17 Best Insulated Jackets For Men

Here you have the best insulated jackets for men, some completely new models on the market and some improved existing models, with either down or synthetic insulation, and all from the renown brands.

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What is included in the text

Those are models that include:

• Down jackets with 800, 700, or 650 down fill.
• Jackets with a synthetic insulation.
• Jackets with wool as the insulating material.
• Hybrid jackets with a combination of synthetic and down insulation.
• All of them are from renown brands.
• Some of the jackets are highly technical for high alpine activities.

Those with the down fill are certified with Responsible Down standards and they do not miss to point out this fact. You will also see that some of the jackets are with a removable hood, some are without the hood, and some are with a fixed hood design. Most of the jackets are with a water-repellent fabric, but you will also see a great waterproof example.

Some of the jackets can be used as a mid-layer under a rain shell jacket as well as a main top jacket, while some are designed to be used as main top jackets only.

In some cases you have jackets from a complete series of items under the same name, see for example the OR Transcendent Down Hoody, here you also have a jacket, a vest, and even gloves, and they build it both for men and for women. Something similar is with the OR Illuminate series which includes the jacket presented here and also a hoody, and this is again both for women and men.

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Best winter jackets for men

Here is my list of the men’s winter jackets ordered alphabetically so the numbers are not for ranking:

 

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1. Arc’teryx Cerium SL Hoody for men 

This is an ultra lightweight insulated jacket and this explains the letters SL (super light) in its name. This is a minimalist design and its weight is indeed exceptional, only 215 g (7.6 oz). This is a trim fit with the center back length of 69 cm (27.13 in). They build it in several sizes (S, M, L, XL, XXL) and also in four different colors.

In their specifications, they describe it as an all-around type, and I would say it is most suitable to be used as an underlayer in combination with a shell jacket. But it can also be used on its own as an outer layer.

This is a sort of a hybrid jacket, and by this I mean the following:

• They use synthetic Coreloft insulation in high-moisture areas (shoulders, wrists, under the arms, and under the chin) in order to keep you warm because synthetic preserves its insulation features even when it becomes wet.
• The remaining areas are with the top-quality 850 fill power goose down.

The shell is a wind-resistant Arato 7 nylon, ultra-thin and ultra-lightweight, and it is also with a DWR finish. Note that you have insulation also in its StormHood which is with an adjustment element on the back.

Other features include:

• Two zippered hand pockets with corded zipper pull.
• It comes with a convenient stuff sack and it packs to a really small volume. You will find it attached inside your hand pocket.
• A drawcord hem is in the design.
• You have elastic on the cuffs.

This is a great item for hikers, backpackers, climbers, skiers, etc. Please see a bit more in this short promotional video:

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2. Fjallraven Keb Touring Down Jacket for men

The word Keb in the name of this jacket comes from Kebnekaise which is the highest mountain in Sweden. So this is a Swedish brand and this is a down jacket as you realize from the name. So you have an 800-fill with 95% goose down and 5% feather used here, and this is a high-loft insulation with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and as you would expect, it is highly compressible.

The exterior is a recycled polyamide with fluorocarbon-free DWR, and it has reinforcements in areas that are susceptible to wear-and-tear, you see this as the different color on the shoulders in the picture above. You also have a close-fitting insulated and adjustable hood and a pleasant fleece-lined collar.

On the front, you have a two-way full-length zipper. The cuffs are with elastic and you have a drawcord on the hem. The jacket has 6 pockets and these include two high-set hand pockets which you can access even when you have a hip belt or a climbing harness, one zippered chest pocket, two large internal mesh pockets, and one zippered security pocket inside the right-hand pocket.

The name contains the word Touring which would imply snow activities, but this is a great warm jacket for a variety of activities in cold weather conditions. It is suitable for hiking, backpacking, snow sports, and for a casual use. The weight for the size M is 600 g, the fill weight is 150 g.

