The Best Down Jackets of 2025

The REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 ($129) is a reliable, all-around performer that impressed us with its solid warmth, durability, and unbeatable value. It’s not flashy, but it delivers where it counts. It’s one of the more versatile jackets we tried, so it works well for many situations, including hiking, backpacking, and camping. It’s stylish enough for wearing around town, yet not too simple to be ineffective.

We took it camping, and while making coffee outside our tent on a summer morning, it kept us warm enough despite temperatures hovering in the high 30s.

With 650-fill down, it has the lowest fill power in our lineup, so it doesn’t insulate as efficiently as premium options like the Arc’teryx Cerium or Rab Mythic Alpine. It’s not ideal for deep winter or extended cold-weather trips, but for shoulder-season hikes, casual wear, and backpacking on a budget, it gets the job done.

At 11 ounces, it isn’t the most packable jacket out there, and it lacks technical features like a hood or waist cinch, which limits its ability to trap heat. However, the recycled nylon shell with DWR has proven impressively durable through heavy use.

Made to fit comfortably, the REI 650 runs slightly large. Our tester, 5’10” and 170 pounds, usually wears a large but preferred the medium here. The smaller size offered a better silhouette without sacrificing room for layering. With up to 10 men’s sizes and eight for women, dialing in your perfect fit is easy.

For the casual weekend warrior or even the dedicated backpacker on a budget, this REI staple will disappear in your pack and keep you warm when you need it most. Its simple, slimmed-down design means you’ll look great at your local coffee shop and be able to charge into the mountains after work if the opportunity arises.

Read Review: The Best Puffy of All Time, According to A Lifelong Adventurer

The Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody Down Jacket ($320) is one of the most flexible and comfortable down jackets we’ve tested. From backcountry ski tours and high alpine climbs to bike commutes and daily errands, it moved with us through it all, even temps below freezing (thanks, wind chill!) at 10,000 feet.

One aim of the Stretchdown line was to blend the warm insulation of down with the range of motion and versatility of a softshell. When we lean over the handlebars, make a big climbing move, or shovel snow, it’s easy to move in without restriction. The Stretchdown is the first-ever jacket with stitch-free baffle construction and is made from a single fabric, eliminating the need for glue.

With 700-fill RDS-certified down, it’s slightly less warm than the Patagonia Down Sweater but more breathable and comfortable during active use. After a year of testing, from summer camping to snowy Tetons ski days, it remains a go-to.

No matter the conditions, it performs better than a standard down jacket. On the super-windy summit of Static Peak, we were unfazed. A surprise spring rainstorm while out on a chilly bike ride didn’t come close to stopping us.

The Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody stands out for its rugged durability and weather resistance — water beads off the surface, and the jacket shrugs off snow, wind, and abrasion thanks to its tough 20D stretch nylon shell. Unlike many down jackets, it’s built to take a beating, whether you’re carrying skis, bushwhacking, or scrambling on rock.

It also packs in thoughtful features: a roomy stretch hood, three fleece-lined zip pockets, an inner drop pocket, elastic cuffs, and an adjustable hem. While it doesn’t pack down as small as ultralight options like the Ghost Whisperer, the tradeoff in durability and comfort is well worth it for high-output, all-season use. The fit is trim and low-profile, making it easy to layer under a shell or wear as a standalone.

For those who prioritize mobility, durability, and all-day comfort over ultralight packability, the Stretchdown Hoody is a dependable layer built to handle it all.

The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody ($329) is a classic, all-purpose down jacket that delivers reliable warmth, wind resistance, and clean style. With 800-fill down and a durable NetPlus shell made from recycled fishing nets, it’s built for both performance and sustainability.

The latest version is noticeably warmer, now packed with 5.3 ounces of down. We wore it on hikes, bike rides, and winter walks in Colorado’s Elk and Sangre de Cristo mountains with a light baselayer in temps down to 5 degrees. One tester even used it as his only insulator during a full Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike, and it held up through weeks of drizzle, snowy whiteouts, and heavy use.

