We’ve stuck to six puffer jackets for this guide. Why? Because we want it to be digestible. You don’t need a hundred options, endless tech specs and chaos to sort through when you’re trying to make a decision on the best down jacket to buy.
What makes this guide to the best puffer jackets for hiking different is that every single one of these jackets we’ve recommend has been lived in through real world use (and we mean lived in – some of these jackets have been in our rotation for six or seven years).
We’re not going to cover every performance detail that means virtually nothing in practical terms, we highlight what’s actually useful in making a decision. More importantly, how this translates, from our thorough experience using them, to the outdoors.
We’ve hiked and traveled around the world in all of these jackets. From our early days exploring the Swiss Alps, the Dolomites and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada to colder days at the Grand Canyon, exploring the high altitude landscapes of Grand Paradiso National Park, Shasta and Lassen Volcanic National Park.
They’ve come through multiple seasons and varying environments and each and every one has proven its worth. Welcome to gear guides but make them actually good.
We’ve included lightweight options that work well in layering systems. Others that are perfect for very cold climates and what we think are the best down jackets for extreme cold. One even costs less than a meal out.
Our review also includes more traditional down options and also synthetic fill puffer jackets for hiking.
If you’ve ever been in that synthetic vs down argument, you might wonder why? Because we’ve found that what works outdoors largely depends on your environment and we’ve had plenty of experience with both to know that they can sit equally here.
We just know there’s a puffy jacket that will be a great addition to your hiking gear that you’ll love below.
March 2026 update: We’ve recently refreshed this guide to ensure the products we’ve recommended are still available to buy and the links and information we’ve provided for you below are up to date.
The Best Down and Puffer Jackets for Hiking
We’ve kept this line up of down jackets intentionally small and full of the right details you’ll need as we wanted to create something that’s easy to decide from: no endless lists or tables.
These are the puffer jackets for hiking that we’ve relied on over time. You won’t find every brand here just for the sake of it. Every single jacket here has earned its place for a reason. Including layering, extreme winter and budget options.
A word about ‘best men’s’ or ‘best women’s’. We’re not great fans of gender divides when it comes to outdoor gear as from our experience there isn’t really always a difference. We list by what we’ve tested and let you know what’s available.
Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket
Tested by Fay Doyle
Type: Synthetic Down
Sizing: Tested in women’s fit, men’s version available here
Best used for: Year round puffy hiking jacket. Perfect within a layering system and packable to have with you all the time.
Note: Rab don’t list the specific fill of some of their jackets so easily, which is why we haven’t included a specific rating in this review.
I’ve been using the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket for about 1.5 years at this point, and I would say it’s probably the best synthetic down jacket in my rotation right now. One of the things I love the most about it is it feels incredibly light and packs down small in pretty much every day pack I’ve used it in (Rab Tensor 20, Osprey Talon 22 and my Gregory Maya 25).
I was quite overly excited when I learned that the inside pocket actually doubles up as a stuff sack with a harness loop that can be attached to your bag too. This revelation made it pack down even smaller than just stuffing straight in my daypacks – something I think is a genuinely useful feature!
This means I’ve taken it pretty much everywhere with me over this period whether I think I’ll need it or not, as it’s so light (310g/10.9oz). This has been great as it means I know I’ve got a really lightweight hiking jacket that keeps me warm if I need it.
I’ve tested this jacket in a really wide range of terrains and trails in this time including places like my local Lake District mountains and trails like the Easedale Tarn walk, Northumberland coast, Trekking in Sapa in Vietnam, The Great Wall of China, Bergen and Eidfjord in Norway, Durmitor National Park in Montenegro and cold nights in places like Joshua Tree, Boulder and the Grand Canyon.
Because of its size and packability, I’ve also worn it on loads of city breaks too, including places like Oxford and Newcastle – it’s versatility (and minimal looks) are a big plus point here too.
It replaces a more traditional mid layer, like a fleece, and gives a technical option. Through all of my repeated testing of this down jacket over the past year and a half so far, I’ve been incredibly impressed by how breathable the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket is.
To get into the more technical side, this jacket uses PrimaLoft Gold Active+ which works to help regulate your temperature. What this has translated to for me is feeling that this is the perfect mid ground puffy jacket that keeps me warm in a layering system when I need it and takes the edge off when temperatures just get a little too chilly without it.
