by paolo sandoval

Which Men’s Puffer Jacket Is Right for You?

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded Down Jacket

With a comparatively appropriate price, adequate specs and all the warmth you could ask for in snow conditions, this jacket was a joy to test through the great outdoors and bodega runs alike.

Best Overall Puffer

Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie

The style, which is one of the few to feature a proprietary merino wool fill rather than down, checks all the boxes for what we need from an active jacket — warm, breathable, with accouterments (zip pockets, cuffed sleeve and a cinch waist) to perform admirably.

Best Lightweight Puffer

LifeLabs MegaWarm Jacket

Though a bit cumbersome, the MegaWarm Jacket exceeds heat retention and comfort expectations and remains perfect for any enthusiast striving to find the best gear out there.

Warmest Puffer

Askov Finlayson Winter Parka

As we noted in our review, Askov Finlayson’s Winter Parka is something of a miracle — not only as the first climate-positive parka to blip on our radar, but for its genuine functionality and warmth in brutal Minnesota temps.

Most Sustainable Puffer

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0

The in-house line of America’s favorite outdoor retailer is simply too reliable and too cost-effective to ignore, with an ultra-lightweight, highly compressible, fully waterproof down shell for a measly $100 ($60 for some on-sale colors).

Most Affordable Puffer

Patagonia Reversible Silent Down Fleece Jacket

Even without considering its two-in-one form, Patagonia’s Silent Down Jacket is an achievement in sustainability, made with recycled materials and Fair Trade Certified labor.

Most Versatile Puffer

Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie

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.

Most Stylish Puffer

The rise of functional, hiking-inspired trends like Gorpcore and new sustainability-driven developments in down technology has 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.

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