The 11 Best Puffer Jackets, Tested by Style Editors

Over the past five winters, our Men’s Health team has tested more than 30 puffer jackets, but Patagonia’s famed Nano Puff has remained in heavy rotation. I’ve worn it on 30-degree holiday shopping runs, windy early-morning commutes, and even on a brisk fall hike when temps dipped fast. Every time, it keeps me warm without feeling like I’m being slow-cooked. Many synthetic insulations run hot and swampy, but the PrimaLoft Gold—the highest grade of synthetic insulation—stays surprisingly breathable. You get down-level warmth in a slimmer, more flexible package. And when I’ve been caught in abrupt showers or those misty drizzles, I didn’t turn into a cold sponge. The polyester ripstop shell shed moisture quickly, dried quicker than down, and kept its warmth.

The jacket’s lightweight build packs neatly into its own zippered pocket when you’re not using it to stash your phone, wallet, or trail bar. Its fit leans more on the slimmer side—skimming the body but still feels relaxed enough to layer over a chunky sweater without ballooning. The brick quilted pattern looks sharp and structured without making you like a stuffed marshmallow. We’ve used it as an insulating mid-layer for snow sports in Colorado or Vermont, and it didn’t feel stiff on the slopes when trying to carve or pick up speed.

If you’re looking for a “crossover” design that looks clean on the street but can also handle a trail day, this is it. Other than adding a hood (which is an option), there’s not much to tweak about its design. The price is a little up there, but between the brand reputation, weather resistance, sleek fit, durability, and reliable warmth—you’re investing in a puffer that won’t tap out after one winter.

Read More: Patagonia Nano Puff Review

Cotopaxi doesn’t shy away from bold styles with its outerwear. Take this vibrant, colorblock puffer jacket—you’re bound to stand out in it. The design offers the perfect balance of retro vibes mixed with today’s fit and technology. The durable water-resistant finish, 800-fill-power down, and scuba-style hood keep me warm and dry through gusty winds and those surprise showers. I’ve worn the Fuego on windy bluebird mornings in Central Park, on freezing wooded trails in the Catskills where the sun barely hits the ground, and even on my daily city commute when the temperature swings 40 degrees between subway stops.

This jacket is basically a walking flex for anyone who loves outdoor gear that can fit into their casual everyday outfits. Whether I’m in gym shorts or jeans and Chelsea boots, the classic fit layers over everything without riding up or bunching. The regular fit is roomy but not sloppy, allowing space to pile base layers and keep a polished profile.

On a weekend hike, I stuffed snacks, gloves, and my keys into the two hand pockets and the interior stash pocket without creating any weird bulging or lopsided weight. And when the afternoon warmed up, I just packed the whole thing into its own internal pocket and clipped it to my backpack. It’s one of those rare puffers that can keep up on the trail and look stylish, especially if you like a color-forward vibe on your coffee runs.

This reissue borrows features from the brand’s iconic 1936 Skyliner Jacket, blending vintage detailing with today’s technology. Think bomber jacket meets puffer jacket. It’s packed with 650-fill premium down insulation, which delivers enough heat to keep you toasty when the temps dip below 40 degrees. On a windy walk through downtown Seattle, our Grooming Editor Sean Zucker tightened the hem cinch chord to seal out those sideway drafts. The ribbed cuffs hug the wrist, so no icy gusts sneaked in at the sleeves. And he got hit with light showers, the StormRepel DWR finish—the brand’s proprietary water-repellent fabric—made sure he stayed dry.

Yeah, the fit runs bulkier than most puffers, but keep in mind—it’s meant to be oversized. When wearing it, Zucker never feels dragged down or as though he’s giving full Michelin Man energy. Surprisingly, it breathed well—he stayed warm without overheating during a snowy morning dog walk and even a slushy commute where the wind chill was brutal. The bronze color was a stand out, too, popping out against a sea of black and navy jackets around him. Storage-wise, it has pockets galore. Between the interior pockets and roomy exterior hand pockets, you can keep gloves, a beanie, a phone, a wallet and pack of hand warmers within reach without feeling like you’re a walking frig.

