The 11 Finest Down Jackets for Ladies, Examined and Reviewed

February 12, 2025

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For these of us braving the chilly climate every season, a down jacket is an absolute necessity. Down jackets are made out of duck or geese feathers, and so they normally have a down fill energy score — a better fill energy is normally light-weight, compressible, and insulating. Whether or not you’re packing a 10-ounce ultralight layer for evenings across the campfire or throwing on a large parka-length possibility for a frigid commute, the vary of jackets within the down-insulated class is huge, and there’s a jacket to suit each want.

We examined 41 down jackets for ladies — from packable layers for chilly locations to waterproof commuter types — and thought of every part from insulation and heat to suit and sturdiness. After our preliminary testing interval, we continued to put on the jackets for a further six months as a result of down jackets will be fast to abrade or lose insulation, and we wished to verify our prime jackets held as much as prolonged seasonal checks. Learn on for our prime examined picks, in addition to our ideas for getting the perfect down jackets.

PHOTO: Lole

Why We Love It

The trendy tailoring, considerate options, and cheap worth level made this our prime choose for the 12 months.

This trendy down coat saved us heat throughout chilly commutes in the course of the testing interval, together with a number of days with biting chilly wind. The Claudia suits true to dimension and works properly with a sweater layered beneath with out impeding vary of movement. This can be a pretty streamlined coat that by no means felt cumbersome or cumbersome, and we appreciated the fashionable midthigh lower with a drop-tail again that saved our bottoms heat when seated open air. This jacket was lighter than we anticipated, and it does have a decrease fill energy than among the others we examined, so you could need to layer in particularly chilly temperatures.

The variety of options, tailor-made lower, enjoyable colorways, and considerate options solidified this jacket as our prime choose this 12 months. The hood is detachable and adjustable, the cuffs have an elastic end to assist maintain out the wind, and the zippered hand pockets are properly positioned and generously sized for keys, snacks, cellphone, and pockets. The development feels high-quality total, which we have been thrilled about contemplating the cheap worth level. The coat packs down sufficiently small to be a sensible choice for journey, and the match is flattering sufficient to look good round city. This wouldn’t be our prime choose for frigid climate, as we felt some drafts and it does have a thinner construct than others we examined, however total this is a wonderful and well-priced choose, particularly for journey.

The Particulars: XXS-XXL | 80/20 down-to-feather ratio | 650-fill energy | Detachable hood | Water resistant

PHOTO: Quince

Touchdown on the prime of our Finest Puffer Jackets information, the Quince Accountable Down Puffer Jacket is cozily plush with a excessive loft and hip-length hemline. We cherished the prolonged sleeves that went properly previous our midlayer and helped forestall draftiness, in addition to the massive baffles that helped maintain the down in place.

We wore this puffer round city in the course of the cold-weather take a look at interval, primarily for working errands and happening walks. The match was true to dimension, becoming carefully however with out limiting vary of movement. We have been in a position to layer a midweight fleece beneath, which is probably going all we’d want with this city fashion. The liner felt softer than different jackets we examined, and the down-filled, outsized hood did much more to create the sensation that we have been sporting a puffy blanket as an alternative of a jacket. In case you discover the hood to be cumbersome, it’s detachable and took us only some seconds to detach and reattach. We additionally respect the reasonably priced price ticket.

PHOTO: Cotopaxi

Most individuals will acknowledge the ever-present color-blocking of Cotopaxi’s well-liked down coat, and we’ve been sporting ours persistently for greater than a 12 months now. It suits true to dimension with none binding by way of the shoulders, although we suggest sporting slimmer-fit layers beneath, because it doesn’t accommodate bulkier insulation tops. It hits at hip-length however is on the shorter facet. We now have worn this jacket in all kinds of cases, from cold-weather hikes to chilly mornings in Jackson Gap, and the average match, packability, and athletic look make it a go-to at dwelling and for journey.

The 800-fill down is among the many highest high quality in our examined jackets, and the 20-denier nylon materials helps cut back bulk even additional. This makes it an glorious selection for packing as a journey layer, because it takes up little or no room in your pack and packs down into its personal pocket. It’s additionally surprisingly heat for a way light-weight it feels. The scuba hood is spacious, even over ponytails however shouldn’t be detachable. Lastly, this jacket is available in a variety of sizes as much as 4XL, and you’ve got your choose of solids or rainbow-striped colours.

Columbia Women's Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket

PHOTO: Columbia

Maybe one of the well-traveled jackets of our picks, the Columbia Arctic Crest has been with us on mountaineering trails, chilly seashores, a glacier, and all the way in which to the sting of a volcano in Iceland. This jacket is designated as activewear and lives as much as its title with a DWR-treated nylon shell, ample quantities of 700-fill RDS down and OmniHeat lining, and equal components heat and breathability for high-output actions.

