Winter hiking, the time of summit stops for tea from a Thermos flask and late afternoons settling by a fire in a cosy pub. The time when you need to think more carefully about bringing the right kit, and in particular, the right insulated jacket. Now, we’re fans of both down and synthetic fill insulation – each type has its benefits – however, in this instance we’re specifically looking at the best down jackets 2017/2018.
Want to view our latest list? Head over to our best down jackets for 2019 article.
All of the items here were included in our Summer and Winter Outdoor 100s, our guides to each season’s 100 finest gear releases, so you can be sure that they’ll offer reliable performance when it comes to insulation, quality of materials, and weather protection.
Our team tested most of these down jackets out on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons, while some were taken to the mountains above Chamonix in the Alps and even to Iceland. What we were inspecting was insulation performance, quality of materials, protection from the wind and the ability to withstand light rain.
Each review details the important bits and specifications but for more detailed information just click on the ‘Read More’ link and you’ll be taken to the specific review of the product on our site.
We’ve tried to give you enough information to help you make the right decision on your next purchase, however, if you want more detailed information on what to look for when choosing a down insulated jacket then it’s worth heading over to our the buyer’s guide.
Bear in mind that all of the items in this list of the best quality down jackets are available in both men’s and women’s versions.
