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Just about everyone these days is sporting a packable down jacket. Even where I live, in the gloom and mist of rain jacket country in the Pacific Northwest, puffer jackets have taken over. And the brands producing them — Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx, Big Agnes, Fjallraven, Cotopaxi, Rab, REI, Patagonia, and more — are some of the biggest names in outdoor apparel. But with so many seemingly similar options to choose from, how do you know which are actually warm, and which are about aesthetics only? I put a dozen of the best packable down jackets to the test to see which would come out on top for warmth, weight, and packability across a variety of conditions.
↓ Jump to How I Tested the Best Packable Down Jackets
Best Overall: Big Agnes Women’s Luna Jacket/Men’s Shovelhead (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Best Value: REI Magma 850 (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Best Lightweight: Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Most Eco-Friendly: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Lightest: Crazy Levity (Men’s)
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Best Warranty: Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Best Budget: Eddie Bauer Stratustherm Down Jacket (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Katabatic Gear Tincup (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Helly Hansen Odin Everdown (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Outdoor Research Transcendent Down (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket (Men’s)
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Mammut Broad Peak (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Norrona Trollveggen Superlight Down Hood (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie (Men’s) (Women’s)
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Best Packable Down Jackets: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Big Agnes Women’s Luna Jacket/Men’s Shovelhead
Pros
- Warm enough for cold-weather camping
- Great features like a visor and thumbholes
- Excellent hood coverage
- One of the least expensive down jackets in my test
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- A larger packed size
- Heavier than other picks on this list
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s XS-XL, women’s XS-L
- Weight: 13 ounces
- Fill: 6 ounces at 700 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Excellent
- Packed Down: Large
- Durability: Great
Sure, I want a packable down jacket to weigh as little as possible and pack down small. But more than anything else, I want my packable down jacket to keep me warm. The Big Agnes Luna is not a midlayer for summer hiking at elevation, but a puffer stuffed with down that will keep you warm at an alpine camp when the temps drop. Even better, it’s got enough oomph to head out on snowy overnights.
I’ve been wearing the Big Agnes Luna (the women’s version of this jacket, the men’s version is called the Shovelhead) for over a year, and after testing out the competition, it’s staying in my rotation permanently. It’s not my first choice for ultralight backpacking (that’d be the Crazy Levity) or a backup layer for midsummer camping (go with the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer or Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket), but it’s what I grab for just about anything else. Autumn neighborhood strolls with the family: Luna. Winter backpacking trips: Luna. Shoulder season camping trips: Luna. I know it will keep me toasty warm in all those conditions and that’s the peace of mind I want.
My favorite detail about the Big Agnes Luna and Shovelhead is just how much down they packed in there. Even though it’s using a lower grade fill power than other packable down jackets on this list, it’s simply using so much of it (6 ounces) that it’s blowing the competition out of the water for warmth potential. In fact, it has so much down stuffed into it, that I suspect it’s not able to maximize the lofting potential of the 700 fill power, because there simply isn’t room for all of it to loft fully. But in truth I see that as a plus. It means that I don’t have to worry about losing warmth with every inevitable wisp of down poking through the shell layer. There’s plenty more inside.
The details of the Big Agnes Luna and Shovelhead are also among my favorites of any puffer jacket I’ve looked at. The hood is extremely generous, which I love on days when the wind is kicking up and I want to shield the side of my face. The thumbholes on the sleeves are perfect for when I want a bit of extra warmth for my hands.
While the Big Agnes Luna performed perfectly in the cold room test, it struggled with the water resistance testing. While the down retained its loft no matter what I threw at it (the sheer quantity of water-repellent down coming into play here), the fabric itself absorbed, and passed through, a significant amount of water. I suspect what’s going on here is that the sheer amount of use this puffer jacket has gotten has caused its water-repellent finish to completely wear off. The finish here is made from a PFOS and PFOA-free formula. While much better for the environment and human health, it may need to be refreshed more often.
Best Value: REI Magma 850
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Very warm
- Very durable
- Great price
Cons
- Short warranty (1 year)
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-3X, women’s: XS-3X
- Weight: 9.5 ounces (women’s medium)
- Fill: Unknown fill weight
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Excellent
The REI Magma provides great warmth at a great price, making it a shoe-in as my best value pick. And that’s with my accidentally testing the non-hooded version of this jacket. My body was warm; my head was cold. Don’t make my mistake — get the version with the hood.
In addition to having a cinch cord at the waist, I also liked that this jacket had three zip pockets: two at the waist and one at the left chest. This last pocket, in particular, had great depth to it, making it more versatile than a simple pocket for your phone.
