Down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear: they’re impressively warm for their weight, pack down well, and provide a cozy haven from the cold. From performance pieces built for the backcountry to casual models that wear well around town, below you’ll find all of our detailed down jacket reviews. In terms of warmth, we cover the gamut, including lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight pieces. And at the bottom, you'll find a number of helpful down jacket informational articles.

Down Jacket Reviews

Norrona Falketind Down750 down jacket (prayer flags in Nepal)

Best Down Jackets of 2024

It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Women's down jacket (wearing Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody in mountains)

Best Women’s Down Jackets of 2024-2025

As impressively warm and cozy insulators, down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear. Whether you’re looking for an uber-light alpine piece for the mountains, a casual and well-tailored option for around-town use, or something in...
Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie (opening wallet in town on a sunny day)

Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie Review

Swedish brand Fjallraven is known for their attractive styles that straddle the line between performance and looks, but they generally come at a steep cost. Their Expedition Pack Down Hoodie, however, marries style and function in a package that...
Patagonia AlpLight Down Jacket (hiking in Patagonia)

Patagonia AlpLight Down Jacket Review

Patagonia is well-loved among outdoor enthusiasts for their good-looking products and eco-friendly ethos. Their AlpLight Down Jacket follows suit, combining a remarkably low weight and sleek styling inside a shell made from recycled fishing nets. It's...
Arc'teryx Cerium Hybrid Hoody (standing in mountains)

Arc’teryx Cerium Hybrid Hoody Review

Arc’teryx makes some of our favorite insulated jackets, from breathable and weather-ready synthetics to premium down pieces. The Cerium Hybrid Hoody is part of the brand’s popular Cerium collection, which combines both types of insulation to balance...
Cotopaxi Fuego Down Jacket (in San Juan mountains)

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket Review

Cotopaxi is a brand on the rise. With their distinctive and vibrant colorways, sustainable business practices, and skillful collaborations with other brands, they’ve quickly established themselves as a serious player in the outdoor market. The Fuego...
Norrona Falketind Down750 Hood Jacket (prayer flags in Nepal mountains)

Norrøna Falketind Down750 Hood Jacket Review

There’s no shortage of quality down jackets on the market in 2022, but Norrøna’s Falketind Down750 Hood jacket sets itself apart as a highly versatile option with a nice performance slant. With a mix of 750-fill down at the core and synthetic...
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL (zipping up in forest)

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Review

For years, Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer down jacket has dominated the ultralight market, offering impressive warmth in a streamlined package. Now, their Ghost Whisperer UL carries the torch...
Checking out the scenery in the REI 650 Down Jacket

Best Cheap Down Jacket: REI Co-op 650

Here at Switchback Travel, we’re passionate about our down jackets. We’ve tested a huge range of models over the years, from entry-level options from Outdoor Research and Columbia to premium alternatives from Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Montbell. While...
Rab Microlight Alpine down jacket (Lone Eagle Peak viewpoint)

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Review

U.K.-based Rab was a climbing company first, and their popular Microlight Alpine Down Jacket pays tribute to that mountain expertise. Throughout two years of testing the women's model, including...
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (standing in mountains)

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Review

Climbers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers of all types have enjoyed Patagonia’s Down Sweater for years. It’s a go-to piece that has defined a jacket category, and Patagonia gave it a significant revamp a few seasons back. Key changes include a more...
REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket (view from front)

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket Review

REI Co-op’s 650 Down has been our favorite budget-friendly down jacket for years and recently underwent a revamp. After testing the latest model in Chile, we’re happy to report that the improvements justify the $30 jump in price, including a more tear...
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody (standing above lake in Patagonia)

Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody Review

Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and one sleek piece of gear. We’ve tested several iterations over the years—from the past-generation Cerium LT to the latest version featured here—and have come away impressed time and time again...
REI Co-op Stratocloud Down Hoodie (drinking tea)

REI Co-op Stratocloud Down Hoodie Review

REI Co-op is a great one-stop shop for premium products from brands like Patagonia and Arc’teryx, but we often turn to their in-house line for the best value. True to form, the Stratocloud Down Hoodie...
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 jacket (fall colors)

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody Review

Ultralight without feeling ultra-compromised, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is one of the lightest fully featured down jackets on the market. Despite hitting a sub-9-ounce weight (for the men’s hoody model), Mountain Hardwear managed to...
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody (standing in mountains)

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (Women’s) Review

Arc’teryx’s Cerium is legendary in the performance down jacket market, and for good reason. With a mix of premium down and synthetic fill in moisture-prone areas, the jacket is both impressively warm for the weight and more protective than most...
Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody (collecting wood on beach)

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoody Review

The Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody is a longtime favorite that was updated last year with wider baffles, a softer shell and lining, and responsibly sourced insulation. The latest version is among the more comfortable down jackets on the market...
Arc'teryx Thorium Hoody (hiking above lake)

Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody Review

Arc’teryx’s Thorium AR Hoody stood out for its effective balance of warmth and protection, and the upgraded Thorium Hoody carries the torch. In addition to a sizable sustainability slant, the latest model packs in more down, has a helmet-compatible...
Arc'teryx Cerium SL Hoody (in Mongolian mountains)

Arc’teryx Cerium SL Hoody Review

The ultralight Arc’teryx Cerium SL Hoody combines 850-fill down with synthetic insulation, and it was an obvious choice for our recent bikepacking trip to Mongolia’s Khangai Mountains and trek...
Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket (hands in pockets)

Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket Review

Feathered Friends is a boutique down specialist birthed out of Seattle’s climbing scene in the 1970s, and they still lead the pack in down outerwear construction and design. The company is known for...

