Winter Will Be Here Before You Know It, Shop These Puffer Jackets Now (2024)

Winter Will Be Here Before You Know It, Shop These Puffer Jackets Now (1)

Come winter, leaving my duvet cover feels more difficult than ever. But because rolling out the house wrapped in said duvet might be frowned upon, I turn to puffer jackets for the same appeal. For anyone with a really low tolerance for the cold (hello, me), big down jackets will be your best friend. And if you needed any more convincing on their allure, celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski have crowned the puffer as the it-jacket of winter.

Where puffers are concerned, the styling options are endless. From long to cropped and form-fitting to oversized, the best puffer jacket for you will depend on the occasion and your preference. We spoke to style experts who have pulled some of their favorites along with styling tips and care instructions. We’ve also tested some of these options ourselves to bring to you the best puffer jackets in the market right now.

But for those interested in what else is out there, read on for the rest of our picks.

Best Overall

Aritzia Super Puff

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What We Love: It comes in a whopping 58 colors, a removable hoodie, and four different length options.

What We Don't Love: It’s quite dense, restricting your movement slightly.

I’ve had Aritzia’s super puff jacket on my wishlist for years, trying it on at stores over and over again and falling in love each time. Now with it in my possession (thank you, Aritzia, for kindly gifting me one), I can confidently say that it lives up to every expectation. To start, the water-repellent fabric can endure temperatures as low as -22 degrees fahrenheit (-30C), keeping you absolutely toasty on the inside even when it’s less so outside. The filling is made of responsibly sourced goose down, which compared to duck down is larger, fluffier, and provides more insulation. All of this does make it quite dense, though, which slightly restricts your movement. Opt for a larger size if you desire more wiggle room. Otherwise, zip up, leave the removable hoodie attached, and get cozy. With 58 colors and four different length options, you won’t have a hard time finding the look that best suits you.

Material: Nylon, elastane, goose down, goose feathers | Size range: 3XS-2XL | Color: 58

Best Budget

Daily Ritual Mock Neck Jacket

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What We Love: It has a wide size range and a relaxed fit.

What We Don't Love: The velvet versions are not waterproof and are therefore not ideal for all weather conditions.

For only $55, this jacket is surprisingly dense and warm. Not only does it look good, but it also shelters you from the harsh winter temperatures. As a straightforward, no frills puffer for anyone looking to have a simple everyday jacket, it’s a great budget friendly option that doesn’t skimp out on quality. It comes in 17 color options — just make sure you pay attention to the texture, too, because some have a smooth finish, while others a velvet texture. Reviewers do claim, though, that the velvet coats are not waterproof, unlike the traditional, smooth puffers, which they say does protect from some rainy weather.

Material: Polyester, nylon| Size range: XS-4XL | Color: 17

Best Splurge

Canada Goose Junction Parka

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What We Love: There are reflective webbings around the collar and hood for nighttime visibility.

What We Don’t Love: It’s only offered in light colors that show dirt quickly.

We think it’s safe to say that you can trust the Canadians when it comes to winter gear. Canada Goose did not become one of the world's leading luxury brands in performance apparel for no reason. It’s jackets like this that have earned its righteous spot as winter’s most reliable brand.

There’s nothing that wasn’t thought about at the drawing table here — this jacket features a removable hood, interior backpack straps to carry the jacket hands-free, rib-knit cuffs and a drawstring hem to lock in heat, and five total pockets on the interior and exterior. With a reflective light strip along the collar and added reinforcement in high abrasion areas, this parka can keep you safe and dry during all your winter activitIes, whether that’s tumbling — err we mean snowboarding — down the slopes or jogging through the city. In fact, it’s stuffed with responsibly sourced duck down at a 750 fill power, ensuring tons of warmth. The exterior is water-repellent, so you don’t have to worry about wet snow soiling it.

Despite its strong ability to keep you cozy (can be worn down to -4F/-20C), the jacket itself feels surprisingly lightweight. In other words, not only can you wear it as a fashionable everyday puffer jacket, but to the mountains on a ski trip as well, which is why we think it’s well worth the investment. However, white colors tend to show dirt quickly, and the other two offered hues aren’t all that different either. We wish it came in a standard black.

Material: Recycled nylon, duck down | Size range: XXS–XL | Color:3

Best Plus-Size

H&M Oversized Puffer Coat

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What We Love: The longer hem keeps more than just your upper body warm.

What We Don’t Love: On top of being oversized, the jacket runs large, so sizing down is recommended.

