The right insulated jacket that matches your pursuit and the weather can be the difference between a successful summit and bailing back to the car. But it can be challenging to pick the best insulated jacket. In this article, we will guide you to the best insulated jacket for you from our line-up. Whether you are running miles down the trail, cragging in Indian Creek, or attempting a winter descent of Denali, Black Diamond has a line of insulated jackets designed and tailored for your pursuit.

DOWN VS. SYNTHETIC INSULATION

One of the first steps when choosing an insulated jacket is to choose between down and synthetic insulation. Deciding between down and synthetic is important, as each material performs differently in different climates, and this can affect the longevity and lifetime of your jacket. Each insulation type has its benefits and its downsides; let’s walk through them.

DOWN INSULATION


Down jackets are filled primarily with goose down. Generally, down jackets are lightweight and packable but remain warm. As you get into larger, puffier down jackets, they are less packable but are warmer and ideal for extreme cold. Down jackets are lightweight, packable, and ultra warm thanks to a high warmth-to-weight ratio; this makes them a widely popular option for outdoor pursuits. The downside to down insulation is that it does not perform in wet environments; it clumps and loses loft. This means down jackets excel in dry conditions: think the desert in the fall or winter, or a cold morning in Montana. Our down has DWR treatment, making it last longer in wet environments, but if you are primarily pursuing adventures in wet climates, synthetic insulation is a better option.


SYNTHETIC INSULATION


A common reason people choose synthetic insulation over down insulation is that synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when wet. Synthetic jackets are a great option if you gravitate towards adventures in the Pacific Northwest or New England. Synthetic insulated jackets are less packable and bulkier than down, at the same warmth rating. All of our synthetic jackets are made with panel insulation that is less likely to pack out and break down, making them durable and long-lasting. Also, synthetic jackets are often more affordable than down jackets for similar warmth and performance ratings. This makes them a great option if you need warmth and performance on a budget.

VERSATILE VS. TECHNICAL INSULATED JACKETS

At Black Diamond, we approach insulation design with the ethos of apparel as equipment, meaning we take the clothes you wear as seriously as the equipment you use in the mountains.

We have broken down our insulated jackets by their insulation type and versatility to help you choose the best insulated jacket for your pursuit. Some jackets are ultra-versatile and transition between the office and mountain pursuits with ease, while others are built specifically for ultra-fast missions or weeks-long expeditions in cold conditions.

TECHNICAL DOWN

Ultralight


If you are an athlete looking for a layer to keep you warm in unpredictable mountain weather while attempting an FKT on the Teton Crest Trail or planning an epic ridgeline traverse, our Deploy Down 0.5 Pullover Hoody is the best option. It is the world’s lightest hoody, with the men’s weighing only 148g (the women’s weighs 138g) and features 1000 fill power goose down. This makes it ultra warm, and minimal features make it ultra packable. It also comes in a full zip version for easier on and off. The Deploy Down 0.5 is a favorite of our athletes, like Joe Grant and Hazel Findlay.


If you still want an ultralight puffy but need a few more features like pockets and a cinch hood, the Deploy Down 1.0 Hoody features 800 fill power goose down and is ready for alpine missions.


Expedition Worthy


On the other end of the spectrum, if you are heading to Alaska or Canada searching for steep lines or high mountain summits in sub-zero temperatures, you need an ultrawarm down jacket—our Mission Down 4000 Parka is built for cold conditions, wherever you may find them. Featuring 800 fill power goose down with a tough Nylon LCP ripstop fabric, this parka is expedition-ready.

TECHNICAL SYNTHETIC


If you are looking for an insulated jacket that is ultrawarm, but still performs in wet climates, our Solution 4.0 Parka is great for ice climbing trips and windy winter days.


If you are out there moving in the cold weather on a winter training run or a long ski tour, our First Light 1.0 and 2.0 Stretch Hoodies breathe and move with you. The First Light 1.0 Stretch Hoody has a fleece backing and underarms, letting you dump heat while you work hard in cold temperatures. The First Light is also a great layer piece under a ski shell for resort sidecountry days, thanks to its breathability.

VERSATILE DOWN

Everyday Use

If you are looking for a puffy to wear every day from fall through spring, it’s the Access Down 2.0 Hoody. A midweight down layer with 800 down fill power makes this an ultra-versatile insulated jacket ready for chilly crag days and tailgate après, while the 100% recycled shell fabric has a buttery soft hand feel, making this a great town jacket. When you think of a classic ‘puffy,’ this is the jacket you grab.

If you need a versatile down jacket that prioritizes freedom of movement, our Access Down 1.0 Hoody has a 700 down fill power and stretch woven fleece side panels for added mobility. Providing a little less warmth than the Access Down 2.0, it is still ultra soft and ready for the everyday adventure.

VERSATILE SYNTHETIC


Go-Anywhere Insulation


Our Solution 1.0 Hoody and Solution 2.0 Hoody offer shutdown warmth combined with windproof and waterproof protection, making them a go-anywhere option if you prefer a synthetic insulated jacket. Durable panels of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation with Cross Core™ and a tough, recycled polyester shell make the Solution ready for any adventure in any season. Great as a layer for summer backpacking trips in the Wind River Range or late fall climbing trips to Chattanooga.

CONCLUSION

Our insulation families cover the range of mountain pursuits, from technical alpine ascents and cold-weather expeditions to casual days at the crag and post-skiing hangs at the tailgate. Choose your insulated jacket with confidence and get after it, no matter your pursuit.

Bonus Pitch

Gear does not last forever, and chimney pitches and tree branch snags put holes in your puffy. Thankfully, repairing an insulated jacket is simple and easy. Check out our DIY repair resources with Black Diamond ReRoute.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Match insulation to your activity: The right insulated jacket depends on your pursuit and the environment, from fast alpine missions to wet-weather adventures, or everyday wear.
  • Down insulation: Lightweight, highly packable, and exceptionally warm, making it ideal for dry and cold conditions, but it struggles to perform in wetter climates.
  • Synthetic insulation: Keeps you warm even when wet, offers solid durability, and provides a more affordable option for adventures in damp climates like the Pacific Northwest.
  • Technical vs. versatile: Black Diamond’s insulated jackets range from high-performance pieces purpose-built for mountain pursuits at the limits and everyday down and synthetic options that transition from the everyday to the weekend trip, easily.
Molly climbs The Thumb on Lone Peak.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Molly is Black Diamond Equipment’s copywriter. Her expertise in outdoor apparel and equipment comes from a decade-long love affair with backcountry splitboarding and climbing. She likes low-angle powder laps on high-avy days and sending long desert splitters.