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Down feathers are separated during processing according to this measure.

The down fill-power rating is a measure of the volume, in cubic inches, that one ounce of that down fills in other words, an ounce of 800-fill power down will occupy 800 cubic inches of volume.

(Read more on this below, under Which is Better, Down or Synthetic?) And even those jackets that contain standard down often have a water-resistant shell fabric that repels light precipitation but isn’t designed to withstand a steady rain.

However, some jackets are now made with water-resistant, or hydrophobic down feathers that greatly improve their ability to repel water, continue to trap heat when damp, and dry faster.

The primary advantage of synthetic-insulation jackets is the ability to still trap warmth when wet-although the wetter the jacket, the less warm it will feel, especially once that dampness reaches your skin.

Standard down feathers lose their ability to trap heat once wet, rendering down less practical in wet environments.

Some performance aspects of puffy jackets you should understand include: Testing the Mammut Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket in the Pasayten Wilderness.

Does it need to be breathable because you’ll wear it while on the move at times, or will you only wear it while relatively inactive in camp, when breathability doesn’t really matter?Īnd perhaps the most-important question: How warm an insulated jacket do you need for how, where, and when you will use it? Looking for the best outdoor adventures, gear reviews, and expert tips?.

Do you want it primarily for one or two activities like backpacking, camping, climbing, or skiing?.

Do you want one jacket for four seasons?.

When choosing between down and synthetic models, consider the usual conditions and temperatures in which you’ll use it-in other words, how wet and cold you expect to get, and your body type (how easily you get cold)-as well as the seasonal and activity versatility you require. Insulated jackets today differ not only in type and amount of insulation, but also in water resistance, breathability, and as always, design features like the hood and pockets. Testing the Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie in Yosemite National Park. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips.

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Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. If you have a question for me or a comment on this review, please leave it in the comments section at the bottom of this story. If you’d prefer, scroll past my buying tips to dive immediately into the jacket reviews. Technology has blurred the traditional lines between down and synthetics, with water-resistant down that traps heat even when wet-all but eliminating the weakness that had long been the Achilles heel of down-and synthetic insulation materials that approach the warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility of down. I’ve field-tested dozens of insulated jackets over nearly three decades of testing and reviewing gear, formerly as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog. I selected the jackets covered in this review after extensive testing on backpacking, camping, backcountry ski touring, climbing and other backcountry trips.

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And whether you want a puffy jacket for outdoor activities like backpacking, camping, skiing, climbing, and hut treks, or just to keep you warm around town or at outdoor sporting events, this review will help you figure out how to choose the right jacket for your purposes, and it spotlights the best down and synthetic insulated jackets available today.

Whatever you need an insulated jacket for, there’s a down or synthetic puffy for your needs, within your budget.

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