Best down jackets for 2025: Tested by our team of experts in extreme mountain conditons

When you come across a jacket like this, it becomes evident that the outdoor industry's innovation has remained relatively stagnant for quite some time. The Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Jacket is one of the most innovative insulated jackets we’ve tested to date. It’s easy to be sceptical, but it has wowed us during our testing by bearing features and tech that genuinely enhance its performance in practical outdoor scenarios.

One of the standout features is the hydrophobic down treatment - Allied Down's ExpeDRY treatment utilizing FUZE technology. While the terminology may sound complex, the essence is simple: it employs a chemical-free method of, believe it or not, bonding gold particles to the down. We found this innovative approach significantly improves moisture evaporation.

There are several other clever additions to this jacket that have caught our attention. The inclusion of stretchy wool side panels enhances both comfort and breathability. And the main fabric features a unique DWR called EMPEL, which surpasses industry standards in terms of eco-friendliness and performance. During our testing, we encountered heavy rain while wearing this jacket, and to our surprise, it effectively repelled water for approximately 15 minutes, which is quite impressive for a non-waterproof jacket.

The jacket's slightly athletic fit, along with the addition of stretchy wool panels, makes it ideal for layering. Overall, the Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch proves to be an exceptional winter mid-layer and a reliable standalone outer layer.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Jacket here

An updated version of the Montane Featherlite Down Jacket, the Anti-Freeze offers top-of-the-line insulation with a couple extra tablespoons of comfort and style.

We were immediately drawn to this jacket for its cosy and protective hood system. Put it up while fully zipped and you’ll find your neck and head comfortingly enclosed in squishy down baffles.

There’s a hidden adjustment system on the inside of the hood to get it as tight or loose as desired, and the peak is subtle but does its job in the rain.

The Anti-Freeze is excellent as a stand-alone jacket, with subtle weatherproofing features like YKK aquaguard zips and a cinchable hem. It isn’t 100% waterproof, but Pertex ripstop outer does a good job of protecting the down filling, which is itself also water resistant.

For most outings, this may be your new go-to. Despite being well filled, the Anti-Freeze is surprisingly packable, and even comes with a stuff sack hooked inside the right pocket. An ideal bit of kit for varied weather.

Check out the women's version here

This is an excellent, chunky, and seriously warm down puffy that makes a great ‘chuck it on’ extra layer for winter hillwalking and mountaineering.

Its box-wall baffles house a generous serving of 800-fill down, so the Atle 2.0 is suitable for temperatures down to -20°C. We found the coverage delivers a big boost of warmth too, with its hip length hem, a thickly padded hood, and extended sleeves to keep your wrists warm.

The Atle 2.0 is currently our favourite winter insulator to throw on over other layers when paused for a break on the winter hill. We liked that the Atle 2.0 has very good wind resistance and some water resistance. If you’re in wet conditions, the Atle 2.0 can be layered under a relaxed fitting hardshell, if needed.

We thought the construction was reasonably tough. The Atle 2.0 has beefed up fabric over the shoulders, hood, and main zip. It really feels like one of those down jackets that could last you decades.

Check out the men's version here

The Patagonia Women’s Down Sweater Hooded Jacket is a superb lightweight insulating layer, a great addition to nearly any outdoor wardrobe.

This jacket blends thoughtful design and environmental responsibility, crafted from 100% recycled NetPlus® shell fabric, sourced from discarded fishing nets, and insulated with ethically sourced down.

Patagonia continues to show that staying warm doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. Wearing it is as satisfying as it is sustainable. Especially in the stunning faded sage green, this jacket stands out in all the right ways.

With a relaxed fit, it’s ideal for layering on freezing days or wearing solo when the weather is milder. Incredibly lightweight yet impressively warm, it features 800-fill power down that feels almost weightless on your shoulders.

The adjustable, helmet-compatible hood keeps cold air out with ease, making it a reliable choice for climbers, skiers, or anyone needing high-performance gear. Just don’t take it kayaking – it’s still a down jacket, after all.

While it comes at a slightly higher price point, this reflects Patagonia’s unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability. This isn’t just a jacket; it’s an investment in durability and mindful fashion. Its timeless design ensures you won’t need to replace it after just a few seasons. It’s built to last and to be cherished.

A big, chunky winter jacket is something special. The section of an outdoor gear store that displays these is one we can spend a long time in. But more often than not, the prices are scary.

Mercifully, New Zealand outdoor gear brand Kathmandu is a brand that brings some much needed value to this arena. When we say 'value', we don't mean outright cheapness, we mean bang for buck.

The Epiq forms the nucleus of Kathmandu. Go to the antipodes in winter and everyone is wearing one. Following our testing, we think it's a wonderful jacket for sub-zero conditions that offers warmth and comfort in spades, but doesn't stray down the track of specialist (and therefore very expensive) winter jacket.

This means the Epiq doesn't have the highest fill power down, a hydrophobic down treatment, or heat-reflective lining. But the quantity of 600-fill down is generous so we found it's very warm indeed. And the Epiq features details like an adjustable hem and hood, stretch cuffs, and big baffles that are important for boosting warmth, too.

