Big down jackets keep the body warm and trap body heat. However, when it comes to buying these jackets, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. With our comprehensive buyer’s guide, you’ll be able to pick the best down jacket for yourself and have all your questions addressed.
Type of Down
The first most important factor to consider is the type of down-filling in the jacket. Down is a warm layer of under feathers derived from ducks or geese. They provide insulation as fillers and keep the body very warm in extreme weather. Here are the two types of down:
Duck
Duck down, as the name suggests, is derived from ducks. Ducks have smaller feathers with less fill power. This is why duck down is more expensive, as you need more of it to fill a jacket to provide enough insulation to keep warm in chilly weather.
Goose
Since geese are bigger, goose down is the more popular option to fill jackets with. Goose down has good fill power and is better for insulation. It is also present in large quantities as compared to duck down.
Durability
Another very important aspect is durability. A down jacket is expensive and should be durable so that it lasts you a few years. To ensure durability you should check the quality of the following things in a jacket:
- The outer material of the jacket
- The inner lining
- The stitching
Furthermore, you should also opt for a down jacket that is waterproof.
Although the emphasis is given on the jacket being waterproof, you have to ensure it is breathable as well. Breathability ensures your body does not feel trapped inside the jacket and there is room for ventilation.
Weight
The weight of the jacket impacts its wearability. Most people prefer a down jacket to have some weight to it, however, it should not be over-burdening. The lighter down jackets are made from heat-seamed construction whilst box baffled jackets are the heaviest.
Weather conditions like rain have the tendency to impact the weight of the jacket by drenching it and making it heavier. Hence, always invest in a waterproof down jacket.
Down Fill Power
The measure of insulation and fluffiness of the down jacket is known as the down fill power. The greater the down fill power, the warmer the jacket will be due to more air trapped between the feathers. Down jackets usually have a fill power that ranges from 400 to 800. You can find the value written on care labels as it impacts the way your jacket can be washed and treated.
Organic vs Synthetic
Another very important debate is whether to buy an organic or a synthetic down jacket. Organic jackets are derived from geese or ducks whilst synthetic jackets make use of polyplastic or polyester as filler.
Organic down
Organic down jackets are more expensive. They provide good insulation and are lighter. However, they lose their insulation and become heavy when they are wet. Organic down has special care instructions and takes a lot of time to dry once wet.
Synthetic down
Synthetic down has less insulation, hence more of it is used in comparison to feathers, to make jackets warm. Therefore the overall weight of the jacket increases. However, it is both easier to clean and ethically sourced as well. This makes it popular among environmentally conscious people.
Construction
The way the down is filled in the jacket is a very important factor in your decision to buy a jacket. This is why you must pay close attention to the way the jacket is constructed. Some common ways of constructing a down jacket for women are:
Heat seamed
Heat-seamed construction is also referred to as bonded construction. Down pockets or chambers are created between the upper and inner material. The down is trapped between them by closing the chambers via melting the two layers together. Since it doesn’t use stitches, no warmth escapes the jacket and it is great for weather-resistant use.
Sewn-through
Sewn-through construction consists of down pockets that are made by sewing squares or panels of down by stitching the two layers together. This construction leaves the jacket more lightweight and flexible. However, body heat can escape through the sew-holes and it is not wind resistant.
Box baffled
Box baffled constructions consist of squares of down separated by a wall of fabric between them. This means the jacket generally uses more fabric than regular down jackets which increases its weight. Since making a box baffled jacket is difficult, they tend to cost more as well.
Additional Features
The last thing you should focus on when buying a down jacket for women is the additional features it provides. Some additional features are:
Hood
A hood is a good additional feature as it can keep your head and neck warm against the cold and shield you from snow, wind, and light rain.
Pockets
Pockets are helpful for storage and can impact your purchase decision as well. Make sure to buy a jacket that has at least two pockets on the outside or inside.
Cuffed sleeves
For very cold and windy weather, cuffed sleeves can further help trap body heat inside the jacket. This makes the owner feel warmer even in windy or snowy weather.
Warm lining
An additional benefit found in a down jacket is the warm lining. The warm lining can be fur along the collar or hood or even wool or fleece on the inside of the jacket.
