The 6 Best Insulated Jackets for Women

Best Overall Insulated Jacket for Women

Patagonia DAS Light Hoody - Women's

Weight: 11.5 oz | Insulation: 65g Plumafill (100% recycled polyester)

After years of testing, the Patagonia DAS Light Hoody remains a standout among insulated jackets. Its seamless, baffle-free construction and spacious fit through the arms and torso allow for effortless layering and movement. The hood is impressively roomy, easily accommodating a helmet or beanie without inhibiting motion. The outer fabric sheds rain, sleet, and snow better than most other jackets in the lineup and effectively seals out even high, snow-driven north winds. Packed with Plumafill insulation, it delivers exceptional warmth while compressing down to the size of a one-liter bottle—rivaling the packability of down. Designed with alpine adventures in mind, it's a versatile piece built for the mountains. We especially love the long cut and hem adjustability, which helps keep our backside warm.

While the DAS Light shines in many areas, it has some limitations. Its Pertex Quantum fabric is a bit loud and crinkly and leaves a bit to be desired in the breathability department during high-intensity activities. At just 10D, the exterior fabric is delicate and prone to damage. One of our testers noted: “I sadly sliced the exterior very easily on a sharp snowboard edge,” and another tester had the same issue with ice tools. While it's fairly packable, fitting it into its integrated stuff pocket proved challenging. Despite these minor flaws, this jacket is a stellar choice for warmth, weather resistance, and year-round versatility. For a softer exterior and a slightly lower price, the Rab Xenair Alpine is another excellent option, particularly for cold, wet conditions and technical pursuits. For a technical jacket with better breathability, check out The North Face Casaval Hybrid Hoodie.

Read more: Patagonia DAS Light Hoody review

Best Warmth and Value

Columbia Heavenly Hoody - Women's

Weight: 22.4 oz | Insulation: 100% Polyester

The Columbia Heavenly Hoody is a stylish hooded jacket with over-the-top cozy features. The faux fur lining inside the hood feels deluxe when the temps drop, and the extended stretch-knit cuffs with thumbholes are both soft and protective. The outer shell handily cuts the wind and repels rain and snow, with plenty of room underneath for layering. Over the years, our testers continue to rave about how stylish this coat looks. To top it off, it's more affordable than many other options and has a long list of features.

With its thick insulation and sturdier materials, breathability and packability are inherent trade-offs. It's one of few jackets we tested that doesn't pack into its own pocket, and it's by far the heaviest jacket in our lineup. Yet we love the warmth, comfort, and vibe when wearing this coat to hit the slopes or explore the shops of a mountain town on a cold winter night. It's a high-value and stylish jacket with solid performance and a great price. If you can't swing the cost, the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant jacket is super affordable, but you'll give up quite a bit in warmth, comfort, and weather resistance. For another very affordable jacket with great wind and water resistance, but admittedly less style, look into the Outdoor Ventures.

Read more: Columbia Heavenly Hoody review

Budget Best Buy

Outdoor Ventures Packable Lightweight Hooded - Women's

Weight: 10.5 oz | Insulation: Coreloft 60 (100% recycled polyester)

The Outdoor Ventures Lightweight Packable Hooded jacket is a super budget-friendly option that could easily fool you into thinking it costs much more. With its adjustable hood that fully seals out harsh wind and exterior fabric that beads even heavy rain, we were impressed by the weather resistance of this affordable insulated jacket. Though it is lightweight, we found that the small size we tested was almost 2 ounces heavier than the claimed weight when we weighed it in the lab.

While we were enamored by many aspects of this jacket, it has a handful of minor flaws. This wouldn't be a top choice for activities that demand breathability, as the very waterproof and wind-resistant fabric traps heat. Some testers also found the fit to be a bit too relaxed, to the point where it bunches up when layered beneath a shell. But for the low price tag, these slight downfalls didn't bother us too much. If you're looking to splurge for more of a technical and breathable jacket, the North Face Casaval is an excellent layer. For something a bit more casual at a similar price point, also with good water resistance, the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant jacket also has decent performance for the price.

