They’ve become a regular sight over the past few years, moving from high-altitude expeditions to fashion-savvy streetwear. There’s simply no doubt that the puffer jacket is here to stay. And no wonder—with toasty insulation, flattering fits, and ultralight construction, it’s everything you could ask for this winter season.
Our best overall favourite for 2023-2024 is the The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket. This puffer combines exceptional style and unparalleled functionality. Its heat-trapping features, in conjunction with a beautiful silhouette, are perfect for battling ice-cold temperatures in iconic style.
All Time favourite puffer jacket
The beautifully designed, classic 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket is perfect for when you want something retro yet modern, stylish yet functional. This eye-catching gem is jam-packed with features.
Velcro around the wrists and a bungee cinch hem keeps the cold from coming up through your arms and waist. Additionally, the 700-fill goose down insulation will have you enjoying being out in nature again this winter. Many women, whether thin or curvy, have reported that the Retro Nuptse compliments their figure.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Comes in many striking colours
- Distinct contrast with taffeta shoulder yoke
- Velcro wrist straps and bungee cinch hem for cold
Cons
- Hood isn’t insulated
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best expedition puffer jacket
If you’re looking for a puffer that effortlessly takes you from the streets to the slopes, look no further than the Fjällräven Expedition Lätt Hoodie. In typical Fjällräven style, this puffer tows the line between fashion, function, and yes—sustainability.
What sets the Expedition Lätt apart is its eco-friendly construction, featuring 100% recycled materials, from the outer fabric and lining made of recycled polyamide to the insulation filled with recycled polyester. This not only keeps you warm but also helps reduce your carbon footprint.
Other thoughtful features include a snug-fitting hood, multiple zippered pockets (including an inside pocket that doubles as a stuff sack), and a front zipper with an inside placket.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Eco-conscious
- Packable
- Versatile
Cons
- May be too warm for “metro” use
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BEST BUDGET-friendly PUFFER JACKET
The sheen-like Columbia Women’s Puffect Jacket is a great bargain. Synthetic Thermarator insulation keeps you warm, without having to worry if it gets wet (synthetic insulation retains heat even if it gets damp). Some other handy features include a soft chin guard, two zippered hand pockets, and elastic cuffs to make sure heat stays inside the jacket.
For him, we'll go with the Columbia Westridge Down Hooded Jacket. It's made of 100% recycled fabric and insulated with 650-fill RDS certified down. It’s water-repellent, warm, and versatile, with a packable design—what more could you ask for? Also comes in a non-hooded version.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Well insulated
- Sleek design
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a hood
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Favourite Stylish puffer jacket
When it comes to style, few puffers measure up to the 66 North Dyngja Down Jacket. From the clean colourways to its vintage-inspired construction, the Dyngja is an eye-catcher. Don’t be fooled, however—this fashion-forward puffer still puts function first.
The Dyngja is insulated with 700-fill power down from a blend of duck and goose sources. Every ounce of down is reclaimed from landfills and processed using the exact same methods to treat virgin down. The result is a premium product that lives up the brand’s high internal standards for cleanliness and performance. Because the jacket is unisex, expect a boxier fit.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Vintage style and pleasing colourways
- Toasty warm
- Eco-conscious materials
Cons
- Boxy fit not for everyone
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Favourite long puffer jacket
Puffer jackets are typically characterised by their hip-length cut. This has the dual advantage of providing full upper body coverage while still being lightweight and compressible. But in urban environments, those advantages aren’t really necessary. For a little more coverage over the butt—and a little more flare—consider opting for a long puffer jacket.
Our pick for ladies is the Canada Goose Ellison Jacket. Lightweight and down-insulated, the Ellison provides all the usual key features like rib-knit cuffs, storm flaps, plackets, and pocket tricot lining for added warmth. That said, you also get a longer cut, especially the rear hem. Best of all, the Ellison still manages to pack down into its own pocket for easy transport.
Men can opt for the Helly Hansen Active Puffy Long Jacket, which is cut to mid-thigh and feels as much like a winter comforter as it does a jacket. It boasts synthetic blow-able insulation, a weather-resistant face fabric, and lots of pockets.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Stylish city length
- Plenty of zips
- Extra coverage
Cons
- Not for the rugged outdoors
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Best high-end puffer jacket
If you don’t mind spending a little more on your puffer jacket, then the Canada Goose Black Label series may be right for you. The Cypress Down Jacket for women and the Crofton Down Jacket for men are nothing if not haut de gamme.
The Cypress is a wind- and water-resistant puffer insulated with 750-fill power down. It integrates cordura fabric for extra durability and includes a down-filled collar for added warmth. As far as puffers go, this one has been tested to keep you company in the coldest places on Earth.
Meanwhile, the Crofton is a lightweight and versatile year-rounder that snugs up into itself for easy portability. Men will appreciate the sleek and slim-fit construction that complements your natural body shape. Best of all, both jackets are made locally.
