For those of us braving the cold weather each season, a down jacket is an absolute necessity. Down jackets are made from duck or geese feathers, and they usually have a down fill power rating — a higher fill power is usually lightweight, compressible, and insulating. Whether you’re packing a 10-ounce ultralight layer for evenings around the campfire or throwing on a massive parka-length option for a frigid commute, the range of jackets in the down-insulated category is vast, and there is a jacket to fit every need.
We tested 41 down jackets for women — from packable layers for cold destinations to waterproof commuter styles — and considered everything from insulation and warmth to fit and durability. After our initial testing period, we continued to wear the jackets for an additional six months because down jackets can be quick to abrade or lose insulation, and we wanted to make sure our top jackets held up to extended seasonal tests. Read on for our top tested picks, as well as our tips for buying the best down jackets.
-
The stylish tailoring, thoughtful features, and reasonable price point made this our top pick for the year.
This stylish down coat kept us warm during chilly commutes during the testing period, including several days with biting cold wind. The Claudia fits true to size and works well with a sweater layered underneath without impeding range of motion. This is a fairly streamlined coat that never felt bulky or cumbersome, and we appreciated the stylish midthigh cut with a drop-tail back that kept our bottoms warm when seated outdoors. This jacket was lighter than we expected, and it does have a lower fill power than some of the others we tested, so you may want to layer in especially cold temperatures.
The number of features, tailored cut, fun colorways, and thoughtful features solidified this jacket as our top pick this year. The hood is removable and adjustable, the cuffs have an elastic finish to help keep out the wind, and the zippered hand pockets are well placed and generously sized for keys, snacks, phone, and wallet. The construction feels high-quality overall, which we were thrilled about considering the reasonable price point. The coat packs down small enough to be a good choice for travel, and the fit is flattering enough to look good around town. This wouldn’t be our top pick for frigid weather, as we felt some drafts and it does have a thinner build than others we tested, but overall this is an excellent and well-priced pick, especially for travel.
The Details: XXS-XXL | 80/20 down-to-feather ratio | 650-fill power | Removable hood | Water-resistant
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/quince-responsible-down-puffer-jacket-dbee2e7a28604389930b4877d08bb6e9.jpg)
Landing at the top of our Best Puffer Jackets guide, the Quince Responsible Down Puffer Jacket is cozily plush with a high loft and hip-length hemline. We loved the extended sleeves that went well past our midlayer and helped prevent draftiness, as well as the large baffles that helped keep the down in place.
We wore this puffer around town during the cold-weather test period, primarily for running errands and going on walks. The fit was true to size, fitting closely but without restricting range of motion. We were able to layer a midweight fleece underneath, which is likely all we’d need with this urban style. The lining felt softer than other jackets we tested, and the down-filled, oversized hood did even more to create the feeling that we were wearing a puffy blanket instead of a jacket. If you find the hood to be bulky, it’s removable and took us only a few seconds to detach and reattach. We also appreciate the affordable price tag.
The Details: XS-XL | Shell and lining: 100 percent recycled polyester; shell and lining on shiny black version: 100 percent nylon | Fill: 90 percent goose down, 10 percent goose feathers | 700-fill power | Removable hood | Water-repellent
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cotopaxi-fuego-hooded-down-jacket--8026b7943b1c473b8a812d4aafa7ad82.jpg)
Most people will recognize the ubiquitous color-blocking of Cotopaxi’s popular down coat, and we’ve been wearing ours consistently for more than a year now. It fits true to size without any binding through the shoulders, though we recommend wearing slimmer-fit layers underneath, as it doesn’t accommodate bulkier insulation tops. It hits at hip-length but is on the shorter side. We have worn this jacket in all sorts of instances, from cold-weather hikes to chilly mornings in Jackson Hole, and the moderate fit, packability, and athletic look make it a go-to at home and for travel.
The 800-fill down is among the highest quality in our tested jackets, and the 20-denier nylon material helps reduce bulk even further. This makes it an excellent choice for packing as a travel layer, as it takes up very little room in your pack and packs down into its own pocket. It’s also surprisingly warm for how lightweight it feels. The scuba hood is spacious, even over ponytails but is not removable. Finally, this jacket comes in a wide range of sizes up to 4XL, and you have your pick of solids or rainbow-striped colors.
The Details: XXS-4XL | Shell and lining: 100 percent 20D ripstop nylon with C0 DWR finish | 800-fill power | 14 ounces | Water-resistant | Packable into one of its pockets
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Columbia-Womens-Arctic-Crest-Down-Hooded-Jacket-34a1b43a6b254ffd9c76a0651b72950a.jpg)
Perhaps one of the most well-traveled jackets of our picks, the Columbia Arctic Crest has been with us on hiking trails, cold beaches, a glacier, and all the way to the edge of a volcano in Iceland. This jacket is designated as activewear and lives up to its name with a DWR-treated nylon shell, ample amounts of 700-fill RDS down and OmniHeat lining, and equal parts warmth and breathability for high-output activities.