One of the reasons I originally got this insulated hiking jacket was because I wanted to develop my solid layering system, and with my Rab Nexus Hoody and my Rab Downpour Plus Rain Jacket (yes, I do love Rab products) I’ve created something including the Xenair jacket that works for all times of the year. It layers under a shell perfectly.
This really is my favorite down jacket right now as I love what it offers so much. It’s perfect for higher energy days where its colder or windier at the summit and it’s also not too hot that you’ll be itching to take it off. Though, I would say this puffy jacket isn’t great as a stand alone if you know you’ll get colder temperatures and works best in a system.
It also isn’t very happy when it rains and it doesn’t really offer anything in terms of rain protection, so I always add a rain layer if rain starts sooner rather than later to be on the safe side with it.
The fit feels fairly tailored and similar to a lot of tech jackets I’ve owned. However, there is space to move and breathe in this and it’s a great one for adding extra layers underneath if needed.
The only thing that I do find a little annoying about it is that the sleeves are too long. This is something that I do seem to have a repeated issue with though, so could just be me. However, the sleeves roll up and stay in place easily.
I really like the simple design too that doesn’t feel too ‘puffy’ and sits against your body really naturally. The two exterior pockets on either side of the waist are more than enough and they don’t sag down too much when you have things (like your phone) zipped up in them.
My Take:
- Brilliant for packability – can take it everywhere.
- Very versatile and works incredibly well in a layering system.
- I think it looks stylish enough in some cases to be worn day to day too. Meaning if you travel, you’ll need to take less with you. I also think this is the best puffy jacket for backpacking.
- Is on the pricey side, but I 100% think it’s worth the investment.
Salewa Puez Catinaccio 2 Tirolwool Responsive Hooded Jacket
Tested by Matt Doyle
Type: Wool down/ 60% polyester/ 40% virgin wool
Sizing: Tested in men’s fit, women’s version available here
Best used for: General, year round puffy jacket that’s great for mountaineering and general hiking
I’ve had the Salewa Puez Catinaccio 2 hiking jacket for just under a year at the time of writing this review. For transparency, I was sent this jacket to test out over winter (with no obligations) and I’m really glad I was as I’ve grown to absolutely love it.
Freebie or not, if I needed to buy a lightweight, winter hiking jacket, this would be at the top of my list. For my hikes and mountaineering this past winter season in places like my home Lake District mountains and the Scottish Highlands, it’s honestly been one of the best insulated jackets for hiking you could want.
First of all, it’s really beautifully made and fitted. It cinches in slightly at the waist, which keeps this wool down jacket close to your body. This has meant for me that there have been no areas where wind or air can get in or get out so it’s been exactly warm enough and exactly cool enough in changing conditions (great for lower altitude starts and higher peak finishes where you can expect much colder temperatures and wind chill).
The insulation on this jacket from Salewa is pretty remarkable. Salewa say that the jacket uses TirolWool insulation which is sourced from Tyrolean sheep. These have a higher lanolin content which keeps it warm when wet and the thermoregulating response technology gives a release of energy (I’m guessing they mean warmth here) over time.
What this means in reality is that it’s an excellent lightweight layer for pretty much all winter mountaineering. I haven’t tested this so far in very extreme cold temperatures (I’ve tested in up to -10c). However, from those tests I’ve found that even when working up a sweat on faster hikes and more involved mountaineering routes, I never feel itchy or clammy.
Salewa do say this jacket comes with a DWR coating on the outer to help keep it water repellent. However, I don’t really think it helps at all. It really is just for insulation and for dry days (it’s great for insulation from the wind).
Even in light rain or when going through foggy patches in the mountains, it looks soaked through really quickly. Fortunately, it does dry out pretty quickly, but you really want to avoid drenching this puffy jacket.
I have tended to always put my Rab Downpour Plus Rain Jacket on sooner rather than later when it starts raining or if the air feels full of moisture to keep this jacket looking and feeling it’s best.
Whilst I’ve talked a lot about using this Salewa puffy jacket in winter, I also got to test it through Autumn/Fall too and given that it’s never felt too hot, I found it great for days where it has been that bit colder at the summit. It packs down really small (I’ve had this packed down with plenty of room around it in both my Osprey Stratos 24 and Gregory Citro 24 daypacks).
