Last Updated November, 2020: We’ve updated our guide of the best synthetic down jackets for Winter 2021. Prices and links have also been updated.
The 11 Best Synthetic Down Jackets of 2021
Synthetic down has traditionally been regarded as a cheaper, less effective alternative to the real thing, but thanks to advances in technology, synthetics have come into their own, rivaling goose down in many areas and even surpassing it in durability and water resistance. Technologies like Polartec’s Alpha fiber, developed for military use, or Columbia’s proprietary TurboDown, a mix of synthetic materials and goose down, are finding their way into a wider range of products. The result of all this innovation is that consumers in 2020 have access to synthetic jackets that are warmer, better ventilated, lighter and more durable than ever. The fake stuff is here to stay, and that’s a good thing.
Arc’teryx Atom LT
Best Overall
The Atom LT is made with breathable Coreloft insulation, which functions better than down when placed under a shell. Combined with a hydrophobic finish, it does a lot to keep the wearer from getting damp from either weather or exertion. Stretch fleece side panels keep the LT flexible. Arc’teryx updated the design for winter 20/21 with a longer, more relaxed fit and more durable construction.
In design and function, the LT is about as simple as it gets, but that’s a good thing. It’s a no-frills insulating layer that’s there when you need it and doesn’t look half bad if when you move from outdoor adventure to local watering hole. The side panels breathe exceedingly well thanks to the aforementioned stretch panels. We’ve used this jacket for everything from travel, to rock climbing, to snowboarding, to hiking and it still looks the exact same as the day we bought it.
Weight: 12.2 oz
Fill Material: Coreloft Compact 60
Shell Material: 20D Tyono, stretch fleece (94% polyester, 6% elastane)
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $239
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Patagonia Macro Puff
Best Warmth-for-Weight Jacket
The Macro Puff is the successor to the Micro Puff (see below). The differences are simple: this jacket is both bigger and warmer. We were concerned that it would be too warm for daily wear, but after testing it through autumn’s shifting temperatures, we were surprised to find that isn’t the case. It’s sufficiently warm for winter too. PlumaFill, the innovative insulation inside the Macro Puff, has proven itself yet again to be remarkably versatile.
The Macro Puff also has an entirely different fit from the Micro Puff, and many of the other jackets on this list. It’s less athletic (meaning, it’s looser and longer). That might make it more appealing for people who plan to wear it as an everyday jacket around town or as an outer layer during activity when the weather allows for it. The Macro Puff also has two drop-in style interior pockets in addition to its dual hand and single chest pocket, which are great for stashing bulkier items like winter gloves or a hat.
Weight: 13.2oz
Fill Material: 100% polyester PlumaFill
Shell Material: 0.8oz 10-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $349
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Rab Xenon
Best Affordable Jacket
UK-based Rab Equipment is a mountaineering brand to its core, but that doesn’t mean its innovative technical outerwear can’t be leveraged for use closer to sea level. The Xenon X is the brand’s premier synthetic insulated jacket and it’s dead simple. It’s an insulated jacket with a water resistant shell and that’s it. But it’s also one of the warmest jackets we tested thanks to a hefty serving of Primaloft Gold. The fit can be a bit boxy if wearing on its own, but if you tend to layer over a fleece or other bulky base and midlayers, go true to size.
Another great, budget-friendly jacket to consider is L.L.Bean’s PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket ($169), which has a more traditional quilted look than the Xenon.
Weight: 14oz
Fill Material: PrimaLoft Gold
Shell Material: Pertex Quantum
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $195
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Looking to save on a warm winter jacket? These promising options are on sale in select colors and sizes.
Ortovox Piz Boval Insulated Jacket
Ortovox backcountry.com
$280 $210 (25% off)
This weather-resistant jacket warms you with wool insulation, while the reversible design provides different looks and pockets.
Courtesy
The North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket
The North Face backcountry.com
$198.95 $109.42 (45% off)
Made from recycled content, this lightweight midlayer mimics the loft of down and easily packs into its own handy stuff sack.
Courtesy
Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Jacket
Outdoor Research backcountry.com
$198.95 $149.21 (25% off)
This cozy jacket’s box baffles secure the 650-fill down insulation to keep you warm for the long haul.
READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
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REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie 2.0
REI Co-op rei.com
$219 $109.49 (50% off)
Seeking serious winter warmth? This jacket boasts toasty 850-fill down insulation at a fraction of the price of similarly appointed garments.