The zip pocket on the chest is a nice touch for keeping your phone and wallet handy. We thought the adjustable waist was a nice touch to tailor the fit and airflow, while the draw-cord adjustable hem helped prevent cold air from seeping up under the coat. We thought it looked a little bulky and felt a bit tight across the chest, but it does have the ability to pack down small into one of its own pockets for travel.
This jacket was made for activities, featuring articulated arms, body-mapped baffle patterns to prevent motion restriction, and Columbia’s OmniShield treatment on the face fabric that repels water and wind better than other treated materials. “This jacket is designed to mimic the skin of Arctic animals like polar bears, whose black skin absorbs as much sunlight as possible to retain heat under their white fur, so this jacket keeps you very warm for how light and agile it is,” says Travel + Leisure Senior Editor Lydia Price. “I was able to hike and climb with a full range of motion, stretching my arms up, bending over, and carrying equipment with ease.”
The Details: XS-3XL | Shell: 100 percent nylon | 700-fill power (goose down) | Water-resistant | Packable into one of its pockets
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Canada-Goose-Garnet-Cropped-Puffer-336818ff642141c6af81cc81b04ec638.jpg)
This thoughtfully designed, high-fashion cropped puffer feels fitted and flattering while still leaving room to layer. It’s light and lofted, and has fleece-lined zippered hand pockets for cozy warmth as well as bungee adjusters at the hem. The details are what make Canada Goose worth the splurge — including grippy zipper pulls, stretchy wrist gaiters, and unique internal suspenders that allow you to carry the jacket like a backpack instead of carrying it when you need to take it off
Unlike the other jackets on our list, which use nylon or polyester as their surface fabric, Canada Goose uses Pima cotton, a soft, silky cotton variety that can be treated for water resistance without the slippery feeling of synthetics. This jacket also has a bolder baffle style than thinner technical baffles, which makes it stand out in the crowd. A $1,600-plus jacket isn’t for everyone, but we were so impressed with the comfort, warmth, and durability that we’d say if you’re going to splurge on a down jacket, this is a good bet.
“I love how warm it is even though it’s cropped,” says Associate Editor Anna Popp. “It kept my whole upper body warm and toasty in freezing conditions thanks to the high-quality materials.”
The Details: XXS-XXL | Shell: 100 percent Pima cotton | 90/10 down-to-feather ratio | 750-fill power | Water-resistant | Removable backpack straps
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Kari-Traa--Rongve-Parka-94a76928963a4957877e8bb9189c586a.jpg)
Though this coat has one of the lower fill powers on this list, its long length kept us warm in below-freezing temperatures thanks to its full coverage and slightly puffy nature. We wore it over the course of six months through a New York City autumn and winter, and it proved to be a go-to for frigid walks, long commutes, and activities like ice skating.
We appreciated the two-way zipper to make the long length easy to sit in. The jacket has three pockets total — one small zipper pocket on the chest that can hold a phone and two large pockets that are positioned on the front of the thighs rather than the sides of the coat. We loved how spacious the large pockets were, but some people may prefer a zipper to the single-button closure. We’d also add an interior pocket if we could. We’d recommend sizing up one full size because of its slim silhouette in both the body and arms, especially if you want to leave room for layering. That slim fit also makes it more flattering and not as bulky as other long parkas.
The Details: XS-XL | Shell: 77 percent cotton, 23 percent polyamide; lining: 100 percent recycled polyester | 60/40 down-to-feather ratio | 300-to-350-fill power | Water-repellent
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Patagonia-Womens-Recycled-Down-Sweater-Parka-96af74f564c34becb43ad16a62182119.jpg)
This lightweight parka-length coat weighs barely over 1 pound and somehow avoids the downfall of other long-hemline jackets by not impeding our range of motion — it even feels comfortable while sitting down. It does have a two-way zipper to ease any restriction, but we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it has been to move around in.
That said, the Recycled Down Sweater Parka is a lighter jacket, and we’ve found it best for moderate winter weather as well as shoulder-season temperatures during our tests in the chilly Northeast. It’s also an excellent travel option, packing away into its own zippered pocket and tucking neatly into carry-on luggage. Patagonia has a consistent dedication toward sustainability in its apparel, and this parka is no different, using the brand’s NetPlus postconsumer recycled ripstop nylon (made from recycled fishing nets) as well as fully recycled goose and duck down filling.