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3. Marmot Featherless Hybrid Jacket For Men

Perhaps it is best first to explain the name. So the term hybrid here means that some parts of the jacket are insulated and some other are not. You can realize this already from the picture, the insulated zones are with baffles. The term featherless simply implies that the insulation is synthetic. So this is Marmot’s 3M Thinsulate.

If you are not familiar with their terminology, this is a loose-fiber fill with the same thermal performance as a natural 700-power-fill down, but it is water-resistant to maintain warmth in damp conditions. You might want to know that this is a 75% recycled material. Inside you have their DriClime bi-component wicking lining and the external fabric is a 100% nylon ripstop stretch 1.4 oz/yd.

This is an athletic fit with 28.5 inches center back length and the weight of 9 oz (255 g). So this is again a super-light item for highly aerobic activities in a cool environment. The jacket is minimalist, so you have two large zippered pockets, elastic drawcord hem, and elastic on the cuffs.

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4. Marmot Mens Featherless Jacket

This jacket should not be mixed with the hybrid model from the same brand. Here you have a fully insulated jacket with a synthetic insulation which is at the level of a 700 down fill, and you can use it on its own or as a mid-layer.

One particular feature is worth mentioning here, and this is its Zippin Compatible design which implies that you can zip it to Marmot’s rain shell jackets and use as a component jacket even in the harshest winter conditions.

This Featherless jacket is with what they call the Angel-Wing Movement design and this implies that it is not restricting and you have some extra room on the back. The jacket is lightweight, with 12.3 oz (349 g) weight for the medium size.

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5. Marmot Mens Alassian Featherless Jacket

The term ‘featherless’ here means synthetic insulation. So this is Marmot’s state-of-the-art 3M Thinsulate loose-fill that is equivalent to 700-power-fill down in warmth, yet it is with a better weather resistance.

The construction is durable with baffles woven between two layers of fabric, without stitches or thread. With such a design the fabric’s durability is increased, the insulation will not escape through seams, and also cold spots are eliminated. They describe it as a heavyweight cold weather jacket suitable for snowshoeing, ice fishing, winter hiking, and indeed its weight is 1lb 8.9 oz (706 g). But this is not the heaviest jacket here in the list.

The external fabric is 50D woven baffle fabric, 100% polyester plain weave, 5.5 oz/yd. The fit is regular, the design is simple with two zippered handwarmer pockets, elastic cuffs, elastic drawcord hem, and the center back length is 26.25 in (67 cm).

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6. Marmot Avant Featherless Hoody

The name already suggests you what you have here, so this is an insulated jacket with a synthetic insulation, moderately lightweight with its 1 lb 1 oz (482 g) average weight and a regular fit. They build it in four different colors. It is designed to make you feel warm without being bulky.

The shell is 20D 100% nylon PreBaffle plain weave heather 2.3 oz/ yd and inside you have Marmot’s 3M Thinsulate recycled insulation that is made of 75% recycled loose-fill fibers. It is supposed to be fully equivalent to a 700 fill power down, but as they claim it still performs when wet. The woven baffle fabric construction weaves the layers together, eliminating cold spots.

You have elastic binding around the hood as well as around cuffs. There are two zippered hand pockets and one chest pocket. One of the hand pockets doubles as a stuff sack. The hem is with an elastic drawcord.

They have introduced what they call the Angel-Wing Movement design used also in their rain shell jackets. The center back length is 27 inches (69 cm).

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7. Ortovox Men’s Piz Palu Jacket

Already from the picture you realize this is a highly technical yet reasonably lightweight insulated jacket, it weighs 14 oz (430 g). This is an award-winning design that combines two types of top materials from this brand, the Merino Naturetec Light technical line which is a synthetic with Merino wool, and Swisswool Light Tec insulation line. The shell is the same what you will see in their other jacket below, the Pertex Quantum fabric (100% polyamide).

You can see the Merino Naturetec Light used on the shoulders, on the arms, and on the lower portion of the jacket, those are the areas where more abrasion is expected. These areas offer lots of elasticity but no so much weather resistance. The insulated areas are with 60 g/m² weight-to-insulation ratio.

