Lightweight Down Jackets – Five Plus One

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.


Well, it’s officially autumn, and while it might not be freezing yet it’s starting to feel like it’s time to bundle up. Whether you’re a New Yorker needing to layer up until building heat turns on on October 1st, or you’re preppin’ for when things start to get even colder, we hope our list of lightweight down jackets has you covered.

1) Gramicci x Taion: Inner Down Jacket

Lightweight-Down-Jackets---Five-Plus-One 1) Gramicci: Inner Down Jacket

Gramicci‘s collaboration with Japanese outerwear label, Taion, resulted in this Inner Down Jacket. A great way to add warmth to a ton of outfits, especially if you’re traveling, this jacket can easily be worn as either a mid or top layer depending on wear you live, and its packable design makes it easy to stuff into a backpack or duffel if the weather warms up. Made with ripstop fabric and 800 fill down, this lightweight jacket gives you a ton of bang for your buck.

Available for $110 from Hatchet Outdoor Supply Co.

2) Nanamica: Reversible Down Cardigan – Dark Navy

Lightweight-Down-Jackets---Five-Plus-One-2)-Nanamica-Reversible-Down-Cardigan---Dark-Navy

Nanamica‘s Reversible Down Cardigan is another lightweight workhorse with down insulation that isn’t too warm. With a quilted ripstop on one side and smooth cotton fabric on the other, this Kodenshi Down cardigan is warm, versatile, and a whole lot of fun. With its baggy fit and widely spaced button closure, this Japan-made cardigan might be a bit out-there for some, but it’s a great way to add a piece to your wardrobe that will slip over any amount of layers with ease.

Available for $440 from Wallace Mercantile Shop.

3) Ten C: Hooded Down Liner – Dark Khaki

Puffer-Jacket---Five-Plus-One-3)-Ten-C-Hooded-Down-Liner---Dark-Khaki

Ten C‘s Hooded Down Liner is designed to convert their other outerwear to the ultra-insulated outwear of dreams, but it can easily work as a puffer jacket all its own. Made in Romania, it’s constructed with a nylon outer with European duck-down insulation and features a YKK zipper closure, elasticated cuffs, and an adjustable hood. While it looks great on its own, you’ll love being able to insert this jacket into Ten C’s other coats or layering it with your owngarb.

Available for $565 from Division Road.

4) Uniqlo: Ultra Light Down Parka (3D Cut)

Puffer-Jacket---Five-Plus-One-4)-Uniqlo-Ultra-Light-Down-Parka-(3D-Cut)

Not everywhere gets that cold in the fall and winter, but it’s still nice to have a warm coat or jacket for when things turn frigid. If you find yourself in this sutation, Uniqlo‘s Ultra Light Down Park is a solid and inexpensive option. The design is great with a tall zipper and oversized hood, and the “3D Cut” is designed to offer an improved range of motion. Made with a water-resistant coated nylon shell and 750+ fill-down insulation, this jacket is perfect if you need some insulation on a budget.

Available for $80 from Uniqlo.

5) Cotopaxi: Fuego Hooded Down Jacket

Puffer-Jacket---Five-Plus-One-5)-Cotopaxi-Fuego-Hooded-Down-Jacket

While Cotopaxi‘s aesthetic is definitely not for everyone, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love their Fuego Hooded Down Jacket (especially in the featured 1970’s inspired Indigo/Mezcal colorway). Constructed with ripstop nylon with horizontal quilting of 800+ down fill, this jacket is certainly going to hold up against the elements well (and look great doing it).

Available for $192+ from REI.

Plus One – Crescent Down Works: Down Shirt

The-Heddels-Overshirt-Guide-2022-Available-from-$525-at-Crescent-Down-Works

While Crescent Down Works is known for making some seriously heavy down jackets, their Down Shirt is meant to be more of a middle layer. While definitely warm enough for less frigid environments, CDW’s down shirt can be used for layering for those who are in the colder parts of the globe. Made in Seattle and featuring a 5 oz. fill of 700+ Goose Down, this shirt is able to provide a good deal of heat for the light amount of fill. And with the snap closure, chest pocket, and pointed collar, you’ll definitely have one of the more fun layering pieces out there.

Available for $598 from Crescent Down Works.