Light down jacket

When you’re stomping over hilly terrain or exploring mountain trails, you don’t want to feel weighed down. That’s where light down jackets can really make a difference. This incredibly warm yet remarkably lightweight type of technical jacket provides all the insulation you need without the bulk.

At Columbia Sportswear®, we are not just a leading outdoor clothing brand but also passionate adventurers. Our light natural down jacket has impressive warmth-to-weight ratios so you don’t have to worry about the cold or a heavy coat slowing you down. Our range includes women's down jackets and men's down jackets; we also have light winter coats that are perfect for the kids. So, the whole family can get in on the outdoor fun! Many of our designs also feature zip pockets and adjustable hoods for added protection and convenience.

There are numerous benefits of a down jacket from Columbia Sportswear®. We use Responsible Down Standard goose down in our feather down jacket for its superior down quality and warmth and unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio. Down is the soft, fluffy layer of feathers that sits underneath the stiff outer feathers. While it helps insulate geese in winter, it works just as effectively for you. Down is a remarkable natural insulator. It creates tiny air pockets that trap warm air and body heat to keep you warm even in the most frigid temperatures. And that’s not all.

Down is also incredibly lightweight. All down men's jackets have a fill power rating, which signifies the quality of the down. Fill power generally ranges from around 400 to over 900. A high fill power means the extreme cold jacket has better and greater loft or fluffiness and a good warmth-to-weight ratio. This is how our men's coat is so light and compressible. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, hiking the trails or navigating countryside hills, you don’t have to worry about having to carry a winter jacket with you. Thanks to the packable qualities of down, you can easily fold up your jacket and stuff it in a small pouch, bag or backpack. There’s more. It’s also an exceptionally breathable material. It is very effective for high-energy activities such as fast hiking, trail running or skiing. It will keep you warm while allowing moisture to escape so you don’t become uncomfortably sweaty.

However, natural down has one significant flaw. It cannot insulate when wet. Once the feathers become wet, they start to clump together and lose their fluffy, insulating powers. It also takes a long time to dry. Fortunately, this is where synthetic insulation can help.

While wet weather is the Achilles heel of natural down, it’s a different story for a light synthetic down jacket. They are constructed using engineered polyester fibres that imitate the structure and insulating power of natural down. However, the difference is that these women's jackets will continue to keep you warm even when wet. If you’ll be venturing outdoors in heavy rain or snow or where there’s likely to be a lot of moisture, synthetics are a great option. It will continue to keep you warm, plus it dries much more quickly than feather down.

A great bonus of a light warm jacket is that you can incorporate them into a layering system. Many outdoor fans use a three-layer system to keep themselves warm and dry in winter. It involves using a base layer to draw out sweat, such as a moisture-wicking shirt. Then add a middle layer to provide warmth, such as a light hooded down jacket, sleeveless down jacket or warm parka. Finally, you then add your outer layer, which could be a hardshell waterproof jacket to keep you protected against the rain and wind. The beauty of layering is that you can peel off the layers as you need to stay comfortable on the move.

When the temperature drops, our range of light down jackets are the perfect fit for any outdoor activity. Browse our full range and make a purchase you won't regret.

• Down Or Synthetic
• Choose Down Jacket
• Benefits and drawbacks of down jackets