There are 3 pockets here and you see them in the picture, two are “hand” pockets but they are set at the chest, plus a standard chest pocket. Such a design you would expect from a highly technical jacket, so you can use those pockets even when your harness on.

This is an extremely breathable construction very suitable for highly aerobic activities, but it is not waterproof so you can combine it with a rain shell. The fit is athletic. The hood is elastic. helmet-compatible, and with three adjustability elements. The hem is with a drawcord and the cuffs are elastic.

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8. Ortovox Piz BOE Light Tec Insulated Jacket – Men’s

This is a great lightweight jacket for hikers, climbers, skiers, and practically any other high mountains activity. The shell is Pertex Quantum fabric (100% polyamide), tightly woven and extremely windproof and abrasion-resistant. But you should know that it is very pleasant, light, and soft to touch material. You have a high water-resistance as well but this is not waterproof fabric.

Underneath the shell you have an 88% virgin Swisswool insulation with the weight-to-insulation ratio 60 g/m², combined with 12% polyactide. They introduced such insulation in 2011, and you have excellent thermal properties and optimum climate comfort. Note that they also restrict themselves to the regional origin of this insulation. This is odor-resistant insulation that is better than synthetic. They claim that such insulation can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture yet without you feeling wet to the touch!

Note that the fabric under the arms is a Merino Naturetec Light, a kind of softshell fabric with Merion wool. As for other features, you have two very large and very highly positioned front zippered pockets that are completely harness-compatible. You have yet another chest pocket that is at the same height as you realize from the picture above.

The hood is elastic and you have elastic cuffs and an elastic hem. This is not a bulky jacket and you can easily use it underneath any waterproof shell jacket, or you can use it as a top layer. This jacket is made in Europe. The average weight is 12.3 oz (349 g) and the fit is athletic, but you still have enough room for a mid or even heavy layer underneath it.

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9. Outdoor Research Men’s Alpine Down Hooded Jacket

This Alpine Down jacket is built for extreme conditions while still looking like a normal cold weather jacket without too much bulk, so you might even use it as a layer under a hardshell jacket. In fact, this is the warmest jacket in the OR’s 2018 collection. You have a great weight/warmth ratio here and this is because of its high quality 800 Power Goose Down fill. Such a quality fill implies warmth and also great compressibility.

You might not believe but this jacket packs into its own pocket, such a feature you would normally expect only from those lightweight rain shell jackets, but you have this here too.

The shell material is 15D Pertex Quantum Y Fuse 100% nylon while the upper, sleeves, and the hood are 30D Pertex Quantum Pro 100% nylon so you have a bit stronger fabric where it is needed. You realize this difference by the color, see the picture, and those parts are also beefier. These sections are also much more water-resistant.

The hood is adjustable and with a wire brim. There is also an adjustable drawcord hem and the jacket has no less than 6 pockets. Those include two large zippered hand pockets on the front, one zippered chest pocket, one inner zippered chest pocket, and two drop-in large mesh pockets for gloves or for a hat.

The front zipper is a two-way type so you can get to your harness if you are climbing with this jacket on, and there is also a storm flap behind it. The center back length is 31.5 inches (80 cm) and the fit is standard. The weight for the size L is 19 oz (538 g). The jacket is currently available in three different colors.

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10. Outdoor Research Men’s Baja Down Pullover

This is a very modern and cool design which also look quite technical with its wind and water-resistant 10D 100% nylon fabric and the Premium 800 Power Goose down fill insulation. So this is a versatile piece that will keep you warm in cold winter situations. In view of its fill, this is again a very lightweight and compressible jacket with a 1/4 length front zipper typical for a pullover.

Note that you have a short left-side zipper for an easy take on and off. This is a really nice detail. Yet another remarkable feature is the pair of the front kangaroo pockets with snap closures; in fact, this is a single space with two entrances. You have yet another interior stuff pocket. Note that this jacket also stows into its own internal pocket. The cuffs are with elastic and you have a drawcord on the hem. The hood is not removable and it is adjustable.

