Best Cheap Down Jackets 2016/2017

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Affordable Down And Insulated Jackets | 6 of the Best Outdoor Winter Coats For Under £160

These great down and insulated jackets mean you can stay warm this winter, without spending a fortune.

Can you really put a price on staying warm? Well, yes. Yes, you can. Because, living in these increasingly uncertain economic times means not all of us have a casual £500 going spare to spend on a state of the art down and insulated jacket. But should these financial issues stop people from enjoying the great outdoors? Nope. Nope, they should not. The world of adventure gear is bursting at the zip with bargain winter jackets that will keep you warm and, just as importantly, your bank balance looking healthy.

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“But where are these bargain insulated jackets,” I hear you cry, “…and will they actually do the job that they’re supposed to?” Answer to first question: they’re right here, in this article. Answer to second question: you bet your bottom dollar, they will. These coats might not be as flashy as some of the more elite products out there but if you want a decent insulated jacket for less than £150, look no further than the compiled list below. We’d recommend them to friend and foe alike. Oh, and while we find ourselves on the subject, if you haven’t read our buyer’s guide for down and synthetic insulated jackets yet; be sure to give it the once over before you make a purchase.

Forclaz Trek 500 Men’s Down Jacket

When looking at the fill power of a down jacket to wear as a standard insulator for any spring to autumn hiking, you ideally want to be looking for something with a fill power around the 800 mark. And that’s exactly where this jacket sits. For £39.99 that’s a real bargain.

Decathlon brand Forclaz have made sure that all of the down used in the Trek500 conforms to their responsible material commitments, in this instance all of the down has been taken as a by-product of the meat trade, so there’s no live plucking involved.

It’s also worth noting that the Trek500 weighs 290g in a size L which is pretty respectable, and there’s the other added bonus that it all stuffs up into the left hand pocket – useful if you want to keep this stashed away neatly in your pack to pull out on a breezy summit.

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Pictured: Jack Wolfskin Helium Men Down Jacket.

Jack Wolfskin Helium High Men Down Jacket

We’ve got a whole lot of time for Jack Wolfskin. They make a lot of reliably warm clothing for outdoor activities, that don’t cost a bazillion dollars. A recipe for success, if ever there was one. Jack Wolfskin’s Helium High Men Down product is a fine example of a jacket that can handle the heat, or lack thereof, and not charge you a small fortune for the pleasure of doing so. Without further ado, let’s talk you through its plus points.

Firstly, it’s only £125 so that’s a big tick on value for money. Secondly, it can be stowed away inside its own pocket; so that’s a big thumbs up in the practicality category. Thirdly, the down used is good quality (700 fill power; RDS certified),meaning optimum comfort and insulation is the order of the day. Last, but by no means least, the windproof outer fabric provides additional protection for the wearer. A great winter jacket, and yours for less than the price of a return train journey to basically anywhere in the UK. Top stuff.

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Pictured: Columbia Men’s Flash forward Hybrid Jacket

Columbia Men’s Flash Forward Hybrid Down Hooded Jacket

Available in a variety of colours, the Columbia Men’s Flash Forward Hybrid is an excellent lightweight down jacket that will keep you warm when the weather’s on-the-turn. And, what’s more, it only costs £110. Happy days.

The Heat Seal technology, used in the construction of the coat, eliminates baffled stitches meaning that the down stays where it’s meant to be (inside the coat) and the cold stays out. The water resistant fabric used means the Flash Forward won’t let you down if the conditions morph from cold, to wet and cold. A good active fit for outdoor enthusiasts, and at a price that’s hard to argue with, the Flash Forward Hybrid will nail it whether you’re moving forward, backwards, upwards, downwards or side-to-side.

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Pictured: OEX Zenon Ultra LT

OEX Men’s Zenon Ultra LT Down Jacket

We actually took this jacket out to the wilderness of Iceland and found it was mightily impressive, mainly due to its excellent warmth-to-weight ratio achieved 800 fill power down and lightweight shell material. What’s more, it will hold up to light rain or quick downpours thanks to its hydrophobic coating.

We actually liked this jacket so much that we included it in our Outdoor 100 product guide in 2017. Here’s a taste of what we said about it: “If you’re looking for a windproof, warm layer that’s going to perform superbly when you need it to, and virtually disappear when you don’t, and all at a price that will leave you with enough money for your train home, the OEX Zenon Ultra LT Down jacket ticks all the boxes.

Check out our full review of the OEZ Zenon Ultra LT

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Pictured: Alpkit Filo Insulated Down Jacket

Alpkit Filo Mens Insulated Down Jacket

Regular readers of Outdoors Magic will know already how much love we’ve got for Alpkit’s stuff. Alpkit are quickly becoming the masters of providing brilliant outdoor gear, at very affordable prices. Check out our Alpkit Gravitas review, if you don’t believe us. Yes, technically, the Alpkit Gravitas is a waterproof jacket but it’s also an extremely good illustration of what the brand itself is all about. As is the Filo, for that matter.

Alpkit Filoment Vest | First Look

The Filo Mens Insulated Down Jacket has won the ‘Best Value Down Jacket’ accolade in a number of specialist outdoor magazines (which seems fitting when you consider the title of this article). As coats go, it’s also highly versatile, guaranteed to keep you warm, and is constructed from ethically sourced down. The zippered fleece-lined front pockets should ensure your hands are snug on even the frostiest of days, while features like its lightweight design and wire-peaked detachable hood round the package off in the nicest way possible.

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Pictured: Rab Nimbus Jacket.

Rab Nimbus Jacket

Not, as far as we know, named after Harry Potter’s Quidditch broomstick; the Rab Nimbus is a first-rate featherless synthetic insulated jacket. It’s designed to be an all-rounder, as effective when climbing as it is when worn for winter walks. Manufacturers Rab have made the bold claim that the Cirrus™ insulation is a breakthrough for this type of gear because it combines the positives of natural down and synthetic fillings, whilst masterfully reducing their unique limitations. With magic like this on show, maybe our Harry Potter reference wasn’t too far wide of the mark after all.

Rab Nebula Jacket | First Look

Rab Flashpoint Jacket | Review

Getting into the nitty gritty details for a moment, the Nimbus offers a fantastically well insulated hood that can be worn either over or under a helmet. Throw two zipped hand-warmer pockets into the mix, with the left side one acting as an integrated stuff sack, as well as elasticated hand cuffs and a variety of other cool features and what you’re left with a superbly versatile insulated jacket. The fact it’s only £140 is the icing on a very delicious coat.

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