Columbia Lay D Down Ii Womens Down Parka With Hood
Need a decent amount of warmth but not hiking in the harsh Montana winter? This Columbia down parka will be perfect for shorter outdoor stints or city touring as its 550-fill power but dont be fooledit still has plenty of insulation with Omni-Heat Reflective tech that retains heat yet draws away moisture, along with waterproof capabilities!
Lightweight and packable, its also stylish with removable faux fur lining in the hood and a drawcord to adjust as needed, but still very practical, with adjustable cuffs and thumbholes to keep arms entirely warm, as well as, a zippered pocket inside and two outside to keep small items secure.
This Coloradian attests to how brilliantly the coat performs. I live in Colorado and have always struggled with warmth in the winter. With last years snowmageddon storm, I decided that this year I would splurge a little to find the best and warmest jacket thats waterproof. I spent hours researching and this jacket came up on my list so I bought it. This lighter jacket keeps me warm. The longer I wore the jacket, the warmer it became. The pockets are warm enough and keep my hands warm without gloves. The hood keeps in heat to make the jacket comprehensive in its warming effects and is ADORABLE! It was money well spent! I now hold Columbia in the highest regard!
Comes in tons of shades and is available in sizes XS-XXL and sizes 1X-3X.
Shop Sizes XS-3X: | Eddie Bauer
Sleeve Cuffs & Pockets
On most womens down jackets, the sleeve cuffs have a streamlined elastic wrist cuff that stretches when you slide your hands through, meaning its easier to pull the jacket on before you put on your gloves. A handful have a wide velcro strap to tighten down the closure once you pull the jacket on.
The cut of cuffs is typically straight across at the wrist, so the arm length is functional and not cumbersome.
Very few down jackets feature wrist gaiters with thumbholes for extra hand warmth, but the Ortovox Swisswool Zinal Jacket does.
Most jackets include two exterior hand pockets with zip closures. Often, there is at least one interior chest pocket with a zip closure, which can be great for chambering a credit card, ID, or key.
Buyers Guide: How To Choose The Best Womens Down Jacket
Down insulation is made from goose or duck plumage, a natural undercoat beneath feathers. This traditional jacket fill is known for being lightweight and compressible while maintaining warmth due to intricate clusters that capture air and body heat.
In frigid conditions, an insulated down jacket is perfect for wearing after a gym workout, before you step into a frigid car, and for running errands. Some down jackets are more water- and wind-resistant than others based on how the surface fabric or fill has been chemically treated. Down fill thats chemically treated for water resistance is called hydrophobic down, so the down absorbs less water and dries faster.
Among the options, technical down jackets are typically lightweight and constructed with super durable materials, so theyre more tenacious against the surrounding terrain and dynamic activity, as well as packable. The price tag can often be higher than other casual down jackets.
A dependable and easy-to-pack down jacket is pretty much requisite for camping in high alpine or desert climates, backcountry trips like backpacking, alpine or rock or ice climbing, and backcountry splitboarding or skiing.
Beefier down jackets feature a higher down fill, so theyre warmer, which is excellent for winter camping, emergencies, or arctic conditions.
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Fill Power Vs Fill Weight
A down jackets fill power is the downs quality and amount of loft. Youll see jackets labeled as 600-fill or 800-fill, for instance. The fill weight, which is measured in ounces, reflects the density or amount of that down stuffed inside the jacket.
So when two 700-fill jackets have different weights, we know the heavier one is warmer.
On the other hand, if two down jackets weigh the same with different fill power , the higher fill jacket is going to be less bulky, lighter, and more compressible.
Its also trickier to compare jackets with differing fill power. But in general, the lower the fill power, the less loft and warmth are provided.
Shell Fabric And Durability
As the casing that holds the all-important down, a jackets shell fabric is a crucial component to consider. The thickness of a jackets outer fabric is listed in denier , which is a measurement of the weight of a thread. The lower the denier, the thinner the fabric. Thin shells are less durable and more susceptible to tears or punctures, but theyre also lighter-weight. That said, almost all of the jackets on this list are made with reasonably lightweight shell fabrics. The thinnest is the Arc’teryx Cerium LT, which has a fragile 10-denier shell, and the thickest is The North Faces Gotham, which has a robust 50-denier shell. 10 denier is fairly standard for ultralight pieces, and a more substantial 20 denier is what youll find most often in an average down sweater. Dont underestimate the impact of denier: even the difference from 10 to 20 denier can play a significant role in the total weight and potential lifespan of your jacket.
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Best For Cold Weather: Triple Fat Goose Valenti Women’s Full Length Winter Coat
Triple Fat Goose
Why We Love It: At 750 fill power, it is one of the warmest options you’ll find on the market.
What to Consider: Due to its length, we dont recommend wearing it for winter sports or other heavy activity.
Triple F.A.T Goose was founded in the late 1980s with one goal: “to provide supreme warmth in the coldest of climates.” After over 40 years, the brand has gained a stellar reputation for creating rugged, high-performance jackets that travelers wear to the coldest places on Earth.