Durability testing is where the REI Magma 850 really shone. It was one of the few packable down jackets I’ve tested to look virtually unscathed after both rounds of testing. If you’re hard on your gear, this is an excellent choice.
While the REI Magma 850 scored high for warmth, I was disappointed not to see a fill weight spec for this jacket. (REI also declined to provide this when queried directly.) This was especially disappointing because REI has become a leading force in standardizing other metrics, such as R value, and they even explain the importance of having both fill power and fill weight specifications in their useful explainer, What Is Down Fill Power.
Best Lightweight: Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Very light
- Durable
- Warm enough for the alpine and shoulder season
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- A little noisier than I was expecting
- Cuff can get a little damp
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s S-3X,
- Weight: 7.5 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 2.6 ounces at 850 fill power
- Down: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
The Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket has become my go-to choice for backpacking. It ticks all the boxes for the UL set: It’s lightweight, even lighter than the ubiquitous Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. It’s warm, not enough for winter, but for everywhere the regular backpacking season will take you. You also get great coverage. No cold air sneaks in unnecessarily at the hem or the hood. And it’s pretty dang durable, especially for its weight. It didn’t emerge from my testing unscathed, but it also didn’t need to be repaired. I haven’t done any more damage to it while backpacking, which is further testament to its longevity as I’m plenty hard on my gear.
The only thing that might cause you pause about the Kuiu Super Down is that it makes a strange crinkly sound, which is especially odd for a hunting brand. If you’re sensitive to sounds like that (i.e., if you are kept up at night by a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite on the other side of the campground), then go with a different pick on this list.
Best Eco-Friendly: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket
Pros
- 90 percent of the jacket is made from recycled materials
- Affordably priced
- Small packed size
- Wide range of available sizes
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not as warm as other packable down jackets
- Somewhat heavy
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s XXS-XXL, women’s XXS-XXL
- Weight: 14.6 ounces
- Fill: 5.1 ounces at 700 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Fair
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
Not only does the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket have impressive environmental bonafides compared to other packable down jackets, it has impressive bonafides compared to just about any piece of outdoor gear. A full 90 percent of this jacket is made from recycled materials. Not 90 percent of the shell material; 90 percent of the entire jacket. That is beyond impressive.
In addition to using 100 percent recycled material for the shell material, Rab also uses 100 percent recycled down for the fill with the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket. The recycled down comes from duvets, pillows, and old down sleeping bags and jackets (you can even get a free label to recycle directly with Rab if you are in the UK). Rab is also a certified Climate Neutral Company. And they’ve achieved all this without an increase in price—the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket was one of the more affordable options I looked at.
Unfortunately, there were some performance issues. Despite being treated with a hydrophobic wash, the down matted during my test of the cuffs. When I left a quarter cup of water on top of the jacket, it all soaked through the Pertex shell in two hours—one of the worst performances in my test. That being said, the skin feel of the material is excellent—as long as you are careful not to leave it in a puddle of water, most people will be satisfied with its performance.
The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket also struggled during the cold-room test. I was fairly cold while wearing this jacket alone at a temperature range of 39 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep this one on hand for summer camping and shoulder season errands, but if you need some serious performance out of your packable down jacket, other options on this list will serve you better.
Lightest: Crazy Levity
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Extremely lightweight
- Shockingly warm for its weight
- Packs down tiny
Cons
- Not durable
- Expensive
- Only one pocket
- Women’s sizes not available
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s S-XL, women’s XS-L
- Weight: 6.1 ounces (manufacturer specs: 5.4 ounces)
- Fill: 2.4 ounces at 950 fill power
- Certification: Downpass
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Extra small
- Durability: Poor
If you only own one packable down jacket, it should not be the Crazy Levity. This jacket has very little water resistance and is the least durable packable down jacket I tested. I actually ended up cutting my test short, only dragging it across a rough paved surface with 7.5 pounds of weight on top of it (all the other down jackets were subjected to 10 pounds).
But if you own two packable down jackets, I’d seriously think about this one. It is crazy light. The lightest down jacket I tested by an ounce, and still plenty warm. I would take this one out on all but the coldest of winter days in the Pacific Northwest.
Crazy got the Levity this light through a few different tricks. The first is to use extremely high fill power down: in the 950 to 1,000 fill power range. That means that they were able to achieve the same amount of loft with fewer ounces — in the case of the size I tested, only 2.4 ounces worth of down. They also eschewed the traditional baffles in favor of small ovals glued at regular intervals. In my experience (going on a few years now with this jacket), this is enough to keep the down evenly without needing to shake it out. Finally, they dumped all the pockets but one, a zipped pocket on the inside of the jacket.
