Lightweight, warm and very packable, the right down jacket can be a total game-changer, not just for outdoor activity, but for daily life through the colder seasons.
Every year for the last decade, we’ve been testing the latest down jackets for men and women and curating an on-going list of options to help people work out what exactly is the best down jacket for them. This page shows the results of our tests and research.
Down jackets are useful for hiking as their warmth-to-weight ratio tends to be much better than any other alternatives. They’re nearly always lighter than knitted or padded wool jackets, polyester fleeces, and jackets that use synthetic fills, though the gap is starting to narrow here, as explained in our list of the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets.
There are some overarching things we look for in every down jacket: a good warmth-to-weight ratio, durability, loft and longevity. On selection, any products that had expensive price tags needed to have the quality to back up the cost. Any low budget items needed to have the kind of performance that’s needed when out in the hills, when cold and potentially wet conditions are expected. Here are the items that made our final list following our tests.
The Best Down Jackets For Men and Women Tested in 2026
Here’s our pick of the best down jackets for men and women, all of which have been tested by our team over the last few seasons. The category winners are as follows:
- Montbell Alpine Down Parka – Best Down Jacket Overall
- Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket – Our Runner Up
- Haglöfs Spitz Down Hoody – Best Women’s-Specific Down Jacket
- Forclaz MT100 – Best Budget Insulated Jacket
- Helly Hansen Odin Everdown – Best Down Jacket For Premium Comfort
- Haglöfs LIM Down Hoody – Best Lightweight Down Jacket for Hiking and Trekking
- Passenger Ashland – Best Down Jacket for Everyday Use
How We Tested Them
To find the best down jacket, we assessed dozens of different items within the mountains. They were walked in, carried in backpacks, thrown on during windy summit stops and worn for cold evenings while out wild camping. A range of different jackets were looked at; some are made for expedition-style use and others made for less gnarly activities, whether that’s three-season camps or just day-to-day wear. As such, each jacket was used and assessed within the context they were made for.
Editor’s note: This article was last updated in April 2026 to ensure that all of our favourite products are still available for purchase.
1. Montbell Alpine Down Parka
Our favourite down jacket overall, according to our tests
Montbell Alpine Down Parka
★★★★★
Price: £400
Weight: 466g
Best for: winter and alpine use, campouts on summits, very cold weather, expeditions
What we liked: super warm, tough feeling, ideal for winter, solid warmth-to-weight ratio, premium quality
What we didn’t like: expensive, a drawcord at rear of hood would be nice
A household name in Japan, Montbell has been making waves in the UK market for a number of years now and for good reason. In our experience, they make a great range of reliable products including everyday outdoor kit right through to mountain ready staples. Most recently, one of our women’s gear testers got the chance to test the Alpine Down Parka and was very impressed.
The Alpine Down Parka is specifically geared towards mountain environments and winter use. Unsurprisingly then, our tester Jazz found it to be incredibly warm out on the trails. She said: “This is one of those jackets you want with you on summit campouts when you’re not moving loads but need something reliable to keep you toasty in the cold. Equally, if you’re doing a lot of standing still during outdoor activities, like when you’re belaying in cold weather for example, I’d say this is an ideal option.”
Our tester also highlighted how genuinely tough the fabric felt. That’ll be thanks to that 20-denier Ballistic face fabric. The warmth-to-weight ratio was similarly impressive (800-fill power at 466g), especially when taking into account how much the jacket expands when fully lofted (see picture below).
Jazz continues: “I’ve used this down jacket in a variety of contexts now, including on chilly summits and mountain trails as well as on coastal paths and everyday winter walks at lower ground. I’ve mostly used it as an outer layer due to its large lofted size, though you can fit it under a shell jacket if it has a roomy fit. All in all, I’ve found the Alpine Down Parka very reliable and really like the tough materials. It feels very reassuring not to have to worry too much about rips and tears on the trail, especially in more remote sections of the mountains. While not ideal for high-aerobic activities; for slow-moving outdoor pursuits when you need some high-performing, dependable warmth – this is the jacket I reach for at the moment.”
Check out our reviews of the Alpine Cruiser boots and the Rain Trekker jacket if you want to see what else Montbell has to offer, including how the products performed in UK-based mountain scenarios.
2. Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket
Our second best pick: the Rab Mythic Ultra is our runner up for best down jacket
Rab Mythic Ultra
★★★★★
Price: £440
Weight: 537g
Best for: day hiking and multi-day hiking, climbing, mountaineering
What we liked: innovative design, highly functional in the mountains, made in a sustainable way
What we didn’t like: slightly thin feeling outer shell fabric
Boasting the highest warmth-to-weight ratio in the entire Rab collection, the Rab Mythic Ultra is one seriously well-made jacket that’s designed to insulate in some very cold conditions. We tested this extensively in the Lake District and were blown away by the warmth-to-weight ratio that’s been struck. It felt lofty and warm but it was also very light and very packable. Overall, our team came to the conclusion that it was extremely well made, with impressive materials and attention to detail.
There’s some very admirable efforts around sustainability too including Pertex’s 100% recycled fabrics on the inside and outside, the use of down that meets the Responsible Down Standard, and the PFC-free hydrophobic down treatment from Nikwax. The latter is an environmentally-friendly, water-based treatment that helps the jacket repel light levels of moisture, though it by no means makes the jacket waterproof.
