The puffer jacket. An essential commodity this time of the year in Australia. When winter rolls through town this eloquently quilted garment of clothing gets more action than almost any other item in the wardrobe.
As the insulated genre has blossomed over the last few years thanks to the rapid adoption of outdoor and mountaineering labels such as North Face and Patagonia, several new operators have joined in on the men’s puffer jacket arms race, making deciding on where to drop your hard-earned cash even harder.
If you’re looking for a tried and tested men’s puffer jacket this winter, look no further:
The North Face
1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket – $480
No shocks here, the North Face range of insulated outerwear rank as some of the best men’s puffer jackets and the 1996 Retro Nuptse is no exception. Harnessing a real 90s aesthetic, this heavily quilted goose-down number has an oversized look and comes in a slew of options from the classic TNF black to a bolder lapis blue.
COS
Short Puffer Jacket – $335
Just as you’d expect from COS, the puffer is simple but still undeniably carries that elevated style we’ve come to expect from the label. This short puffer is made with recycled materials as well as duck down and feather. The jacket has a smooth water-resistant exterior with a high collar which is optimal for locking in the warmth, colourwise it’s the light grey for sure.
Aere
Philadelphia Recycled Polyester Puffer Jacket – $200
A real banger from The Iconic’s in-house brand, Aere, the Philadelphia Puffer has a real utility look to it with deep side pockets and high quilted collar. Made up of recycled materials this is optimised for warmth with a heavy amount of padding around the chest and back.
R.M Williams
Coorong Jacket – $399
With just as much craft poured in as some of their boots, the Coorong from R.M Williams is a more sophisticated take on the men’s puffer jacket. Suited to looking sharp and retaining the heat, the Coorong is a shapely fit with clean lines and leather trim across the shoulders, all class.
The North Face
Belleview Stretch Down Jacket – $450
Providing a much more classic silhouette, the Belleview is your more staple men’s puffer jacket. Still providing that notorious North Face warmth, it’s a slimmer fit which is ideal for just throwing over a t-shirt. On the colourway front, black is the staple but there’s a rusted brown or shady blue.
Patagonia
Silent Down Jacket – $429.95
Quality, craft, and sustainability, Patagonia’s gear is built to last. This Silent Down number is in the running for the best men’s puffer jacket, it’s loaded with recycled duck down making it one of the warmest on the market and the zippable hood is an absolute saviour for those extra crisp situations.
Superdry
Vintage Retro Cord Puffer Jacket – $229.95
Channelling serious 70s energy, this tidy cord puffer from Superdry adds a refreshingly alternate look to the men’s puffer jacket genre. Despite appearances, the technology inside this one is ultra-modern with incredibly toasty recycled padding and zip pockets for keeping the hands warm.
Arcteryx
Thorium Jacket – $639
Founded in Canada in 1989, Arcteryx has long meant business in the outdoors. Fast forward to today, and the bone fossil emblem is just about one of the trendiest labels out there, but it’s for good reason. The Thorium is the quintessential black puffer jacket and is one of the lightest and warmest you’ll ever slip your arms through.
Check out the best white sneakers to cop this year over here.
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Image credit: The Iconic (supplied)