Best Down Jacket for Women | My Top 10 Picks

Are you looking for a cozy jacket for your next adventure? Down jackets are honestly my favorite thing to wear on all my hikes. When it comes to the best down jacket, women will know that it has to be super comfy, warm, and fashionable to get the best outdoor pictures.

The best women’s down jackets are known to be super compressible and lightweight, but they are also very expensive. So picking the perfect jacket for you is very important, especially if you are going to be spending a lot of money.

Below, I have listed the best down jacket for women. These jackets will help keep you warm and comfortable on all your adventures! So, without wasting more time, let’s dive into it.

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Best Down Jacket Women’s Table Reviews

My Pick For The Best Hiking Jacket For Women

Best packable down jacket for travel: The Ghost Whisperer. I picked the Ghost Whisperer because this jacket is extremely light and compressible yet warm at the same time. I have so much more room in my backpack, and it is light as a feather. >Check it out here

10 Best Down Jacket: Women

Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie – Women’s

I love this jacket, especially in the wintertime. It is warmer than the Ghost Whisperer so I have switched to the Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoodie on cold, frigid hikes. I layer this with warm base thermals in the winter, and I am extremely warm when I layer with this jacket. 

The Cerium Down Hoodie is a great winter jacket. If you look at the fill, you will notice that it has some synthetic fill. This kind of fill works better than down fill when wet. So Arc’teryx placed the synthetic fill in certain areas that are more likely to get wet, like your armpits and shoulders, for example. 

This does not mean the jacket is waterproof, but it is a cool feature, especially if you live in wet areas like I do—the Pacific Northwest. Synthetic is more cumbersome than down, so this feature does add some weight and isn’t as compressible as the other jackets on this list.

Still, Arc’teryx has some of the best-quality down jackets known in the outdoor industry. I have owned a couple of their jackets, and I am always so impressed with the excellent quality put into their product. I highly recommend it.

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Feathered Friends Eos Women’s Down Jacket

One of the warmest yet compressible down jackets on this list is the Eos one by Feathered Friends. This jacket is remarkable, and it is not a surprise to me as Feathered Friends is known to have some of the warmest and most compressible sleeping bags on the market.

PS: I have their awesome sleeping bags.

But this jacket is pretty expensive, and I am not in love with the colors or the style they offer. Still, this jacket is exceptionally fluffy, warm, and durable. It is an excellent investment for cold-weather backpackers.

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Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hoodie – Women’s

The Ghost Whisperer is my favorite jacket. If you look through my blog, you might notice I usually wear a red or yellow jacket. Those are my Ghost Whisperer jackets. I loved this jacket so much that I bought two of them. 

This is a premium ultralight jacket, compressible and warm. It probably has the best warmth-to-weight ratio. When I say lightweight, I mean lightweight. When I bought this jacket, I thought it was a joke. It was so light that I thought, “How is this going to keep me warm?” But it did! It is a fantastic jacket that I take with me on almost all of my adventures.

I said almost because it does have a flaw. It isn’t the warmest on frigid winter days. It is a little too thin for me. But I can sometimes get away with it if I layer enough. But, generally, I prefer the Arc’teryx Cerium for winter days.

I love taking the Ghost Whisperer with me on my summer hikes for emergency purposes. It is so compressible and lightweight that throwing it in my backpack is no biggie. I have also gotten so many compliments about this technical down jacket; people love how it looks on me. 

So, if you are looking for a perfect summer, fall, and spring jacket, the Ghost Whisperer is for you. It is arguably the best women’s down jacket on this list.

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REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 – Women’s

Are you a beginner hiker or climber? Are you looking to dabble in the outdoor scene but do not want to spend too much money? Then, the REI Co-op 650 is the perfect jacket for you. It is pretty inexpensive, lightweight, and relatively warm for spring, fall, and summer days.

But it is inexpensive for a reason. The down is not high quality (only 650), which makes it hard to compress, and it isn’t as warm. It is still a great first-time hiker or backpacker jacket, or for people who are not sure if they want to commit to the great outdoors.