Read more: Outdoor Ventures review

Most Versatile Layer

Arc'teryx Atom Hoody - Women's

Weight: 10.5 oz | Insulation: Coreloft 60 (100% recycled polyester)

The Arc'teryx Atom Hoody feels and fits differently than most other options we tested — it's so comfortable. It trades out the swishy exterior for a soft, pliable material that feels more like wearing a weather-resistant sweatshirt than a coat. Breathable side panels help to regulate your body temperature when you're putting in the effort, and the jacket is cut and designed for enhanced shoulder mobility. It has enough space underneath for bulky base layers and is easy to layer under a shell or a parka, making it super versatile and a great piece to add to your layering system. This makes it excellent for activities including backcountry and cross-country skiing, rock, ice, and alpine climbing, as well as simpler outings like drinks with friends or evening walks.

Unlike some similar-sized jackets, we were surprised to find during testing that the Atom Hoody doesn't stuff into its own pocket. Still, this jacket is lightweight and compressible, and we often found ourselves wearing it rather than packing it. Despite offering great protection against the wind and snow, this lightweight option isn't quite as warm as some other models we tested. Even so, it's a great choice for mild days or - our favorite use - as a mid-layer in our all-day-adventure layering system. If you want an even more breathable option, we recommend the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie, which is less warm, but better for exercise.

Read more: Arc'teryx Atom Hoody review

Best for Breathability

Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè - Women's

Weight: 10.4 oz | Insulation: Swisswool

The Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè is made for those who thrive on nonstop winter adventures. This jacket shines during high-output cardio activities where stopping to change layers often is impractical. Fleece stretch panels under the arms and across the shoulders strike a balance of warmth and ventilation. The extended stretch-knit cuffs provide comfort and seal out wind while allowing airflow along the lower forearms. Midline pockets, designed to be accessed easily, even with a harness or pack on, are perfect for quick grabs on the go. Lined with mesh, they double as vents when you need extra breathability during intense efforts.

While the main fabric of the Piz Boè is water-resistant, the stretch panels are not, making it better suited for dry, active pursuits. It's lightweight and thin, ideal for movement but not for standing still in harsh winter weather. The slim fit is designed for layering over thin base layers, which could feel restrictive for some body types. Unlike other jackets, it lacks a stuff pocket, though that's a minor drawback—we found it hard to want to take this one off. For those seeking more warmth and a versatile design, the The North Face Thermoball Eco Hoodie 2.0 might be a better choice, offering a casual aesthetic and slightly more insulation. However, when it comes to regulating body temperature during high-output activities like snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, or winter running, the Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè is a top pick.

Read more: Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè review

Best Down Jacket for Women

Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's

Fill: 800-fill European goose down | Weight: 18.5 oz

If you're seeking a jacket that delivers more warmth than any synthetic option, the Rab Neutrino Pro remains a standout favorite among our testers. This season, it once again earned our Editors' Choice in the women's down jacket category. Designed for extreme cold, the Neutrino Pro features oversized, lofty baffles and an extended drop hem to shield you from biting winds and freezing temperatures. Raglan sleeves ensure ease of movement, making it a top pick for activities like ice climbing and mountaineering. Impressively, despite its substantial loft, the Neutrino Pro avoids the bulky “marshmallow” look common in similarly warm parkas, offering both functionality and a sleek silhouette.

That said, the Neutrino Pro might be overkill if you're not regularly venturing into frigid environments. Its incredible warmth could be excessive for mild or moderately cold winters, especially if you don't tend to feel the chill easily. For those seeking a more versatile option with solid weather resistance but less insulation, the Rab Microlight Alpine is a fantastic alternative, offering comparable performance at a more budget-friendly price. While a few testers noted that the hood's velcro adjustment strap felt less secure than a traditional toggle cord, this minor detail hardly detracts from the Neutrino Pro's overall excellence. If ultimate warmth is what you need, this jacket will have your back in any cold-weather adventure. “In cold temps, I really look forward to snuggling into the Neutrino. I know it can handle even the coldest of storms,” gushed one of our testers.

