The 20 Best Puffer Jackets For a Toasty 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Alo Yoga Aspen Love Puffer Jacket

View On Aloyoga.com

Alo Yoga’s jackets have been a favorite amongst InStyle editors. There was much to love about this jacket, but it all came down to its versatility. We wore this jacket in temperatures as cold as 35 degrees and it kept us perfectly cozy. A surprise on our part, considering how lightweight the jacket was. The filling is made of a vegan down alternative, and yet it had no trouble keeping the cold out. 

We also liked that the hood is removable. It’s quite large, so it did a great job at protecting our entire heads and necks. And on the flip side, we liked that we could remove it on sunny days. This oversized aesthetic could be found throughout the boxy fit of the jacket. We ordered a size small and found it delightfully relaxed without looking bulky. We could have our full range of motion, even with thick layers like crewnecks and sweatshirts underneath. 

The interior was also surprisingly soft, and although it lacked pockets in the lining, the two zippered exterior pockets made of for it. We find ourselves repeatedly wearing this jacket on hikes, commuting, walking our pup, and running errands in the city — it’s truly a great everyday puffer jacket. 

Material: Polyester ripstop, down alternative | Size: XS–L | Colors: 5

Best Budget

Amazon Essentials Mock Neck Jacket

View On Amazon $72

We didn’t get around to testing this jacket (the only one in this list not tested), but considering its affordability and the rave reviews, we thought it was worth a spot on this list. Then under-$60 find is a straightforward, no-frills puffer that's perfect for everyday. It's dense and warm, offering ample shelter from the harsh winter temperatures. 

Reviewers from Canada have even offered a stamp of approval, having said it kept them warm in 14-degree weather. Many other reviewers echo how the quality of the jacket is for its price. While it doesn’t have a hood and the sleeves felt a tad short on people with long arms, they all seem to agree that it's a classic puffer style with great functionality in most cold climates.

Material: Polyester | Size: XS–4XL | Colors: 17

Best Splurge-Worthy

Canada Goose Garnet Cropped Puffer

View On Canadagoose.com View On Farfetch.com $1,595

This, on the other hand, was pretty luxurious. Every feature felt first-rate, from the soft and grippy zippers to the cozy and warm fabric wrist gaiters. The exterior is also waterproof, a feature we inadvertently tested during a sudden downpour. The filling provided an impressive amount of warmth, we would have never guessed it was below freezing with this on. The brand’s claim that one can wear it in temperatures as low as 5 degrees held up well, and somehow, it managed to not look ridiculously puffy. Instead, it looked sleek and minimal while packing maximum heat. 

We even learned that it travels well — after packing it into a suitcase for a long travel day, it came out looking crisp and wrinkle-free. Its surprisingly lightweight nature also lent a hand in its portability. There are backpack straps inside the jacket that allowed us to let the jacket hang off our back without needing to hand carry it. We know $1,500-plus is a considerable investment, but we do believe it’s a one-and-done, once-in-a-lifetime piece.

Material: Pima cotton, responsibly sourced down, feathers | Size: 2XS–XL | Colors: 2

Best Plus-Size

Girlfriend Collective Long Recycled Puffer

View On Girlfriend.com

We tested the cropped version of this jacket, but seeing that it’s almost sold out, we’re highlighting its equally stylish long counterpart instead. The first thing to call out is that it’s a great winter jacket for everyday. It is not, however, the jacket you want to bring to Aspen. If below-freezing temperatures are in your plans, then resort back to the Canada Goose options we previously mentioned.

We adored this jacket for running errands and days out in town. The zip goes all the way up the mock neck, covering everything except the face with the hood up. It came with two zippered side pockets as well as one internal chest pocket, all of which were fleece-lined and oh-so-toasty for the hands. And, the eco-conscious label impressively created this jacket with 100 percent recycled materials and no animal products. Factor in the super wide size range (up to 6XL), we really could not have asked for more. 