Winter Jacket Reviews

Winter jacket (Rab Neutrino Pro in the mountains)

Best Winter Jackets of 2024

When the coldest winter months arrive, it’s time for a serious jacket. Our picks for the best winter jackets and parkas below are among the warmest on the market—they are packed with down fill (or synthetic on occasion) and built to stand up to...
Women's winter jacket (cleaning off car in Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka)

Best Women’s Winter Jackets of 2024-2025

When the days get shorter and the mercury drops, it’s time to reach for a winter jacket to guard against the cold. Lightweight puffies have their place for three-season use, but you'll want a well-insulated, serious piece for truly frigid conditions...
Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka (standing in snow)

Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka Review

When it feels truly arctic outside, only a well-designed and thoroughly insulated jacket will do the job. For casual around-town wear, the market is full of stylish knee-length options with various features and...
REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket (playing with dog by lake)

REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Jacket Review

REI Co-op continues to impress us with their in-house line of products, and the Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Jacket is one of their best. Highlights include a combination of premium goose down and synthetic insulation, a 2-layer waterproof shell with...
Patagonia Fitz Roy Hoody (hands in pockets)

Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody Review

An iconic Patagonia jacket named after an iconic Patagonian peak, the Fitz Roy has gone through a number of iterations over the years. The latest model is around 20 percent lighter than its predecessor...
Arc'teryx Alpha Lightweight Parka (racking up for ice climbing)

Arc’teryx Alpha Lightweight Parka Review

For frigid winter days spent in mountain shadows, a warm and protective parka may be the single most important piece of gear in your pack. The Alpha Lightweight Parka is the newest lightweight belay parka from Arc’teryx, a technical brand with a well...
Marmot Montreal Down Coat (header)

Marmot Montreal Review

Many women’s winter jacket models come and go, but Marmot’s Montreal has been a powerhouse for years. For less than $300, you get quality down fill, a fleece-lined interior, fur-rimmed hood, and clean styling, making it ubiquitous across a wide range...
Patagonia DAS Parka synthetic jacket (belaying using two-way zipper)

Patagonia DAS Parka Review

Ever since its debut in 1992, Patagonia’s DAS Parka has been a staple for winter climbers and backcountry skiers due to its excellent combination of warmth and weather protection. Reintroduced for 2020, the newest model...
Patagonia Silent Down Jacket (front of jacket)

Patagonia Silent Down Jacket Review

Patagonia is a leader in the insulation market, and their down jacket selection ranges from technical belay parkas to versatile puffies for mixed outdoor and daily wear. At the casual end of the spectrum, the Silent...
Rab Neutrino Pro (mountain backdrop)

Rab Neutrino Pro Jacket Review

Winters are harsh in the U.K., and British alpinists are known for getting out in all types of conditions. So if there’s any brand we can trust to make proper gear for the cold and wet, it’s Rab. This England-based company launched the Neutrino down...
Patagonia Down With It Parka (standing on snowy boardwalk)

Patagonia Down With It Parka Review

Patagonia’s high-performance and responsibly produced outerwear is known both for excellent protection from the elements and looking good in the process. Their casual Down With It Parka follows...
Arc'teryx Firebee AR Parka (header)

Arc'teryx Firebee AR Review

Arc’teryx rarely misses the mark with quality, performance-oriented gear, and the Firebee AR is no exception. This winter parka is the whole package: it’s loaded with premium down, and offers excellent weather resistance and impressive packability...
The North Face Metropolis Parka II review

The North Face Metropolis Parka II Review

Winter weather doesn’t discriminate—it can be just as unforgiving on the streets of New York City as it is in the mountains of Colorado. And for everyday use, down-filled parkas like...
The North Face Gotham III winter jacket (in snowy forest)

The North Face Gotham Jacket III Review

The North Face is known for making stylish jackets, which is demonstrated again with the winter-ready Gotham III. For a reasonable $300, it checks most major boxes including a stout weatherproof build, impressive warmth, and great durability. The...

Down Jacket Informational Articles

Down jacket (sitting on tailgate in REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0)

How to Choose a Down Jacket

For the best in cozy and lofty warmth, down jackets are in a class of their own. The category covers a wide range of options, from lightweight and packable designs for backcountry use to stylish and hardwearing models for your winter commutes. Below we...
Hooded down jacket

Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?

A down jacket is a wonderful insulating piece: It’s light, packable, and offers premium warmth that you simply can’t find in a synthetic equivalent. In choosing your perfect puffy, one of the forks in the road is whether to go with a hood or without...
Down jacket (insulation closeup)

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
Ski resort chairlift

How to Stay Warm While Skiing

There’s a lot to love about resort skiing: you can cram in a ton of runs per day, always have the convenience of a lodge nearby, and don’t have to hoof it up thousands of vertical feet to earn your turns. That said, the biggest challenge with skiing...
Down Fill and Insulation Explained (zipping up Rab Mythic G down jacket)

Down Fill and Insulation Explained

Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on Earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s extremely soft and cozy to boot. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power...