Courtesy
Arc’teryx Atom LT Hooded Jacket
Arc’teryx backcountry.com
$259 $194.25 (25% off)
One of Arcteryx’s most popular jackets is renowned for its versatility, flexibility and warmth. Picky? Nine colors are available at the discounted price.
Courtesy
Patagonia Micro Puff
Best Ultralight Jacket
The Micro Puff the lightest jacket Patagonia has ever made. On the outside, it looks just like any other synthetic insulation jacket, with just a little extra sheen. The outer shell is constructed from a super lightweight, water-repellent ripstop nylon called Pertex Quantum. Instead of using horizontal baffles, as it does with many of its down jackets, or the quilted design exemplified in its Nano Puff, Patagonia applied a unique stitching pattern to create a mostly-continuous maze of channels that prevent the insulation from bunching. The real innovation is on the inside: Patagonia developed a new type of insulation called PlumaFill that’s made up of down-mimicking polyester fibers that are secured together in one continuous, fluffy line.
The result is a jacket super lightweight jacket that doesn’t quite feel like an “ultralight” jacket — it still has two zippered hand pockets and two interior mesh pouch pockets. Jackets that spare no detail when cutting back on weight don’t have these useful everyday features. The Micro Puff is slightly pricier than Patagonia’s other synthetic puffies, but if you’re looking jacket that’s exceptionally lightweight and warm at the same time, this is a great option.
For a more detailed description of the Micro Puff Hoody, read our in depth review.
Weight: 9.3oz
Fill Material: 65-g PlumaFill, 100% polyester
Shell Material: 10-D nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $299
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Bight Swelter
Best Heavy Jacket
Bight Gear, formerly known as MtnLogic, takes a group approach to designing and building outdoor gear. That team consists of the 60-plus guides who work at Rainier Mountaineering Inc., the guide service that’s affiliated with the company. Many of these guides spend more than half the year on mountains, and their collective knowledge and preferences are reflected in each piece that Bight produces.
As a product of that process, the Swelter Jacket is designed as a super-warm insulating piece that can be used as a mid-layer during outings that involve lots of exposure to the elements or as an outer layer in more mild conditions. The guides’ input contributed to many of the features that make the jacket great (even when you’re not attached to a rope on a glacier). One such feature is a slightly longer length that prevents cold spots between upper and lower layers, as well as the inclusion of stretch panels on the cuffs that let you throw the jacket in quickly without taking gloves off. The jacket is filled with Polartec Power Fill, which is made up of 80 percent post-consumer recycled materials and makes this jacket one of the warmest on this list.
Weight: 18.7oz
Fill Material: Polartec Power Fill
Shell Material: 20d ripstop nylon
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $329 $230
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The North Face Ventrix Mid Layer
Best Mid Layer
Inside the Ventrix Mid Layer is Ventrix, The North Face’s proprietary active insulation. We’ve been fans of Ventrix insulation since it came out in fall 2017, and it’s been a staple on this list since. Here’s how it works: like other types of active insulation, Ventrix is highly breathable, but unlike those other fills, it has laser-cut perforations that open and close with motion. When you’re idle, the perforations remain closed, thereby trapping heat. When you’re active, the perforations stretch open to release heat.
The Mid Layer is one of The North Face’s newer implementations of Ventrix. It’s a crewneck pullover with a polyester shell that isn’t overly technical — it doesn’t have the sheen that many insulated jackets have, and it doesn’t have stitched baffles. That makes it great for wearing as a warm indoor layer, but thanks to Ventrix insulation, it’s perfect for things like ski touring and hiking.
Weight: 11.3oz
Fill Material: 100% polyester stretch Ventrix
Shell Material: nylon ripstop, recycled polyester, elastane
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $199
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Houdini Add-In Jacket
Best Jacket for Cities
The Add-In Jacket’s longer cut gives cold weather warmth a stylish edge that makes it perfect for life in towns and cities. The jacket’s hem falls roughly at mid-thigh, so it isn’t as long as a trench coat but still provides a crucial extension of insulation below the beltline. But the best thing about the Add-In isn’t style; it’s versatility.