Read more: Rab Neutrino Pro review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	78	Patagonia DAS Light Hoody - Women's Best Overall Insulated Jacket for Women	$349
	78	Arc'teryx Atom Hoody - Women's Most Versatile Layer	$300
	76	The North Face Casaval Hybrid Hoodie - Women's	$260
	71	Columbia Heavenly Hoody - Women's Best Warmth and Value	$150
	71	Rab Xenair Alpine - Women's	$260
	67	Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè - Women's Best for Breathability	$320
	66	Outdoor Ventures Packable Lightweight Hooded - Women's Budget Best Buy	$56
	65	Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket - Women's	$239
	65	Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody - Women's	$289
	62	Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie - Women's	$235
	62	Patagonia Nano Air Hoody - Women's	$329
	61	The North Face Thermoball Eco Hoodie 2.0 - Women's	$250
	59	Amazon Essentials Lightweight Packable Puffer - Women's	$43
	57	Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Hooded - Women's	$180
	49	Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded - Women's	$150
	49	Columbia Powder Lite II - Women's	$160
	48	Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant - Women's	$45

How We Test Women's Insulated Jackets

Over the last decade, we have researched over 100 insulated jackets to find the best of the best to bring to you. After sifting through reviews, specifications, and accolades, we selected the most promising jackets available. Buying each one anonymously at retail cost, we put them to the test, seeking out their limitations in harsh weather and for big adventures like alpine ice routes, rainy backpacking, Arctic sailing and below-zero backcountry skiing. We also judged their effectiveness for our day-to-day routines, like walking the dog at sunrise, or chilly nights out with friends. We zipped into each jacket for many cumulative hours. Ideally, each jacket gets tested in multiple snow climates, in a range of conditions, and for many activities to determine where it shines. We also put each jacket through objective tests in the lab, weighing them, packing them, checking their wind resistance, and examining their water repellency under running water. For more information on our tests, take a look at our full How We Test article.

Our women's insulated jacket testing is divided into five rating metrics:

• Warmth (25% of total score weighting)

• Comfort (25% weighting)

• Weather Resistance (20% weighting)

• Portability (15% weighting)

• Breathability (15% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

This review is headed by Kaylee Walden. Kaylee is an AMGA-Certified Ski Guide, expedition guide, and avalanche educator who spends her year following the snow to mountainous and glaciated places. That predisposition to chase winter has her often reaching for insulated jackets to keep warm and dry year-round.

Rounding out the testing team are Maggie Nichols and Amber King. Maggie worked as a backcountry guide for over 15 years, leading backpacking, rafting, kayaking, and hiking trips across the world, from the Ecuadorian Andes to the Drakensberg Mountains spanning South Africa. She grew up in frigid Midwestern winters and now calls the Sierra Nevada Mountains home. Amber lives and plays in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, exploring the peaks around her hometown. She can be found splitboarding throughout Colorado, climbing and trail running wherever she can.

Analysis and Test Results

Our selection ranges from heavier options for serious weather to featherweight, packable ones designed for light and fast outings. All are subjected to an array of objective tests to measure performance in five exhaustive and mutually exclusive metrics: Warmth, comfort, weather resistance, packability, and breathability. Though their overall scores show how they compare, we will dive into the specific metric performances of this lineup; some jackets are good across the board, whereas others are far more specialized to perform highly in one metric.

What's the Best Value?

It's an inescapable reality: Good outerwear often comes with a high price tag. We place performance above all else, but we're especially intrigued by products that also offer a solid value-to-functionality ratio. Our top budget best buy jacket is the affordable Outdoor Ventures lightweight hooded jacket. This jacket offers the warmth and weather protection of jackets five times more expensive and impressed us with how well it can repel moisture and pack effectively into its own pocket for on-the-go use. The Columbia Heavenly is another attainably-priced, stylish jacket that's much less packable, but full of cozy features that we love. It's our favorite option when warmth and comfort are key, and it performs well in cold weather — all for a lot less than many others. For value, the Columbia Powder Lite also offers a stylish, lifestyle-oriented option. The Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant insulated jacket is also worth mentioning. It's a big outlier in terms of price – much cheaper than other jackets – yet provides reasonable weather protection for infrequent and non-technical use. These jackets are all good choices for those who may not need an insulated jacket every day, for ever-growing teens, and for those who are seeking value over performance.

