Whether you're headed to the snow or running errands in the cold, we've rounded up the top down outerwear and best down jackets for winter.
An expert helps us create the guide to the best puffer jackets for women, including top picks from brands like The North Face and Lululemon.
Better still, the fabric is impressive. We’ve used it in three different jackets now and it seems to be durable, protective and as breathable as you can expect a waterproof membrane to be. Featured here in the Mountain Equipment Makalu, it makes for a very impressive offering. During our ...
Hydrophobic 700FP down fill and DWR-treated face fabric for water resistance + Warm enough for most outdoor users + Good value at around $250 Reasons to avoid - Seems slightly prone to down loss over time As well as being one of the best down jackets you can buy, Rab’s Microlight...
The inside of the jacket has a fleece liner that is noticeably soft to the touch, and the outside has a DWR treatment to help with light precipitation. Add in clean lines and some classy colorways, and the Montreal is a great all-around parka for the cold at a reasonable price point....
If you plan to wear your jacket in freezing conditions where it’s more likely to snow than rain, or you’ll be in a dry cold, a fully waterproof shell may not be necessary. Many highly insulated jackets, while not completely waterproof, come with a quality DWR treatment that sheds light...
The outer fabric has a really solid DWR treatment too, so it can shrug off some rain, but while it does also have a membrane with a claimed 20,000mm hydrostatic head figure (meaning on paper it is pretty waterproof), the lack of taped seams mean I wouldn't pick it for a big ride...
The Black Diamond Distance was one of the first windbreaker jackets to use a PFC-free DWR treatment, which eliminates harmful chemicals from the manufacturing process, your body, and the environment. Now, many designs have followed suit, including the Alpine Start and Patagonia models above. Compa...
Best for:summer camps, casual use What we liked:durable shell, good sustainability credentials What we didn’t like:not ideal for layering underneath While this is not quite as technical as some of the down jackets in this round up, it’s still a reliable insulator and, from our experience...
This season, testers wore all 57 jackets at ski resorts across the U.S., and also wore them for everyday activities they found themselves doing throughout the winter, from grocery shopping to ski mountaineering. Our testing pool is composed of women from 17 to 56. Some are expert skiers ...