As a stormy weather grips the UK, it seems sensible to consider packing out your outdoor wardrobe with some practical items to keep you toasty during the winter.
Puffer jackets are a great option and not only do they keep you warm, they are also experiencing a bit of a renaissance, with many high-profile brands and fashion houses launching retro puffer jackets to the shelves – with the insulation credentials to match.
They’re so-called because the stitching makes each section “puff” out, with synthetic insulation providing the warming layer between you and the outside world. The stitching can be altered depending on the fit of the jacket, so diamond or diagonal stitching often lends itself to a tighter, body-hugging style, for instance.
Essentially the differences between puffer jackets and down jackets are few and far between, but puffer jackets do not use down in the conventional sense of the word, as rather being from natural sources, their insulation is synthetic.
This can be better for the environment, as it is often made from recycled materials, and there are also advantages to puffer jackets when it comes to washing too. Synthetic materials do not clump together in the same way as down feathers and their “puffiness” is retained more readily when the coat’s dry.
How we tested
As the weather has become colder, this has given us the perfect opportunity to test these jackets in a range of settings, from ice-cold mornings to wet and windy evenings. We tested them as outer jackets and their layering credentials as mid-layers, and also assessed their waterproof abilities by taking them out in the rain. We also evaluated the product quality by testing fastenings, zips and pockets when in real-world use.
The best men’s puffer jackets for 2023 are:
- Best overall – Finisterre Nimbus insulated puffer jacket: £175, Finisterre.com
- Best for city life – North Face 1996 retro nuptse down jacket: £300, Thenorthface.co.uk
- Best for packing down small – Montane featherlite down jacket: £200, Montane.com
- Best affordable puffer jacket – Gandys base camp puffer jacket: £31.99, Gandysinternational.com
- Best unisex long jacket – Arket long down puffer jacket: £229, Arket.com
- Best for post-sport warmth –Nike Jordan essentials puffer jacket: £164.95, Nike.com