Ultimate List: Best Packable Down Jackets for Men and Women 2024

Looking for the best packable down jacket to take with you on your adventures? In this article, I am going to walk you through a few of my top picks plus share a detailed comparison of each one.

You see, on any cold weather trip, you’re going to want the best packable down jacket possible. What is a packable down jacket, you may be wondering? Well, these are smaller winter jackets that will keep you warm without being bulky and taking up tons of space like most typical winter down jackets do.

A packable down jacket is a very practical item for any fall or winter trip because not only will it keep you warm, but it won’t take up excess space in your luggage. Like its name suggests, these jackets are ultra packable and compress to be quite small, making for an awesome jacket for all of your jet-setting adventures.

Choosing jackets in general can be ridiculously time-consuming. To save you that precious time, we’ve reviewed our ten favorite packable down jackets to help with your search!

Editor’s Picks for Best Packable Down Jackets 2024

Packable Down Jacket: Comparison Table

Best Packable Down Jackets for Men and Women 2024

Now that you know what to look for to help you choose the best packable down jacket for you, here are our choices for the nine top packable down jackets you can buy in 2024.

Patagonia Down Sweater

Weight: 13.1 oz

Fill: 800-fill goose down

Pros: Form flattering | DWR finish | Elastic cuffs

Cons: No hood | Heavier

One of the best packable down jackets on the market is the Patagonia Down Sweater, made from recycled polyester and filled with 3.4 ounces of goose down.

Patagonia is well known for making durable and fashionable outdoor gear and this premium down filled jacket is no exception.

This is a top pick for best packable down jackets because of how versatile it is. It’s warm and super stylish, making it great for everyday wear around town but it’s slim enough to be used as a mid layer for snowy activities (think skiing or snowshoeing). The DWR finished shell wicks water off so you can wear it in light rain or snow without having to worry about it getting soggy.

All of this being said, there are a couple downsides to this jacket. Like with any Patagonia gear, this jacket doesn’t come cheap. It also isn’t the lightest on the market because the shell is made from polyester, which is known for being a heavier fabric. Finally, this jacket doesn’t have a hood which is a bit of a bummer for those days with extra precipitation.

Despite these shortcomings, the Patagonia Down Sweater is an all-round great packable down jacket that will make an awesome travel companion on most cold weather adventures. They also have a stylish women’s version available.

Weight: 13.5 oz

Fill: PrimaLoft Gold Insulation

Pros: Warm when wet | Stylish | Drawstring hem | Built-in stuff sack

Cons: No hood

Another chart-topper on our list of best packable down jackets is Patagonia’s Nano Puffer Jacket.

Besides being sleek in style, this jacket is water and wind-resistant, lightweight and warm. Coming in 9 different colors, the Nano Puffer is made from ripstop polyester making it durable and long lasting.

Okay, so the fill isn’t exactly down, but this jacket is insulated with PrimaLoft Gold which is eco-friendly, ultra compressible, and retains warmth when wet.

Some things we love about this jacket are the drawstring hem, elastic cuffs, and internal pocket that doubles as a stuff sack. This is super convenient for packing purposes as it folds up to be no bigger than a can of tennis balls!

This jacket is great for cold weather backpacking, as a mid layer for skiing, and for everyday wear when it’s chilly outside.

That said, this jacket isn’t without its downsides. First, there’s no hood which is a bummer for when it rains.

However, the Nano Puffer Jacket is great for active days in the cold, especially if you don’t want the added weight of a typical down jacket. Similar to the previous down jacket on this list, they also have a female version of the Patagonia Nano Puff.

Weight: 10.7 oz

Fill: 850-fill European goose down

Pros: Hood | Premium down | Stuff sack included

Cons: Runs small | On the pricier side

Another outdoor gear powerhouse, Arc’teryx doesn’t disappoint with their Cerium LT Hoody that’s a great packable down jacket.

The Cerium LT Hoody is an awesome versatile jacket best suited for cold weather exploring in the backcountry or city walking in the winter. With a nylon shell that’s treated with DWR, it’s water-resistant, lightweight, and filled with premium down, guaranteeing warmth. It has an elastic hem and cuffs which keep the cold out, and a comfortable hood for trapping heat in.

This jacket is ultra compressible and folds down to the size of a water bottle when you use the stuff sack that’s included, making it perfect for travel.

While this jacket is pretty expensive, it’s an excellent piece of high quality outerwear that’s durable and long-lasting. The only thing to watch out for is that it runs a little small and is reportedly tight in some areas. The female version of this jacket is just as good and is a favorite of our team!

