Best Overall Women’s Down Jacket 

Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket

Price: £380
Weight: 537g
Best for: Climbing, hiking, backpacking
What we liked: Sustainably made, innovative, highly functional
What we didn’t like: It’s bulky so it doesn’t pair well with a rain jacket

This was chosen as our best down jacket for women overall due to its impressive wamrth-to-weight ratio. This thing feels super light but also super warm and there are loads of useful design details too.

The Rab Mythic Ultra is one seriously well-made jacket that’s designed to insulate in some very cold conditions. All the design details are there for those who want something to back them up on any alpine missions above the snowline, there are some admirable efforts around sustainability and, well, it just looks pretty smart too

You can expect a bunch of recycled materials, including Pertex’s 100% recycled fabrics on the inside and outside. The down all meets the Responsible Down Standard, and Nikwax’s Hydrophobic Down treatment is applied here to help the fill repel moisture. It’s a solution that’s completely water-based and earth kind.

There’s a clever baffle construction too including stitched-through baffles on the arms where more articulation and dynamic movement is required and box wall baffles on the body where maximum loft and warmth is wanted. It’s clever stuff and it works excellently. What’s more, the box wall baffles are all offset, further reducing the chance of any cold spots.

Full Specifications

100% recycled Pertex fabric / RDS-approved 900 fill power down / Nikwax Hydrophobic Down treatment / stitched-through and box wall baffle construction / Thermo Ionic Lining / two-way zip / stuff sack included / helmet-compatible hood / articulated arms.

Selected for our Green Gear Guide 2023 – Here’s our full Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket Review

Best Down Anorak 

Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Anorak

Price: £360
Weight: 518g
Best for: Camping, hiking
What we liked: Responsibly sourced down, recycled fabrics, PFC-free
What we didn’t like: Warmth-to-weight ratio isn’t great

This is a light and packable down layer specifically designed for women. It offers excellent warmth for weight, thanks to its high-quality 700FP down fill, so it is suitable for multi-activity cold weather use. 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.

Full Specifications

700-fill power traceable down / multi-activity compatible / 100% recycled nylon shell and inner lining / PFC-free water-repellent face fabric / repairable design / kangaroo-style front pocket / loose fit / half-length front zipper / side zipper / single-layer stitch-through baffles / extra insulation on elbows and shoulders / two hand pockets / pack into kangaroo pocket / baffled hood / extended hemline.

Selected for our Green Gear Guide 2023 – Here’s our full Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Anorak review

Salomon Elixir Ultra

Price: £360
Weight: 402g
Best for: Winter hiking, winter sports
What we liked: Good warmth-to-weight, cosy cuffs
What we didn’t like: Could do with a two-way zipper

This jacket’s fill is extremely lofty. Pull the jacket on and it feels like you’re wearing a big, cosy duvet. We used this in the wild mountains of the Cairngorms in Scotland and it proved to be an ideal insulator when venturing up above the snow line. We found it be highly packable too; it was possible to compress it down to about the size of a pint glass. 

Interestingly, it features a vapour-deposited metallic coating that’s directly applied to the lining fabric. This reflects any body heat radiating outwards straight back at you, thus reducing the need for extra insulation material. 

The DWR is free from eco-hazardous chemicals and the fabrics used throughout this are made from 100% recycled Nylon. Other details include a cinch-able hood, four pockets in total and glove-friendly zipper tabs. 

We found that this has a slightly longer cut than some down jackets, dropping down just below the backside. 

Full Specifications

Also available in a men’s version / 800 fill power down (90% down and 10% feathers) / 4 pockets / reflective details / PFC-free DWR. 

Arc’teryx Thorium AR Hoody

Price: £280
Weight: 420g
Best for: Hiking, mountaineering, climbing
What we liked: Versatility, packability, lightweight, 750 fill power down
What we didn’t like: Lack of two-way zipper, harness friendly pockets and chest pockets

The Thorium AR is an exceptionally versatile down jacket that will work well across the seasons. It’s cosy, hardwearing, light and packable and fit for a variety of mountain missions.

With 750 fill European goose down, the Thorium AR packs a hefty punch on the warmth scale and can be worn as a mid-layer on those mega wild wintry hill days. A great option for winter mountaineers and adventures in the alpine, the Thorium AR does carry a bit of bulk so just make sure there’s enough room under your hardshell if you are considering using it as a mid.

If you’re less in need of a full-on winter mid-layer and simply looking for a quality standalone warm outer to throw on at the summit, the wind and weather resistant Thorium AR will work equally well.

The hardwearing Arato 20 nylon face fabric with DWR finish feels bomber and stands up well in the face of light precipitation.

In terms of features, the Thorium AR is a typical Arc’teryx piece – quality, well-designed, and zero fuss. From the corded zipper pulls that are easy to operate when wearing gloves to the low-profile StormHood with synthetic insulation, the Thorium AR is all about function over flash.

And when the temps go back up and it’s time to return to mid-layers, the Thorium AR packs down into a 2.5L stuff sack that’s attached to the inside of the zipped internal pocket.

