Reviews

Best Insulated Jackets of 2025 | Tested and Reviewed

A good insulated jacket is warm, lightweight, compressible, and durable enough to have a long-lifespan. Here are the best options on the market, all tried and tested by our expert reviewers.

Whether you’re a hiker, mountaineer, backpacking or just a casual country walker, we all need a good insulated jacket. Pick the right one and it not only has the potential to make or break the quality of your day out, but it will also be vital for your own safety. But what type of insulated jacket should you be looking for? Well, look no further than the combined results of our recent tests of the best down jackets and best synthetic insulated jackets. Our team have been out in the hills in all conditions to determine which options can be trusted – and we’ve come up with a comprehensive list for you.

How We Chose and Tested Them

We’ve selected a range of different insulated jackets which will suit different temperatures and activities, from winter mountaineering through to just daily wear. All of the options here were fully tested out by our outdoor gear experts on hikes and backpacking trips within the UK. As you can see from some of the pictures, we used the jackets in places like the Scottish Highlands, the wilds of Wales and in England’s Lake District.

Becky, James and Holly during one of our test trips.

The key properties we looked for during our tests were: the warmth-to-weight ratio, durability, lofting abilities, longevity, wet weather protection, and overall insulation value. We also tested to ensure that expensive items were justified by their quality, and that low budget options still used durable materials that resulted in a high performance in the hills. Bear in mind that all of the jackets here are available in both men’s and women’s versions.

The Experts

OM Editor Will has been responsible for selecting and testing the majority of the jackets you see here. A long-distance hiker, regular wild camper and mountain runner, Will has completed a number of big challenges, including the 1034-mile perimeter of Wales, and holds the FKT for a round taking in all of Wales’ mountain tops. He’s also been on gear judging panels for the likes of ISPO, the Outdoor Industries Association and Scandinavian Outdoor Award. Jackets not reviewed by Will – mainly the women’s ones – were all assessed by members of our test team including Becky Angell (who once hiked the length of the UK) and Jazz Noble, our editorial assistant.

Our Pick of the Best Insulated Jackets Following our Tests

Best Overall Insulated Jacket: Rab Cirrus Ultra
Best Ultralight Insulated Jacket: Haglöfs LIM Down
Best Insulated Jacket for Casual, Everyday Use: Patagonia Nano Puff
Best Value Insulated Jacket: Passenger Ashland
Best Rain Resistant Warm Jacket: Paramo Torres Smock

1. Rab Cirrus Ultra Hoody

Our top pick: the best insulated jacket overall in our tests

Price: £230
Weight: 548g
Best for: alpine climbing, winter walking
Pros: excellent warmth to weight ratio, protective hood
Cons: nothing
Warmth rating: 8.5/10

We’ve tested this extensively on trips to the Scottish Highlands and the Lake District – and just for day to day wear – and from what we’ve seen it’s an excellent synthetic insulated jacket and our top pick in this round up. What’s quite remarkable about it is that it’s so lofty and light that it’s really hard to believe it’s not filled with down. It also has an edge over down too, because it’s the kind of jacket that we found will continue to provide warmth even when it gets wet – that can’t be said for most down jackets.

Using it in the Scottish Highlands, we noticed it was able to repel light to medium heavy rain very well. In extended rainfall it did eventually become saturated but it still provided a degree of warmth even when it was wet through. Wear this underneath a waterproof jacket and you’ve got yourself a full blown suit of armour. The hood was protective, the details are smart and the fit was spot on for us.

Read our full Rab Cirrus Ultra Hoody review.

Buy the Rab Cirrus Ultra Hoody: £230 at Rab.equipment

2. Haglöfs LIM Down Jacket

The best ultralight insulated jacket in our tests

Will is 5 foot 10 and is wearing the Haglofs LIM Down in a size M model here.

Price: £250
Weight: 885g
Best for: three-season hiking and for ultra races
Pros: lightweight, packable, water resistant down
Cons: main zip feels a little flimsy
Warmth rating: 6/10

This is a simple, no-frills down jacket that looks good and does what you need it to do. It’s not warm enough to be used as your main layer during winter but it serves really well as that option to carry on any three-season adventures when you want something for a bit of warmth on those early morning starts, during those sandwich summit stops or on evening wild camps during summer.

The down it uses has an 800 fill power – that’s an above average rating – and it also has a hydrophobic treatment to ensure the down stays lofty and able to insulate even when it gets wet. Haglöfs say that it can face up to 10,000 minutes of exposure to rain before the down flattens.

