Below we’ve grouped our picks for the best down jacket so you can match warmth, weight and packability to your needs. We do our best to give you choices and include a few brands that may not already be on your list.
The Cerium performed great as both an outer layer and a mid layer under the Arc'teryx Alpha SV. Seen here at over 14,000' / 4268m.
If you’re on the hunt for the best down jacket this season, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re hiking alpine ridges, belaying, touring powder or just layering for cold weather in the city, it pays to select the right jacket for your use-case. We have worn, tested, and researched dozens of down jackets to find ones that stand out on performance, quality, features, and style. With so many options on the market, we're drawn to brands that offer something unique to their heritage and experience. If you are in the U.S. then Mammut from the mountains of Switzerland may not be top of mind, and Europeans may not have much experience with Stio from Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Every jacket on this list has been chosen because it is purposely designed to either be an ultralight midlayer, a light but rugged jacket for alpine missions, an expedition outer layer for the coldest conditions, a shell for the maximum weather protection, or just a solid everyday jacket. We also provide estimated temperature ratings, which you won’t find anywhere else. Estimated is the key word; think of these as very approximate, but useful as a relative value when comparing jackets. Ultimately the temperature rating will depend on your body and what activities you are doing. You can also extend the temperature range with base layers. For more information on our approach, read this article.
On to the jackets.
Lightweight Down Jackets
Lightweight down jackets are great for just below freezing temperatures and excel as midlayers under a shell. They pack small and weigh next to nothing.
| Model | Est. Temp Rating (F / C) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 335 g / 11.8 oz |
| Rab Mythic G (Men's - Women's) | 15 / -9 | 277 g / 9.8 oz |
| REI Magma 850 (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 312 g / 11 oz |
| Stio Pinion Hoode (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 312 g / 11 oz |
| Mammut Broadpeak Light IN (Men's - Women's) | 28 / -2 | 280 g / 10 oz |
| Model | Est. Temp Rating (F / C) | Weight | Fill Power (in3/oz) | Fill Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Cerium (aka LT) (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 335 g / 11.8 oz | 850 | 113 |
| Rab Mythic G (Men's - Women's) | 15 / -9 | 277 g / 9.8 oz | 1000 | 127 |
| REI Magma 850 (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 312 g / 11 oz | 850 | 111 |
| Stio Pinion Hoode (Men's - Women's) | 26 / -3 | 312 g / 11 oz | 800 | 125 |
| Mammut Broadpeak Light IN (Men's - Women's) | 28 / -2 | 280 g / 10 oz | 800 | 85 |
Best Lightweight
Arc'teryx Cerium
$400.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Arc'teryx Cerium vs. Cerium SV
Arc'teryx Cerium vs. Thorium
Arcteryx Cerium vs. Atom
Arc’teryx refines the Cerium each season to maximize warmth and performance. The latest iteration features 15D Arato™ ripstop nylon face fabric, 850-fill European white goose down, and is the only lightweight down jacket in our list that also incorporates some synthetic insulation to improve performance in moisture prone areas. Using their proprietary Down Composite Mapping™, Arc’teryx strategically places Coreloft™ 80 g/m² polyester insulation in places like under the arms and hood to combat body moisture’s tendency to reduce the loft of down. Amazingly, you can’t detect the Coreloft when wearing the jacket or stuffing it into the included storage sack. This jacket excels as an outer layer into the low 20’s F / -5 C and as a midlayer for even colder, or wet weather. We also like the fitted cut, which helps make this the best ultralight down mid-layer in the list.
Best Value
REI Magma 850
$239.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Many sites award the REI 650 jacket as the best value. After loads of research and testing we've chosen the REI Magma 850 because it is warmer than the 650 and one of the few jackets with 850-fill down for under $250. You won’t find the most technical branded fabrics on the Magma 850, but at 312 grams / 11 oz total weight for only $239 (12.5 oz and $259 for the hooded version) this jacket offers serious value. It uses 850 fill power, water repellent down. It also stuffs into its own pocket. This jacket has a regular cut and is a great choice for your all round down jacket for fall weather, but opt for a midweight if you are routinely battling temperatures below freezing.
