Best Down Jacket For Women: From Packable To Super Warm

Marmot Women's Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket

Let’s kick things off strong, with an amazing everyday jacket that is suitable even for really harsh winters. The Marmot Ithaca is a down jacket for women who don’t want to be cold anymore, and it’s suitable even for storms and blizzards.

That’s because the down inside the jacket is treated with something called Down Defender – a special type of water-resistant coating that is applied to down clusters. This helps them stay puffy even in wet weather and ensures they retain their insulating properties.

The Ithaca hooded jacket is insulated with 700 fill power down, which is very warm. Warm enough for sub-zero temperatures even! But I still wouldn’t recommend it if the minus goes to the double digits – in those cases, you’ll want something much bulkier.

The Marmot women’s down jacket has two exterior hand warming pockets that are lined with fleece, as well as a hidden internal pocket. And there’s an extra snap pocket on one shoulder, which is useful to have for items you want to keep easily accessible.

This jacket features elastic inner cuffs that make it windproof, and that help keep the heat inside the jacket. It has a zip-off hood that comes with a removable faux-fur ruff so that you can shield yourself from some light rain or snow.

The size variety of this jacket is not that great. It’s available in sizes ranging from XS to XL, so it’s lacking options for the curvier ladies. But it’s a regular fit jacket, meaning that it’s not too tight and there should be some extra space inside. This is great if you want to wear it over thicker sweaters and hoodies since you don’t have to go a size up for that!

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

The Patagonia Women’s Down Sweater is classic for a reason. It is not only very lightweight, it also works well under a rain shell jacket. So, it can double as an outer layer, or inner layer depending on the weather.

This packable down jacket comes with high-quality and sustainable 800-fill down that you know Patagonia has sourced reliably. And, from my experience wearing one in Switzerland and Norway in the cold, keeps you warm in windy and cold conditions. Even without an outer layer, the Down Sweater holds its own.

The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody also comes with all the features you would expect from Patagonia like elastic cuffs, an elastic cinch-cord waist to help keep the wind out, and if you buy the hooded jacket version – a cozy warm hood to seal in the warmth!

If you want a simple, stylish women’s down jacket that works in all but the coldest Canadian winters, the Patagonia Down Sweater certainly will not let you down (no pun intended)!

Note: There are two versions of this jacket the normal Down Sweater (no hoody) or the hoody version.

The North Face Aconcagua Women's Down Jacket II

The North Face Aconcagua down jacket is very much like the Patagonia Down Sweater. Lightweight, warm and water-resistant enough to wear in light rain. It is a little lighter than the Down Sweater at 550 fill, but as a down jacket on a cool day or as an inner layer, it will satisfy almost anyone.

North Face has also used some top notch synthetic insulation called Heatseeker Eco. This is to help reduce costs, but also create that perfect fit for a women’s down jacket as well as satisfy the warmth-to-weight ratio you would expect from such a down jacket.

Overall, this is a great spring down jacket that will last you years to come.

CAMEL CROWN Women’s Lightweight Hooded Down Jacket

The Camel Crown jacket is the perfect option for ladies who are looking for something super portable. This packable jacket can be folded and stuffed into a tiny pouch, making it an awesome jacket to have when you’re traveling. Maybe you’re trying to save space in your suitcase, or you just prefer traveling light – this jacket folds down to the size of a small umbrella.

This also makes it a great option for various outdoor adventures. Maybe you’re going ice climbing or hiking, and you don’t actually need a warm-down jacket. But if you’re planning on spending the night, or camping, it’s good to have the option of something more protective than a simple outer shell.

The Camel Crown down jacket is insulated with duck down, with an 80-20 down to feather ratio. The exact fill power of down is not specified, but based on the price I assume it’s not higher than 400 or 500.

This means that it’s not suitable for insanely cold weather – this is more of a lightweight down jacket for outdoor trips and mild winters. But the down to feather ratio is pretty good.

The exterior of the jacket is made from nylon, a durable and water-resistant material. However, it is not fully waterproof, so I don’t recommend wearing this jacket in the rain. Down clusters get clumpy when wet, which renders them useless as they aren’t able to trap heat.

This down jacket for women has a total of four pockets – two on the outside, and two on the inside. And considering that most jackets for women have about half a pocket, that’s really good.

The cuffs are elasticized, making the jacket windproof, and ensuring that the cold won’t creep up inside the sleeves. Overall, it’s a good jacket to own, but definitely not the one you should pick up if you’re looking for the ultimate down jacket.

Patagonia Silent Down Jacket

Patagonia is renowned for producing quality jackets and this toasty down jacket is definitely a great option.

As with all things Patagonia, it is focused on sustainability and fairness. So, it has 100% recycled down, which means it is reclaimed from old products and a combination of both duck and gooses down.

It is also Fair Trade certified, so you know no one has been exploited in some far-off land to produce low-cost insulated jackets just for you. So, you can sleep easy with this purchase!