Who doesn’t love wrapping themselves in a big cozy coat that somewhat resembles the blanket you sleep in? Dropped shoulders, large sleeves, and a boxy cut bring the oversized fit to life, while a quilted woven fabric, drawstring hood, and two-way zip make it functional. Add on the two large cargo pockets in the front and you’ve really got a great all-around jacket. Thanks to its longer length, more than just your upper body gets to stay warm as well. For life in the city, this jacket has all you need. Is it warm enough for a winter trip into the mountains? Likely not, as it doesn’t have a lot of the features we just praised in the Canada Goose option, but for daily activity she is perfect. In addition to the oversized fit, the coat tends to run large, so consider sizing down.

Material: Polyester | Size range: L–4XL | Color: 1

Best Petite

Orolay Ultra Short Puffer Down Jacket

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What We Love: This cropped jacket leaves petite wearers cozy and chic, not bulky and uncomfortable.

What We Don’t Love: It doesn’t have a hoodie.

Associate commerce editor Emily Cieslak owns this exact jacket and confirmed that despite its warming capabilities, it’s impressively lightweight and packable. She also noted how the glossy finish helps to elevate the look. “I usually stay away from puffers because they make me feel like the Michelin tire man, but the cropped cut somehow works on my petite frame,” she says. “The sleeves are the perfect length and the coat doesn’t bulk me up.”

Not only does this jacket have a glossy finish, but a waterproof one as well. You can easily wear this under the rain and the surface will be impermeable to moisture. Which brings us to the question: why does it not come with a hood? Perhaps it’s more meant for the snow, which we don’t mind, as the jacket is properly insulated with duck down and feathers. Over the course of three years, this puffer has accompanied Cieslak on ski trips and nights out with no fail.

Material: Polyester, nylon, duck down, duck feathers | Size range: XS–XL | Color:3

Best Oversized

KYL Oversized Puffer Jacket

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What We Love: It comes in 15 trendy colors to choose from.

What We Don't Love: It arrives in an air compressed bag making the jacket look wrinkly out the box.

This oversized jacket is the ideal off-duty look to run your errands in. It has dropped shoulders and big sleeves to deliver that relaxed fit. Celebrity stylist Ashleigh Ashton owns and adores this piece. As someone who loves her neutral tones, she finds the color range adds a touch of color that brightens the gloomy winter days. For only $75, shoppers are pleasantly surprised at how high end it looks and feels. One complaint from reviewers: It comes in an air-compressed bag, leaving the jacket to look a little wrinkled. It’s possible you will need to steam it.

Material: Polyester | Size range: XS-L | Color: 15

Best Sherpa-Lined

Ebifin Sherpa Fleece-Lined Long Hooded Puffer Jacket

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What We Love: A button closure overlaps the zips so that less air can seep through.

What We Don’t Love: Reviewers say the zipper does not run smoothly.

City dwellers have a lot to love in this sherpa-lined jacket. Aside from the large selection of colors, the jacket offers a nice midi-length hem, a generously large hood (albeit no drawstrings), and a comfy sherpa interior to trap in heat. What we particularly love is the flap covering the front zip – it can be clasped shut so that no breeze seeps through the zips. Customers have commented, however, that the zipper can get stuck in its own ridges at times. It’s not the smoothest experience, but it didn’t hinder them from leaving a four or five star rating. It’s likely because they all agreed on one thing — this coat looks exactly as pictured in real life.

Material: Polyester | Size range: S–2XL | Color: 11

Best Long

UGG Keeley Long Puffer Coat

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What We Love: It’s machine-washable.

What We Don’t Love: She’s bulky and doesn’t pack well for travels.

Australian-label UGG doesn’t just make everyone’s favorite fluffy slippers but stellar winter apparel like this long puffer as well. There are several subtle yet noteworthy details, like the cinched-in waist or the buttons on the sides, that give this piece a little more edge. The most notable feature, however, is the fact that it can be machine-washed. And it doesn’t stop there! The exterior of the jacket is water-resistant, making it fit for light rainy days and snow. Internal pockets allow you to keep your valuables snug and safe from the harsh exterior world, and stitched in hand warmers keep any excess air out of the sleeves as well. Considering its sheer size, it’s not going to be the most travel-friendly jacket. She doesn’t pack well so you’ll have to wear it to any destination you are going to.

Material: Polyester, synthetic down (polyester) | Size range: XXS–XL | Color: 2

Best Short

Automet Cropped Puffer Jacket

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What We Love: The quality is surprisingly great, keeping you warm and lasting through years.

What We Don’t Love: It looks less cropped in real life than pictured.