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Patagonia Down Sweater – Women’s

Patagonia is known to be one of the best manufacturers in the outdoor community. Their high-quality products and their ethical standards really have encouraged their competition to improve their own standards. 

Patagonia Women’s Ultralight Down Jacket a.k.a “the down sweater” is no exception to high quality. This jacket is durable, uses high quality down, and has impressive warmth. The Down Sweater is also fashionable — I always see people wearing them around Seattle. 

The best part is that every year they release new colors. I am all about colorful jackets as they usually make my pictures look ten times better (sorry, black is not my thing), so I am thankful when manufacturers release many colors. I recently snagged one in light blue.

But the sweater hoody does have some negatives. Like all things Patagonia, it is expensive. But you do get what you pay for, so investing in something so high quality is not always a bad idea. Also, their jackets are on the heavier side. This jacket weighs around 10.3 ounces, which is heavier than the Mountain Hardwear and Arc’teryx jacket previously discussed.

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Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket – Women’s

Are you looking for a jacket that you can literally use anywhere? Then the Rab Microlight might be for you. This jacket can be used around town (it’s an adorable jacket) or used on your sports climbing route. It is incredibly durable, so catching on rocks while climbing is no biggie. 

A great feature is that this jacket has weather resistance as well. It is one of the most weather-resistant jackets on this list. You still need an outer layer for hard rain, but this jacket is great if you live in the Pacific Northwest, where it is continuously drizzling.

The jacket is on the more expensive and heavier side. Other than that, this jacket is fantastic and used all over the world by outdoor adventurers.

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Outdoor Research Helium Down Jacket – Women’s

This Outdoor Research jacket is lightweight, durable, and has a cute look to it. It is great to wear around town. But sadly, this jacket lacks weather protection. Typically, down jackets are not supposed to be 100% waterproof, but most jackets have some waterproof coating. 

The Helium Down has none. So I only recommend it to people that live in dry climates. Also, even though the down is high quality, there isn’t enough to keep you very warm throughout, so I recommend to use this during milder temperatures.

The Helium is still a great jacket for hiking, and backpacking but I believe only people that live in certain areas should buy this jacket.

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Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Jacket – Women’s

The Transcendent is pretty much a cheaper version of the Outdoor Research Helium. But, the down quality is lower, and it is not as compressible or lightweight as the Helium. 

However, it is still very cozy and a great jacket for casual hikes. If you are looking for a jacket that is cheaper than some of the others on this list, then the Transcendent is an excellent choice. Other brilliant features you’ll love include wind and water resistance, an insulated hood, and an internal zip chest pocket to keep your outdoor essentials accessible and safe.

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Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hooded Jacket – Women’s

The new stylish StretchDown is such an unusual jacket. It gives you a bit more mobility than most down jackets, and the fabric is exceptionally comfy. But let me just say that this jacket is just way too expensive for what it offers you. It isn’t particularly warm; it doesn’t compress well, it is heavy, and not weatherproof. 

There are some upsides, though. The StretchDown offers you an adjustable hood, a chest pocket, and two zippered hand pockets. For the steep price, I would buy a more versatile jacket. But if you want a more stretchy, comfy jacket (for activities such as rock climbing), then this jacket might be for you.

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The North Face Summit Breithorn Hooded Jacket – Women’s

Are you looking for a perfect rock climbing jacket? The North Face Summit Breithorn is explicitly made for rock climbing. It is comfortable, warm, and great for many other outdoor activities. It has a helmet compatible hood to keep you safe while scrambling or rappelling.

But I am not going to lie, I am kind of turned off by the available colors on this jacket, and the jacket seems a little too heavy for me. But it still has some good quality down, and it is a very warm jacket so if you need something warm and comfy this jacket might be for you.

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More Information On The Best Women’s Down Jacket

Weight

Ultralight jackets usually use good quality down (800 or above) and they are also more expensive. Fill weight is especially important when it comes to activities like backpacking. 

If you don’t see yourself ever backpacking, it might be a good idea to get a jacket with a lower fill weight to save some money. Jackets with lower fill power also work well for everyday wear and running errands on days with light rain.

