertex Diamond Fuse outer material is abrasion-resistant and water-repellent. This technical jacket is perfect to wear either as a mid-layer or outer shell. Also comes in a hoodless version for both men and women.
Price: 0.00$
Runner-Up Jacket
With 800-fill power Advanced Global Traceable Down, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is an ethical option that you can feel good wearing.
If you spend a lot of time outside and need to keep warm, this jacket is a great piece of gear. The outer shell is made of durable, recycled ripstop nylon and coated with DWR, which does a good job of repelling light rain and snow.
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Best Budget Down Jacket
Price is a significant advantage for Columbia’s Westridge Hooded Down Jacket. It boasts many technical features such as 650-fill power down insulation and a PFC-free DWR coating. All this at a fraction of the cost of other down jackets.
The binding at the hood and cuffs are perfect for keeping cosy in early winter. Meanwhile, the drop tail rear and chin guard ensure your body heat is kept inside. As an added bonus, the Westridge Hooded Down Jacket is packable into its own hand pocket.
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Price is a significant advantage for Columbia’s Westridge Hooded Down Jacket. It boasts many technical features such as 650-fill power down insulation and a PFC-free DWR coating. All this at a fraction of the cost of other down jackets.
The binding at the hood and cuffs are perfect for keeping cosy in early winter. Meanwhile, the drop tail rear and chin guard ensure your body heat is kept inside. As an added bonus, the Westridge Hooded Down Jacket is packable into its own hand pocket.
Price: 0.00$
If you’re in the market for a down jacket that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Lolë Emeline Down Jacket. Available in a stylish array of unique colours, the Emeline is perfect for those on a budget who care about quality.
Insulated with a 550-fill power down, this jacket isn’t the warmest on our list; that said, it’ll keep you warm and toasty on mild days. Alternatively, it works perfectly as a mid-layer in the dead of winter.
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If you’re in the market for a down jacket that won’t break the bank, look no further than the Lolë Emeline Down Jacket. Available in a stylish array of unique colours, the Emeline is perfect for those on a budget who care about quality.
Insulated with a 550-fill power down, this jacket isn’t the warmest on our list; that said, it’ll keep you warm and toasty on mild days. Alternatively, it works perfectly as a mid-layer in the dead of winter.
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Best Performance Jacket
Our top performance down jacket, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody, effortlessly solves many of the problems of your previous athletic gear.
The thick baffles contain the 800-fill power Responsible Down Standard (RDS) down with outstanding loft. The elastic in the wrists and the few seams trap in heat well. The material is also very flexible and packable thanks to the stretch-baffle construction.
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Pros
- Great thermoregulation
- Flexible construction
- Windproof and water repellent
Cons
- Feathers can show in lighter colours
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Best Urban Casual Jacket
The Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket is both highly technical and street savvy. It effortlessly tows the line between urban fashion and rugged adventure. Made with 800- fill power down, the Fuego is available in a variety of patterns and colourways that reflect your unique style.
An adjustable drawcord hem, combined with elastic binding along the hood and cuffs, helps keep heat in and cold out. When not in use, the Fuego compresses for easy storage in its own zippered hand pocket.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Keeps the cold out in both urban and wild environment
- Technical yet stylish
- Durable 20D ripstop outer with DWR coating
Cons
- Shorter style
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Lightest Winter Jacket
If you're looking for an all-purpose winter down jacket, the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket is a great choice. The 30D Pertex® Quantum ripstop nylon outer fabric is abrasion resistant, soft, and packable.
Inside, the 700-fill power synthetic down is recycled and hydrophobic. The adjustable hood and harness-compatible pockets make it ideal for the mountain or for everyday casual use.
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Pros
- Lightweight
- Recycled insulation and outer material
- Comes with stuff sack
Cons
- Not as warm as other jackets
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Other Favourite Jackets
Insofar as sleek down jackets go, few stand out like the Vallier Vika Lightweight Down Jacket. This minimalist gem offers warmth without the bulk, making it the ideal layering piece. Versatile and compact, the Vika boasts a toasty 800-fill power insulation. Meanwhile, the durable Pertex ripstop outer stands up to tears and abrasions.
Because this jacket is made specifically for women, the baffles are designed to gracefully contour your curves. Elasticised cuffed, and adjustable hood, and a drawstring hem keep pesky drafts at bay.