Rab Mythic G
$525.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Using a 7D Atmos™ nylon face fabric and 1000 fill power European goose down, The Rab Mythic G is the lightest jacket on our list. The big technical story with this jacket is Rab’s use of Thermo Ionic Lining Technology (TILT). Picture an emergency blanket reflecting heat inside the jacket. They also incorporate body mapping in their fabric choices depending if they are trying to optimize stretch, protection or breathability. This jacket has a fitted cut to eliminate any extra air and maximize thermal efficiency. The jacket uses stitch-through construction, which slightly improves breathability, but at the cost of being completely windproof. The jacket could be even warmer with a full baffle construction, but that would add weight and bulk. If you are after the lightest and most technical ultralight jacket, this is a good choice.
Mammut Broadpeak Light IN
$249.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Best Mammut Jackets
Mammut Stoney HS ski shell
One of the lightest in our list (but not the warmest) is the Mammut Broadpeak Light IN. We like Mammut jackets because they are thoughtfully constructed—from material choices to cut to the hardware used. The Broadpeak Light IN uses 800-cuin-fill-power DRY DOWN insulation ensures warmth even when wet and is one of the few jackets in the ultralight category that uses a treated down. Here is some good detail about about DRY DOWN. There is only 85 grams of insulation in a men’s medium, so this jacket is for chilly but not freezing temperatures. Its athletic cut and the use of DRY DOWN make this a very excellent midlayer.
Stio Pinion Hooded
$299.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
We like Stio because they design their jackets for the rugged Teton backcountry of Wyoming. For the Pinion they selected recycled Pertex® Quantum® shadow ripstop face fabric and 800 fill power down using AlliedFeather™ HyperDRY™ water repellent technology. With a regular fit and peak mountain town style, the Pinion is as great around town as it is under your ski shell. It also stashes into its own pocket.
Ultralight Alpine Down Jackets
Starting with an ultralight ethos, but typically adding insulation and using materials for more rugged conditions, ultralight alpine jackets are made for high elevation conditions and being on rock in cold weather. You may not find these jackets on other best-of lists but they are a great option for anyone who needs an ultralight jacket for outdoor activities in really cold weather, or harsh conditions.
Best Ultralight Alpine
Mammut Taiss Pro IN
$559.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Best Mammut Jackets
The Mammut Taiss Pro IN has some unique construction features tailored to improve performance in very cold conditions. The first is the addition of synthetic insulation in addition to the 850 fill DRYDOWN goose down. The synthetic insulation is added to the forearms, shoulders, and waist to increase warmth. This jacket also has an internal zippered neck gaiter at the collar to prevent heat from escaping. Fleece lined pockets are a nice touch for an alpine winter jacket. The 10D Pertex® Quantum Pro with Diamond Fuse technology is similar to what is used on the Cerium SV. Plus you get unmistakable Swiss styling. Here is some good detail about about DRY DOWN.
Arc'teryx Cerium SV
$600.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Arc'teryx Cerium vs. Cerium SV
The SV moniker from Arc’teryx stands for Severe Weather and the Cerium SV Hoody is their warmest Cerium down jacket. Using 130 grams of 1000 fill power down (men’s medium) and adding 7 cm (2.7 in) of length, this jacket is made to keep you warm as temperatures hit single digits Fahrenheit (negative teens Celcius). The 20D Pertex® Diamond Fuse face fabric uses a unique diamond-shaped filament to increase abrasion resistance. This fabric gives the jacket a rather bling sheen, which is polarizing among shoppers. Like the standard Cerium this jacket has body-mapped synthetic insulation, upgraded to Coreloft Silver 140 g/m² . The Cerium SV moves to a regular fit to allow more freedom of movement and thicker base layers.
Rab Mythic Ultra
$495.00
See the jackets: men's
The Mythic Ultra takes the design ethos from the Mythic G and augments it for colder conditions. The Mythic Ultra uses a 10D Pertex® Quantum fabric, 900 fill down with a PFAS-free water repellant coating from Nikwax, and Rab’s TILT reflective technology. While the arms are still sewn-through, the core of this jacket has boxwall baffles. A full baffle (as opposed to quilting or a sewn-through construction) allows the down to fully loft and it also will reduce cold sneaking in through the seams. As typical in this category, the Rab Mythic Ultra is 1.5 inches longer than the Mythic G to provide more coverage in low temperatures. A two-way zipper completes the alpine intent of this jacket.