Houdini designed the Add-In as a layering piece that could handily accompany other jackets like its One Parka or awesomely weird Cloud. As such, the Add-In contains a Goldilocks-sized fill of Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation, which you might otherwise find in jackets for activities like skiing or hiking. It keeps the Add-In from becoming bulky and makes it perfect for cool to cold temperatures, which, for many, will make this jacket appropriate for all but winter’s worst days.
Weight: 16.4oz
Fill Material: PrimaLoft Gold Active+
Shell Material: polyester
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $350
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Norrøna Lofoten Primaloft80 Anorak
Best Pullover Jacket
No other jacket on this list is as feature-packed as Norrona’s Lofoten Primaloft80 Anorak. That’s because the Norwegian outerwear company imagined it both as a mid-layer and outer layer for skiing. As such, it gave the jacket a two-way central zipper so you can access things beneath it — like an avalanche beacon or a snack — without unzipping entirely, as well as extra-long side zips for ventilation, one interior and two exterior chest pockets, a hoodie-style torso pocket and adjustable hood and hem.
The Lofoten Anorak’s less apparent features are impressive too. Its ripstop shell is reinforced on the shoulders, cuffs, seat and torso with Gore-Tex two-layer fabric for better wind and water resistance. There’s tons of PrimaLoft’s insulation tech inside, including Aerogel, a super-light and super-warm material initially developed for NASA, and Bio, which is biodegradable at the end of its life. All together, these features combine to create an exceptionally warm jacket that functions incredibly well beyond the mountains Norrona made it for.
Weight: 23.2oz
Fill Material: PrimaLoft Gold Aerogel
Shell Material: 30-denier Cordura ripstop, 60-denier 2-layer Gore-Tex
Waterproofing: water-repellant
Price: $399
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Mountain Hardwear Keele Ascent Hoody
Best Lightweight Active Jacket
There is such a thing as too much jacket. It might be true when you’re running, hiking, climbing or mountain biking, and it’s cold out, but not so cold that a little movement can’t warm the body up. This is the idea behind active insulation, a subcategory of jacket characterized primarily by lighter weights and high breathability.
Mountain Hardwear’s Keele is an excellent example of such a concept. It isn’t puffy like the rest of the jackets on this list, but it is insulated. On the backside of its water-repellent exterior is a grid of soft fluff that works to pull moisture away from the body and out of the jacket. You wouldn’t be wrong to wonder, “Wait a sec, isn’t this a fleece?” Well, yes, the Keele is perhaps closer in appearance and feel to a technical fleece than a puffy jacket. But it accomplishes the same goals; better, even, than many of the jackets in a thinning active insulation category (our 2020 pick, Outdoor Research’s Vigor Hybrid, is discontinued). For a warmer, puffier take on active insulation, check out our best overall pick, Arc’teryx’s Atom LT.
Weight: 16.9oz
Material: double-weave brushback (90% polyester, 10% elastane)
Waterproofing: DWR
Price: $175
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Hill City Thermal Light Shirt Jacket
Best Insulated Shirt Jacket
When Gap Inc. launched its new men’s brand Hill City, everyone (including us) was quick to boil it down to a male version of the company’s women’s athleisure brand, Athleta. It is that in many ways, but in testing out a sampling of the collection in New York’s Adirondack Park, we discovered that it’s also highly-considered and in many cases highly technical. One of our favorite pieces is the Thermal Light Shirt Jacket.
Unlike the rest of the jackets on this list, Hill City went with more of a style angle here. The shirt jacket closes with snap buttons and has a collar that lies flat and away from the chin. But in every other regard, the Thermal Light is built like a synthetic jacket: it has a stretchy water-repellent exterior made of nylon and spandex and is filled with warm PrimaLoft Gold Active+ insulation. It’s lightweight and scrunches up into a backpack at the end of the day. It’s not what you’d wear to the top of a mountain, but that’s precisely why we like it.
Gap is in the process of shuttering Hill City, unfortunately, so the Thermal Light Shirt Jacket won’t be available for much longer. The good news is that it’s wildly affordable until then (you’ll see the full discount when you drop the jacket in your cart).
