How to choose a down jacket

How to choose a down jacket

A beginner's guide to choosing a down jacket that will keep you warm and cozy in the great outdoors

A high-quality down jacket is no longer reserved for outdoor use. Politicians, pop stars and even princesses have been pictured in a “puffa.” Of course, a down jacket only really comes into its own when it is used and tested in the great outdoors.

It can be confusing to understand what to consider before choosing a down jacket. To make your decision easier, we've put together a simple guide to choosing the best jacket for you.

What's below?

Down is the natural insulating layer of geese and ducks, helping to keep their bodies warm in freezing temperatures. It is usually white or gray and looks like small piles of lint. These clusters form millions of tiny air pockets that are warmed by our body heat and held in place by the down.

Atlas & BootsPeter on the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland

Despite significant investments in synthetic insulation, people have yet to match the insulating power of down, which still has the best warmth-to-weight ratio in the world.

Ethical consideration

When choosing a down jacket, remember that geese and ducks are victims of trade. Therefore, we recommend that you choose “traceable down” or “certified responsibly sourced down,” which means that manufacturers can trace the origin of their down and the harvesting practices of those who supply it.

Down or synthetic?

Choosing a down jacket over synthetic insulation has several advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of down

• Bestes Wärme-Gewichts-Verhältnis.
• Länger haltbar: Daune behält ihre Bauschkraft (oder Flauschigkeit) jahrelang länger als synthetisches Material.
• Komprimiert besser.

Disadvantages of down

• Bei Nässe verliert es seine Isolierfähigkeit.
• Weniger haltbar. Die meisten Synthetikjacken überstehen ein oder zwei harte Schrammen; Daune quillt auch aus dem kleinsten Riss.
• Teurer (aber langlebiger).
• Tiere werden für ihre Daunen verwendet.

Choose a down jacket when it's cold but dry (or when you can keep your jacket dry in wet weather) and when light weight and volume are important.

Choose synthetic insulation when exposed to wet conditions and when performance and recovery are more important than weight and bulk.

Goose down or duck down?

In general, goose down has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio and packs smaller than duck down. Goose down is therefore usually more expensive.

Atlas & BootsPeter on the summit of Aconcagua in his Skyline Jacket from Mountain Equipment

However, high-quality duck down can provide better insulation than lower-quality goose down, so it's important to consider the quality - or "fill power" - of your down.

Down fill power

The quality of down is measured by its filling power. This is the number of cubic inches an ounce of down occupies in a climate-controlled test cylinder. The more volume the down takes up, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio.

Generally:

• 650 Fillpower gelten als hochwertig
• 750-850 Fillpower gelten als in der oberen Qualitätsklasse
• 900+ Fillpower ist die beste Qualität

Note: There are two main methods for measuring fill power, and the "US" method gives a slightly higher value than the "EU" method for the same quality of down. A fill power of 800+ according to the EU method roughly corresponds to a fill power of 850+ according to the US method.

Weight

When choosing a down jacket, keep in mind that higher fill power does not automatically mean warmer. For example, 8 ounces of 850-fill down can be similarly warm as 12 ounces of 650-fill down. What the former has is a better warmth-to-weight ratio. It is also more compressible because it contains less down.

Water resistance

During a heavy downpour, the average down jacket completely loses its loft. It gets wet and heavy and takes a long time to dry completely.

“Hydrophobic” down is down that has been coated with DWR (Durable Water Repellent). The idea is that hydrophobic down will repel water just as effectively as synthetic insulation. This is up for debate, but if you are traveling in a wet area, it is advisable to choose a down jacket that has a DWR treatment on at least the outer material. If budget allows, opt for hydrophobic down as well.

construction

Chambers are the individual sections of insulation in your jacket. They distribute the down evenly and prevent it from collecting on the floor. Your jacket's baffle construction can affect performance.

Stitched vs. Box Wall Baffles

Sewn-through chambers keep insulation evenly distributed. These jackets are cheaper because they are easier to make and use less material. However, they can result in some heat loss along the seams.

Fair useBaffle box reduces heat loss

Chamber wall chambers allow the down to expand to its maximum loft. They also reduce heat loss in sewn areas. These jackets are more expensive because they are more complex to produce and use more material.

Wide vs narrow baffles

Wide baffles are the warmest option because they contain more down and fewer seams for heat to escape. However, they are bulkier and do not layer as well or compress as much as narrow baffles. If warmth is more important than agility, opt for wide baffles. If a slim fit and active use are a priority, choose narrow chambers.

material

Down can escape through the smallest cracks, so your jacket top needs to be sturdy and abrasion-resistant. However, if it is too heavy, it will affect the warmth to weight ratio of the jacket. Nylon is ideal because it is durable but lightweight. A DWR coating is ideal for protecting your down if you do get caught in a drizzle.

Features

When choosing a down jacket, consider the following features.

Bags:

• Handwärmtaschen: Sind diese hoch genug, um über dem Hüftgurt eines Rucksacks zu sitzen?
• Interne oder externe Brusttaschen: Innentaschen sind in der Regel besser isoliert und sind nützlich, um den Akku Ihres Telefons bei kaltem Wetter zu schonen.
• Innentasche: Diese großen Innentaschen mit offener Öffnung oben eignen sich hervorragend zum Verstauen von Handschuhen, Mützen, Batterien oder allem anderen, was Sie warm halten möchten.

Everst/ShutterstockA hood provides warmth but also volume

Hood: A hood provides warmth but also additional volume. If you are using a down jacket as a middle layer under a waterproof coat, you may want to choose a down jacket without a hood.

Drawstrings: Hem and hood drawstrings are useful for closing drafty gaps. For hoods, we prefer a single drawstring that tightens at the back of the head, which is less fussy than double drawstrings on the side of the face and more adjustable than elastic versions.

Packable/Clipable: Many down jackets come with their own stuff sack or compress into their own pocket. We prefer the latter because dry bags are easily lost. Some down jackets have a clip-in carabiner loop, which is useful for climbing as it can easily be clipped into a harness.

Purpose of use

Of course, when choosing a down jacket, it is worth considering its intended use. Below we make some suggestions.

Alpine Climbing: To avoid cracking the shell on rocks, consider wearing it as a midlayer under a more durable hardshell. The North Face Summit L3 Down Hoodie and the Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody are excellent options.

Climbing: The Rab Microlight Alpine is a good jacket for climbing.

Skiing: Use down as a middle layer under an outer shell. Choose the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded, the REI Co-op Magma 850 or the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody. The Rab Microlight Alpine is also a good option.

Wet Weather: Down is not ideal for wet weather, but the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold does a good job. The downside is that it is not very compressible and therefore not ideal for extended trips into the wilderness.

Mountaineering: When mountaineering, a down jacket can serve as part of your layering system. The award-winning Mountain Equipment Skyline Jacket offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.

Main image: Everst/Shutterstock

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