Warmth

When assessing warmth, we make it a point to test each jacket in the harshest conditions—ideally wet, bitterly cold, and well below freezing (perhaps also below zero). We evaluate how well the jacket maintains warmth both during active movement and while standing still. Insulation loft and weight, along with the outer shell's performance, often play the most significant roles, but the little details can also have a major impact. We pay close attention to features that enhance weather protection, such as adjustable hoods, water-resistant shell materials, and extended cuts that provide full coverage in brutal conditions.

The warmest insulated jacket we tested was the Columbia Heavenly Hoody. This lofty coat is lined with Columbia's Omni-Heat fabric to reflect your body heat back at you and has an extra-cozy faux fur-lined hood. Another impressively warm option is the Rab Xenair, which packs a lot of loft into a malleable, weather-protective package. Not only is the Xenair lofty, it also features a Pertex Quantum exterior that helps it block wind and water surprisingly well for the soft feel. The hem of the Xenair provided full backside coverage for even our curvier testers, and the cuffs are among few in the test with velcro closures to seal out gusts. However, despite all of these positives, the Xenair has an oversized fit that verges on baggy, and we would suggest sizing down.

We're impressed by the Arc'teryx Atom. It maintains warmth despite being highly breathable due to its baffle-free construction that offers no weak points for wind to make it through. The North Face Casaval is also surprisingly warm despite its breathable panels. The Patagonia DAS Light Hoody is another impressive jacket. It has plenty of insulation inside its baffle-free body, and its Pertex Quantum shell traps air very well, keeping you comfortable and warm inside. It's cut long in the torso and sleeves, adding extra coverage to ensure toastiness. Likewise, the Outdoor Ventures Packable Lightweight jacket did a great job at sealing in body heat for a high warmth-to-weight ratio.

Comfort

In this metric, we look at the comfort and coziness of each jacket. Think uninhibited movement, fleece lining, flexible and well-fitting hoods, and adjustment cords that are easy enough to use without taking off your gloves. We also consider how well you can layer underneath and over the jacket based on its fit, construction, and more. We consider pockets, their placement, their utility, and how many there are. Lastly, we examine the fit of each jacket, how well it fits a range of body shapes, and how the jacket's material feels.

The Arc'teryx Atom is impressively comfortable. Ditching the classic swishy exterior and adding stretch-knit cuffs increases the sweatshirt-like feel of this moderately stretchy jacket, as well as its ability to be very easily layered both over and under other garments. It's also one of the only ones we tested that has removed the seams from the armpit area, making it more comfortable to move in. The Columbia Heavenly Hoody is full of cozy features that many of the more technically focused models in our lineup don't. The wrist-warming cuffs with thumbholes and the fuzzy hood lining not only add warmth but make us feel all snuggly inside this jacket. The North Face Casaval also fits incredibly well with stretch panels to keep the jacket snugly in place while also increasing mobility in the shoulders. It features a similar sweatshirt-like fit and feel that made us feel free to move in every direction.

In a similar vein, the Ortovox Swisswool Piz Boè is a joy to wear and move in — if its slim build fits your frame. Though it still has armpit seams, it also incorporates extremely stretchy (and breathable!) panels that extend back across your scapulae. The Patagonia DAS Light is another very comfortable jacket, though in a different way. It's highly lofty and is somehow joyful in its slightly marshmallow-like feeling. A longer torso and sleeves add to its coziness.

