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Don’t wait until the weather has turned to finally look for that amazing coat. Now is a great time to start doing some research into the type of coats available, including what color you prefer, hood or no hood, and most importantly how warm you want the jacket to be.
Below we have helped narrow down the options to a few key down jackets for women that we feel have all the benefits needed for all different types of inclement weather. These jackets are all puffer-style with light-to-medium weight down and synthetic fill, are moisture or water-resistant and have full zip fronts for easy access.
We have also included jackets with removable and non-removable hoods (some with faux-fur lining) and ones with multiple external and internal security pockets to keep your valuables safe and hands warm.
Top Down Jacket for Women Reviewed
Orolay Jacket — Best Overall
This best-selling jacket that has been talked about and recommended all over the internet is stylish and functional and will get you through many cold months. The warmth from the jacket is created by a duck-down fill and a highly dense polyester material on the outer portion for durability. The unique and fresh look of the jacket is also what makes it highly covetable with its ribbon tassels decor and special unzip sides.
Pros
- This jacket has six big pockets
Cons
- The hood is not removable
Beinia Valuker Coat — Runner Up
For a slightly more fitted look, this down puffer parka is a very sleek option. Designed to be close-fitting with a waist-tightening effect, this coat will get you through the extreme cold with ease. It comes with two deep outer side pockets with a plush interior and one interior security pocket that is great for protecting any valuables and keeping them out of reach. This jacket also has a two-way front zipper so you can easily sit or walk without unzipping the whole jacket.
Pros
- The faux fur on the hood is removable
Cons
- Due to its slim fit, this jacket may run on the smaller side
Wantdo Jacket — Honorable Mention
This lightweight down jacket is a great option when you need something stylish yet warm. This jacket is made from nylon and high-fill duck down for warmth and has a durable water repellent finish. An elasticized hem, cuff, and hood will help seal out the wind along with its specially treated fabric that keeps it hermetically sealed. Lastly, two hidden zippered pockets will keep your hands warm and two inner pockets provide extra storage.
Pros
- This jacket packs down compactly for easy travel into an included pouch
Cons
- The hood is not removable
Calvin Klein Jacket — Excellent Quality
This chevron-quilted puffer jacket is a great alternative to the normal square or rectangle-shaped pockets. This is a longer-length jacket that is lightweight and features a center front zipper that extends into a stand-up collar for extra protection from colder temperatures. This jacket also comes with two side pockets for added storage and its just above-the-knee length provides protection against harsh weather conditions.
Pros
- The jacket easily packs into a matching included pouch for easy storage
Cons
- This coat does not have a hood
Eddie Bauer Jacket — Best Value for Money
When it comes to puffers, this jacket contains all the bells and whistles needed for ultimate comfort. It is ultra-light in weight and specially made for those who like to travel, both near and far. The jacket is filled with a high premium down fill rate for superior warmth and has a special water-resistant finish that sheds moisture ensuring it doesn’t soak into the fabric. It also features elastic-bound cuffs and hem to minimize heat loss and a higher neck collar for extra warmth.
Pros
- The down used in the jacket is responsibly sourced certified
Cons
- The pockets are not lined in fleece
Marmot Montreal Coat — Also Consider
A great alternative to some luxe, higher-end down jackets, this puffer is named for a city with very cold climates in which it will keep you warm and cozy. Ideal for casual everyday wear, this jacket has a substantial fill power that will keep you extremely warm in wet conditions and has a comfortable knee length. A fleece-lined interior is included for added warmth and plush feeling microfleece-lined pockets and cuffs will keep your hands from freezing.
Pros
- The faux fur hood is removable
Cons
- There is no drawstring on the hood
Buying Guide: Down Jacket For Women
Big down jackets keep the body warm and trap body heat. However, when it comes to buying these jackets, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. With our comprehensive buyer’s guide, you’ll be able to pick the best down jacket for yourself and have all your questions addressed.