This is a standard fit and the construction is such that you can add layers underneath it, and you can also use this pullover as a layer underneath a hardshell jacket. The center back length is 29 inches (74 cm) and the weight for the L size is 9.2 oz (261 g) so this is an ultra-lightweight piece. Now, where to use this piece? I see it as a versatile layer for hikers, climbers, backpackers, and a casual use. Currently, it is available on Amazon in 4 different colors.

Here is an overview of the main features of some Outdoor Research jackets here in the list, please have a look:

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11. Outdoor Research Men’s Floodlight Down Jacket – Waterproof

This Floodlight Down Jacket is an example that combines a rain shell and an insulated jacket. So this is a waterproof, windproof, and breathable type with all seams taped. This jacket has been on the market before, but they claim now it is 20% warmer and slightly longer at the hem for more coverage.

The shell fabric is 2L 100% nylon 30D ripstop with the Pertex Shield+, and the insulation is 800-fill responsibly sourced goose down. The lining is Pertex Quantum 100% nylon 22D ripstop.

The center back length is 31 inches (79 cm) and the weight is 22.6 oz (639 g) for the size L. As for other features, you have a helmet-compatible and wire-brimmed Halo-Hood with integrated cord locks. The zippers are YKK AquaGuard Vislon, so again the best material used here as well, and you have an internal front storm flap.

The jacket is with two very large inner shove-it pockets, one zippered chest pocket, and two zippered brushed tricot-lined hand pockets. You also have Dynamic Reach underarm panels, the cuffs are with Velcro tabs and the hem is elastic with a drawcord. They make it in 5 different colors.

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12. Outdoor Research Men’s Illuminate Down Jacket

The insulated jacket is a somewhat minimalist design, a layer that can be used as a stand-alone if the temperature is not very low, or as a great mid-layer under a shell jacket in extreme conditions. The term insulated here implies a quality 800 Power Goose Down fill while the shell fabric is a really ultra-light 10D 100% nylon material with wind and water resistance. If you use it as an outer layer bear in mind how thin this fabric is.

Due to such a fill and the fabric, this is jacket is highly compressive and it can be packed into its own pocket. It includes an elastic drawcord hem and you also have elastic cuffs to keep out the cold. It comes with 5 pockets, so you have two zippered hand pockets, one zippered chest pocket which contains an internal media pocket, and you also have two huge internal shove-it pockets.

The fit is standard but it feels a bit snug, just to know if you are of large body size. The center back length is 29.25 in (74 cm) and the weight for the size L is 10 oz (282 g). The jacket is available in three nice colors. Please follow the link to see more.

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13. Outdoor Research Men’s Prologue Refuge Jacket

Here you have a quite different jacket with a synthetic insulation, the Vertical X 60 g/m² 100% polyester, which is all-new and exclusive technology designed to deliver resiliency and breathability and to keep you warm even if you get wet on the trail.

The top shell material is 100% nylon waxed canvas, and lower areas are 100% polyester 20D ripstop, you can see these different materials in the picture. This is a water and wind resistant construction which offers a balanced versatility between town and trailhead.

You have a front zipper with an inner storm flap and some stylish details like a cuff gusset with snap closure. You see in the picture its eye-catching lines that add an urban aesthetic to an all-around adventure wear item. The jacket is not so bulky so you can use it also under a rain shell jacket.

The fit is standard with 30.5 inches (77 cm) center back length and 7.2 oz (487 g) size L weight. Note that they build it in 3 colors, and it may be important to stress that it is more affordable than the down jackets in the list.

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14. Outdoor Research Men’s Transcendent Down Hoody

This OR Transcendent Down Hoody is with a 650 fill Power Goose down insulation, the shell material is 100% polyester 20D ripstop, and inside you have a 100% nylon 44D embossed taffeta lining. This is again water and wind-resistant construction suitable for hikers, skiers, and for casual use. Similar to the other items here in the list, this jacket can also be packed into its own pocket.

This jacket has been on the market for a number of years already and the picture shows the previous version which is still available on Amazon. But the 2018 version is with wider baffles and you can see them both in the link below.