The other crazy thing about this jacket is the price. Very few ultralighters will see this as an effective way to shed weight from their kit. But if you’ll do anything to cut a few ounces from your baseweight, the Crazy Levity is the best option available.
Read the full review: Crazy Levity: Can a Super Ultralight Puffer Actually Keep You Warm?
Best Warranty: Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Outstanding warranty
- Warm
- Fairly durable
Cons
- Not a standout in any category
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: XS-3X, women’s: XXS-XXL
- Weight: 12.1 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: Down weight not available
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody is a solid packable down jacket that will serve most people in most scenarios just fine. It scored high (if not in the top category) for both durability and warmth, and was as packable as you’d expect it to be from looking at it. It’s a great, if not excellent down jacket, at a reasonable price. I would caution you away from this one if you run especially cold, or if you tend to be unusually tough on your gear, as there are better picks in both the warmth and durability categories than this.
Patagonia, along with Arc’teryx, Cotopaxi, and REI, was one of the companies that declined to share with me how much down they are using in their down jackets. From a transparency perspective, this is disappointing, as fill power specs alone do not tell you how much loft a down jacket possesses.
Where Patagonia does shine is in their warranty policy. While most warranties come with a long list of caveats that can make their practical use questionable, Patagonia truly stands behind their gear for the long haul. It’s tough these days to find a true buy-it-for-life down jacket, but at least with this pick you’ll only need to pay once.
Best Budget: Eddie Bauer Stratustherm Down Jacket
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive
- Durable
Cons
- Not all that warm
- Doesn’t pack down all that well
- Not a great warranty
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-XXL, women’s: XS-XXL
- Weight: 10.8 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 3.5 ounces at 650 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Large
- Durability: Excellent
I was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Eddie Bauer Stratustherm Down Jacket. It’s half the price of the other down jackets that I looked at and held its own fairly well in testing. It wasn’t the warmest jacket, and it didn’t pack down especially well for a down jacket. But it was surprisingly durable, which I appreciated, and it wasn’t particularly heavy. This might not be the right choice for backpackers, but day hikers will not be burdened by putting this into their hiking backpack.
Aesthetically, I could have done without the snap buttons, which were cumbersome and did not add anything to the warmth of the jacket. The fit was also surprisingly baggy, which may be a pro or a con for you depending on your body type. Finally, at one year, this had one of the shortest warranties in my test.
Katabatic Gear Tincup
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Warm
- Affordable
- Durable exterior
Cons
- Less packable than others that I looked at
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-XXL, women’s: S-XXL
- Weight: 11.1 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 4.7 ounces at 850 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Large
- Durability: Fair
I was stoked to hear that the same company that brought us one of the best ultralight quilts was getting into the down jacket game. And one of their first forays into this space didn’t disappoint. The Katabatic Gear Tincup is lightweight and warm enough for active winter pursuits. Unfortunately, the durability test turned out to be a mixed bag, with the Tincup flying through the blackberry portion with flying colors, but picking up a noticeable tear in its fabric during the weighted scrape test.
As much as I like the Tincup, though, it’s not quite at the level of some of the picks on this list. Grab this one if you find a good sale on it, or if you want to support a US-based ultralight brand that is doing some really interesting and innovative things for that community. Just be careful of scrapes
Cotopaxi Fuego
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Colorful
- Gives back to charity
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not a high-performing packable down jacket
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: XS-3X, women’s: XXS-3X
- Weight: 11.7 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: No fill weight available
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
The Cotopaxi Fuego is probably the most ubiquitous down jacket out there, thanks in large part to its pretty, varied colors and reputation as a company that’s committed to giving back. Unfortunately, during testing I found it to be a fairly lackluster packable down jacket. While its durability is solid (great, given that it has a lifetime warranty), it wasn’t a particularly warm jacket compared to others that I tested. Because Cotopaxi declined to share with me the weight of the down they use in their jackets (providing only the fill power spec), I was unable to determine if a lack of down is the cause, versus something in the design of the jacket creating unnecessary cold spots. Regardless, if you are someone who is looking for a packable down jacket because you are cold, this isn’t your best bet.
If you’re someone who is looking to support a company that gives back to the natural environment and outdoor community, you can also consider Patagonia, which is a warmer jacket and has a similar commitment to donating 1 percent for the environment.
But the colors? Well, you’ve got me there. The Cotopaxi colorways are really different and they look great — I appreciate a brand that doesn’t mind having a little flair. Hopefully other makes of packable down jackets will take note and start providing us with some more interesting options.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Great warmth to weight to price ratio
- Great weather resistance (although the down is not treated with a hydrophobic wash)
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other picks on this list
- Not warm enough for shoulder season or winter backpacking
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
- Weight: 7.8 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 2.9 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packs Down: Small
- Durability: Poor
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is something of a mainstay among backpackers. Most of us have owned this coat at least once, and when we’re evaluating a potential new insulative layer, it’s what we’re comparing it against.