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2

Weight: 7.7 oz

Fill: 800-fill down

Pros: Super lightweight | Lots of colors | Very versatile

Cons: Runs small

If you’re looking for a down jacket that’s packable and lightweight, this is one of the best options.

Filled with 2.8 ounces of 800-fill down, Mountain Hardwear created this beautiful jacket that’s meant for outdoor use or as a mid layer for days with heavier precipitation. This jacket has a 7D ripstop nylon shell treated with DWR which contributes to its low weight. While it’s thin, it’s made of durable material and sound construction.

Also with tons of colors, this form-fitting jacket is functional and stylish.

That said, because of its form-fitting style, it’ll probably be difficult to fit another sweatshirt underneath, so be mindful of this when choosing your size.

Wearers boast of using the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer in below freezing temperatures and staying comfortable, as well as using it for active and everyday use. We personally love the Mountain Hardwear Ghost 2 for men as they look smart and fit well.

Weight: 15.5 oz

Fill: 600-fill down

Pros: Elastic cuffs and hem | Fitted hood | Treated down stays warm when wet

Cons: Lower fill power | Sheds feathers

Marmot did an awesome job crafting this lightweight down jacket at a reasonable price. This jacket is great for both functional and casual wear and is a great budget choice in terms of packable down.

The Tullus Hoody is made from nylon and 600-fill down, but it’s special because the down was treated to stay warm when wet. This, combined with the water-resistant nylon, makes it an ideal jacket for cold, damp conditions.

The elastic cuffs and hems keep the jacket in place for active use and lock warmth inside as well. The attached hood also has elastic so it fits snugly without blowing off in harsher conditions.

People who have purchased the Marmort Tullus Hoody love the fit and praise it for its warmth, but complain about constantly shedding feathers. It’s also made specifically for men, but the Marmot Highlander Hoodie is a great alternative.

Weight: 7.7 oz

Fill: 80% duck down

Pros: Ultralight | Durable | Lots of pockets | Elastic cuffs, Very affordable

Cons: Double check the sizing for larger women

Functional, durable, warm, and inexpensive — it doesn’t get much better than the Wantdo Hooded Ultralight Down Jacket.

This jacket is made from 20D nylon, making it durable and water-resistant. It is filled with 80% duck down and 20% feathers, creating warm insulation without adding weight.

This ultralight stylish number is well-designed, with two outside pockets and two inside pockets, as well as a media port for headphones. Leave the bag at home; this jacket will fit everything you need for a day on the town or a walk in the woods.

Besides all the functionality, the Wantdo Hooded Ultralight Down Jacket also has an attached hood, elastic cuffs, a hem seal to further lock in warmth no matter what you’re doing, and a carrying pouch for stuffing it into when not in use.

Plus, it comes in 7 different beautiful colors!

The one thing to keep in mind is that the sleeves are quite long while the body of the jacket can be a bit tight. It’s best to consult the sizing chart before purchasing!

Packable Down Jackets for Travel

A packable down jacket is one of the most practical items for any cold weather travel.

Why? It will keep you warm, look stylish, and save space to boot.

No one ever wants to take their giant Canada Goose or knee-length winter jacket on a long trip. No hate for those jackets, but they’re just a hassle to pack, and forget about carrying it around when you don’t feel like wearing them! What a mess.

To solve this age-old problem, some genius came up with the idea of a packable down jacket that allows wearers to be as warm as they would be in their typical winter jacket but without the added bulk. This is what makes them ideal for travel, and why they should be in any adventurer’s closet.

Besides keeping you warm while wearing them, these are also an ideal travel companions because you can use them as a blanket on a cold airplane or bus, and they also double up as a travel pillow if you need something cushy to lay your head on.

Because they compress so well and weigh next to nothing, packable down jackets are an awesome addition to any jacket repertoire, and will be your new go-to when headed out into chilly weather.

How to Choose a Down Jacket?

Knowing how to choose a packable down jacket will definitely help you choose the right one for you and your travels. Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

Consider the Size and Style

The first thing to determine when choosing a packable down jacket is what size and style you’d like.
Getting a jacket that fits you well is super important because if it’s too loose, it won’t keep you warm enough and if it’s too tight you’ll be uncomfortable.

Most jacket brands have a sizing chart, and my biggest piece of advice is to measure yourself against that chart to make sure you’re getting the right size jacket. Another pro tip is to get one that’s a little larger than you normally wear so that you can fit extra layers underneath as needed.

The style of your jacket will also help narrow down the pool.
Do you want something that’s fitted around the waist? Has elastic sleeve? Has a hood? These are all things to think about, and mean more than you’d think when looking for a packable down jacket!

