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Whether you’re going to Minneapolis or Maui this winter, there’s a good chance you’re going to face cold temperatures, either at the airport as you head to a tropical destination or in the freezing Midwest as you travel home for the holidays.
Packing layers is going to be what makes or breaks your trip. And when space is at a minimum — maybe you’re relying on a travel backpack or a carry-on suitcase — an insulated jacket that delivers on warmth without taking up too much room in your luggage is key.
Build the perfect travel outfit: 19 comfortable travel clothes for men and women
Enter packable puffers. Simultaneously lightweight and ultra warm, they are thinner than the puffers of yore and can be layered. This means they’re roomy enough to accommodate multiple layers underneath but diminutive enough for heftier layers on top too. These unicorn jackets can also be worn across seasons and are highly compressible, packing down into their own pocket, a supplied stuff sack or a nearly-flat square.
We love packable puffer jackets because they’re a workhorse product that you’ll be grabbing year-round. Whether on a chilly summer night at the beach or a mild spring morning in the mountains, thanks to stellar temperature regulation.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best ones to buy right now, from performance-optimized options that are ready for high-octane adventure to fashion-forward looks that work for city tours and date nights alike.
More than 19,000 Amazon shoppers say this packable puffer is worth the purchase — and we don’t disagree. Available in 19 colors and sizes XS to 6X, the jacket has a water-resistant polyester shell and liner, elasticized cuffs and an included carrying bag that the jacket can be packed into. It’s also the most affordable jacket on our list.
A cult-favorite item from Free People, the bohemian Pippa Jacket comes in a whopping 22 colorways and is a great option for anyone looking for an extra layer. Filled with Primaloft polyester, the jacket has a boxy, oversized fit (size down if you’re between sizes!) and folds into its interior pocket that can then be used as a travel pillow. View the entire Pippa collection, which includes a pullover, vest and pantsuit, here.
Lightweight and filled with recycled polyester fibers, this cute puffer from Abercrombie & Fitch comes in taupe and black hues, has a wind- and water-resistant nylon shell and a removable hood. And the puffer can be packed into a bag that comes with the coat.
Utterly chic with color blocking, an oversized necklne and an asymmetric snap closure, this Summersalt puffer comes in three colorways and sizes XS to 2X. The wrinkle- and wind-resistant outer fabric is complemented by the jacket’s warm polyester fill.
Composed of 100% recycled plastic bottles both inside and out — including the shell, fill and liner — Girlfriend Collective’s Hooded Packable Puffer is a wind-resistant and water-repellent jacket perfect for moderately cool climates. We love the cinchable hem, the relaxed fit and the fact that it comes in sizes XXS to 6XL. The puffer can be packed into a built-in bag located inside the inner pocket and is also available in a non-hooded version.$158 at Girlfriend Collective
One of our favorite jackets on the list is the Pinion line from Stio. It’s incredibly warm, thanks to its 800-fill, Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified goose down. Weighing just 12 ounces, the water- and wind-resistant jacket is also great for layers below and above. (We suggest adding the brand’s Environ shell for harsher climes.) Stio offers the Pinion in a slew of bright and neutral colorways for women, men and kids, all of which feature an interior security pocket that the jacket can fold into.$285 at Stio
You get what you pay for when it comes to Canada Goose, and in this case, it’s a luxe puffer that will look equally at home on a city street as it will on a snowy ski slope. Practically weightless and ultra warm, thanks to 750-fill duck down (which, fun fact, is even embedded in the jacket’s warm collar), the Cypress has removable backpack straps that allow for hands-free carrying over the shoulders. More to know: The Cypress is available in a variety of styles for both men and women.$850 at Canada Goose
Founded by Olympic skier Kiley McKinnon, Halfdays is a great resource for everything skiwear — and that includes the Nellie. Insulated with recycled PET bottles, the boxy puffer comes in 10 colorways and has an adjustable cinched hem and a large back pocket with a strap for sliding over your suitcase handle. We love that the jacket packs into an interior pocket that can double as a travel pillow.
One of the coziest packable jackets on our list, the 1996 Retro Nuptse is also chock full of old-school design details like those oversized baffles, a big logo and a boxy silhouette. Available in men’s, women’s and children’s styles, the Nuptse is a bulkier jacket due to its 700-fill goose down, which is still highly compressible. We love the cinchable hem, the hidden stowaway hood in the collar, the 100% recycled fabrics and the fact that it can pack into its outer pocket.
A great coat for layering, Lululemon’s Pack It Down has a stretchy, water- and wind-resistant outer shell that encases the jacket’s real power — 700-fill goose down. Available in four colors and in sizes 0 to 14 (scale up if you’re between sizes), the slim-fit design covers the bum, and a longer version is also available. In addition to a removable hood, there’s a removable stuff bag for stowing the jacket on-the-go.
