16 Best Down Jackets for Men This Winter

By Jacob Osborn - GuidePublished: 23 Jun 2023

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Winter is upon us here in Australia and that means cooler weather conditions and maybe some epic weekends at the nearest ski resort. Nothing keeps pace with these outdoor conditions better than men’s down jackets—aka puffer jackets—which deliver warmth, versatility, style, and functionality in equal measure. From ultralight to heavyweight with a few stops in between, the foremost examples are easy to wear, effortless to store, and always primed for action. You should be ready to bolster your winter wardrobe right about now and we’re here to help you do it. Here are 16 of the best men’s down jackets that money can buy.

RELATED: These are the best types of jackets for men, chosen by our fashion editors.

Our list of the best down jackets for men goes like this:

Now we’ve had a look at our favourites let’s check out the complete list.

No one has mastered the art of the men’s puffer jacket like The North Face, which introduced its iconic Nuptse back in the 1990s and helped kick open the doors on an explosive new trend. This retro-themed iteration harkens back to a 1996 predecessor and proves that some things never go out of style. Forged from ripstop fabric and packed with 700-fill-power goose down, it delivers ample warmth and wearability across a full spectrum of terrains.

Fill: 700-fill-power goose downPrice: from AUD$500

Leave it to Italy’s house of Moncler to take the men’s puffer into the realm of high fashion with this modern interpretation of an iconic 1980s silhouette. From nylon laqué construction and boudin quilting comes an ultra-premium jacket that’s glossy on the outside and supremely cosy within. Choose between a variety of striking colours and prepare to render an impression wherever you may roam. Expect the privilege of owning one to cost you.

Fill: 90 per cent down, 10 per cent featherPrice: from USD$1,000

Patagonia is leading the charge of sustainable and ethical manufacturing and this newly redesigned men’s puffer is here to prove it. Its exterior shell is forged from repurposed fishing nets whilst the 800-fill-power insulation was sourced to the highest possible standards. Combine all that with stylish colour and steadfast performance and you have the kind of jacket that will keep you feeling good on multiple levels as you partake in a slew of outdoor activities.

Fill: 800-fill-power downPrice: from AUD$400

This outstanding men’s down jacket offers one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios on the market along with plenty of sleek style. It hails from Arc’teryx, where advanced materials and modern designs are always in steady supply. Dubbed the brand’s lightest and warmest Cerium to date, it uses patented Down Composite Mapping to strategically place Coreloft synthetic insulation in areas prone to moisture, whilst an insulated StormHood cultivates ample coverage without impairing your peripheral vision. Meanwhile, 1000-fill-power down is basically as good as it gets. Don’t hit the slopes without one.

Fill: 1000-fill-power grey goose downPrice: from AUD$650

Brought to life by way of 100 per cent recycled light nylon, this premium puffer is directly injected with high-quality feathers and treated to withstand the garment-dyeing process. A special weaving technique helps keep those feathers firmly in place inside the chambers so as to cultivate supreme comfort and wearability, whilst a ‘ciré’ finish imparts a signature shine on the outer shell. Choose from a variety of colours.

Fill: 90 per cent down, 10 per cent featherPrice: from $1,250 AUD

This cold-weather classic eschews traditional down in favour of cruelty-free merino wool insulation—aka MerinoLoft—which offers a terrific warmth-to-weight ratio. It’s covered in a woven-fabric shell with a PFC-free water-repellent finish to keep you cosy and dry when the going gets wet. Additional Merino lining regulates body temperature and resists odours to make this already formidable outerwear all the more functional.

Fill: MerinoLoftPrice: from AUD$390

A perennial favourite amongst extreme outdoorsmen, Rab’s Neutrino Pro delivers everything you want out of a heavyweight puffer at an affordable price. Its 800-fill-power down insulation and newly updated shell of 100 per cent recycled Pertex Quantum Pro generate top-notch performance in the face of harsh snow, freezing rain, and other hostile weather conditions. A tad bulky perhaps, but this men’s puffer jacket is ready for any challenge you can throw its way.

Fill: 800-fill-power downPrice: from AUD$500

Ideal for everyday wear, UNIQLO’s Ultra Light Down Jacket combines a contour 3D cut with a dynamic matte finish for effortless mobility with the sleekness to match. Bring in the reasonable price tag and you’re looking at one of the best urban puffers for your hard-earned buck. Get it in black or navy and watch as it becomes an instant favourite across multiple seasons.

Fill: 750+ fill-power downPrice: from AUD$130

This ultralight men’s down jacket from Kathmandu covers all the basics in the best of ways. A shell of 100 per cent Ripstop Polyester with DWR treatment gives way to 100 per cent Polyester Taffeta lining. Between the proverbial sheets is an ethically-sourced blend of 80 per cent duck down and 20 per cent duck feather to generate maximum comfort. Whether layered up or worn on its own during cooler weather, the Heli is a prime example of versatile outerwear done right.