Midweight Down Jackets
These are your best down jackets for every day winter needs. They offer more warmth than lightweight down jackets. If your winter temperatures get down to, or below freezing, then skip the ultralight and get a midweight jacket.
| Model | Est. Temp Rating (F / C) | Weight | Fill Power (in3/oz) | Fill Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's) | 12 / -11 | 517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz | 750 | 140 |
| Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's) | 23 / -5 | 428 g / 15.1 oz | 800 | 150 |
| Stio Hometown Down (Men's - Women's) | 12 / -11 | 581 g / 1 lb 4.5 oz | 800 | 198 |
| Mammut Broad Peak IN (Men's - Women's) | 25 / -4 | 383 g / 13.5 oz | 800 | 115 |
| Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's) | 23 / -5 | 466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz | 700 | 153 |
| Model | Est. Temp Rating (F / C) | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Thorium ( Men's - Women's) | 12 / -11 | 517 g / 1 lb 2.2 oz |
| Patagonia Down Sweater (Men's - Women's) | 23 / -5 | 428 g / 15.1 oz |
| Stio Hometown Down (Men's - Women's) | 12 / -11 | 581 g / 1 lb 4.5 oz |
| Mammut Broad Peak IN (Men's - Women's) | 25 / -4 | 383 g / 13.5 oz |
| Rab Microlight Alpine (Men's - Women's) | 23 / -5 | 466 g / 1 lb 0.5 oz |
Best Midweight
Stio Hometown Down
$349.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Stio Hometown Down Hooded Jacket
This is one of my favorite down jackets, Stio nailed the all-round midweight hoody with the Hometown Down. With 198g of 800 fill HyperDry PFC-free water repellent down this jacket will keep you warm into the low teens Fahrenheit (-11 C est.) . It weighs a few ounces more than the lightest jackets in the midweight category, but the fleece lined pockets are absolutely worth it. The fabric on mine has stood up to a lot of use and I routinely wear this for activities like running the snow thrower, shoveling, and bombing sledding hills.
Arc'teryx Thorium
$559.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Arc'teryx Thorium Hoody, Jacket, and Parka
Arc'teryx Cerium vs. Thorium
With Arato™ 30D nylon and Down Composite Mapping, the Arc’teryx Thorium is top choice in the midweight category. The 750 fill grey goose down is paired with Coreloft™ 80 synthetic insulation in moisture prone areas, like the underarm. Its regular fit provides room for layers. I also like that the Thorium has internal dump pockets for stashing gloves. This jacket is another real workhorse like the Stio Hometown Down and likewise, also excels for a night out in a mountain town.
Mammut Broadpeak IN
$359.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Best Mammut Jackets
The Mammut Broad Peak IN uses 20D Pertex® Quantum and 800 fill DRYDown goose down and it more closely resembles the brand’s ultralight options than other midweight jackets. We estimate it will keep you warm down to about t . The fabric and high fill power down allow this jacket to pack into its chest pocket and the result is incredibly small for the warmth it provides. With the water repellant DRYDown this jacket is an excellent choice if you want an outlet layer that also works under a shell for more winter performance.
Patagonia Down Sweater
$279.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
Read our reviews:
Patagonia Micro Puff vs Nano Puff vs Down Sweater
Routinely found at the top of best-of lists, the Patagonia Down Sweater has earned its reputation as a solid performer with a sustainability focus. On top of the 800 fill power responsible down certified (RDS) insulation is 20D NetPlus nylon, which is sourced from used fishing nets. This jacket is also manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory. On the performance side this jacket provides solid midweight warmth while still being able to be stuffed into its chest pocket. The Stio Hometown Down and Arc’teryx Thorium are both warmer, but this is an impressive jacket for $279.
Rab Microlight Alpine
$295.00
See the jackets: men's / women's
This is Rab’s all-round midweight down jacket. It uses 750-fill down treated with Nikwax’s hydrophobic finish. The warmth is on par with the Patagonia Down Sweater. Rab uses smaller baffles on the sides of this jacket to improve breathability. Like the Mammut Broad Peak IN, the Rab Microlight alpine uses a Pertex® Quantum face fabric. The warmth value, breathability, and water repellant down make this a very versatile midweight jacket, suitable for use on the mountain, or around town.