After testing some of the best packable down jackets from other top brands, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is still one of the best options for backpackers there is. It’s very lightweight—in my test, the only thing lighter than it was the Crazy Levity. It’s surprisingly warm for that weight, too, keeping me comfortably warm during the freezer test.
The cuffs of the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 have some synthetic fill to prevent them from wetting out. Most backpackers have experienced the cuff of their down jacket poking out from underneath their rain shell on bad-weather days, and inevitably getting wet. After fully submerging the Ghost Whisperer cuffs in water, I shook them dry and they lofted perfectly. The only sign that they were wet, in fact, was the thin strip of fabric running around the inside, which held more moisture than anything else.
The rest of the jacket was so effective at repelling moisture, in fact, that it was completely dry on the underside after two hours with a quarter cup of water sitting against the back. Still, be careful to keep this one under one of the best backpacking rain jackets when you’re out in the backcountry: The down is not treated with a hydrophobic wash.
I also liked the coverage on the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2. The small size easily covered my unusually long (19 inches) torso, and the hood wrapped comfortably around my face, providing plenty of coverage around my neck and jawline. If you’re looking for a lightweight insulative layer to get you through chilly mornings and evenings in the alpine, this is an excellent choice.
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
Pros
- Very warm for its weight
- Great water resistance
- Good range of sizes
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s XS-XXXL, women’s: XXS-XXL
- Weight: 10.2 ounces for a women’s medium
- Fill: 2.6 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
Arc’teryx is known for making premium outdoors products at a premium price, and their Cerium Hoody was no exception. It was noticeably warmer during testing than the Crazy Levity, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2, and the Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket while only weighing a couple ounces more. It also had an excellent performance during the water resistance test, with the cuffs only matting slightly when fully submerged in water. Only a slight amount of moisture soaked through when I left a quarter cup of water on the back for two hours.
But, it is more expensive than everything but the Crazy Levity. If you’re looking for more warmth than backpacking standards like the Ghost Whisperer provide but don’t want the bulk of a winter-weight puffer like the Big Agnes Luna, then the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody may be the middle ground you are looking for.
Helly Hansen Odin Everdown
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Effective insulator right out of the gate
- Unique look with no baffles
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Mens: S-XXL, women’s: XS-XL
- Weight: 9.1 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: Fill weight not available
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Small
- Durability: Good
This is one of the more unique packable down jackets I’ve tested. Instead of using baffles to keep the down evenly distributed throughout the jacket, the Everdown is using a blend of polyester and down called Thindown. That means that, like synthetic puffer jackets, the fill here is a sheet (called batting) rather than loose fill; so it doesn’t need baffles. Unlike synthetic puffer jackets, it has a pretty good warmth to weight ratio. While I wasn’t exactly warm while wearing this coat during my test, I also wasn’t cold. And the Everdown is surprisingly lightweight, only a few ounces heavier than lightweight picks like the Kuiu Super Down and Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. However, all of this is introduced with the caveat that I do not know how much down is in this jacket exactly, only that the down used in the blend is 800 to 850 fill power down. So while I have doubts that Thindown is truly twice as warm as traditional down fill, as their marketing copy claims, I am comparing apples to oranges.
One thing I noticed while wearing the Helly Hansen Everdown is that it doesn’t puff up like traditional packable down jackets. Rather than start out my testing protocol feeling a little chilly and then gradually warming as more and more of my body heat was trapped inside the down jacket, I found that this jacket started out a certain warmth and stayed that way. Whether or not that is a pro or con is an individual consideration, but it may change your layering strategy in the backcountry.
A minor nitpick on the Helly Hansen Everdown is that the waist pockets don’t have zippers; in fact, there aren’t any zip pockets anywhere on this jacket. That’s annoying if you like to keep your phone in the pocket (I tested this and it will absolutely fall out with little effort) but also unnecessarily introduces a cold spot into the jacket’s design, as there is no Thindown batting inside of the pocket itself.
Durability is less of a concern with a packable down jacket that can’t leak feathers. That being said, I found that while the fabric caught and tore on blackberry brambles more easily than I would like, it held its own overall with nothing that I felt would need repair after testing. Finally, there is the price. This is an unusually expensive jacket, only second to my best ultralight pick. It may be worth a look if you’ve been burned by down escaping from your gear one too many times in the past. Everyone else should choose something else on this list.
Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoodie
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Affordable price
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not the warmest
- Not the lightest
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-3X, women’s: XS-3X
- Weight: 11 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 3.9 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Good
The Transcendent Down Hoodie is an affordable, quality entry into the packable down jacket space. It was reasonably warm, and reasonably light. Only the durability test held surprises, with the Transcendent being one of the only packable down jackets to emerge from the weighted scraped test completely unscathed. The same could not be said for the blackberry bramble test, however, where it picked up multiple marks. In the end, this option doesn’t stand out from the competition, but it also didn’t fall short in any category.
Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie
Pros
- Very warm
- Affordably priced
Cons
- Not as water resistant as others that I looked at
- Boxy silhouette
- Heavy
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s XS-XXL, women’s XXS-XL
- Weight: 17.8 ounces for a women’s medium
- Fill: 3.5 ounces at 700 fill power
- Down Certification: Down Promise
Test Results
- Warmth: Excellent
- Packed Down: Large
- Durability: Good
After a couple of packable down jackets had left me shivering during the testing period, I decided it was time to break out the heaviest option in the arsenal, the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie, for a change of pace. I was not disappointed. The jacket was warm from the moment I put it on and only got warmer as time went on. At the end of the testing period, I felt I would have happily stayed in the cold room even longer. In addition to being plenty warm, the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie is also affordably priced (only the Big Agnes Luna/Shovelhead was less).
The downside to the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie is that it is heavy and bulky, noticeably more so than the Big Agnes Luna that I tested while only providing marginally more warmth. It wouldn’t be my first choice for a backpacking trip, including in winter, for that reason. I also found that it had a fairly boxy silhouette, which is neither as flattering or as efficient an insulator as more streamlined options.
One detail that I really appreciated about the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie was the fleece around the neck hole of the jacket. During the winter months I often pull the cowl in as close as I can to keep my mouth and nose from getting cold, which can lead to not insignificant moisture buildup. The addition of a touch of fleece there will help ensure that it stays comfortable even after getting a little damp.
Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket
Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Warm
- Soft shell material is both durable and comfortable
- Great hood coverage
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Runs short
- Expensive
- Not PFAS-free
- No women’s sizes available
Key Features
- Available Sizes: S-3X
- Weight: 11.8 ounces for a men’s small
- Fill: 5.3 ounces at 850 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Excellent
- Packed Down: Large
- Durability: Great
Let’s get the bad out of the way first: the Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket is, for now, only available in a men’s fit. And as an only moderately curvy woman, I can report that the men’s fit does not fit correctly. I was able to evaluate its overall warmth using the same testing protocol as in the rest of this test, but for general comfort and coverage I used a male tester, Adam Tycaster.
Tycaster, who wore the Stone Glacier Grumman as part of the 2024 annual backpacking gear test reported that it was one of the more comfortable down jackets he has used. That’s in large part thanks to the Pertex shell, but Tycaster also appreciated the slight bungie around the hood that helped keep out drafts in the evening hours. My testing showed and Tycaster confirmed that this packable down jacket is very warm, one of the warmest that I tested.
There are a couple of other issues with the Stone Glacier Grumman, however. The lesser of these is that it is short-waisted. This wasn’t a problem for Tycaster, who is himself short-waisted, but if you have a longer torso, you may find that you are missing some of the coverage you’ve come to expect. The larger issue is that the Grumman is still using PFAS in its shell. Stone Glacier states on their website that this is because the jacket is intended for “severe wet weather conditions” — which is allowed under current regulations. However, we are talking about a down jacket. No one is expecting a down jacket to handle “severe wet weather conditions.” That’s what a rain jacket is for. We are expecting our down jackets, however, to not unnecessarily contribute to pollution of the natural world, including deer and ducks, which the continued use of PFAS in outdoor gear does.
Mammut Broad Peak
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Very warm
- Good packed size for its warmth
- Fleece lining at the top of the zipper
Cons
- A little pricey
- Got a little scraped up during the durability test
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-3X, women’s: XS-XL
- Weight: 12.3 ounces for a women’s medium
- Fill: 4.1 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Great
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Good
The Mammut Broad Peak is a solid jacket that provides great warmth while still being very packable. During testing, I was toasty right out of the gate, and continued to warm up for several minutes. I especially appreciated the fleece lining at the top of the zipper, which felt comfortable against the lower half of my face when I had the Broad Peak completely dialed in. On the durability test, it performed fine, if not outstanding, picking up some noticeable scrapes in both portions, but with no down trying to escape. The downside here is that this packable down jacket is a little pricier than other picks on this list. Pick this one up if you find it on sale.
Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket
Pros
- Great water resistance
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not quite as warm as other picks on this list
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
- Weight: 8 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 2.1 ounces at 900 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Extra small
- Durability: Great
If you’re planning a fast-and-light trek that’s going to put all your gear to the test, then take a close look at the Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket. During testing it showed excellent water resistance, very near on par with the Outdoor Research Helium Down—at half the weight. It packs down very small, thanks to its 900 fill power it packed down smaller than anything else I looked at.
It wasn’t quite as warm as the other backpacking-ready packable down jackets I looked at, like the Crazy Levity or Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2, but you’re not really planning to hang around camp, or even really take any breaks at all right? This is the puffer you want on hand when you hit the ridge and a wall of wind (mixed with mist) blasts you in the face. Just throw this on and keep moving until you’re warmed back up. When it’s time to remove this layer again, you’ll barely notice the weight or volume it takes up in your bag.
Norrona Trollveggen Superlight Down Hood
Photo by Laura Lancaster
Pros
- Lightweight
- Packs down very small
- Solid midlayer
Cons
- Not all that warm
- Poor durability
- Expensive
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s: S-XL, women’s: XS-L
- Weight: 7.3 ounces for a women’s small (no hood)
- Fill: 2.5 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Good
- Packed Down: Extra small
- Durability: Fair
First, a caveat: I tested a hoodless version of this packable down jacket, but that’s not what I’m recommending here. Any conditions that you’re out in that call for a down jacket, also call for keeping your head covered, and a down hood is simply the lightest and most effective way to do this. There are aesthetic reasons, maybe, to go for a hoodless jacket, but I’m not recommending them here.
The Noronna Trollveggen Superlight Down Hood was one of the only packable down jackets I tested that would be best classified as a midlayer. It’s not really meant to keep you warm on its own, but it can enhance an existing system. Functionally, midlayers remind me of fleeces: They’re what I grab when it’s not all that cold outside. That means I typically spend less time making sure I’m grabbing the right jacket when I’m choosing a midlayer, at least compared to packable down jackets for truly cold conditions. While the Noronna Trollveggen was impressively lightweight, I ultimately found that its challenges with warmth and durability didn’t justify its unusually high price tag. During testing, it caught and showed some damage during the blackberry portion of the test and suffered several holes that will need to be repaired during the weighted scrape test.
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
Pros
- Most water resistant packable down jacket I tested
- Extra durable waterproof material on the hood and shoulders
- Great range of sizes available
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy
- Not as warm as other options I looked at
Key Features
- Available Sizes: Men’s S-XXXL, women’s XS-4X
- Weight: 15.4 ounces for a women’s small
- Fill: 2.6 ounces at 800 fill power
- Down Certification: RDS
Test Results
- Warmth: Fair
- Packed Down: Medium
- Durability: Great
If you tend to be pretty hard on your gear then you’ve probably been avoiding packable down jackets. Delicate nylon shells with even more delicate down can spell big trouble if you find yourself plowing through soggy brush. One tear (and they are pretty easy to tear) and the guts of the whole thing—hundreds of dollars of down—go flying everywhere. Worse, at the first hint of moisture, down starts to mat, losing its insulative properties. Forget your shell layer and you’re screwed.
If that sounds like you, then you should consider the Outdoor Research Down Helium Hoodie. It was the outright winner of my water resistance testing, with no water penetrating through the jacket after two hours. Impressive stuff. The water was sitting at the intersection of the Pertex Quantum fabric (the majority of the shell) and the Quantum Shield with Diamond Fuse fabric. This fabric, which is located at the hood and shoulders, is both significantly more durable than typical packable down jacket shells and actually waterproof: a major asset if an unexpected storm kicks up.
The downside to this jacket is twofold: It wasn’t particularly warm compared to other options I tested, and it’s fairly heavy. Grab this one if you’ll be working up a light sweat in a cool rain.
How I Evaluated the Warmth of the Best Packable Down Jackets
To ensure consistency across three separate rounds of testing, I spent five minutes in each down jacket in a walk-in refrigerator.