The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody is similar in its comfort to the Arc'teryx Atom. It, too, is made of a softer material that's quieter and more pleasant to wear than the average puffy jacket. Its stretch-knit cuffs feel great on the wrists, though it lacks the seam-free armpits and the same level of stretch that the Atom offers. When it comes to that “classic puffy jacket feeling”, The North Face Thermoball 2.0 and the Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT bring plenty of traditional comforts. The SuperStrand is quite lightweight, thin, and flexible, making it easy to layer over base layers. The Thermoball is thicker and stiffer, and we appreciate it as a more standalone coat for everyday use.

Weather Resistance

To assess weather resistance, we went outside when mother nature offered soul-crushing weather, and went hiking, skiing, and just stood outside in the elements. If the forecast called for a “wintry mix”, then we were out in it. We then brought our testing indoors to objectively compare their resistance. We stood in front of high-powered fans and sprayed, poured, and rubbed water into the fabric of each jacket. Though none of these jackets are meant to be a standalone layer against all-day rain, some of them did a pretty solid job keeping us dry. And though we don't recommend getting them soaked, that is one of the biggest benefits of synthetic insulation over down: It will continue to insulate even when fully saturated.

When it comes to both wind and rain, the Patagonia DAS Light comes out on top. This insulated jacket is entirely baffle-free, eliminating the lines of weakness that other jackets have. Over time, the stitching to create baffles nearly always becomes minute holes that let wind and water seep in. Not so with the DAS Light. We wore this coat all day skiing while wet, heavy snow pelted us nonstop, and we never saw a shred of evidence that any of the water made it through to the insulation. Nearly as impressive is the Columbia Heavenly Hoody. The Storm-Lite DP II polyester exterior of this jacket repelled wind with ease and lasted for a long time against a downpour. Even as the fabric eventually allowed water to soak in, it never reached our inner layers, ensuring we remained toasty warm within.

The Arc'teryx Atom is another baffle-less model we tested. Though this jacket is much thinner than other top-scoring models, that lack of baffling proved its worth when pitted against both wind and water. Snug cuffs keep your arms sealed from the cold, while a dually-adjusted hem easily closes the jacket against any weather. As a purpose-built, technical jacket made to withstand harsh conditions, the Rab Xenair Alpine unsurprisingly had solid performance in this metric. It let in almost no wind whatsoever, even when gusts topped out above 70 mph in the backcountry.

The Outdoor Ventures was an impressive contender in this category, sealing out all of the moisture we tried to throw at it. Even when holding the arm of the jacket under running water for two minutes, we were not able to get any water to soak into the exterior fabric. This jacket also has an interior continuous layer of nylon to prevent any weak points for the wind to get in. Additionally, the hood adjustment allows you to very effectively “batten down the hatches” as they say, and completely seal out icy gusts.

Portability

We appreciate jackets that compress effectively into the bottom of a backpack, or stuff into their own integrated stow pocket or stuff sack. When temperatures rise throughout the day, when you're gaining elevation into the alpine on your hike, or while you're traveling, it's important that your jacket can pack away with ease. We weighed every jacket and noted how heavy or light they felt to wear and carry. We packed them away into themselves and crammed them into backpacks and suitcases to see how compressible they were. Extra points were awarded to jackets with more compressibility and more options to pack them away effectively.

The Outdoor Research SuperStrand is the lightest jacket we tested, making it easy to lug around. It's fairly simple to shove into its pocket and forms a similar oblong shape. However, it loses a point in weight and compressibility for its lack of a carabiner loop. You could, of course, clip it to the zipper pull hanging off one end, but as that's just a segment of knotted cord, it could easily come untied along your route, dumping your puffy without you ever noticing it was gone. The North Face Casaval is similar in that we wanted to clip it to a harness since it works great as a technical layer for climbing, but it doesn't offer an integrated loop.

The Patagonia DAS Light is also impressively light for the loft and readily compresses into the small corners of your pack. It is technically able to pack into its own pocket, but despite testing several iterations of this jacket over many years, we have never been able to get it in all the way and close the zipper. For how warm this jacket is, we found its packability impressive for the protection it provides.

