Given relatively low humidity and mild winter climes all round, one could be forgiven for thinking that Australia isnโt prime overcoat territory. But puffer vests for men? Well, thatโs a whole other story.
In an ideal world, this sleeveless design combines comfort, weather resistance, and an effective warmth-to-weight ratio, all in a single ultra-compact package.
Check out our favourite menโs puffer vests below: ranging from the ever-popular Patagonia number, all the way up to the likes of Canada Goose, Moncler, and more.
RELATED: The Best Menโs Puffer Jacket Brands For Every Price Point
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- Moncler โGuiโ Gilet
- Arcโteryx โCeriumโ Vest
- Canada Goose Black Label โGarsonโ Quilted Shell Down Gilet
- Patagonia Nano Puff Vest
- Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Vest
- The North Face โRetro Nuptseโ Vest
- Rocky Mountain Cord/Leather Down Vest
- Stone Island Nylon Patch Gilet
- Kathmandu โFrisco Xโ Down Vest
- Montbell Superior Down Vest
- FrizmWORKS Mountain Down Vest
- Nike Sportswear Therma-FIT Gilet
Moncler โGuiโ Gilet
DETAILS
- Two-way zip fastening
- Appliquรฉ logo
- Quilted construction
- Made with 10% goose feathers
A segment-crushing option for those who crave the very opposite of the affordable puffer vest, Monclerโs Gui gilet combines a large, discernibly puffed-up polyamide exterior and an internal filling certified with a 90:10 down-to-feather ratio.
Between the glossy navy quilting and applied felt logo, this is a seriously good-looking option for those who arenโt afraid to embrace their inner hypebeast.
Arcโteryx โCeriumโ Vest
DETAILS
- Internal security pocket
- Includes โstuff sackโ for compact transport
- Shell made using recycled 15D Aratoโข
- 850-fill European goose down
Widely regarded as one of the best puffer vests for men in transitional weather, Arcโteryxโs โCeriumโ lightweight vest works equally well as an โalpine mid-layerโ or standalone insulator whenever youโre stepping out into the frenzied urban jungle.
The Canadian tech-wear specialists have named their bestseller after the brandโs proprietary Cerium material: originally formulated for backcountry adventurers who require a premium insulator thatโs tough on moisture and responsibly sourced.
Whilst weโd hardly call this a budget vest, this is an option that sits comfortably between sub-$100 high street fodder and the madness of a $1,000 puffer.
Canada Goose Black Label โGarsonโ Quilted Shell Down Gilet
DETAILS
- Two-way zip/snap fastening
- Wind and water resist
- 80:20 down/feather ratio
- Fleece-lined collar
An all-elements option which speaks to Canada Gooseโs reputation for technically proficient outdoor clothing, the โGarsonโ is another classic puffer vest that most men will buy only a handful of times and then, hopefully, wear for the long haul.
The classic taupe colourway will add a touch of aprรจs ski cool to any casual rig, and being ripstop, augments the garmentโs heat-trapping properties with protection against water and wind.
Patagonia Nano Puff Vest
DETAILS
- Zippered handwarmer pockets
- Filling uses PrimaLoftยฎ recycled polyester
- โBrickโ quilted outer shell
- Manufacturing certified Fair Trade
A regular suspect on shortlists all over the internet of the worldโs best puffer vests, the Patagonia Nano Puff is as impressive to wear as it is to say out loud. True to the Californian outdoor clothing brandโs pioneering ethos, both the vestโs shell fabric and choice of insulation are made entirely from recycled polyester.
Despite the absence of even a single goose feather, the Nano Puff seals in body heat like nobodyโs business. In tribute to Patagoniaโs roots as a mountaineering/climbing supplies company, the โstuff sackโ โ used to store this puffer vest when it isnโt in use โ is reinforced with a carabiner clip-in loop.
Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Vest
DETAILS
- Collared style
- Premium down with 750 fill power
- Long-lasting water-repellent coating
- Convenient self-packing design
Unequivocally one of the warmest, best-performing synthetic vests that Iโve bought for under $100, Uniqloโs range of ultra-light downs needs little in the way of introduction.
Of the core styles currently offered, Iโm a big fan of the soberly described โultra light down vest.โ The Japanese retailerโs special construction ensures you stay warm โ despite the lack of the traditional, Michelin Man-esque puffiness.
The exterior shell is fabricated using a soft, subtly shiny Taffeta fabric; at its most appealing when dyed in two-tone black and brown.
The North Face โRetro Nuptseโ Vest
DETAILS
- Oversized โ96 style North Face logo
- Hood can be stowed in collar
- Water-repelling ripstop outer
- 700-fill goose down
No buying guide about menโs puffer vests could suffer the omission of The North Face โ a brand that, in many ways, has kept the style at the forefront of pop culture for over three decades.
Suffice to say, there have been a lot of iconic North Face gilets over the years; but none of them evoke the brandโs essence quite so vividly as the โRetro Nuptse.โ A spin-off of the iconic puffer jacket worn by a whoโs who of 90s rap royalty, the Nuptse puffer vest (originally debuting in 1996) is full of the big, brash, streetwise attitude youโd expect of such a modern classic.