It’s slightly warmer than the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody, Rab Microlight Alpine, and Fjallraven Pack Down, and it layers better, too. The fit is more tailored than previous versions. Our tester, who usually wears a large size, found it true to size, allowing for full movement and mobility through scrambles and climbs. It felt more comfortable and relaxed than the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody, but still streamlined enough for backcountry skiing, hiking, resort days, or even city wear over a dress shirt. The hood is snug and wind-blocking, though a bit tight over a helmet.

For everything from mountain adventures to city commutes, the Down Sweater Hoody remains one of the most versatile, dependable, and stylish down jackets out there.

This is an excellent everyday down jacket with great style and protection for all four seasons. It’s awesome to throw on at the summit of a peak or top of a run — anywhere you need a bit of protection. For demanding adventures or chilly strolls around town, the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is one of the more versatile, reliable, and stylish down jackets on the market.

When the Black Diamond Deploy Down 0.5 Pullover Hoody ($499) was announced as the lightest down jacket in the world, we were skeptical. At just 5.2 ounces, half the weight of our longstanding ultralight pick, the Ghost Whisperer, how warm could it really be?

Turns out, impressively warm. Packed with 1,000-fill down, it kept us comfortable on adventures where the weather changes multiple times in a few hours, including windy fall hikes in the Tetons and spring ascents in Colorado. It’s not built for long belays or deep winter cold like the Patagonia Fitz Roy, but it excels during high-output missions and shoulder-season alpine days.

The slim, half-zip pullover design works seamlessly with a pack or harness and fits true to size and layers cleanly under a shell but still allows enough room for a light layer underneath.

That said, it’s extremely minimalist. All ultralight gear has some tradeoffs, and this jacket is no exception. The outer fabric is extremely delicate; it’s only 4-denier compared to the rest of our jackets, which are 10-denier and up, so we were nervous about snagging it on a branch or brushing up against rocks.

We haven’t had any unusual signs of wear and tear yet, so we will keep an eye on this during continued testing. It also lacks pockets or hood adjustments. And $395 is a steep price for such a stripped-down piece.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer offers a more durable alternative. It’s $35 less expensive but twice as heavy, and it includes features like pockets and a drawcord hem to help block out the cold.

All gripes aside, the Deploy Down Hoody is an ideal addition to any mountain athlete’s jacket quiver. It shines during summer alpine ascents, shoulder-season climbs, and long, challenging routes where memories are made and speed is of the essence.

No down jacket roundup is complete without the legendary Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer ($380). This updated version adds a touch more durability and warmth while staying impressively light at just 8.8 ounces with 3 ounces of 800-fill RDS-certified down. It also gets major points for sustainability, using entirely recycled face and trim fabrics.

The warmth-to-weight ratio is excellent, and it packs down smaller than any other jacket we’ve tested, other than the Black Diamond Deploy. On a snowy early-spring bike ride and hiking adventure through Grand Teton National Park, we discovered firsthand how surprisingly wind- and water-resistant the shell can be for such a thin fabric. The hem is adjustable and the cut is slim, making it ideal for light layering on the move.

If every ounce counts, you can shave even more weight with the ultra-ultralight Ghost Whisperer UL ($420), which drops another 2.1 ounces. But even in its standard form, the Ghost Whisperer is still best for mild conditions or as a midlayer; it’s noticeably less warm than heavier puffies like the Patagonia Down Sweater or Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown. We also wish Mountain Hardwear had added a chest pocket for snacks or a phone, and while the shell holds up better than it looks, it still feels delicate compared to burlier options.

Even so, for fast-and-light missions, mild conditions, and anyone counting ounces, the Ghost Whisperer remains a trusted, now more sustainable, go-to.

As the newest member of Rab’s hugely popular Microlight line, the Rab Microlight Windstopper Hoody ($340) takes everything people love about the standard and Alpine Microlight jackets and adds a GORE-TEX Windstopper membrane for a big bump in weather protection. At just 1 pound, this jacket delivers impressive warmth for its weight, blocks biting winds, and sheds light showers better than previous Microlight versions while somehow remaining breathable and comfortable.

