The 12 Best Puffer Jackets You Can Buy Right Now

The 12 Best Puffer Jackets You Can Buy Right Now

ProsRipstop fabric designed for abrasion resistanceHood can pack into the collarOne of the most iconic purveyors of the puffer jacket, TNF is a brand that deserves the hype it gets. This style, with its wide puffs, is a throwback look that’s oh so welcome in the 2020s. It's designed to tough out even the coldest winter days, with a water-repellent and windproof outer, goose down, and a three-piece hood that you can stow away into the collar.Colors10SizesXXS-3XLFill700-Fill-Power Goose DownMaterials100% Recycled Nylon RipstopProsGreat for hiking and sportsDesigned with recycled materialsTo me, this is the perfect packable puffer: Slim enough to roll up and stash away and sturdy enough to brave wind, rain, and snow. REI designs this lightweight style for the man on the go, so for all your winter hikes and outdoor excursions, this is the perfect in-between option that won't weigh you down.Colors5SizesS-3XLFill650-Fill-Power DownMaterials100% Recycled NylonAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsDesigned with a longer hem in the back for warmth protectionReflective grab straps on the backBackpack strapsSueded chin guardConsNo hoodOn the pricier sideCanada Goose is a household name when it comes to winter gear, and the Lawrence Puffer is one of its best sellers for good reason. Our editors (along with actors like Daniel Craig and Ethan Hawke) love this lightweight, warm, cozy jacket, which was designed with the details in mind; it has a suede chin guard so the stand collar won’t bother you, backpack straps, reflective stripes, and even two different color options for the disc logo.ColorsNavy, BlackSizesXS-3XLFill750-Fill-Power Responsibly Sourced Down; 90% Down, 10% FeathersMaterials100% Recycled NylonProsGreat priceSuper lightweight while still being warmConsNot the most wind resistantEddie Bauer’s CirrusLite is a sleeper hit. It won’t win awards as the most wind-resistant or coolest looking, though I love the more earthy colorways. It layers well, keeps you warm, and is durable enough if you need to wear it on a legit mountain—all this while being super lightweight and easy to pack.Colors11SizesS-4XLFill650-Fill-Power DownMaterials100% NylonAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsEasily packable design that comes with a bagVery lightweightWhether you're commuting in a bustling city or packing for a cold-weather trip, this lightweight jacket is a winter staple. It's stylish but doesn't skimp on insulation for a chilly day. The best part, though: Unlike many other puffers, this one is about as slim fitting as you can get. Kiss all the extra bulk goodbye this winter. Or, if temperatures go below freezing, add a wool coat on top for extra coverage.Colors11SizesXS-5XFillFaux Down InsulationMaterials100% NylonProsSherpa lining for extra warmthWind-resistant and water-repellent constructionNot only is this jacket insulated, but the interior is lined with sherpa, too, making it a cold-weather superhero. The high collar and full-front zip make it virtually windproof, so whether you’re darting from building to building or staying outside for a while, you’re all set.Colors6SizesS-3XLFillBlown-In InsulationMaterials100% NylonAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowPros1000-fill down is extremely warmSleek silhouetteDon’t get me wrong, an Arc’teryx Thorium is a phenomenal jacket. I just think at that $450 price point, you’re often just as good going for a North Face Nuptse (if you want an outer layer) or an REI down jacket (for layering). I think Veilance, which is the higher-end and more fashionable Arc’teryx sub-label, is a more interesting proposition. You get a sleek city cut, a nicer matte ripstop shell, and insanely warm 1000-fill down.ColorsBlack, silkstoneSizesXS-XLFill1000-Fill Grey Goose Down MaterialsMatte Mini-Ripstop FabricProsCool yoke and collar detailingSuper warmRocky Mountain makes one of the sickest jackets out there. Westernwear is on a bit of a downturn—well, it’s classic, but had its cultural peak two years ago—but you are seeing this style of working Western down jacket with leather yoke pop up more and more. Rocky Mountain Featherbed is the OG, starting in the 1960s as a real brand for cattlemen and their employees. Its current iteration is actually a Japanese-owned reproduction, which means it’s the real fucking deal. It looks cool, wears hard, and is probably warmer than anything on this list.Colors6Sizes38-50Fill90% Down, 10% FeatherMaterialsSheepskin, Nylon, Cattle LeatherAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsWaterproof and windproofHood is adjustableLululemon is based in Canada, and maybe that explains why all of its outerwear is so good. We love its bulkier puffer jacket, but for a sleeker, winter athleisure feel, this minimally puffed jacket is great, too. It keeps the heat in and water out, and with a stretchy, down-filled construction, you’re sure