Weight: n/a
Fill Material: PrimaLoft Gold Active+
Shell Material: 87% nylon, 13% spandex
Waterproofing: DWR finish
Price: $64-79
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The North Face AT Arque Futurelight Ventrix Jacket
Best Waterproof Insulated Jacket
The insulation inside The North Face’s Arque Futurelight Ventrix Jacket is, you guessed it, Ventrix. If you scrolled past the above explanation of TNF’s Ventrix Mid Layer, the thing you need to know is that Ventrix is a breathable type of insulation with laser-cut perforations that open and close with motion — the more you move, the more airflow it allows. This jacket has slightly less of it inside (40 grams instead of 60) but includes the company’s waterproof tech, Futurelight. The waterproof barrier makes up somewhat for the reduced insulation, though its high breathability marks keep it from getting clammy and leave it suitable as a mid-layer but make it capable as an outer layer, too.
Weight: 45.2oz
Fill Material: 40g Ventrix (35% recycled polyester, 65% polyester)
Shell Material: 100% polyester
Waterproofing: Futurelight, non-PFC DWR
Price: $299
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Columbia Three Forks Black Dot Jacket
Most Innovative Jacket
It’s impossible not to notice the Three Forks Black Dot Jacket, thanks to an exterior that seems to play on light like glitter. A closer look reveals that its surface is sort of like glitter; it’s a new tech from Columbia, a company that’s never been shy to showcase its breakthroughs in the open, called Omni-Heat Black Dot.
It’s almost self-explanatory — hundreds of little black circles adorn the fabric and act as heat sinks, making the most of the sun’s rays. The silver interior lining pulls a similar trick by reflecting body heat at you like a space blanket rather than letting it escape. And between the two is enough of Columbia’s proprietary Thermarator insulation to provide warmth even if these other technologies weren’t providing two layers of extra oomph. The Three Forks doesn’t pack down as small as many of the other jackets here and is probably more oriented to everyday use, though it does have all the standard features, including two hand pockets, a chest pocket and an adjustable hem.
Weight: n/a
Fill Material: Omni-Heat synthetic down 100% recycled
Shell Material: shell: 90% polyester, 10% elastane; lining: 93% nylon, 7% elastane
Waterproofing: n/a
Price: $280
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What to Know Before You Buy a Synthetic Down Jacket
Down vs. Synthetic
The best insulating piece, whether it’s a jacket or a sleeping bag, must be warm, light and easily packable. Down and synthetic-filled products both offer these qualities, but there are pros and cons to each.
Down comes from the layers under protective exterior feathers of geese and ducks — it works for them while they float and fly around every winter, so of course, it keeps us warm as well. But when natural down gets wet, it clumps and loses a lot of its heat-retaining ability. Also worth noting: although big efforts have been made by a lot of brands and outfitters such as Patagonia and The North Face, not all down is sourced ethically, and animal cruelty can become part of natural down insulation’s production chain.
Synthetic insulation is our attempt to mimic natural down’s insulation power with polyester fibers arranged in different sizes that cluster and trap heat much like the real thing. Synthetic down really does insulate well, without losing packability or the light weight of natural down — not to mention it’s hypoallergenic. One trade-off is that synthetic down weighs slightly more by volume (and insulating ability) than natural down, so synthetic-filled gear tends to be marginally heavier and more bulky. On the flip side of the coin, synthetic down is less prone to clumping when it gets wet, so in mixed weather conditions it might be a safer bet.
In terms of labeling, if a jacket just says “down” it’s definitely natural down insulation. You might see fancy terms added in, like Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Q.Shield waterproofing treatment, but if it’s “down,” it’s still the real deal. You should also know that although the industry is still improving and innovating ways to make down more water-resistant, no feathers are truly waterproof. Synthetic insulation goes by a lot of names, depending on the brands associated with it, but synthetic down insulation will never be labeled as down unless it’s a clearly labeled mixture of real and synthetic materials
Not sure which is right for you? If you’re going somewhere cold but mostly dry, natural down is probably the way to go, but it will probably be more expensive. Go for synthetic if there’s a fair chance of getting wet, or if your true first concern is getting a break on the price.
Active Insulation
Until Patagonia released its Nano Air Jacket in 2014, active insulation flew below the radar (the concept was first introduced by Polartec in late 2012). Now there are enough companies making apparel that’s both warm and breathable that active insulation can officially be considered as its own category.
Technically, active insulation is a type of synthetic insulation, (a water-resistant alternative to down), but because of some fundamental differences that make it unique, active should be considered on its own. The technology draws its name from its intended use — active insulation garments are insulating pieces that are meant to be worn during activity (unlike, for example, a down jacket one might throw on after activity, once the body starts to cool down).