Fill: 600-fill-power duck downPrice: from AUD$90

Who better than the long-running outerwear label Canada Goose to design this everyday lightweight jacket? It goes by the name of Crofton and makes for the perfect layer during those cool-but-not-too-cold fall and winter months. In addition to its streamlined profile, the jacket is resistant to water and wind, chock full of optimal materials, and able to pack down into an interior pocket for seamless transport.

Fill: 750-fill-power duck downPrice: from AUD$500

Each one of these high-quality men’s puffers contains over 30 recycled bottles, which are primarily used for its 100 per cent recycled padding. Combine that with a polyester shell, elasticated cuffs, fleece lining, outer zip pockets, interior pockets, a drawstring hood, a water-resistant finish, and other features, and you’re looking at an instant classic. Stay warm and help steer plastic bottles away from the ocean at the same time like a true outdoorsman. That’s the Superdry way.

Fill: 100 per cent post-consumer recycled paddingPrice: from AUD$500

We’re picking up all the right vibes from this men’s down jacket, which was stylishly crafted with cold weather in mind. Adjustable drawcords, elastic cuffs, and a two-way open zipper offer unfettered versatility whilst a square quilting design and logo details inject the perfect touch of visual distinction.

Fill: 252gsm/garment downPrice: from AUD$500

This men’s down jacket delivers a bounty of modern materials and performance specs, including an outer shell of breathable Pertex Shield fabric (i.e. 100 per cent recycled polyester) with PFC-free DWR coating, recycled down with a HyperDRY finish, and 100 per cent nylon lining. Thanks to a stitchless welded-down baffle technique, the down remains completely intact when confronted with harsh wind and other environmental intrusions.

Fill: 750+ ultra high-performance recycled downPrice: from AUD$500

Presented in either dark blue or chestnut brown, the Convertible Down Jacket from Acne Studios dials up the fashion element whilst offering no shortage of function. It’s cut to a relaxed fit with signature logo detailing, elasticated cuffs, convertible sleeves, and other desirable features. From the ski slopes to the city streets to everywhere in between, this men’s puffer is a veritable head-turner.

Fill: 90 per cent duck down, 10 per cent duck featherPrice: from AUD$500

If you thought Lululemon was nothing but yoga gear and women’s wear, you thought wrong. Enter the Wunder Puff Jacket and its streamlined silhouette, which cultivates an expert balance between warmth and mobility. Windproof, water-repellant, and awash in premium polyester, its 600-fill-power goose down was sourced to the highest ethical standards.

Fill: 600-fill-power downPrice: from AUD$500

Originally founded in Japan, Montbell makes some of the most reliable outdoor apparel and equipment that you can currently buy. With its slim profile and durable performance, this men’s puffer is certainly no exception. Under its outer layer of 7D Ballistic Airlight Ripstop Nylon (with a DWR finish) is 1,000-fill-power down of the highest quality, albeit just 1.6 oz of the stuff. This isn’t a jacket to wear in freezing or even cold conditions, but for those mild-weather adventures, it just might last you a lifetime.

Fill: 1,000-fill-power downPrice: from AUD$500

Different winter weather conditions call for different types of men’s down jackets, which can range from ultralight to heavyweight. Here’s a fuller breakdown.

The first thing you want to think about when it comes to puffer jackets are the materials, these are the reasons why.

You’ll also want to consider a few practicality factors, we’ve outlined the reasons below.

With an editorial team full of snowboard junkies and fashion freaks, Man of Many knows a high-quality puffer jacket when we wear one! That said, we can’t spend all day trying on down jackets for obvious reasons. Hence, the following list is based on both personal experiences as well as dedicated research from reputable sources.

Patagonia’s Down Sweater is one of the best puffer jackets for men, due to both its exceptional performance and ethical construction.

A puffer jacket and down jacket are generally the same thing, except when a puffer jacket uses synthetic insulation in lieu of down.

Filled with 800FP down, Rab’s Neutrino Pro Down Jacket is one of the warmest puffer jackets that money can buy.

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Jacob Osborn is an accomplished author and journalist with over 10 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin--Madison and co-authored a Young Adult novel through Simon & Schuster. Now based in Portland, Oregon, Jacob specialises in entertainment, technology and alcohol reporting. You might find him crate-digging at the nearest record store or sampling whisky at the nearest bar. He daydreams of travelling around the world, but for now, the world will have to come to him by way of lifestyle products, gear, gadgetry, and entertainment. Let's call it a happy compromise while he saves up for the next big trip.

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