One could argue the requirement for an authentic puffer jacket in Australia is a loose one at best. That said, despite how infrequent your usage may be, a high quality men’s puffer jacket adds great structure to every gent’s wardrobe – when you’re travelling to chilly climes abroad or we get one of those (increasingly common) cold snaps domestically.
So, which puffer pulls the most value-per-dollar? Below, we’ve collated the ultimate list of the best men’s puffer jacket brands: with options catering to every function, aesthetic, and last but not least, price point.
Before moving on to recommendations, we’ve also taken the time to give you a primer on everything puffer jacket related – before you splash some serious cash on your next piece of Fall/Winter outerwear.
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What to look for in a quality men’s puffer jacket brand
As a general rule, puffer jackets are one of the warmest outerwear styles to grace men’s seasonal wardrobes. Given the right climate, they can also be a stylish staple in any winter garment. But, as with almost everything else in the world of menswear, points of styling – and even a brand name – don’t necessarily equal quality.
In the specific case of puffer jackets, there are some pretty major distinctions between jackets containing down and those insulated using polyester. All things being equal: the down jacket is invariably going to be the superior article.
But what is ‘down’ exactly? Put simply: these are the extremely fine feathers which grow closest to a fowl’s skin. In the apparel industry, goose down is generally considered to be the more premium variant – even though a well-constructed jacket that uses duck down is arguably capable of being just as thermally insulating.
Keen observers may determine quality via a quick check of the label or by looking up a description online for the down to feather ratio. For example, a 90:10 down-to-feather ratio is one of the warmest insulation ratings you can get, and they decrease from there.
If there’s no down to feather ratio, the puffer jacket’s garment label should specify it as being made with polyester.
Top-tier Men’s Puffer Jacket Brands
Templa
If you’re prepared to spend north of $2000, there are only a handful of brands on the market that are worth your time. One of the first you should consider is Templa. Gradually shifting focus from the slopes to the streets over the last few years, Templa is renowned for delivering some of the best metropolis-ready down jackets you can buy.
Consistently boasting a 90:10 down-to-feather ratio (sometimes even better) Templa’s subdued colours and slick matte finish make the brand’s signature O.S Down among the best fashion-forward puffer jackets money can buy.
Moncler
The reason we say Templa is almost unrivalled, is because no discussion about the best men’s puffer jacket brands is complete without a nod to Franco-Italian outerwear specialist, Moncler.
Founded in 1952 by René Ramillon and André Vincent, the brand began life in the alpine region near Grenoble (France), and today weaves some of the finest down jackets on the market. Unlike Templa, they also dabble in a full ready-to-wear offering: everything from sneakers to accessories and other complementary men’s apparel.
Arc’teryx
Revered for their tried-and-tested effectiveness against the elements, jackets from Arc’teryx are the finest technical outerwear you can buy for high-octane alpine activity. The Canadian label was founded in the mountains of North Vancouver – by climbers who developed it in response to life-threatening climbing conditions. The intricate, articulated construction of the brand’s puffer jackets guarantees mobility, while an insulated hood provides coverage without compromising the wearer’s field of vision.
Canada Goose
It would be a fair cop to describe Canada Goose as one of the world’s most celebrated high-end down jacket makers of the 21st century. For the past 60 years, the brand has been closely associated with sub-zero performance tests including multiple Mt. Everest Summits; traversals of the South Pole; and the Polar Bears International initiative. As iconic and engaged a label as you could ask for, any Canada Goose bestseller is a worthy contender for your next purchase.
Descente
Widely considered the gold standard for skiing-focused puffer jackets and techwear, Descente is a Japanese sportswear label that rebranded with its eponymous French moniker in 1961, originally set up in Osaka in the 1930s. The label is a habitual backer of professional Japanese athletes; and while its range of padded jackets isn’t an encyclopedic one, the classic ‘less is more ‘approach has made each of its styles super-covetable.
Moose Knuckles
Chuckle-inducing brand name aside, you’re looking at upwards of $1,000 should you wish to get your mitts on a Moose Knuckles puffer jacket. The premium Canadian brand was founded in Montreal by Will Poho in 2007, and since then has become one of the most sought after luxury brands in the Great White North; expanding to now include a number of signature jacket styles like ‘The Dugald’, which combines contrasting high-gloss and matte shell fabrics and features an 80:20 loft-down fill with an oversized hood; and the ‘Javelin’, a high-performance style with a 90:10 goose down fill, tons of internal storage, and a pocket that blocks cell phone coverage.
Mid-tier Men’s Puffer Jacket Brands
Ralph Lauren
While not exclusively known for their padded jackets by any means, one shouldn’t overlook Ralph Lauren for their exceptionally stylish puffers that boast quality to match. From casual shell jackets perfect for transitional Australian weather to full-blown fur-trimmed parkas, the iconic American luxury label bridges the gap between affordable style and top-tier treatment.
Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen manufactures some of the finest technical shells in the game, with a particularly strong sideline in the puffer and parka game. The brand is also notable for its across-the-board waterproofing, which naturally extends to its collection of puffer jackets – giving wearers improved warmth and weather resistance when you’re out braving the elements.
