Choose down jacket

When cold weather is on the horizon, quality down jackets are one of the best investments you can make. Whether hiking snow-covered trails, facing the morning commute, or walking the dog, it will keep you exceptionally warm. With RDS-approved natural down and synthetic down options and a range of colours and styles, how can you choose the right one? Here's our quick guide to help you find the right down technical jacket for your needs.

A natural down jacket gets its distinctive 'puffy' appearance from its down insulation. Traditional natural down women's jackets have many small pockets, called baffles, packed with the down feathers from geese or ducks or synthetic insulation. Natural down and synthetic insulation both have their own pros and cons, which you'll need to weigh up before choosing your recycled down jacket.

• Natural down: Made from soft feathers from ducks and geese, natural down is perfect for outdoor clothing and cold climates. Its warmth-to-weight ratio makes it exceptionally warm and insulating without adding additional weight. Natural down is very compressible, and men's jackets can be easily stuffed in a suitcase or backpack when you're on the move. It tends to have a greater loft than synthetic down (its ability to trap air and maintain warmth). However, the feathers will clump together once they get wet and lose their insulating properties until completely dry.

• Synthetic insulation: Made from engineered fibres and fabrics, a synthetic down jacket retains warmth even when wet. It's easier to maintain and typically more affordable than natural down. However, synthetic down is less compressible and can lose fluffiness over time.

In a nutshell, synthetic down is a good option if you spend much of your time in wet conditions. Meanwhile, natural down is a great choice when you are in dry, very cold environments or want something lightweight and packable. Explore our online filters to choose the insulation levels you need to ensure your extreme cold jacket is tailored to your needs.

Down jackets typically offer a variety of performance features, but which ones will be useful will depend on your specific needs. Some good features to look out for include:

• Pockets: Whether walking the dog, commuting to work, or hiking mountain trails, these are essential. Check that there are sufficient interior and exterior pockets for your needs and that they are deep enough. They should all close with waterproof flaps or zips. If you wear the light down jacket in cold weather, ensure it has insulated pockets to keep your hands warm.

• Hood: This will protect you from the wind and rain. The hood should be waterproof and adjustable. Some hoods are designed to fit over skiing helmets, so look for that if it's important to you. In particularly windy conditions, look for a hood with a visor to protect your face from runoff. A good hood shouldn't restrict movement or vision.

• Two-way zipper: This lets you unzip the winter jacket from the bottom upwards. It means you can adjust the ventilation as much as you need and improve movement while keeping the top half fastened.

• Sleeves or sleeveless: A sleeveless down jacket offers superb versatility for layering or can be worn on its own in mild conditions. A full sleeve parka or jacket is ideal when you need full-body warmth.

• Adjustable cuffs and hems: Ensures the jacket is giving you full protection when you need it by letting you trap heat and seal gaps where cold air could get in.

• Insulation technologies: Many of our waterproof jackets feature Omni-Heat™ thermal reflective technology, which retains heat and reflects it back to you for greater warmth.

• Water repellent: Women's down jackets are not typically waterproof, so look for ones with Omni-Shield™ water and stain-repellent technology that prevents moisture from being absorbed.

Deciding on the right sleeveless down jacket largely depends on the activities you’re doing and the conditions. After all, someone commuting to work on a mild spring day will have different needs than someone on winter hikes. To help you narrow your search, here’s how a down men's coat may suit certain situations.

• Daily wear: A lightweight down hooded down jacket or gilet will keep you warm without adding unnecessary bulk.
• Outdoor adventures: If you’re planning a hike or backpacking trip, a lightweight, packable, breathable feather down jacket is ideal. Expecting wet weather? Consider opting for a synthetic down jacket or a natural down under a waterproof jacket.
• Cold weather sports: Look for a heavier warm jacket with added insulation, hood, and water-resistant technology. Natural down will work well if it’s dry and cold, while synthetic down is better for high-moisture climates.
• Extreme cold conditions: For those occasions when you know temperatures will drop extremely low, look for a heavy-duty, extremely warm parka with a high fill power and long length.

• Down quality
• Benefits of down jacket
• Down or synthetic