Men's Down Jackets

What is a down jacket?

Down jackets, also known as puffer jackets, are types of jackets that have been insulated with the soft, fluffy under layer found on ducks or geese. The down insulation is used to insulate an outer layer, usually a nylon or polyester synthetic fibre. Men's down jackets are designed for comfort and warmth in cold conditions as down is lightweight, highly compressible, and an excellent insulator. Accordingly, they are great winter jackets.

What is in a down jacket?

A down jacket is filled with down insulation, which is the lofty, fluffy layer found underneath the feathers and predominantly around the chest area on fowl such as ducks and geese. Down is commonly mistaken for the feathers but in actual fact is the bird's undercoat (effectively a natural mid-layer). Each down cluster traps tiny air pockets within its barbs, providing thermally-efficient performance. This makes it an excellent fill for jackets, sleeping bags, and blankets or quilts designed for use in cold climates. Some jackets use synthetic insulation instead, which mimics the performance of down insulation.

Do down jackets keep you warm?

Men's down jackets use duck down or goose down to deliver lightweight warmth in cold environments. The down insulation is naturally lightweight, compressible and excellent for trapping warm air inside. The best men's down jacket will combine this down insulation with a durable ripstop nylon or polyester outer shell, and a soft inner lining. Together, these materials work to deliver a high-performance insulation jacket that is comfortable, protective and above all else, warm.

When should you wear a down jacket?

Down jackets are designed to provide warmth and comfort in cold climates. They use down insulation to trap warm air in, keeping you insulated when the temperature drops. For this reason, they make great winter jackets. They're also excellent for exploring cold environments as they are lightweight and highly compressible. If you're thinking of travelling, hiking or adventuring in a cold region, and you need lightweight warmth you can rely on, think about a men's down puffer jacket.

Is a down jacket waterproof?

The outer shell on most quality men's down jackets will provide some basic level of wet weather protection, usually in the form of a Durable Water Repellent finish. This treatment gets applied to the outer surface of the face fabric and causes water to bead up and roll off the garment's exterior. This helps protect it from becoming saturated, in turn preventing the down insulation from absorbing moisture. This is important because down can lose its insulation properties when it becomes wet (as the down clumps together and loses its ability to loft up and trap air). A DWR finish can handle a light sprinkling of rain, but it would not be 100% waterproof if you were caught in a large downpour. So if you're planning to adventure in wet weather, it's best to layer puffer jackets with fully waterproof rain jackets or ski jackets over the top.

What should I look for when buying a down jacket?

Down insulation is one of nature's best insulating materials, providing lightweight warmth and comfort. When selecting men's down puffer jackets, you should consider the following factors:

Loft Rating - The number that you often see stitched into the shell of a down jacket is the loft rating. Also known as fill power, this numerical measurement refers to the amount that down expands and traps air within its clusters. It indicates the jacket's thermal efficiency - generally, the higher the value the less amount of down required to achieve specific temperature ratings, therefore giving a better warmth-to-weight ratio.

Type of Down - There are basically two types of down insulation, duck down and goose down. The main difference between them is that goose down generally has higher loft values and larger down clusters. This means you require less of it to achieve the same insulation level, and is why goose down jackets are highly packable down jackets. Both down insulation varieties can be grey or white, however colour doesn't affect performance and is simply an aesthetic consideration in the design process.

Down Ratio - This ratio is the mix of down clusters to other fill components, such as feathers. Cheaper down-fill products use low down-to-feather ratios, for example 70:30. High-performance down will have a ratio of at least 80:20. The better the ratio, the better the loft, meaning the greater the down insulates.

Other Materials, Technologies & Design Features - Try to find men's down jackets that use ripstop outer fabrics for durability. A Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish will help to combat light rain, while design elements such as baffle construction, hoods, and adjustable hems or wrist cuffs will all enhance performance, protection and functionality. For extra head and neck warmth, go for a men's hooded down jacket.

Where can I buy men's down jackets?

There are many outdoor brands that make puffer jackets as part of their winter jackets range. In fact, you've probably seen a Mountain Designs, Kathmandu or North Face men's down jacket on your travels, or a men's down jacket sale at one of these stores. At Mountain Designs, we have a purpose-made range of men's down jackets in different styles, colours and sizes. So if you're looking for a men's hooded down jacket or a lightweight men's down jacket, shop at Mountain Designs today.