This means I pretty much bring it everywhere, whereas some other jackets, like the Rab Nebitron Pro, which I’ve reviewed below, I think in more detail about before I bring. So, it’s a jacket that can happily sit there until it’s needed.
Whilst I haven’t had this jacket for as long as some of the other jackets in this review of the best down jackets, I have worn this a lot in the year I’ve had it. There are even some days still in summer where I’ve worn it, it’s that versatile.
I have no worries that this will last the test of time. I plan to come back to this review and update as well once I’ve have even more years of usage.
I think the Salewa Puez Catinaccio 2 Tirolwool® Responsive Hooded Jacket is a good in between jacket for people who know they’re going to be working up a sweat on their hikes, but also need something that will keep them at just the right temperature.
You can tell this jacket is built with alpinism and fast and light in mind – it shows through the design and how it performs in harsh circumstances.
My Take:
- Great, versatile jacket that works well in so many circumstances as it regulates temperature so well, is light and packs down small.
- Works great in a layering system, even with other brands.
- Not really waterproof at all and looks wet very quickly so really needs a waterproof shell adding as soon as the weather changes.
- It is sold at a higher price point, but it’s worth it in my opinion, especially if you want a jacket for alpinism and mountaineering that is going to last with you.
Rab Nebitron Pro Jacket
Tested by Matt Doyle
Type: Synthetic Down
Sizing: Tested in men’s fit, women’s version available here
Best used for: Extreme cold conditions
Note: Rab don’t list the specific fill of some of their jackets so easily, which is why we haven’t included a specific rating in this review.
I’ve had the Rab Nebitron Pro Jacket for a little under a year at the time of writing this and whilst it’s still relatively new in my rotation, it’s become one of my favorites very quickly. I originally got this jacket because my old animal down jacket was becoming very matted after years of use and it really needed replacing with something that was going to take me through my next evolution of winter hiking and mountaineering.
Having used it through the winter in my home Lake District mountains, and the Scottish Highlands, especially when temperatures took a real dip and provided me with a lot of longer distance snow and ice hikes and some really memorable times, I’ve loved what it’s offered me.
In my opinion this is one of the best warm hiking jackets for the UK and US.
It’s become my go to for really cold temperatures, and to be honest, it can even run a bit hot sometimes. Even in minus temperatures I can find myself overheating in it especially when I break a sweat. However, it’s a very easy one to regulate your temperature in as the two-way zips that are intended for climbing harnesses also allow you to create air space where needed.
Very quickly into owning this jacket I felt like it fit me really well – it just suits my body shape and feels like it’s really well proportioned. It covers your hips really well and it also easily slotted into my other Rab layers. I use the Rab Nebitron Pro with my Rab Downpour Plus Jacket.
One thing I’ve found an issue with previous down jackets for hiking are the hoods – they never feel like they sit right and in windy conditions they don’t keep me warm. This Rab synthetic puffer jacket surprised me as it fits around my head really well.
It’s proportioned to fit a climbing helmet too, so you can tell that with this and the two-way zipper that you could easily use this for winter climbing, ice climbing and other alpinism. I’m planning to use it more this winter season for this kind of work, so I’ll be interested to revisit this after seeing how it fairs here.
Rab use a synthetic insulation for this jacket called PrimaLoft Silver RISE and Pertex Quantum Pro. In reality what this has meant for me is it not only provides warmth, but it’s been great when I’ve encountered strong, bitter winds on some of my winter hikes that to be honest, in the past may have meant me turning around.
That said, it doesn’t provide much protection from my experience against rain, and I find myself putting on my rain shell very quickly into the weather changing. However, this mid isn’t intended to be your outer shell too!
It also packs down really small because of the synthetic insulation, so when I have become too hot, it’s easy to switch my layers around and I’ve found it fits easily in all the packs I’ve tested it in (Osprey Stratos 24, Gregory Citro 24, Rab Adrift 24) around my other gear and camera equipment.
What I find really interesting is there have been a few scenarios where I’ve been out in snowy – quite wet in the air – low cloud environments in the Lake District and this synthetic down jacket has felt wet to the touch on the outside.
