For ultimate warmth without the weight, you can't really beat a good down jacket
For lightweight and efficient insulation, you can’t beat a good down jacket – get the right one and it will end up accompanying you on every outdoor adventure throughout the year. The purpose of this article is to help you work out what’s the best down jacket for you and to show you what options (that we rate) are out there.
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.
Also known as quilted jackets, or puffer jackets, down jackets are normally worn as an outer layer over a t-shirt or long-sleeve baselayer on mild and dry days. When it rains, it’s useful to have a waterproof layer that can fit over your jacket comfortably. On very cold days, some down jackets can be worn over a number of layers as part of an insulation system.
The Best Down Jackets Tested in 2024
Here’s our pick of 10 best down jackets, all of which we’ve tested over the last year. These are all available in men’s and women’s versions but if you’re looking for a women’s specific option, check out our list of the best down jackets for women.
Most Warm Down Jacket and Best Overall: Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket
Best Ultralight Down Jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
Best Budget Down Jacket: Montane Featherlite Down Jacket
Best Waterproof Down Jacket: Jack Wolfskin Cyrox 2L
Best Down Jacket for Everyday Use: Fjällräven Expedition Pack Down Anorak
Emma wearing a women’s L version of the TNF Summit Pumori in the Welsh mouintains.
The Expert
I’m a long-distance hiker, regular wild camper and mountain runner who’s completed a number of big thru-hikes, including the 1034-mile perimeter of Wales, and I hold the FKT for a round taking in all of Wales’ mountain tops. I was formerly the president of the Ramblers in Wales and I’ve been on gear judging panels for the likes of ISPO, the Outdoor Industries Association and Scandinavian Outdoor Award. As editor of this site, I was principally responsible for selecting and testing the majority of the jackets you see here. The ones I didn’t review myself – mainly the women’s ones – were all assessed by members of our test team during one of the big get-togethers we hold in the process of selecting gear for our Outdoor 100 product guide.
During our trip to the Cairngorms to test out a new option from Jack Wolfskin. Photo: Dave Macfarlane
To find the best puffer jacket, we assessed over 20 different items within the mountains of the UK. They were walked in, carried in backpacks, thrown on during windy summit stops and worn for cold evenings while out wild camping. I selected a range of different jackets; 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. There are some overarching things I look for in every down jacket: that’s 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.
1. Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket
Our test team deemed this to be the most warm down jacket and best overall in our tests
Our tester Becky using the Mythic Ultra in the Lake District during a hike along the Cumbria Way.
Price: £420 Weight: 537g Best for: climbing, hiking, backpacking What we liked: sustainably made, innovative, highly functional What we didn’t like: outer shell fabric a little on the thin side
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 wamrth-to-weight ratio that’s been struck. It felt lofty and warm but it was also very light and very packable.
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. The water repellent this brings is definitely notable. We found we could wear this in light to medium heavy rain and the down still retained its loft.
Our testers Becky and Will using the Mythic in the Lake District's mountains. Photo: Joe Whitmore
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.
In terms of features you’ve got a two-way zip so it can be worn while belaying, it comes with a little stuff sack that can be clipped onto a harness, the hood’s large and adjustable and can be worn over a helmet (or under one) and the arms are articulated so that you can reach up without the hem lifting up over your waist.
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 /
Price: £350 Weight: 335g Best for: hiking, backpacking, climbing What we liked: lightweight and highly packable, high-spec fill What we didn’t like: zip feels a little flimsy
What was once the Arc’teryx Cerium LT is now the Cerium Hoody. There are a couple of updates, with new colour ways, different ingredient fabrics and perhaps most notably a new liner that’s derived from natural materials (castor bean oil).
Those into their alpine climbing will appreciate the impressive warmth-to-weight ratio the new Cerium offers – it should fit the bill for lightweight backpackers too.
It’s mainly stuffed with 850 fill power responsibly sourced down but there’s also synthetic fill strategically placed in areas that are more prone to moisture, including the cuffs, shoulders and armpits.
Expect a little stuff sack that’s stowed in the breast pocket, two deep handwarmers and hem and hood adjustment. The hood is helmet-friendly too.
As for the fit, we’d call it slim or athletic. It’ll fit over a midweight fleece but anything chunkier will be a bit of a squeeze. It’s also pretty short on the hem but the articulation at the armpits prevents said hem from lifting when you’re reaching up.
We found this was very packable – the kind of thing you’d forget you had in your backpack. One little detail we didn’t quite like during tests was that the main zip felt a little flimsy.