Full Specifications

Arato 20 nylon face fabric / DWR finish / 750 fill power down / two zipped handwarmer pockets / adjustable hem / elasticated cuffs

Best Hoodless Women’s Down Jacket 

Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch

Price: £320
Weight: 400g
Best for: General wear, winter sports
What we liked: Innovative, stretchy fabric, good water resistance
What we didn’t like: Face fabric is quite thin, lacking a two-way zip and external chest pocket

This is a very high spec down jacket and, during our tests, the quality of the materials really stood out. What’s perhaps most striking about this is just how stretchy and light the outer shell fabric is. We found that it allowed complete articulation while also feeling durable and resistant to any rough rocks or rogue branches. 

Related: Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets

Under the arms, an intriguing material called lavalan is used. This is made from 100% natural and renewable raw materials, including virgin wool and corn-based PLA. It feels like a stretchy cotton or synthetic fabric and, from what we’ve seen, definitely enhanced the overall performance and comfort of this down jacket. 

Another thing that stood out to us is the water resistant coating that Artilect have applied here. We noticed that this was excellent at keeping light rain from soaking into the insulation and, according to the brand, it’s a long-lasting application. In other words, it won’t wash out after a few washes. It has certainly lasted the length of our test period. 

Full Specifications

Men’s version also available / Also available as a hooded version / 700 fill power down / PFC-free DWR / YKK zips / 100% recycled lining / 20D Toray outer fabric / 1 zipped chest pocket / 1 inner dump pocket / Concealed lift pass pocket.

Mammut Broad Peak IN Hooded Jacket

Price: £290
Weight: 330g
Best for: Mountaineering, fast and light alpinism
What we liked: Ultralight, warmth, weather protection
What we didn’t like: Cuffs are narrow and difficult to pull a glove through, lacking an external chest pocket

If you’re looking for a mega lightweight jacket with max warmth and weather protection then Mammut’s super slick Broad Peak Hooded Down Jacket will be an ideal fit.

Designed for fast and light mountaineers and aspirational alpinists, the Broad Peak is a low profile, stripped down jacket that packs an incredible 800 fill power in one uber lightweight 330g package. Don’t be fooled by the Broad Peak’s feathery weight however, this is a seriously warm jacket capable of delivering a far superior toast-giving performance than many of it’s more bulky brethren!

The slim profile of the Broad Peak means it functions brilliantly as an active mid-layer insulation piece. It’s all about providing warmth without interfering with the task in hand and features such as the backpack and harness-compatible zip pockets reveal its intent.

When light rain or snow starts to fall, you won’t need to reach for a shell as the Broad Peak’s Pertex Quantum fabric does a quite excellent job of keeping all but the biggest raindrops and most significant of precipitation at bay.

In terms of features, the Broad Peak is low on the ground but that’s the beauty of its minimalist DNA. It just works and the hood is a prime example of this. You can’t adjust it but quite frankly there’s no need to as the elasticated border provides the perfect snug fit.

When it comes to packing it away, the Broad Peak stuffs easily into it’s own side pocket with zip closure and carabiner loop. Clever, efficient and truly fit for purpose.

If you’re looking for a high-end, fast and light technical down jacket with primo Swiss engineering, then get the Broad Peak on your list.

Full Specifications

800 fill power ethically sourced goose down / Pertex Quantum fabric / two zipped handwarmer pockets / adjustable hem / elasticated cuffs / elasticated hood

Best Waterproof Down Jacket for Women

Rab Valiance Jacket

Price: £330
Weight: 615g
Best for: Climbing, hillwalking, general outdoors use
What we liked: 800 fill power down, Pertex outer
What we didn’t like: Heavy, lacking two-way zip and external chest pocket

Another down jacket that makes use of a waterproof membrane for the ultimate protection against the elements – perfect for a winter weight belay jacket, or really cosy summertime jacket for freezing evenings.

Hiding under the Pertex outer shell is a high-quality 800 fill power goose down which has  been treated by Nikwax. This means that if by some chance any moisture is able to get through the waterproof outer shell, there’ll be no loft lost, and the jacket can keep on keeping you warm.

There’s also a helmet compatible hood with a useful wire-stiffened peak. The down insulation does not extend up into this, instead Rab have used synthetic insulation instead.

Other features worth noting are the Velcro adjustable cuffs, and the handwarmer pockets that have YKK zip closures. These pockets are both easily big enough for any of the usual essentials, so you won’t have problems with storage or access to your pockets even if you’ve got heavy duty gloves on your hands.

Full Specification

Pertex Shield outer / 800 fill power R.D.S certified European goose down / Nikwax hydrophobic treatment / bonded box wall construction / Pyrotec synthetic insulation in the hood / drawcord adjustment at the hem / Velcro cuffs / stuff sack / two handwarmer pockets / YKK Vislon front zip with internal baffle / 2 YKK handwarmer pocket zips

Read our full Rab Valiance Jacket review

​Article originally published by Sophie Nicholson with updates from Cat Nicol, Jazz Noble and the Outdoors Magic team.

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