Previously the “Cerium LT Hoody,” Arc’teryx has trimmed down the name to just the “Cerium Hoody” but the performance hasn’t changed. This puffer is built for anything alpine—think chilly nights around the campfire, pre-dawn summit pushes, or winter climbs. During a windy morning ascent in the Rockies, the jacket’s 850-fill down paired with Coreloft synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas kept us toasty without overheating, even when breaking a sweat hiking steep switchbacks.

The jacket’s warmth-to-weight ratio is excellent. I could pack it into my daypack for a multi-day trek and barely notice it, then pull it out for a lunch break or summit photos and feel protected. It’s breathable enough to manage temperature swings, but warm enough that a brisk sit on a windy ridge didn’t chill me through. The only downside? The price—at $400, it’s premium but for hardcore adventurer who likes his technical gear, it’s worth every penny. It might be overkill, however, for casual adventurers who might do better (and save a little money) by looking elsewhere.

Winter season after winter season, our Senior Gear editor Ryan Brower is always impressed at how Outdoor Research’s puffer jacket holds up. In the hand, it’s light as a feather, so you’d think it could manage warmth for 50-60 degree weather. But he wore it on a ski trip in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and its high-loft down kept him warm and cozy, even as temps dipped well below the 30s. That’s because it’s made with 800-fill down insulation, which is more than enough for winter use, so he never felt the need to switch out to anything heavier.

The Pertex Quantum with Diamond Fuse, a techy shell fabric, feels delicate, but the structure keeps cold gusts from slicing through your layers. It wasn’t the most breathable puffer in our test pool, but Brower didn’t suffocate either—he just unzipped it when he needed extra air on long lift rides. No, the nylon ripstop fabric doesn’t have much stretch, but it wasn’t restricted when he reached for his poles or ducked into tight tree runs.

Despite all the tech packed in, you’ll barely notice it on your back. Since the left-hand pocket doubles as a stuff sack, Brower could easily cram it in his suitcase without taking up space. And the chest pocket came in handy for stashing his lift pass and AirPods, saving him from having to dig around in his pack.

Uniqlo has made a name for itself, creating timeless pieces that feel premium minus the high price tag. Enter the brand’s puffer jacket, which doesn’t swallow you, but has enough heft to block winds and shed light raindrops. I wore it on the way to the office one drizzly morning, and even as the rain started to pick up on my walk to the train, it didn’t soak through to my clothes. That’s because it’s made with special fabric construction—two layers woven together with no needle holes—makes it hard for wind and rain to sneak in.

And the gathered cuffs do a great job of keeping chilly gusts out of my sleeves. I wouldn’t recommend it for heavy downpour, but the polyester fabric is coated with a water-resistant agent to handle those abrupt showers. Plus, the hood serves as another layer of defense against the elements, keeping your head and hair dry.

During my commutes around the city, I realized how well the brand’s proprietary PUFFTECH insulation performed. It’s a synthetic insulation made of hollow, spring-shaped fibers that’s lightweight yet warm without the bulk. On colder commutes, I could feel the difference compared with other lightweight puffers I’ve worn; it trapped heat in the body while staying breathable during errand runs.

While it’s technically a parka, it doesn’t drop halfway down your thighs for extra coverage—it stops at the waist. That said, the relaxed fit gives plenty of room through the sleeves (perfect if you’ve got bigger arms) and across the chest, so layering thicker knits or a hoodie is no problem. And if you spill coffee or lunch on it, the jacket is hand-washable, so you can keep it looking fresh without needing to hit the cleaners.

It’s true that most down jackets run into the same issue of being too bulky. But Columbia quilted puffer breaks the mold. During mountain hikes in the northeast, the solar-boosted tech panels—which are multilayered black dots that act as heat magnets—absorb and trap warmth, while keeping us light and mobile. The slimmer cut of the jacket didn’t bunch when we were scrambling over rocks. As for the outer fabric coated with Omni-Shield protection—a water- and stain-repellent—it handled wind, light rain and even unexpected sleet like a champ.

