4 Best Down Jackets in 2025 | From the Warmest to the Most Breathable

We’ve all seen them, that classic puffer that sticks out as a beacon of warmth on the chilliest of winter days. Coming in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles, and materials, these down jackets effectively transform their person into a mini Michelin man (or woman), creating their own heated climate away from the cold.

Providing unmatched insulation, packability, and weight savings, down jackets are an obvious choice for cold weather sports enthusiasts, but it’s these same attributes that make them perfect for use in cold urban environments

From the mountains to the city, these versatile insulating layers will keep you warm and cozy in a variety of environments and conditions. Their packability not only makes them ideal for use in backcountry settings but also allows them to be easily stored when commuting in urban areas.

Down Jacket Buyer’s Guide

Why Trust Us?

The cold, you either love it or you hate it. For many, it represents the coming of a long awaited winter full of snow and long days on the ski hill. For others, the cold is just another part of the dreaded dark months that is simply tolerated and avoided at all costs. No matter what side of the line you find yourself on, it’s impossible to deny that being cold sucks.

From multi-day ski traverses to traversing my driveway to grab the mail, a down jacket has always been there for me to ensure not only my happiness, but my well-being. Having grown up in the desert southwest and currently residing in the (very damp) Pacific Northwest, I understand that cold is cold, and that having a decent down jacket is the difference between a good and bad day.

More importantly, I know that there isn’t one ring to rule them all, and a jacket that is apt to the dry southwest maybe won’t be as dialed in the rainey PNW. We’ve tested a wide range of down jackets, from REI’s daily-driver 650 Down Jacket, to Northface’s big and burly Corefire, so that no matter where you live or how you feel about the cold, you can make a more informed decision on how to stay cozy.

What Does a Down Jacket’s Fill Number Mean?

Fill power this, fill power that, everybody’s talking about it, it’s even on your sleeve, but what does it mean?

Fill power is a measurement that indicates both the quality and the loft (fluff) of the down insulation utilized in a down jacket. Measured in cubic inches, this number quantifies the volume that one ounce of down occupies when it reaches its max fluffiness. For example, in a jacket that has 550 fill power, one ounce of down can fill 550 cubic inches of space.

Well who cares how fluffy your coat is? Other than making for big fluffy hugs, fill power is actually a pretty important factor,

600 Fill $

Jackets with 600 fill power down provide good insulation and are suitable for mild to moderately cold conditions. Oftentimes they are more affordable but slightly heavier and much less packable. This is a good option for a jacket that you plan to wear around town in the shoulder seasons.

700-800 Fill $$

Being in the middle ground, these are the most popular options for those who want a warm layer to wear around town but that will also perform well in the mountains or during activity. 700 to 800 fill provides excellent warmth in a wide range of cold conditions, and provides a good warmth-to-weight ratio at an affordable cost.

800+ Fill $$$

The cream of the crop. This high fill power is considered premium, delivering premium weight and packability. Ideal for cold weather activities like ski-touring and mountaineering, where warmth and weight savings are crucial.

To oversimplify things, high fill power is indicative of greater insulative capabilities and a superior warmth-to-weight ratio, but also a higher cost. Lower fill power on the other hand is more affordable, but provides less warmth, is a touch heavier, and less packable. All of that being said, fill power isn’t the only number you should be looking at when trying to figure out how warm a jacket will be.

Down Jacket Warmth

While it might seem counter-intuitive, insulative capabilities derived from fill power do not directly correlate to warmth. What I’m trying to say is that just because a jacket is 800 fill, doesn’t necessarily make it warmer than a 650 fill option.

To figure out how warm a jacket will be, you ought to look into a number of factors:

• The most important being the fill weight, or, how much down is stuffed into the jacket in question.
• For example, a 400 fill down jacket with 100 grams of down will be warmer than an 800 fill jacket with 40g of down.

