A down jacket, also known as a puffer jacket, is a quilted coat that is insulated with either duck or goose feathers. The feathers create air pockets that trap warm air, making the jacket very warm in cold winter weather. Down jackets vary in terms of warmth, with some being lightweight and packable, while others are heavyweight and designed for extreme cold weather. The fill power of a down jacket refers to the fluffiness of the down and its ability to trap air, with higher fill power jackets being lighter and more compressible. Down jackets can be made with either goose down, duck down, or a combination of the two.

There are different types of down jackets, including:

• Parka: A hip-length down jacket with a hood fur trim.
• Hiking: A thick, padded grey jacket with a zip.
• Lightweight: Designed for use in mild weather, these jackets use thinner fabrics and less down to create a slimmer and lighter garment.
• Midweight: Falling between a lightweight down jacket and a down parka, this type of coat looks to find a balance between warmth, compressibility, and performance.
• Packable: A down jacket that is specifically designed to be compressible enough for easy transport and storage.

When choosing a down jacket, it is important to consider factors such as the weight of the down, the fill power, and the presence of stretch in the material. It is also important to ensure that the jacket is not too fitted or too loose, allowing for adding layers underneath but ensuring it’s not too roomy as cold air could get in through the hem and arms.