What are the benefits and drawbacks of down jackets?

There are so many reasons why a down jacket should be on your winter shopping list. Down jackets are packed with soft and fluffy goose or duck feathers that are full of incredible heat-trapping, insulating air pockets. Whether hiking, skiing or walking the dog, this clever natural insulation will keep you warm and cosy. And that’s not all. Thanks to those great little air pockets, the jackets can be compressed to a surprisingly small size. You can literally take them anywhere without a second thought. What's more, you can also have peace of mind that the down in your jacket is ethically sourced. At Columbia Sportswear®, all the down we use in our jackets is certified by The Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This voluntary code of practice guarantees our down is responsibility-sourced and prioritises birds welfare.

However, while they make superb outdoor wear, down jackets have some drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of down jackets.

The top benefit of a down jacket has to be its impressive ability to keep you warm even in extremely cold conditions. Down is one of the best natural insulators thanks to its soft and fluffy clusters that trap air and create warm pockets. Even in freezing temperatures, a down jacket with high fill power will keep your body warm. Fill power measures the loft or fluffiness of the down and its insulating properties. A higher fill power means more air pockets and the jacket is warmer and more insulated for its weight. Some of our down jackets also feature our Omni-Heat™ insulating technology for even more warmth. Use our filters to choose which type of insulation you want (down or synthetic) and the level of warmth you need.

The second biggest benefit of a down jacket is that they are lightweight, making them a popular option for outdoor adventurers. You don't have to worry about carrying heavy gear when backpacking or hiking. They are so light you won’t feel like you’re carrying extra weight. They are also very compressible. You can easily fold them up and stuff them into small spaces like your backpack or luggage bags. And you don’t have to worry about the jacket losing its insulation capabilities. Even after numerous times of being compressed, a down jacket will still be as warm as ever in cold environments.

High-quality down jackets from Columbia Sportswear® can last many years, even decades, when cared for correctly. While they may be more expensive than other winter jackets, their impressive lifespan makes them a cost-effective investment. These coats are also highly versatile. Choose from an extensive range of styles, lengths, fits and colours and wear it on its own or layered under a waterproof jacket. They can be worn for a variety of activities like skiing, hiking, camping, walking the dog, commuting to work or just running errands. A down jacket has endless uses, providing warmth and comfort when you need it.

While down is not waterproof (see the drawbacks below), many down jackets featured in our range contain Omni-Shield™ water and stain-repellent technology. Combined with light shells that resist moisture absorption, liquids, moisture, and stains won’t be absorbed into the jacket's fabric even if caught in a drizzle.

While these coats have excellent benefits, they do have some drawbacks, for example:

Probably the biggest drawback of any down jacket is that it can’t withstand wet conditions. Consider wet weather as the enemy of down jackets. It loses its warmth and insulating abilities when wet, as the feathers clump together. If your down jacket gets soaked, you’ll get cold and dry. It can also take a long time for it to completely dry. Fortunately, synthetic jackets offer an effective alternative, as they continue to provide

Down jackets must be washed very carefully and dried thoroughly to avoid damaging the down. Dryer balls or even clean tennis balls in a dryer are often a good way to thoroughly dry a down jacket and stop it from clumping. Down also takes a long time to dry, and the right amount of care and maintenance will ensure the material retains its lofted shape.

• Choosing puffer jacket or down coat
• Materials in down jackets
• What is a down jacket
• Down vs synthetic jackets
• Best down jacket for climbing
• Fill amount for down jacket
• Best down and puffy jackets
• Before buying a down jacket
• Picking the perfect down jacket for winter
• Purpose of thin down jackets
• Expensive vs cheap down jackets
• Down jackets in wet weather
• Environmentally friendly down jackets
• How to tell the warmth of a down jacket
• Duck vs goose down jackets
• Machine washing down jackets
• Down jackets in windy conditions
• Cost of down jackets
• Why down jackets are warmer