Guide to Down Jacket Features

Thought down jackets were all the same? Think again. Down jackets have a surprising range of features, from the design of the hood to the number and type of pockets. We’ve listed the features that we think are important for you to consider when buying a down jacket. First and foremost, think about what features you really need, as inevitably the price of the jacket tends to increase with the higher number or complexity of the features.

Fill Power and the Down: Feather Ratio
The fill power is a measure of the loft, or ‘fluffiness’ of the jacket, which is related to its insulating ability per weight. A higher fill power also enables the jacket to be compressed more easily. Thus a higher fill power means that the jacket will be warmer than one of a lower fill power rating for the same weight. 500-550 is a good loft rating, 550-750 is very good, whilst 750 is excellent.

The percentage down refers to the ratio of down to coarse feathers. Pure down is more expensive as it has higher loft properties. A good quality down jacket should have at least 80% down content.

The Construction
Down jackets are usually constructed in baffles i.e. compartments, which improve the evenness of the spread of the down. Larger individual compartments will allow the down to ‘bunch’ more, leaving you with colder and warmer patches.

Another aspect of the construction to consider is the cut: Is the jacket gender specific? Does it have an ‘active’ cut? Is the lower back of the jacket scooped to prevent heat loss if you are moving your arms up and down?

Finally, reinforced panels on the outer shell of the jacket can help to resist abrasive wear and tear; particularly important on the shoulders if a rucksack will be carried for extensive periods and on the elbows for climbers.

The Hood
Some down jackets feature a hood, some don’t. There is no best option, as it depends on what you want to use the jacket for. As most down jackets are not fully waterproof, a hood many not be necessary and less preferable to a hat. For climbers who wear helmets, a hood may simply get in the way. For commuters a hood affords extra protection when you do get caught out in that rain shower. If the jacket does have a hood, it may or may not be down-filled. A visor really helps to adjust the hood and retain usability in high winds.

Zips
Frontal zips are obviously a key area from which heat can be lost from the jacket. Overlap panels can help prevent this. Reverse zips can help prevent snagging. For improved heat regulation, a two-way zip may also be useful.

Pockets
Down jackets usually feature both external and internal pockets. Consider how many are necessary although from my experience, it is usually the pocket features that are more important. Zipped or secure internal pockets are ideal for commuting and backpacking, whilst handwarmer pockets are useful for camping. A stowaway pocket can be a useful additional feature for jackets which are used for infrequent trips rather than regular or continuous use.

Outer shell fabric
The outer shells of down jackets are generally water resistant and highly windproof. However, the degree to which depends on the type of fabric used. Many high-end jackets have specially developed outers, which increase the jacket’s water resistance and reduce abrasive wear and tear.

Hems and drawcords
Adjustable hems are really useful, as they allow the wearer to regulate the temperature more easily. Velcro, drawcords and/or elasticated cuffs feature on most jackets. A lined collar is a really nice feature if the jacket will be worn for prolonged periods or expeditions but tends to only feature on pricier models.

Now you know about the different features take a look at our list of individual down jacket specifications

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