The oversized โbafflesโ puffing across the garmentโs surface are instantly recognisable; whereas the inclusion of a cleverly designed โstowableโ hood transforms it, in a pinch, into a serviceable rain jacket. Do both, do better.
Rocky Mountain Cord/Leather Down Vest
DETAILS
- Signature leather yoke
- Cotton corduroy shell
- Made in Japan
- 90:10 down/feather ratio
If youโre anything like me, and love American workwear labels that have been transformed by the ineffable perspective of Japanese designers, then Rocky Mountain Featherbed (or, โRMFBโ for short) probably rings a bell.
Founded some 60-plus years ago in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; RMFB shifted its production to Japan in 2005, and since then, has become a go-to partner for menswear brands who are in the business of releasing seriously heavy-duty down-stuffed puffer vests.
There are of course a couple options, but Iโve personally always had a soft spot for the cotton cord. The quality of the small details are absolutely superb: from the supportive collar (think John Mayer in his Paradise Valley phase) to the single-piece leather yoke that turns this into a lifetime purchase. A menโs puffer that puts the โVESTโ in โinvestment.โ
Stone Island Nylon Patch Gilet
DETAILS
- Two-way zip fastening
- Woven โStone Islandโ patch
- Horizontally quilted shell
- 90:10 down/feather ratio
A year-round style staple (currently benefiting from a European end-of-season discount every intrepid shopper should get around) this Stone Island patch gilet is an effusive outer layer for those looking to inject a dose of Green Street hooliganism into their entire outfit.
Featuring a fully zipped front closure and classic horizontal baffles, there are definitely other vests on our list offering a more unique perspective on technology or design.
That said, the brandโs wind rose compass is among the most recognisable badges of quality to those who prize innovative Italian design; and thereโs something to be said about a menโs puffer that best feathers good olโ fashioned looks with performance that stacks up with the best.
Kathmandu โFrisco Xโ Down Vest
DETAILS
- Water-repellent
- Shell made from 100% recycled plastic
- Built with TrackMyDown transparency tool
- 600-fill power down
To the three-figure budget that Uniqlo HEATTECH is to the sub-$100 camp, Kathmanduโs โFrisco Xโ offers a clever deviation from the usual horizontally quilted, goose-down-laden affair of premium outerwear brands.
First off, during road-testing, we found that the hexagonally shaped baffles do a decent job of helping you to retain body heat, even though (theoretically) the Friscoโs 600-down power rating makes it one of the lower-lofting garments to crack our list.
Like Patagonia, Kathmandu also takes its mission of sustainability very seriously. So much so, that this puffer vest has been certified using TrackMyDown. The initiative allowed us to trace the origin of each cluster of insulation used in the making of this vest: a significant feel-good value add that complements Kathmanduโs now-exclusive use of production methods that meet the Responsible Down Standard certification.
Montbell Superior Down Vest
DETAILS
- Comes with โstuff sackโ
- Outer has been DWR treated
- Ballistic Airlight nylon shell
- 800-fill power down
A refinement of the โUL Down Inner Jacketโ series first launched in 2004, Montbellโs โSuperior Downโ is a frequent sight on the person of mountaineers, backpackers and those who embrace what I can only describe as a professionally nomadic existence. And for good reason.
This puffer vestโs gridded exterior is made with the signature Montbell โBallistic Airlightโ treatment. Crimped and woven extremely tightly, the result is a garment that is both extremely thin and incredibly resistant to abrasion โ perfect for stuffing into the corner of your backpack without trading away too much vital packing space.
FrizmWORKS Mountain Down Vest
DETAILS
- Hidden rear pockets
- Sheepskin yoke detailing
- Press-stud closure
- Shell made using 100% nylon
This 1960s-inspired menโs puffer vest, from South Korean label FrizmWORKS, will acquit itself well on mountain trails; yet itโs probably most at home adding to the quality of your camping excursions this winter.
A major player in the global market for high-end pioneering gear, FrizmWORKS has spruced up a broadly classic outerwear design with loads of practical embellishment: there are two discretely incorporated rear zipper pockets (great for on-the-trail essentials!) while the detailing along the yoke is executed using natural sheepskin.
Nike Sportswear Therma-FIT Gilet
DETAILS
- Taffeta lining for ease of layering
- Part of the โTech Packโ capsule
- Water-repellent
- Ripstop outer
A great option, if youโre looking to channel your inner Adonis Creed, Nike Sportswearโs latest Therma-FIT gilet, is among the handful of pieces weโve included that are manufactured using at least 50% recycled polyester fibres.
A purely synthetic vest, this puffer vest for men embraces The Swooshโs ironclad talent for innovation. The lining is made out of silky smooth taffeta: allowing for an easygoing garment, well-suited to layering.
Cut for a distinctly relaxed look, weโd say this piece is at its best when thrown into the mix with sportswear and technical runners.
If youโve enjoyed this puffery Buyerโs Guide, then why not check out some of our other fashion-related stories? Here are a few of our favourites to get you started:
