How do you know if a puffer jacket is warm enough?
A quality down jacket should be 600 or higher. The higher the number, the better the fill power rating, which essentially amounts to a greater loft, which in turn translates to more warmth. If your jacket uses down that has a lower fill power rating, it could be one reason why you're feeling colder when wearing it.
Some down-filled jackets are warmer than others, though, and this is determined by the fill power and the total amount of down used in the jacket – the higher the number, the warmer the jacket.
Puffer jackets are often very lightweight, despite being very warm (with the down-filled jackets weighing a little more, so keep that in mind). Compared to wool or leather, puffer jackets provide the unique combination of both warmth and lightness.
A true beauty to keep you warm and cozy. That being said, there's no better way to bundle-up during the frigid temperatures than a puffer jacket. The reason being is that the puffers are quilted and insulated with down feathers or synthetic alternatives that help trap the heat of your own body to keep you toasty warm.
One way to determine the quality of down is to look at its fill power. Ranging from about 450 to 900, fill power is the volume in cubic inches that one ounce of the down fills up; higher quality down lofts to a higher volume, so a higher spec number indicates warmer down.
Temperatures below 10 degrees
A wool-lined coat like a puffer jacket or a winter coat would be ideal for these conditions.
While a heavy puffer jacket or parka would be overkill on a 50-degree day, you'll likely still want a lightweight jacket option, like a Nike bomber jacket, to wear as an outer layer.
The bottom line is, if your jacket isn't as warm as you had hoped, the simplest explanation could be because it isn't using down as an insulator.
Puffer Jacket Insulation
Both are fairly lightweight, but not all methods of insulation will provide the same level of warmth. Generally speaking, a down-filled jacket will be warmer, yet synthetic down can be very comparable if the manufacturer knows a good bit about how insulation works.
Recently increased restrictions due to the pandemic had resulted in many venturing outdoors much more than ever before, which gave way to skyrocketing sales of puffer jackets, trainers, and techy clothing.
Are puffer jackets OK for snow?
Everyone wants to know, can I wear my puffer jacket at the snow? The short answer is yes.
The North Face All-Weather Outerwear
You can be a trail blazer with our lightweight ThermoBall™ jackets; these hooded puffer winter coats can keep you moving on cold forest trails. Remember to pair it with an equally lightweight hiking pack for your trip.
700 fill down features a strong warmth-to-weight ratio and provides lightweight insulation across a range of temperatures.
When should you wear a down jacket? Down is very warm and should be worn in below freezing temperatures, however in some cases down can be seen as a less ethical clothing choice.
For example, a jacket with 6 ounces of 800-fill down will be substantially warmer than a jacket with 3 ounces of 800-fill down—that's double the amount of insulation of the same quality. But if you are comparing 6 ounces of 600-fill down against 3 ounces of 900-fill down, the calculation becomes trickier.
Perfectly Cozy
It's time to invest in a short puffer jacket and/or vest that you love—both are ideal for your early morning coffee run, chilly office hours, and evening adventures. Look for options that don't look too gear-y, so that you'll actually wear them.
I found it to be perfect for me in the 40-degree range, specifically for this awkward time of the year when it's technically “spring” but it's still not warm enough to bust out the jean jacket and linens. (I'm sure that will be the case in the fall, too.)
So when it comes to puff vs. non-puff, what is the warmest jacket? While the true answer is subjective, most signs point towards puffer jackets as the superior clothing item for combating cold weather. Their synthetic insulation and lightweight build mean you'll stay dry, light, and absolutely cozy.
Winter jacket: Less than 25 degrees. Light to medium coat: 25 to 44 degrees. Fleece: 45 to 64 degrees. Short sleeves: 65 to 79 degrees.
Do I need a jacket for 60 degrees? Start with a foundation layer such as a tank or tee. Add a light weight sweater, denim jacket, blazer, sweatshirt, wind breaker, or trench coat. For bottoms go with leggings, long pants, or capris.
What kind of coat do you need for 40 degree weather?
While 40-degree weather doesn't call for a super thick jacket, you'll want to keep a light jacket or coat nearby. However, you don't want just any jacket. You'll want to look for ones that provide some sort of insulation. Insulating jackets are typically lined with either fleece, wool, or faux fur.
It's really quite a subjective thing, although one of the most popular brands for puffer jackets is surely The North Face. Their blend of a minimalist chic design with smart technical construction means that they're equally equipped for a walk through the city to a hike through the mountains.
When you are trying to store your puffer jacket you should avoid keeping it stored in a bag, or any compressed state, for too long. This can lead to it becoming flattened and it may negatively impact the down inside.
You can certainly tumble dry your puffer jacket, but just make sure that you set your dryer to a delicate or low heat setting. However, it is always a good idea to read the label on your puffer jacket just in case.
Fleece jackets are better suited as fall layers, while puffer jackets are preferred in the coldest months of the year. There are some exceptions, however.
Our down jackets provide the most warmth for your cold-weather trips. Whether it's our Men's Corefire Down Jacket or our Men's 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, the high-loft puffer jacket style allows the most heat to be trapped and retained by your body. PrimaLoft synthetic insulation offers a lightweight, warm solution.
Puffer jackets are usually heavier than down jackets. The down traps air between their fibres, creating a layer of insulation keeps you warm. Down jackets are also compressible and packable, making them a great choice for travel! However, at Columbia, you can find lightweight puffer jackets, too.
When purchasing a high quality down fill jacket, you should look for a fill power rating of at least 550. A quality jacket of this caliber will be both warmer and more comfortable.
Most of the warmest jackets fall into the parka category, though you'll also see some puffer jackets with similar sub-zero capabilities. Parkas are often designed for the most extreme cold weather conditions, and they can pull off feats of warmth thanks to multi-layer constructions with thick insulation.
Temperatures below 10 degrees
Freezing cold! An in-between coat or leather jacket is definitely not warm enough for these kinds of temperatures. Comfy, warm coats, that's what we want during these cold months. A wool-lined coat like a puffer jacket or a winter coat would be ideal for these conditions.
What body type is a puffer jacket to be worn on?
Selecting the right jacket for your body
If you are curvy or have an apple body shape, the top part of your body is heavier – so balance it out with a jacket of a longer length. If you have an hourglass body type, then a puffer vest is best – you just need to layer it with a sweater.
Puffer jackets are usually heavier than down jackets. The down traps air between their fibres, creating a layer of insulation keeps you warm. Down jackets are also compressible and packable, making them a great choice for travel! However, at Columbia, you can find lightweight puffer jackets, too.
Give your puffer coat a more romantic vibe by pairing it with a warm wool or knit midi skirt. For extra chilly days, add knee-high boots and tights for a look that proves the utilitarian jacket can look extra chic. Keep your look balanced by styling pieces with contrasting silhouettes together.
Padded jackets by themselves are fairly warm. These jackets (along with your layers) can withstand temperatures up to -5 degrees. Having said that, if you compare the warmth to weight ratio, down jackets are the clear winner.
Several factors contribute to the higher price tag of North Face products: Quality and Durability: The North Face places a strong emphasis on product quality and durability. They use high-quality materials and construction techniques to ensure that their products can withstand challenging outdoor conditions.
Most of the warmest jackets fall into the parka category, though you'll also see some puffer jackets with similar sub-zero capabilities. Parkas are often designed for the most extreme cold weather conditions, and they can pull off feats of warmth thanks to multi-layer constructions with thick insulation.
But how did they become a wardrobe essential? When The North Face first released their Nuptse puffer jacket, it was intended for mountain exploration. City dwellers, rappers and dog-walkers quickly adopted the versatile jacket into urban street style, admiring it's versatility.
For example, 1 ounce of 800-fill-power down will loft to 800 cubic inches, 1 ounce of 700-fill-power down will loft to 700 cubic inches, etc. Loftier down gets the highest ratings, and it's the warmest, lightest, and most compressible. For outdoor gear, the heart of the down fill power range is from around 500 to 900.
HIGHER FILL POWER DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WARMER
A higher fill power number doesn't automatically mean a jacket will be warmer, as quantity is still an important factor.
A 650 down fill jacket with 330g of down may be as warm as an 800 down fill jacket with only 120g, but the 650 fill jacket will be bigger, heavier and take up more room when stuffed in your pack.
Is a 600 down fill jacket warm?
600 fill down is warm, lightweight and durable. Ideal for general outdoor and day-to-day use.
They're both rated to 20°, but the 700-fill bag will have used less down insulation to get there. So, with all other things being equal, that bag will be lighter than the one with 500 fill.
Puffer jackets have long been a popular jacket option for fall and winter; they're lightweight, extra insulating, typically very comfortable, and even fashionable.
Temperatures below 10 degrees
Freezing cold! An in-between coat or leather jacket is definitely not warm enough for these kinds of temperatures. Comfy, warm coats, that's what we want during these cold months. A wool-lined coat like a puffer jacket or a winter coat would be ideal for these conditions.
Remember, fill power is the quality of the down, not the quantity. If all jackets only ever had 1 oz of down, then yes, an 800 fill jacket would be warmer than a 650 fill, because the 800 will be loftier, and trap more air. But every model of jacket is designed with different amounts of down.
That being said, there's no better way to bundle-up during the frigid temperatures than a puffer jacket. The reason being is that the puffers are quilted and insulated with down feathers or synthetic alternatives that help trap the heat of your own body to keep you toasty warm.
A higher down fill rating doesn't necessarily mean one jacket will be warmer than another. The down fill rating number is a measurement of down quality, meaning the cubic inches of loft one ounce of the specific down produces. A higher rating means less down fill is required to capture the same amount of heat.
So when it comes to puff vs. non-puff, what is the warmest jacket? While the true answer is subjective, most signs point towards puffer jackets as the superior clothing item for combating cold weather. Their synthetic insulation and lightweight build mean you'll stay dry, light, and absolutely cozy.
A 650 down fill jacket with 330g of down may be as warm as an 800 down fill jacket with only 120g, but the 650 fill jacket will be bigger, heavier and take up more room when stuffed in your pack.
It can be used in below-freezing temperatures with no problem. That depends on the type of 650 downfill jacket. The answer is yes for all lightweight jackets that are meant for colder-than-normal conditions, but no for the heavier fabrics and jackets that are intended to be warmer.
Is 600 fill down warm?
600 fill down is warm, lightweight and durable. Ideal for general outdoor and day-to-day use.
Understanding fill power numbers
A higher number means the down takes up more space and is capable of trapping more air. As an example, our Epiq Down Jackets are filled with 600 fill power down – so in the above test, one ounce of this down takes up 600 cubic inches of space.
The 650-fill-power, RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down makes the jacket reasonably warm for its weight, and warm enough for most people in temps in the 40s Fahrenheit over a base layer.
700 fill down features a strong warmth-to-weight ratio and provides lightweight insulation across a range of temperatures.
COMPARING FILL POWER IN DOWN JACKETS
If Jacket A is filled with 227 grams of 800 fill power, and Jacket B is filled with 227 grams of 700 fill power, Jacket A would be warmer. If you had 113 grams of 800 fill power in Jacket C, and 227 grams of 600 fill power in Jacket D, they could have similar warmth.
The 650-fill-power, RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down makes the jacket reasonably warm for its weight, and warm enough for most people in temps in the 40s Fahrenheit over a base layer.
