When it comes to warmth without weight, nature still does it best. Down, the layer of fine feathers under the tougher exterior feathers on a bird, is the most insulating filling for a jacket. It beats synthetic fills for heat retention when comparing the same weight and is also more compressible. These qualities make down jackets a great choice for staying warm outdoors with a lightweight coat that is easily stuffed in a bag.
However, if down gets wet it stops working and takes an age to dry. Manufacturers tend to make the shell of their down jackets water repellent to keep the filling dry. You will also see “hydrophobic down” listed as a feature. This means the feathers are treated with a water repellent to stop them from absorbing moisture if they do get wet. 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. Which one is right for you will depend on where you plan to wear it, whether for alpine mountain climbing or commuting. Here are the lightweight down jackets we’d recommend.
Rab Microlight Jacket
Featherlight jacket with quality down filling
This ultra-lightweight jacket will pack into any bag but still offers 750 fill hydrophobic ethically-sourced European goose down to keep you warm. It’s a slim fit and has a narrow baffle structure to keep the down in the right place. Recommended for fast, light activities in cold places like alpine climbing or lightweight backing but equally wearable on your way to work too.
Amazon Essentials Men's Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Down Jacket
Entry-level down jacket at a low price
One of the most affordable down jackets we’ve seen, this lightweight model has a 90% duck down, 10% feather fill with a hood to keep more warmth in. The nylon outer is water-resistant, it has a zipped front and pockets. Machine-washable, it packs away into the included carry bag. There are higher-spec down jackets but this is good value for the price.
Marmot Men's Guides Down Hoody Winter Puffer Jacket
Handles all the elements
This coat handles the worst the weather can throw at it. The 700 fill power down is protected by Down Defender - a water-resistant treatment that stops it from clumping together and losing heat in wet conditions. Zipped chest, interior and handwarmer pockets keep small items and your hands away from the elements and Marmot's Angel-Wing Movement allows for a full range of motion.
Columbia Men's Delta Ridge Down Jacket
Stitch-free baffles with reflective lining
Columbia makes this 650 down fill jacket even warmer with their Omni-Heat Reflective technology. A metallic dot pattern on the interior lining retains heat while breathable fabric lets moisture escape. The coat’s fill is kept in place with a stitch-free, heat-sealed baffle system that keeps the down where you need it inside the water-resistant shell.
Bottom line
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A good lightweight down jacket is a useful addition to anyone’s coat hook. Nothing beats down for weight-to-warmth so it will keep the cold at bay but without the bulk of a bigger coat. The best down jackets are highly compressible. You can easily stuff one in your backpack or bag and pull it out when it gets cold, making it as useful on a mountainside as when you have to sit outside at a restaurant. The down jacket that we would choose for most people is the Rab Microlight Jacket. It has down’s two best qualities - warmth and low weight - in abundance. When you put it on, you will be surprised at how something that thin can be so warm.
For a more rugged puffer style coat with a hood, the Marmot Men's Guides Down Hoody Winter Puffer Jacket is a good option. With a water-resistant down treatment, adjustable fit and room to move, it’s one to put on for all sorts of active outdoor sports.