I’m not sure if it’s just doing a really good job of wicking moisture but it dries out very quickly and never penetrates the membrane and seems virtually ‘unbothered’ by this once it’s has about half an hour of drier air. I think this is another advantage of the PrimaLoft Silver RISE and Pertex Quantum Pro working well.
However, I wonder if over time, or if I was using this for a multi day expedition in a harsh environment whether this would become an issue. I think for cold, dry US climates, it would work absolutely perfectly.
That said, I think the Rab Nebitron Pro is absolutely worth the price and I think it’s one of the best performing puffy jackets I’ve ever had. For deep winter, it’s my absolute go to and I think it’s going to take a lot to change my mind on that now.
My Take:
- The technology of this synthetic down puffy jacket is amazing as it really does handle all you can throw at it in temperature extremes.
- Fits really well and works brilliantly in a layering system, especially with other Rab products.
- Is very warm – the fill rating isn’t actually mentioned in the manufacturer’s description, but it’s one of the warmest puffy jackets I’ve ever owned.
The North Face Aconcagua 3 Jacket
Tested by Fay Doyle
Type: Recycled down
Sizing: Tested in women’s fit, men’s version available here
Best used for: Stand alone puffy jacket for very cold temperatures. Doesn’t work well in a system
I have the original Aconcagua jacket from The North Face and since I bought this about four years ago, they’re now onto the Aconcagua 3. To be honest, it doesn’t look much different from mine, just with a few updates in terms of using recycled materials.
Mine was also a 500 fill and the newer version is a 600 fill, so you can expect it to be a little warmer still than my experiences. Everything else sits broadly the same.
After four years the Aconcagua jacket is still very much in my rotation and it’s my go to when things get really cold outdoors. When I bought this jacket, I was looking for something that would give me a really good boost of warmth.
I thought it would be perfect for wearing before/after winter outdoor swimming and for hikes where the temperatures were into minus figures. This jacket is quite puffy, thick and not really packable so it’s certainly more intended to be worn the whole time you have it with you.
I’ve worn this jacket in some fairly full on winter environments and it’s kept me toasty warm including my winter swimming project in the Austrian Alps, lake swimming in Switzerland, my home Lake District mountains when temperatures get really cold, in places like Eidfjord in Norway and in the French Alps dog sledding.
I personally don’t think this is a jacket that works well in a layering system. Even though The North Face say it can be, it is very bulky and when I try to layer it under a rain layer it just doesn’t feel right.
This jacket is very full on in terms of the insulation it offers, my version is a 500 fill, and the newer version is 600, so you could imagine this to be even warmer. However, I find this is exceptional for really cold climates.
I do find that it’s not the jacket I go for when I’m going on more full on hikes, as I do get quite warm in it very quickly when I build up a sweat. It’s the jacket that I go for if I know I’m going to be stationary or slow moving for significant periods.
For example, I’ve worn this a lot when snowshoeing in winter when we’re moving much slower, for winter camps, day to day around town when it’s snowy, for slower walks and even for dog sledding in the French Alps.
Because of its bulk, it can feel a bit restrictive, but that isn’t really what this jacket offers – it’s all about warmth. It’s also really great at handling light to moderate rain. Anything more than this, I’d go for my full layering system instead with a rain shell as this feels a bit too bulky to be used in a layering system, though I have on occasion.
After four years of use, I can confidently say this jacket is built to last. There are no seams that have blown, the stitching is still intact, and the fill still feels pretty much perfect and hasn’t bunched anywhere. I think if it needed replacing now, I would absolutely buy the updated version – it’s been an amazing jacket in my rotation.
It’s also a pretty cool looking jacket and I’ve worn this plenty of times on colder days when visiting more urban areas too. At this point, the North Face Aconcagua jacket is my go-to as a men’s/women’s (it’s available in both or unisex) puffer jacket for colder environments.
My Take:
- Still going strong after four years of use, so built with durability in mind.
- Very warm puffy jacket which will keep you really well insulated in colder temperatures. Perfect if you just want to stay warm!
- Is bulky and doesn’t pack down easily.
- Doesn’t work the best in a layering system and is better as a stand-alone winter puffy jacket, but also provides water resistance so has a good coverage here.
Helly Hansen Verglas Hooded Down Jacket 2.0
Tested by Matt Doyle
Type: Animal down (Allied feather and down)
Sizing: Tested in men’s fit, women’s version available here
Best for: Winter puffy, works well in a layering system
I’ve actually been trying to think how long I’ve has the Verglas for, and I think it must be about six or seven years at this point. It was one of the first down jackets I bought for hiking.