Every active piece has one feature in common: they’re incredibly breathable. How this is achieved depends on the insulation used in the jacket, and every company uses a different version. Some are proprietary, like Patagonia’s FullRange insulation, and some, such as Polartec’s Alpha insulation, which was originally developed for the US Special Forces, are sourced by a range of companies.
As with other types of synthetic insulation, active insulation is highly water-resistant and compressible. In comparison to regular synthetic insulation, active is the most breathable form of synthetic insulation available today thanks to a construction that prevents the migration of fibers within the piece while allowing for extra stretch and superior moisture management. Many active pieces are designed with an exterior shell that’s also more breathable but is often softer and less water-repellent than what’s found in other synthetic apparel.
All active insulation, no matter the brand, is designed to prevent lots of layer swaps so that it can be worn throughout the entirety of an activity like hiking, climbing or skiing.
How To Wash Your Synthetic Down Jacket
Most people take their synthetic down jacket for granted, expecting it to perform the same, year after year without any maintenance. Over time though, your jacket becomes compacted and dirty, which inhibits its loft and makes the jacket less warm. To clean your jacket, revitalize its warmth and get it ready for all your adventures, follow our simple guide.
Put your jacket into a washing machine without an agitator. It is easiest to do this at a laundromat, but if your home washer is of the large, front-loading variety, feel free to toss it in there. If you use a washing machine with an agitator, you run the risk of tearing open your jacket — so avoid agitators at all costs.
Wash with Nikwax Tech Wash. Though there are other good tech washes out there (namely Granger’s), we recommend using Nikwax’s Tech Wash. Add the Tech Wash directly into the washing machine, using about three ounces. Follow the directions on the care label of your jacket for specific temperature and cycle settings.
Switch your jacket to the dryer and add tennis balls. Move your jacket over to the dryer, but before you turn it on, add in a package of new tennis balls. As the drier spins, the tennis balls will bounce around inside the drum, breaking up any clumps of insulation and helping dry the jacket completely. This also helps to restore the loft in the synthetic fibers. As for dryer settings, low heat for a long period of time is the name of the game.
Pause the dryer and manually break up any clumps. Every twenty minutes or so, pause the dryer and manually work out larger clumps of insulation. While the tennis balls work well to help break up clumps, you’ll need to put some extra effort in to break them up completely.
Tumble dry until the jacket is completely dry. Dry the jacket until it is dry the entire way through. While moist synthetic insulation still functions well, it’s prone to mold, which will lead to a stinky jacket.
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Our Place Always Pan
fromourplace.com
$145.00 $95.00 ($50 off) w/ code SUPERSALE
A versatile piece of cookware that’s rarely on sale, not to mention a Gear Patrol favorite, this 10-inch, 2.6-quart, non-stick cast aluminum sauté pan comes with a detachable wooden spatula, domed lid and nesting steamer tray.
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Adidas Ultraboost 20s
adidas.com
$180.00 $126.00 ($54 off) w/ code GETSHOES
The Adidas Ultraboost has been a Gear Patrol favorite since it launched in 2015. They’re a perfect crossover for training and run commuting. While they go on sale often, 30% off for all colorways is a good find.
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Oxo 8 Cup Coffee Maker
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Rhodes Huxley Boot
huckberry.com
$220.00 $132.00 ($88 off)
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Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set
brooklinen.com
$259.00 $207.00 ($52 off)
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Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket
backcountry.com
$199.00 $139.00 ($60 off)
Patagonia’s Nano Puff Jacket is a modern classic — it’s light, packable and perhaps the most versatile layer one can own. While only two colors are on sale currently at Backcountry (Supply Green and Mango), the Nano Puff at 30 percent off is a deal to scoop up.
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Le Creuset Round Wide Dutch Oven
lecreuset.com
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Western Rise AT Slim Pant
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Bonavita 1.0L Gooseneck Stainless Steel Electric Kettle
wayfair.com
$105.00 $61.00 ($44 off)
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Fully Jarvis Bamboo Standing Desk
fully.com
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For years, critics and consumers have praised the Jarvis Standing Desk, and for good reason: its stability, design and breadth of customization options make it a worthy investment for the home or office.
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Everlane The Skinny Fit Jean
everlane.com
$68.00 $34.00 ($34 off)
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Autonomous Kinn Chair
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