Material: Recycled polyethylene terephthalate, spandex, recycled plastic bottles | Size: XXS–6XL | Colors: 5

Best Petite

L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Puffer Hooded Jacket

View On L.L.Bean $119

L.L.Bean lets you choose between a regular, petite, and a plus size cut on this jacket. The petite measures 25 inches from the neckline to the hem, compared to 26 inches on the regular. As you can see, it’s a slimmer jacket than the others we tested. We also noticed that it’s much more lightweight, making it easier to pack and bring on trips. With the zipper closed all the way, it was very insulating. Worn open, it was super breathable, so we deemed it the perfect puffer jacket for hiking, running, and cold-weather adventures. 

We also noticed that the slim fit doesn’t leave much room for layering. While fitted sweaters and shirts can go underneath, crewnecks and hoodies were too bulky for the jacket. We could, however, wear this jacket layered under another more oversized puffer jacket — something we imagine will come in handy at a ski resort. 

Material: Polyester, recycled polyester | Size: Regular, petite, plus, XXS–2XL | Colors: 2

Best Short

Alo Yoga Gold Rush Puffer

View On Aloyoga.com View On Shopbop.com $198 View On Bloomingdales $198

Short jackets are a stylish way to cozy up in the winter without looking like the Michelin man. While it does mean less coverage and therefore less warmth overall, we found that the parts that the jacket did cover were extremely toasty.  

Where style is concerned, this jacket wins — it looked (and therefore we felt) great while running errands or heading to the yoga studio, paired with any athleisure outfit. But it doesn't only look good. The exterior is water-repellant, making it practical, too. You’ll still need an umbrella since it has no hood, but the high collar protected our necks from strong winds. Fit-wise, it wasn't too bulky and the arm length was just right. We kept our phones in the inside pocket, which we found quite handy. Overall, we found it to be a great choice for trend-focused people who are more concerned about style than warmth. 

Material: Recycled ripstop, nylon | Size: XS–L | Colors: 5

Best Midi

Everlane ReNew Long Puffer

View On Everlane.com $278

Just by holding this jacket in our hands, we could already tell that the cold stood no chance – it almost felt like a weighted blanket. When we wore it, it was indeed impermeable, though this also meant it was not very breathable. In other words, those living in cold and windy climates – like, say, Chicago – would truly benefit from this pick. 

We also particularly loved the big cargo pockets on the front. We could easily step out of the house without a purse, stuffing our pockets with our wallets, phones, snacks, and a dog leash instead. The hidden drawstring around the waist offered a little shape as well. It isn’t, however, waterproof. While we didn’t get soaked immediately when stepping into Seattle’s sprinkling rain, after about an hour the jacket was drenched and took hours to air-dry completely.

Material: Recycled polyester | Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 3

Best Long

Quince Responsible Down Puffer Vest

View On Quince.com

Anyone truly fearing the cold would appreciate this long puffer from Quince. It was puffy yet lightweight — almost airy — which was surprising given the warmth it offered in the late fall when we tested it. Still, we feel confident it would keep one cozy through the harsher months of winter, such as January and February, just as it did in November.

It had all we could imagine in a long puffer jacket — thumb holes, an interior breast pocket, a luxurious exterior, a removable hood, a high collar, and buttons on the left and right of the hem to open the jacket up for mobility. 

Material: Recycled polyester, nylon, responsible goose down, goose feathers | Size: XS–XL | Colors: 5

Best for Ski

Halfdays Wheeler Parka

View On Halfdays.com

Have a ski trip planned? You won’t want to go there without this parka. It’s packed with PrimaLoft Thermoplume fill, which will keep you warm in temperatures down to negative 30 degrees. With a hood that completely wraps around your face and large lapel collars that can be buttoned around the neck, there’s no chance for the winter wind to reach your skin. We wore this to the gym with nothing underneath except a sports bra, and we were very warm. But don’t get us wrong, it’s definitely roomy enough for thick sweaters. It's so spacious that if you wanted to, you could size it down for a more fitted look. 

A downside was that the pockets didn’t zip. While there is a little flap covering the pocket opening, we would be careful not to place any valuables in it if you’re using it to ski. 

Material: Recycled nylon, recycled polyester, PrimaLoft filling | Size: XS–2XL | Colors: 3

Best Retro

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket

View On Nordstrom $231 View On The North Face View On Dick's

Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski crowned this classic the It jacket for winter, and it had everyone else in a frenzy trying to get their hands on it — including us, of course, and here are our two cents on it. 