The Details: XS-XL | Shell and lining: 20D NetPlus 100 percent recycled nylon downproof ripstop | 700-fill power | 1.03 pounds | Water-resistant | Packable into one of its pocket
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Columbia-Womens-Mountain-Croo-III-Mid-Down-Jacket-04a5cd1d7fa4425ea5a528725d8b7ce6.jpg)
The Columbia Mountain Croo III is a stellar combination of warmth and waterproofing protection in a stylish, thigh-length jacket. Despite its longer hemline, fully waterproof build, and combination of materials, this jacket didn’t feel bulky during testing, and we appreciated the opportunity to wear a sleeker coat instead of the more tech-oriented marshmallow models. Nothing against those … sometimes it’s just nice to feel warm and chic. That said, this coat was still very breathable, and we never wound up feeling clammy or sweaty, even after we threw it on postworkout before our sweat had fully dried.
We tested this on the steep, hilly streets of Seattle (where we typically work up a sweat during dog walks) and felt dry and comfortable every time we wore it. Columbia utilizes its proprietary Omni-Tech waterproofing, which stands up to the more expensive brands when it comes to breathability and performance, without the eye-watering price points. This jacket uses a 650-fill power RDS down, which is right in the middle of the road as far as loft and warmth go.
The Details: XS-3XL | Shell and lining: 100 percent polyester | 650-fill power | Waterproof
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Outdoor-Research-Womens-Transcendent-Down-Hoodie-5b579b960f024a1fbae7fbf2abd330e4.jpg)
We love a size-inclusive option, and this Outdoor research jacket comes in 10 sizes from XS to 4XL that are tailored to fit a variety of body shapes for layering both over and underneath. We decided to size up to accommodate more layers and were happy with that choice for bulkier midlayers. We’ve lost track of how many iterations of this coat have been produced, and it continues to be one of Outdoor Research’s most versatile offerings. It packs down small, lofts nicely thanks to the high-quality 800-fill down, and has the standard sleek streamline we expect from this technical outdoors brand. This jacket has several interior pockets as well as lined hand-warmer pockets, and the angled baffle design adds a bit of flair to the construction.
The Details: XS-4XL | Shell and lining: 100 percent recycled nylon 20D | 800-fill power | 11.6 ounces | Water-resistant
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Fjallraven-Expedition-Pack-Down-Anorak-f22532bbac3f47c494b99b9ea541fd67.jpg)
-
Anoraks are an acquired taste, and this jacket is a bit too snug in the shoulders to easily take on and off, so size up.
A pullover down jacket isn’t for everyone, but we’d be remiss not to include this beautifully designed anorak from Fjallraven. Like many of the jackets on our list, this jacket came in well under the weight we were expecting and packed down small for travel and into our bags when we didn’t want to carry it around between outdoor stints. It has held up well to daily use and shows no signs of zipper failures or material degrading.
The midsection features a kangaroo pouch common on anorak style jackets, and we found the goose down fill to be airy and breathable while still being plenty warm. That said, pullover down jackets aren’t for everyone, especially ones without a good amount of stretch. We thought this one had more of a slim fit, which did make it a bit tricky to pull on and off over our heads, so we’d recommend sizing up. But for a unique style and to avoid the draftiness of a full zipper, it’s a well-made pullover with an interesting style.
The Details: XXS-XL | Shell and lining: 100 percent recycled polyamide | Fill: 90 percent goose down, 10 percent feather | 700-fill power | 1.14 pounds | Water-resistant | Packable into one of its pocket
Other Down Jackets We Liked
Down jackets are a broad category, and we tested too many for all of them to include in our primary recommendations. However, the following jackets will work well for many travelers despite a few setbacks.
Cotopaxi Alivio Down Jacket: We loved this jacket during our White Mountain camping trip thanks to its warmth and durable materials but found the sizing to be less accurate than others we tested. Plus, it’s a shorter cut so you’re more prone to drafts.
Eddie Bauer Women’s StratusLite Down Parka: The down fill is lightweight and packed down small when we needed it to, but we found the zipper to be somewhat bulky, and the fit of the coat ran a little large for our liking.
The North Face Women’s Terra Peak Hoodie: The elastic hem and cuffs did a great job sealing in heat, and it has an athletic cut that works for winter activities. Like the other two jackets in this category, the fit of the Terra Peak felt inaccurate, and the medium we tested fit more like a small.
Our Testing Process
We tested 41 women’s down jackets, from lightweight, athletic models to knee-length parkas — and everything in between. We wore each jacket multiple times during the testing period and traveled extensively with our jackets for our six-month long-term testing. We considered everything from durability of face fabric to overall weight and feel to warmth and fit.