Expedition Down Jackets / Belay Parkas
These are down jackets for the most extreme conditions. While aimed at those mountaineering or climbing in high alpine environments, they can also be a great choice if you live or work somewhere with a harsh winter. When temperatures are single digits or below zero Fahrenheit you need a heavyweight jacket to keep you warm. All of these include two-way zippers for harness compatibility as well as helmet compatible hoods.
Best Expedition Belay Parka
Patagonia Grade VII
$999.00
See the jacket: Unisex
Patagonia has a history of making burly belay parkas, starting in 2012 with the Encapsil Down parka. They distinguished themselves early on by offering true box baffles where many others were still using sewn-through techniques, which can lead to cold spots. The latest iteration of the Grade VII has some notable updates. For increased water resistance, the 100% recycled nylon shell has a “water-resistant endurance coating” made without intentional PFAS. On the warmth side of things, there are three design details worth highlighting. First, the jacket is large, long, and stuffed with 900-fill down for maximum coverage. The hood is also stuffed full of insulation and can be adjusted to lock out cold, whether or not you are wearing a helmet. Lastly, the exterior handwarmer pockets have insulation both on top and underneath, which is a big benefit in extreme cold. The fit is intentionally large; our jacket is a women’s small / men’s medium and feels like a size up because it can be used over a hard shell and other layers.
Feathered Friends Volant
$549.00
See the jacket: Unisex
This offering from Feathered Friends is a more measured option. With 311g of 900 fill down it offers serious warmth. It also performs very well in snow due to the 20D Pertex® Shield® Laminate shell that uses Pertex’s Endurance® durable water repellent (DWR) finish. Typical DWR finishes are applied as a coating where Endurance® is applied to the fabric fibres, which improves durability of the water resistance. Handmade in Seattle, Feathered Friends is known for their quality and the Volant is very highly rated among owners. At half the price of expedition jackets, this is our top pick for those working outdoors or in need of a technical heavyweight winter jacket but who aren’t mountaineering.
Mammut Eiger Nordwand Pro
$1259.00
See the jacket: men's / women's
This expedition parka from Mammut offers more total fill (as measured by fill power x fill weight) of any jacket in our list. With an incredible 433 grams of 900-fill DRYDOWN, the Eiger Nordwand Pro Down IN Hooded Parka is made for maximum warmth on belay or a bivouac in the most extreme conditions. The Mammut Wall baffle construction includes down-filled tubes at the seams to eliminate cold spots. In addition to the down, there is G-LOFT® ECO EVOX synthetic insulation in areas exposed to moisture. Both the 20D Pertex® Quantum Pro face fabric and the 10D Pertex® Quantum lining have a PFC-free DWR coating. The coating on the inside helps prevent body moisture from getting into the insulation. The helmet compatible hood offers three-way adjustability. There are two chest-20 pockets and two climbing harness compatible front pockets.
Waterproof Down Shells
Combining a waterproof hardshell with down insulation, these jackets are great when you expect all day sleet and snow. Compared to having a separate down jacket and hardshell, a down-insulated shell will breathe a little better and be less bulky, because there are generally fewer layers of material and one main zipper instead of two). There are also fewer spaces for cold wind to find when the insulation is affixed to the outer fabric.
| Model | Est. Temp Rating (F / C) | Weight | Fill Power (in3/oz) | Fill Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated (Men's - Women's) | 0 / -18 | 760 g / 1 lb 10.8 oz | 850 | 126 |
| Stio Shot 7 Insulated Shell (Men's - Women's) | 15 / -9 | 1.049kg / 2 lb 5 oz | 800 | 105 |
| Arc’teryx Macai Jacket (Men's) | 18 / -8 | 930g / 2 lb 0.8 oz | 750 | 90 |
| Rab Optical (Men's - Women's) | 16 / -9 | 854 g / 1 lb 14 oz | 700 | 110 |
Best Down Ski Shell
Stio Shot 7
$699.00
See the jacket: men's / women's
Based in Jackson Hole, it’s fair to say that Stio knows a thing or two about skiing in harsh conditions. With 105 grams of 800-fill down, it is warmer than the Arc’teryx Macai, though interestingly, Stio isn’t using HyperDry like in their other jackets. On the outside you’ll find 75D GORE-TEX® 2L 170g ePE. The hood is insulated with PrimaLoft® as are moisture-prone areas (underarm and collar). Other snowsport-specific features include mesh covered pit zips, a powder skirt, and RFID pass pocket. The Shot 7 is the best pick for an insulated snowsports jacket if you are worried about all day warmth and weather protection on the slopes.