The first thing we noticed was how warm and comfortable the jacket was. Despite being filled with dense goose down, it’s quite lightweight and breathable — a masterful combination that’s hard to achieve in jackets. And despite its bulkiness, we still exercised a full range of motion. Other features include velcro cuffs, an adjustable bungee cord at the hem, and a removable hood that can be tucked away in a roomy interior pocket. But it's worth noting that the hood is not puffy like the rest of the jacket, and we found it to look a little silly. Still, the beloved North Face label did not disappoint, giving us a sleek jacket that will prove useful for years to come.

Material: Recycled nylon ripstop | Size: XXS–3XL | Colors: 8

Best Lightweight

On Challenger Jacket

View On On-running.com View On Bloomingdales $450

Appearances may be deceiving here, but trust us: this is the lightest puffer jacket we’ve ever tried. It’s like wearing a cloud, but that’s not to say it’s not insulating. Quite to the contrary, we wore it in temperatures down to 30 degrees and were surprised at how toasty we felt in the jacket’s embrace. We particularly loved the length of the jacket, as it was neither too short nor too long. It made it easy to layer hoodies underneath without anything poking out from the bottom. 

Speaking of hoods, there's one with a reflective lining on it, which can be found on the chest as well. The hem has a drawstring cord on it which helped to block out some more of that wind. And of course, it’s pocket-galore on this jacket, with an interior zipper chest pocket, interior mesh pockets, and exterior zippered hand pockets. There’s also a neoprene thumb hole, which is always appreciated, and a unique air vent in the back that unzips down the spine to reveal a mesh panel for breathability. So, perhaps needless to say, we were impressed with how much thought and care went into creating this jacket, delivering quality in material and features all the same. 

Material: Polyamide, elastane | Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 1

Best Everyday

Eddie Bauer Altamira Down Parka

View On Amazon View On Eddiebauer.com

As our favorite everyday piece, we wanted to pick something lightweight, warm, and movement-friendly (and of course, cute). The Eddie Bauer parka checked off all of the boxes. The quilted jacket is quite long, almost reaching our five-foot-seven tester’s knees, with the back running a little longer than the front. A drawstring helped to bring some definition to the waist.

We could comfortably wear this without freezing or overheating in brisk weather. Because of its lightweight properties, we were able to complete some yard work (raking leaves) while wearing the jacket and didn't have any discomfort or restrictions in movement. 

Material: Down, nylon | Size: XS–XXL | Colors: 6

Best Down

Triple Fat Goose Brenay Puffer Coat

View On Triplefatgoose.com

We can’t emphasize enough how warm this jacket is. The 750 goose-down fill power makes it practically impervious to wind. The zipped pockets and the interior lining have a soft felt fabric that adds to its comfort as well. 

Although oversized jackets provide more coverage, this shorter hem feels more clean-cut and stylish. Rather than looking like a blanket burrito, we were able to look put together in this coat without sacrificing warmth. The zipper goes all the way up to the chin, and when the drawstrings around the detachable hood are tightly pulled, we can completely cover our heads with little to no wind passing through.

Material: Goose down, nylon | Size: XS–3XL | Colors: 2

Best Waterproof

Aritzia Super Puff

View On Aritzia.com

On any given day, you’ll find the commuters at the InStyle office decked out in the Aritzia Super Puff jacket. Some, like myself, have the classic Super Puff. Others have the cinched Super Alps Puff (which is nearly sold out). Here, though, we also want to highlight the waterproof Super Puff, which comes highly recommended by New York City-based digital creator and stylist Michelle Blashka. The exterior of this jacket is waterproof to protect the goose down filling from getting soaked, weighing you down, and ultimately making you cold. And yet, it’s deceivingly lightweight, despite plenty of puff, making this number a surprisingly easy piece to travel with.

It's also incredibly insulating. I’ve worn this piece snowboarding in Canada and stayed delightfully toasty through the snow and winds. Others who have tested also share a love for the fleece-lined pockets — something that’s not only cozy for the hands but adds an extra layer of fabric protection around our phones (which notoriously die in freezing weather). 

Material: Responsibly sourced goose down, polyamide, polyurethane, nylon, elastane | Size: 3XS–2XL | Colors: 15

Best Value

Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket

View On Uniqlo.com

The Uniqlo Ultra Light Down jacket hits a trifecta of perks, which include quality, price, and warmth, which is why it’s a favorite for Blashka as well. As a bonus, it's travel-friendly, given its light weight and the packing pouch included.