The Silent Down jacket is cut to hip length, so great if you want maneuverability, but Patagonia has not left it there. It has a high collar and drawn string waist to keep the wind at bay on those breezy days.

In terms of pockets, the two on the front are soft micro-brushed jersey-lined hand warmers, and they have added one chest pocket on the inside which I find handy for my phone or other quick-access items.

The outer shell is also made from super durable polyester and coated with a durable water-resistant coating (DWR) to help keep those pesky raindrops out.

Mountain Hardwear Womens Ghost Whisperer/2

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is one of the lightest down jackets for women on this list. At just 7.8 ounces, it is impressively light and still super warm as a standalone or layered jacket.

It is filled with 800 fill hydrophobic down, so they have chosen the premium option. And keeping with the premium theme they have included features you sometimes don’t find on lower-end models, like hem draw-cord, zippered hand pockets, and DWR water resistance.

Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer has also made the outer from a 10 denier material that is more durable than others but keep in mind it is not a Gore-tex jacket.

The Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer also comes in a hooded jacket version in case you want that extra warmth.

Columbia Women’s Icy Heights II Down Winter Jacket

Columbia is known for the amazing quality of its items, ranging from skiing equipment to reliable outdoor shoes. They’re actually a champion of synthetic insulation and lining, and you should definitely check out some of their other jackets if you’re flexible when it comes to the type of insulation.

But if you’re dead set on down insulation, then the Icy Heights II is a great option. It is filled with 450 fill power down, which does a pretty good job at keeping you warm. But this isn’t an insanely warm jacket – it’s good for temperatures that don’t drop under zero degrees Celsius, and it won’t keep you warm enough in colder weather.

This jacket comes with a removable hood, but the faux fur trim can’t be detached. Additionally, there are no drawstring cords to adjust the hood on your head, so it can easily be blown off in really windy weather.

The Columbia women’s down jacket features two external and one internal pocket. It also has a drawstring at the hem, which lets you decide how you want it to fit – tighten up the drawcord really well if you want that heat to stay inside, or loosen it up a little if you want to cool down a little bit.

The cuffs are elastic, which keeps the warmth inside the sleeves. On top of all that, the jacket is treated for water resistance, which helps it stay warm even in wet weather. But it is not entirely waterproof, and the down clusters themselves weren’t treated with Down Defender, so bear that in mind.

The Icy Heights jacket runs true to size, and it’s a regular fitting jacket. There’s no need to go a size up or down; you can wear it even over bulkier sweaters and hoodies. In addition to that, I love that there are lots of sizes available, from XS to 3XL. And with eight different color options, it shouldn’t be difficult to pick up a jacket you will love wearing!

Sierra Designs Women's Sierra DriDown Jacket

A packable down jacket can also be really warm – the Sierra Designs jacket is proof of that. It is insulated with 800 fill power down and has a 90-10 down to feather ratio. This means that this is a really warm jacket, suitable even for sub-zero temperatures.

And what’s even better is that this jacket packs down into a small pouch, making it great for travel. Or for those outdoor adventures when you want to bring a warm jacket, but don’t necessarily have to wear it all the time. It will fit into your backpack or any carry-on, and it won’t take up much space!

The exterior of the Sierra Designs women’s down jacket is made from 40D shadow rip polyester, while its interior features nylon lining. Unfortunately, this is not a waterproof jacket, and its water resistance really isn’t great, so I don’t recommend wearing it in really wet weather.

But, the down clusters are treated for water resistance, which allows them to stay dry longer – this is the DriDown technology Sierra Designs uses. However, they will get wet after prolonged exposure to wet weather, so avoid wearing it in really heavy rain. Actually, I think the lack of a hood is an indication enough that this was not designed as a rain jacket.

It is designed to keep you warm during windy weather though, with elastic cuffs that keep all the heat inside the sleeves. This jacket also features two hand-warming pockets and an extra external chest pocket. There’s also a bigger internal pocket, great for items you want to keep extra secure.

This is a regular fitting down jacket, and it runs true to size. However, it’s only available in sizes ranging from XS to XL, so there aren’t really any options for the curvy ladies.

Wantdo Women's Hooded Packable Ultra Lightweight Short Down Jacket

Wantdo jackets are very affordable, and they’re actually not too bad for the price. You get what you’re paying for, and in the case of this particular jacket, you will be getting a lightweight and packable layer.

This women’s jacket features an 80-20 down to feather ratio, which is really good. The exact fill power of down is not specified, but it’s the same to assume that’s somewhere around 400 – that’s what the price leads me to believe.

The Wantdo jacket packs down insulation to the size of a small umbrella, and it comes with a travel pouch. It’s a great jacket to just throw inside your suitcase or keep in your purse – it won’t take up a lot of space, and it’s great to have it in case you need the extra warmth.

However, keep in mind that this is not a proper winter jacket. Since it’s so lightweight and packable, this is more of a fall jacket. Or something to have on outdoor outings, when you’re moving around a lot and don’t really need a warm jacket, but would like to have the option.

