The 10 Best Down Jackets of 2024
By: Kevin Katsafanas: Men's Techwear Buyer | November 2, 2023
Everybody loves a good puffy. A down jacket is as versatile as a piece of gear can get, offering unbeatable weight-to-warmth ratios, packability, and comfort. So it’s no wonder that you see them everywhere from remote mountain summits to distant checkout lines at the grocery store. It weighs next to nothing and packs down to about the same, so a down puffer is an easy, automatic add to any backcountry pack for any occasion. With a plethora of insulated jacket options for various activities and layering systems available on the market, we’ve sifted through the baffles to find you the very best down jackets and synthetic puffies of the season.
New This Year:
2024 brings an eco-conscious shift to the world of Men's Down & Puffy Jackets. The industry is leaning heavily into sustainable practices, with a surge in the adoption of recycled fabrics and insulation. This isn't just about eco-friendliness; it's also a testament to innovation, ensuring that environmental responsibility doesn't compromise warmth and comfort. Moreover, the increasing demand for mobility on the slopes has made stretchy materials a significant driver in jacket design. This blend of sustainability and functionality underscores the industry's commitment to both the planet and the avid winter enthusiast.
This Year's Best Men's Puffy, Down & Insulated Jackets:
Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie
You move from one activity to the next, each requiring new gear and lots of preparation. What's the only piece of gear you'll pack everytime? The Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie. This incredibly versatile zippered hoodie works on a number of fronts, whether that's as a toasty thermal microlayer, a belay parka or as an insulated jacket. Its PrimaLoft® insulation isn't bulky and protects from the wind, while the DWR coating keeps you dry. Do yourself a favor and set yourself up for mountain activity success with the Patagonia Nano Puff® Hoodie.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| PrimaLoft® Gold Eco Insulation | 60g | Yes | $279.00 -$289.00 |
Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoodie
When the wind's up and the temps are down, but you need to take a break from skinning, nothing jump starts the internal furnace like donning the Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoodie. Premium 850 fill European goose down combined with Coreloft™ synthetic insulation in high moisture areas produces one of the finest puffy pieces we've seen. Put it on for 10 seconds and see for yourself.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| Down Composite Mapping, Coreloft Synthetic | 100g Body / 80g Sleeves | Yes | $379.00 |
Patagonia Down Sweater
The iconic Patagonia Down Sweater gets a fabric upgrade, and we're stoked about it. Both shell and lining are now made of 1.2-oz 20 denier NetPlus® ripstop from recycled fishing nets, so the nylon goes on your shoulders and not in the stomach of some unsuspecting sea creature. The 800-Fill Power 100% Virgin Goose Down insulation is the best money can buy, and it makes a difference both in terms of warmth and packability. If you need a low-profile mid layer that doesn't compromise, this is the one to bank on.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-Fill Power 100% Virgin Goose Down | No Hood | $279.00 |
Oyuki Otaru Insulator Jacket
The Oyuki Otaru Insulator Jacket provides a serious layer of warmth and performance both on and off the mountain. Premium quality Japanese milled fabrics provide two-way performance stretch so you can wear this versatile insulator on its own or remove the hood to wear as a mid-layer under your ski/snowboard jacket. Topped off with 60g of Primaloft® Eco Gold Pure & Gold Active 100% recycled insulation, the Otaru Insulator ensures you will be toasty warm on the coldest days.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 60g Primaloft Eco Gold Pure & Gold Active – 100% Recycled | Yes | $239.95 |
Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie
Stay warm across the seasons with the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie, an extra layerable, packable, and toasty puff that goes wherever you do. Sewn with durable nylon ripstop and packed with VerticalX™ SuperStrand insulation equivalent to 700-800 fill power down, the SuperStrand LT Hoodie packs into its pocket so it can be ready for action whenever you are.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| VerticalX™ SuperStrand / 100% polyester | Yes | $219.00 - $234.95 |
Helly Hansen LifaLoft™ Hooded Insulator Jacket
Who could possibly know more about fighting the cold than the Swedish ski team? Helly Hansen teamed up with these masters of keeping comfortable for the past four years, in search of anything that could help them develop the Helly Hansen LifaLoft™ Hooded Insulator Jacket. Using a new insulation called LifaLoft™, they've created a technical layer that's 20% warmer per gram than the competition.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| LifaLoft™ 80g | Yes | $220.00 - $230.00 |
The North Face Circaloft Hoodie
The North Face Circaloft Hoodie features quilting to keep your insulation in place and a circular design that's made to be disassembled and repurposed after life. It's functional, sustainable, and ready for adventure.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 60 g/m² polyester | Yes | $229.95 |
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoodie
The Arc'teryx Cerium Hoodie is an elusive yet powerful creature of the down-insulator kingdom. Crafted with precision and cunning, this 850-fill European white goose down jacket brings together ultralight warmth and sleek design in a harmonious union. Made with a durable, yet lightweight and eco-friendly Arato™ 15D recycled nylon shell, Responsible Down Standard insulation, and a recycled Arato™ Bio lining, the Cerium Hoodie is an insulator that you can feel good wearing, in more ways than one.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 850-Fill European White Goose Down | Yes | $400.00 |
Arc'teryx Thorium Hoodie
The Arc'teryx Thorium Hoodie is a premium insulated jacket that combines warmth and style for cold weather adventures. Filled with 750-fill grey goose down + strategically placed Coreloft™ synthetic insulation in areas more prone to moisture, the Thorium offers exceptional warmth and comfort even in cold, damp conditions. Whether you're bunkered down for the night on a mountaineering mission, on belay at the crag, or just commuting to work in the midst of winter, the Arc'teryx Thorium Hoodie is here to provide versatile warmth in extreme climates.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| 750-Fill Grey Goose Down | Yes | $450.00 |
Jones Ultra Re-Up Down Recycled Jacket
Elevate your cold-weather arsenal with the Jones Ultra Re-Up Down Recycled Jacket.100% recycled 750-fill down and a sleek water-repellent Pertex shell will keep you warm in the parking lot or on the summit, and it's all wrapped up in GRS and bluesign® approved yarns for reduced impact on the planet.
| Insulation | Hood | Original Price |
| Recycled 750-fill Recycled Down | No Hood | $319.95 |
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.
