15 Best Down Jackets for 2024 [Lightweight & Packable] – Greenbelly Meals

Down jackets should be lightweight and packable. We recommend less than 12 ounces for three-season hiking. To save weight make sure it’s free from unnecessary features like chunky zippers and heavy fabric.

The Lightest Down Jackets:

Warmth is a combination of fill power, the measurement of a down’s loft, and fill weight, the amount of down in a jacket. Higher numbers are better in each case. Warmth can be tricky to evaluate when comparing jackets with different fill powers and weights. We will dive deeper into each of the considerations below.

The Warmest Ultralight Down Jackets:

Down jackets with the highest warmth-to-weight ratio:

Down jackets range from under $100 to $400+. Fill power, fill weight, and total weight all affect price. Premium down jackets often have the highest fill power and are engineered from the thinnest materials to keep them ultralight.

Down jackets that provide the greatest value:

Affordable down jackets:

Premium down jackets (most expensive):

FILL POWER: KEEP IT ABOVE 700

Fill power is a measurement of the loft of a down jacket. Specifically, it is the amount of space (cubic inch) an ounce of down will occupy at its maximum loft. This commonly advertised value can range from 300 to 900. The higher the number, the more loft the down will have and the better it will be at insulating. A higher fill power will require less down to keep you warm which is why most ultralight jackets use at least 650 down and heavier entry-level down jackets use 300 to 500 down.

FILL WEIGHT (percentage): AT LEAST 30% OR MORE OF TOTAL WEIGHT

Fill weight is the amount of down (ounces) used in the jacket. Ideally, you want down to occupy 30% or more of the jacket’s total weight.

Both fill power and fill weight contribute to the overall warmth of a coat. When comparing jackets with the same fill power, a higher fill weight means a warmer jacket. A higher fill power down requires less down for the same amount of warmth, so a 900-fill coat with 3 ounces of down may be warmer than a 500-fill jacket with 5 ounces.

While lighter does sound more attractive, be realistic about what you will be doing in your jacket and where you will be. A jacket with only a couple ounces of down probably won’t be the best choice for leisurely strolls in the frigid winter, but is perfect for shoulder season hikes or evenings at camp on the PCT. On the contrary, a jacket with 5 ounces of down will be overkill for most climates throughout the year.

Most down jackets are typically made with high-quality ripstop nylon that resists scuffs, scrapes, and tears. The thickness of this outer material is measured in denier, the weight of a thread. The lower the denier, the lighter and thinner the fabric. The nylon varies from jacket to jacket with ultralight jackets minimizing weight by using lighter denier nylon that requires some extra gentle handling. Most down jackets also have some form of outer DWR treatment to resist moisture.

Almost all jackets will have a face fabric, the side facing outwards, somewhere between 7-denier to 20-denier. With 7-denier being the epitome of ultralight materials, so wispy they are usually partially transparent. 20-denier is substantially more robust, however, most will fall within the 10-denier to 15-denier range. It is a balance between weight and durability. The benefits of down as a lightweight insulator are lost if extremely thick and heavy fabrics are used, that is why they will always tend to be relatively thin. Unless you are looking for the lightest possible jacket, and understand the precautions that must be taken, stick between 10-denier and 15-denier.

The most durable down jackets are:

Down compresses better than any other material, which makes it great for packing away small. Down also retains its loft better than other materials and can withstand packing and unpacking countless times without breaking down. The higher the fill power the more compressible a down jacket is. Thinner fabrics offer minimal bulk and will pack smaller than thicker down jackets.

Most jackets take full advantage of this by either stuffing into themselves (commonly in a pocket with a reversible zipper) or by coming with a small stuff sack. These are great for temporary storage and can help save space for everything else. You should not store your jacket stuffed away for any long durations, when at home make sure it is allowed to fully loft.

The most packable down jackets are:

Down jackets are constructed using compartments called baffles to help evenly distribute the down. Baffle size can also have an effect on the insulating qualities of a jacket. Larger baffles can hold a lot more insulation and have more space for loft, but this space also allows the down to clump together producing cold spots. Smaller baffles are more challenging to construct, but they prevent clumping and provide an even distribution of insulation. Smaller baffle jackets also tend to be less puffy, making them ideal for layering under a shell.

As good as down is, it has an Achilles heel, and that is moisture. Get a down jacket wet from sweat or rain, and it will lose its insulating power. DWR is a water-repellent coating applied to the outside of jackets, sleeping bags, and other outdoor gear as the first line of defense against moisture. It also is now being used internally to coat down fibers, so they don't lose as much of their loft and dry faster when they get wet. Nikwax, DownTek, and DriDown are common brands of hydrophobic down.

While goose and duck down are similar in warmth, compressibility, and durability, they do have their differences.

Goose: Goose down has been, and still is, considered the higher value. It’s naturally warmer and lighter, and because geese are larger than ducks their plumage is bigger and loftier. Goose down is less available than duck and it’s the more expensive option of the two.

Duck: Duck down has gained popularity in recent years as it’s easier to get, cheaper, and it holds up better than goose when wet. But since goose has a naturally higher fill power, it will always remain lighter than duck, especially the higher quality you go. However, modern-day technologies have developed a system of sorting, clumping, and weaving bunches of duck fibers together that can make it comparable to goose.

Controversy over how down is collected has led to the rise of Traceable Down and the Responsible Down Standard. Traceable down means the outdoors manufacturer can trace their down from the farm to factory, while the Responsible Down Standard is a voluntary standard that ensures that down-producing ducks and geese are being treated humanely. Both standards ban the practice of live plucking, which is the injury-causing removal of down from living animals.

The most sustainable down jackets are:

Whether your down jacket has a hood or not is a personal preference. Some people like the coverage a hood provides around the head, neck, and shoulders, while others don't want the added bulk and cost associated with a hood. If you opt to go hoodless, you can always use a beanie or balaclava.

Pockets are another optional feature on jackets. Removing the pockets sheds some weight, but you might miss that extra storage space or convenient hand holder.

Some down jacket manufacturers add an extra lining to help retain heat or wick away moisture. Linings add weight to a coat so you may opt for a jacket that is not lined and use your own layering system to add warmth or cooling as needed.

Are down jackets worth it?

Yes, they are. Down jackets are worth it in cold but mostly dry weather or if having a lightweight, packable jacket is a priority for you. In very rainy conditions or if you're on a budget, synthetic insulations can be a better option.

What does a down jacket do?

A down jacket traps heat by using soft, insulating duck or geese feathers to keep you toasty warm.

Is a down jacket the warmest?

Yes, it is. A down jacket is the warmest option providing more warmth per ounce of insulation versus synthetic insulations.

📸 Some photos in this post were taken by Ross Enlow (@rossaenlow)