What is the Difference Between Puffer and Down Jackets? | Columbia Sportswear® (2024)

FAQs

Is a puffer jacket the same as a down jacket? ›

A puffer jacket is a broader term that encompasses any and all quilted insulated jackets. They can be made with either natural down insulation or a synthetic fill. Down jackets refer specifically to the type of puffer coats that are filled with natural insulation made from goose or duck down.

For fall and light winters, you can opt for a denim jacket, a bomber jacket, or a zipper jacket. For severely cold weather, on the other hand, there are options like down jackets, topcoats, parkas, quilted jackets for women, and quilted jackets for men.

About Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets are often very lightweight, despite being very warm (with the down-filled jackets weighing a little more, so keep that in mind). Compared to wool or leather, puffer jackets provide the unique combination of both warmth and lightness.

Synthetic Insulation

Typically made of polyester, synthetic fill is quick-drying and insulates even if wet (something down struggles to do). It also tends to be less expensive than down insulation, and it's durable and hypoallergenic.

Depending on what you wear underneath and your level of activity, a lightweight down jacket can provide sufficient warmth to just around freezing. For anything colder than that, you'll want to look in the midweight or heavyweight categories.

30°F to 40°F: Time to summon support—a lightweight puffer jacket and savvy layering come to the rescue. 20°F to 30°F: Enter the domain of mid-weight puffers, your trusty companions for daily warmth and sophistication.

High-quality materials: The parkas are made with goose down sourced from Canadian Hutterite farmers and come with a removable coyote fur-lined hood. Durable: Transit travelers loved the stitching, fabric, and perceived the coat to be highly durable. 'An investment that will last for years,' many said.

Classic Camel Coat

They both go with everything. When shopping for a classic camel coat, choose anything in the creams, browns and camel family that you like that goes with your wardrobe and personal style.

The material of the fabric and the lining can be distinguished from the composition, weight, hand feel, and color; then what treatment the fabric has undergone, whether it is windproof and water-proof; whether it is durable, and washing methods (hand wash, machine wash, dry clean).

The iconic North Face puffer technically originated in 1992, though the 1996 update that came out four years later is better known as the brand's signature look. It was designed by Ingrid Harshbarger for high alpine skiing, as its heavy-duty layering system evenly distributes down filling for increased warmth.

What is the warmest filling for a puffer jacket? ›

Loftier down gets the highest ratings, and it's the warmest, lightest, and most compressible. For outdoor gear, the heart of the down fill power range is from around 500 to 900. Premium outdoor apparel companies like Feathered Friends in Seattle use mostly 900-fill down in their jackets and sleeping bags.

Some puffer jackets use down, but many more use a synthetic insulation that can be lighter than down and still provide the same warmth. Synthetic insulation doesn't clump or break apart after washing as much as down, so it makes for a better work jacket.

The down jacket, known more commonly in the fashion industry as a puffer jacket or simply puffer, is a quilted coat which is insulated with either duck or goose feathers. Air pockets created by the bulk of the feathers allow for the retention of warm air.

Down jackets are known for their compressibility. They can easily be packed down to a small size, making them ideal for travel or long hikes. They take up minimal space in your bag, so you have room for all the other gear you need, and they're ready to put on when the cold hits.

The down jacket, known more commonly in the fashion industry as a puffer jacket or simply puffer, is a quilted coat which is insulated with either duck or goose feathers.

900 fill down is the highest quality down commercially available and considered the absolute gold standard of insulation—with an unmatched warmth-to-weight ratio, it is highly compressible, ultralight and amazingly warm.

Down jackets are warmer than down alternatives . Down jackets are often thought of as being warm, but there are other options that are just as warm or even warmer. Down alternatives such as synthetic insulation, fleece, and wool are all good choices if you're looking for warmth without the weight of down.

In terms of warmth and insulation, puffer jackets hold the upper hand due to their use of down feathers or synthetic materials. They are designed to keep you toasty even in frigid conditions. Quilted jackets, while still providing adequate warmth, may not be as effective in extreme cold.