Finest Packable Down Jackets of 2023

Nearly everybody as of late is sporting a packable down jacket. Even the place I reside, within the gloom and mist of rain jacket nation within the Pacific Northwest, puffer jackets have taken over. And the manufacturers producing them—Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Huge Agnes, Fjallraven, Cotopaxi, and extra—are among the greatest names in outside attire. However with so many seemingly related choices to select from, how are you aware which are literally heat, and that are about aesthetics solely? I put 9 of the most effective packable down jackets to the check to see which might come out on prime for heat, weight, and packability throughout a wide range of circumstances. 

How I Examined the Finest Packable Down Jackets

I thought-about numerous standards for packable down jackets which might be necessary for backpackers and backpack hunters, together with packability, weight, water resistance, options, general heat, and worth. 

To check water resistance, I poured 1 / 4 a cup of water over the again baffling of every jacket after which let it sit for 2 hours. I additionally examined the cuffs of every puffer jacket (a standard fail level) for water resistance. First, I sprayed them with water from a sprig bottle (mimicking the excessive humidity and mist that may be prevalent in standard backpacking locales), and allow them to sit for an hour. I then dipped them right into a container of water for 5 seconds to see how simply (or if) they wetted out. I mixed the outcomes of those three assessments to offer an general image of how effectively the puffer jackets resisted water. 

To check packability, I began by stuffing every puffer jacket into its offered or connected stuff sack to see which packed down the smallest. I then checked to see how simply every down jacket match into the smallest stuff sack (the Rab Mythic Alpine Mild Jacket). I then mixed these two metrics to present every down jacket a grade for packability, from further small to massive. When assigning these grades I saved in thoughts what measurement down jacket I used to be (producers offered a variety of sizes from further small to medium). 

General heat was examined utilizing a walk-in fridge. I examined the jackets in August and this was the proper option to obtain a cool, temperature-controlled setting. This additionally made testing extra dependable as a result of the temperature is posted proper exterior, starting from 39-45. There was additionally no wind chill and fixed low humidity to keep away from skewing obvious temperature versus precise. Along with assessing how comparatively heat I used to be between jackets, I additionally thought-about how a lot protection was offered by the hood, in addition to the performance of drawcords on the hem and elastic on the cuffs. 

I independently weighted every to verify producer specs. Due to the character of down there will likely be some variability in weight between merchandise; as such, I’ve solely famous these cases the place there was greater than a half ounce of discrepancy.

For packed measurement, ultralight backpackers ought to search for these packable down jackets famous as further small, whereas massive or medium puffers will likely be extra applicable for packing into checked baggage and the like. Wonderful water resistance implies that the down jacket utterly resisted water absorption throughout my check (though I might not take that to imply they’re waterproof) whereas honest notes cases the place the water soaked both into the insulation of the jacket or utterly by way of to the opposite facet of the puffer. General heat was judged to be glorious if on the finish of my testing interval within the walk-in cooler I felt comfy sufficient to remain there indefinitely whereas honest packable puffers point out cases the place my tooth had been beginning to chatter. 

Finest Packable Down Jackets: Evaluations & Suggestions

Finest General: Huge Agnes Luna/Shovelhead Jacket

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s XS-XXL, girls’s XS-L
• Weight: 13 ounces
• Fill: 6 ounces at 700 fill energy with Downtek hydrophobic remedy
• Down Certification: RDS
• Shell Materials: 20D nylon ripstop with water repellent remedy
• Runs barely small

Professionals

• Heat sufficient for cold-weather tenting
• Nice options like a visor and thumbholes
• Wonderful hood protection
• Least costly puffer jacket in my check

Cons

• A bigger packed measurement
• Heavier than different picks on this checklist

Certain, I desire a packable down jacket to weigh as little as doable and pack down small. However greater than anything, I need my packable down jacket to maintain me heat. The Huge Agnes Luna shouldn’t be a midlayer for summer time climbing at elevation, however a puffer full of down that may maintain you heat at an alpine camp when the temps drop. Even higher, it’s acquired sufficient oomph to move out on snowy overnights. 

