Down and synthetic insulated jackets provide incredible warmth at a low weight. Increasingly, jackets are designed to help regulate the user’s temperature during activity.

Insulation

Synthetic insulation is durable and will keep the user warm even when it’s wet. It is cheaper, bulkier and heavier than down, but modern synthetic fills are coming close to matching down in weight and compressibility.

Down offers incredible warmth to weight and will most likely be treated with a hydrophobic coating that will resist soaking and enable it to dry more quickly. This means that in wet conditions, down won’t ‘clump’ so easily whilst still offering warmth.

Baffles

Down jackets use baffles to keep the fill from moving around. Some synthetic garments also use baffles, among other techniques. Seamless (welded or seam-sealed) construction reduces heat loss through the stitching.

Articulation

Jackets are cut to ensure warm air remains close to the body, which means fabrics will offer some stretch to ensure hems and cuffs don’t rise when arms are outstretched. Articulated shoulders allow greater freedom of movement.

Hoods

Hoods improve warmth considerably by trapping warm air around your head without blocking visibility. Hoods on alpine or climbing jackets will fit over or under the helmet. Drawcords are often used to tighten the hood but, as with cuffs, elastic hood hems ensure a more snug and warmth-trapping fit.

Pockets

Two handwarmer pockets are the norm. Large ‘drop-in’ internal pockets can be used to store items close to your body. Lighter and more compressible jackets will stuff into one of the pockets or a separate stuff sack for transport.

Fabrics

Recycled fabrics are now common. The shell should have a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating to increase water resistance. Some hard-wearing models even use a waterproof fabric to protect the insulation. Breathable, high thread count fabrics prevent down from poking through the garment.

Collars and cuffs

Cuffs keep out wind and prevent trapped warmth from escaping. They can be self-closed or elastic, with the latter being most effective at trapping warmth. Insulated collars should have a soft ‘comfort’ lining and zip up under or just over the chin.

Fill power

When choosing a down jacket, note the fill power (FP). This is the volume that one ounce of down fills when full of air and is usually measured between 500 and 900. The higher the number, the greater the warmth and less fill required to achieve it.

Earth Sea Sky Nano Primaloft $899

A fully seam-sealed, waterproof jacket for demanding conditions. It uses Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation and has articulated elbows and gusseted underarms for freedom of movement, YKK AquaGuard front zip, adjustable hem drawcords, internal chest pocket, two handwarmer pockets and adjustable hood. Made in New Zealand. 694g (m/w). www.earthseasky.co.nz

​​​​Montane Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie $600

This ultralight mountain jacket has 52g of quick-drying 850FP ExpeDRY goose down and panels of synthetic Primaloft Gold recycled insulation for high-moisture areas. It has a recycled 10D ripstop outer fabric and PFC-free DWR, YKK front zip, micro-elasticated hem, zipped hand pockets and ‘Arm Lift’ construction for freedom of movement. 220g (m), 200g (w). www.furtherfaster.co.nz

Rab Glaceon Pro Down Jacket $529.95

This jacket balances warmth, weight, and packability. Insulated with 700FP recycled down, it features a lightweight, protective Pertex Quantum Pro fabric that deflects wind and damp conditions. It’s helmet-compatible with a fully adjustable hood, two-way zip, hand pockets and a hidden chest pocket. 594g (m), 564g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Rab Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket $529.95

A light and breathable jacket to keep wearers warm during stop-and-start activities. It has 900FP hydrophobic down paired with PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation. It uses Pertex Quantum fabric, YKK zips, and a lightweight single-sided rear hem adjustment with anti-snag tether. 252g (m), 225g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket $479.99

A versatile, lightweight jacket with 800FP responsibly sourced water-resistant down. There’s a down-filled hood and elastic binding throughout to seal in warmth, two hand and two internal stash pockets, an adjustable drawcord waist and 20D ripstop nylon fabric. Stuffs into pocket. 397g (m/w). www.cotopaxi.co.nz

The North Face Terra Peak Hooded Jacket $440​​

An all-weather jacket with ThermoBall insulation providing warmth in wet conditions. It uses recycled Pertex Quantum fabric and underarm gussets with four-way stretch. There is an elastic-bound hood, centre front zip with an internal draft flap, set-in sleeves, internal drop-in chest pocket, secure-zip hand pockets (it stows into the left one) and elastic-bound hem. www.thenorthface.co.nz

Macpac Sundowner $429.99

A technical jacket for cold, damp conditions. It has 600FP HyperDRY water-resistant duck down and recycled Pertex Quantum nylon fabric. There’s sewn-through baffle construction, an adjustable zip-off hood, zipped hand pockets, internal zipped chest pocket (which the jacket stuffs into), internal fleece cuffs and adjustable drawcord hem. 680g (m), 580g (w). www.macpac.co.nz

Outdoor Research Helium $429.99

An abrasion-resistant jacket with 800FP down and Pertex Quantum fabric with Diamond Fuse Technology (yarns with extra durable diamond-shaped filaments). There’s an external chest pocket, zipped hand pockets with brushed tricot lining, internal stash pockets, drawcord hem, and it stuffs into its pocket. 358g (m), 335g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz

Patagonia Nano Puff $399.99

A sustainable water-resistant, synthetic-insulated jacket using lightweight, compressible PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco – a 100% post-consumer recycled polyester. There’s 100% recycled fabrics, a centre front zipper with storm flap, two zippered handwarmer pockets and an internal chest pocket (doubles as a stuff sack), and a drawcord hem. Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory. 337g (m), 283g (w). www.patagonia.co.nz

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket $399.95

Rab’s classic insulated jacket has been updated to feature zoned micro and nano baffles that increase core warmth. It uses recycled 30D Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon and 700FP recycled Nikwax hydrophobic down. Three pockets, a down-filled hood with stiffened peak, elastic cuffs, drawcord hem and a stuff sack. 466g (m), 413.5g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket $379.95

A versatile synthetic jacket using weather-resistant Pertex Quantum Air fabric and recycled Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation that allows airflow when active and traps warmth when at a standstill. It has articulated sleeves, a front zip chin guard, elasticated cuffs, YKK zips and a helmet-compatible hood. 293g (m), 263g (w). www.outfitters.co.nz

Macpac Orbit $329.99

A versatile hoodie with 650FP HyperDRY water-resistant duck down. There’s elasticated cuffs and hood opening, full-length YKK zip with internal flap and chin guard, zipped hand pockets, adjustable hem, and it packs into its internal YKK zipped pocket. 440g (m), 390g (w). www.macpac.co.nz

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT $319.99

An ultralight, packable synthetic jacket using VerticalX SuperStrand insulation that lofts the same as 700-800FP down. There’s a bluesign-approved 12D ripstop nylon shell and lining, insulated collar, zipped hand pockets, ​​elastic binding at cuffs and hem, and it stows into its pocket. 283g (m), 272g (w). www.bivouac.co.nz