Have you spent a cold day shivering to wonder how a puffer jacket would feel and noticing how warm everyone else looks that has one? There is a reason why most of the people you see are wearing these insulated blankets with arms. One of the best ways to keep warm this winter when the temperatures drop below freezing is with the help of a puffer jacket.
While they seem excessively large, they can be lighter than you think. Either way, if you are packing one to travel, you need to know how much it weighs and what brands are the most ideal for your needs.
How Much Do Puffer Jackets Weigh?
Despite their large size, you may be surprised at how little some puffer jackets weigh. On average, the average puffer jacket weighs anywhere from 12 oz. to one pound, depending on a variety of features. This will include the material that is used to make the jacket and its size.
Materials Used For Puffer Jackets
There are a variety of different materials used for puffer jackets to stuff them where you are warm but the jacket is still easy to carry and lightweight. Below are the most common materials:
- Duck Feathers
- Geese Feathers
- Synthetic Fill Feathers
- Fleece
- Nylon
- Polyester
Duck Feathers
Probably the most common material used is duck feathers and they are used between the interior and outer linings of the puffer jacket. Duck feathers allow you to maintain body heat within the jacket and not be overly heavy. When folks are out hiking the backcountry or taking on steep mountain ranges where it is cooler, duck feathers are ideal for warmth.
These feathers are usually found in the more expensive puffer jackets.
Geese Feathers
Another type of down fill is the geese’ feathers. They are great, just like duck feathers, offering a warm solution for insulation. They are just like duck feathers in preserving heat naturally.
The only downfall with geese feathers and other types of natural down fill is that once it loses the fluff, it no longer has the ability to store heat and it cannot naturally be fluffed back.
Synthetic Fill Feathers
These are made to imitate either duck or goose feathers, working to preserve heat and maintain the lightness of the puffer jacket. Synthetic fill feathers are not able to preserve as much heat as feathers do, but they are able to last longer and do not lose their shape as quickly. If you are going to be in an area that is humid and full of moisture, then synthetic fill is the right option for you.
Natural down fill cannot maintain the humidity. Synthetic fill feathers are also used is more economical brands of puffer jackets, making them more attractive.
Fleece
This material is usually found within the interior of your puffer jacket. It gives a soft feel against your skin and has the ability to absorb moisture. For areas that are very cold and humid, fleece is great for the environment.
Many who enjoy winter outdoor sports choose fleece to keep them warm all day long.
Nylon
One of the handiest materials for clothing, equipment, and everything in between is nylon. It is usually found on the more affordable puffer jackets because it is inexpensive. It is also durable compared to other materials, especially in drier climates.
It is not a good idea for areas that are wet and full of moisture, however. The nylon material will take on too much of that moisture and make it uncomfortable. It is a lightweight option, however, for those looking for lighter puffer jackets.
Polyester
It has the ability to breathe in wetter climates, so polyester is one of the preferred materials for puffer jackets. In some cases, it is often paired with nylon to help manage the moisture and humidity control of the area. If it does get wet outside, you want to protect the polyester by bringing it in at night and making sure to dry it out.
It will bend and move with you, making it a great option for puffer jackets that are used when working outside.
Size
The size of the jacket that you purchase can also impact the overall weight of the puffer jacket. For example, a child’s puffer jacket will weigh less than an adult’s because fewer materials are used. This is also true in adult puffer jacket sizes since they can range from small to 4XL in some brands.
How to Choose Your Puffer Jacket?
With so many material options out there, you need to know what you are looking for before you narrow down your search for your next puffer jacket. Keep the following characteristics in mind when shopping so that you get the right puffer jacket for you.
- Warmth
- Use
- Quality
- Cost
Warmth
Depending on where you live and where you will be wearing your puffer jacket, you need to make sure that you will stay warm when you are wearing it. While many use the puffer jacket as a layer, it has to be the most substantial layer, retaining the most body heat and warmth compared to undershirts or hoodies.
Use
How do you plan to wear your puffer jacket? When you put it on, are you going out for walks and strolls, working, or planning to do outdoor sports? Depending on what you will be wearing it for will determine what type of puffer jacket is right for you.
Some materials are durable in movement and working conditions while others need to be worn if you are going to be hitting the snow regularly.
Quality
When you purchase a puffer jacket, it is an investment. You want to make sure that the jacket you are purchasing is going to withstand the conditions and uses that you need it for so that you are not searching for a new jacket in a month or two.
Cost
How much you have to put into your puffer jacket is also important when shopping for one. Depending on the brand and the materials used to make the puffer jacket, the prices of these jackets can vary significantly. If you have a certain budget that you want to spend on a puffer jacket, make sure that it meets all of the above characteristics before you purchase.
You may have to expand your budget a little to get the right puffer jacket.
Final Thoughts
Puffer jackets are popular in the winter months and are designed to move with you. These puffer jackets are made and stuffed with lightweight materials, so no matter how big they may look, the puffer jacket is going to weigh about a pound or less. Make sure that when you are purchasing a puffer jacket for you, you take into consideration the different materials that make it lightweight and how to keep it light and durable when you are wearing your puffer jacket.