“I’ve found this excellent for ultra running,” said our tester. “It’s the kind of layer that you can cram into your running pack either for use during emergencies or simply for when you stop to refuel. “

Selected for our Outdoor 100 list. Read our full Haglöfs LIM Down review.

Buy the Haglofs LIM Down Jacket: £250 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

3. Patagonia Nano Puff

The best everyday insulated jacket in our tests

Hamid out with the Nano Puff on one of our Snowdonia test trips

Price: £190
Weight: 337g
Best for: day-to-day wear, summer backpacking
Pros: light, packable, eco-friendly, layers well
Cons: not the warmest for its weight
Warmth rating: 5.5/10

The new-and-improved Nano Puff jacket now uses PrimaLoft’s innovative 100% post-consumer recycled polyester insulation made with P.U.R.E. (Produced Using Reduced Emissions) technology. It’s still the same high-performance 60gm PrimaLoft Gold Eco fill used in previous iterations, but with even less impact on the environment. Specifically, this innovative process reduces carbon emissions by a whopping 70% by altering the way the synthetic fibres are bonded together.

The Nano Puff also has a 20-denier 100% recycled polyester shell and lining, while the jacket is Fair Trade Certified sewn. And of course, it comes with all the traditional benefits of synthetic insulation – it offers decent warmth for weight, it’s hard-wearing and compressible, and boasts excellent moisture resistance.

The feature set is relatively simple but practical. It includes a full zip with a soft chin guard, two zipped hand pockets and an internal zipped chest pocket. There are elastic-bound cuffs and a hem drawcord. The hoody version also includes a snug elastic-bound hood. The fit is fairly accommodating, and if you hover between sizes, we’d tend to recommend going for the smaller size. But all in all, it’s a very comfortable jacket to wear.

Selected for the Green Gear Guide – Read our full Patagonia Nano Puff Primaloft P.U.R.E. review.

Buy the Patagonia Nano Puff: £190 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

4. Passenger Ashland

The best value insulated jacket in our tests

Will, who’s 5 foot 10, wearing the Passenger Ashland in a medium.

Price: £180
Weight: 400g
Best for: summer camps, casual use
Pros: durable shell, good sustainability credentials
Cons: not ideal for layering underneath
Warmth rating: 6/10

While this is not quite as technical as some of the down filled jackets in this round up, it’s still a reliable insulator and, from our experience using it, it’s warm, durable and functional. One factor that stood out during our tests was the durability of its shell fabric. This stood up to all our tests, shrugging off branches and withstanding the abrasive straps of a heavily loaded backpack.

We also admire the sustainability ethos of Passenger, who plant a tree for every product they sell. They’ve used 100% recycled fabrics for the shell and liner here, while the down is responsibly sourced and fully traceable. Overall, it’s not really one for gnarly mountain conditions, but it’s a nice jacket for casual wear and for warmer camping adventures in summer.

Read our full Passenger Ashland review.

Buy the Passenger Ashland: £180 at Passenger-clothing.com

5. Páramo Torres Smock

The best weather resistant insulated jacket in our tests

Will wearing a size M version of the Torres Smock in the Scottish Highlands.

Price: £250
Weight: 1.6kg
Best for: winter hiking or activities with long static spells
Pros: wet weather performance, built to last, protective hood
Cons: heavy, bulky, not very packable
Warmth rating: 9/10

British brand Páramo has relaunched its Torres Smock and it’s back with a bang. We used this out in the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands and were impressed by its dependable performance. The important thing to know about this is that it’s a proper winter coat. This isn’t for wearing for the walk to the pub. It’s for those gnarly mountain days that throw everything at you. We found it capably shielded us from the wind, it saw off rainfall and it kept us nice and toasty throughout our use.

It uses Páramo’s unique wet weather system. This relies on a quick drying, water resistant fabric and Nikwax’s specially formulated hydrophobic solution, and this combination, from our experience, results in wet weather protection that’s highly breathable. This was hands down the best performer in wet conditions out of all the jackets we tested.

Read our full Páramo Torres Smock review.

Buy the Páramo Torres Smock: £250 at Paramo-clothing.com

6. Arc’teryx Thorium SV

Will using the Arc’teryx Thorium SV in Scotland. Will is 5 foot 10 and wearing a size M.