One of the puffiest puffer jackets on our list, the Verglas Glacier is packed with 85% goose down and 15% goose feather insulation, making it one of the warmest options too. We love that it’s stylish enough for a day of errands or shopping but durable enough for camping, trekking or skiing. Available in four hues, the Verglas packs into a supplied stuff sack and also comes in a men’s version.
$360 From $175 at Helly Hansen
Available in nine colorways and fabrics — including chic sherpa and corduroy options — this mini puffer from Hollister is just that … mini! Cropped and featuring a cinched waist, the jacket is ultra warm, thanks to its medium recycled polyester fill.
If you’re looking more for feminine fashion and a bit less for function, this sleek puffer from J. McLaughlin is just the thing. Available in four colorways, the jacket has a funnel-neck design, a 3/4-length sleeve and tortoise buttons that are perfect for a day of shopping or a night on the town. The best part is that the quilted design has zero bulk and takes up very little space when folded.
Vuori knows their way around athleisure wear, so it’s no surprise they make a solid puffer too. Boxy and shiny thanks to a water-resistant coating, the jacket comes in black and in a pinkish hue and has a handy storm flap for keeping the chill out.
The perfect puffer for chic winter days and nights, this cropped jacket with a high-standing collar from J.Crew comes in four colors and sizes XXXS to 3X. We love the gold snaps and zippers, the rib trim at the cuffs and the 100% recycled nylon material and PrimaLoft down alternative fill — both of which are easy on the planet.
Not all packable puffers need to be jackets! Vests are equally versatile, and this one from Save the Duck is great for layering over sweaters and base layers alike. Boasting a high-density nylon shell and animal-free down insulation, the vest feels simultaneously weightless and fluffy, providing warmth from your neck to your bum. Available in nine colorways, the Coral also packs down into a small square when not in use.
Lightweight and warm with 800-fill down, Cotopaxi’s Fuego is as functional as it gets. Ideal for layering, the jacket has a water-resistant shell, a scuba hood, hand cuffs with elastic binding and a drawcord hem — all of which can be packed into an internal pocket. Available in multiple styles for men, women and kids, the Fuego comes in sizes XS to XXXL.295 From $204 at Amazon
More than 6,000 Amazon shoppers give this lightweight jacket a thumbs-up. While it can’t be packed into a pocket or an included stuff bag, the CirrusLite is super compressible and can be folded into a small rectangle in your suitcase. The recycled nylon shell with a water-repellent finish and 650-fill down insulation are key selling points, but we love its price too. At just 50 bucks, this jacket is a steal.
Weighing under a pound, the Banff Insulator from Helly Hansen can and will hold up to even the most rugged of terrains, thanks to ripstop fabric, raglan sleeves and elastic cuffs that keep the wind out. Synthetic-filled baffles provide excellent heat retention while the recycled polyester shell repels water and wind. Available in four colorways, the Banff also comes in a women’s style and a hooded version, all of which pack into an interior stuff pocket.
Sustainably made and packed with RDS-certified duck down, Jack Wolfskin’s Pack & Go line of jackets are windproof, water repellent, breathable and incredibly lightweight (coming in at just half a pound). Plus, they can be packed into the outer pocket. Available in five colorways and women’s styles, the Pack & Go is based on European sizing, so when in doubt, size down.
French skiwear brand Salomon is the force behind this high-tech hooded jacket that weighs less than a pound and is ultra warm. It’s packed with a 800-fill goose down and feather mix and features “radiant barrier technology” that reflects your body heat to keep you warm. Available for both men and women, the Elixir Micro is offered in several colorways and features smart design details like a durable water-repellent coating, a high chin guard and elasticized cuffs.
The warmest jacket on our list, the Arc’teryx Conduit is packed with 850-fill goose down and synthetic insulation, resulting in a jacket that is insanely warm but still highly compressible. Available in black, green and beige hues, the relaxed-fit design is boxy and has large baffles and a cinched hem for keeping out the cold. More to know: The nylon exterior is treated with a water repellent to keep moisture at bay, and a women’s version is available too.
$360 $270 at Mountain Hardwear
HEAD — a Austrian skiwear brand — knows how to make technical gear for traversing the slopes. That includes this packable jacket from the Kore collection that was designed with a team of freeride pros. It’s the perfect base layer for chillier days on the mountain and has a water-repellent ripstop outer shell. We love the close-fitting hood, the fact that it packs into its own pocket and that it comes in a nearly identical version for women.
Source: CNN
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