After initially wearing each jacket for two weeks and then a longer testing period of six months, we reported back on comfort, packability, layering room, size accuracy, and how easily the zippers and accessories worked. We looked for a variety of jackets to suit different needs and winter weather conditions and made sure that all of the jackets had at least some level of weatherproofing to protect the down insulation from precipitation. We will continue to update this article to reflect any additional findings as we test more down jackets.
Tips for Buying Down Jackets
Make sure it fits correctly
With the expectation of city-ready parkas, a down jacket is a fairly standard layering piece — you want to leave a little bit of room to layer underneath (we like to fit at least a midweight fleece under our jackets), but you don’t want it to be too oversized for drafts to seep through. Try it on while wearing the usual layers you may wear with whatever activities you have planned, so that you can get an accurate read on the fit. Make sure you can comfortably cross your arms; if it’s too tight, you’ll feel a frustrating restriction on your range of motion that can put a damper on winter activities.
Think about the weather
The coats in our roundup range from lightweight 300-fill down for moderate days to highly lofted 800-fill down for bitter cold temps. While down jackets don’t have a standardized warmth rating, read the manufacturer’s recommendations for temperature ranges, and understand the fill power and fill weight both contribute to how much insulation the jacket is going to provide. If you’re planning on milder weather, look for a thinner jacket with less insulation. If you’re going to bundle up for frigid weather, look for higher fill power and fill weight, and be sure to prioritize DWR-treated face fabric or other noted weatherproofing. We’ve noted whether the jackets are water-resistant or waterproof in the details above.
Consider how you plan to use it
The jackets on our list of recommendations range from ultralight and packable to long and thick. The one you choose depends on what you’ll use it for. If you’re planning mostly athletic activities, look for a slimmer fit with a shorter hemline that won’t restrict your movements, as well as a breathable material. If you’re planning to mostly wear this around town and for commuting, you can get a longer, more stylish jacket that’s more insulating. For travel, look for jackets under 1 pound that pack down small and have high-quality down fill that won’t compress if it’s crammed in a suitcase.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is down fill power?
We listed the down fill power for each jacket, and most manufacturer sites and retailer pages will also offer this information. Fill power is the measurement that tells you the quality of down insulation, somewhat confusingly determined by the amount of space a single ounce of down will occupy when fully lofted. The higher the fill power, the lighter and warmer the down will be and the more efficiently it traps heat. The better warmth-to-weight ratios correlate with an increase in price.
Further, some brands denote the percentage of down versus feathers in their insulation. Down is the under layer beneath the feathers; it packs smaller and traps heat better. Feathers are lower quality, denser, and don’t insulate as well.
-
How do you know if down is ethically sourced?
With today’s increasing emphasis on sustainability, if a company is using ethically sourced down, it will tell you. Look for markers on retailer or manufacturer pages — or on tags if you’re trying the jackets on in person. The most common certification is RDS, or “Responsible Down Standard.” This means the down came from farms where the animals are raised within ethical standards. Traceable down is also an option, and you can easily find these markers and badges on most product pages.
-
How do you wash and dry a down jacket?
Contrary to popular belief, you do have to wash and dry your down jacket. It helps the face fabric maintain water resistance and keeps your insulation lofted. If you don’t dry a down jacket properly, the feathers inside can clump and create mold. Each jacket is different, so be sure you read the care instructions. But for the most part, an at-home washing machine on a gentle cycle using cold water is a safe bet. We recommend using a down-specific wash, and don’t use fabric softener. To dry, tumble dry on low heat with balled-up tin foil or a few tennis balls to break up the down clumps as the jacket dries. Some jackets, like the Canada Goose jacket on our list, may be dry clean only, so double check everything before washing.
-
How do you fix a tear in a down jacket?
A tear in your down jacket just gives it more street cred — it doesn’t mean you should trash it. If you’re not sending it back to the manufacturer to be repaired, you can easily patch small tears and holes with matching duct tape or technical repair patches like Noso patches, which are made to adhere to the surface material, and keep the hole from spreading or the down from escaping. Clean the area around the hole carefully to get rid of grease or oil, slap the patch on, and you’re good to go. Bonus points if it’s a fun design.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Maggie Slepian is a Montana-based writer and editor with a decade of professional gear-testing experience in the outdoor world. She is an avid backpacker, bikepacker, and four-season outdoorsperson, and tests dozens of jackets and layers each season, from ultralight and packable down jackets to heavy-duty, in-town down parkas. To compile this list, she coordinated with T+L’s internal editorial team, combining their tested down jackets with her background in layering and winter apparel to help you choose the best women’s winter jacket for this season.
Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tal-quince-responsible-down-puffer-jacket-anne-taylor-09-1-b1fc683a4d1f4318bf03baac4568121e.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1&description=We+Tested+41+Down+Jackets+to+Find+the+Best+Ones+to+Keep+You+Warm+on+Any+Travel+Adventure){kind=link}