Thoughtful touches like a rigid-brim hood, fleece chin guard, reliable YKK zippers, and pack-into-its-own-pocket storage make it a versatile option for everything from commuting and biking to light scrambling, skiing, and multi-day treks.

We put it through its paces on backcountry ski tours in the Tetons and during 4 seasons of hikes throughout the west, where it kept us warm without overheating. Comfort and fit land right in the sweet spot: a trim but non-restrictive cut with pre-articulated sleeves and elastic cuffs that seal in warmth but allow full mobility. Compared with the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody, which feels slightly softer and lighter but offers less wind resistance, the Microlight Windstopper gives up a little plushness for a noticeable gain in weather protection and durability.

While not meant to replace a true rain shell, it does provide more water repellency than the standard Microlight models — enough to handle light showers and snow without immediately wetting out. All told, it’s a smart pick for hikers, skiers, and travelers who want a warm, lightweight down jacket with genuine wind protection and better weather resistance than most mid-weight puffies.

The Rab Men’s Mythic Alpine Down Jacket ($390) combines premium materials, technical features, and an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio in a sleek, 11-ounce package. It’s st￭ with 900-fill RDS-certified down, treated with Nikwax for water resistance, and wrapped in an ultralight 10D Pertex Quantum shell that’s soft, durable, and sheds light moisture with ease.

Box baffles in the core and hood eliminate cold spots, while slimmer baffles on the arms preserve mobility. The athletic fit wears close without feeling restrictive, and our tester’s usual men’s large is true to size with room for a light midlayer.

This jacket includes many features, including two zippered hand pockets, an adjustable hem, elastic cuffs, and fleece lining in front of the chin, which increased comfort exponentially when we were fully bundled. Though this jacket is extremely warm, it isn’t bulky. It fits more like a minimalist piece, articulates well with every move, works under a shell, and has room for a couple of layers. And, it’s stylish, so we often wore it out for drinks and errands.

We used it for everything from snowy ski transitions to high-elevation backpacking and chilly alpine starts. It’s so warm, light, and packable that it became our go-to for multiday trips.

That said, the jacket lacks a hood adjustment and could use more storage. A zippered chest pocket or internal stash pockets would add function. Still, for anyone seeking a minimalist yet mountain-ready down jacket that performs across seasons, the Mythic Alpine stands out.

Jackets will sometimes over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to performance. The Patagonia Jackson Glacier Jacket promises 700-fill recycled down insulation, a recycled plain weave outer fabric, and full waterproofing. And on all of those fronts, it delivers. When we reviewed this jacket, our tester fell in love with it.

The Jackson Glacier jacket is part of Patagonia’s sportswear line and was intended mostly for lifestyle wear. It might look like a skiing jacket (and in fact, our tester used it as such on a trip to Colorado), but it’s not necessarily meant for high-output activity or technical outdoor use. That doesn’t mean it isn’t good at what it does, though. Warmth-wise, this 700-fill down jacket fended off seriously cold mornings and winter days.

On top of being a well-insulated jacket, the Jackson Glacier is also waterproof. That’s somewhat rare for a fully down jacket, as many of them are meant to be used in a layering system. Not this one, though. The Jackson Glacier uses Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard two-layer polyester plain weave. So it’s both wind and waterproof and still allows for some breathability.

Patagonia has been a leader in using sustainable materials and processes in its gear and apparel, and the Jackson Glacier Jacket is no exception. It uses 100% recycled down, and the H2No layer is also 100% recycled.

Our tester pointed out one downside: This jacket is both heavy (compared to many of the jackets on this list) and not very packable. So if you plan on travelling or carrying this jacket in a pack where space is at a premium, you might want to consider a different one. However, for most winter days around town, or even potentially on a ski slope, this jacket will keep you warm in rain or shine.