I think I have what is likely referred to as the original Verglas (it’s hard to find this information at this point), but the available Verglas 2.0 version looks almost identical, just with a few tech upgrades and a lot more recycled content.
It’s been all around the world with me, from hiking in Switzerland, the Dolomites and Tenerife to places like the South Downs National Park in winter, the beautiful, snowy Sierra Nevada, the French Alps, some of my local Lake District mountain hikes and even places like Epping Forest.
It certainly looks a bit rough round the edges after all this wear, and there are a couple of areas with some loose stitching and fabric tarnishes, but none of this has impacted its performance.
Likewise, the logo has completely worn off over the years I’ve had it, which doesn’t really bother me, and doesn’t look messy because of it. The logo wasn’t really the reason I bought it. It was printed rather than stitched, but this is the case with most down jackets anyway.
One of the only reasons I moved onto a newer jacket after all this time is because I wanted something more packable. Whilst this isn’t unpackable, very far from it, it doesn’t pack down as small as either the Rab Nebitron pro of the Salewa Puez Catinaccio 2 hiking jacket.
If a jacket not packing down to the smallest size imaginable isn’t a deal breaker for you, then this is just a personal taste thing! However, the Verglas 2.0 version comes with a packable pocket, so this may change things anyway.
I also wanted something that layered better within a system, and I’ve never felt like the Helly Hansen Verglas does that quite as well as I would have liked. On many of my hikes where I’ve wanted to add a rain shell (as this mid layer doesn’t really add very much in terms of rain protection), it just doesn’t feel like it fits perfectly.
However, that said, for drier circumstances, such as in the US or in more temperate winter climates in the alps with little rain, it has been my go to all those years for a reason. It’s still in my rotation even now, just not as often.
The cut feels nice too. It’s the perfect shape to keep you feeling warm on cold days, and due to it’s pretty intense fill (though Helly Hansen don’t include the down fill rating). I’ve loved this warm hiking jacket when we’ve been backpacking and it’s also kept me really comfortable for sleeping in.
To be honest, this jacket has kind of earned a pretty special place in my heart. There’s some hiking gear you just love and feels familiar to you.
Whilst it does look like it’s had some wear and seen some places (which it has) this Helly Hansen puffer jacket will be staying with me for a long time.
My Take:
- Given that I’ve had this jacket for about six or seven years, and it’s still going strong, it’s absolutely built with durability in mind.
- Very warm and perfect for colder climates, backpacking and sleeping in while camping.
- Isn’t as packable as I’d like, but I think this has been addressed (with the packable pocket) on the 2.0 Verglass down jacket that is available now.
Amazon Essentials Packable Lightweight Jacket
Tested by Fay Doyle
Type: Synthetic Down
Sizing: Tested in ‘unisex’ fit but is now listed as men’s but isn’t a gendered fit and is suited to all.
Best for: General hiking/beginner hikers
The Amazon Essentials Packable Lightweight Jacket is admittedly a wild card when it comes to the best down jackets for hiking whether you’re in the UK or the US. It’s a lot lower in price than any other puffy jacket in our favorites list here.
However, I’ve added this not just as a cheaper option but because I think it’s genuinely one of the best puffer jackets out there if you’re on a budget or new to hiking.
I bought this jacket a good few years ago now as my first winter season jacket when I got into hiking. In fact, I’ve had it so long that most pictures I have of me wearing it, I still have my old hair color.
I didn’t want to spend much, and it fit the bill (and at the time seemed like a bit of a dupe for something more like Patagonia or Rab). The price made me think it wouldn’t last long, but to be honest, it’s been one of the best money to use ratio pieces of outdoor gear I’ve ever owned.
For a lot of hikers, this jacket won’t quite fit the bill. It isn’t full of tech jargon and groundbreaking design, but it is a great piece for anyone at that beginner, in between or just not as frequent/don’t want to spend as much part of their lives with hiking.
I have much ‘better’ systems for my layering now, and I would be cautious to wear this jacket on really full on hiking trips at this point, but when I was starting out I absolutely loved this jacket.
