With New York’s winter weather kicking into full swing, it may be the perfect time to update your winter wardrobe. Dressing for the cold weather takes a lot of thought — and layers. Arguably, one of the most important layers is your jacket. There is definitely a saturated market for puffer jackets, between the household classics to more everyday luxury brands. That begs the question: What is the best winter puffer jacket?

To answer this question, I first started looking around campus to see what other people were wearing and if it looked like they were keeping warm. I saw a plethora of students wearing The North Face, Aritzia and Canada Goose puffer jackets on my walks around campus. These puffer jackets are quilted jackets insulated with synthetic fibers or goose down, which is measured by its fill power. A brief note, 200-400 is a low fill,  400-500 is an average fill and 700 and above is high; this measures the density and insulating ability of goose down. 

Starting with two classics: Aritzia and Canada Goose. Aritzia describes its Original Super Puff as filled with “700+ fill goose down and goose feathers” and some styles feature cliMATTE which is water repellent and wind resistant. The Super Puff has an extensive color selection and a wide choice of lengths and finishes. I have recently tried this coat on in-person, and I found it quite puffy and warm. This coat offers a great value for a moderate price range of $200-$500. (If you are looking for a dupe, I would recommend looking at the brand Quince because they look extremely similar with almost identical specs for half the price.) 

While Artizia’s Super Puff has recently taken Fordham by storm, I have seen Canada Goose around for a while. Canada Goose will be the most expensive brand I’ll be mentioning with average costs ranging from $1,000-$2,000. These coats are top of the line and focus on high level craftsmanship, durability and functionality. They feature 625 fill and feature Arctic Tech to protect against the elements. They come in a variety of neutral colors and many styles. My only complaint is that the price is not in everybody’s budget. Additionally, there are coats that can keep you just as warm without the price tag. 

For the past few winters, I have been rocking their Gotham Parka in Summit Navy. This is a mid-thigh length coat with water-repellent coating, and has a blend of “550 fill goose down and ample synthetic insulation.” My favorite features of this jacket would be how warm it keeps me and the durability the coat offers. I used to live in northern Vermont  where the weather is no joke, but I found this jacket to be very helpful in the single digit temperatures. One thing I appreciate about this jacket is that it is machine washable. The coat retails for $270 and comes in a variety of colors. However, if visibility is a priority for you, most of the available colors are dark or quite muted. I would easily recommend this puffer to anyone looking for a longer jacket.

Brands like Columbia or L.L. Bean has stood the test of time through decades of loyal customers. If you are on a budget, these brands can easily be sourced secondhand. They are good quality and have been built to last. Even at retail prices, they are towards the lower end of the price range. I grew up wearing a lot of both and can testify that their quality is great for the price. The only downside is that Columbia often uses synthetic down, which is arguably not as effective as goose down. One of my favorite thrifted pieces is a red silky puffer jacket from Calvin Klein, a sturdy jacket even though the brand is not known for their outerwear. If thrifting is not really your thing, resale websites or marketplaces have been growing in popularity over the past few years and offer great discounts on popular name brand coats. 

While staying on trend can be fun, I wanted to explore my options in the puffer jacket market. I am certain many of you have heard of these companies, so I wanted to find a solid recommendation that is not as mainstream. 

That is where I stumbled upon a few different brands. One of those is Cotopaxi. I discovered this brand on a camping trip upstate to the Adirondacks and was instantly intrigued by the bright, bold and patchwork appearance. Their “Fuego Down Parka” has an excellent fill power of 800 while also being lightweight and less bulky than other coats listed here. I believe the packable nature of this jacket is perfect for plenty of college students on the go while not compromising the warmth it provides. The outside has a durable water-repellent finished ripstop, creating a water-resistant finish. Coming in at a $250-$350 price point, I believe this moderately priced coat could be an excellent choice. With all that in mind, the main reason why I wanted to bring attention to this business is because of their mission statement and sustainability efforts. While most brands I mentioned responsibly source their down feathers, their social and global impact is not as impressive. Cotopaxi offers something bright, new and fun to the outerwear scene while making a real impact. Plus, some bright colors can always help in the dark winter months. 

Personally, I would definitely recommend real goose down if you can get the chance, and stick to something fuller in length. However, I think that picking the best puffer jacket comes down to what you feel comfortable and confident in. So whether you are running across campus to get to your class at Faculty Memorial Hall or strolling around Soho on a Saturday afternoon, I hope you can continue to stay warm this semester.