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As those native to the cold will surely inform you, perhaps with certain choice words, when winter’s bite leaves temps in the single digits, demands the hardiest of footwear and induces windchill effects that will literally freeze your pants off, only the burliest, warmest and generally best men’s puffer jackets will do.
In This Guide
- The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets
- More Puffers Jackets That We Love
- Puffer Jacket FAQ
- What to Look for When Purchasing a Puffer Jacket
- How We Made These Picks
Originally conceived in the 1930s as a stop-gap measure for hypothermia (Eddie Bauer was one of the first to market the down-insulated jackets), the style has kept everyone from George Costanza to Frank Ocean insulated and alive in the coldest of conditions for decades. And the best men’s puffer jackets aren’t just a serviceable piece of gear: from the urban appeal of the iconic North Face Nuptse to runway grails a la Craig Green and (cursed) Balenciaga, the style has a clear après appeal beyond its utilitarian insulation.
The rise of functional, hiking-inspired trends like Gorpcore and new sustainability-driven developments in down technology have further expanded the realm of puffer, meaning that there are a ton of solid and stylish options, from heritage labels (Filson and its ilk) to newer contenders Ibex and Mountain Hardwear. Clearly, when it comes to the best men’s puffer jackets, the real challenge isn’t a matter of if, but which.
That’s where we come in. After serious deliberation, we’ve identified and highlighted some of our favorite puffer designs currently available for purchase below. Some skew affordable, while others are worth their goose-feathered weight in gold, but all provide a serious level of warmth only the best men’s puffer jackets can provide.
The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets, According to InsideHook
- Best Overall Puffer: Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded Down Jacket, $360
- Best Affordable Puffer: REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0, $129
- Best Technical Puffer: Arc’teryx Cerium SV Down Hoodie, $600
- Best Puffer Vest: Rocky Mountain Featherbed Heritage Down Insulated Puffer Vest, $575
- Editor’s Pick: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, $330
The Best Puffer, Period: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoody Down Jacket
Why We Love It: Coming in as our top pick for the third year running, Mountain Hardwear wins best men’s puffer jacket not for its pros — and there are many, from a snow-resistant “Whisperer” ripstop outer to anti-overheat 800 fill insulation and a bundle of shiny colorways — but for its cons…or lack thereof. With a comparatively appropriate price, adequate specs and all the warmth you could ask for in snowy conditions, this jacket was a joy to test through the great outdoors and bodega runs alike. We truly can’t recommend it more. Grab one for yourself; we promise you won’t regret it.
Shell material: 100% recycled nylon 10D whisperer ripstop | Fill material: shield goose down | Fill power: 800
Pros:
- Lightweight, water-resistant and ultra warm
- Shockingly durable
- Tons of colors
Cons:
- N/A
An Affordable Option: Uniqlo Seamless Down Jacket
Why We Love It: As far as on-trend, tasteful apparel goes, Uniqlo has long been where we (and the fashion world at large) have turned to for affordable gems, and their seasonal puffer installment, the croppy, stand-collared Seamless Down Jacket, is a shining example of ‘Qlo exceptionalism in effect. Made with a particularly sleek stitch-free design, the jacket balances a lightweight fit and minimalist design with reliable premium down warmth and a shell specifically engineered to block nasty wind. It’s great for layering — over and under — and incorporates…well, seamlessly into almost any wardrobe, especially at just $130. A word of caution for those extra chilly guys: it’s not the warmest jacket on the list by a long shot.
Shell material: 100% water-repellent finished polyester | Fill material: premium goose down | Fill power: 750+
Pros:
- Incredible value
- Modern fit
- Adjustable drawstrings
Cons:
- No hood
- Minimal colors
A Hardwearing Heater: Filson Waxed Down Jacket
Why We Love It: Ever wish that your down jacket looked a bit more like your denim jacket? Have we got a jacket for you. From classic American outdoorsman apparelers Filson comes the Waxed Down Jacket, a massive, workwear-inspired puffer that pairs top-tier, ethically sourced down with an unusual waxed cotton canvas shell for a coat that will keep you warm for decades and age like a fine wine. With a slightly cropped fit, it’s easy to maneuver, making it a particularly solid choice for when your outdoor work can’t be beholden to a casual snow day.
Shell material: 6.5-oz. waxed 100% cotton | Fill material: 80/20 duck down | Fill power: 650
Pros:
- Workwear design
- Natural dry-waxed shell
- Ribbed cuffs
Cons:
- Minimal leg coverage
- Very few color options
An Innovative Insulator: Arc’teryx Therme Down Parka
Why We Love It: Canadian label Arc’teryx may have made a name for themselves as the face of the Gorpcore movement in past years (helmed by the aforementioned musician behind Blonde), but their expansive history as one of the leading outdoor retailers far precedes a 2010s fad. The brand’s tentpole lifestyle parka, the Therme, is the culmination of everything that makes Arc’teryx so excellent: a sleek, almost-futuristic exterior paired with best-in-class GORE-TEX protection and incredibly lightweight insulation. This isn’t just an ultra-hot layer, but a serious investment….and unfortunately, it has the price tag to prove it.
