Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Everyone wants to stay warm this winter, and what’s warmer than down? Made from the under layer of a goose or duck’s warmest and softest feathers, these jackets are lightweight but incredibly insulating, which makes them a great way to stay warm without being weighed down by too many layers. Sure, down loses its warmth if it gets wet, but the right waterproof shell can ensure that never happens.
Here are five options for down parkas plus one more that’s a little more outside the norm.
1) Nanga Aerial Down Parka Packable Navy
There’s a photography truism of “the best camera is the one you have with you” and I think that goes double for outerwear. Nanga, one of Japan’s foremost down artistes, may not have made the absolute warmest parka but they did make the most portable. 65 grams of 760 fill power Spanish goose down fill this jacket that packs into and unto itself. Probably makes a pretty comfortable pillow too!
Available for $366 at Lost & Found.
2) Ten C Arctic Down Parka
If the desert planet Arrakis was actually a frozen wasteland instead of covered in sand dunes, the Fremen would make stillsuits to preserve warmth rather than moisture and I’m guessing they would look a little like this puffer from Ten C. It is made of this earth in Italy, but the water resist polyamide shell, double-elasticated cuffs, and that crazy triangle stitch on the storm flap have me thinking cold is the mind killer (and still bummed that Dune 2 isn’t out yet).
Available for $1163 at Blue in Green.
3) Alaska Sleeping Bag Goose Down Arctic Work Coat
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On the more traditional end of the spectrum is this throwback from Alaska Sleeping Bag, which was founded in Portland, Oregon in the 1930s before going bust in the 70s. The Japanese company Toyo revived the name a few years ago and is still making outerwear like the 700 fill power, coyote-lined parka above; but they still make them in the USA.
Available at Hinoya for $1,150.
4) The North Face 65/35 Mountain Short Down Parka
Another Japan-American conglomerate is North Face Purple Label, the slightly more formal Japanese interpretation of the American alpine brand. The line is spearheaded by Nanamica designer Eichiro Homma and you can expect the same level of care on each fabric, pocket placement, and zipper choice. This short parka features “Kodenshi” down insulation that supposedly acts like a mirror, reflecting infrared body heat back at the wearer.
Available for $458 at Sunhouse.
5) Auralee Super Light Nylon Down Blouson
Just look at that drape, that hang, that density! Don’t you want to just run up and squeeze an arm on that thing because you know it will reinflate in the most satisfying way possible? It’s windproof, waterproof, and filled with UK white duck down that’s been dried, re-humidified, and then dried again because that makes the down fluffier.
Available for $1,042 at Lost & Found.
Plus One – F/CE Fire Resistant Down Jacket
So we’ve talked about wind resistant and water resistant parkas, but what about that other pernicious element, fire? F/CE has you covered in their down parka that will keep you warm while also preventing you from literally roasting with a fireproof exterior. The logic here is that people often huddle around campfires when wearing it, I guess? Well if you want to cook a smore without becoming one, this is the jacket for you.
Available at for $558 at Sunhouse and Costs.