There was no wind chill, sudden sunbreaks, or constant low humidity to avoid skewing apparent temperature versus actual. While in the refrigerator I considered hood coverage, how effective the drawcords were at keeping out drafts, as well as the comfort and effectiveness of the elastic at the cuffs.
| Down Jacket | Buy It | Buy It | Price | Down Fill Power | Down Weight | Down Volume | Overall Warmth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody | M’s | W’s | $400 | 850 fp | N/A | N/A | Great |
| Big Agnes Luna | M’s | W’s | $270 | 700 fp | 6 oz | 65 L | Excellent |
| Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket | M’s | W’s | $300 | 800 fp | N/A | N/A | Good |
| Crazy Levity | M’s | N/A | $650 | 950 fp | 2.4 oz | 35 L | Great |
| Eddie Bauer Stratustherm Down Jacket | M’s | W’s | $150 | 650 fp | 3.5 oz | 35 L | Good |
| Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie | M’s | W’s | $275 | 700 fp | 3.5 oz | 38 L | Excellent |
| Katabatic Gear Tincup | M’s | W’s | $300 | 850 fp | 4.7 oz | 62 L | Great |
| Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket | M’s | W’s | $320 | 850 fp | 2.6 oz | 34 L | Great |
| Mammut Broad Peak | M’s | W’s | $349 | 800 fp | 4.1 oz | 51 L | Great |
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hoody | M’s | W’s | $360 | 800 fp | 2.9 oz | 36 L | Great |
| Norrona Trollveggen Superlight Down Hood | M’s | W’s | $430 | 850 fp | 2.5 oz | 33 L | Good |
| Helly Hansen Odin Everdown | M’s | W’s | $450 | 800 fp | N/A | N/A | Good |
| Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie | M’s | W’s | $300 | 800 fp | 2.6 oz | 32 L | Fair |
| Outdoor Research Transcendent Down | M’s | W’s | $280 | 800 fp | 3.9 oz | 48 L | Good |
| Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody | M’s | W’s | $330 | 800 fp | N/A | N/A | Great |
| Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket | M’s | W’s | $300 | 700 fp | 5.1 oz | 55 L | Fair |
| Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket | M’s | W’s | $390 | 900 fp | 2.1 oz | 29 L | Good |
| REI Magma 850 | M’s | W’s | $240 | 850 fp | N/A | N/A | Great |
| Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket | M’s | N/A | $350 | 850 fp | 5.3 oz | 70 L | Excellent |
How I Evaluated the Weight, Durability, and Packed Size of the Best Packable Down Jackets
I independently evaluated the weight, durability, and packed size of each packable down jacket in my test.
Weight
I started by weighing each packable down jacket, which was, in most cases, a women’s size small.
Durability
I ran each packable down jacket through two durability tests designed to mimic real-world scenarios that can damage the shell material. The first was running the sleeves against an Oregon Grape bush and a Himalayan Blackberry bush. I noted both whether the fabric caught against the plants and whether it damaged the fabric noticeably when I pulled away. The next test was designed to mimic brushing up against a rough surface, such as a rock outcropping. I took the packable down jackets over to a paved parking lot and chose a rough looking section of pavement.
I placed each down jacket backside down and then placed a 2.5 pound weight on top of it. I then dragged the jacket across the length of a parking stall. I repeated the test three more times, adding 2.5 pound weights each time. At the end of the test, I evaluated how much damage (if any) had been done to each jacket. Jackets that looked untouched were rated Excellent. Those with little damage were rated Great. Any jackets with some scrapes but no concern about the down falling out were rated Good. Those where there was active concern about the down falling out were rated fair. Finally, the packable down jackets that had down actively falling out of them or where I stopped the test early due to the extent of damage occurring were rated Poor.
Packed Size
I evaluated the packed size of each packable down jacket by attempting to stuff each into its own pocket. While several of the options I tested came with separate stuff sacks, I did not consider these when testing. In my experience.
These are virtually impossible to keep track of in the din of daily life, and I suspect that few individuals end up using them beyond the initial few outings. And the pocket stuff method works fine. The smallest down jackets were rated extra small, while the largest were rated large. Everything else was assessed as small or medium depending on how close they were to either end of the spectrum.