Shell material: 2L GORE-TEX ePE 200-denier recycled nylon | Fill material: European grey goose down | Fill power: 750
Pros:
- Incredible warmth-to-weight ratio
- Maximum coverage
- Very trendy
Cons:
- Steep price tag
- Long fit can be inhibiting
An All-Time Icon: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacker
Why We Love It: The North Face Nupste isn’t the warmest, or the lightest or the most performance-focused puffer on this list…but it is by far the most iconic, and the one we find ourselves constantly reaching for as the temps dip into the teens here in NYC. We’re all about the relaxed (and slightly cropped) fit, and the 700-fill down and host of colors don’t hurt, either.
Shell material: 100% DWR recycled nylon ripstop | Weight: 27 oz | Fill material: premium-fill down | Fill power: 700
Pros:
- An iconic style
- Improved relaxed fit
- A serious winter jacket
Cons:
- Ubiquity
More Men’s Puffer Jackets We Love
L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket
L.L. Bean packs a ton of punch with this hooded jacket, stuffing the style with an 850-down fill that’ll keep you warm through the nastiest of conditions. Even better, it’s light enough to layer under a rain-shell to fully insulate you from the weather.
Flint and Tinder The Jackson Quilted Vest
Flint and Tinder’s outerwear offerings have expanded to insulated outerwear, including this surprisingly solid quilted vest in a very tasteful off-green. Packed with lightweight fill and finished with a DWR treatment, it’s an ideal (and very packable) lightweight layer.
Frizmworks Karakoram Down Jacket
Japanese label FrizmWORKS is one of our under-the-radar menswear brands to watch, and this jacket shows exactly why. Yes, it’s incredibly technical, but it also looks cool as hell, with a ’60s mountaineering vibe that’s capped off by the soft black colorway.
Puffer Jackets FAQ
Q: What Are Puffer Jackets Made Of?
A: While construction varies across styles, puffer jackets are typical designed with a durable, quilted outer shell — nylon and polyester are the main culprits, although there are waxed cotton and even corduroy versions as well — and insulated with a natural or synthetic down-like material, which gives the jacket its iconic ultra-warm, weatherproof properties.
Q: Are Puffer Jackets and Down Jackets the Same?
A: While puffer jackets and down jackets share many similarities and are generally thought of as are virtually synonymous, the two styles aren’t exactly the same; of significant note, a puffer jacket might be filled with a synthetic insulation, as opposed to true down.
Q: What Is Down?
A: Down refers to the natural, lightweight and feathered insulation that many puffer jackets utilize, which comes from the undercoating of geese or ducks.
Q: How Warm Are Puffer Jackets?
Puffer jackets are considered one of the warmest jacket types available, and for good reason. Depending on the shell material and fill, the style’s tried-and-true combination of insulation and weatherproofing has long been proven ideal for dealing with some of the nastiest conditions known to man.
Q: Are Puffer Jackets Waterproof?
A: The short answer: not necessarily. While the jacket style often sports a polyester or nylon shell — both weather-resistant — the average puffer is still susceptible to wet and snowy weather, especially after a significant amount of time outdoors. DWR treating, however, which is increasingly common for puffer jackets, especially in higher-end models, can fully weatherproof a puffer jacket.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Puffer Jacket
Insulation: Puffer jackets are synonymous with down jackets, and for good reason: For years, the treated duck or geese feather insulation, which despite being impossibly lightweight also captures pockets of hot air to keep the wearer (or animal) warm, was the best and only method for creating such a coat. Down’s grade varies, enough so that the material demands its own ranking system to determine the “fill power.” In short, the ranking measures the effectiveness of the insulation’s heat retention.
While a high rating might not necessarily mean warmer, it does ensure that you’ll be getting the best weight for your insulation, versus a heavier and bulkier low-fill style, and it is typically preferred — a fact often reflected in price tags. In recent years, concerns over cruelty-free practices and sustainability have led to new insulation options that mirror down’s warming effects, often using wool or synthetic blends.
Material: Puffer jackets may be filled with down and the like, but their exterior and finish are just as important. Given down’s weakness to moisture, a seamless waterproof shell is paramount in wet conditions, and add-ons like shearling lining and reinforced nylon can greatly improve a puffer’s performance and longevity.
Price: Given the materials involved, you can expect puffer jackets to be an investment purchase. For down-filled styles, expect to pay at minimum few hundred dollars, with increases for premium technology like GORETEX.
How We Made These Picks
Like all of our shopping guides, our team of expert editors puts the utmost care into our product picks; we’ve been researching and wear-testing puffer jackets for the better part of a decade, in the frigid temps of Brooklyn and Minnesota alike, from a number of well-known brands that include The North Face, Uniqlo, Arc’teryx and more.
Using the culmination of our expertise and hands-on experience, we’ve carefully handpicked each item in this guide with intention and care, and while we aren’t able to physically test every style on this list, each selection comes with a considered stamp of approval from InsideHook, informed by our innate understanding of quality clothing and general proficiency when it comes to recommending the best products across every manner of price point.
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