The Best Down Jackets: Staff Picks

There may be no better choice for cold-weather active pursuits or around-town jaunts than the Patagonia Down Sweater. It's well under a pound, packs down small and has a middle-of-the-road fit that accommodates most folks. Plus, it's made using recycled materials and goose down certified to the Global Traceable Down Standard. With loads of well-thought-out extra features, it's a go-to for everyday wear.

"It's an all-around generalist," says REI merchant Katie Smyth. One of our Expert Advice editors wears the Down Sweater for everything from chilly walks to shoulder-season camping, hiking and backpacking trips. The jacket's versatility comes from its lightweight, 800-fill-power goose down and a horizontal baffling pattern that eliminates cold spots. Perhaps most importantly, the fit is tailored without being too narrow. The Down Sweater now comes in extended sizes—up to XXXL in men's sizes and XXL in women's sizes.

You'll find hem drawcords inside the Down Sweater's slightly undersized pockets to you can easily cinch the hem without exposing your hands to the cold. The front zipper tucks into a garage at the chin, which helps to prevent chafing. There's also an interior chest pocket that doubles as a stuff sack. And because this version of the Down Sweater lacks a hood, it nestles neatly under a rain or ski jacket if you're looking for furnace-like warmth on the move. (It's also available in a hooded version for $50 more.)

"Because it's so lightweight, I always find room for it on backpacking trips because I know it'll keep me warm without the bulk," says Expert Advice managing editor, Phuong Le (pictured sledding with her kid in the Down Sweater). "But it's so versatile that the jacket is also my go-to mid layer on colder ski days." Buy here.

Leading groups of visitors in Yosemite National Park has its ups (hiking to the 8,844-foot apex of Half Dome, for example) and its downs (say, exploring Yosemite Valley). The REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie is ready for it all, confirms one REI Experiences guide. “I can attest to the [jacket’s] performance in the unpredictable mountain weather,” says Sarah Dolan, an REI guide who leads multi-day backpacking trips in Yosemite during the summer and teaches hiking, backpacking and navigation classes in the Northeast other times of the year. Dolan notes that the jacket’s 850-fill-power goose down (the highest among the down jackets on our list) provides a high warmth-to-weight ratio that still easily stuffs down into the small crannies of a full pack (or in the jacket’s own pocket). A heat-sealing internal draft tube in the neck and nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) treatment boost protection against the cold and precipitation, respectively. “This hoodie has consistently kept me comfortable and protected from the elements,” our guide adds.

It’s not just cold and rain, however, that the Magma 850 can withstand. The jacket’s fully recycled ripstop nylon shell stands up to rubbing of backpack straps, while its raglan sleeves, articulated elbows and body-mapped insulation enhance ease of movement when setting up camp. Melissa Chieffe, an REI senior marketing strategist, was impressed with the Magma's toughness on a recent rock climbing trip to Golden Cliffs in Colorado when temps dipped and she needed an extra layer. "Happy to report that it didn't rip, even though I was sliding all over rock," says the climber, pictured on rock at Golden Cliffs in Colorado.

And, says another staffer, the Magma 850 is adaptable enough to handle variable weather conditions. "Likely to be my go-to everyday down jacket for both active pursuits and trips to the grocery store," he says, though he found the hood too square for his taste. Indeed, other reviewers complained of a too-boxy fit. And one customer-reviewer noted that the location of the hood adjustment on the back of the head "makes the jacket uncomfortable if you want to sleep with the hood up for extra warmth." Still, our Pennsylvania-based gear tester instantly loved the Magma 850 and uses it "on everything from hikes, a round of golf, dog walks, and you name it. It is super light, incredibly warm, packs well, and looks amazing.” The jacket comes with a hoodie or without. Buy all versions here

The colorful and cozy Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is a co-op staff and member campsite favorite, earning this 800-fill-power goose down coat a nearly five-star rating. "Great minimal jacket for an alpine or backpacking layer system," says a reviewer from Ohio. Another says, "I wanted a nice warm jacket so I didn't have to layer all the time. This jacket is great for the fall in Utah, it keeps you warm at 40°F. It's super lightweight and comfy [so] you'll forget you're even wearing it." In fact, the entire Fuego line—including a vest, parka and the ridiculously awesome down overalls—is top-rated at the co-op. 

Of course, the Fuego is eye-catching—as are most other products from this certified B Corporation dedicated to "gear for good." But the Fuego is much more than a pretty face. It's made with a durable 20-denier ripstop nylon exterior lining to resist scratches from errant branches and unwieldy tent poles. The water-resistant goose down insulation keeps your trunk and arms toasty, and a drawcord hem and elastic bindings at the hood and cuffs prevent drafts from wafting in. A scuba hood protects your neck from the chill. Zippered hand pockets offer more protection from the cold, and a stash pocket is perfect for a trail snack; the whole coat stuffs into an interior pocket for easy packing and quick layering. One note: The coat itself isn't waterproof or windproof. If there's rain or snow in the forecast, bring a hard shell to wear over this puffy. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

Puffies aren't cheap, but you can still grab this one from REI Co-op for about half the cost of others in our lineup. And you won't be making any extreme sacrifices for the price, either. The 650 Down Jacket is stuffed with 650-fill-power down, packs down small and comes in loads of sizes (including a kids' version and a infant/toddlers' version).