While fill power and weight will give you the best idea of how warm a jacket will be, there are a number of other factors to consider when trying to determine the warmth of a down jacket.

Obvious features to take into consideration are the use of adjustable cuffs and hems. The ability to cinch your coat down at these points allow you to more effectively lock in heat, and prevent unwanted draft on breezy days. In the same vein, a jacket with a hood will offer more warmth for obvious reasons.

A less obvious factor to look at is the kind of baffling that down coat uses. Baffling refers to the stitched compartments in a down jacket that hold the down in place. If a down jacket had no baffling, all of the down would naturally settle to the bottom of the jacket, making your upper half substantially colder than the lower. To prevent this, manufacturers generally use two different types of sewing techniques in their baffles, sewn through baffles, and box-baffles.

• Sewn through baffles, like the name suggests, are sewn directly through the jacket from the outer to the inner. This method is cost effective, requires less materials, and is therefore lighter, it creates cold spots where the stitching is located, given that there is no down in these areas. Peep the Ghost Whisperer jacket for a visual representation.
• Box-baffles use more material and generally lead to more weight, but also provide a more even distribution of down throughout the jacket, therefore providing enhanced warmth.

To further complicate the matter of baffles, there are a whole slew of different “baffle designs,” including, but not limited to: vertical and horizontal baffles, quilted baffles, and diamond baffles. I call them baffle designs because, more often than not, these different patterns or designs serve to provide aesthetic appeal rather than utility.

Down Jacket Packability

Down jackets are unique in that they have exceptional warmth but, for the most part, are super packable for the amount of insulation they provide.

• As a general rule of thumb, it’s safe to assume that lower fill power numbers equate to lesser packability
• High fill power equates to higher quality and increased packability. Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer uses about 2 ounces of high-quality 800 fill down, making it one of the most packable options on the market. 

For those who are planning to use their down coats in adverse conditions in remote locations, it is more than worth it to invest in an option that will pack down and provide lots of warmth. On the other hand, if you’re simply looking for a puffer to kick around town on a chilly day, then go for the less packable, but still warm options like REI’s 650 Down Hoody.

Down Jacket Benefit – They are Lightweight

Not only do down coats have a good warmth-to-packability ratio, but they have an even better warmth-to-weight ratio.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, fill power has a direct effect on many of a down jacket’s attributes, one of the most notable being their weight. The higher the fill power’s number, the higher the quality of the down, and therefore, the lower the weight. The North Face 800 fill Breithorn Hoodie packs a warm punch and weighs in at just one pound!

Other factors to consider:

• if a jacket has a hood
• the denier of the fabric
• the fill weight

Ultimately, all of these factors alone don’t amount to much weight, but when combined, they have the power to add some significant heft to your down jacket.  Many down jackets designed for city wear may have thicker fabric for waterproofness which then makes them heavy.

Down Jacket Waterproofing and Water Resistance

Now this is a touchy subject… down jackets themselves are not inherently waterproof. Objectively, they do quite poorly in wet environments, given that traditional down loses its insulating properties when wet. That being said, manufacturers use various methods to attempt to waterproof/enhance the water resistance of their down jackets.

DWR (Durable Water Repellent)

Common in the outdoor industry as a way to enhance the water resistance of outerwear, DWR treatment acts as a first line of defense against precipitation. This chemical coating makes water bead up and roll off the surface of the jacket instead of being absorbed into the fabric. DWR, however, is only useful in preventing your down coat from wetting out in all but the lightest of rain showers, and it wears off with use.

Hydrophobic Down

Increasingly common in high-performance down jackets, hydrophobic down is treated with a water-repellent coating that helps the down resist moisture, retain some level of loft and, therefore, insulative capabilities, and dry faster.

Weather Resistant Materials

Some manufacturers will go as far as to use weather resistant materials for the outer of their down jackets. While these kinds of materials offer more in the way of water resistance, wind protection, and durability, they add to the overall bulk of the clothing. In addition to using a non-PFC DWR coating, North Face’s Corefire Down Jacket boasts a Windstopper outer, making it one of the more weather-resistant jackets we’ve checked out.