The zip pocket on the chest is a pleasant contact for preserving your cellphone and pockets helpful. We thought the adjustable waist was a pleasant contact to tailor the match and airflow, whereas the draw-cord adjustable hem helped forestall chilly air from seeping up beneath the coat. We thought it seemed a bit cumbersome and felt a bit tight throughout the chest, nevertheless it does have the flexibility to pack down small into one among its personal pockets for journey.

This jacket was made for actions, that includes articulated arms, body-mapped baffle patterns to stop movement restriction, and Columbia’s OmniShield remedy on the face cloth that repels water and wind higher than different handled supplies. “This jacket is designed to imitate the pores and skin of Arctic animals like polar bears, whose black pores and skin absorbs as a lot daylight as attainable to retain warmth beneath their white fur, so this jacket retains you very heat for a way mild and agile it’s,” says Journey + Leisure Senior Editor Lydia Value. “I used to be in a position to hike and climb with a full vary of movement, stretching my arms up, bending over, and carrying gear with ease.”

The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell: one hundred pc nylon | 700-fill energy (goose down) | Water resistant | Packable into one among its pockets

PHOTO: Canada Goose

This thoughtfully designed, high-fashion cropped puffer feels fitted and flattering whereas nonetheless leaving room to layer. It’s mild and lofted, and has fleece-lined zippered hand pockets for cozy heat in addition to bungee adjusters on the hem. The small print are what make Canada Goose well worth the splurge — together with grippy zipper pulls, stretchy wrist gaiters, and distinctive inner suspenders that will let you carry the jacket like a backpack as an alternative of carrying it when it’s essential take it off

Journey + Leisure/Anna Popp

In contrast to the opposite jackets on our record, which use nylon or polyester as their floor cloth, Canada Goose makes use of Pima cotton, a gentle, silky cotton selection that may be handled for water resistance with out the slippery feeling of synthetics. This jacket additionally has a bolder baffle fashion than thinner technical baffles, which makes it stand out within the crowd. A $1,600-plus jacket isn’t for everybody, however we have been so impressed with the consolation, heat, and sturdiness that we’d say if you happen to’re going to splurge on a down jacket, this can be a good wager.

“I like how heat it’s despite the fact that it is cropped,” says Affiliate Editor Anna Popp. “It saved my entire higher physique heat and toasty in freezing situations due to the high-quality supplies.”

PHOTO: Kari Traa

Although this coat has one of many decrease fill powers on this record, its lengthy size saved us heat in below-freezing temperatures due to its full protection and barely puffy nature. We wore it over the course of six months by way of a New York Metropolis autumn and winter, and it proved to be a go-to for frigid walks, lengthy commutes, and actions like ice skating.

We appreciated the two-way zipper to make the lengthy size straightforward to take a seat in. The jacket has three pockets complete — one small zipper pocket on the chest that may maintain a cellphone and two giant pockets which can be positioned on the entrance of the thighs fairly than the edges of the coat. We cherished how spacious the massive pockets have been, however some individuals could want a zipper to the single-button closure. We’d additionally add an inside pocket if we might. We’d suggest sizing up one full dimension due to its slim silhouette in each the physique and arms, particularly if you wish to go away room for layering. That slim match additionally makes it extra flattering and never as cumbersome as different lengthy parkas.

The Particulars: XS-XL | Shell: 77 p.c cotton, 23 p.c polyamide; lining: one hundred pc recycled polyester | 60/40 down-to-feather ratio | 300-to-350-fill energy | Water-repellent

Patagonia Women's Recycled Down Sweater Parka

PHOTO: Patagonia

This light-weight parka-length coat weighs barely over 1 pound and in some way avoids the downfall of different long-hemline jackets by not impeding our vary of movement — it even feels snug whereas sitting down. It does have a two-way zipper to ease any restriction, however we have been pleasantly stunned at how straightforward it has been to maneuver round in.

That mentioned, the Recycled Down Sweater Parka is a lighter jacket, and we’ve discovered it greatest for average winter climate in addition to shoulder-season temperatures throughout our checks within the chilly Northeast. It’s additionally a superb journey possibility, packing away into its personal zippered pocket and tucking neatly into carry-on baggage. Patagonia has a constant dedication towards sustainability in its attire, and this parka isn’t any completely different, utilizing the model’s NetPlus postconsumer recycled ripstop nylon (made out of recycled fishing nets) in addition to absolutely recycled goose and duck down filling.