I’ve been sporting the Huge Agnes Luna (the ladies’s model of this jacket, the lads’s model known as the Shovelhead) for over a 12 months, and after testing out the competitors, it’s staying in my rotation completely. It’s not my first selection for ultralight backpacking (that’d be the Loopy Levity) or a backup layer for midsummer tenting (go along with the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer or Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket), however it’s what I seize for absolutely anything else. Autumn neighborhood strolls with the household: Luna. Winter backpacking journeys: Luna. Shoulder season tenting journeys: Luna. I do know it should maintain me toasty heat in all these circumstances and that’s the peace of thoughts I need.

My favourite element concerning the Huge Agnes Luna and Shovelhead is simply how a lot down they packed in there. Though it’s utilizing a decrease grade fill energy than different packable down jackets on this checklist, it’s merely utilizing a lot of it (6 ounces) that it’s blowing the competitors out of the water for heat potential. In actual fact, it has a lot down stuffed into it, that I think it’s not in a position to maximize the lofting potential of the 700 fill energy, as a result of there merely isn’t room for all of it to loft absolutely. However in reality I see that as a plus. It implies that I don’t have to fret about dropping heat with each inevitable wisp of down poking by way of the shell layer. There’s lots extra inside. 

The main points of the Huge Agnes Luna and Shovelhead are additionally amongst my favorites of any puffer jacket I’ve checked out. The hood is extraordinarily beneficiant, which I really like on days when the wind is kicking up and I wish to protect the facet of my face. The thumbholes on the sleeves are excellent for after I desire a bit of additional heat for my arms. 

Whereas the Huge Agnes Luna carried out completely within the chilly room check, it struggled with the water resistance testing. Whereas the down retained its loft it doesn’t matter what I threw at it (the sheer amount of water-repellent down coming into play right here), the material itself absorbed, and handed by way of, a big quantity of water. I think what’s occurring right here is that the sheer quantity of use this puffer jacket has gotten has brought about its water-repellent end to utterly put on off. The end right here is comprised of a PFOS and PFOA-free components. Whereas a lot better for the setting and human well being, it could should be refreshed extra typically. 

Finest for Backpacking: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s S-XXL, girls’s XS-XL
• Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Fill: 2.9 ounces at 800 fill energy 
• Down Certification: RDS
• Shell Materials: 10D ripstop nylon with DWR end
• Runs barely massive

Professionals

• Nice heat to weight to cost ratio
• Nice climate resistance (though the down shouldn’t be handled with a hydrophobic wash)

Cons

• Barely costlier than different picks on this checklist
• Not heat sufficient for shoulder season or winter backpacking

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is one thing of a mainstay amongst backpackers. Most of us have owned this coat not less than as soon as, and once we’re evaluating a possible new insulative layer, it’s what we’re evaluating it towards. 

After testing among the finest packable down jackets from different prime manufacturers, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 continues to be the most effective choices for backpackers there’s. It’s very light-weight—in my check, the one factor lighter than it was the Loopy Levity. It’s surprisingly heat for that weight, too, conserving me comfortably heat through the freezer check. 

The cuffs of the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 have some artificial fill to forestall them from wetting out. Most backpackers have skilled the cuff of their down jacket poking out from beneath their rain shell on bad-weather days, and inevitably getting moist. After absolutely submerging the Ghost Whisperer cuffs in water, I shook them dry they usually lofted completely. The one signal that they had been moist, the truth is, was the skinny strip of material working across the inside, which held extra moisture than anything.

The remainder of the jacket was so efficient at repelling moisture, the truth is, that it was utterly dry on the underside after two hours with 1 / 4 cup of water sitting towards the again. Nonetheless, watch out to maintain this one underneath one of many finest backpacking rain jackets whenever you’re out within the backcountry: The down shouldn’t be handled with a hydrophobic wash. 

I additionally appreciated the protection on the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2. The small measurement simply lined my unusually lengthy (19 inches) torso, and the hood wrapped comfortably round my face, offering loads of protection round my neck and jawline. For those who’re on the lookout for a light-weight insulative layer to get you thru chilly mornings and evenings within the alpine, this is a wonderful selection. 