What really impressed us was how packable it is. After a mid-hike coffee stop, we zipped it into its inner pocket and tossed it in a gym bag with room left to spare. It took a few tries to flatten the quilted panels just right, but once we got it, it transformed into a compact travel sack that could fit into our gym backpack or carry-on luggage. Between its exceptional insulation and weather resistance, it’s hands down one of the best we’ve seen for travel, outdoor adventure, and daily commuting.

The North Face brought back the classic 1996 design that helped elevate the San-Fran label from outdoor gear to high-end fashion. The feel is pillowy, almost like you’re wearing a sleeping bag, which trades a little mobility for extra warmth and cushioning. The down also creates a solid barrier against the wind, but it’s not the most water-resistant. No, your clothes underneath won’t get soaked, but it doesn’t offer the same level of protection as a fully waterproof jacket.

The timeless piece of outerwear option prioritizes comfort above all. But the real draw for our style editors is how iconic the design is. Once a reliable outdoor staple, it’s now dominating the wardrobes of influencers and trendsetters everywhere. Not to mention, it’s versatile enough to pair with almost anything. We’ve rocked it with hoodies and joggers as well as sweaters and jeans. While many guys gravitate to the standard two-tone versions, we’re partial to the black and bleach dye print contrast for that extra edge.

Despite being the lighter build of Fjallraven’s classic down jacket, this iteration is burly enough to weather sub-zero temps. Zucker has made great use of it during three consecutive winters where three blizzards hit the east coast. Thanks to the high-quality goose down insulation filled within the stitch-through construction, he found the piece holds up nicely during 20-degree days and blustery treks. He didn’t feel weighed down or shiver because the fit is roomy enough for a bunch of layers. Plus, its protective hood either does a bang-up job of keeping any gusts from creeping in and shooting down your spine.

The price tag is higher than most on the list, but its value is pretty substantial. You get wind- and water-resistance for excess armor, along with synthetic padding over shoulders to resist moisture and pressure. In total, there’s five pockets, but the ones on the front are super deep to carry your phone, wallet, winter gloves, or beanie. Also, the red colorway is just the right amount of bold to liven up gray skies and snowy landscapes, while making sure you stand out against the muted tones in the city or on the trail.

This puffer jacket has a clean aesthetic that looks sharp enough to pair with everyday, casual fits without clashing. It’s not too bold or overdone with cheesy branding. During freezing commutes and errands, it felt like wearing your favorite blanket (outside): soft, warm, and never restricting. Since it has superior warmth-to-weight ratio and high stretch, Men’s Health designer Jason Speakman stayed cozy through New York’s unpredictable weather of rain, sleet, and snow. Unlike Patagonia’s Nano Puff, the polyester fabric doesn’t have the strongest water-resistance, but the rain won’t drench your clothes underneath.

The standard cut allowed plenty of room for hoodies and thicker layers without looking sloppy. Looks-wise, it’s effortless: quilted smooth finish, minimalist branding, works just as well with a button-up and chinos as it does with a sweatsuit. The pockets were handy for storing gloves, a phone, or commuter essentials, which made it feel like a polished, everyday jacket that could double for casual outdoor adventures. It’s not as stylish as Cotopaxi, but it is far more affordable, making it a no-brainer if you want warmth, comfort, and versatility without dropping a load of cash.

When it comes to backcountry skiing or snowboard laps, Norrona’s puffer jacket is the perfect option. Testing it on icy peaks and high-speed runs, we found the articulated elbows gave full range of motion whether you’re craving turns or scaling icy peaks. The down insulation and brushed chin felt like heat-lockers, though we did need to unzip occasionally for some air.

Its durable water-repellent treated fabric prevented us from getting wet in unexpected flurries and light rain. The storm hood is helmet-compatible and fully adjustable, and the inner placket blocked cold spots perfectly. and handwarmer pockets with zipper closure, and you’ve got a tough number to handle the elements. We also have to point out that it’s a packable design that tucks neatly into its own pocket, which makes it easy to carry when it’s not in use.