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Expensive vs cheap down jackets, which are warmer?

Down jackets are the trusted outdoor wear of outdoor adventurers, commuters, dog walkers and anyone wanting to stay warm outdoors. But when it comes to buying a new, lightweight down jacket, you may wonder which is warmer: expensive vs cheapest down jackets.

Here we'll take a look at what factors affect the warmth of down jackets and whether a more expensive option guarantees greater insulation.

How much do down jackets cost?

Once you start researching down jackets, you'll quickly discover that they can vary widely in price. The brand, type of insulation (goose, duck or synthetic), quality of materials, design and technologies can all affect the cost. Depending on these factors and the type of jacket you buy, you can expect to pay from €90 to over €300. The cost of a down jacket often depends on several key factors:

  • RDS down: we only use Responsible Down Standard certified down in our jackets, which is more expensive and requires partnering with approved farms concerned with animal welfare

  • Superior warmth: we use the highest quality fabrics and materials to create our jackets

  • Durability: our down jackets are made to last and with good care they are a long-term investment

  • Technologies: many of our jackets feature our patented technologies to enhance performance. This includes Omni-Heat™ Infinity Technology to reflect trap body heat and Omni-Tech™ and Omni-Shield™ technology to repel water

If you’re in the market for a new down jacket and have a specific budget in mind, use our online filter to narrow your search by price.

Fill power and fill weight

Down jackets are renowned for providing exceptional warmth, but what gives them exceptional insulation powers? You'll often hear about fill power and fill weight when it comes to down jackets. And for good reason. Down, the soft, fluffy material underneath the feathers of geese and ducks traps air and creates a thermal barrier. This is what keeps you so warm in cold weather. Fill power and fill weight both play an important role in determining the warmth of a down jacket.

Fill power refers to the fluffiness (or loft) of the down. It measures the amount of space one ounce of down takes up in cubic inches. A jacket with a high fill power indicates that the down can trap more warm air, creating better insulation. Fill power ranges from around 400 to over 900 and the higher the fill power, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio.

Fill weight is how much down is used to fill the jacket. This is usually measured in grams or ounces. Jackets with a bigger fill weight are warmer as they contain more heat trapping down.

More expensive jackets typically have higher fill power and better warmth-to-weight ratios compared to cheaper options. This means they are generally warmer and lighter. A cheaper jacket may rely on heavier fill weights with low fill power to deliver warmth, making it less efficient and bulkier. The difference in how they perform often comes down to this balance between weight, warmth and cost.

Goose vs duck down

Feathered down jackets typically have either goose or duck down. Goose down is typically considered the superior of the two in terms of quality and warmth. As geese are larger birds with bigger down clusters that are more effective at trapping warm air and heat, they have a higher fill power than ducks. This is why many high-quality down jackets, including ours, use goose down. Duck down still provides good warmth. However, with a lower fill power and less efficiency at trapping heat, these coats need more down to achieve the same warmth. This can mean the jackets are bulkier and heavier.

Are more expensive down jackets worth it?

Are you looking for an exceptionally warm and durable jacket that keeps you insulated in cold conditions? Want a jacket you can wear for most outdoor activities and be able to compress it when needed? In that case, a more expensive down jacket will definitely be worth it. A high-quality, high-performance goose down jacket from Columbia Sportswear® is a superb investment and one you’re unlikely to regret. While they cost more to buy, with the right care, they can last for many years.

Looking for a waterproof coat to layer over your down jacket in wet weather? As one of the leading outdoor brands, we have an excellent range of options. Browse our selection of waterproof and water-resistant coats to complement your goose down jacket to keep you warm and dry.