The 9 Best Women's Down Jackets of 2023
By: Sarah Ziffer: Women's & Kid's Techwear Buyer | November 20, 2022
If you’re not up on your down, you’re missing out. It’s no secret that down is the best thing out there for staying 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:
One particular gem of the collection this year is the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie. Maybe the most iconic puffy out there, this women's down jacket brought the classic baffled down hoodie into the mainstream. And this year, they’ve updated it, keeping the same awesome design, but now featuring a fabric made entirely of recycled fishing nets in an effort to reduce its environmental impact.
This Year's Best Women's Puffy, Down & Insulated Jackets:
Burton AK Baker Down Hooded Jacket
Sure you could duck into the lodge in an attempt to escape the cold, or you could just pull on the Burton AK Baker Down Hooded Jacket and be embraced in expedition-worthy warmth. Stuffed with a high-loft 800-fill power RSD down with dimensional baffling that's housed in a light yet durable Pertex® nylon ripstop shell. The Burton AK Baker Down Hooded Jacket is ready to brave the chilliest conditions season after season.
The Burton AK Baker is an awesome option if you’re looking for something seriously warm to layer under a ski or snowboard jacket. It’s loaded up with plenty of high-loft down for warmth, and it also features pout zips to dump a bit of heat, and a waterproof coating on the shell.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-fill Down | Nylon | Yes | $259.95 |
Outdoor Research Coldfront Down Jacket
You want warm? OR's got heat to spare. The Outdoor Research Coldfront Down Jacket is a company favorite for those really, really cold days, whether on the mountain or in town. With a soft but tough shell of Pertex® Quantum Eco Double Ripstop and plenty of 700+ Fill Power Down, this jacket generates heat like a small sun and lets you concentrate on something other than staying warm.
Every mountain woman knows the need for this kind of jacket. It’s the mega puff for those cold nights when you still need to go out and live your life despite the fact that you live in a place that sometimes drops feet of snow on you without warning. It’s overstuffed and exceptionally toasty but still comes with a cute cut that's as fashion-forward as something can be while absolutely refusing to give up any warmth at all.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 700-fill Down | Polyester | No | $199 |
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hooded Jacket
How do you make the best-selling Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hooded Jacket even better? You up the ante by making it even more sustainable! Now with a recycled nylon outer and 800-fill responsible down standard (RDS) insulation, the Ghost Whisperer/2 brings solace to your body without borrowing unnecessarily from Mother Earth. Incredibly lightweight and more packable than competitors, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hooded Jacket is perfect for year-round backcountry adventures.
The Ghost Whisperer series has become synonymous with performance in backcountry circles. Offering awesome insulation to go with an incredibly light weight and unbelievably small packed size, this puffy is perfect for ultralight backpackers, mountaineers, splitboarders, and anyone who needs to go the distance but keep the heat ready at a moment’s notice.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-fill Down | Recycled Nylon | Yes | $349.95 |
Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Light Pullover
The Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Light Pullover Jacket is a super light and packable insulating layer you won't want to leave the trailhead without. With the smallest baffles in the Stretchdown® collection and a minimalist 1/4 zip design, this jacket is as comfortable as a hoodie and takes up less space in your pack.
Another awesome backcountry option, this down jacket sets itself apart with its stretchy construction. If you’re someone who runs cold and keeps their puffy on all the time, you’ll love the added mobility of the Stretchdown while you’re on the go.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 700-fill Down | Nylon / Elastane Stretch Weave | Yes | $249.95 |
Arc’teryx Thorium Hoodie
The Arc'teryx Thorium AR Hoodie is a puffy mid layer 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.
Down jackets are great, but their one known downside is that they don't do as well with moisture as other insulated options. To combat this, the Thorium uses synthetic fill in just a few places to make this jacket perfect for days when the precipitation is falling, or conditions are changing rapidly.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 750-fill Down / Synthetic | Nylon | Yes | $325 |
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 AND 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.
The Patagonia Down Sweater is a cult classic for good reason. It has timeless good looks, an incredibly well thought out design, and an Ironclad warranty. And this year it’s even more recycled than ever before.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 800-fill Down | Recycled Nylon | Yes | $329 |
Roxy Winter Rebel Jacket
Don't let cold weather keep you cooped up. Fight back and brave the winter with the incredible faux-down comforts of the Roxy Winter Rebel Jacket. Designed with Roxy's soothing and moisturizing HydroSmart® technology integrated within the chin guard, this jacket is the absolute best for bopping around town in the chilly season.
If you’re looking for a down jacket that’s a bit less technical than some of the other options on the list, the Roxy Winter Rebel is one of our favorite everyday options of the season. With a unique high-collar design and tons of warmth for cold days, this jacket is a staple for cold weather urbanites and trendy mountain dwellers alike.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 600-fill Synthetic Down | Polyester | No | $199 |
Volcom Lifted Jacket
Lift your spirits in the midst of bone-chilling mountain weather with a little help from the Volcom Lifted Down Jacket. Ready for those cold, clear days in the Colorado Rockies, this jacket is packed with 600 fill-power RDS duck down and all the typical snowboard jacket features — including an adjustable powder skirt, left sleeve pass pocket, goggle pocket, lycra storm cuffs, and mesh-lined zippered vents. Keep the cold out and the cozy in this season with the Volcom Lifted Down Jacket.
The Lifted Jacket is an awesome down jacket that blurs the lines between snowboard coat and puffy. Offering the full functionality of a resort jacket, tons of down insulation, and a durable waterproof coating, this is the perfect jacket for skiers and snowboarders in cold, dry climates.
| Insulation | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| 600-fill Down | Polyester | Yes | $360 |
Burton Loyll 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 | Fabric | Hood | Original Price |
| Down | Polyester | Yes | $319.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
- Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
- Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
- Outerwear - How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
- Outerwear - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
- Outerwear - Fit Guide & Jacket Length
- How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
- Outerwear - How to Choose by Region
- Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features
- Insulated Garments - How to Choose
- Insulated Garments - How to Wash Down & Synthetic Jackets
- Base Layers & Long Underwear - How to Choose
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How to Wash & Keep Waterproof
- Backcountry - How to Dress
Learn About Our Favorite Gear
- The Best Men's Ski Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski Jackets
- The Best Men's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Women's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski Pants
- The Best Women's Ski Pants
- The Best Men's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Women's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Ski Bibs
- The Best Men's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Women's Ski Bibs
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Women's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Men's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Women's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Women's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Men's Rain Jackets
- The Best Women's Rain Jackets
- The Best Men's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Down Vests
- The Best Fleece Vests
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.