The North Face Summit Series Breithorn Hoodie ($430) is a warm, lightweight, and incredibly soft jacket built for high-alpine use. Packed with 800-fill ProDown, a water-resistant insulation that absorbs less water and dries faster than traditional down, it retains loft and warmth even in wet conditions, which is something most down jackets can’t claim. During misty hikes, sweat-soaked climbs, and snowy wildlife tours in the Tetons, it kept us warm without wetting out.

The recycled ripstop shell with non-PFC DWR adds solid water repellency, and the jacket moves well during high-output activity. Five well-placed pockets, including two large internal drop-ins, plus a helmet-compatible hood and water-resistant zippers, make this a great technical piece that still feels right at home in town.

The “slim fit” makes layering challenging, decreasing the jacket’s overall versatility. And although the outer material holds up well to the elements, it’s less durable than some of our favorites. We noticed some down escaping after just a few wears, which isn’t ideal for a $430 jacket. If you ski in the trees a lot or plan to use it for climbing jagged rock, we’d recommend a different choice, like the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody. 

Still, for alpine missions where comfort, mobility, and weather-resistance matter, the Breithorn Hoodie is a standout. For your next big day, throw on the Breithorn Hoodie as a midlayer or on its own; we guarantee that when you head to the brewery afterward, you’ll want to keep this cozy jacket on.

When testing several down jackets, the surest way to know which one is best is to look at which one you wear most often. That’s exactly what put Outdoor Research’s Helium Down Hoodie ($299) so high on this list.

Its athletic cut has made it ideal for early winter getaways, allowing this tester to toss a big wool flannel on over it when things get especially frosty. But it was still great by itself when things didn’t dip below a little chilly.

The quality and feel are everything you’d expect from a brand like OR — and then some. The brand dubs it the “most durable, lightweight, and technical down hoodie” in its arsenal. That durability comes from a strategic hybrid construction.

The hood and shoulders use Pertex Quantum Shield 30-denier ripstop that fights abrasion and adds a waterproof barrier where you need it — head and shoulders, exactly where rain hits.

But the toughness doesn’t stop there. Pertex’s Diamond Fuse ripstop shell covers the Helium Down Hoodie’s 800-fill down, affording the jacket enhanced durability without any significant weight penalty.

By no means the warmest puffy we tested, this one wound up in the backseat, at the ready for just-in-case adventures. If you need a puffy to grab that can handle a range of elements, the Helium Down Hoodie fits the bill.

For marathon belays or cold-weather missions where warmth and weight matter, the Rab Neutrino Pro ($425) delivers. It’s one of the comfiest and most well-designed jackets we’ve tested, ideal for cold climbing days or winter expeditions when durability and packability are key.

We wore it on everything from big wall climbs in Yosemite to chilly nights in the Appalachians, and it lived up to the hype. What surprised us most was how well it moves. Rab’s “twisted arm baffles” may sound like marketing fluff, but the freedom of movement is real.

The Neutrino Pro has a roomy, expedition-ready fit designed for layering in cold conditions. Our tester, who typically wears a men’s large, found the fit true to size with room for heavy layers underneath, making it perfect for alpine use or frigid belays. Thoughtful features include a two-way zip for belaying, an over-the-helmet hood with a stiff brim, and reinforced fabric in high-wear areas. Despite its alpine focus, the sleek profile looks sharp around town, too.

Our only gripe? The hood feels oversized without a helmet, but that’s a small tradeoff for its mountain-ready design.

With 7.5 ounces of 800-fill down and a total weight of just 20 ounces, the Neutrino Pro hits a sweet spot for serious warmth without bulk. For the dedicated mountain athlete who needs a durable, high-performance, mega-warm-down jacket for the toughest adventures, this one’s a standout.

We all want to look great while crushing it, right? Well, that’s exactly what the versatile Stio Pinion Down Hooded Jacket ($299) delivers. Ideal for everyday and active use, we tested the Pinion Down in its rugged birthplace of the Teton backcountry.