That said, this Amazon Basics puffer jacket has been to some pretty incredible places with me. It’s been hiking and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, hiking near Salzburg in the Austrian Alps, hiking in the Italian Dolomites (in both summer and winter) amongst so many others.
I even brought it more recently when hiking and backpacking along the Backcountry Discovery Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park and it kept me really warm when camping out under the stars here.
One of the reasons it still comes with me sometimes is because it just works so well. It’s no nonsense, it packs down really small and keeps me really warm. In fact, this keeps me warmer at night on backpacking trips or if I know I’ll be hiking past sunset than some other more expensive synthetic down jackets I’ve tried.
I expected to retire it when I bought a ‘better’ system, but I haven’t. In all truth, it still performs great and is incredibly comfortable in terms of fit.
The only area I’d say is vastly improved in the more expensive jackets in this guide is the temperature regulation, moisture wicking and insulation. These are the main reasons I usually reach for a more tech focused jacket like the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket (above) now.
The Amazon Essentials puffer jacket does make me feel warmer and has more of a breathability issue than some more higher end jackets, but for the price, I don’t think you can really argue. I think this is perfect if you know you’ll be standing around more or not moving as quickly. For more full on summit pushes I’d choose a different jacket.
When I got this jacket, I expected it to feel really cheap when wearing it, and especially when I started comparing it to higher priced puffer jackets for hiking down the line, but it really doesn’t (to a level). The truth is, none of the seams have blown from repeated wear and it does wash relatively easily.
I try not to get it wet as it offers absolutely nothing in terms of waterproofing (it says it’s water resistant but I don’t agree) and if it does get wet it can feel a bit bunched and heavy. However, it isn’t intended to get wet, so this isn’t really a fair metric to base it on.
The version I got had a hood, and it looks like it’s been updated (not sure exactly when) to not have a hood now. That does seem a shame as the hood is really cozy and fits really well. I think the only thing I’d really change is for the new version to have this.
Likewise the new version seems to be missing a chest pocket, but to be honest, that isn’t something I make much use of anyway.
I think if you’re on the fence about buying a puffy jacket for layering when it comes to hiking and you don’t want to spend a lot, you genuinely can’t go wrong with this Amazon Essentials jacket. It’s $38/£22.99 and I still wear it. I think that says something.
I also love the yellow color variant I have it in. I’m not going to lie, it does look pretty cool in photos. So, there’s that too!
My Take:
- Incredible wild card option – at $38/£22.99 it’s pretty amazing that it’s still going in my rotation even years after I bought it.
- Still one of my favorites, which I think says a lot!
- Great if you don’t want to/can’t commit loads of cash to a puffer jacket.
- Doesn’t give the same feel as more technical jackets in terms of moisture wicking, but great for general hiking.
Buying Advice: How to Pick a Puffy Jacket for Hiking That Actually Works
We’ve been testing out and using puffy jackets when hiking for years, in pretty much any weather condition you can think of. In that time, through trial and error, we’ve worked out what works well and what doesn’t.
Our buying advice below isn’t recycled information that will go through ten cookie cutter ideas of what to consider when buying a jacket. Instead, it’s about how not to waste your money and get the best down jacket for your needs.
What We Look For (and What We’ve Learned to Avoid)
There are some key factors we consider now when working out how to choose a hiking jacket for a particular trail. We think that depending on your location or the kind of hiking you intend to do; you may find you need more than one.
For example, the best hiking jacket for cold weather might not be that lightweight hiking puffer you keep in your daypack for when it gets windy or cold through the day. That said, here are a few criteria that are important to consider.
Does it Work with Layers?
We think a puffy jacket that works within a layering system is generally best on most occasions. Consider how bulky the jacket you’re weighing up is and if it will work with a rain jacket and base layers. We cover with each of the puffy jackets we’ve recommended above if they work well in a system.
Though in some circumstances, where you might expect to feel the cold more and your environment is dry and cold, a heavier puffy is likely better suited for your needs.
Likewise, make sure that when you try on your new puffy jacket that you test it with your other layers. There should be enough room for varying base layers underneath depending on the season.
Is it Packable if You Need it to Be?
If you plan on just needing a puffy for hiking that you know you’ll wear the whole time, then buying a packable jacket isn’t going to be a biggie for you. Though if you want to be able to keep it in your daypack when it’s not needed, this will be important.