The jacket is with a front zipper and a storm flap behind it. The collar is pleasant with its brushed tricot liner, you have elastic cuffs, and the hem is also elastic with a drawcord. The hood is fully insulated and adjustable.

You have two zippered hand pockets with a brushed lining, plus a zippered chest pocket with its own internal media pocket. Inside, you have two huge drop-in pockets, so this is 6 pockets in total. Note that this jacked its available in at least 8 nice colors.

The jacket is reasonably lightweight, 15.4 oz (435 g) for the size L. The fit is standard and the back length is 29 inches (74 cm). It is most suitable for hiking, backpacking, snow sports, and for casual use.

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15. Outdoor Research Men’s Whitefish Down Jacket

This Whitefish jacket is designed in a classic western workwear style, and the insulation is 700 fill power responsibly sourced down. The fabric is much more durable than in the other jackets in the list, so you have 100% polyester 150D broken dobby shell, 100% polyester twill shoulder, and elbow patches. The lining is a 100% nylon 44D.

In spite of such a casual style, this jacket includes the usual technical features which you would expect from a brand like Outdoor Research. The hood is fully-insulated and adjustable, and it is also removable. You have an elastic drawcord hem, a full-length zipper, and storm flaps both from inside and from outside.

The jacket is with 5 pockets. You have two hand pockets, a chest pocket with a snap button, plus a zippered chest pocket (those are visible in the picture above), but you also have a zippered internal chest pocket. The collar is with a brushed tricot-liner. There are 3 colors currently available on Amazon and on the OR’s site.

The fit is standard, the center back length is 31 inches (79 cm), and the weight is 34.7 oz (983 g) for the size L, so this is the consequence of all the mentioned features and the durable fabric.

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16. Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket For Men

Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket is insulated yet incredibly breathable, and it is also very stretchy and comfortable. So here you have an innovative combination of warmth and breathability, suitable even for the most aerobic outdoor activities. The claimed breathability of the used Patagonia Nano-Air pieces is 40 CFM (cubic feet per minute). This is exceptional in view of its outer layer which is very water resistant as well. You will hardly find something that could match such a combination of features.

The average weight is only 354 g (12.5 oz), and both the shell and the insulation are stretchy and with DWR (durable water repellent) finish. The external fabric is 20D lightweight nylon ripstop. There are three low-profile external zippered pockets, two above-harness handwarmer pockets on the side, and one left-chest pocket.

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17. Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody for men

In this Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody for men they have used an exceptionally lightweight and highly compressible material, and the insulation is 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco. You might want to know that this is a 55% postconsumer recycled material combined with a 100% recycled polyester shell and liner. This is a Bluesign approved item.

This is an exceptionally packable jacket and it stows into its own internal pocket. There are three pockets, two are handwarmer zippered pockets on the sides plus one internal zippered pocket which doubles as its own stuff sack.

The hood is insulated just like the rest of the jacket, simple in style, without any adjustment elements, and with an elastic around the face. So it is low-profile but comfortable around the face and it fits under a climbing helmet.

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In the case of down insulation – how to care for it

I guess an important question is about washing. It is best to check the care labels. I wouldn’t do it more than once a year, say at the end of a season so that you store it clean and ready for the next season.

You realize that many of them can be stuffed into their own pockets which is useful but do not keep it so compressed for an extended period of time. A jacket can also get compressed too much in a pack under all your stuff, and it can get clumpy. In such a case, put it in a tumble dryer at low heat. In general, it is best that a down jacket does not stay compressed too long, otherwise it will take longer to re-loft. Down breaks down in time and compression speeds up this.

There is no much difference between a down sleeping bag and a down jacket, so maintaining is the same. I would avoid any situation where it can get wet.

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Final thoughts

If you need some other type, please check my page with clothing where you will find 3-in-1 insulated and waterproof jackets, and also rain shell jackets for men as well as rain shell jackets for women.

Thank you for reading. Please use the comment box below if you have any comment or question. I wish you a nice day.

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