Columbia Women's Mountain Croo III Mid Down Jacket

PHOTO: Amazon

The Columbia Mountain Croo III is a stellar mixture of heat and waterproofing safety in a classy, thigh-length jacket. Regardless of its longer hemline, absolutely waterproof construct, and mixture of supplies, this jacket didn’t really feel cumbersome throughout testing, and we appreciated the chance to put on a sleeker coat as an alternative of the extra tech-oriented marshmallow fashions. Nothing in opposition to these … typically it’s simply good to really feel heat and stylish. That mentioned, this coat was nonetheless very breathable, and we by no means wound up feeling clammy or sweaty, even after we threw it on postworkout earlier than our sweat had absolutely dried.

We examined this on the steep, hilly streets of Seattle (the place we usually work up a sweat throughout canine walks) and felt dry and comfy each time we wore it. Columbia makes use of its proprietary Omni-Tech waterproofing, which stands as much as the costlier manufacturers with regards to breathability and efficiency, with out the eye-watering worth factors. This jacket makes use of a 650-fill energy RDS down, which is true in the course of the street so far as loft and heat go.

The Particulars: XS-3XL | Shell and lining: one hundred pc polyester | 650-fill energy | Waterproof

Outdoor Research Women's Transcendent Down Hoodie

PHOTO: Outside Analysis

We love a size-inclusive possibility, and this Outside analysis jacket is available in 10 sizes from XS to 4XL which can be tailor-made to suit quite a lot of physique shapes for layering each over and beneath. We determined to dimension as much as accommodate extra layers and have been pleased with that selection for bulkier midlayers. We’ve misplaced monitor of what number of iterations of this coat have been produced, and it continues to be one among Outside Analysis’s most versatile choices. It packs down small, lofts properly due to the high-quality 800-fill down, and has the usual modern streamline we count on from this technical open air model. This jacket has a number of inside pockets in addition to lined hand-warmer pockets, and the angled baffle design provides a little bit of aptitude to the development.

The Particulars: XS-4XL | Shell and lining: one hundred pc recycled nylon 20D | 800-fill energy | 11.6 ounces | Water resistant

PHOTO: Fjallraven

What to Take into account

Anoraks are an acquired style, and this jacket is a bit too comfortable within the shoulders to simply tackle and off, so dimension up.

A pullover down jacket isn’t for everybody, however we’d be remiss to not embrace this superbly designed anorak from Fjallraven. Like lots of the jackets on our record, this jacket got here in properly beneath the load we have been anticipating and packed down small for journey and into our luggage after we didn’t need to carry it round between outside stints. It has held up properly to day by day use and exhibits no indicators of zipper failures or materials degrading.

The midsection includes a kangaroo pouch frequent on anorak fashion jackets, and we discovered the goose down fill to be ethereal and breathable whereas nonetheless being lots heat. That mentioned, pullover down jackets aren’t for everybody, particularly ones with out a good quantity of stretch. We thought this one had extra of a slim match, which did make it a bit tough to drag on and off over our heads, so we’d suggest sizing up. However for a singular fashion and to keep away from the draftiness of a full zipper, it’s a well-made pullover with an fascinating fashion.

Different Down Jackets We Preferred

Down jackets are a broad class, and we examined too many for all of them to incorporate in our main suggestions. Nonetheless, the next jackets will work properly for a lot of vacationers regardless of a couple of setbacks.

Cotopaxi Alivio Down Jacket: We cherished this jacket throughout our White Mountain tenting journey due to its heat and sturdy supplies however discovered the sizing to be much less correct than others we examined. Plus, it’s a shorter lower so that you’re extra liable to drafts.

Eddie Bauer Ladies’s StratusLite Down Parka: The down fill is light-weight and packed down small after we wanted it to, however we discovered the zipper to be considerably cumbersome, and the match of the coat ran a bit giant for our liking.

The North Face Ladies’s Terra Peak Hoodie: The elastic hem and cuffs did an ideal job sealing in warmth, and it has an athletic lower that works for winter actions. Like the opposite two jackets on this class, the match of the Terra Peak felt inaccurate, and the medium we examined match extra like a small.

Our Testing Course of

We examined 41 girls’s down jackets, from light-weight, athletic fashions to knee-length parkas — and every part in between. We wore every jacket a number of occasions in the course of the testing interval and traveled extensively with our jackets for our six-month long-term testing. We thought of every part from sturdiness of face cloth to total weight and really feel to heat and match.

After initially sporting every jacket for 2 weeks after which an extended testing interval of six months, we reported again on consolation, packability, layering room, dimension accuracy, and the way simply the zippers and equipment labored. We seemed for quite a lot of jackets to swimsuit completely different wants and winter climate situations and made positive that the entire jackets had at the very least some stage of weatherproofing to guard the down insulation from precipitation. We are going to proceed to replace this text to mirror any further findings as we take a look at extra down jackets.