to stay warm and cozy.Colors4SizesXS-2XLFill700-Fill-Power Goose DownMaterials87% Nylon, 13% ElastaneProsWater-repellent and wind-resistant fabricMachine washableRemovable hoodThis puffer from Aritzia was made with the same attention to detail and tech that goes into high-performance sleeping bags. It has 700-fill down, but it’s sewn with big horizontal chambers like a sleeping bag. It’ll withstand temperatures as low as -22°F, so it’s the only coat you’ll need for surviving a serious cold snap. The fit is intentionally oversized—longer in the arms and broader at the shoulders—to accommodate bulky sweaters underneath. Plus, the Japanese fabric is both water-repellent and wind-resistant.Is this an outdoorsy jacket? No. Is it outdoors capable? Yes, absolutely. Heavy down jackets—as real mountaineers use them—are made for base camp, when you’re not moving but need a lot of heat. This is perfect for that.Colors10SizesXS-2XLFill700-Fill-Power 90% Down, 10% Waterfowl FeathersMaterialscliMATTE Nylon Ripstop FabricAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsWater-resistant in a way that few puffers can beIncredibly durableConsWaxed cotton plus down...it gets very, very warmCurrently sold out in most sizesThe issue with most puffer jackets is that they’re not made to be especially abrasion or weather resistant. These jackets were originally made for cold and dry days on mountaintops. But Filson takes a different approach.The Down Cruiser shell is a classic heavy oil-finished Filson cotton. That makes this jacket more weather-resistant and abrasion-resistant than any other option on this list.Colors2SizesXS-3XLFill650-FillMaterials8oz. Waxed CottonProsMade for skiing, so it's abrasion- and weather-resistantIncredibly warmConsIncredibly high-pricedSo, you want the best? For performance, you can buy something cheaper from an outdoors brand. For fashion, you can get something cool and garment-dyed from Stone Island. For a merging of those sensibilities, Moncler is the only brand—the OG that made jackets for Europe’s mountaineers—that you should be buying from.The Grenoble name denotes Moncler’s high-end ski line. Go to a nice ski resort in the Alps, and you’ll see plenty of these. Nothing looks as good or insulates as well. And if you don’t ski but want something fashion-forward, I still prefer the Grenoble line. The abrasion-resistant fabrics on the jackets look a lot better than the high-shine nylon that Moncler and other brands like to do on puffers.ColorsBlack, navy, beigeSizes1-5 (S-XXL)Fill90/10 Down/FeathersMaterials84% Polyamide, 16% ElastaneAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowTips for Choosing the Best Puffer JacketWhile finding the perfect puffer jacket isn’t rocket science, there are a few key features you should focus on to narrow your search down from the 20 options above.Insulation: Some climates call for the most intense down fill power there is, and some simply don’t. You don’t want to overheat this winter, nor do you want to be too cold, so go for a puffer with fill or insulation that your climate calls for. Don’t make the mistake of buying an 850-fill-power puffer if you live in a city where the coldest it ever gets is, like, 59 degrees.Features: Not all puffer jackets are made the same. Personally, I need a removable hood. Look for design features including adjustability at the hem and hood, windproof fabric, zippered or buttoned pockets, a mock neck, and more, depending on your preferences.Puffiness: If you’re someone who travels a lot and needs to stash your puffer in a suitcase from time to time, going for a super-puffy option probably isn’t going to be your best bet. Instead, look for puffers with a little less, well, puff, which will make them much easier to stow and pack. Some on this list even come with their own stow bags.How We PickedBeing based in New York City means we know what makes a good puffer jacket. The options we listed above bring the heat in terms of functionality and style, all season long. Over the years, our editors have tried hundreds of styles and brands. Narrowing it down to our 20 favorites was no small feat, but these are just the picks that we swear by and return to time and time again for our winter wear.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowFrequently Asked QuestionsWhat is fill power?Fill power is the number that tells you the quality of down in your jacket. The number technically indicates how many cubic inches of loft a single ounce of down has, but for simplicity, just focus on whether the number is relatively high or low—the higher it is, the higher-quality the insulation is: 600 is good, 700 is great, and 800 is spectacular.Do puffer jackets ever lose their puff? Over time, as down goes through washing machines, tough weather conditions, and daily life, it can lose its fluffiness and slightly deflate your puffer. It’ll still keep you warm and dry, sure, just not quite so puffy.

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