The 10 Best Women's Down Jackets of 2024
By: Sarah Ziffer: Women's & Kid's Techwear Buyer | October 26, 2023
If you’re not up on your down, you’re missing out. It’s no secret that down is the best way to stay warm. It’s incredibly insulating, lightweight, and packable, making it a favorite choice of any adventurer on the go. A good down jacket is a must-have piece of any outdoor kit. Just throw it in the bottom of your pack, and you’ll always be prepared if the temperature drops. But they’re not just for your outdoor excursions. The lightweight warmth of a good puffy is the perfect throw-on layer for any trip around town or out into the cold, and even if you’re not down with down, there are plenty of synthetic options to choose from. We’ve combed through the sea of feathers and fluff and picked out the cream of the crop to bring you the best women’s down jackets of the year.
New This Year:
When it comes to staying warm without the added bulk, women's down and puffy jackets continue to be a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and fashion-forward city dwellers alike. The fusion of advanced insulation technologies with sleek designs ensures that these jackets provide the necessary warmth, while also catering to a modern aesthetic. Whether it's for a winter trek or just a chilly evening out, these jackets are a blend of functionality and style. Their versatility and timeless appeal make them a must-have in every woman's wardrobe, ensuring a cozy experience without compromising on looks.
This Year's Best Women's Puffy, Down & Insulated Jackets:
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
How many times in a year can you use a super light but toasty puffy that works as a stand-alone warmup OR layers effortlessly under a shell? 100 times? 200? The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie is the layer you're looking for, and better than ever with NetPlus® 100% recycled nylon ripstop from recycled fishing nets making up both the shell and lining, and for-real 800 Fill-Power 100% Virgin Goose Down providing the best insulation for weight ratio in the business.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-Fill Down | Fixed Hood | $329.00 |
Burton AK Baker Down Jacket
Crazy light despite its incredible warmth, the Burton AK Baker Down Jacket is the perfect insulating layer for all your snowboard endeavors. Super packable thanks to the combination of the lightweight Pertex® ripstop fabric and 800-fill responsibly sourced down insulation, the slim fitting AK Baker Down Jacket is one of those jackets you'll be left wondering how you ever got by without.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 90/10 RSD Down 800 Fill | Removable Hood | $259.95 |
Volcom Puffleup Jacket
Embrace the chilliest of days on the slopes with the Volcom Puffleup Jacket, your secret weapon against those frigid mountain days. Packed with 600+ fill power Thermore Ecodown insulation, this puffy wonder ensures "puffy warmth with no downsides." Styled to bring an oversized Boyfriend fit that exudes confidence, and a 10K/10K waterproof breathability rating to keep you dry when the snow is falling, the Puffleup Jacket will have you conquering the slopes while turning heads left and right.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 600+ Fill Power Thermore Ecodown® | Fixed Hood | $280.00 |
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer™ Parka
Why should mountaineer-types get all the really warm puffy jackets? The new Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer™ Parka delivers full 800-fill power down insulation in an ultra-light ripstop package in a longer parka style that's ideal for hanging out in town when the temperature is really low - like sub-zero - and actually enjoying it. Get on the Ghost Whisperer™ train now and never get caught without a cold weather solution again.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 800 Fill RDS® (Responsible Down Standard)-Certified Down | Fixed Hood | $374.95 |
Arc'teryx Thorium Hoodie
The Arc'teryx Thorium AR Hoodie is a puffy midlayer meant to provide some serious heat. By using Down Composite Mapping, Arc'teryx is able to combine the ultimate warmth-to-weight powers of real goose down with the moisture resistance of synthetic insulation. Panels of Coreloft insulation are placed in areas most likely to generate heat and moisture, while down is placed around the core of the body for primary insulation. This lightweight hoodie has a DWR finish for snowy trips around town, but it is at its best when used under a hardshell as the ultimate cold weather layering tool.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 750 Fill European Grey Goose Down. Synthetic Insulation in Hood, Cuffs, & Underarms | Fixed Hood | $450.00 |
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown™ Light Pullover Hoodie
Simple good looks and hoody functionality belie the fact that the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown™ Light Pullover Hoodie can really crank up the heat level when you need it to. Wear it either as a mid-layer or standalone, the 700 fill down is the best insulator on the planet and Mountain Hardwear's exclusive "no stitch" baffle construction means there are no thin spots to let the cold in.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 700-fill, RDS-certified Down Insulation | 90% down / 10% Feathers | Fixed Hood | $239.95 |
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie
In the PNW, when it's raining in the city, it's snowing in the mountains. And that gives us reason to smile. Another reason to smile? The Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie is windproof, water repellent, and heat retaining (even when wet) -- a crucial feature when you find yourself caught in a cold storm, whether you're out on the town or out in the middle of nowhere.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 60g PrimaLoft® Gold Eco | 100% Polyester | Fixed Hood | $289.00 |
Patagonia Down Sweater
A huge seller at Patagonia that's just as "at home" at the coffee shop, keeping you toasty at the computer, or as a mid-layer under your outer shell, the Patagonia Down Sweater uses the best and most sustainable of materials to create a slim-fitting puffy you'll find yourself reaching for day after day.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-Fill Power 100% Virgin Goose Down | N/A | $279.00 |
Burton Loyil Down Jacket
A classic winter parka that keeps you bundled up during icy winter chills, the Burton Loyll Down Jacket is made with responsibly sourced down and packed with a punch. This 2 layer jacket has 10k waterproofing and breathability, and even includes pit zips for the sunnier days. Stay warm from your head to your knees with the Burton Loyll Down Jacket.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 80/20 Responsibly Sourced Down (RSD) | 650 Fill | Fixed Hood | $339.95 |
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoodie
Warm, stretchy, and unquestionably stylish, the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoodie is about to become your go-to everyday layer. Mountain Hardwear's proprietary stretch-woven fabric wears like iron and feels like a second skin, and the 700-Fill Down insulation stays where you need it even when you move around like you typically do. This is a classic mountain town garment that deserves a place in you closet and on your back.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 700-fill, RDS-certified Down Insulation | 90% down / 10% Feathers | Fixed Hood | $289.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
Jacket Fit & Length Guide
How to Choose Outerwear by Region
How to Dress for Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding
Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
Outerwear Construction, Fabric & Features
How to Choose Base Layers & Long Underwear
How to Choose Insulated Clothing
GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
The Selection Process:
Our techwear buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things outerwear stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours spent outside in all conditions around the world. From hot to cold, snow, rain, wind, and even sunshine, they know what clothing will keep you comfortable. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Sarah Ziffer
Growing up in Florida, I missed out on the chance to get involved in snow sports. Tired of the heat, and seeking out the mountains, I moved to Seattle to start a new adventure. A few years after moving to WA I fulfilled my dream of learning to snowboard and immediately fell in love with it. After just one time out on a friend’s board I was hooked. I outfitted myself from head to toe with gear from evo, and got a season pass at Snoqualmie.
I quickly realized that snowboarding inspired me to live a lifestyle centered around the outdoors. I left my job at a fashion company to come and work for evo and become immersed in the culture and experiences that make the snowboarding community so vibrant. I have been at evo since 2017, am currently the women's and kids' techwear buyer, and enjoy learning and experiencing everything this incredible community has to offer.
