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How to choose a puffer jacket or down coat?

If you’re in the market for a new winter jacket, choosing either a puffer jacket or a down coat is a wise move. Thanks to their insulation, both are great for keeping you warm in cold winters. But which one is right for you? Whether heading out on a snowy hike or running errands in the cold and rain, down jackets or puffers will make the world of difference. A lightweight down jacket is ideal for hikes; just stuff it into your bag when it’s not needed. Alternatively, a puffer jacket, while bulkier, is the perfect companion for casual everyday wear. Here, we will take a closer look at these high-quality jackets, from insulation and fabric to their unique features.

Down vs synthetic insulation

Insulation is the fill inside the women’s or men’s jackets, which keeps you warm and insulated. The stitched design gives it a distinctive quilted appearance. Down jackets come in three levels of insulation: light warm, warm, and extremely warm, enabling you to choose precisely the amount of warmth you need. While down jackets use real down feathers as insulation, puffy jackets tend to use synthetic alternatives (although some may use real down).

Down insulation

You could describe natural down as royalty when it comes to insulation. Down jackets typically use the soft down feathers from geese and ducks as insulation. This fine and fluffy material is an excellent natural insulator. After all, it keeps ducks and geese warm and insulated over winter. The down feathers are packed into small pockets, called baffles, within the jacket. Natural down typically has a greater loft (fluffiness) than synthetic down, which enables it to trap warm air and maintain heat much better. We only use Responsible Down Standard (RDS) goose down in our jackets. Not only is the down we use of a superior quality, it is also responsibly sourced. By using RDS-certified down in our products, we ensure that bird welfare is a priority across the supply chain.

When comparing down jackets, you’ll very likely come across the term ‘fill power’. This measures the loft of the down and gives it a rating of between 400 and 900. Jackets with a higher fill power will provide exceptional warmth. And because they need less down for warmth, they have great warmth-to-weight ratios. This means they are super light and compressible. Once you’ve finished wearing it, you can easily fold it down and stuff it into your backpack. That’s why they are your perfect hiking companion.

If down insulated jackets sound too good to be true, we must admit that they do have one flaw. Down tends to lose its insulation properties once it is wet. Water causes the down feathers to clump together, reducing the trapped air and loft. It can also take an exceptionally long time to fully dry (it needs to be completely dry to restore its fluffiness). But that doesn’t mean you can’t wear a down jacket in the rain. Layering it with a waterproof or water-resistant outer shell enhanced with our Omni-Shield™ technology provides greater protection in snow or rainy conditions.

Synthetic insulation

While natural down has long been the staple insulation in the coats of many outdoor fans, synthetic insulation poses some stiff competition. Synthetic down is made from synthetic or ‘human made’ fabrics and fibres that provide similar insulation performance as real feather down. It is a common feature of many puffer jackets. Although it may not yet compete with the exceptional warmth of a high fill power down jacket, it still provides excellent warmth.

Real down also wins in terms of compressibility. Puffer jackets with synthetic insulation are much bulkier, heavier and puffier and not so easy to pack down and put in your bag.

But where synthetic insulation in puffers really comes into its own is in wet weather. While natural down stops insulating once it’s wet, synthetic down keeps on going to keep you cosy and warm. It also takes much less time to dry, so in no time at all, you can be back to wearing your jacket. It’s a great option if you’ll often be out in wet conditions and need a good all-purpose jacket.

Style and features

Functionality and warmth are essential factors in choosing a coat, but so is style. Fortunately, our coats come in a great variety of colours, from bold and bright shades to more classic, neutral tones. We offer a variety of designs and styles to choose from, including bulkier puffy jackets to more sleek urban coats. You’ll also find a great selection of features including insulated hoods, zipped pockets, drawstring hems, cuffs and chin guards. Head over to our store to discover a variety of jackets to fit your needs.