Best Waterproof Down Shell
Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated
$1100.00
See the jacket: men's / women's
The Beta Down Insulated jacket has a 80D 2L GORE-TEX ePE shell paired with 850 fill down. It’s not ski specific, but this is our overall pick for most waterproof winter needs. It works great for climbing in winter weather and all around cold-weather backcountry use. To control moisture this jacket uses synthetic Coreloft 90 insulation under the arm and also features pit-zips. This is by far the most insulated down shell on our list, with 126 grams of 850 fill down. The Arc’teryx Beta Down is best for deep cold and not ideal for high-output activities. After testing the Beta Down and the synthetic Beta Insulated, we generally recommend the latter as the more versatile option. The down version is for sure warmer though,so if you need a shell for deep cold then this is a favorite from Arc’teryx.
Rab Optical Shell
$500.00
See the jacket: men's / women's
Rab’s Optical is the least expensive waterproof down ski shell in our list , while still offering top-shelf specs. It has a 2-layer Pertex® Shield face fabric, with 110 grams of 700-fill Nikwax hydrophobic recycled down. The helmet and sleeves use an interesting hybrid insulation named TXdown®, with combines 70% natural fibres (down and feather) with synthetic to create a sheet insulation that is less bulky than full goose down. A power skirt, pit zips, and an RFID pass pocket complete the design intended for use on the lifts. At $500, the Rab Optical offers huge value in this category.
Best Down Jackets FAQ
What is the best down fill for a jacket?
This is an interesting question. The three components of down as an insulation are the source, the fill power, and the amount of down used. There is no one "best" type of down, but higher fill power down means less needs to be used to achieve a given warmth. The most typical sources of animal down used for insulation are goose down and duck down. Goose down (European white and grey goose down specifically) has perhaps the best reputation. Testing doesn't show a performance between goose and duck down and more brands are including duck because of its greater availability and lower cost. The next consideration is the fill power. Fill power is the volume of one ounce of down, measured in cubic inches. So one ounce of 800 fill power down occupies 800 cubic inches, which is 23% more volume than one ounce of 650-fill down. Higher fill power does not indicate higher quality, but it does indicate more warmth for the weight. Finally, consider how much insulation is in the jacket. A jacket with 50g of 800-fill down will not be as warm as a jacket with 100g of 800-fill.
What is down fill power and how it is measured?
Fill power is the volume of one ounce of down plumes, measured in cubic inches. Picture piling down plumes into a container on scale until the scale reads one ounce in weight, and then measuring how much space the down occupies. For example, 650-fill down indicates that one ounce will occupy 650 cubic inches (a cube with sides that are 8.66 in / 22 cm). By comparison, one ounce of 1000-fill power down will fill a cube with 10 in / 25.4 cm sides. This means that one ounce of 1000 fill power down is warmer than one ounce of 650 fill. The most abundant animal down available is in the 600 - 800 fill range. The supply of 1000-fill down is small and therefore expensive. The cost benefit tradeoff is rarely worth it above 800-fill, but ultralight jackets may use 900 - 1000 fill. When it comes to warmth, you must also consider the fabrics used, baffle construction, and insulation distribution in the jacket. Fill power is not the end-all.
Is hydrophobic down better than standard down?
Hydrophobic down (treated with a durable water repellent) maintains loft when damp and dries faster. In damp or winter-ski conditions it’s an advantage. Standard down may clump and lose insulation if wet. It won't make a difference for you common around-town usage, but it will perform better if you are using your jacket for anything active, especially in overnight scenarios or wet snow.
How do I wash my down jacket?
You want to use a down-specific soap, and make sure you completely dry. Here is a good resource from Arc'teryx with more detail.
. Use a down-specific soap with cold to luke warm water in a front loading washing machine. Dry the jacket on a low temperature for as much time as it takes to completely dry the down. Throw a couple of tennis balls in the dryer to break up clumping down. REI also a good article on everything you need to wash your down jacket.
Check out our other content on jackets:
Guide: Insulated & Shell Jackets
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