How to Make the Most of a Down Jacket

A down jacket is the ultimate lightweight, warm-to-the-touch insulation for cold weather hikers and mountaineers. No other insulator comes close to the warmth-to-weight savings, packability and comfort that you get from the fluffy clusters of feathers found in goose and duck down. But not all down jackets are created equal—there are some that stand out in the field and some that struggle to perform under certain conditions.

To make the most of your down jacket, pay attention to its fill power—the amount of space one ounce of down takes up. As a general rule, higher fill powers offer better performance and warmth-to-weight ratios. A good starting point is a 600-fill jacket; anything above that is considered excellent, and the best down jackets have fill powers of 800 or more.

The shell fabric is the outermost layer that protects the down insulation from external elements. High-quality shell fabrics are lightweight, durable and provide good wind and water resistance, especially when paired with a down jacket that’s been treated with a DWR coating or features hydrophobic down.

If you’ll be hiking in dry climates, then a lightweight down jacket with a moderate level of water resistance should be sufficient. However, if you plan on tackling wet hikes or engaging in other activities where you’ll be exposed to water, look for a jacket that’s more fully waterproof. Jackets like the Patagonia Down Sweater, Arc’teryx Cerium jackets and the REI Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid jacket use a combination of down and synthetic insulation—using down in areas that will be more prone to moisture—to create a fully waterproof design.

Lastly, a down jacket’s packed size is an important factor to consider, particularly if you’ll be using it on backpacking trips or packing it in a suitcase. Thin materials, simplified feature sets and trim fits can all decrease a down jacket’s packed size.

In addition to these factors, the warmth-to-weight savings of a down jacket are affected by its overall weight, including the shell and lining fabrics as well as zippers, cinch cords and other features. When it comes to a lightweight down jacket, look for a light shell and lining fabric with minimal stitching to minimize its bulk. Additionally, jackets with a longer cut can help provide some extra coverage for below-the-waist warmth.