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As those native to the cold will surely inform you — perhaps with certain choice words — when winter’s bite leaves temps in the single digits, demands the hardiest of footwear and induces windchill effects that will literally freeze your pants off, only the burliest, warmest and generally best men’s puffer jackets will do.
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Originally conceived in the 1930s as a stop-gap measure for hypothermia (Eddie Bauer was one of the first to market the down-insulated jackets), the style has kept everyone from George Costanza to Frank Ocean insulated and alive in the coldest of conditions for decades. And the best men’s puffer jackets aren’t just a serviceable piece of gear: from the urban appeal of the iconic North Face Nuptse to runway grails a la Craig Green and (cursed) Balenciaga, the style has a clear après appeal beyond its utilitarian insulation.
The rise of functional, hiking-inspired trends like Gorpcore and new sustainability-driven developments in down technology has further expanded the realm of puffer, meaning that there are a ton of solid and stylish options, from heritage labels (Filson and its ilk) to newer contenders Ibex and Mountain Hardwear. Clearly, when it comes to the best men’s puffer jackets, the real challenge isn’t a matter of if, but which.
The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets
- Best Overall Puffer: Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded Down Jacket, $360
- Best Affordable Puffer: REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0, $129
- Best Technical Puffer: Arc’teryx Cerium SV Down Hoodie, $600
- Best Puffer Vest: Rocky Mountain Featherbed Heritage Down Insulated Puffer Vest, $575
- Editor’s Pick: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, $330
That’s where we come in. After days of meticulous research, weeks of wear-testing in the frigid temps of Brooklyn and Minnesota alike, and some serious deliberation, we’ve identified and highlighted some of our favorite puffer designs currently available for purchase below. Some skew affordable, while others are worth their goose-feathered weight in gold, but all provide a serious level of warmth only the best men’s puffer jackets can provide.
The Best Men’s Puffer Jackets
Shell material: 100% recycled nylon 10D whisperer ripstop | Weight: 8.8 oz | Fill material: shield goose down | Fill power: 800
Pros:
- Lightweight, water-resistant and ultra warm
- Shockingly durable
- Tons of colors
Cons:
- N/A
Coming in as our top pick, Mountain Hardwear wins best men’s puffer jacket not for its pros — and there are many, from a snow-resistant “Whisperer” ripstop outer, anti-overheat 800 fill insulation and bundle of shiny colorways — but for its cons…or lack thereof. With a comparatively appropriate price, adequate specs and all the warmth you could ask for in snow conditions, this jacket was a joy to test through the great outdoors and bodega runs alike. We truly can’t recommend it more — grab one for yourself, we promise you won’t regret it.
Shell Material: recycled nylon taffeta | Weight: 11 oz | Fill material: power down | Fill power: 650
Pros:
- Unmatched value
- Respectably warm
Cons:
- Slightly lower fill power
- No hood
No one, we repeat, no one can offer a better value-to-cost ratio than REI Co-op. Period. The in-house line of America’s favorite outdoor retailer is simply too reliable and too cost-effective to ignore, with an ultra-lightweight, highly compressible, fully waterproof down shell for a measly $100 ($60 for some on-sale colors). If you’re looking to make your dollar go further, you’ve found your choice.
Shell material: 20D Pertex Diamond Fuse mini-ripstop | Weight: 15.4 oz | Fill material: grey goose down | Fill power: 1000
Pros:
- Incredible warmth-to-weight ratio
- Flexible fit
- Ultra trendy
Cons:
- Hefty price tag
- Slightly long
Canadian label Arc’teryx may have made a name for themselves as the face of the Gorpcore movement in past years (helmed by the aforementioned musician behind Blonde), but their expansive history as one of the leading outdoor retailers far precedes a 2010s fad. With an updated fit and incredibly lightweight protection, the Cerium SV Down Hoodie isn’t just an ultra-hot layering piece, but a serious investment….and unfortunately, it has the price tag to prove it.
Shell material: 70D nylon | Weight: N/A | Fill material: premium-fill down | Fill power: 700
Pros:
- Japanese-made with premium materials
- Lightweight and ultrawarm
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- Vests gonna vest, but still…no sleeves
If a vest is more your speed, there are few better than Rock Mountain Featherbed’s Heritage down joint — featuring many of the same specs as its sleeved competitors (700 down fill, nylon taffeta outer) and designed to replicate classic western wear designs, it’s a powerhouse of a puffer, and a perfect option for those in-betweener days.
Shell material: 100% DWR recycled nylon ripstop | Weight: 27 oz | Fill material: premium-fill down | Fill power: 700
Pros:
- An iconic style
- Improved relaxed fit
- A serious winter jacket
Cons:
- Ubiquity
The North Face Nupste isn’t the warmest, or the lightest or the most performance-focused puffer on this list…but it is by far the most iconic, and the one we find ourselves constantly reaching for as the temps dip into the teens here in NYC. We’re all about the relaxed (and slightly cropped) fit, and the 700-fill down doesn’t hurt, either.
More Men’s Puffer Jackets We Love
L.L. Bean packs a ton of punch with this hooded jacket, stuffing the style with an 850-down fill that’ll keep you warm through the nastiest of conditions. Even better, it’s light enough to layer under a rain-shell to fully insulate you from the weather.
Japanese label FrizmWORKS is one of our under-the-radar menswear brands to watch, and this jacket shows exactly why. Yes, it’s incredibly technical, but it also looks cool as hell, with a ’60s mountaineering vibe that’s capped off by the soft orange colorway.
$60 for a packable down jacket — what more could you ask for, really?
Flint and Tinder’s offerings have expanded to insulated outerwear, including this surprisingly solid quilted vest in a very tasteful off-green.
We’re not saying that you have to become a prospector upon purchasing Filson’s heavy-duty Down Cruiser. If you wanted to, though…
Real heads know that any gear from Japanese outdoor label Goldwin is unbeatable, and this Pertex Quantum Down Jacket (on sale, too) is no exception.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Puffer Jacket
Insulation: Puffer jackets are synonymous with down jackets, and for good reason: For years, the treated duck or geese feather insulation, which despite being impossibly lightweight also captures pockets of hot air to keep the wearer (or animal) warm, was the best and only method for creating such a coat. Down’s grade varies, enough so that the material demands its own ranking system to determine the “fill power.” In short, the ranking measures the effectiveness of the insulation’s heat retention.
While a high rating might not necessarily mean warmer, it does ensure that you’ll be getting the best weight for your insulation, versus a heavier and bulkier low-fill style, and it is typically preferred — a fact often reflected in price tags. In recent years, concerns over cruelty-free practices and sustainability have led to new insulation options that mirror down’s warming effects, often using wool or synthetic blends.
Material: Puffer jackets may be filled with down and the like, but their exterior and finish are just as important. Given down’s weakness to moisture, a seamless waterproof shell is paramount in wet conditions, and add-ons like shearling lining and reinforced nylon can greatly improve a puffer’s performance and longevity.
Price: Given the materials involved, you can expect puffer jackets to be an investment purchase. For down-filled styles, expect to pay at minimum few hundred dollars, with increases for premium technology like GORETEX.
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