To discover more great local brands in Canada, check out this article.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Slim-fitting
- Durable and stands up to the elements
- Made in Canada
Cons
- Pricey
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favourite puffer vest
Yeah, we're doing this—the Nuptse version of the puffer vest by The North Face is our hands-down fave, just like its sleeved cousin. And really, there's a lot to like here: Exceptional warmth throughout the core, rugged construction, and a style that is as cool now as it was back then.
As with the Nuptse jacket, the vest is made using 100% nylon ripstop coated with a DWR finish. Inside, it’s pure RDS-certified 700-fill power goose down. Despite the reduced size of the vest, you still get two secure-zip hand pockets, one of which can be used to pack the jacket away for easy transport. Plus, it weighs less (and costs less!) than its sleeved cousin.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Relaxed and boxy
- 700-fill power goose down
- Cool look in rugged fabric
Cons
- Not a jacket?
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best packable puffer jacket
There’s a reason the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 has shown up in more than one of our “best of” articles: Its versatility is nearly unmated, ranging from alpine and rock climbing, to backpacking and hiking, to casual streetwear.
Boasting an impressive 800-fill power RDS-certified down and an average weight of just half-a-pound, the Ghost Whisperer/2 is a wardrobe essential. It comes in an array of unique colours and stuffs down into its own pocket. Plus, the ripstop backing ensures durability wherever you take it, from the Metro to the mountaintop.
If you're in search of a more technical garment, our curated selection of best lightweight down jackets is here to assist you.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Packs into pocket
- Down-filled adjustable hood
- Sleek, lightweight
Cons
- Pricey, sure - but you get what you pay for
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HOW TO CHOOSE A PUFFER JACKET
When it comes to puffer jackets, we all know that the main concern is how warm it keeps you. While real down feather insulation rated over 700-fill power is traditionally seen as the loftiest, there are now blends of down and synthetic insulation that can keep you just as toasty. You also have to consider the jacket’s weather resistance and ability to withstand snow, sleet, and rain.
1. Insulation Type
Down
Down, or plumage, either from duck or goose, is the gold standard in puffer jackets insulation. Down is rated by fill power: the measure of loft, or ‘fluffiness’, of the insulation. It’s generally a good idea to have something with a fill power of over 700 for winter months.
As consumers become more conscious and aware, you’ll see down that is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, meaning the feathers were gathered ethically. This is becoming a standard among many companies.
Synthetic
Where down falls short is that it can’t insulate once it gets wet. Synthetic down solves this problem by retaining heat even when it’s damp. Some common synthetic insulation materials are Plumafill, OmniHeat, and PrimaLoft.
2. Warmth
While insulation measured by fill power is one factor in warmth, it’s not the only one. You’ll also want to look for jackets with a drawcord at the hem to seal off the bottom of the coat. Additionally, velcro or elastic wrist cuffs will also help to retain heat inside of the puffer.
3. Styles & Fit
Some of the best puffer jackets for women have a trendy, slimming shape. There are also different looks on the outer shells: matte, shiny, or silky and smooth. The form can also vary from boxy to trimming, depending on the style of the puffer jacket. Go boxy when you might be layering and not looking at serious physical activity. A slimmer fit with stretch and a great baselayer set-up will do the trick when active.
4. Weather resistance
Though standard down insulation loses its capacity to retain heat when wet, there are now hydrophobic treatments to the feathers that increase their water-resistance.
A Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment on the outer shell also helps shed snow and sleet. If you anticipate wearing your puffer jacket in a very wet climate, synthetic is probably the best option for warmth and weather resistance.
PUFFER JACKET FAQ
Q: Should puffer jackets be tight?
A: When you try on a winter puffer coat, you should have your mid-layers underneath to see the fit. The jacket shouldn’t be too loose, but it shouldn’t be painfully tight on the elbows or armpits either.
Want to learn more about how to choose the right puffer jacket? Check out our comprehensive guide.
Q: Why are puffer jackets so expensive?
A: Puffer jackets with high-quality, ethically-sourced goose or duck down won’t come cheap. The down is lightweight and packable while providing exceptional warmth.
Q: Are packable puffer jackets warm?
A: Yes, part of what makes top-notch puffer jackets so great is that they’re both warm and packable. They’re designed to have maximum fill-power with minimal weight to compress down into a small size.
Q: Are puffer jackets good for rain?
A: It’s best to use an outer shell like a rain jacket instead of the puffer jacket in the rain. Light rain might be okay, but a downpour could damage the down insulation.
After reviewing the top puffer jackets on the market for 2023-2024, we’ve rounded up the best ones based on style, warmth, and weather–resistance. Our overall favourite was the classic North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket for its cool aesthetics, exceptional warmth, and snow-resistant outer shell.
We hope this review helps you find your ideal puffer jacket to keep you toasty all winter long!
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