Backpacking on a mountain top will surely give you that certain high, which you can’t get any other way. But if you are not properly dressed, that particular high could tax your system and give you a high temperature, which can get you sick.
To counter this issue, you need to wear a down jacket that will protect you from the cold mountain winds and the dampness that comes with it.
Here are the best down jackets for backpacking (for Women) – our top 10 picks:
- SAM. Women’s Freestyle Shaped Down Puffer Jacket – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Basin and Range New Wingate Down Jacket – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Marmot Women’s Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket
- Mackage Women’s Patsy Matte Down Jacket
- Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Hartwell Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket
- Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Suvo Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket
- SAM Matte Decade Down Jacket
- Mackage Women’s Farren Fitted Lightweight Down Jacket W/Quilted Detailing
- Mackage Women’s Kadalina Lux Light Weight Down Jacket
- Orolay Women’s Thickened Short Down Jacket Winter Coat
Read on for I have listed here the best down jackets for women that will not only protect you from extreme weather conditions but also make you look stylish and chic while backpacking.
Also, for an excellent down jacket for women, take a look at our top pick, the SAM. Women’s Freestyle Shaped Down Puffer Jacket:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Best Down Jackets for Women – Our Top 10 Picks
1. SAM. Women’s Freestyle Shaped Down Puffer Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The first down jacket for women that I recommend is the SAM. Women’s Freestyle Shaped Down Puffer Jacket. It is a quilted jacket shaped for a fitted silhouette with a marshmallow-white color.
Light and street-worthy, this jacket for women backpackers will provide warmth because it is filled with lofty goose down. It has a glossy finish, inset hand-warmer cuffs, and matte black hardware.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell is made of 100 percent nylon
- Zipper closure
- Center-front zipper
- Sleeve pocket
- Spandex thumbhole cuffs
- Fleece-lined pockets
2. Basin and Range New Wingate Down Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The next jacket for backpacking that you should consider is the Basin and Range New Wingate Down Jacket. This jacket is just right for you if you are fond of going out on wintry nights. Its pewter color makes it unique and attractive.
Basin and Range is the in-house line of outdoor clothing of Backcountry, a company that manufactures quality outdoor gears and complementary clothing. This company mixes classic rustic style with modern technology.
Key Features and Benefits
- 100 percent nylon shell fabric
- Lofty down filling that traps body heat without adding weight
- Thigh-length
- Regular fit
- Fixed hood with removable faux fur
- Four outside pockets
3. Marmot Women’s Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket, Fill Power 700
Click here to see it on Amazon.
If you are after an affordable but quality down jacket for women, the Marmot Women’s Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket will surely fit the bill. It has 700 fill power, so it will keep you warm even if the outside temperature is freezing.
The puffer-style of this jacket is intended to give you warmth and comfort even in harsh weather conditions. With its glacier grey color, you can say it is really winter-ready. It is also very durable and quite comfortable to wear.
Key Features and Benefits
- Moisture-resistant Down Defender treatment rated at 700 fill power will keep you warm and dry even in wet conditions
- Internal zippered pocket to keep your valuables close by
- Microfleece-lined zip hand-warmer pocket and internal cuffs for comfort
- Zip-off hood and removable fur ruff to customize your look
- Sleeve pocket with flap closure enables easy access to frequently used items
4. Mackage Women’s Patsy Matte Down Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Here is a more expensive down jacket for backpackers that I want you to think about. It is the Mackage Women’s Patsy Matte Down Jacket.
This jacket for backpacking has a defined waistline, which will do justice to your attractive figure. This down jacket makes you look stylish and chic while you are out there against the winds and snow.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell is made of 82 percent nylon and 18 percent spandex
- 2-way stretch tricot fabric
- Fill is composed of 90 percent goose down and 10 percent feather
- Water-repellent jacket with removable hood and leather trim
- Fill power is 850 plus
- Comfort zone down to -5°C or 23°F
5. Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Hartwell Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Hartwell Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket is another expensive jacket for backpackers that I would like you to consider. Its main feature is warmth without the bulk, which means it won’t add weight to your backpacking stuff.
Key Features and Benefits
- 700 fill power insulation
- 85 percent goose down and 15 percent feathers
- Waterproof jacket designed for dry and wet conditions
- 3-layered DWT coated waterproof fabrication
- Seam-sealing technology
- YKK AquaGuard and AQUASEAL zippers
- Part of the Aisen Collection, which is the brand’s most luxurious and most versatile collection
- Breathable and provides an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio
6. Triple F.A.T. Goose SAGA Collection | Whitney Women’s Lightweight Down Jacket with Hood
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Here is another jacket that is worth your consideration. It is the Triple F.A.T. Goose SAGA Collection. This versatile, lightweight jacket will give you warmth and comfort in a wide range of weather conditions.
You can wear it during cool autumn seasons and can be layered in frigid temperatures. It is part of the luxurious SAGA Collection, which combines luxury and performance.
Key Features and Benefits
- Hydrophobic nanotech (This patented technology is a type of coating applied to the durable two-tone outer layer fabrication. It can resist moisture while the outer layers provide a secure and sturdy first layer of protection.)
- 750 fill power rating with 90 percent down and 10 percent feather (Down is compressible providing warmth without the bulk.)
- Shell is made of 75 percent nylon and 25 percent polyester providing two-tone protection
- Optimal fit that is neither too tight nor too loose
7. SAM Matte Decade Down Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
If you can afford a more expensive down jacket for backpacking, I am recommending the SAM Matte Decade Down Jacket. This down jacket for women is so versatile that you can wear it in the streets of Manhattan and the boondocks of Sun Valley.