To date, we are as impressed with its performance in the high alpine as we are with how it works in our driveway. With its soft handfeel, small baffles, fun colors, and flattering fit, the Pinion transitions seamlessly from trail to town. It has all the essentials: an adjustable hood, zippered hand and interior pockets, and it packs into itself. We wore it on a spring ski tour up Taylor Mountain, while shoveling snow during a January storm in Jackson, and even on a windy, sleet-filled Nordic tour. The recycled 20D Pertex Quantum shell blocked wind well, but it did soak up some moisture — something we’ll monitor with more use.

The fit strikes a sweet spot between casual and athletic: roomy where you want it, trim where you don’t. It’s great for sub-zero sunrise uphill ski tours at Snowking Mountain and stylish enough to head straight to the coffee shop or a work meeting. But, it’s not warm enough for long breaks or summit hangs, and it weighs a few ounces more than some competitors. If you want something warmer and lighter, consider the Black Diamond Approach Hoody.

We also noticed some small abrasions early on, which raises durability concerns. The fabric is billed as ripstop, but after only a few uses, it’s showing more wear than our year-old Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody, which still looks brand new. Time will tell if the Pinion holds up, but for now, it’s a solid pick for active use with serious style points.

A toaster oven of warmth wrapped up in a nylon shell, complete with DWR that provides ultimate protection in any winter weather scenario; this is the Arc’teryx Thorium Jacket ($500). It’s a true winter workhorse, a cozy, weather-resistant puffy we’ve reached for in everything from -20°F wolf watching to stormy ski transitions. With large baffles and a hybrid insulation design, hosting 750-fill down in the core and synthetic Coreloft in moisture-prone areas, it stays warm even when conditions get rough.

We’ve worn it in heavy wind and accumulating snow without needing a shell, and thoughtful updates like fleece-lined hand pockets, a high collar, helmet-compatible hood, and glove-friendly zippers make it even more capable. Two internal dump pockets hold climbing skins, and the two-way zip plays nicely with a harness.

The Thorium uses Arc’teryx’s regular fit, and our tester’s usual size, large, felt true to size with enough room to layer. It’s roomier than the Cerium Hoody (which is a slim fit) in the same size, with no restriction through the shoulders or back. The jacket does have some bulk, which limits mobility slightly, and we found it a bit short when reaching overhead.

It’s not the best choice for ounce-counters or high-output missions, but for cold-weather comfort and daily use, the Thorium delivers. Just be ready for the steep price tag.

The Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie ($279) has long been a fan favorite, and after finally testing it, we can see why. Right out of the box, we noticed the airy feel and silky-soft fabric, inside and out. It’s one of the most comfortable puffies we’ve worn, with cozy hand pockets and a relaxed fit that feels great over everything from a T-shirt to layers.

Our tester, who usually wears a men’s large, found the fit true to size but noticeably roomier than more technical jackets like the Cerium or Stretchdown. We wore the Transcendent backpacking in the Winds, skiing in the Tetons, and running errands in town, and it felt at home in all of them.

The latest version is now filled with 800-fill responsibly sourced down, giving it a boost in warmth, comfortable down to around 40°F, but still not as warm or technical as jackets like the Patagonia Down Sweater or Rab Neutrino Pro.

Thoughtful features include a stash pocket, an internal zip pocket, and an insulated hood. It also packs into its own pocket, compressing down smaller than a Nalgene. That said, it’s not great in wet weather. During ski tours and misty hikes, it absorbed moisture more quickly than expected, especially compared to OR’s own Helium Down Hoodie. And while the fit is relaxed, mobility felt restricted during climbs and pole use.

If you need a rugged, technical layer, there are better options. But for casual outings and everyday warmth, the Transcendent is an excellent value.

Read Review: First Look: Rab Mythic Ultra Jacket, a One-Pound Wonder

The Rab Mythic Ultra ($495) is one of the most technically impressive jackets we tested, packing 8.5 ounces of 900-fill down into a lightweight package. The men’s size large weighs just 17.4 ounces on our digital scale, and with its ultra-light 10D Pertex Quantum shell, it delivers one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios out there. It still includes essentials like zippered hand and chest pockets, a two-way front zip, fleece-lined chin, and an adjustable hood and hem.