Ideas for Shopping for Down Jackets

Be certain it suits accurately

With the expectation of city-ready parkas, a down jacket is a reasonably commonplace layering piece — you need to go away a bit little bit of room to layer beneath (we like to suit at the very least a midweight fleece beneath our jackets), however you don’t need it to be too outsized for drafts to seep by way of. Attempt it on whereas sporting the standard layers you could put on with no matter actions you may have deliberate, to be able to get an correct learn on the match. Ensure you can comfortably cross your arms; if it’s too tight, you’ll really feel a irritating restriction in your vary of movement that may put a damper on winter actions.

Take into consideration the climate

The coats in our roundup vary from light-weight 300-fill down for average days to extremely lofted 800-fill down for bitter chilly temps. Whereas down jackets don’t have a standardized heat score, learn the producer’s suggestions for temperature ranges, and perceive the fill energy and fill weight each contribute to how a lot insulation the jacket goes to offer. In case you’re planning on milder climate, search for a thinner jacket with much less insulation. In case you’re going to bundle up for frigid climate, search for larger fill energy and fill weight, and remember to prioritize DWR-treated face cloth or different famous weatherproofing. We’ve famous whether or not the jackets are water resistant or waterproof within the particulars above.

Take into account how you intend to make use of it

The jackets on our record of suggestions vary from ultralight and packable to lengthy and thick. The one you select is dependent upon what you’ll use it for. In case you’re planning largely athletic actions, search for a slimmer match with a shorter hemline that gained’t prohibit your actions, in addition to a breathable materials. In case you’re planning to largely put on this round city and for commuting, you may get an extended, extra trendy jacket that’s extra insulating. For journey, search for jackets beneath 1 pound that pack down small and have high-quality down fill that gained’t compress if it’s crammed in a suitcase.

Incessantly Requested Questions

What’s down fill energy?

We listed the down fill energy for every jacket, and most producer websites and retailer pages may also provide this info. Fill energy is the measurement that tells you the standard of down insulation, considerably confusingly decided by the quantity of house a single ounce of down will occupy when absolutely lofted. The upper the fill energy, the lighter and hotter the down can be and the extra effectively it traps warmth. The higher warmth-to-weight ratios correlate with a rise in worth.

Additional, some manufacturers denote the proportion of down versus feathers of their insulation. Down is the beneath layer beneath the feathers; it packs smaller and traps warmth higher. Feathers are decrease high quality, denser, and don’t insulate as properly.

How are you aware if down is ethically sourced?

With at present’s growing emphasis on sustainability, if an organization is utilizing ethically sourced down, it can inform you. Search for markers on retailer or producer pages — or on tags if you happen to’re making an attempt the jackets on in individual. The commonest certification is RDS, or “Accountable Down Normal.” This implies the down got here from farms the place the animals are raised inside moral requirements. Traceable down can also be an possibility, and you’ll simply discover these markers and badges on most product pages.

How do you wash and dry a down jacket?

Opposite to well-liked perception, you do have to clean and dry your down jacket. It helps the face cloth keep water resistance and retains your insulation lofted. In case you don’t dry a down jacket correctly, the feathers inside can clump and create mildew. Every jacket is completely different, so make sure you learn the care directions. However for probably the most half, an at-home washer on a mild cycle utilizing chilly water is a secure wager. We suggest utilizing a down-specific wash, and don’t use cloth softener. To dry, tumble dry on low warmth with balled-up tin foil or a couple of tennis balls to interrupt up the down clumps because the jacket dries. Some jackets, just like the Canada Goose jacket on our record, could also be dry clear solely, so double examine every part earlier than washing.

How do you repair a tear in a down jacket?

A tear in your down jacket simply offers it extra avenue cred — it doesn’t imply it’s best to trash it. In case you’re not sending it again to the producer to be repaired, you’ll be able to simply patch small tears and holes with matching duct tape or technical restore patches like Noso patches, that are made to stick to the floor materials, and maintain the outlet from spreading or the down from escaping. Clear the realm across the gap rigorously to eliminate grease or oil, slap the patch on, and also you’re good to go. Bonus factors if it’s a enjoyable design.

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based author and editor with a decade {of professional} gear-testing expertise within the outside world. She is an avid backpacker, bikepacker, and four-season outdoorsperson, and checks dozens of jackets and layers every season, from ultralight and packable down jackets to heavy-duty, in-town down parkas. To compile this record, she coordinated with T+L’s inner editorial staff, combining their examined down jackets together with her background in layering and winter attire that can assist you select the perfect girls’s winter jacket for this season.

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The 11 Finest Down Jackets for Ladies, Examined and Reviewed

Different Down Jackets We Preferred

Our Testing Course of

Ideas for Shopping for Down Jackets

Be certain it suits accurately

Take into consideration the climate

Take into account how you intend to make use of it

Incessantly Requested Questions

Why Belief Journey + Leisure

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