10 Best Backpacking Down Jackets of 2024

A down jacket is one of the best things to keep you warm and cozy for backpacking in the cold weather.

However, there are countless models on the market across different types and categories, how do you know which one to buy? This post will help you find the best backpacking down jacket.

Here are the best backpacking down jackets (Apr 2024 Update):

• Best Overall (Men’s): ZSHOW Men's Lightweight Down Jacket
• Best For Small-Framed People (Men’s): HARD LAND Men’s Packable Down Jacket
• Best For Light Rains (Men’s): CAMEL Men's Down Jacket
• Ultra-Packable (Men’s): Gerry Men's Replay Packable Down Jacket
• Best For Big Men (Men’s): Bakery Men's Hooded Packable Down Jacket
• Best Overall (Women’s): Eddie Bauer Women's CirrusLite Down Jacket
• Best For Light Drizzle (Women’s): CIOR Women's Packable Down Jacket
• Best For Small-framed People (Women’s): Wantdo Women's Lightweight Packable Down Jacket
• Best For Windy Days (Women’s): Lock and Love Women's Ultra Lightweight Packable Down Jacket
• Best For Wide Hip (Women’s): Rokka&Rolla Women's Lightweight Packable Down Puffer Jacket Coat

Best Overall (Men’s): ZSHOW Men's Lightweight Down Jacket

ZSHOW Men's Lightweight Down Jacket

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The windproof and warmth of a quilted down feather jacket combined with the stylish look of minimalism makes this apparel a worthy investment for any male backpacker.

With no compromise of your comfort, it features a high-stand collar with front zipper closure, elastic cuffs, and waist hem. The added four pockets, meanwhile, comes in handy for storage enhancement.

Best For Small-Framed People (Men’s): HARD LAND Men’s Packable Down Jacket

HARD LAND Men’s Packable Down Jacket

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While offering a wide range of size options, we find the HARD LAND to be slightly smaller than standards. The close-fitting design makes you not look like a bear, especially small-framed people.

A notable thing is this jacket retains body heat pretty well at a temperature below freezing (within 15 to 45 degrees F).

It also highlights 5 pockets with YKK zippers. When not in use, you can pack it down (measured by 7.8” x 9.4”) for easy carrying.

Best For Light Rains (Men’s): CAMEL Men's Down Jacket

CAMEL Men's Down Jacket

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Backpacking trips during the fall and winter usually include some light rains, which is even colder and more uncomfortable if your jacket is easily water-absorbing.

But with this option, its water-resistant 20D nylon shell is guaranteed to keep you dry under small rain weather. Meanwhile, the filling of 20% feather and 80% duck down ensures your warmth.

Ultra-Packable (Men’s): Gerry Men's Replay Packable Down Jacket

Gerry Men's Replay Packable Down Jacket

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For long-term backpacking trips, we suggest that you should carry this jacket as it easily stuffs down into a compact silhouette for easy storage. Plus, the materials are ultra-lightweight to not strain down your bag or shoulders.

What we appreciate the most is its wind and water resistance, thanks to the high-grade polyester shell.

This fabric also allows for machine-washable capabilities.

Best For Big Men (Men’s): Bakery Men's Hooded Packable Down Jacket

Bakery Men's Hooded Packable Down Jacket

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Don’t quickly feel disappointed if you haven’t found out the best backpacking down jacket for your big torso yet, because we’ve got this option for you.

The Bakery, aside from its wide size chart and ultra-large design, is very good at heat retention and cold-invaliding prevention.

It also resists wind and water pretty well. Along with a protective hood with front zipper, the jacket is perfect for fall and winter use.

Best Overall (Women’s): Eddie Bauer Women's CirrusLite Down Jacket

Eddie Bauer Women's CirrusLite Down Jacket

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The Eddie Bauer isn’t a universal option for everyone but with the ergonomic design, good length, and a classic fit, you can bet this style will look great on MOST people.

Not only retains heat excellently, but it is also storm-repelling, water-resistant, and feels durable due to the nylon shell, strong zippers along with high neck collar, waist hem, elastic cuffs, and two zipped, sided pockets.

One highlight point is that it’s certified by Control Union and Responsible Down Standard for safety, quality, and reliability.

Best For Light Drizzle (Women’s): CIOR Women's Packable Down Jacket

CIOR Women's Packable Down Jacket

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This hooded down jacket is a great solution for backpacking trips in light drizzles, all thanks to its weather-resistant nylon. Down insulation combined with quilt-through construction ensures your warmth during the trip.