Fahlstrom says she reaches for the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket when she has room to only bring one coat. "The key question for picking a jacket is, how often are you going to use it?" she says. This one handles decently on active pursuits as an outer layer (the shell blocks wind and is treated with a DWR coating) or mid layer (the insulation fluffs up well, even after being compressed into its own pocket). Katie Smyth, an REI merchant, notes that the jacket's fit is relaxed, not technical, but it still layers well.

Some reviewers noticed frayed seams over a year's time, and a few feathers popped out. Still, the 650 Down Jacket is a bargain for the price, and it's made with materials certified to bluesign criteria. Buy here.

Just like your favorite rom-com star, the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket from REI Co-op features a gruff exterior but is a total softy inside. Its durable water repellent (DWR)-treated, double-layer HydroWall shell repels even the wettest flakes, and 850-fill-power goose down insulation in the body and lower arms help keep it überwarm while staying compressible and lightweight (under 2 pounds). 

When snowshoeing, we're more likely to sweat under our arms and on our backs (especially while wearing a pack), so it makes sense to look for a jacket featuring relatively lightweight, breathable fabrics in these areas. The Stormhenge features 180-gram recycled-fiber synthetic insulation that's mapped to the upper and lower body as well as side panels that retain warmth when wet and dry quickly. The jacket's down baffles are welded to the shell to better hold in warmth and prevent cold spots. A draft tube in the collar (like what you find in many sleeping bags) further deters heat loss. 

What does that look like in action? "The Stormhenge moves beautifully, is well-insulated without being bulky and doesn't get soaked through when I'm shoveling," says Ever Meister, hike editor for Expert Advice, adding that the jacket stands up to their home state Minnesota's -60°F windchill. "Another bonus for that shoveling: pit zips! I always overheat when I'm taking care of the sidewalk, but the easy ventilation on this little number keeps me going comfortably." A three-way adjustable hood fits over a helmet in case you want to take the Stormhenge skiing. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.  

If you're looking for a high-performance puffy jacket that will move with you, reach for the Arc'teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie. It's loaded with 60 grams of synthetic insulation, but stretchy side paneling and articulated arms help you feel nimble, whether on the slopes or other snowy adventures.

When worn beneath a shell like a mid layer, that same stretch paneling also allows for venting. Designers at Arc'teryx placed the insulation of the Atom on the front and back of the torso, leaving the underarm areas of the stuff so you can dump heat if you're working hard. The insulation itself is synthetic (called Coreloft Compact), making it more breathable and quicker-drying than down jackets but not as warm as the Patagonia Down Sweater. If a particularly gruesome yard sale ends with snow down your shell, the Atom will still insulate when wet, too.

"Arc'teryx is a design company and they take every detail into account," says Dawn Fahlstrom, a co-op retail sales specialist in Dallas. The Atom has a low-profile hood that fits under a helmet and has a mini brim for some rain protection. The cuffs are buttery-soft, making for easy removal and layering, and the Atom durable face fabric is tough enough to handle being worn as an outer layer. Plus, it provides light rain protection, thanks to a DWR coating.

"This jacket really shines in its versatility. I have taken it biking at night, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, hiking, and worn it around town," writes one customer-reviewer. Note: The Arc'teryx Atom is also available in hoodless options (women's and men's). Buy here.

The REI staff just can't get enough of the Nano Puff Jacket from Patagonia, which is warm and windproof thanks to 60 grams of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco. The synthetic insulation retains its warming abilities when damp and a brick-quilting pattern ensures the insulation stays put, making it a perfect winter hiking companion.  

"Everyone in our family owns Nano Puff jackets that have lasted us for years," says Phuong Le, Expert Advice managing editor who's based in wet and chilly Seattle. She adds that they use the jacket for all seasons and multiple activities (but they don't wear matching colors). "It's our mid layer of choice when we don't want the thickness of fleece, and though it's not waterproof, it has surprisingly kept us all warm through some unexpected rainy hiking adventures." 

Emma Cullen, who works on the REI paid media team and lives in snowy Idaho, adds that the Nano Puff lives up to its name. "I barely remember that I’m wearing a jacket when in the Nano Puff," she says. "It's so lightweight and moves with me whether I'm ripping skins, using hiking poles or just out for a dog walk. This is the perfect jacket to keep as a 'just in case' layer in a bag since it is so small but can be so warm." 

Know who else loves the Nano Puff? Your Mother (Earth, that is). The jacket's recycled insulation comprises 100% post-consumer material, and its fully recycled polyester ripstop shell features a moisture-shedding durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that's free from perfluorinated chemicals. (Other Nano Puff products include a parka, hoodie and mittens.) Also available in kids’ and infants'/toddlers’. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.