We’d say the design details are the biggest highlight – they are very clever and are spot on in terms of what you want and need in alpine environments. We particularly liked the stitched-through baffle construction used in the arms, where you’ll need more flexibility for movement, and the offset box wall baffles on the body of the jacket, where you’ll need the most warmth and loftiness.
Related: Best Waterproof Jackets for Women
Feature-wise, there’s a large, adjustable hood that you can fit a helmet under (or over), a two-way harness-compatible front zip, nicely articulated arms for reaching high rock holds without lifting the hem too much, and a handy stuff stack that packs down impressively small.
Selected for our Green Gear Guide – Here’s our full Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket Review
3. Haglöfs Spitz Down Hood
Best women’s down jacket overall
Haglöfs Spitz Down Hood
★★★★
Price: £280
Weight: 554g
Best for: Camping, climbing, unpredictable conditions
What we liked: Hydrophobic down, durable fabric, elasticated hood baffle
What we didn’t like: Bulky, loose sleeves, not the most packable jacket out there.
Our women’s gear tester picked this as her top pick in our test of the best women’s down jackets, deeming it to be a reliable outer layer for cold belays or prolonged exposure to harsh weather.
Our primary tests were carried out on the west coast of Scotland and around Glencoe where we found its water-resistant, hydrophobic down was able to withstand moisture effectively. With an 800 fill-power goose down insulation, it was able to deliver a high level of warmth at a good weight, placing it firmly at the premium end of the spectrum.
Durability is another strong point. The polyester outer fabric has a noticeably robust feel, and after extensive use we found it far less prone to accidental tearing than many comparable down jackets.
Weighing in at 554g, it’s light, though it’s not the lightest option available. We also found that it doesn’t compress down as small as some alternatives.
Read our full Haglöfs Spitz Down Hoody review.
4. Forclaz MT100 -5C
This gets our pick as the best budget puffer jacket – though it does not contain down
Forclaz MT100 -5C
★★★
Price: £30
Weight: 400g
Best for: Layering
What we liked: Low cost, layers nicely under a hardshell or over a fleece
What we didn’t like: No hood adjustment, slightly long cut, not especially breathable.
This is another jacket in this list that has a synthetic fill and no feathers, but we thought it was worthy of inclusion due to its value and commendable versatility. OM editor Will has tested it out through a UK autumn and found that, while it provided a good amount of warmth by itself, it’s main strength is as an option to use for layering.
“I wore it on a camping trip in the Berwyn Mountains earlier this October,” said Will. “Temperatures dipped close to freezing overnight, and while it wasn’t enough on its own for sitting outside my tent for some stargazing, it did the job when paired with a hardshell to keep out the biting wind.”
He was also impressed by its wet weather ability. It’s not waterproof, but it’s able to continue providing insulation, even when it’s wet. “If you’re after something high-tech and alpine-ready, this isn’t it,” added Will. “But if you want an affordable, effective insulator for the UK’s damp, unpredictable climate, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well this performs.”
Read our full Forclaz MT100 review.
5. Haglöfs LIM Down Jacket
Picked as the best ultralight down jacket in our tests
Haglöfs LIM Down Jacket
★★★½
Price: from £196
Weight: 250g
Best for: three-season hiking and for ultra races
What we liked: lightweight, packable, water resistant down
What we didn’t like: main zip feels a little flimsy
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. It also has made for a good option for summer wild camps, or for throwing on while stopping on a windy summit.”
Selected for our Outdoor 100 list – read our full Haglöfs LIM Down review.
6. Passenger Ashland
The best everyday wear down jacket – and the best anorak we’ve tested
Passenger Ashland
★★★½
Price: £190
Weight: 400g
Best for: summer camps, casual use
What we liked: durable shell, good sustainability credentials
What we didn’t like: not ideal for layering underneath
While this is not quite as technical as some of the down 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.
7. Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket
Our choice as the best down jacket for premium comfort.
Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket
★★★★
Price: from £298
Weight: 350g
Best for: Mountain days when you’re moving but still need genuine insulation
What we liked: Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, very comfortable, impressively packable
What we didn’t like: Short cut won’t suit everyone, no hood adjustment, pockets aren’t secure
The Odin Everdown Hooded Jacket is Helly Hansen’s take on an active down jacket. It’s light, packable and designed for mountain movement rather than static belay warmth.
It uses sheet-style down insulation (85% goose down, 15% polyester) instead of traditional baffles and this gives it a smoother, more wind-resistant outer with fewer cold spots. Despite weighing just 350g, it delivers a surprising amount of warmth and packs down to about the size of a pint glass.
Outdoors Magic’s Will tested it through some wild mountain weather, including through Storm Amy and on a freezing campout high on Carnedd Llewelyn. “It’s very snug and comfortable to wear,” he said. “I stayed warm watching the sunset, even in sub-zero windchill.”
He did, however, find the fit unusually short at the front: “It’s clearly cut for alpine layering or wearing under a shell – but that might suit some people perfectly.” Small issues include the hand pockets that can’t be closed, and a lack of hood adjustment. Even so, the Everdown impressed with its warmth, comfort and minimal bulk. It’s a capable, technical insulator that feels good on the go.
Read our full Helly Hansen Odin Everdown Jacket review.