Finest Eco-Pleasant: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket

Key Options

• Obtainable sizes: Males’s XXS-XXL, girls’s XXS-XXL
• Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Fill: 5.1 ounces of at 700 fill energy with Nikwax hydrophobic end
• Down certification: RDS
• Shell materials: 30D Pertex Quantum nylon
• Runs massive

Professionals

• 90 % of the jacket is comprised of recycled supplies
• Affordably priced
• Small packed measurement
• Wide selection of obtainable sizes

Cons

• Not as heat as different packable down jackets
• Considerably heavy

Not solely does the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket have spectacular environmental bonafides in comparison with different packable down jackets, it has spectacular bonafides in comparison with nearly any piece of out of doors gear. A full 90 % of this jacket is comprised of recycled supplies. Not 90 % of the shell materials; 90 % of the complete jacket. That’s past spectacular.

Along with utilizing one hundred pc recycled materials for the shell materials, Rab additionally makes use of one hundred pc recycled down for the fill with the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket. The recycled down comes from duvets, pillows, and previous down sleeping luggage and jackets (you may even get a free label to recycle instantly with Rab in case you are within the UK). Rab can also be an authorized Local weather Impartial Firm. And so they’ve achieved all this with out a rise in worth—the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket was one of many extra inexpensive choices I checked out.

Sadly, there have been some efficiency points. Regardless of being handled with a hydrophobic wash, the down matted throughout my check of the cuffs. Once I left 1 / 4 cup of water on prime of the jacket, all of it soaked by way of the Pertex shell in two hours—one of many worst performances in my check. That being stated, the pores and skin really feel of the fabric is great—so long as you might be cautious to not depart it in a puddle of water, most individuals will likely be glad with its efficiency.

The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket additionally struggled through the cold-room check. I used to be pretty chilly whereas sporting this jacket alone at a temperature vary of 39 to 45 levels Fahrenheit. Maintain this one readily available for summer time tenting and shoulder season errands, however in case you want some severe efficiency out of your packable down jacket, different choices on this checklist will serve you higher stead.  

Finest Ultralight: Loopy Levity

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s S-XL; girls’s XS-L
• Weight: 6.1 ounces (Producer specs: 5.4 ounces)
• Fill: 2.4 ounces at 950 fill energy with Molina Hydrodown hydrophobic wash
• Down Certification: Downpass
• Shell Materials: 7D with DWR coating
• Runs true to measurement

Professionals

• Extraordinarily light-weight
• Surprisingly heat
• Packs down small

Cons

• Very costly
• Scant on options

The heat to weight of the Loopy Levity is off the charts. It weighs over an oz. lower than its closest competitor (the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2) and was simply as heat, if not hotter than that jacket. It additionally puffs up seemingly immediately; no ready round for the jacket to loft. And, after all, it packs down very small: the second smallest packed measurement in my check. 

There are a few methods the Loopy Levity pulls off this spectacular feat. The primary is to easily use the very best grade down it might probably: 950 fill energy to 1000 fill energy. And it doesn’t skimp on it both. A full 2.4 ounces of the whole 6.1 ounces of the jacket are down. Subsequent is a novel strategy to baffling. Fairly than sew in conventional baffles, they’ve small ovals glued in at periodic intervals that helps to maintain the down separated and evenly distributed. I’ve been sporting this jacket frequently for months and haven’t observed any chilly spots because of erratically distributed down, so I’d say it’s lots efficient. 

The Loopy Levity additionally dispenses with something resembling an additional. There is just one zip pocket on the jacket (inside on the proper waist) and there are not any drawcords or adjustment factors to cinch the hem or the hood, only a contact of elastic to carry it in place. Throughout testing, nevertheless, this felt like sufficient. I couldn’t really feel the chilly creeping in anyplace. The material can also be not particularly water repellent (regardless of being handled with DWR) and absorbed primarily all the water throughout my check of water resistance (the jacket nonetheless lofted effective, nevertheless). And bear in mind all that premium down I discussed? That’s a part of the most important disadvantage of the Loopy Levity. Its worth level is a whole bunch of {dollars} greater than anything I’ve checked out. 

Most individuals will doubtless take a look at the Loopy Levity and resolve (rightly) that it’s not for them. However in case you’d pay virtually something to scrap a few ounces out of your pack weight, it’s a should have. 

Learn the total evaluation: Loopy Levity: Can a Tremendous Ultralight Puffer Truly Maintain You Heat? 