Its design protects you from the wind and water, as well as the frigidity of the cold weather.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell is made of 99 percent nylon and 1 percent polyurethane
- 100 percent nylon lining
- Goose down insulation
- Hood is attached
- Length hip jacket
- Regular fit
8. Mackage Women’s Farren Fitted Lightweight Down Jacket W/Quilted Detailing
Click here to see it on Amazon.
The Mackage Women’s Farren Fitted Lightweight Down Jacket W/Quilted Detailing is also a down jacket for women backpackers that I would recommend. It has all the features that are definitely worth your money.
Mackage was established in 1999. Their collections combine the finest down, leather, and wool, along with tailored silhouettes and exquisite details. They are committed to outstanding quality in all the clothing lines they produce.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell is woven and is made of 82 percent nylon and 18 percent Spandex
- Lining is also woven and made of 82 percent nylon
- Filling is composed of 90 percent goose down and 10 percent other fibers
- 2-way stretch-fitted silhouette
- Water-repellent fabric
- Matte black metalized zipper
- Pockets are inserted into cuts with invisible zipper
- -5°C comfort zone
- Green color
9. Mackage Women’s Kadalina Lux Light Weight Down Jacket
Click here to see it on Amazon.
You also should consider the Mackage Women’s Kadalina Lux Light Weight Down Jacket because of its great design and features.
It is made by Mackage so you can be sure that it is made with high-quality standards. This down jacket for women will also provide warmth and comfort. It is also durable and strong.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell is woven and made of 82 percent nylon and 18 percent Spandex
- Trimming is made with 100 percent cow leather
- Lining is also woven and made of 82 percent nylon and 18 percent Spandex
- Filling is 90 percent goose down and 10 percent other fibers
- Hidden toggle at hood opening
- Water repellent fabric
- Dyed Asiatic Raccoon fur sourced in China
- Center front zip closure
- Matte black metalized zipper
- – 10°C comfort zone
- Black color
10. Orolay Women’s Thickened Short Down Jacket Winter Coat
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Last but not the least is the Orolay Women’s Thickened Short Down Jacket Winter Coat. This down winter coat is very affordable for women backpackers who seek a jacket with a luxurious finish and with a modern twist.
It will provide you with reliable protection from heavy rain and freezing snow.
Key Features and Benefits
- Shell and lining fabric are made of 100 percent polyester
- High density, weather-resistant, and windproof shell
- Exquisite craftwork
- Body and sleeve fillers are made of 90 percent white duck down and 10 percent feathers
- Classic hood style with removable faux fur trim
- Two breast pockets with zipper closure and two side pockets with press-stud flap
- Full protection from snow, rains, and winds
- Stylish and chic with a length that will make you look tall and slim
- Ideal for outdoors, skiing, hiking, or while working
What to Look for in Backpacking Down Jackets for Women
To be fully satisfied with the down jacket that you will buy, you need to consider a lot of things. Here are some important factors that you need to know when looking for a down jacket for backpacking:
1. Can It Provide Excellent Warmth?
While warmth is a very subjective thing, you still need to know if the down jacket that you will buy can provide the warmth that you will need when backpacking. For instance, if the jacket is rated at 800 fill power per 1 kilogram of down, it can provide warmth better than a jacket that is rated at only 600 fill power per 1 kg. Buy a jacket that is not lower than 650.
2. Is the Jacket Filled with the Best Type of Down?
Down jackets are filled with two types of down: the regular type and the hydrophobic or treated type. The second type is better because it only loses about 30 percent of its warmth, even if it is exposed to moisture or water. It is treated with DWR or durable water repellent so that it can better resist water and dry faster than the regular type.
3. Does It Have the Best Construction?
Down jackets are made in two ways: baffle box and sewn-through. The cheaper process is sewn-through. However, its insulation is inferior to the baffle box because of its more affordable way of construction.
Sewn-through jackets are prone to the development of cold spots in the jacket because the down is not well-distributed in the structure. The baffle box process has all the down separated by boxes or rectangles in the structure. This process makes for better insulation inside the jacket.
4. Is the Jacket Compressible Enough?
There are times when wearing a down jacket will be impractical, such as when the temperature gets hot. Therefore, you need to fold the jacket and stack it in your backpack. The jacket must be easily compressed into a small pack or sack, which can be quickly opened once the temperature gets cold again.
5. Is It Lightweight?
If your down jacket is heavy, it will add more weight to the already heavy backpack you’re carrying.
6. Does It Have Enough Convenient Pockets?
Your down jacket should include two hand pockets to keep your hands warm. There should also be one or two internal pockets where you can store some of your valuables or small tools for easy access.
Conclusion – Best Down Jackets for Backpacking (for Women)
So to recap, what are the best down jackets for backpacking (for women)? Here are our top 10 picks:
- SAM. Women’s Freestyle Shaped Down Puffer Jacket – Click here to see it on Amazon – Our #1 Top Pick!
- Basin and Range New Wingate Down Jacket – Click here to see it on Amazon
- Marmot Women’s Ithaca Down Puffer Jacket
- Mackage Women’s Patsy Matte Down Jacket
- Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Hartwell Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket
- Triple F.A.T. Goose Aisen Collection | Suvo Waterproof Women’s Down Jacket
- SAM Matte Decade Down Jacket
- Mackage Women’s Farren Fitted Lightweight Down Jacket W/Quilted Detailing
- Mackage Women’s Kadalina Lux Light Weight Down Jacket
- Orolay Women’s Thickened Short Down Jacket Winter Coat
Finding the right down jacket is a difficult task as there are so many to choose from.
Especially for backpacking, you need to ensure you have the right jacket that is lightweight, water-resistant, breathable and comfortable. Any of the jackets listed above will make your backpacking adventures much better.