Box baffles help eliminate cold spots, and a heat-reflective inner lining (that Rab claims can reduce radiant heat loss by 30%) really does feel warmer when worn over just a base layer. While we’re not able to quantify radiant heat loss, this is a noticeable feature when you’re wearing just a single layer underneath, but we’d expect less of a direct impact with the more layers you wear underneath.

So why didn’t it rank higher? Jackets in this warmth and weight range will probably be used for belaying or for alpine missions as an outermost insulating layer. Compared to other similar models like the Rab Neutrino Pro or the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown, the Mythic Ultra has much thinner face material (10-denier versus 20-denier) that may not withstand abrasions as well and has a very slim fit in the torso, making it more difficult to dial in the right fit over other layers.

One tester (5’10”, 170 pounds) found the size large tight in the torso, even with just a T-shirt, so we sized up. That improved the fit through the waist but left the arms and shoulders a bit loose. For belaying or alpine use, we’d recommend sizing up.

Bottom line: the Mythic Ultra is featherlight and seriously warm, but unless you’re counting every ounce, the more durable and better-fitting Neutrino Pro is the smarter buy, and nearly $100 less.

Of all the down jackets we tested, the Cotopaxi Fuego ($295) received the most “ooh, that’s a nice jacket” comments. Not really surprising, as Cotopaxi has built its reputation on flashy, devil-may-care designs, coupled with ethical and sustainable manufacturing processes.

The Fuego carries on that identity, albeit with a more toned-down, intentionally retro aesthetic. As a puffy, it’s a great around-town choice with some ready-to-party chops. The 800-fill down makes it acceptably lightweight and packable, though if you take it out enough, you’re bound to scuff up those pretty stripes.

The 20-denier shell construction adds a little extra defense against feather loss and daily abuse. Two internal stash pockets and hand pockets round out the build.

The Cotopaxi Fuego has a regular, slightly boxy fit that runs true to size, roomy enough for layering without feeling oversized. Our tester wore their usual size, large, and had no issues with range of motion.

The Fuego is plenty warm for autumn wind and some light precipitation (thanks to a DWR treatment), and it can even fend off some winter bluster, keeping you comfortable down to the low thirties with a base layer. It’s warmer than casual puffies like the OR Transcendent but not as toasty as more alpine-focused options like the Rab Neutrino Pro. If you love the style, but want something more, try the new in 2025 Fuego Max from Cotopaxi.

The Cotopaxi Fuego strikes a solid balance of warmth, style, and everyday versatility, making it a great go-to for shoulder-season adventures and around-town wear.

Weighing in as one of the lightest options on our list without sacrificing warmth, the Feathered Friends ($409) is designed for ounce counters. With 4 ounces of 900+ fill premium down, this jacket is our go-to for speedy trips where warmth and minimal weight are crucial.

Feathered Friends has been perfecting down insulation since its 1972 beginnings, maintaining a utilitarian appeal that prioritizes function over fashion. That said, the Eos looks and feels darn good, and is no slouch around town.

A slim, contoured fit gently hugs your body without being constricting or limiting its layering ability, and two long stitchless baffles run down the sides, giving it a slight, unique flair. These vertical baffles aren’t just for looks, though, and make the jacket more mobile and form-fitting.

They also limit fabric bunching, and we feel noticeably unrestricted while contorting our bodies on hikes or rock climbs. Though there is an inner liner that helps prevent cold spots from the horizontal baffles’ sewn-through stitching, the stitching on the vertical baffles is exposed inside, affording a slight amount of ventilation where it counts.

The Eos packs down small, but the chest pocket doesn’t double as its stuff sack. We’ve already almost lost the separate one it comes with multiple times. The two zippered handwarmer pockets are spacious enough for trinkets or bulky gloves, though internal drop-in pockets would have been a nice addition.

True to Feathered Friends’ ethos, this jacket is highly durable, showing little wear after extensive use on various backcountry climbs and backpacking trips across Colorado and Appalachia. We’re big fans of this lightweight, packable wonder that seems to worm its way into our luggage on most chilly adventures.