Down jackets are the perfect coat for anyone who feels the cold. Which is just about all of us, right? When you want to keep the worst weather out with a layer of natural insulation that can still beat human-made fabrics on heat-to-weight ratio it has to be down. They simply are among the warmest, coziest coats available and with less bulk, the right choice for activities when you want more movement or just a lighter, warmer coat.
Although down’s properties have long made it the choice for cold-weather clothing and sleeping bags, it’s not great when it gets wet, as it loses its ability to retain heat. For this reason, it’s often treated to resist moisture and used under a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treated shell.
The quality of down in your jacket is measured by fill power. The higher the fill power, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio and, typically, the higher the price tag. Premium jackets can go to 900+ down fill power but high-quality down is considered to have at least 550 down fill power. It’s worth considering where you will be wearing your jacket and for what sort of activities before deciding how warm you need it to be. Another consideration is whether the down has been ethically sourced. There are certification schemes like RDS for down that has been obtained without cruelty and some manufacturers used recycled down. Here are the down jackets we would recommend.
Marmot Women's Montreal Knee-length Down Puffer Coat
Treated down filling and big pockets
This puffer style coat is ready for the cold with 700 fill power down fill all the way to your knees. It can take wet weather as well as the cold with a waterproof outer and moisture-resistant treatment to keep the filling dry and you warm. A zip-off hood and removable synthetic fur ruff make for a versatile look and there’s a zippered internal pocket and larger drop pockets to keep all your items safe.
Orolay Women's Thickened Down Jacket
Adjustable fit and cozy details
A filling of 90% duck down and 10% duck feather lies underneath the windproof polyester outer of this coat that will see you through the colder seasons in some style. It features a fleece-lined hood, ribbed knit cuffs, and side zippers to allow more movement. Six big zippered pockets will keep all your essentials close to hand.
Wantdo Women's Hooded Packable Ultra Light Weight Short Down Jacket
Packs small and retains heat
A lightweight, short jacket with 80% duck down, 20% feather filling. The shell has a Durable Water Repellant finish to keep the down dry and well distributed in the coat. It’s a highly packable jacket and will compress into an included pouch. Multiple pockets, a hood, and a media port to thread earphone cables through all add to this convenient coat.
Columbia McKay Lake Long Down Jacket - Women's
The ethical choice and heat-sealed for extra warmth
Columbia use certified down that has been responsibly sourced in this knee-length jacket. The 80% duck down, 20% duck feather filling has a 650 power fill rating. It has been heat-sealed into the jacket to avoid stitching and retain more heat.
Bottom line
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A good down jacket is a great option to have when the temperature drops. Whether it’s a lightweight coat that you can stuff in a bag or a longer, warmer puffer jacket, it’s the most effective barrier against the cold that you will enjoy putting on to keep cozy. The down jacket we would recommend is the Marmot Women's Montreal Knee-length Down Puffer Coat. Its 700 fill power down is warm enough for most conditions and Marmot has made a fully-featured jacket that won’t let you down.
For a lightweight jacket you can easily compress into a bag and pull on triumphantly when you feel the chill, the Wantdo Women's Hooded Packable Ultra Light Weight Short Down Jacket is a good choice. It’s water repellant and warm without being bulky and we like the pockets and media port.
