Do you want to stay warm when camping in winter?
Are you looking for well-insulated jackets for cold weather?
It never fails to amaze me.
People always underestimate the importance of layers and quality clothing when it comes to winter camping.
Jackets or coats are a critical part of keeping warm, so why not go for the best?
We did the research and narrowed down our list of the best down jackets for winter camping.
Down feathers are an excellent and natural insulator. The best down jackets for camping also need to have good water-resistance and durability. Our picks include:
- CAMEL Men’s Down Jacket
- Molemsx Men’s Down Jacket
- Camii Mia Women’s Puffer Down Jacket
- Orolay Women’s Hooded Down Jacket Winter
Check out the rest of the post for more details and a quick buyer’s guide.
Table of Contents
What Is Down?
Down is a word describing the lighter fluffy under-feathers on ducks and geese.
The outer layer of feathers on these animals is what you see.
These feathers resist water and are generally tougher.
They form a shell of sorts (though not nearly as hard as actual shells).
Underneath this layer is the down feathers.
Light and fluffy, these feathers layer to trap in body heat and repel colder air.
If the outer feathers are responsible for breaking the wind and keeping out water, the inner down is responsible for keeping the fowl warm.
Down is a common and popular stuffing or insulation for many products such as pillows, blankets, boots, pants, and, yes, jackets.
Down is a natural insulator comparable in warmth to almost any other material.
What it may lack in warmth compared to the other materials, it makes up with its lightweight nature.
No other material has been made to perfectly match the balance of light and warmth that down provides.
The biggest drawback of down is what happens when it gets wet.
The feathers collapse and lose almost all of their insulation abilities.
This is why a durable exterior is essential for using a down jacket well.
On a related note, check out the best pants for winter camping.
What To Look For In The Best Down Jacket For Camping In Winter
This section covers the features to be aware of when shopping for down jackets.
If you decide to leave our list, keep these ideas in mind.
Or, you could save yourself some trouble and check out our picks in the detailed reviews below.
Fill
The fill amount refers to how much down is in the jacket.
The higher the number, the more fill there is.
The more there is, the warmer the jacket.
On the downside, the jacket will be heavier and puffier with more fill.
The most common numbers are 600 and 800 fill.
Both work great, but 600 fill is more common and receives a better balance of weight, comfort, and warmth.
Still, 800 fill is quite warm, and many people like this.
Durability
Since down loses its ability to keep warm when wet, the outer material must be made from a durable and tear-resistant design.
The tougher, the better, especially when winter camping.
Most companies claim their jackets are tough and great, but we all know sometimes they stretch the truth.
Who should we trust?
Those who’ve used it, of course!
Please pay attention to what others who have used it say about the jacket.
We also did the work for you and either tested it out or researched it ourselves.
Pockets
Pockets are handy when camping.
While not essential, check out when a jacket has pockets, especially when they zipper or button close for extra security.
Hoods
Not all jackets come with hoods.
In my experience, whether or not you want a hood is a matter of preference.
Those who don’t use hoods prefer to wear more scarves and hats to protect their heads from the weather.
They don’t like the extra weight.
I prefer to have hoods.
Even if I don’t use them all the time, I always have the option of pulling my hood and turning away from the wind for extra protection.
Price
Jackets aren’t cheap, but neither do they have to break the bank.
We searched for options in both categories to meet the needs of different people.
Just keep in mind:
The less you spend on a jacket, the higher the chance of something going wrong.
I’m always a fan of spending a little more to get a quality option.
Coverage
Yes, jackets come in different sizes, but a large in one jacket isn’t the same as a large in another.
How much of your body does your jacket cover.
Some will only cover from your hips to your collarbone.
Some go halfway to your knees and up to your chin.
It’s a matter of design and how tall you are.
In the cold, we recommend going with more coverage.
But if you don’t want to camp in the extreme colds, you’ll be OK with less coverage too.
Look/Design
This is one area I’ll admit to not paying a lot of attention to, but I know a lot of you out there really care about how the jacket looks.
This is why I had my wife help me in narrowing down the options.
Each review has a sample image, but other colors and slightly different looks are available for each jacket.