Besides, its materials are compressible so you can pack this jacket down into the stock pouch for easy carrying.

Best For Small-framed People (Women’s): Wantdo Women's Lightweight Packable Down Jacket

Wantdo Women's Lightweight Packable Down Jacket

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If you’re a woman with a small torso, the Wantdo can give you the best of both worlds – great fit and warmth without bulk. The nylon shell is water-resistant and windproof.

It’s also lightweight, breathable, and packable for simple storage. Besides, you’ll benefit from its five pockets – two inner deep ones, two zippered outer ones, and one zippered chest pocket.

The highlight point is its media port for earphone line, which is great for music streaming.

Best For Windy Days (Women’s): Lock and Love Women's Ultra Lightweight Packable Down Jacket

Lock and Love Women's Ultra Lightweight Packable Down Jacket

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Aside from the DWR finished nylon shell, this jacket is designed with an additional front-zip hood with a water-repellent coating.

Combined with hem seal and nylon-bound elastic cuffs, it’s top of the line for windproof properties. The fabric, on the other hand, is compressible and there also includes a pouch for convenient storage.

Best For Wide Hip (Women’s): Rokka&Rolla Women's Lightweight Packable Down Puffer Jacket Coat

Rokka&Rolla Women's Lightweight Packable Down Puffer Jacket Coat

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Looking for the best backpacking down jacket for women with a wide hip isn’t an easy task. That said, it isn’t impossible! Rokka&Rolla is our proud choice for you.

Out of comfortable fit, it is warm, extremely lightweight, and windproof.

The jacket also meets RDS standards for safety, skin-friendliness, and quality. For enhanced comfort and secure, there comes with an adjustable hood quilted finish as well as YKK zippers.

How To Choose The Best Backpacking Down Jacket?

Weight & Compressibility

For backpacking, you need a lightweight jacket to minimize the weight you carry. Thanks to technology advancement, there are now extremely light down jackets for you to choose that could weigh as little as 8-10 oz.

As for this factor, there are three categories available. But you should go with ultralight jackets, which are specifically made for backpacking, featuring premium down, thin shell fabrics, and minimalist pockets and zippers.

Besides, ultralight jackets offer the best packability as they can be stuffed into their own pockets.

Durability

The durability of the down jacket is determined by the shell fabric thickness, measured in D (denier).

Remember that the lower the denier, the thinner the shell fabric, which means the jacket requires more care.

For backpacking, you should choose a thickness durable enough to endure outdoor conditions but the denier value shouldn’t be too high or the jacket won’t be compact for packing anymore.

Weather Protection

Generally, down doesn’t withstand wet environments very well. It tends to clump and lose the ability to insulate when exposed to moisture.

However, there are now down jackets with features to endure light to moderate wet conditions.

What you should look for is DWR (durable water repellent) treatment that can protect you from light snow and rain. Even better, some down jackets include a 2-layer or 3-layer waterproof shell that provides efficient protection against moisture.

Warmth

To figure out how much warmth you need, it’s important to understand the relation between the fill power and fill weight. In short, the higher the fill power the warmer the jacket, an 800-fill jacket is warmer than a 550-fill one, for example.

If the fill power is not high enough, the fill weight will have to increase to make up for the lack of warmth, which also adds weight to the jacket as a whole.

For example, at the same 800-fill level, a 6-ounce jacket will be much warmer than a 3-ounce one.

Therefore, to choose the best down jacket for backpacking, you should opt for a higher fill power than high fill weight.

An ultralight jacket is warm enough for 35-60 degrees F (2-15 degrees C), and you can add warmth by wearing extra layers underneath.

Which Brands Make The Best Backpacking Down Jacket?

HARD LAND

This is one of the most trusted brands in the world, offering high-quality, stylish, and affordable products for you.

Bakery

This clothing brand has become a loved one among consumers for delivering quality through its products.

Wantdo

Founded in 2011, this brand specializes in outdoor gear. It aims at optimizing the experience for the entire family by focusing on the fitting of its products.

Rokka&Rolla

Since 2017, this brand has expanded from a T-shirt to jackets for outdoor activities. Here, you will surely get a down jacket to stay warm when backpacking.

FAQs

Conclusion

We hope that this complete guide on choosing the best backpacking down jacket has helped you figure out what to seek in your new gear. Though the factors could be a bit confusing, you will be fine if you follow our guide closely.