Puff, Puff, Piste: The Best Puffer Jackets To Keep You Warm This Winter

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Being puffy doesn’t normally feel like a good thing — just ask the ice roller in my freezer about my under eyes — but somehow it’s perfectly well-to-do when it comes to outerwear. Puffy coats are quilted jackets in which sections are stuffed, either with down or a similar fill, and as such, they tend to be warmer than other options.

Thank God the puffer coat is popular. When it’s freezing, gray, or snowing, the extra insulation of a down jacket, coat, or vest can make the difference between being comfortable or miserable. I have vivid memories of wrapping myself up in a rented puffer during finals week in college and immediately feeling protected; sure, it was December and dark at 4pm, but I had a barrier between me and the world. 

In early adulthood, I’ve loved using a puffer to add a pop of color or design to style my cold-weather ‘fits—and they’re all over the Internet. These trendy TikTok-famous styles come in vibrant colors and funky designs that look stylish rather than duvet-like. Go sporty or girly—sky’s the limit.

Read on for a few of our initial favorites this Fall 2022.

8 Editor-Picked Puffer Coats & Down Vests

1. Girlfriend Collective Wine Classic Recycled Puffer, $168.
2. Noize Felicia Puffer, $102 (was $240).
3. Halfdays Nellie Packable Puffer Jacket, $195.
4. Jenni Kayne Puffer Jacket, $425.
5. OFFHOURS Overvest, $395.
6. Bernardo Two-Way Luxe Shine Puffer Jacket, $200.
7. Bernardo Funnel Neck Puffer Vest, $84.
8. FARM RIO Black & White Cerrado Sky Reversible Puffer Jacket – $325.

Girlfriend Collective — Wine Classic Recycled Puffer Vest — $168.

I swear by Girlfriend Collective for high quality, lasting, eco-friendly leggings and activewear. Plus, they’re always releasing splashy new colors and collections. Their latest puffer drop? No exception. The wine color is gorgeous, while the material is wind-resistant, water-resistant, and suitable for temperatures as low as 18–28 °F. It also includes an adjustable bottom bungee you can cinch in to keep cold air out and compressive cuffs ideal for layering over gloves—midlayer, anyone? While I’m partial to the burgundy shade, this Girlfriend Collective puffer also comes in black, olive, a burnt orange, warm gray, light blue, and cream.

Noize — Felicia Puffer — $192.

Need a little extra warmth? Add in a sherpa collar. As is my preference, the jacket also has thumbholes and multiple fleece-lined pockets. Noize as a brand is also PETA-approved vegan. Reviewers note that it has an oversized fit, so it’s great to wear over a chunky sweater on the slopes—although you’ll want to skip it if you don’t like that “shapeless” Gen Z fit. Personally, I love looking like the Michelin man. While the jacket’s available to rent in plum on our fave rental site Nuuly, it’s available to buy on the brand’s site in black, blue, white, and green—now for 40 percent off.

Halfdays — Nellie Packable Puffer Jacket — $195.

Halfdays is a favorite of ours. Its brand ethos, squarely between stylish and functional, aligns with our mission exactly: women in the outdoors who express themselves without the pressure to go either super technical or super luxe (although, in fairness, their gear can cost a pretty penny too.) On an aesthetic level, I simply love the brights and neons in their brand palette. Pairing their packable puffer with their base layers makes an effortless monochrome ‘fit for wherever the day takes you. And it packs down to nothing, which is perfect for ski weekends jetting off to take advantage of your ski passes—when you may or may not need that extra layer.

Jenni Kayne — Puffer Jacket — $425.

If you’re big on the neutrals, Jenni Kayne has got you covered. This California-inspired designer crafts sleek, chic silhouettes that elevate a variety of outfits. Now, this one’s dry clean only, so I wouldn’t drag it out into the woods the way I would the rest, but I’d definitely pair the dark khaki with everything else from workwear to date night — for when you want the comfort of a puffer but need to appear more formal or polished.

OFFHOURS — Overvest — $395.

Similarly, the Overvest from OFFHOURS introduces some fashionable camp into the mix. It’s unapologetically bulky and luxurious, with a price tag to match, in a way most fitting for the 2022 trend cycle. The brand centers around the adage of “inactive-wear,” the antithesis to the activewear brands introducing on-the-go puffers. This extra-long puffy vest is what you wear around the house or on a leisurely walk rather than during a substantial activity. Because of that, it looks and feels like you’re wearing your duvet—but make it high fashion.

Bernardo – Two-Way Luxe Shine Puffer Jacket — $200.

Go luxe with this adjustable women’s winter jacket from Bernardo. It’s super shiny and overly puffed—we love the drama!—and crafted from 24 plastic water bottles. The glossy black dresses up any outfit, whether you’re headed to the office or trying for a sexy date night look despite frigid temps. Better yet, the hood is removable with a wraparound zip, so you can style it in a myriad of ways. This jacket is about hip-length, so it’s plenty cozy.

Bernardo – Funnel Neck Puffer Vest – $84

Admittedly, I’m a maximalist, so a knee-length yellow nylon puffer vest fills me with immense glee. The *puff* aspect of the vest ensures that your torso’s wrapped in warmth, but you have a bit more breathability. I also love the neck buckle and the funnel neck. Like the others in Bernardo’s EcoBlume collection, this garment’s constructed of recycled water bottles—21, to be exact. Bonus! While we’re all about shopping direct-to-consumer, this lewk is currently a whopping 50 percent off at Lord & Taylor for $84. (It’s originally $169.)

FARM RIO — Black & White Cerrado Sky Reversible Puffer Jacket – $325.

For most printed parkas, you have to commit to one you don’t mind wearing chilly day after day, week after week, season after season. Although we love maximalism, that gets old fast. Enter this two-sided reversible puffer from Farm Rio. Get bored? Switch to the other side.