The best way to get a good idea of each one is to click on the check price button and see yourself.
Review Of The Best Down Jackets For Winter Camping
This section covers the individual reviews of each product.
We’ll briefly go over the specs and features for each one, including an easy-to-read pros and cons list.
Don’t forget to click the image or button to get more details.
CAMEL Men’s Down Jacket
This affordable coat uses duck down and an easy-close zipper for security.
They’ve treated it waterproofing, so it stays dry.
It’s pretty durable for the price and made from 20D nylon.
There are 2 outer zippered pockets and 2 interior ones.
It’s not fancy or complicated, but for the price, it does the job well.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Keeps warm
- Covers the whole torso
- Water-resistant
Cons
- No hood
- Simple look
Molemsx Men’s Down Jacket
This medium-priced men’s jack is made from duck down and feathers.
Not only does this jacket include down, but they also use a reflective metallic inner coating to reflect heat and a breathable material to draw moisture from your body.
The outer layer is treated with a StormRepel system to keep the interior and the down as dry as possible.
Check out these tips on camping in a winter storm.
The cuffs tighten and strap to prevent air and snow from getting inside your coat.
There are many zippered pockets for extra storage.
Coverage extends from mid-thigh to neck with a fake (but effective) fur-lined hood.
The zipper also uses an extra flap of material to cover the zipper and prevent even more heat loss.
The look is classic and warm.
Pros
- Very warm
- Water-resistant
- Many pockets
- Covers and insulates much of the body
Cons
- Medium price
- A little harder to move in
Camii Mia Women’s Puffer Down Jacket
This affordable women’s down jacket isn’t fancy, but it’s simple, cute, and does the job.
Stuffed with duck down, this jacket is warm but light.
The nylon material is treated to repel some water but may rip under heavy use.
They include a collar to help keep the neck warm, though there is no hood.
It has one storage pouch and two hand pockets, though with no zippers.
It looks cute, puffy, and wears comfortably.
Pros
- Affordable
- Warm and comfortable to move in
- Fun colors
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Not as durable
Orolay Women’s Hooded Down Jacket Winter
Take the last option and upgrade all the features, and you’ll have this jacket.
With white duck down, this jacket is warm and comfortable.
They include a snapped-on hood to let you choose whether or not you want to have one.
The outer layer is a mixture of nylon and spandex for a durable protective barrier in the down.
The cuffs are ribbed and have some stretch for a better, tighter fit.
There are pockets all over for storage, and the look is more what you’d expect from a snow or camping jacket.
Pros
- Very warm
- May pockets
- Comfortable to wear
- Looks like a stylish camping jacket
Cons
- Medium price
Commonly Asked Questions
Are down jackets good for winter? – Yes!
Down jackets provide great insulation for any weather.
The way the fluffy feathers work is to layer over each other and prevent heat loss while trapping heat.
How do down jackets compare for warmth? – Compared to other manufactured materials such as flannel, fleece, or fur, down is close to just as warm.
In some cases, these other materials may be warmer.
It largely depends on the exact material and thickness of the insulator.
Down’s biggest leg up on the other options is its lightweight quality.
Most comparable or warmer “stuffings” will be much heavier.
Is 800 fill down warmer than 600 fill? – The higher the fill number, the more down is included.
When there’s more down, there is more insulation.
Therefore, the higher the fill amount, the warmer the clothing or insulation will be.
What is the R-value for down? – R-value moves up or down depending on the thickness and fill amount of the down, so it’s tough to determine the exact R-value for down without some context.
Most down jackets reach between 3-4.5 R which is considered more than enough for an outer layer or jacket.
Is goose down warmer than duck down? – While the answer depends on a number of factors such as the specific species and size of the fowl, in general, goose down is warmer than duck down.
Geese have bigger clusters of down which trap more heat.
This makes sense as geese are typically larger birds than ducks.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed looking at our picks for the best down jacket for winter camping.
There is a variety in these options, but they’ll all be good for unique situations.
Now it’s up to you to check out which one is the best for what you’re looking for.
Don’t forget to click the buttons or image to check current pricing and other related products.
Now go outside and enjoy the fresh air!
You may also enjoy checking out the best down booties for winter camping.