Kathmandu has kept sustainability as key aspect, which we were pleased to see. We found the Epiq is very well made and, with care, has the potential to last a lifetime. It also uses responsible materials, like a fully recycled and bluesign-approved Pertex Quantum Eco outer, and RDS down. Kathmandu is a certified B Corp as well, so you know its business practices are responsible.

So, we think that there are more technical and weatherproof options out there. But the Kathmandu Epiq offers fantastic performance and comfort for far less than many winter down jackets. It's also available in non-hooded and vest versions.

Check out the women's version here

The Rab Women’s Microlight Alpine Jacket has earned its reputation as a staple for good reason, combining practicality, warmth, and a stylish design. Sure, it might double as your mum’s go-to Waitrose jacket from autumn to early spring, but there’s a reason for its popularity.

At just 413g, this jacket is impressively lightweight yet offers exceptional warmth. Filled with 750FP R.D.S.-certified European goose down, it’s not overly bulky but still delivers serious insulation, making it perfect for frosty winter walks or brisk alpine adventures. Considering its performance, the £210 price tag feels reasonable, especially compared to similar jackets that often exceed £250.

What truly sets this jacket apart is its fit. The slim, flattering design is thanks to individually stitched side panels that contour to the female form beautifully. Not only does this enhance its aesthetic appeal, but it also improves heat retention by eliminating unnecessary space. The design is particularly accommodating for those with a larger bust, offering a more tailored and comfortable experience.

Equally suited for trails or city streets, the Microlight Alpine Jacket compresses easily into a compact size, making it an effortless addition to any backpack when the weather improves. It comes in a variety of appealing colours, from vibrant two-tone options for an outdoor-inspired vibe to more understated shades for everyday wear.

Despite its lightweight build, the jacket doesn’t compromise on durability; the Pertex Quantum fabric is both tough and highly water-resistant, standing up to wind and light rain with ease.

The only drawback? Climbers may find the hood a bit snug when trying to fit it over a helmet. For most other activities, though, it performs brilliantly. If you’re after a jacket that offers warmth, packability, and a sleek design, the Rab Microlight Alpine is a top contender.

Encountering jackets and sleeping bags with 800 fill-power ratings signifies the use of very high-quality down. Occasionally, you might come across 900-fill down, which is remarkable. In the quest for an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio, Rab's Mythic G goes even further by utilising 1000-fill power down.

This might either pique your excitement or merely appear as a number. However, our testing was conclusive. The Mythic G provides noticeably more warmth compared to other garments of similar weight (under 300g) that we've worn.

The exceptionally high-quality down is further enhanced by a heat-reflective lining, which manages to make the Mythic G 13% lighter than Rab's already impressive Zero G.

It's important to note that the Mythic G is intentionally tailored for a niche audience, specifically geared towards alpine activities like mountaineering, climbing, or skiing. Our tester reports the Mythic G jacket has a slim fit, a short hem, and handwarmer pockets positioned quite high to accommodate harness use.

While we think the materials used are of high quality (with commendable eco credentials too), they do feel delicate, particularly the 7D nylon fabric. We're not suggesting that this jacket is inevitably prone to falling apart. Instead, we emphasize the need for care to ensure its potential to last for many years, especially with Rab's repair service readily available.

Check out the women's version here

The Cotopaxi Fuego is a high-quality down jacket that has earned its right to be featured here on the grounds of performance and sustainability.

It’s easy to look at a colourful jacket like this and think ‘form over function’. Not so here. The Fuego is lightweight and has a regular fit, which makes it super easy to slot into a layering system. But the use of 800-fill down also makes it a very efficient insulator.

On test, we particularly liked the relatively chunky main zip, and clever internal pocket design, which features an open drop-in pocket and a zip pouch. There are external handwarmer pockets too.
From winter weekend dog walking to peak-to-pub hillwalks to travel, the Fuego is a versatile down jacket at a good price.

Cotopaxi is certified climate neutral and a B Corp. While Cotopaxi is a reasonably sustainable brand on the whole, the Fuego jacket isn’t one of its standout sustainable products. It of course uses responsibly sourced down, and is made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. But the nylon fabric isn’t recycled or repurposed, and the DWR isn’t PFC-free.

Check out the women's version here

The Elixir Ultra Down is another jacket that employs a heat-reflective finish to boost warmth without increasing bulk.

We found the Elixir Ultra Down jacket very comfortable and suitable for frigid conditions. The HeiQ XReflex-800-fill goose down combo creates a very warm design. Touches such as the stretchy fabric sleeves help not only keep out the cold but improve comfort and freedom of movement. The hood and hem are adjustable, too.

We were also pleased with the number of pockets on offer – two chest and two handwarmer pockets. This makes it easy to distribute items and not have to stuff them all in one or two pockets.

The fit is like a classic puffer jacket: snug but a little boxy – however it can be layered with a regular or relaxed-fitting hardshell waterproof jacket if needed. If you’re going to wear it on its own, you’ll be pleased to know the outer material has a PFC-free DWR, which keeps a smattering of drizzle at bay.

Check out the women's version here