Should I Buy a Down Jacket or a Down Vest?

Most of the top-brand down jacket makers also produce a down vest, otherwise known as a down bodywarmer or down gilet.

A down vest makes an excellent addition to your wardrobe, especially for the spring/autumn transition period to and from the full down jacket. A down vest also takes up less storage space than a full jacket so is useful for commuting to the office or when packing space is limited. North Face, Berghaus and Rab all produce vest versions of their respective down Nuptse jacket, Akka jacket and Active jacket.

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