Properly wrapped up, you ought to be thermally prepared for all winter eventualities. Whether you’re on a demanding alpine ascent, extended ski tour, or it’s just an icy everyday life you’re challenging – down jackets are versatile and have an unsurpassed warmth-to-weight ratio. They can easily be compressed and made to fit into any backpack when on tour. But which down jacket should you go for, with the vast array on offer? To help you pick the right one, we have scoured the market for you and listed some of our and other findings below.

Just so you can keep a clear conscience: all the down jackets they reviewed are certified and/or they come from animal cruelty-free farms, only use recycled materials, or/and make sure their waterproofing is PFC-free.

Who has been doing the testing?

Our recommendations are based on practical tests undertaken by our Bergzeit staff and on reviews by renowned expert magazines from the German market such as Klettern, Alpin, and Outdoor. Thus you can rest assured that before we have handed out any comments, the jackets have been through the works, be it on intense alpine climbs, freezing winter hikes, or on exhausting ski tours.

Down jackets: The winners

Mountain Equipment Xeros Jacket

The magazine Alpine test winner offers a down and hardshell jacket in one: Mountain Equipment uses a Gore-Tex® Infinium outer layer over the insulating down filling for its Xeros Down Jacket. So what is so special about that, you may ask? The Alpine test states: “This ensures that the quilting seams are covered on the one hand, while the extremely water-repellent membrane also keeps the down dry. It is not surprising that the ME Xeros is the warmest jacket in the Alpine test as a result”.

Especially suitable for: All minimalists who want a combination of maximum insulation and an extremely water-resistant jacket in one.

• Test verdict: “Test winner” in Alpine magazine 11/2020
• Features: Two-way zip, chin protection, YKK® inside pockets, side pockets, breast pocket; adjustable hood, adjustable hem; packsack
• Weight: 475 grams (M)
• Down: goose down; 800 cuin; 90/10 down
• Sustainability: Down Codex certified

Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket

Powerful & light: Mountain Equipment has developed its Lightline for demanding alpine tours. It not only warms you reliably and quickly but also convinces our Bergzeit employee Arnold with its ingenious features, which include well-thought-out fitting cords and a wire reinforcement on the removable hood.

Especially suitable for: All mountain activities that require a technically well-thought-out thermal performance.

• Test verdict: Clear purchase recommendation from Bergzeit Expert Arnold
• Features: side pockets, removable hood, water-repellent Drilite® material
• Weight: 660 grams (M)
• Down: duck down; 700 cuin; 90/10 down
• Sustainability: Down Codex certified

Mammut Broad Peak In Jacket

The Broad Peak IN Hooded from Mammut is one of the lightest down jackets in the test and weighs 330 grams. It was developed for all heavy-duty alpine activities – thanks to the Pertex® Quantum fabric with Y Fuse technology, the Broad Peak is not only highly windproof and water repellent but also very tear-resistant. Alpin thus concludes: “Light, still warm and a great design including three pockets.”

Especially suitable for: Alpinists looking for high quality, perfectly processed down and who attach importance to sustainability.

• Test result: “Very good” in Alpine magazine 11/20
• Features: two-way zip, chin protection, side pockets with zipping, hood, adjustable hem, extra high collar, pre-shaped sleeves. Packing bag
• Weight: 330 grams (M)
• Down: goose down; 800 cuin; 90/10 down
• Sustainability: bluesign® compliant, RDS certified, PFC-free waterproofing

Rab Kaon Jacket

Robust hybrid: Rab combines the advantages of down insulation with its highly functional properties, its Stratus synthetic fibre insulation for its Kaon Jacket, and highly breathable, unlined Pertex Quantum Air fabric under the arms. For our Bergzeit Tester Franz, the overall package is just right and trimmed down for weight – perfect for ski tours lasting several days!

Especially suitable for Outdoor and mountain sports enthusiasts looking for a functional hybrid for sweat-inducing activities and who need to/want to keep an eye on the weight.