Full Specifications
Men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL / 850 FP goose down and CoreLoft synthetic insulation / Arato 15 nylon shell / articulated construction / insulated StormHood
Our pick as the best value down jacket on the market
Jordan using the Montane Featherlite in the mountains of Snowdonia.
Price: £109 Weight: 375g Best for: Climbing, hiking, backpacking Key attributes: Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
This is excellent value down puffer that nails the whole warmth-to-weight ratio thing. It weighs just 375g but brings plenty of thermal efficiency to proceedings thanks to its 140g of duck down with a decent 750 fill power rating. With that in mind, we reckon backpackers are going to love it. It’s that warmth at camp at the end of the day or the thing you whip out at lunchtime when you’ve stopped on a summit to eat your sandwiches.
There are some decent eco efforts on show here from Montane as well. The shell fabric, for instance, is made by Pertex using recycled materials and the whole item is completely free from any PFCs – meaning it’s not going to cause any water pollution. You can also count on all of the down being sourced ethically – in fact if you buy this jacket you actually get a code that lets you trace the down yourself.
The hood fits comfortably under a climbing helmet, it’s adjustable and comes with a nice little peak to keep the rain off your face. Other features include zipped handwarmer pockets, a chest pocket and there’s a little stuff sack which compacts the jacket down to no bigger than a beer can.
During tests, we noticed that this jacket is quite low volume and doesn’t feel particularly bulky. The benefit of this is that it was easy to wear layers over this without feeling constricted. It does make this a little thin and lightweight for winter use or for really cold days in the shoulder seasons.
Full Specifications
Available in men’s (S-XXL) and women’s (8-16) versions / Pertex Quantum Eco 100% recycled nylon outer with DWR / 120g (UK 12) of 90/10 water resistant fluorocarbon-free duck down at 750+ fill / PEAQ Down lining Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Track my Down.
Selected as the best waterproof down jacket we’ve tested
Will, who is 5 foot 10, wearing a men’s size M version of the Jack Wolfskin Cyrox
Price: £310 Weight: 885g Best for: hiking, day-to-day winter use What we liked: high spec materials, very warm What we didn’t like: hood is very basic
This jacket brings waterproof warmth, combining a 700 fill power duck down and synthetic PrimaLoft insulation with a 2-layer waterproof shell. There’s also a bit of breathability thanks to the big zips at the armpits.
Waterproof down jackets can be a bit hit and miss but all in all I’d say Jack Wolfskin have definitely hit with this. During an evening testing this high up in the Cairngorms in early November, I was really impressed by the amount of warmth it provided and it’s since become my go-to jacket for any cold and miserable days where I need reliable protection. While it’s designed for hiking, this thing could also easily serve as that all-through-winter day to day jacket that you walk the dog in or wear to watch football. Just bear in mind that at 885g, it’s not that light, so it’s not something to take on hikes where it might end up being carried in a backpack for long periods.
It could only be improved if they made the hood a little bit more insulated and made the main zip two-way.
Full Specifications
Available in men’s and women’s versions / Texapore Pro Stretch shell / 700 fill power RDS down / PrimaLoft Black Rise insulation / 2 raised handwarmer pockets / inner zipped pocket / cuff gaskets / pit zips for ventilation.
The best everyday wear down jacket – and the best anorak we’ve tested
Becky with the Expedition Pack Down Anorak in the Lake District.
Price: £315 Weight: 518g Best for: camping, hiking What we liked: responsibly sourced down, recycled fabrics, useful details What we didn’t like: down fill power quite low for the price
This is a light and packable down layer that’s available in both men’s and women’s versions. We only tested the women’s version though.
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.
Those who like a trim fitting down garment might want to look elsewhere as we found that this had quite a relaxed fit, spacious fit.
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.
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 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. “
Full Specifications
Available in men’s and women’s versions / 800 fill power down with hydrophobic treatment / Pertex fabric / stitch-through baffles / elasticated cuffs / micro baffle behind main zip / mini loop for hanging on back.
Price: £230 Weight: 548g Best for: alpine hiking, mountaineering What we liked: more water resistant than traditional down, hardy insulation What we didn’t like: on the heavier side
Disclaimer: this jacket is technically not made from down but the PrimaLoft® insulation lofts and acts in much the same way.
PrimaLoft have updated their technology, releasing a new iteration called ThermoPlume+ which the company says is able to offer the same loft as before, but with 20% less material. It’s also made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials – mainly recycled bottles.
The Rab Cirrus Ultra Hoody features ThermoPlume+ fill combined with Rab’s TILT technology, a reflective lining that enhances warmth by reflecting body heat back toward the user, improving thermal efficiency without adding extra weight or bulk.