We were blown away that a jacket for under $100 could be so soft and insulating. Despite its ultra-thin design, we sweated while wearing it on mild winter days in New York. The pouch it comes with makes it really easy to travel with; it became so small that it fit into a larger purse. When we unpacked it again, it didn’t come out wrinkled or deflated. We did notice, however, some feathers poking out of the seams in some locations. 

Material: Nylon, down, polyester | Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 8

Best Fleece-Lined

Ugg Cropped Puffer Jacket

View On Amazon $198 View On Ugg.com $198

What’s on the inside is just as important as what’s on the outside, which is why we love this fleece-lined jacket for maximum cozy points. The knitted interior can be found in the hood and pockets as well, making it an all-around comfortable experience. It runs a little large, however, so if you want it to feel more snug we recommend sizing it down.

More than just a warm embrace, the material was evidently high-quality. It never snagged, ripped, or frayed even when our dog jumped on us. The zipper glided smoothly and the puff never deflated. Although it’s a little too bulky for high-intensity activities (like running), it’s been the perfect jacket for running errands in the city.

Material: Nylon, polyester, synthetic down | Size: XXS–XL | Colors: 1

Best Colorful

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket

View On Amazon $295 View On Cotopaxi.com $295 View On REI $110

Ditch the black coat and opt for something colorful, like this piece from Cotopaxi that has a range of fun bright hues to choose from. We picked the Maritime/Raspberry version, and somehow, it lifted our moods every time we put it on. Beyond just cute, however, we were blown away by the jacket's functionality. 

It’s light as a feather and can be rolled into a tiny pouch, making it easy to throw into a backpack without adding weight. It protected us against winds in cold temperatures — we would go so far as to say it’s warmer than some of our usual (and heavier) coats we’ve been wearing on the daily. It has a water-resistant fabric, adjustable drawcord at the hem, and elastic binding at the hood and cuffs. In other words, it stayed put and didn’t flail around as we ran. Swedish winter sport influencer Ebba Forsgren says she frequently takes these kinds of puffers as base layers under even bigger puffers when she’s snow-trekking in the mountains in extremely cold conditions. 

Material: Responsibly sourced down, nylon | Size: XXS–3XL | Colors: 13

Best Hood

Helly Hansen Tundra Down Coat

View On Backcountry.com View On Zappos $327 View On Hellyhansen.com

This is for anyone living in climates where the winters are frequently in the below-freezing range. Wearing this long coat felt like wrapping ourselves in a big blanket before stepping out in the cold. We were able to wear it to soccer games where standing outside for long hours was unavoidable, and it properly kept us snug. The generously sized hood consumed our heads, while the puffy collar protected our necks from the wind. Make no mistake, however, the Helly Hansen coat is very lightweight — it felt as though there was no weight on our shoulders. 

It has a slightly interesting design, however, with an asymmetrical closure that wraps onto the left side a little and stops three-quarters of the way down. This wasn’t a feature we particularly loved, especially since the zipper was difficult to align and hook (seriously, sometimes we had to awkwardly stand there for a few minutes just trying to get the zips to hook). It took some getting used to, but soon enough we got good at handling the closure of this jacket. 

Material: Polyester, polyamide, duck down, duck feathers | Size: XS–XL | Colors: 5

Best Hiking

Lolë Emeline Down Jacket

View On Nordstrom $159 View On Lolelife.com

Heading to the mountains? You’ll want something light, breathable, and movement-friendly, and this jacket from Lolë is all of the above. We found this jacket most comfortable in temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees — it’s not thick enough for anything below and it’s too insulating for anything above. 

It's super lightweight, which makes it ideal for traveling and hiking. Because it’s a little oversized, it allowed for our full range of motion. We liked the little scrunch in the back which gave the jacket a little figure. There were also two very deep inner and outer pockets, big enough to fit all of our hiking essentials (minus a water bottle). If it got too hot, we could easily fold the feather-like garment up and place it in a backpack without it taking up much space or feeling heavy. 

Material: Nylon, polyester, down | Size: XXS–XXL | Colors: 15