In the market for a jacket that will take the edge off when the temperatures tumble? A down jacket is a failsafe option – and Patagonia makes some of the best of them.
Women’s Down Sweater (Photo: Patagonia)
Down jackets, often referred to as ‘puffer jackets’ or ‘puffers’ have been around for at least a century. George Finch, an Australian chemist and mountaineer, is credited with creating the world’s first down jacket, made with balloon fabric and an eiderdown. Today’s down jackets have come a long way and Patagonia, with its high-tech fabrics and eco-friendly credentials, is paving the way. Nearly 80% of the brand’s down is recycled and any virgin down is sourced to the most humane standards. The brand even helped to launch the Global Traceable Down Standard to protect birds across the entire supply chain, from force-feeding to live-plucking. With at least a dozen jackets to choose from, we’ve cherry-picked seven of the best Patagonia down jackets for women based on insulation, weather resistance, price, customer reviews and wearability.
Down Sweater
The Down Sweater is the latest version of Patagonia’s flagship down jacket, and it’s even lighter and more versatile than the original. Made with NetPlus® recycled nylon and insulated with 800-fill-power down, it offers an impressive amount of warmth for its weight. Ideal for both casual and backcountry use, you’ll be able to use this at higher elevations in the summer too. It’s a trim fit, which means you won’t look out of place wearing it around town either. There are 11 colours to choose from, including bright amaranth pink and contrast anapaca blue, which is a hit with influencers. From $138.99.
AlpLight Down Jacket
AlpLight Down Jacket (Photo: Patagonia)
The AlpLight is billed as Patagonia’s lightest and most packable insulated jacket. Featuring 800-fill power and a PFC-free DWR finish, the jacket is both warm and waterproof. Unlike most of the brand’s jackets, this offering is filled with 100% virgin goose-down feathers for extra warmth. There are two handwarmer pockets with hidden zippers, nylon bound elastic cuffs and a drawcord adjustment seal to lock in warmth. Choose from two colours: ‘smoulder blue’ and black. From $148.99 (on sale).
Women’s Recycled High-Pile Fleece Down Jacket
For those looking for a contemporary, casual jacket that will see them through winter, this high-pile fleece down jacket is an excellent option. Made of 100% recycled polyester, pile fleece and insulated with 700-fill power recycled down, you’re guaranteed to stay snug, even in sub-zero temperatures. While it’s not waterproof, the jacket is wind-proof, with special ripstop lining finished with DWR to shed moisture and wind. But it’s the design details that really bowled us over: boxy and modern, the jacket features a hidden double-breasted snap, raglan sleeves for movement and elastic smocking at the cuffs to keep out the cool air. From $148.99
Jackson Glacier Jacket
Jackson Glacier Jacket (Photo: Patagonia)
This techy offering combines a 2-layer shell made with 100% recycled polyester with a durable water-repellent finish and 700-fill-power Recycled Down for reliable warmth. The goose and duck feathers are kept in place with no-stitch, bonded quilt lines to increase water repellency too. It’s suitable for snow, thanks to nifty storm cuffs and an insulated hood with hidden adjustment cords, but there’s no danger of looking like a snowman thanks to a trim, streamlined fit. The jacket is available in ‘smoulder blue’, black and ‘sequoia red’, which is now on sale. From $183.99.
Silent Down Hybrid Parka
According to Patagonia, the Silent Down Hybrid is one of the softest down parkas they’ve ever made. To reach such lofty heights, the team added a 100% recycled nylon fabric overlay on a stretchy 100% polyester shell, with 100% recycled down insulation for when the cold weather hits. Unlike most parka jackets, getting in and out of it quickly is a breeze thanks to the full-length, centre-front two-way zipper. The covered contrast placket offers added wind protection, while the insulated hood features a stand-up collar for added warmth. From $183.99 (on sale)
Downdrift Jacket
Women’s Downdrift Jacket (Photo: Patagonia)
The Downdrift Jacket is slightly lighter than some of the other jackets on the list, but will still keep you toasty when the temperatures drop. It ticks all the boxes when it comes to eco-credentials too. The exterior is made with NetPlus®, an ingenious 100% recycled nylon fabric made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution. It boats 600-fill-power recycled down too. There’s a drawcord hem to seal in warmth and a full-length, centre-front covered vision zipper for extra wind protection. Customers have seven gorgeous colours to choose from too. From $329.
SugarDown Hoody
The SugarDown is Patagonia’s first fully biobased insulated jacket. The revolutionary shell is made entirely from sugarcane, trimmings come from castor oil and other plant-based nylons and the 800-fill-power is 100% responsibly sourced. The result? A silky and smooth wear that’s guaranteed to keep you snug in colder climes. Helpful extras, like the zipper garage at the chin, elasticized cuffs and hood help seal in the warmth too. From $329.