Warmest: Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s XS-XXL, girls’s XXS-XL
• Weight: 17.8 ounces (Producer specs: 15.3 ounces)
• Fill: 3.5 ounces at 700 fill energy 
• Down Certification: Inner verification (referred to as Down Promise)
• Shell Materials: Polyamide
• Runs massive

Professionals

• Very heat 
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Not as waterproof as others that I checked out
• Boxy silhouette
• Heavy

After a few packable down jackets had left me shivering through the testing interval, I made a decision it was time to interrupt out the heaviest choice within the arsenal, the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie, for a change of tempo. I used to be not disenchanted. The jacket was heat from the second I put it on and solely acquired hotter as time went on. On the finish of the testing interval, I felt I might have fortunately stayed within the chilly room even longer. Along with being lots heat, the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie can also be affordably priced (solely the Huge Agnes Luna/Shovelhead was much less). 

The draw back to the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie is that it’s heavy and hulking, noticeably extra so than the Huge Agnes Luna that I examined whereas solely offering marginally extra heat. It wouldn’t be my first selection for a backpacking journey, together with in winter, for that cause. I additionally discovered that it had a reasonably boxy silhouette, which is neither as flattering or as environment friendly an insulator as extra streamlined choices. 

One element that I actually appreciated concerning the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie was the fleece across the neck gap of the jacket. Throughout the winter months I typically pull the cowl in as shut as I can to maintain my mouth and nostril from getting chilly, which may result in not insignificant moisture buildup. The addition of a contact of fleece there’ll assist make sure that it stays comfy even after getting a bit of damp. 

Finest for Sufferfests: Rab Mythic Alpine Mild Jacket

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s S-XXL, girls’s XS-XL
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Fill: 2.1 ounces at 900 fill energy with Nikwax hydrophobic remedy
• Down Certification: RDS
• Shell Materials: 10D Pertex Quantum with DWR remedy
• Runs true to measurement

Professionals

• Nice water resistance
• Light-weight

Cons

• Not fairly as heat as different picks on this checklist

For those who’re planning a fast-and-light trek that’s going to place all of your gear to the check, then take a detailed take a look at the Rab Mythic Alpine Mild Jacket. Throughout testing it confirmed glorious water resistance, very close to on par with the Out of doors Analysis Helium Down—at half the load. It packs down very small, due to its 900 fill energy it packed down smaller than anything I checked out.

It wasn’t fairly as heat as the opposite backpacking-ready packable down jackets I checked out, just like the Loopy Levity or Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2, however you’re not likely planning to hold round camp, and even actually take any breaks in any respect proper? That is the puffer you need readily available whenever you hit the ridge and a wall of wind (blended with mist) blasts you within the face. Simply throw this on and maintain shifting till you’re warmed again up. When it’s time to take away this layer once more, you’ll barely discover the load or quantity it takes up in your bag. 

Most Sturdy: Out of doors Analysis Helium Down Hoodie

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s S-XXXL, girls’s XS-4X
• Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Fill: 2.6 ounces at 800 fill energy 
• Down Certification: RDS
• Shell Materials: Pertex Quantum with Diamond Fuse Know-how 15D X 30D nylon shell with Pertex Protect with Diamond Fuse Know-how 30D ripstop nylon on the hood, shoulders, and higher sleeves 
• Runs true to measurement

Professionals

• Most waterproof packable down jacket I examined
• Further sturdy waterproof materials on the hood and shoulders
• Nice vary of sizes accessible

Cons

• Heavy
• Not as heat as different choices I checked out

For those who are usually fairly arduous in your gear then you definitely’ve most likely been avoiding packable down jackets. Delicate nylon shells with much more delicate down can spell large bother if you end up plowing by way of soggy brush. One tear (and they’re fairly simple to tear) and the heart of the entire thing—a whole bunch of {dollars} of down—go flying all over the place. Worse, on the first trace of moisture, down begins to mat, dropping its insulative properties. Neglect your shell layer and also you’re screwed. 

If that sounds such as you, then you must take into account the Out of doors Analysis Down Helium Hoodie. It was the outright winner of my water resistance testing, with no water penetrating by way of the jacket after two hours. Spectacular stuff. The water was sitting on the intersection of the Pertex Quantum cloth (nearly all of the shell) and the Quantum Protect with Diamond Fuse cloth. This cloth, which is positioned on the hood and shoulders, is each considerably extra sturdy than typical packable down jacket shells and really waterproof: a serious asset if an surprising storm kicks up. 