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Insofar as sleek down jackets go, few stand out like the Vallier Vika Lightweight Down Jacket. This minimalist gem offers warmth without the bulk, making it the ideal layering piece. Versatile and compact, the Vika boasts a toasty 800-fill power insulation. Meanwhile, the durable Pertex ripstop outer stands up to tears and abrasions.
Because this jacket is made specifically for women, the baffles are designed to gracefully contour your curves. Elasticised cuffed, and adjustable hood, and a drawstring hem keep pesky drafts at bay.
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The Vallier Grandar Lightweight Down Jacket is perfect for men who like a sleek and understated look. But don’t be fooled by its aesthetic simplicity: With its 800-fill power goose down insulation and lightweight Pertex construction, the Grandar can be layered easily or worn by itself in sub-zero temps.
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The Vallier Grandar Lightweight Down Jacket is perfect for men who like a sleek and understated look. But don’t be fooled by its aesthetic simplicity: With its 800-fill power goose down insulation and lightweight Pertex construction, the Grandar can be layered easily or worn by itself in sub-zero temps.
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As one of the most versatile down jackets on our list, the Black Diamond Access Down Hoody has many impressive features. The 800-fill power insulated baffles on the inside of the jacket are made from HyperDRY down. This makes the jacket very packable and light, which is ideal for a mid-layer insulator you can wear when the weather starts to get chilly.
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As one of the most versatile down jackets on our list, the Black Diamond Access Down Hoody has many impressive features. The 800-fill power insulated baffles on the inside of the jacket are made from HyperDRY down. This makes the jacket very packable and light, which is ideal for a mid-layer insulator you can wear when the weather starts to get chilly.
Price: 0.00$
What to Look for in a Down Jacket
First, consider how you will use your down jacket. If it’s going to be used as a mid-layer with a hard shell or soft shell on it, it shouldn’t have a hood. Jackets without a hood seal up much better around the neck, so they’re more thermally efficient.
For warmth, a drawcord in the hem is useful so that the heat doesn’t escape. Baffles are the pockets of space between the layers of fabric which stabilise the down insulation. They keep the overall size of the coat down and give them better compressibility. The optimal baffle size for thermal efficiency is around 4 cm.
Weight
The warmth-to-weight ratio is an essential metric when considering down jackets. Ideally, you want to find a lightweight, packable jacket that also keeps you warm enough.
Lightweight
You can use a very lightweight jacket as an outer shell because of its thin, light material. For people doing a lot of outdoor activities, opt for a lightweight jacket that won’t weigh you down.
Ultralight
An ultra-lightweight down will often have a high fill power of at least 650 to keep you warm. They’re great for compressibility and weight.
Mid-weight
A slightly heavier and thicker jacket will last for many years to come. Heavier jackets can be better for urban wear.
Parkas
Finding a reliable winter jacket for Canadian winters might involve purchasing a Parka. The difference between parkas and jackets is primarily the length. They’re generally longer fitting and, for this reason, warmer.
Warmth
Fill Power
Fill power is the measure of loft or fluffiness of the down and how well it insulates. The higher the fill power rating, the more air pockets to trap heat and insulate. The quality of the down is also indicated by the fill power, ranging from 400 to 900.
Weather Resistance
Though down is an excellent material for its insulating properties, it loses its effectiveness in wet conditions. That’s why getting a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating to make your down hydrophobic is advisable.
Packability
A down jacket should be highly packable to store it with your other gear. That’s why you want to invest in a lightweight, packable down jacket without heavy fabric or thick zippers.
Fit
A down jacket should be loose enough to allow for other layers, but fitted enough to be thermally efficient. A winter coat should not fit too loosely, or cold air could enter through the hem and arms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can down jackets be waterproof?
Down jackets can lose insulating ability when wet, so they’re better for dry and cold conditions. The Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating can shed any snow but isn’t suitable for heavy rain.
Are down jackets worth the money?
The thousands of tiny air pockets in down jackets are designed to keep you warm when it’s cold out. It’s a worthwhile investment to ensure you stay comfortable in freezing temperatures.
Are lightweight down jackets warm?
Despite being lightweight, lighter down jackets can keep the wearer very warm through the fitted collar and elastic cuffs and hem.
Conclusion
When looking for a down jacket, you want a jacket with high fill power that’s lightweight and easy to pack. We found the best down jacket for men and women in terms of weather resistance, warmth, and weight to be the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie. We love down jackets that will keep you warm, shed off moisture, and last for seasons to come like the ones in this review.
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