The exterior of this jacket is made entirely from nylon, and it is coated with DWR. This means that it’s water repellant, and it can keep you warm even in the rain and snow. The hood helps protect your head and hair in wet weather, but it is not removable.

This jacket features two external and two internal pockets, allowing you to have all your necessities handy on the go. In addition to that, I really like the color and size variety – there are ten colors to choose from, and it is available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. It runs true to size and it is not too tight, so there is going to be enough room even for thick sweaters.

The North Face Women's Gotham Jacket II

The Gotham II jacket is definitely one of my personal favorites. It is very stylish, so perfect for everyday wear since it will go with most outfits, from jeans to dresses. And it’s a pretty warm jacket as well; it is insulated with 550 fill goose down insulation and 160 grams of TNF’s synthetic Heatseeker insulation.

It’s a midweight jacket, so it’s not as packable as some of the other options I’ve shown you. But it is exceptionally warm – it’s one of the warmest insulated jackets from TNF, so it will perform well even in really cold weather.

The jacket is somewhat water-resistant, but not a lot. Because of that, you shouldn’t wear it in really wet weather – the down clusters become clumpy when soaked, and they lose their ability to trap heat. Which in turn means that you’re wearing a pretty, wet jacket, which is unable to keep you warm.

But it is wind-resistant, with elastic cuffs and an adjustable hood. The hood features a removable faux fur ruff, but you can’t detach it entirely from the down jacket.

The Gotham II women’s down jacket has two external hand-warming pockets and an internal media pocket. The latter is positioned around the chest area, so you have easy access to your phone, and in case you still use the old-fashioned earphones, they will easily reach your ears.

This jacket from The North Face is available in a variety of sizes – from XS to 3XL – and it fits true to size. It is a regular-fitting jacket, so it’s not too tight, and there’s room for bulkier layers underneath. Additionally, the Gotham II down jacket is available in a wide variety of different colors and prints, with our favorite being the almost holographic, iridescent option.

Columbia Women’s Centennial Creek Down Hooded Winter Jacket

I think it’s obvious just from the photos that this is a really warm winter jacket. It’s bulkier than most of the other jackets I showed you, so it’s got to be super warm, right? Well almost – yes, it is really warm, but not because of the bulk.

The warmth of the Columbia Centennial Creek jackets comes from two things – the 650 fill power down insulation, and the brand’s proprietary Omni-Heat lining. The lining actually consists of tiny metallic dots, which reflect the heat inside the jacket. This in turn makes you really warm, even in ridiculously cold weather.

Columbia uses Omni-Heat technology in most of its outdoor products, including jackets, footwear, and ski gear. But, even though the dots are designed to retain heat, the rest of the lining is actually made from highly breathable shell fabric. So, you won’t get sweaty or clammy while you’re wearing your Columbia down jacket – you will just be warm and comfortable.

Additionally, the Centennial Creek jacket has a water-resistant exterior, so it’s able to keep you warm even in wet weather. Which makes it perfect for outdoor adventures in the mountains, when there’s lots of snow on the ground.

This down jacket is also wind-resistant, with binding at the hem and the cuffs. The hem is actually adjustable with drawcord string, so you can choose whether you want to keep all the heat inside, or let some air in.

The women’s Columbia jacket has only two hand zippered pockets, but they are pretty big. Actually, they’re big enough that the entire jacket can easily pack down into one of the pockets. Yes – this bulky and warm winter jacket is packable, and travel-friendly!  A great option if you like the idea of a packable down jacket, but want something that will keep you warm in sub-zero temperatures.

Universo Women's Hooded Waterproof 3-in-1 Ski Jacket

The Universo jacket is actually the only decent 3-in-1 jacket I managed to find that has down insulation. It consists of two layers – an outer shell that is fully waterproof, and a thin inner jacket that is insulated with down. 

The inner layer has a 90-10 down to feather ratio, and a water-resistant exterior. It’s a great mid-layer, but also a really good thin jacket to have for late autumn and early winter. The thin, insulated jacket has elastic cuffs that trap heat, two external hand warming pockets, and an internal media pocket with an earphone hole.

You can wear this layer on its own, or combine it with the outer shell, to get a fully waterproof and really warm jacket.

The outer shell is windproof and waterproof, and it’s actually a great jacket for skiing. It has three external pockets, a detachable hood, adjustable external and elastic internal cuffs, and a hidden internal pocket. But the shell is not insulated on its own, so it’s not really a good option if you want to stay warm.

I really like these down jackets because they are incredibly versatile, and it’s like you’re actually buying several down jackets for the price of one. You’re not getting just a winter jacket; you’re buying two outer layers that work for fall, winter, and spring, and for all sorts of outdoor activities during those seasons.

This particular jacket for women is available only in three colors and sizes from S to XL. But, it runs true to size, and you don’t have to go up or down in size even if you want to wear it over bulkier layers.

And the best thing about it is that it’s seriously affordable. You get three jackets for less than $130, which is really great.