So, if you’re headed to your first Antarctica cruise or plan on spending the Christmas holidays in Lapland, the Valenti winter coat has you covered. With 750 fill power of recycled down, a two-layer shell, and an extra-long hemline, it will ensure complete comfort and maximum warmth regardless of weather conditions. It has two fleece-lined pockets with zippers and an inner chest pocket where you can keep your valuables. And finally, snap buttons allow you to open the sides for extra ventilation.
Price at time of publish: $650
Sizes: XS-3XL | Material: 2-layer laminate fabrication | Insulation fill power: 750 | Weight: 2.8 pounds
Kuhl Arktik Down Parka Womens
This stylishly looking Kuhl womens down parka with fur hood is not flimsy at all, having an 800-fill power, and a sturdy PU coating on the faux leather shell that repels snow and wetness.
Chic yet practical to the last, the faux fur trim on the hood, fleece cuffs, and drawcord waist which can be adjusted to any silhouette will keep a lady uber warm and still take you on a magical wintry night-on-the-town with flair.
This Kuhl Arktik down parka review conveys just how cute this piece is! Such a warm, good-looking coat. There are some other high-end brands out there that everyone is wearing these days, but I like this coat even more than them despite being $300-$500. It works so well in extreme temperatures, is super comfy, stylish and not everyone has it. I get compliments every time I wear it.
Take a look at these stylish and Insta-friendly water-resistant jackets!
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Patagonia Down With It Parka
Wearers call the knee-length Patagonia womens Down With It parka super warm and cozy, and hands-down the important features are the two-way zipper, detachable hood, inside pocket, adjustable side vents, and soft lining around the neck. It also has handwarmer pockets that zip up so great to store things discreetly.
Not only that, the shell is recycled material as well as the 600-fill power down, so you can wear it with confidence. This is a popular jacket for all these reasons and it also helps it have a flattering shape too!
This user is happy with her choice after hesitating too long! Ive had my eye on this parka for a while and couldnt decide between it and another brand. Dealing with 20-degree temperatures finally made me pull the trigger. I couldnt be happier with my purchase. Its so warm and comfortable! This parka has also kept me warm, and the wind out, on our first few winter hikes.
Learn how to pack bulky jackets in a single suitcase!
Shop Sizes XS-3X: | Eddie Bauer
Performance Vs Casual Down Jackets
The first step in finding the best women’s down jacket is determining what your end use will be. Although many down jackets are ideal for mountain environments and outdoor activities given their lightweight and packable nature, down jackets are also our first choice for everyday warmth in the cold winter months. In our picks above, we often call out a jackets intentions. If youre in the market for a technical piece for skiing, hiking, climbing, and other human-powered activities, look for high fill power, low weight, and features like a helmet-compatible hood and two-way zipper. These jackets will likely have thinner fabrics , trimmed-down feature sets, and slim fits . For everyday use, jackets will have thicker shell fabrics , regular fits that are great for layering, and features like knee-length hems and fur-brimmed hoods. Casual jackets will generally use lower-quality down and weigh more, too.
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Best Overall: Marmot Women’s Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket
Amazon
Why We Love It: It has more pockets and features than most styles.
What to Consider: It is not available in extended sizing.
A good puffer jacket should be versatile, stylish, and warm. Of course, not all puffers check off every box, but Marmot’s Ithaca does. Thanks to smart design, multi-functional features, high-quality construction, and premium materials, this piece will last you for years to come.
We mentioned its features, and they are truly what sets it apart from other puffer jackets. The jacket has four pockets: two hand-warmer pockets on the front, a flapped pocket on the left sleeve, and an interior pocket for your phone, wallet, or cash.
The zip-off hood allows you to adjust the jacket’s look to fit the weather and your style preferences. The hood’s shell is down-filled and features a removable faux fur ruff, which may come in handy when it’s snowing. And speaking of snow, this jacket was certainly made with snow days in mind. The sleeves have super soft microfleece wrist cuffs to keep the elements away. The shell is filled with 700-fill-power down and then treated with a water-resistant finish to protect from light rain while keeping you warm even on an extra chilly day.
Lastly, the jacket reaches mid-hip, which is the ideal length for everyday activities like commuting, running errands, hiking, and travel.
Price at time of publish: $250
Sizes: XS-XL | Material: Polyester | Insulation fill power: 700 | Weight: 1 pound, 6 ounces
Why You Should Trust Us
Our GearJunkie team has tested and reviewed dozens of womens down jackets in a range of cold-weather conditions across the country. For this guide, we examined the fine details of each down jacket, including comfort, functionality, protection from the elements, ease of use, and style. We also strongly considered the most popular, highly acclaimed, well-made, and size-inclusive womens down jackets across price points.
Throughout the West and Rocky Mountains, weve cruised on our bikes, walked in blizzards, sat on park benches, cheered on cross-country ski races, and shoveled our rigs out of powder piles. We used these down jackets farming, hunting, camping, backpacking, backcountry skiing, splitboarding, and rock climbing. We also tested down jackets in Colorados Gunnison Valley one of the coldest, snowiest destinations in the United States.