Down coats are kind of like cats, they just don’t like water, and at the end of the day, the best way to waterproof your down coat is by wearing a raincoat or waterproof shell over it or investing in a synthetic down jacket!

Synthetic Down Jackets

Synthetic down jackets offer a more affordable option to traditional down jackets, albeit heavier and bulkier.

Besides being easier on the wallet, synthetic down shines in the realm of water resistance. Synthetic insulation retains its loft and insulating properties even when wet and is quick drying. Unlike traditional down, which is rendered useless in damp, humid, and wet conditions, a synthetic jacket like the Marmot Warmcube Active Novus is an obvious choice for those who live in cool and damp climates like the Pacific Northwest.

Not only does synthetic down stay warm in the wet, but it is noticeably more durable than its feathered counterpart, making it an ideal option for those who want a warm layer to work or recreate in. Added benefits include that it provides a stellar option for vegans, and synthetic insulation is hypoallergenic.

Hooded vs. Non-Hooded Down Jackets

Hoods are great! They keep our noggins warm when the going gets tough, but depending on what you’re using your jacket for, you may or may not want one on your down jacket.

If you’re planning on using your down jacket as a mid-layer for skiing or hiking, consider going for a hoodless option, as the lack of hood will allow you to throw a jacket over it more comfortably. Removing the hood from the equation also means less materials, which means less weight and less money spent.

If you’re using your jacket as a stand-alone layer, then a hood might be the way to go, as it adds yet another line of defense against the cold that is worth its weight in gold. The Patagonia Down Sweater comes in both a hooded, and non-hooded version, allowing you to really hone in on what you want.

Things to consider when looking at different hooded options are their size, adjustability, if the brim is rigid, and if they are removable.

Is the hood big or small? This is an all too important consideration because it determines whether or not you will be able to wear it over a helmet or not, which if you plan on using this as a warm layer in adverse conditions, is a crucial factor.

Loosely related to the size of the hood is its adjustability and how many points of adjustability there are. Being able to tighten or loosen the fit of the hood in all of the right places allows you to get the maximum amount of protection from the elements without sacrificing your field of vision.

Denier (shell fabric durability)

In practical terms, denier (generally indicated with a “D”)  is an indicator of the thickness and durability of a fabric. In short, the higher the denier, the thicker and more robust the fabric is likely to be. Higher denier fabrics are generally heavier and more resistant to wear and tear, whereas lower denier values are more fragile, but are lightweight and offer more in the way of breathability.

Down Jacket Sizing and Fit

The fit of a jacket will largely be affected by what you’re hoping to use it for. As a general rule of thumb, if you plan on using a down jacket as a mid-layer, consider searching out an option that fits slimmer and shorter so that you can layer comfortably over top. Conversely, if you plan on using a down coat as your main layer, it would behoove you to find an option with a larger fit so that you can easily wear it over a few layers.

Another important factor to take into consideration when looking at the fit of a down jacket is its length. A longer, looser fit will more easily cover your butt, keeping you that much warmer, like the women’s favorite Columbia Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket.

Pockets!

What kind of guide would this be without a little blurb on pockets?

Pockets are a factor that will make or break whether or not I like a jacket. Too many and you feel the need to fill them with whatever odds and ends you can get your hands on, and too few and the jacket is rendered useless!

At a bare minimum, a down jacket ought to have hand warmer pockets, and if it doesn’t, well maybe don’t buy that one. These pockets not only provide a cozy space to warm up your hands, but also provide a great place to store goodies like gloves, buffs, beanies, snackies etc etc.

Bonus points go to jackets that have some sort of zippered chest pocket for storage of valuables like keys, phones and wallets. Super duper bonus points go to jackets that have large internal dump pockets. These massive, simple features are perfect for quick and easy storage, and a must for anyone who wants to use their jacket for skiing.