Maybe short jackets aren’t as warm, but that’s precisely what makes them so likable in those moderate climates. And of course, their appeal lies in how stylish they look when paired with high-waisted jeans and pants. This option has an overwhelmingly positive set of reviews, many who echo that they were surprisingly pleased at the quality of the jacket. Those with larger chests were happy to find it not restrictive against their bodies either. Others, however, pointed out that the jacket looks less cropped in real life than pictured, falling just above the hip bones.

Material: Polyester | Size range: XS–XL | Color: 4

Best Hooded

Norma Kamali Hooded Sleeping Bag Jacket

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What We Love: The hood is extra large and has drawstrings.

What We Don’t Love: There are only two sizes offered.

Onto the most stylish item on the list, the Norma Kamali Hooded Sleeping Bag (you read that right) Jacket not only has a super cool large hoodie, but a wrap-closure, adjustable belt, and an oversized fit. It’s the kind of jacket that not only feels cozy and warm, but attracts endless amounts of compliments too. Besides the aesthetics, this jacket is crafted from two coats sewn together for impressive insulation. There aren’t a lot of sizes offered, seeing that extra small and small are bunched together into one size, and so are medium and large. The brand also recommends sizing down, due to its large cut. However, at least it means you won’t have any trouble layering your cozy knit sweaters without feeling like a stuffed sausage.

Material: Polyester, spandex | Size range: XS–L | Color:1

Best Packable

Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket

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What We Love: It comes with its own carry bag.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not waterproof.

I used to own the longer version of this jacket (okay, my mom did, but I wore it regularly), and it’s almost baffling how something so lightweight can bring so much warmth. While mine didn’t come with a handy bag to roll the jacket in, this one does. It’s relatively easy to squeeze the air out and make it as compact as needed, resulting in the perfect puffer to bring on your travels. It packs an impressive 750+ fill density with responsibly sourced down, which you would never guess seeing how it almost floats on your body. While it does have a water-repellent coating on it, think of it as only something you can wear when it drizzles.

Material: Nylon, down, polyester | Size range: XXS–XXL | Color: 11

Best Lightweight

Patagonia Women's Nano Puff Hoody

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What We Love: Despite its lightweight nature, this puffer packs in warmth and weather-resistance.

What We Don’t Love: It’s more suited for the adventurer than the average city-dweller.

As light as the Uniqlo option is, this one is a few feathers even lighter. The nano-puff, as Patagonia likes to call it, might be small but she surely is mighty. Not only is it abundantly warm with PrimaLoft insulation, but the exterior is windproof and water-resistant as well. Add in the fact that it's sustainably made using recycled materials and technology that reduces excess emissions, there’s really nothing not to love here. The hoodie and high-collar close around your face fully, protecting you from any winds and light rain. It’s maybe not the most stylish option for the city, but its lightweight nature makes it ideal to pack on an adventurous trip.

Material: Recycled polyester, primaloft | Size range: XXS–XXL | Color:8

Best Vegan

Everlane ReNew Long Puffer

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What We Love: The recycled Primaloft filling is both sustainable and insulating.

What We Don’t Love: She’s not necessarily lightweight.

Most puffer jackets are made of either duck or goose down, which in its nature is not vegan or always sustainable. Other brands opt for a synthetic down using polyester, which in return is not as warm. Everlane created this long puffer which is 100 percent filled with high-performance Primaloft insulation, which is made from recycled plastic bottles, checking off both warmth and sustainability in one go. Even the exterior was crafted using only recycled fabrics.

Everlane has worked to eliminate 90 percent of the virgin plastics used in their supply chain, constantly working towards a greener business. We love that style was never sacrificed in this mission, offering gorgeous pieces like this jacket that just make you feel good all around. Large pockets allow you to go purse-free, and a cozy mock neck and large hoodie keep everything toasty inside. Just be aware that the heavy-duty coat is not lightweight!

Material: Recycled fabrics, primaloft | Size range: XXS–XL | Color: 2

Best Cropped

Alo Yoga Orion Cropped Puffer

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What We Love: The elastic drawstrings on the hem allow you to block out the breeze.

What We Don't Love: It runs a little big, so size down if you’re in between sizes

Ending right at your waist, this cropped puffer features elastic drawstrings that help create a more snatched look (on top of blocking out the cold air) and elongated sleeves for a more luxe appeal. It even has a sherpa lining around the collar.Made of faux leather with a satin finish, this coat is one of Alo’s warmer offerings, despite it being cropped, so as long as you sport it with high waisted pants you are set to stay toasty. It does sit rather loosely around your body — a great feature for anyone interested in layering — but if you wish for a more snug look then we recommend sizing down.

Material: Faux leather | Size range: XS-L| Color: 2

Best for Warmth

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket

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What We Love: It comes with its own bag you can pack it into.

What We Don't Love: While it’s extremely warm, it’s not really wind resistant.

Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski crowned this classic the it-jacket for winter, and it’s got everyone else in a frenzy trying to get their hands on it. It comes with a removable hood and a pouch to pack it in for easy transport. It’s stuffed with 700 fill goose down and finished with a water-repellent coating. So long as the wind doesn’t blow too strong, the jacket will keep you nice and toasty with its high collar and zip up to your chin. For a jacket that will surely remain relevant for another few decades, it’s well worth the investment in our opinion.

Material: Recycled nylon, goose down | Size range: XS-3XL | Color: 7

Best Waterproof

lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Jacket

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What We Love: It comes in a range of unique colors you don’t typically find elsewhere.

What We Don't Love: The shoulder portion feels a bit tight.

While we all love our neutrals, finding a puffer that has a bit more oomph, like a fun color or unique details, can be difficult. Add in the need for it to be water-resistant and your options become meager. But this one from Lululemon conveniently has it all, including a wide hem that can be adjusted with drawstrings. Keep it loose when you want to wear thick layers underneath or tighten it around your hips to avoid the cold draft. The outer shell is both windproof and water-repellant, while the interior is filled with responsibly sourced 600-fill-power goose down. It also comes with a few less-obvious gems, like pockets in the lining, a removable hood, and a hidden phone sleeve. Just make sure to order your true size, as the shoulder portion is quite snug and could restrict your movement if you size down.

Material: Nylon, polyester, lycra elastane, grey goose down, goose feathers| Size range: 0-14 | Color: 8

What to Keep in Mind

Filling

Most puffer jackets have either duck or goose down filling. If you’re looking for a heavier, wind resistant jacket, opt for goose down, which is thicker with a higher fill power, providing more insulation and warmth. Our Best Overall pick, the Aritzia Super Puff is made with goose down. A lightweight jacket most likely will be filled with duck down. For instance, our Best Lightweight pick, the Ultra Light Jacket from Uniqlo is made from duck feathers.

For those who want to skip animal products, look for a polyester filling or Primaloft, which is made from recycled water bottles and is featured in the Everlane Renew Long Puffer.

Weather Resistance

Fall, winter, and spring are no strangers to wet days, so naturally you are going to want a weather-resistant jacket. While most puffers will come with some type of water-resistant technology, we encourage you to check the product description before making a purchase. There are three tiers to look out for: water-resistant, water-repellent, and waterproof, ranging from least to most protective. Water-resistant jackets, like the Ugg Keeley Long Puffer Coat,can block water intrusion to some degree, but it is not a promise, whereas water-repellent coats (think: Lululemon Wonder Puff Cropped Jacket ) will keep water from penetrating during a rain, but avoid big downpours. Anything labeled as waterproof is invincible to water.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you style a puffer jacket?

This will depend on the cut of the jacket. A cropped puffer will suit high waisted pants, skirts, and dresses. Stylist Kara Fabella would “pair it with a floral or abstract patterned maxi dress, like the ones from Ganni.” A mid-length puffer, like the classic North Face one, looks phenomenal with denim jeans, a warm beanie, and combat boots. For a more elevated look, Ashton would style it with “knee high boots and some statement earrings.”

When it comes to long puffers, the most important accessory to consider are the shoes. “I love to juxtapose the more casual and voluminous silhouette of a long puffer jacket with structured trousers, a turtleneck cable-knit top, retro shades, and chunky boots or stiletto boots depending on the occasion," says Fabella.

How do you repair a puffer jacket?

Getting caught by a thorny bush and ripping your precious puffer is no fun spiel, but it happens. Lucky for you, down patches exist — although they mostly come in neutral colors, with some offering blue and green options. Before jumping to patching it up, first things first, make sure to keep as much of the down in place as possible. Lay the jacket flat on a table and hold one of these patches down on top. Press down firmly for a few seconds and it’ll stick.

How do you wash a puffer jacket?

Each jacket will come with its own wash instructions, but the general consensus is to avoid machine washing. If the exterior gets dirty, spot clean with a wet cloth or bring it to a dry cleaner. Since there is usually a layer of clothes between your jacket and your skin, the interior remains quite clean. Although we advise against it, if you wash it in a laundry machine, make sure to do so with cold water.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer for InStyle with two years of experience covering fashion and lifestyle products. Her personal style is very laid back, featuring tons of oversized jackets and pants. In order to write this article, she consulted stylists and fashion consultants (Ashleigh Ashton, Kara Fabella, Michaela Leitz) to get an insider scoop on what to consider, where to shop, and how to style different puffer jackets.

Winter Will Be Here Before You Know It, Shop These Puffer Jackets Now (2024)
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