This Down Jacket Folds Into Its Own Pocket

Whether you're looking for an everyday transitional piece to wear as the temperature drops, a durable style for your next outdoor adventure or a lightweight pick that compresses for traveling, there are plenty of down jackets on the market to choose from, but it can be difficult to decide which jackets are worth it. The best down jackets balance warmth and weight and are constructed with high quality materials to keep you protected in cold and wet weather.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our experts test all sorts of cold-weather gear — from winter boots to fleece-lined leggings to heated gloves. We recently conducted a test on winter coats and down jackets, collecting over 30 samples for analysis from popular and top-performing brands. Our Textiles Lab analysts first evaluated all of the samples, their fabric, fill and design features. Then, we shared the samples with consumer testers who were able to share their thoughts on overall fit, comfort, style, warmth and more. Altogether, we collected over 1,000 data points for analysis, which we used to make our picks for the best down jackets.

Our top picks:

Keep reading to learn all about how we test down jackets and coats, plus a helpful shopping guide. But first, here's everything you need to know about our top-tested down jackets.