We’ve been using the Cirrus Ultra Hoody synthetic insulated jacket this autumn, most notably on a cold few days in the Lake District, and for daily dog walks through some very miserable wet and cold weather. Weighing 548g , we’d call it a mid to heavy-weight insulator; it’s not the kind of jacket that you’re going to scale Everest in but it’s the right kind of insulation for winter hiking, climbing and alpine pursuits.
We’ve found it repels light rain very well and although it does eventually wet out in heavy rain, it still manages to loft and still provide warmth. The durability is impressive too; it’s a jacket that seems to have relatively good abrasion resistance to it – for a puffer jacket anyway. We can see it lasting well.
Full Specifications
Sizes S to XXL / five colour options / heat-reflective TILT treatment / new PrimaLoft® ThermoPlume+ insulation / Pertex® Quantum windproof and water-resistant fabric / resilient sheet insulation / stows away into integrated storage pocket / recycled materials / helmet compatible hood with rear elastication / concealed internal face adjustment and stiffened peak / 2-way YKK® VISLON® centre front zip with insulated zip baffle and fleece lined chin guard / 2 YKK® zipped hand pockets / 2 YKK® zipped insulated chest pockets / integrated storage pocket with harness attachment loop / internal elasticated cuffs / dual sided rear hem adjustment with anti snag tether.
Price: £320 Weight: 375g Best for: trail hiking, everyday and campsite use What we liked: made from leftover fabrics, unique design, comfortable fit What we didn’t like: not the warmest in its category, some unnecessary details
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 and easy to remove zip, 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.
Full Specifications
Sizes XS to 2XL / two colour options / available for men and women / quilted Helium pattern / 700 fill power duck down (90/10, down/feather) / PFC-free DWR finish / recycled fibres / windproof/ packable into side pocket / responsibly sourced down traceable through Track My Down® program / two-way adjustable hood / adjustable drawcord at bottom hem / adjustable sleeve hem with cord stopper / zippered hand and chest pockets / chin guard closure / Responsible Down Standard.
Cat Nicol testing the jacket in the Cairngorms of Scotland.
Price: £360 Weight: 402g Best for: hiking, winter sports What we liked: clever internal reflective lining, sustainable efforts in design, flexible fit What we didn’t like: pockets cut off by hipbelt
We tried out the women’s version of this, but you can expect the men’s version to possess all of the same qualities. The thing that stood out most about this during our tests was its loftiness; this is one of those jackets that feels like a big cosy duvet. As you should be able to see in the picture here, the jacket has quite a long cut to it, with the hem coming down to below the waist. That brings that extra bit of warmth to this, so too does the clever internal reflective lining which is designed to reflect heat back to your body.
Our tester Cat Nicol noted the Elixir’s “flexibility to move freely in” and she said it compressed to a “super small size” when she needed to carry it in her pack.
Other things we liked about this include the fact that most of the materials are recycled and the PFC-free DWR has been used and there’s a good number of pockets – 4 to be precise. The only downside is that the two handwarmer pockets can’t be accessed when wearing a climbing harness or a backpack with a hipbelt.
Full Specifications
Available in men’s and women’s versions / 800 fill power RDS down / adjustable hood / 2 handwarmer pockets / 2 zipped chest pockets / PFC-free DWR / water repellent zips.
Will using the Liv during our Green Gear Guide product testing.
Price: £293 Weight: 469g Best for: climbing, hiking, backpacking What we liked: warm and very lofty, smart design details, sustainable What we didn’t like: boxy shape
This is one of those classic all-rounder down jackets, the kind of thing that’ll suit anything from mountaineering and climbing to hiking and backpacking. Basically, it’s made for any pursuit where you want a top notch warmth-to-weight ratio. That comes from the premium 800 fill power down, generous fill weight and excellent down-to-feather ratio of 93% goose down to 7% feather. The first thing that struck us is just how lofty it feels – it’s like wearing a big down sleeping bag.
The face fabric is made from 100% recycled Polyamide and no nasty eco-hazardous PFCs are present in the durable water repellent coating and impregnation. On top of that, the down is all certified by the Responsible Down Standard and comes with bluesign approval to boot.
Perhaps best of all, and this is where this jacket has a real edge, Klättermusen have gone for a box wall construction. This style of baffle structure tends to make for a much warmer jacket than one with a ‘stitched-through’ method as the chances of warm air escaping through the seams are minimised. The downside with box wall constructed jackets is that they tend to be heavier than ones with stitched through seams but this is by no means a heavy jacket.