Price: £550
Weight: 695g
Best for: cold hikes, casual use
Pros: durable and protective fabrics
Cons: heavy, quite boxy
Warmth rating: 9/10

What impressed us during our tests with this jacket was its wind and water resistance. Across the hood and shoulders it uses Gore’s ePE fabric which, while not waterproof, does bring a lot of rain resistance to the table. We found we could wear the jacket through drizzly conditions without the whole thing getting wet through and cold within an instant.

It’s also very lofty and cosy, with a lot of down feathers packed into it and a thermally efficient box wall baffle construction. There’s a downside though and that’s the fact that this is a pretty heavy garment, coming in at just below 700g. As such, we found it’s not really the best thing you can buy if you’re looking for something that you can squeeze into your backpack just in case it’s needed. Instead, it’s one of those jackets for those days where you know you’re going to be wearing your insulation all day long.

Read our full Arc’teryx Thorium SV review.

Buy the Arc’teryx Thorium SV: £550 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

7. Keela Talus

The Keela Talus used on a wet day in Wales by OM tester Callum

Price: £145
Weight: 600g
Best for: hiking, hillwalking, mountaineering
Pros: excellent value, durable
Cons: on the heavy side
Warmth rating: 7/10

The Keela Talus is the best value insulated jacket around. Having tested it thoroughly, we’ve can vouch for this as being perfect for anyone who tends to venture into cold and wet places. It features 60gsm of PrimaLoft Gold synthetic fill, bringing lightweight warmth and insulating performance even in wet conditions. What’s more, at least 50% of this fill is made from recycled content, more specifically, plastic bottles diverted from landfills.

Then there’s the outer shell fabric which is both lightweight and durable thanks to the Cordura fibres that make up the ripstop thread within it. Stretchy fleece-lined panels then line the sides of the torso and under the arms to add a bit of extra comfort and to aid the overall temperature regulation as well.

Features include an external zipped pocket on the chest, a zipped pocket on the inside and then two handwarmer pockets which are large enough to take an OS map. There’s also elasticated cuffs, an adjustment on the hem in the form of a glove-friendly cinch and an adjustable hood. Speaking of the hood, this has a malleable wired peak to keep the rain off your face and it’ll fit comfortable underneath a climbing helmet.

Selected for our Outdoor 100 – Read our full Keela Talus review.

Buy the Keela Talus: £145 at Keelaoutdoors.com

8. Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Anorak

Becky with the Expedition Pack Down Anorak in the Lake District.

Price: £315
Weight: 518g
Best for: camping, hiking
Pros: responsibly sourced down, recycled fabrics, useful details
Cons: down fill power quite low for the price
Warmth rating: 7/10

This is a light and packable down layer that’s available in both men’s and women’s versions. Our testers found that it offered an OK warmth for weight. It works well as a standalone outer layer in cold, dry conditions, with a fit that will accommodate layers underneath. Having said that, it’s not so bulky that you couldn’t also wear it underneath a shell if required too.

The shell material and inner lining in the new series are both made of 100% recycled nylon, and the face fabric is also finished with a PFC-free water repellent treatment. This ensures added resistance to moisture without the need to resort to environmentally harmful chemical compounds. Similarly, the 700-fill power down is guaranteed to be 100% traceable and ethically produced. In fact, the Fjällräven Down Promise is recognised as one of the best in the outdoor industry.

The anorak design is actually very practical. Obviously, you sacrifice the slight convenience of a full-length zip, but in return you get extra insulation around the torso for additional core warmth, plus a useful central kangaroo-style dump pocket. There’s a cosy baffled hood and an extended hemline for full coverage too.

Selected for our Green Gear Guide – Here’s our full Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Anorak review.

Buy the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Anorak: £315 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

9. Cotopaxi Teca Cálido

Raji wearing the Cálido during our test trip in the mountains of North Wales

Weight: £60
Price: 350g
Best for: casual wear, hiking and backpacking
Pros: good value, sustainably made, unique design
Cons: not the best warmth-to-weight, hood doesn’t hold well
Warmth rating: 6/10

The Teca Cálido jacket has been built with sustainability in mind, with a shell that’s made from a repurposed polyester taffeta and a fill that’s 100% recycled polyester. This insulating performance is helped by a snug, elastic-bound hood, hem and cuffs plus two cosy handwarmer pockets and it’s packable enough to stuff inside its own chest pocket.

Interestingly, it’s reversible too. On one side you get that funky colour-blocked design with two zipped handwarmer pockets and then on the other you get more muted navy styling, with square stitch-through baffles, a zipped chest pocket and two drop-in lower patch pockets.