Warmth of Your Jacket

Probably the most important aspect of a packable down jacket is how warm it will keep you.
You can determine the warmth of a jacket by looking at two things: Fill Power and Fill Weight.

Fill Power is the main indicator of the quality of the down inside a jacket.
The higher the fill number, the higher the quality of the down! Essentially, jackets with a higher fill power do a better job at trapping body heat and keeping you warm.

Typically, less expensive jackets will range from 500 to 650-fill down. They’ll do a decent job of keeping you warm but aren’t good for seriously cold weather.

If you’re looking for something that will really stand up to the elements, look at down jackets that have 800 fill or higher, which is considered to be premium down. You’ll find jackets with over 800 fill at reputable brands like Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Mountain Hardwear, but you can bet these jackets are going to be more expensive than ones with a lower fill power.

Fill Weight is another main contributor to a jacket’s warmth. It is basically how much down is actually in the jacket.
The warmest jackets will have a high fill power and high fill weight. Fill weight is measured in ounces and is an important determinant in a down jacket’s warmth, but this number isn’t always listed. That being said, it’s definitely something to look out for.

Down Filling

While we’re on the topic of down, the kind of down that your jacket is filled with is another important thing to look into.
There are two main types of down that you’ll find in jackets: goose down and duck down. Sometimes jackets will be filled with a combination of both.

Goose down is typically the warmest and lightest type of down, but it’s more expensive than the alternative. Duck down or a combination of goose and duck is a less expensive option but won’t be as lightweight and compressible as goose down.

Waterproofing

Another thing to look for in a packable down jacket is how waterproof it is.
Almost all packable down jackets will have some level of waterproofing, whether this comes from the material the shell is made out of or some sort of treatment it’s undergone. Some jackets are completely waterproof, while some are simply water-resistant and aren’t made for intense weather.

A jacket with a good amount of waterproofing is super important because down loses its insulating power when it gets wet. Not to mention, a soggy jacket is extremely uncomfortable as well.
To combat this, some manufacturers have started insulating jackets with synthetic materials that can take some moisture, or by adding polymer to the jacket’s down.

Furthermore, when the shell is made from water-resistant materials like nylon, it will wick light moisture off instead of absorbing it. The shell can also be treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) which also wicks water.
These are all things to keep in mind when looking at the waterproof factor of different jacket.

Weight of your Travel Jacket

Another very important thing to look for in a packable down jacket is how much it weighs. Having a lightweight jacket is key because it will be easier to travel with and pack. The only trade-off is that the ultralight jackets aren’t as warm as the ones that are slightly heavier.

There are a couple things that contribute to the weight of a packable down jacket. The first we’ve already talked about, and that’s the fill weight. How much down that’s packed into a jacket will influence its weight. Another factor that adds to the weight of a jacket is the denier of the jacket’s shell.

Denier is the weight of the thread and is indicated with a number followed by a D. The higher the denier, the more durable a fabric. But at the same time, the higher the denier, the heavier a fabric is as well.

Ultralight jackets have a lower denier shell. However, these jackets are more prone to rips, tears and abrasion.
If weight is the most important factor to you, you may have to trade some durability and warmth.

How Packable is Your Jacket

Finally, a last thing to look for in a packable down jacket is its compressibility.
A truly packable down jacket should be able to compress into a tiny package, making it easy to fit into your bag.

Compressibility is influenced by the type of down the jacket is filled with and what the shell is made out of. If this is a main consideration for you, look for jackets that come with a compression sack for easy storage and transport.

To sum it all up, here’s a quick infographic on how to choose a good packable down jacket to take with you on your adventures.

Caring for Your Down Jacket

Each packable down jacket requires different care. We recommend carefully checking the tag on your jacket for unique washing and care instructions.

Your best bet is to keep it out of a machine (unless specified), and wash it by hand in cold water. Then, simply hang it to dry.

For smaller dirt spots, use warm soapy water to clean the areas of the jacket that need some TLC. You should have a fresh jacket in no time!

When you’re not traveling, keep your jacket out of its pouch to help retain its shape and form.

FAQ on the Best Packable Down Jackets

Hopefully this article gives you a good idea of what to look for in a packable down jacket and you’ve found one that’s perfect for your cold weather travels. Seriously, these jackets are worth the investment. Once you have one, you’ll probably be kicking yourself for not getting one sooner.

If you’re looking for more inspiration on travel jackets, check out our guide on best travel jackets for any kind of adventure. Stay warm!

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