The zip is an unusual offset design, which adds comfort around the neck and throat. The handwarmer pockets are comfy, though they’re not particularly backpack or harness-friendly. There’s one more pocket on the inside of the jacket that’s quite large, big enough to fit an OS map, and this doubles as a stuff sack.
During our tests, we found that this had quite a boxy shape to it, but it felt very warm and comfortable. The outer shell fabric is a little on the thin side, though it still held up to our test period. It’s a shame that Klattermusen don’t make a version of this with a hood too.
Full Specifications
Unisex XXS-XXL / 800 FP RDS-certified, bluesign approved goose down / 20 denier 100% recycled polyamide with shoulder reinforcement
Selected for our Green Gear Guide – Here’s our full Klättermusen Liv review.
Our tester Emma using the North Face Summit Pumori in the Welsh mountains
Price: £378 Weight: 538g Best for: belaying and mountaineering What we liked: very warm but also light, loft fill What we didn’t like: price, zip baffle is very small
This belay down feather jacket by The North Face is incredibly loft and incredibly warm – one of the warmest jackets in this round-up. It’s also surprisingly light, weighing just 538g, and it packs down into a bundle that’s about as small as a Nalgene bottle.
One thing we really appreciated about this during our tests was the women’s specific shaping. The lining also has a nice stretchiness to it, so you can wear the jacket over a bunch of layers or no layers at all and the jacket will still keep close to your body to maximise thermal efficiency.
We had some concerns over the durability of the outer during our tests but actually the jacket has held up well. Details include two large handwarmer pockets, an adjustable and helmet-friendly hood and there’s an adjustable internal hem cinch cord. Credit to TNF for using 100% recycled materials for the shell and a PFC-free water resistant coating.
What we didn’t like? The price. This thing costs a fair whack.
Full Specifications
Available in men’s and women’s versions / 800 fill power down / 1005 recycled shell nylon shell / PFC-free / helmet-compatible hood / zipped hand pockets / lightweight stuff sack / elastic cuffs and adjustable waist.
The best down jackets will strike a perfect balance between warmth, weight, breathability, packability and wet weather performance. A good down filled jacket will also have a long lifespan and ideally won’t cost you an arm and a leg either.
Some important aspects that make a good down jacket. The jacket pictured is the Patagonia Down Sweater.
Down itself 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.
The age old question: choose down or synthetic insulation? Left is down, right is synthetic.
If you’re looking to buy a down jacket, it’s worth checking the fill power when measuring the quality of down insulation. The higher the number, the better the quality. The best down jackets tend to have a fill power of over 750. A fill power of 900 or higher is premium.
The best down jackets usually have a box wall baffle construction to lower the risk of heat escaping through any stitching. That said, this design does usually result in a slightly puffier and heavier jacket than down jackets with stitched-through baffles. Patagonia’s Nano Puff jacket is an example of a stitched through jacket that is very popular. On this page, the Rab Mythic Ultra shows an example of a jacket with box wall baffles.
Down can be rendered ineffective if it gets wet, as its loft collapses, reducing its insulating power. Therefore waterproof down jackets or water resistant ones are extremely useful. Some will come with a durable water repellent coating (DWR) to repel water, but you can also add this yourself. Nikwax, Grangers and Storm Care make treatments that can be applied at home.
Some Key Terms Related to Down Jackets
Warmth-to-weight ratio: this refers to the balance a jacket strikes between weight and warmth. The best jackets will be very warm but also very light and that balance can be hard to hit. The jackets on this page that hit the mark there include the Klattermusen Liv and the Rab Mythic Ultra.
RDS: This means Responsible Down Sourcing. It’s a certification that down has been procured through methods that prioritise the welfare of the animals and the environment.
PFC-free DWR: Down loses its capacity to insulate when it gets wet and because of this some companies will add a water repellent coating to their down jackets. In the past, these coatings have contained PFCs which are bad for the environment, but these days more and more brands are using alternatives that are non-hazardous.
Fill power: This refers to the thermal efficiency of the down fill. The lower the number the lower the efficiency. Anything upwards of 700 tends to indicate good thermal efficiency.
Fill weight: This gives an indication of the volume of down fill that has been used. It is usually measured in gsm (grams per square meter). A higher gsm tends to signify a warmer jacket, though fill power and the jacket’s overall design are a big part of the equation too.
For more on what makes the best down jacket, including the synthetic jackets versus down jackets question, plus our guide to ethical down, check out our full down and synthetic jackets buyer’s guide.
How to Wash and Reproof a Down Jacket
Here’a a useful guide we put together that explains exactly how should wash a down jacket – and why it’s so important towards the longevity and performance of your garment.
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