The draw back to this jacket is twofold: It wasn’t very hot in comparison with different choices I examined, and it’s pretty heavy. Seize this one in case you’ll be working up a light-weight sweat in a cool rain. 

Finest for Shoulder Season: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: Males’s XS-XXXL, girls’s XXS-XXL
• Weight: 10.2 ounces
• Fill: 2.6 ounces at 800 fill energy (additionally consists of some artificial insulation for water resistance)
• Down Certification: RDS 
• Shell Materials: 15D nylon with DWR end
• Runs barely small

Professionals

• Very heat for its weight
• Nice water resistance
• Good vary of sizes

Cons

Arc’teryx is thought for making premium open air merchandise at a premium worth, and their Cerium Hoody was no exception. It was noticeably hotter throughout testing than the Loopy Levity, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2, and the Rab Mythic Alpine Mild Jacket whereas solely weighing a pair ounces extra. It additionally had a wonderful efficiency through the water resistance check, with the cuffs solely matting barely when absolutely submerged in water. Solely a slight quantity of moisture soaked by way of after I left 1 / 4 cup of water on the again for 2 hours. 

However, it’s costlier than all the pieces however the Loopy Levity. For those who’re on the lookout for extra heat than backpacking requirements just like the Ghost Whisperer present however don’t need the majority of a winter-weight puffer just like the Huge Agnes Luna, then the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody will be the center floor you might be on the lookout for. 

Finest for Youngsters: Huge Agnes Ice Home Hoodie

Key Options

• Obtainable Sizes: XXS-L
• Weight: 12 ounces
• Fill: 4 ounces at 600 fill energy with Downtek hydrophobic remedy
• Down Certification: RDS
• Shell Materials: 20D and 30D nylon shell with water repellent end
• Runs true to measurement

Professionals

• One of many warmest puffer jackets for youths accessible
• Extraordinarily sturdy
• Smallest measurement suits older toddlers
• Affordably priced

Cons

Discovering high-quality outside clothes for youths may be difficult, as loads of pint-sized attire is constructed with the concept you’re going to take a break out of your outside pursuits now that you just’re a mum or dad. However you aren’t, are you? Yeah, me both. So the gear we get for our children wants to have the ability to sustain with the gear we have already got for ourselves.

That’s what the Huge Agnes Ice Home is. I’d say it’s just like the mini model of my finest general decide—the Shovelhead/Luna puffer jacket—because it shares some primary design similarities, together with the beneficiant hood and collar, drop-tail hem, and plenty and many puff (600fp vs the 700fp of the grownup model). However actually the Ice Home could be even higher. My child wore the smallest model of the Ice Home hoodie for 2 years, and it went by way of the wringer: snow, rain, wind, mud, sand, juice spills, pasta dinners. I by no means washed it. It nonetheless seems nice. The one downside with it’s that she merely grew out of it. Time to order the subsequent measurement up. 

The Remainder of the Subject

I checked out what’s arguably the preferred packable down jacket—the Cotopaxi Fuego. Whereas it carried out completely effective in all my assessments, it didn’t notably shine in any of them. It repelled water within the cuff check, however 1 / 4 cup of water soaked by way of the again when left to sit down for 2 hours. The Fuego was center of the street for packability. It was moderately heat within the walk-in fridge check, however not excellent for its weight or worth.

And whereas Cotopaxi’s B corp bonafides are spectacular, the recycled content material of the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket places it in a category of its personal for eco-consciousness. My take is that in case you already personal the Cotopaxi Fuego, you must really feel assured that you’ve a high-performing packable down jacket. However in case you are trying to improve or buy one for the primary time, one of many different choices I examined is prone to be a greater match relying in your priorities. 

I attempted one cheaper puffer jacket choice within the run as much as this check: the Decathlon Forclaz Ladies’s MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket. Sadly, regardless of its low worth, I feel that is one to steer away from. In my expertise, this coat merely doesn’t loft, even when left unpacked for lengthy intervals of time or worn throughout brisk walks. Higher to spend extra on a premium packable down jacket and get some actual warmth-to-weight advantages.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Packable Down Jacket 

Fill Energy and Fill Weight

It’s change into more and more standard to promote the fill energy utilized in the most effective packable down jackets. However what’s fill energy? Fill energy refers back to the whole quantity taken up by an oz. of absolutely lofted down at varied grades. Increased grade down can seize extra heat air than decrease grade down, and so will take up extra quantity. An oz of 450 fill energy down takes up 450 cubic inches. An oz of 900 fill energy down takes up 900 cubic inches. There are large weight financial savings that include utilizing greater grade down, however at the next price.