• Test result: Conclusion of Bergzeit Tester Franz: “A jacket for all occasions! 
• Features: zip with chin protection, YKK® breast pocket with zipping, hood, adjustable hem, extra high collar, elastic inserts
• Weight: 256 grams (L)
• Down: goose down; 800 cuin
• Sustainability: RDS-certified, PFC-free waterproofing

Fjällräven Keb Touring Down Jacket

Year after year: Fjällräven’s high quality down jacket puts others in its place, with its robust material, excellent thermal properties, and adjustable cuffs. Perfect for winter trekking! In addition to these features, the Keb Touring Down Jacket is one of the best down jackets of the year for two other reasons: “The Keb Touring Down Jacket meets the highest sustainability standards – and keeps you warm down to approx. -17°C.”. Oh yes – the emergency repair kit comes as a freebie.

Suitable for those looking for a warm, sustainable companion for extended winter hikes at all altitudes.

• Test rating: “One of the best products of the year” in Outdoor 8/20, Outdoor buyer’s tip winter jacket test 12/2019, test rating “outstanding” in Outdoor 12/2018
• Features: Two-way zip with chin protection, inside pocket, side pockets, breast pocket, hood, material reinforcements, adjustable hood, adjustable hem, extra high collar
• Weight: 600 grams (M)
• Down: goose down, 800 cuin; 95/5 down
• Sustainability: down from species-appropriate husbandry, recycled polyamide, PFC-free waterproofing

Mountain Equipment Earthride Hooded Jacket

With its light down jacket, Mountain Equipment shows what is possible in terms of sustainability: the all-around jacket for sports use and everyday life is made of 100% recycled materials – even the zippers. And there’s no lack of features: hood, drawstring, and outside pockets keep you reliably warm all around.

It is suitable for those who value recycling and carry their jacket with them both on the mountain and in everyday life.

• Test result: “Environmentally friendly” award in Outdoor 1/20
• Features: zip: YKK®, side pockets, adjustable hem, stand-up collar
• Weight: 320 grams (M)
• Down: duck and goose down, 700 cuin; 85/15 down
• Sustainability: 100% recycled fabrics and down, Down Cycle® certified

Fjällräven Greenland No. 1 Jacket

“Never change a winning team,” as they say. And Fjällräven probably shares that mantra. The “Greenland No. 1” down jacket is a classic that Fjällräven has been reissuing for 50 years on the run and is now coming back at us in a retro look for its anniversary. This impressed the staff at the magazine Wanderlust, who praised the jacket’s excellent insulation even in the windiest conditions and the amazingly sturdy outer material with added leather patches for the shoulders. The experts at Outdoor (1/2020) heap some praise on it: primarily because this “Evergreen” is made of the ecologically correct, robust G-1000 Eco blended fabric.”

Suitable for: Winter walks and city tours even in the coldest weather. For those who value sustainability and a classic look, this is the right place.

• Test result: “very good” in the Wanderlust test + award “ecologically correct” in Outdoor 1/20
• Features: Waxed mixed fabric of cotton and recycled polyester, zip with chin protection, side pockets, inside pocket, breast pocket, hood
• Weight: 1,040 grams (men M)
• Down: 800 Cuin goose down; 80/20
• Sustainability: down from animal-friendly farming, 100% recycled polyester, PFC-free waterproofing

Je winterlicher die Temperaturen, desto praktischer ist die Daunenjacke.

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What should you look out for when buying a down jacket?

The choice of down jackets is enormous – so it’s worth thinking carefully about what purpose you want to wear the jacket. Should the jacket be worn more in everyday life, or should it accompany you on sweaty ski tours? For moderate outdoor activities or in everyday life, the question of weight ought not to be a deal-breaker – here, for example, a well-fitting hood needs to be part of the package. You should only need to do without one if you are looking for an ultra-light down jacket. Especially on tours lasting several days or when bringing a change of clothes is necessary, you ought to consider the pack size when making your decision. How far can your jacket be compressed? Does it fit nicely into your backpack? The jacket’s features can also seal or break a deal: Does the jacket have details such as a lockable waistband? Does it have (inside) pockets? Does it have a two-way zip?

Last but not least, the down jacket should do its No1 job, keep you warm! Pay attention not only to the thermal properties but also to the way the seams are constructed. Especially with down jackets, the chamber boundaries act as cold bridges – here, it is worth looking at the stitching technique applied. Finally, the sustainability of your down jacket ought to be taken into account: If you pay attention to a certified, species-appropriate origin of the down and, to the use of environmentally friendly materials and recycled materials, you not only ensure that you keep a clear conscience, but actively help to protect the environment!