| Down Jacket | Buy It | Buy It | Price | Weight | Durability | Packed Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody | M’s | W’s | $400 | 10.2 oz | Great | Medium |
| Big Agnes Luna | M’s | W’s | $270 | 13 oz | Great | Large |
| Cotopaxi Fuego Down Hooded Jacket | M’s | W’s | $300 | 11.7 oz | Great | Medium |
| Crazy Levity | M’s | N/A | $650 | 6.1 oz | Poor | Extra Small |
| Eddie Bauer Stratustherm Down Jacket | M’s | W’s | $150 | 10.8 oz | Excellent | Large |
| Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie | M’s | W’s | $275 | 17.8 oz | Good | Large |
| Katabatic Gear Tincup | M’s | W’s | $300 | 11.2 oz | Fair | Large |
| Kuiu Super Down LT Hooded Jacket | M’s | W’s | $320 | 7.5 oz | Great | Medium |
| Mammut Broad Peak | M’s | W’s | $349 | 12.3 oz | Good | Medium |
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hoody | M’s | W’s | $360 | 7.8 oz | Poor | Small |
| Norrona Trollveggen Superlight Down Hood | M’s | W’s | $430 | 7.3 oz | Fair | Extra Small |
| Helly Hansen Odin Everdown | M’s | W’s | $450 | 9.1 oz | Good | Small |
| Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie | M’s | W’s | $300 | 15.4 oz | Great | Medium |
| Outdoor Research Transcendent Down | M’s | W’s | $280 | 11.0 oz | Good | Medium |
| Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody | M’s | W’s | $330 | 12.1 oz | Great | Medium |
| Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket | M’s | W’s | $300 | 14.6 oz | Great | Medium |
| Rab Mythic Alpine Light Jacket | M’s | W’s | $390 | 8 oz | Great | Extra Small |
| REI Magma 850 (non-hooded) | M’s | W’s | $240 | 9.5 oz | Excellent | Medium |
| Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket | M’s | N/A | $350 | 11.8 oz | Great | Large |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Packable Down Jacket
Warmth of the Best Packable Down Jackets
The primary purpose of a packable down jacket is to keep you warm when you’ve got it on, but be lightweight and compact when you’re not. Unfortunately, too many people focus on light weight or — worse — slim silhouettes over actual warmth. If you’re depending on a packable down jacket to actually keep you warm at the summit of your next hike, then you need it to puff up properly. I’ve rated the packable down jackets in my test on relative warmth to help give a sense of which ones are better for colder weather versus high exertion activities.
Read Next: The Best Winter Jackets for Extreme Cold
Fill Volume of the Best Packable Down Jackets
Don’t be duped by manufacturers advertising 850 fill power or something similar. Fill power refers to how much volume an ounce of down would fill. So all this is telling you is that a brand is using a somewhat lighter down than a jacket that has 700 fill power down. What you really want to know is how much of that down they are using out of the total weight of the jacket. Even better would be a calculation of the net volume of down, as that would give you a better picture of the projected warmth of a given jacket.
Hood of the Best Packable Down Jackets
If you are looking to pick up a packable down jacket as a casual layer for mild temperatures, it’s fine to do without a hood. But if this layer is going to be essential protection against cold and generally nasty weather then you absolutely want a hood. This is a marginal weight, price, and packability difference that will contribute massively to heat conservation.
Durability of the Best Packable Down Jackets
There was a wide range in the durability of the best packable down jackets I tested, with some of the lightweight options proving surprisingly robust, and big-ticket items that were surprisingly fragile. If you are hard on your gear, then take careful note of this metric before making a purchase.
Price of the Best Packable Down Jackets
No doubt about it, down jackets are expensive. Even the budget pick here is well over $150. While you can find bargain basement prices on down jackets from no-name Amazon or Temu retailers, these are less likely to use high fill power goose or duck down. That means that they will either be heavier and less packable than you are expecting, or they will keep you less warm. If having a quality product is important to you, wait until you can afford a proper packable down jacket from one of the manufacturers we recommend above.
RDS Certification of the Best Packable Down Jackets
High fill power down jackets should have a responsible down standard (RDS) certification, or similar. This ensures that no live plucking or force-feeding occurred for the high fill power downs that require mature geese for harvest.
FAQs
Despite the ubiquity of both the Cotopaxi Fuego and Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, my testing showed that Big Agnes, known for their cozy sleeping bags, makes the best packable down jacket.
Some packable down jackets are really warm, but not all. Unfortunately, fill power alone is not a helpful tool for determining the warmth of a packable down jacket. My testing compared the warmth of several packable down jackets side by side to determine which are actually warm enough for the winter months. The two warmest from my testing were the Big Agnes Luna and the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie.
The insulation in down jackets is composed of goose or duck down. Puffer jackets may use down in their insulation, or they may use synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulation is typically much less expensive than down. However, the highest grade synthetic insulation only provides about as much warmth for the same weight as the lowest grade down insulation. If packability and weight are your most important consideration, go with a down jacket. If cost is your most important consideration, go with a synthetic puffer jacket.
Final Thoughts on the Best Packable Down Jackets
Whereas high-quality packable down jackets were once the purview of mountaineers, backpackers, and backpack hunters, more and more people are discovering their incredible warmth-to-weight potential. After years of trying out different models of packable down jackets, I tested models from eight of the biggest brands for this story, including Outdoor Research, Cotopaxi, Arc’teryx, Rab, Big Agnes, Crazy, and Mountain Hardwear. I was impressed by all of them, but a few really shone through and are now my go-to staples for everything from trips to the grocery store to overnights in the alpine.
- Lightest: Crazy Levity (Men’s)