Type of Down
The first most important factor to consider is the type of down-filling in the jacket. Down is a warm layer of under feathers derived from ducks or geese. They provide insulation as fillers and keep the body very warm in extreme weather. Here are the two types of down:
Duck
Duck down, as the name suggests, is derived from ducks. Ducks have smaller feathers with less fill power. This is why duck down is more expensive, as you need more of it to fill a jacket to provide enough insulation to keep warm in chilly weather.
Goose
Since geese are bigger, goose down is the more popular option to fill jackets with. Goose down has good fill power and is better for insulation. It is also present in large quantities as compared to duck down.
Durability
Another very important aspect is durability. A down jacket is expensive and should be durable so that it lasts you a few years. To ensure durability you should check the quality of the following things in a jacket:
- The outer material of the jacket
- The inner lining
- The stitching
Furthermore, you should also opt for a down jacket that is waterproof.
Although the emphasis is given on the jacket being waterproof, you have to ensure it is breathable as well. Breathability ensures your body does not feel trapped inside the jacket and there is room for ventilation.
Weight
The weight of the jacket impacts its wearability. Most people prefer a down jacket to have some weight to it, however, it should not be over-burdening. The lighter down jackets are made from heat-seamed construction whilst box baffled jackets are the heaviest.
Weather conditions like rain have the tendency to impact the weight of the jacket by drenching it and making it heavier. Hence, always invest in a waterproof down jacket.
Down Fill Power
The measure of insulation and fluffiness of the down jacket is known as the down fill power. The greater the down fill power, the warmer the jacket will be due to more air trapped between the feathers. Down jackets usually have a fill power that ranges from 400 to 800. You can find the value written on care labels as it impacts the way your jacket can be washed and treated.
Organic vs Synthetic
Another very important debate is whether to buy an organic or a synthetic down jacket. Organic jackets are derived from geese or ducks whilst synthetic jackets make use of polyplastic or polyester as filler.
Organic down
Organic down jackets are more expensive. They provide good insulation and are lighter. However, they lose their insulation and become heavy when they are wet. Organic down has special care instructions and takes a lot of time to dry once wet.
Synthetic down
Synthetic down has less insulation, hence more of it is used in comparison to feathers, to make jackets warm. Therefore the overall weight of the jacket increases. However, it is both easier to clean and ethically sourced as well. This makes it popular among environmentally conscious people.
Construction
The way the down is filled in the jacket is a very important factor in your decision to buy a jacket. This is why you must pay close attention to the way the jacket is constructed. Some common ways of constructing a down jacket for women are:
Heat seamed
Heat-seamed construction is also referred to as bonded construction. Down pockets or chambers are created between the upper and inner material. The down is trapped between them by closing the chambers via melting the two layers together. Since it doesn’t use stitches, no warmth escapes the jacket and it is great for weather-resistant use.
Sewn-through
Sewn-through construction consists of down pockets that are made by sewing squares or panels of down by stitching the two layers together. This construction leaves the jacket more lightweight and flexible. However, body heat can escape through the sew-holes and it is not wind resistant.
Box baffled
Box baffled constructions consist of squares of down separated by a wall of fabric between them. This means the jacket generally uses more fabric than regular down jackets which increases its weight. Since making a box baffled jacket is difficult, they tend to cost more as well.
Additional Features
The last thing you should focus on when buying a down jacket for women is the additional features it provides. Some additional features are:
Hood
A hood is a good additional feature as it can keep your head and neck warm against the cold and shield you from snow, wind, and light rain.
Pockets
Pockets are helpful for storage and can impact your purchase decision as well. Make sure to buy a jacket that has at least two pockets on the outside or inside.
Cuffed sleeves
For very cold and windy weather, cuffed sleeves can further help trap body heat inside the jacket. This makes the owner feel warmer even in windy or snowy weather.
Warm lining
An additional benefit found in a down jacket is the warm lining. The warm lining can be fur along the collar or hood or even wool or fleece on the inside of the jacket.