Another common feature that you’ll see in many down jackets is a pocket that doubles as a stuff sack. You can easily identify if your jacket has one of these by looking at the zippers on your pockets and if there is some sort of sewn loop on the inside. These built-in stuff sacks use reversible zippers so that you can easily stuff the jacket into its own pocket, and usually have a little clippy loop for quick attachment to a harness.

How to Patch a Down Jacket

Down jackets have the annoying propensity of snagging on everything, resulting in countless holes, rips, tears, and leaky feathers. Thankfully, it’s easy and cheap to patch these holes that are impossible to avoid.

If you’ve ever spent time in a little mountain town, odds are you’ve seen a ski bum or two walking around sporting a down coat that’s more patches and duct tape than the jacket itself.

Purpose built patches like ripstop, tenacious tape, and similar products are all cheap, customizable, durable, and easy to apply, just make sure that you do a good job of cleaning the surface of the jacket before application. However, if in a pinch, you don’t have any specific patching material, gorilla tape, duct tape, and medical tape are all perfectly viable options for closing up holes, ensuring you don’t lose any precious feathers.

Zippers

Thankfully, down jackets aren’t meant to be waterproof, so zippers have a little bit more wiggle room than that of a rain jacket or ski shell, but they are every bit as important. Bust your  zipper and your down jacket is transformed from your own little heated paradise to a glorified blanket.

Whether a jacket has your run of the mill coil zipper, or a Vislon zipper is up to the manufacturer, and generally speaking, neither option stands out as better than the other. One difference that you’ll note in the zipper department is if your jacket uses a standard uni-directional zipper, or a two-way separating zipper.

For most users, the one way zipper will do just fine, but for those who plan on using their jacket as a belay parka, or for any use with a harness, a two-way zipper becomes essential. The ability to unzip your coat from the bottom allows you to easily access your belay loop without having to wear your jacket under a harness.

How to Wash and Dry

Remember that ski bum that I mentioned earlier, the one with one million patches? Odds are that same guy has never washed his 10 year old down coat besides getting caught in the occasional torrential downpour…

For whatever reason, there is a widespread fear amongst mountain minded individuals that if you wash your outerwear, it’s going to blow up. I know that you probably spent an arm and a leg on your new down coat, but if you find that people are magically parting around you and that the outer is developing a slick greasy sheen, follow these steps to wash your down coat:

1. Check the label for specific instructions. It may seem like common sense, but I’m only a little ashamed to admit that it was my mother who taught me this in my late twenties…
2. Use a front-loading machine, as they are gentler than top-loaders. Now in my experience, this isn’t a deal breaker. I’ve washed expensive down coats and sleeping bags in top loaders plenty of times, but I’ll admit that it feels like I’m getting away with murder every time my jacket comes out unscathed.
3. Always use a delicate cycle! 
4. Use a down-specific detergent like Nik-Wax Down Wash to avoid decreasing the quality of the down. On that note, don’t use fabric softeners, as this will also decrease the quality of the down.
5. Rinse Rinse Rinse! Make sure that all that detergent is rinsed out so that your down remains lofty.

To dry:

1. You’ll read about air drying down coats, but I’m not sold. I like to use a dryer on low heat, and a delicate setting. I’ve found that this method restores a lot of the loft that otherwise would take ages to come back with air drying.
2. Add tennis balls! Not only is this a great way to keep your roommates up at night, but they help to break up clumps of down and restore loft. Two birds, one stone.
3. Check regularly. There are a lot of feathers in a down coat, so it may take a bit to dry. Maybe don’t take this as an opportunity to run some errands, check in every now and again to avoid a potential feathery disaster.
4. End by air drying. Pulling your down jacket out before it’s totally dry ensures that you don’t over dry the garment, potentially damaging the down.
5. Fluff it! Once it’s finished air drying, be sure to shake it out, getting all of the loft back.