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Stories: Down Jackets
Mountain Equipment
Haglöfs
RabGuide
Down Jackets
Compare fill weight before fill power. In wet weather, down needs a waterproof layer on top.
Key points
- Mountain Equipment's guide: under 150 g of down is light; 200–250 g adds warmth.
- Fill power alone cannot rate the whole jacket: compare fill weight too.
- For long stops, a hood and hip coverage matter more than saving a few grams.
- Wet down loses loft: plan protection against rain and wet snow.
Buying advice
Which down jacket suits you?
Five questions on use, movement, fit, fill and budget. Compare down and synthetic insulation.
- Down or synthetic
Which down jacket for which use?
| Use | What to expect | Your choice |
|---|---|---|
| Walking breaks | What to expectShort stops, limited pack space | Your choiceLight down jacket |
| Winter stops | What to expectLong periods standing in frost | Your choiceWarm hooded jacket |
| Town and platforms | What to expectWind around hips and thighs | Your choiceLong parka |
| Cold, wet days | What to expectMoisture from outside | Your choiceWaterproof down construction |
Types compared
Lightweight down jacket
Rab quotes 134 g of down for the Microlight Jacket in UK size L.
- Advantage: Packs small for summit breaks
- Drawback: Too thin for standing about in frost
Mid-weight down jacket
Rab lists a helmet-compatible hood for the Electron Pro Hoody.
- Advantage: More warmth for short stops
- Drawback: Soon too warm on the move
Down parka or coat
The North Face lists down fill and an adjustable hood.
- Advantage: Keeps hips and thighs warm too
- Drawback: Bulky in a rucksack
Waterproof down jacket
Rab lists Pertex Shield and sealed seams for the Valiance Parka.
- Advantage: Keeps out rain and slush
- Drawback: Heavier than jackets without a membrane
What to check before you buy
| Question | In short | Why |
|---|---|---|
| What does fill power describe? | In shortDown loft | WhyHigher fill power saves weight for a given warmth. Without fill weight, it cannot promise jacket warmth. |
| Where does heat escape? | In shortThrough stitched seams | WhyBox-wall baffles separate inner and outer fabric with walls. They add weight but reduce direct stitching lines. |
| What does treated down do? | In shortKeeps loft for longer | WhyRab says water-repellent down withstands moisture for longer. This does not make the jacket rainproof. |
Frequently asked questions
Is there a fixed temperature rating?
No standardised rating exists. Wind, movement and personal sensitivity determine the warmth needed.
Under or over the waterproof?
Thin jackets fit underneath; thick stop layers go over the top. Down soon becomes too warm uphill.
How should I dry the fill?
Follow the label and dry completely. Never store damp down; gently loosen clumps.
What does RDS tell me?
RDS bans live-plucking and force-feeding and traces the supply chain. An animal-origin label alone does not prove this.
Last updated: October 2026
What for?
City & commute
Waiting for a train needs more warmth than brisk walking or cycling. Choose down with a hood and covered hips; add a waterproof shell in rain. Open the jacket during activity before you start to sweat.
- Warmth while waiting
- Cover your hips
- Hood for wind protection
- Plan separate rain protection
Hiking
For hiking, pick a light down jacket with under 150 g of fill that packs into its own pocket. It stays in the rucksack on the climb and comes out at breaks and on the summit.
- under 150 g of fill
- packs into pocket
- 650 cuin and up
- water-repellent shell
Mountaineering
For mountain trips, choose a warm, packable jacket for stops. Check the hood, room over your layers and the fill of the specific model. A hardshell protects the down in wet weather.
- warmth for stops
- check hood fit
- room over layers
- plan wet-weather protection
Winter sports
On the piste, protect down from wet snow with a waterproof construction or a hardshell over it. For ski touring, the warm jacket usually stays packed until a stop. Check the model's snow skirt and hood.
- check weather protection
- warmth on lifts
- room for layers
- check hood fit
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