Edmund Hillary
Inspired by the legendary Kiwi climber of the same name, Edmund Hillary’s garments are made in an authentic, period-correct style – with all the fabric and construction you’d expect of gear tough enough to summit Mt. Everest like it’s 1953.
The label’s strong New Zealand heritage, intermingled with British design, make for the perfect combination for serious outdoorsmen: especially among those who have a penchant for mountaineering history.
Montbell
Founded in 1975 by renowned Japanese climber Isamu Tatsuno, Montbell has fast become one of the country’s most reliable labels for high-quality, lightweight outdoor clothing. In the ensuing decades, the brand has developed a really robust range of complementary lifestyle products: including tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment. Its 800FP and 1000FP range of down jackets, however, remain a core attraction – reasonably priced, with plenty of options.
Huffer
Another puffer jacket label born across the ditch, Huffer is one of New Zealand’s most iconic labels – designed for people who spend equal stretches of time in the streets and the mountains. Windproof, Gore-Tex rated and 90% goose down, Huffer delivers premium threads that remain up to the task no matter what you’re doing.
Rab
Rab pride themselves on ultra-lightweight down-filled mountain jackets that are slim and packable to ensure you don’t waste precious space no matter the adventure you’re undertaking. This popular label is a favourite amongst hikers and outdoorsmen of all disciplines.
Peak Performance
Similarly to Rab, Peak Performance caters specifically to those who spend the majority of their time up in the mountains. Their jackets are crafted from a ripstop fabric for added durability and may be used as layers under a shell or as the perfect standalone jackets year-around.
Patagonia
Californian apparel label Patagonia is in business to save the planet, with every garment on offer – including its best-selling puffer jackets – made using organic cotton since 1996. Patagonia offers both synthetic and down puffer jackets that are light, compressible and suited to a variety of activities and conditions.
Better yet, for almost 35 years, the brand has also been pledging 1% of its sales to environmental groups and grassroots initiatives around the globe, totaling over $89 million so far.
RELATED: Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard Gives Away His $4.4 Billion Company To One Shareholder
The North Face
The North Face is one of the most recognisable outdoor brands in the world. They claim to “push the boundaries of innovation so that you can push the boundaries of exploration.” You always know what you’re going to get, and when it comes to puffers, they do these staples extremely well.
Napapijri
Napapijri is a premium yet laid back Italian apparel label owned by the same parent company as The North Face. Despite being known for their iconic rainforest anoraks, Napapijri’s men’s puffer jacket range is a small but popular option for those looking for something a little left of field.
Affordable Men’s Puffer Jacket Brands
Outerknown
After 20 years of sponsorship from Quiksilver, 11-time world surfing champion and environmental activist Kelly Slater chose to part ways with the label in favour of starting up Outerknown.
Championing recycled and organic materials to create a collection of everyday essentials for men and women, Outerknown have recently also forayed into the world of puffer jackets. Their staple is a 700-fill duck down insulation layer with a rip-stop exterior and insanely packable construction that’ll be the go-to for your next cool weather adventure.
Uniqlo
Pound for pound, one of the best affordable down jacket brands on the market, Uniqlo’s typically lightweight jackets exhibit excellent value-for-money and are surprisingly warm. Given they only just pip the triple-digit price tag, this exceptional buy is the ultimate grab’n’go piece – don’t knock it till you try it.
They look great, feel great, and while they might not boast the longevity of other brands on this list, they’re perfect for the once-in-a-blue-moon cold weather gear you’re likely to require down under.
Save The Duck
In contrast to most of the puffer and down jacket labels to crack our list, Save The Duck has replaced the goose down that would otherwise be used in quality cold weather gear with ‘Plumtech’. This state-of-the-art technology harnesses a revolutionary synthetic down fibre made from recycled plastic. Affordable, sustainable, and different.
Columbia
Columbia is a staple name that’s pushing a century in the outerwear market. Classic Columbia tech includes their trademark Omni Heat thermal-reflective lining in puffer jackets that gives wearers a soft, next-to-skin feel while keeping them dry and warm with 800-fill power down insulation.
Marmot
Marmot was founded by two schoolmates during a college trip to Alaska. In a chance meeting with Joe Tanner of W.L. Gore & Associates, the team brainstormed a new concept of all-weather performance fabrication called Gore-Tex.
Today, Marmot is the oldest customer of W.L. Gore in the global market for outdoor apparel; and this pedigree comes across handily in all of the puffer jackets it has on offer.
Kathmandu
Finally, New Zealand outdoor label Kathmandu might be to women in winter what R.M. Williams is to every larrikin and his dog all year-round, but perhaps that’s a sign of their affordability-to-quality ratio. Starting at exactly $100, Kathmandu’s puffer jackets are local outdoor gear at its finest.
Cost per wear is always low with one of these, and if you’re on a budget, you can hardly ever go wrong with a men’s puffer jacket from this reliable brand.