Price

Down jackets are typically expensive. The least costly jacket on this list is the REI 650 Down Jacket. It is a great beginner’s jacket, but it is not as compressible, warm, or lightweight as the other jackets on this list, hence the lower cost.

When it comes to down jackets — it’s pretty much the more compressible, more warmth, and lightweight a jacket is or provides, the more money you are going to spend.

If you are a beginner at the outdoors, paying for weight or compressibility doesn’t seem to matter (I had the same thought years ago). But as I became more advanced and my backpack filled with more gear, I saw how crucial it was to get a lightweight and compressible jacket.

Warmth

Down jackets usually have the down information listed as 600-fill, 700-fill, 800-fill, or 900-fill. The higher fill power, means the better the down. This means that a 600 fill jacket needs more down in the jacket than an 800 fill jacket to keep you at the same comfort level. 

So, the 600 fill is less compressible and weighs more. You’ll want to avoid such jackets if you’re looking to use them for energy-intensive activities like backpacking or rock climbing.

Compressibility

Higher rated down (usually 800 and above) are the most compressible. This is important when you are hiking, or backpacking and space is a factor. Not having to worry about your jacket fitting in your backpack is fantastic. 

That is why I always carry my Ghost Whisperer jacket even during the summer. It compresses so small that it doesn’t make a difference if I take it or not. If you are not worried about space, then getting a lower-rated down is fine, and you can save a lot of money.

DWR Treatment (Durable Water Repellent)

Most manufacturers use a DWR treatment on the outside of the shell of down jackets. Let me warn you that that does not mean down jackets are waterproof. It just helps prevent your jacket from soaking up the water for a while. This is simply known as a water-resistant shell.

Down does not work as well when wet. Synthetic insulation works a lot better when wet, which is why many people that live in moist areas, like wearing synthetic instead. But luckily, manufacturers have also started treating it down to make it more water resistant. 

They add a polymer to the down, which helps with water resistance. But like I said, this does not mean that your down jacket is waterproof.

Hood

To get a hood or to not get a hood? Most jackets on this list have both options, so it’s all up to you. I personally use both. I always carry a beanie with me when my jacket doesn’t have a hood, and that works pretty well. 

You lose most of your heat through your head, so I recommend either bringing a hat or a hood in case it gets too cold. You can also opt for a jacket with a removable hood. This way, you can insert or remove it according to the weather that day.

Another consideration is that buying jackets with a hood is more expensive. So, if you have a warm hat or beanie, you can save some money by buying a jacket without a hood.

Taking Care Of Your Jacket

When you are back from your climb or hike, make sure to store your jacket correctly. It can be tempting to leave it in its stuff sack, but that can cause damage to your expensive new jacket. Hang it up in your closet for longevity.

Synthetic Insulation Jacket

Synthetic insulation jackets are the alternative to down jackets. They tend to be cheaper, breathable and warmer than down during wet weather. But ultimately, down can trap your body heat better, is more compressible and lighter. 

One of my first jackets was the Arc’teryx Atom LT jacket. It is a slightly warmer jacket, but taking it on my adventures was impossible. It does not compress well, and it was heavy. 

Most of the time, it wouldn’t fit in my already full backpack. So, if you need more space in your bag, down jackets are the way to go.

Final Thoughts On Best Women’s Down Jackets

Getting a down jacket is one of the best investments you can make for outdoor lovers. Whether you’re looking for something lightweight or little on the heavy side, hooded or not, there’s a jacket out there just for you.

My advice to pick the right jacket for you is to list all the features you want — premium materials, wind resistance, zippered hand pocket, or a waterproof shell — name them all. But that’s only the fun part, the most crucial part is knowing what you’ll use the jacket for (hiking, backcountry skiing, or running errands) and where you’ll wear it.

Regardless of your list of desires, you’re sure to find the perfect down jacket for you.

Thanks for reading all about the best down jackets for women. Make sure to check out some of my other posts on hiking and backpacking:

• Best Pillows For Camping and Backpacking
• Best Hiking Sandals For Women
• Hiking 101 – Day Hiking Gear List

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