Which Down Coats Are Right For You?

When it comes to winter weather, there are few layers more versatile than a down jacket.down coats Lightweight options are great for everyday wear or for use as a midlayer on backcountry ski trips, while heavier-weight models provide warmth and insulation in even the harshest cold.down coats But which one is right for you?

Our team has sifted through mountains of puffy layers to bring you this streamlined selection.down coats We considered baffle shape, size, and construction, jacket fabrics and weight, features like hoods, hem, and cuff closures, and more.down coats But the two factors that have the biggest impact on a down jacket's warmth are fill power and fill weight.

A down jacket's fill power—expressed in terms of 600-fill, 700-fill, 800-fill, and so on—is a measure of the quality of the feathers used to make up the jacket's insulation.down coats A higher fill power means that more feathers are packed into a given volume of space, which in turn leads to a warmer jacket.down coats To calculate fill power, a 1-ounce sample of down is placed into a standardized cylinder and the total volume is measured in cubic inches.

In addition to the down's fill power, a jacket's fill weight—expressed in ounces—is also important for determining its warmth.down coats A higher fill weight usually means a warmer jacket, but it's not always the case. This is because a jacket with more down may be constructed using less lofty baffles than a jacket with less down, resulting in less warmth per square inch.

Another factor to consider when selecting a down jacket is how the insulation is assembled and sewn together.down coats There are three main types of down jacket construction: sewn through, box baffle, and heat seamed baffle. Sewn through down jackets have chambers created by stitching the outer fabric to the inner shell lining. These jackets tend to be a bit warmer than those that are sewn using the box baffle method, but they're not as wind-resistant.

Box baffle jackets have the same insulation sewn between the outer and inner fabrics, but with no stitching to allow the warmth to escape.down coats The lack of stitching also makes these jackets more durable and wind-resistant than sewn through down coats. Heat seamed baffle jackets—often referred to as bonded or welded down—are constructed of the same materials as other jackets, but they're fused together using heat instead of stitching.

Besides warmth, other important considerations when selecting a down jacket include the durability and moisture resistance of the shell fabric.down coats Some of the best down jackets in this roundup—including the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie—use Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric throughout, which improves abrasion resistance without adding bulk or weight.

For backpacking, climbing, and backcountry skiing, ultralight down jackets are an excellent choice.down coats These highly specialized designs feature premium down (fill power), thin shell fabrics, and minimalist zippers and pockets, making them ideal for activities where every ounce counts. Examples of ultralight down jackets in this roundup include the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer and Rab Mythic Alpine Light.