Much less typically marketed, however nonetheless necessary, is the fill weight: That’s how a lot of that down is definitely within the packable down jacket. (See our desk above for info on the fill weights of various packable puffer jackets). Even when a jacket is utilizing 900 fill energy down, if it’s not utilizing very a lot of it, it should solely be so heat. Conversely, a down puffer jacket stuffed to the brim with 550 fill energy down could also be fairly heat.

However even when you realize each of those metrics, you continue to don’t have the total image of heat. The design and distribution of down throughout a jacket can have an effect on heat. The potential for chilly spots—areas the down has shifted away from—can even have an effect on your expertise. Options like drawstrings on the hem in addition to the hood and cuff design can enable or forestall chilly air from creeping in. Lastly, if down is packed in too tightly, it might probably forestall it from absolutely lofting, diminishing the heat potential of the load and fill energy grade. 

Chris Curtis, senior product supervisor for Outerwear at Mountain Hardwear defined one other complicating issue: The mix of feathers to down can differ significantly when buying bulk down. “800 fill energy down insulation might be a mixture of 95 % down plumules and 5 % feather, or 90 and 10 % or 85 and 15 %,” he stated. “However for the reason that warmth trapping properties of the down plumules is larger than the feathers, the 95/5 mix is statistically hotter than the 85/15, even when each are 800 fill energy.” Whereas manufacturers can specify a sure mix, typically that mix merely isn’t accessible, and they’re going to compensate by adjusting how a lot fill is utilized in totally different components of the puffer coat. 

RDS Certification 

Whereas most down is a byproduct of the meals business, its reputation as an insulation materials has led to unethical practices prior to now: specifically, reside plucking and drive feeding of geese. As a result of down is in just about all instances sourced from a third-party provider, it might probably make it tough for producers to independently confirm that animals had been handled humanely within the harvesting of goose and duck down. Accountable Down Commonplace (RDS) is a certification that verifies that there was third-party verification that every one animals had been handled humanely within the creation of a down garment. 

Whereas RDS is the principle certification for down clothes, there are a few others which might be widespread as effectively, together with International Traceable Down and Downpass. 

Shell Materials

Most packable down jackets are made with a nylon shell and DWR end. The shells sometimes are made in various thickness measured in denier (D): often these vary from 10D to 30D. 

Pertex can also be a standard kind of nylon used for packable down jacket shells, which offers an additional diploma of safety from water. 

Water Resistance

Whereas down jackets and down coats have a popularity for dropping their effectiveness in moist circumstances, my assessments confirmed that right now’s breed of packable down jackets, full with DWR remedies on the shell and hydrophobic remedies on the down themselves, are literally fairly efficient at repelling mild rains. Nevertheless, these remedies will put on off over time. For those who regularly put on your down jacket out with no shell cowl, plan to refresh the water repellency frequently with merchandise like Nikwax’s hydrophobic down remedy. 

Hood Protection

The very best packable down jackets will at all times have hoods, however the quantity of protection offered by every hood varies significantly. For those who plan to make use of your down jacket as a standalone piece (i.e., with no balaclava or scarf) then test that it offers ample protection of your head and face. 

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FAQs

Learn Subsequent: Learn how to Layer for Mountain climbing 

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Learn Subsequent: The Finest Thermal Underwear for Ladies

Closing Ideas on the Finest Packable Down Jackets

Whereas high-quality packable down jackets had been as soon as the purview of mountaineers, backpackers, and backpack hunters, increasingly persons are discovering their unimaginable warmth-to-weight potential. After years of making an attempt out totally different fashions of packable down jackets, I examined fashions from eight of the most important manufacturers for this story, together with Out of doors Analysis, Cotopaxi, Arc’teryx, Rab, Huge Agnes, Loopy, and Mountain Hardwear. I used to be impressed by all of them, however just a few actually shone by way of and at the moment are my go-to staples for all the pieces from journeys to the grocery retailer to overnights within the alpine.