While a single jacket likely wont meet all of a persons needs, this comprehensive list provides options with unique specialties and/or supreme versatility. Were confident these are the best womens down jackets of the year.
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At Rab®, we have built a reputation of being down insulation specialists since the 1980s when founder Rab Carrington started it all. Since that point, our women’s down jackets have consistently represented the pinnacle of innovation in the industry.
We’re always innovating to create the best down jacket that we can. Our heritage can be found in tried and tested favourites such as our Women’s Microlight Alpine jacket. The Rab® range covers lightweight down coats, waterproof down jackets and even long down jackets such as our down parka. We have styles that are ideal for a day-to-day winter jacket, right through to higher fill-power jackets that wouldn’t be out of place on a polar expedition.
To find out more about down insulation, head to our down insulation guide.
If down insulation isn’t for you, why not check out our range of women’s synthetic jackets.
What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider
The Rab Microlight Alpine Hoody is a superb all-around medium weight down jacket. If you need something a little thicker and warmer, the Rab Neutrino Pro has a lot of the same features and is one of the warmest jackets we tested. If weight and compressibility are your number one concerns, the ultralight, super packable Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is what we’d recommend.
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The North Face Womens Arctic Down Parka
TheNorth Face womens Arctic down parka is fully waterproof and breathable and you get a little more coverage with its thigh-length.
With the ribbed knit cuffs, and a storm flap that covers the center zip, along with an adjustable hood and faux fur trim youll be set with this 550-fill coat. Basically, its completely designed to keep warmth in!
Just how good is it? This user says, I live in Massachusetts where the winters are unpredictable, and sometimes unbearable. This jacket is perfect for those nasty snowstorms and raw New England climates. At first, I was skeptical because Im not a fan of oversized coats, but this one is not bulky at all, and even comfortable to drive in. Highly recommend this jacket!
The womens Arctic down parka North Face sells comes in nine different colors and in sizes XS-XXXL.
What About Synthetic Jackets
There is a lot to be said for synthetic insulated jackets, which insulate better than down when wet, are more breathable, and generally cost considerably less. For insulation that we wear during activity , well reach for synthetic over down nine times out of 10. However, when it comes to particularly cold weather or weight- and space-conscious pursuits , down has no replacement .
Weve tested a number of synthetic jackets like the Arcteryx Atom LT and Patagonia Micro Puff, both of which are very comfortable and reasonably light. However, the warmth-to-weight and packability just arent the same as down options, and theres simply no substitute for the comfort that lofty plumage brings. Optimally, you would have both, but if youre only in the market for a single jacket, theres simply no better insulator than down. For a more detailed explanation of this topic, see our article on down vs. synthetic insulation.
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Analysis And Test Results
In this review, we examine an extensive range of lightweight down jackets. We assess each on warmth, weight, compressibility, features, durability, and water resistance. This allows us to shake out the best models for any conditions, be it your commute, ice climbing, car camping trips, or cozy days around town. To learn how each model performs in our six individual testing metrics, read on.
The North Face Metropolis Down Parka Women Iii
Remember the North Face womens Metropolis II down parka? Well, this year theyve put out the number III version and its just as fab! Rated at 550-fill, it will keep you toasty with a hood that you can snap off, velcro cuffs, and a taller collar that offers extra protection.
Fully waterproof, lightweight, and cozy, many wearers swear by this down parka coat. One says, I purchased this about a month ago and have used it as my everyday coat ever since. Im a very cold-blooded person, and I live in Idaho where winter is cold and very windy, and usually, at this time of year I pull out my most hardcore winter gear just to drive to survive. For winter hiking, I wear such a comical amount of layers its hard to move. Heres the deal with this coat though, its so much warmer than anything Ive ever owned. I went from a Patagonia puffy coat to this and I feel like Im wearing a sleeping bag around . I cant believe how warm it is. Today is 20 and snowing and I left my house in this coat, winter boots, and a light hat and it was honestly too warm. This purchase was absolutely worth it.
Comes in a range of fun colors and is available in regular sizes and plus sizes .
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The Best Down Jackets For Women In 2022
October 13, 2022 | By Morgan Tilton
We found the best womens down jackets for every budget and activity. Whether youre looking for a versatile hoodie, a high-end technical jacket, or a budget-friendly puffy, we have you covered.
Down jackets are a winter staple but are functional year-round in certain climates. They provide top-level warmth while packing down fairly small. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to choose.
Our group of testers donned dozens of the best down jackets in salty elements at work and exploring the outdoors. We tested these outer layers while running errands around town, shoveling snow, camping, rock climbing, hunting, and more.
And while there isnt a perfect jacket for every single activity, weve found a variety of the best down jackets to keep you warm all season. This collection of down layers focuses on a variety of functional hip-length puffy jackets.
If youre interested in longer-length jackets and parkas, read our womens winter jackets buyers guide. Otherwise, keep scrolling or jump to our favorites below:
Best Overall Womens Down Jacket: Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
For any cold day or night, this is an excellent every day down jacket with great style and protection for the winter season. Its awesome to pull on after cardio activity, like a winter run. We also loved it for backcountry travel. And it maintains loft and warmth even with snowfall and some moisture.