Selected for the Outdoor 100 – Read our full Cotopaxi Teca Cálido review.

Buy the Cotopaxi Teca Calido: £60 at Ellis-brigham.co.uk

10. Peak Performance Helium Utility FLO Jacket

Will using a size M Peak Performance Helium Utility in the Lake District.

Price: £320
Weight: 375g
Best for: trail hiking, everyday and campsite use
Pros: made from leftover fabrics, unique design, comfortable fit
Cons: not the warmest in its category, some unnecessary details
Warmth rating: 8/10

First launched over 10 years ago, the Helium down jacket has been revamped and relaunched and, as part of Peak Performance’s commitment to circularity, it’s now made from leftover fabrics (hence the name FLO which stands for from leftover fabrics). As well as using leftover fabrics, the Peak Performance Helium Utility FLO jacket is free from eco hazardous chemicals and uses a responsibly sourced down fill that can be traced using a site called Track My Down. The jacket certainly feels quite lofty and warm. We used it on a cold trip to the Lake District and found it to be pleasantly warm when hiking.It did, however, feel a little cold to wear when we weren’t moving and we found ourselves wanting a thicker layer at times.

The hood holds well thanks to the bungee cord adjustment. Although we weren’t able to try this with a climbing helmet, it did seem like it would fit comfortably under one. There are also bungees with toggles on the cuffs and at the waist. The jacket can be stuffed into the left handwarmer pocket too, and there’s a pocket on the left arm which is ideal for a lift pass or smartphone.

With its simple plastic components that aren’t embedded in the jacket, you can tell that Peak Performance have made this with repairability in mind. Also, the fact that its shell and liner fabrics are all made from the same material suggests that they’ve made it to be easy to recycle at the end of its life. So, credit to Peak Performance for their sustainability efforts and not just on this specific jacket but with their whole commitment to circularity.

Here’s our full Peak Performance Helium Utlity FLO Jacket Review.

Buy the Peak Performance Helium jacket: £320 at Peakperformance.com

How To Choose an Insulated Jacket

We actually wrote a guide on this many moons ago, but we’ll give you a quick overview here. If you end up wanting a little more info though, check out our full down and synthetic jackets buyer’s guide.

The main options for jacket insulation are down insulation, synthetic insulation or a combination of both. Synthetic insulation is generally made from polyester or nylon that has been spun into filaments that creates a pocket of air between each fibre. This pocket then warms up from your body temperature and thus, provides warmth. This supposedly works in the same way natural down works to keep you warm.

Synthetic insulation on the Rab Cirrus Hoody.

Down, on the other hand, is a layer of fine plumage found under the tougher outer feathers of ducks and geese. The best down insulation tends to be goose down as it’s more thermally efficient than duck down. Because of this, goose down is usually more expensive.

It’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for if the down fill used in the jacket is responsibly sourced. This usually comes in the form of a blue ‘R.D.S.’ symbol and will ensure animals haven’t been subjected to unnecessary harm, and that their welfare has been prioritised.

Which type of insulation you choose will depend on a great number of things. The most obvious one for starters is that some people don’t want animal products in their clothing so will opt for synthetic. Down also isn’t very effective once it gets wet (geese and ducks are protected under larger, oily feathers that jackets cannot mimic), whereas synthetic won’t collapse under wet conditions so can retain at least some of its insulation value.

Having said that, most down jackets are treated with hydrophobic solutions these days so there’s no clear-cut answer here…

The Helium Utility FLO jacket uses a responsibly sourced down fill that can be traced using a site called Track My Down.

Down does, however, tend to have a better warmth-to-weight ratio compared to synthetic insulation. The unique 3D structure of down creates what is called loft which traps air more effectively than any synthetic fill in production at the moment, though Primaloft is becoming a great contender.

Take the Rab Cirrus Ultra hoody, for example. It features Primaloft’s new ThermoPlus insulation and, according to our tests, it’s incredibly warm, can repel light rain and still provides some warmth when wet. The whole package it would seem…

And so, the debate rages on! Like most things, it really comes down to personal preference in the end. But luckily for you, we consistently test and review both options here at Outdoors Magic so have a browse across the website and see which ones tick all the boxes for you.

If it’s solely a down jacket you’re after – check out our guide on the best down jackets. But if you’d rather opt for a synthetic option, we’ve tested a whole load of synthetic insulated jackets too.