Both Amazon options are quite lightweight and come with a small stuff sack to help pack them away when you're on the go. The Amazon Essentials Lightweight Packable Puffer lives up to its name and easily packs away to toss into your suitcase or pack. The Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant jacket, seen below, almost feels more like down when you pack it away, with impressive compressibility – though the included stuff sack is a little too small, making packing it into the tiny sack a bit of a challenge. Without a hood, you save a few more extra ounces as well. Even with its ability to pack down very small, it still features excellent water resistance. Win-win!

The Patagonia Nano Puff is impressively light at just 10 ounces. Its closely related hooded option, the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody, adds on a small amount of weight for a total of 11.6 ounces. Both Nano Puff options can be stored in their chest pocket. Obviously, not having a hood on the jacket cuts weight overall and makes it more packable; however, you'll have some trade-offs when it comes to warmth and weather resistance. The Cotopaxi Teca Calido also stores inside its chest pocket, though it is quite a bit heavier than both Nano Puff options.

Breathability

Breathability is more important than you might think for recreating in very cold weather. If you become soaked with sweat underneath your jacket, your base layers will no longer keep you warm once you come to a stop — a recipe for potential hypothermia. We tested every jacket's breathability by doing hard work and cardio activities while wearing them. We went backcountry skiing, running, climbing, snowshoeing, and more in each. We noted how their fabrics handle excess body heat and what features they have (or lack) that make them more breathable. We took note of breathable panels and material changes that enable better breathability.

One of the most breathable jackets in our lineup is the Ortovox Piz Boè. Extensive breathable panels comprise the entire underarm area, extending back across the shoulder blades. Stretch-knit cuffs continue nearly seven inches up the insides of your forearms, effectively helping to regulate your body temperature. Already, these features make it more breathable than most other insulated jackets, but the Piz Boè has more up its sleeves. The unique pockets - appreciated for their easy access and superb location while wearing a backpack or harness - open along the midline of the jacket and are made of fine mesh. This lets them double as vents effectively, as the mesh allows airflow, and the central location of the pocket openings encourages even the slightest breeze from forward motion to enter the jacket. We've worn the Piz Boè for dozens of highly active outdoor winter adventures, and we love it a little more each time.

Another standout in the lineup is the Cotopaxi Capa Hybrid Hooded, a true breathability rockstar. While it wasn't a high scorer in the other metrics due to the fully fleece back and arms, this jacket is great for when you want a bit of warmth and protection, but mostly full temperature regulation and breathability. Obviously, since the jacket is more fleece than insulation, it doesn't perform well in the wind or wet precipitation. But if you specifically want a layer for cardio in the cold, consider the Capa Hybrid a go-to.

The Arc'teryx Atom also does a great job with breathability. It also features knit side panels (though not extending onto the shoulders) to offload excess body heat and stretch-knit cuffs (though not spreading up the forearm as far) that ventilate and can be pulled up if need be. The Atom is a great option for stop-and-go activities where you need breathability while moving but extra protection while standing still. We spent a lot of time in this jacket winter running and backcountry skiing, and it works amazing for the hot to cold nature of both of these activities.

The Patagonia Nano Air has some similar features to the Atom, with a softer exterior that breathes more easily than any swishy model we've tested. It also has small stretch-knit cuffs that help. It's another good option for intermittent sweaty winter activities. The only “classic” puffy jacket we tested with notable breathability is the Outdoor Research SuperStrand. It's among the thinnest, least insulated jackets in our lineup (behind the Capa Hybrid), with comfortable elastic cuffs that can be pushed up like a sweatshirt sleeve. The North Face Casaval also falls into that same camp, with a soft, malleable exterior, amazing comfort, and breathable stretch panels that help easily vent heat when working hard.

Conclusion

We hope our unbiased review process and intensive testing will help you narrow your selection to which insulated jacket is precisely the right one for your lifestyle, favorite activities, climate, and budget.

We've continuously tested a wide range of women's jackets through the years. Most insulated jackets work at their best with a comprehensive cold weather layering system: Starting off with cozy long underwear, and finishing with a hardshell jacket and a pair of gloves can help you get the most out of your synthetic warmth in inclement weather.