We find that synthetic down jackets, from our experience, seem to pack down a lot smaller than animal down (so that’s a good argument in the whole real down vs synthetic down debate). However, that isn’t to say that real down jackets don’t pack down (very far from it).
We’ll consider what else we’re bringing with us that day as to what jacket we bring, and obviously this is always a decision that takes into consideration trail conditions too.
Insulation
Don’t get too hung up on manufacturer specs when it comes to insulation, as we’ve learned over the years that this doesn’t really matter. What matters is how this feels when you’re out against the elements and how well it lasts over time.
You should take into account, when looking at things like fill, how warm you run. For example, we find that Matt runs colder than Fay and so he never really needs the same level of fill or seems to feel hotter much quicker. This really helps him decide what level of fill or insulation he needs from a jacket.
The thickness or puffy feel of a jacket doesn’t always determine how well insulated it actually is. We’ve found that some very thin puffy jackets, which are generally on the pricier end, are built to be thin and very insulating and actually provide the same level of warmth as some of their thicker counterparts.
Features
We always look at how a jacket will feel as well – is the hood well proportioned? Are there enough zips? Can you actually get to the pockets? Do the pockets sag when you have things in them? Are the sleeves long/too long and will they need to be rolled up?
Features that actually impact the use of the jacket are far more important than long words and jargon. You need to be sure of how these actually apply to usage.
Within this, we also try to avoid lifestyle jackets that look great in town but provide very little in terms of tech. What we mean here is moisture wicking, insulation, wind protection etc. that will keep you feeling good when hiking.
A Quick Note on Synthetic vs Down: Our Experience
Of course, we can only talk from our experience of down versus synthetic down when it comes to puffy jackets, but here are our thoughts.
We’ve both found that there is a place for synthetic down and animal down in our hiking gear. In our experience, the synthetic puffy jackets we have often pack down much smaller than down and are what we would often go for when it comes to needing extra layers for varied days.
Synthetic down does seem to handle mixed conditions better as they insulate if you do happen to get them wet and they also dry out much quicker. We try to keep our puffy layers dry, but of course there are some circumstances where this is unavoidable and feel much more confident with synthetic on these occasions.
Animal down can be incredibly warm in much colder climates and is something we would usually reach for if we’re hiking in colder, drier places. It’s not as good at handling moisture and can take a very long time to dry. Plus, if you do get it wet, the down can actually start to bunch up inside it over time.
As you can see, the choice ultimately comes down to your own experience and the conditions you hike in. There is no best or right choice here.
What ‘Tested’ Actually Means Here: Trail Tested Not Lab Tested
It’s really important to us in any guide to hiking gear that we publish that everything has been actually tested on hikes. There are so many reasons for this, but one of the most important being that it can actually be dangerous when someone goes out completely unprepared, yet thinks they are.
Every single jacket in this guide comes from our personal recommendations, and they’ve been tested on different trails and environments around the world. We’ve been able to build up a really complex understanding of how each jacket performs it’s best (and not so much) so that we can provide actually useful information to you so you know which jacket will suit you best.
Our Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Down Jacket for You
Finding the right puffy jacket for hiking shouldn’t be about needing the most expensive option or the biggest list of technical specs (our wildcard option has been in Fay’s rotation for years). We believe you need to find a puffy jacket that works for you and feels right too.
Every one of the jackets in our guide has earned its place here. Through years of trial and error and plenty of earned understanding of each one of their strengths and weaknesses. Every jacket is one we trust.
If you want to read more to get a better understanding of how puffy jackets can layer into your hiking gear, we’d recommend reading things like our no-nonsense guides on US National Park hiking essentials, UK hiking essentials, what to wear hiking and our day hiking checklist.
You may also find our top tips for hiking in winter guide useful if you’re investing in a down jacket for winter. Likewise, if you’re looking for other gear to layer in, such as a rain jacket for hiking, our gear and equipment page links out to all of our guides of tried, tested and trusted gear.
Thanks for trusting us to help you choose your hiking gear, it means a lot!
Disclaimer: This article contains Affiliate Links. You won’t pay any more for buying through these links, but we may receive a commission from any purchases made through them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to support us by buying through our links, we thank you as it helps us to continue providing the resources we do to help you enjoy the outdoors more!