Best Micro Down Jackets of 2019/2020

Arcteryx perfected their minimalist design philosophy with the Cerium SL Hoody—the 'SL' standing for ‘Superlight’. This highly packable down hoody performs super-well as a mid-layer but is also just warm enough to be a standalone insulation layer in the backcountry or around town. The 850 fill power goose down has a high warmth to weight ratio and the wind-resistant Arato 7 nylon shell adds to the Cerium SL Hoody’s ultra-lightweight while still being tough and able to resist abrasions. The Cerium SL Hoody is topped off with an insulated StormHood for extra warmth on those windy summit bids but forgoes any other features which are not essential in order to keep weight and packability to a minimum.

Price: $400CAN/$349US
Weight: Men’s - 215g/7.6oz;
Women’s - 205g/7.2oz
Fill weight: Men’s - 58g/2oz;
Women’s - 53g/1.8oz
Insulation: 850 fill European grey goose down
Sizes: Men’s - S, M, L, XL, XXL;
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Black, Robotica, Redox; Women’s - Black, Lolite, Utopia 
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Cotopaxi’s Fuego Down Jacket uses responsibly sourced, water-resistant 800-fill down to keep you warm if things get wet. The DWR-finished ripstop nylon shell repels moisture and is as tough as it is lightweight. The Fuego’s streamlined, athletic fit is ideal for any activity which demands mobility. Its built-in scuba hood and elastic binding throughout help seal out the cold while an assortment of stash pockets provide space for any necessities you need to carry along. You just can’t go wrong with this toasty down insulation layer especially if you are a fan of Cotopaxi’s retro-inspired colours options.

Price: $300CAN / $$250US
Weight: Men’s - 397g/14oz;
Women’s - 340g/12oz
Fill weight: TBD
Insulation: 800-fill RDS-certified,
water-resistant down
Sizes: Men’s - XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL;
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Admiral, Sahara, Pine, Graphite;  Women’s - Evergreen, Port, Admiral, Black
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Patagonia's classic Down Sweater is the most environmentally conscience micro down jacket we tested. It uses a 100% recycled polyester shell and liner material along with the use of Advanced Global Traceable Down which means the goose down is certified to ensure the birds that supply it are not force-fed or live-plucked. Top this off with the fact that the fabric is certified as Bluesign approved and you've got yourself one ethical down jacket. With plenty of other features and a soft warm feel, the Down Sweater from Patagonia is a tree huggers dream—even for those of you still yet to discover that side of yourself.

Price: $349CAN / $279US
Weight: Men’s - 428g/15.1oz; 
Women’s - 371g/13.1oz
Fill weight: TBD
Insulation: 800-fill-power Advanced Global Traceable Down 
Sizes: Men’s - XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL; 
Women’s - XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Black, Forge Grey, Balkan Blue, Fire, Carbon, Classic Navy; Women’s - Black, Birch White, Classic Navy, Cobalt Blue, Craft Pink/Classic Navy, Sunset Orange
Warranty: Ironclad Guarantee, everything they make is guaranteed.
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Rab’s Microlight Alpine Jacket uses a Pertex Quantum outer fabric to keep things light, windproof and breathable. On the inside you’ll find 750 fill power ethically-sourced hydrophobic down which provides considerable warmth without compromising weight. Its many features include two harness-compatible hand pockets along with a chest pocket, adjustable hood with laminated brim, elasticated cuffs and an included stuff sack for storage. If warmth, weight and packability are your main concerns then the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket is one to consider.

Price: $350CAN / $280US
Weight: Men’s - 470g/17oz;
Women’s - 430g/15oz
Fill weight: Men’s - 143g/5oz;
Women’s - 135g/5oz
Insulation: 750FP R.D.S Certified European Goose Down 
Sizes: Men’s - XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL;
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Army/Cactus, Beluga/Dijon, Black/Shark, Celestial/Deep Ink, Dark Sulphur, Deep Ink/Footprint, Firecracker, Gargoyle/Sulphur; Women’s -  Atlantis, Blueprint/Celestial, Eggplant/Roccco, Ruby, Steel Passata, Violet/Dark Violet, Black/Seaglass
Warranty: Usable lifetime of the product for the original owner.
Available: Men’s and Women’s

800-fill RDS-certified HyperDRY goose down insulation is what makes the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody so damn warm. Its RDS certification means you can rest easy knowing it's ethically sourced and the HyperDRY treatment means it will keep you warm even when it gets wet. Pair this with an ultralight nylon ripstop shell that's coated with an environmentally friendly, breathable and PFC-free DWR and you have a down jacket that’s more durable and water-resistant than most others. The Approach Down Hoody is as warm as it is compact and when you no longer need it, it conveniently stuffs into its hand pocket and secures to your harness with a built-in carabiner clip loop.

Price: $359.99CAN / $299US
Weight: Men’s - 275g/9.7oz; 
Women’s - 249g/8.7oz
Fill weight: TBD
Insulation: 800-fill, RDS-certified Allied HyperDRY goose down insulation
Sizes: Men’s - S, M, L, XL, XL; 
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Black, Astral Blue, Hyper Red; Women’s -  Purple Haze, Black, Wild Rose
Warranty: 100% satisfaction, they’ll repair, replace or refund it. No charge. No fine print. No debate. Guaranteed.
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Mont Bell has always been known for their superior down sleeping bags and jackets and their Ignis Down Parka is no exception. Using 1000 Fill Power EX Down Mont Bell maximizes warmth and packability while minimizing weight. The outer shell is made from Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 13-denier Ballistic Airlight rip-stop nylon so it will cut the wind, shed water and resist abrasions. The Ignis Down Parka is designed from the ground up to take on cold conditions when moisture could potentially cause havoc with your adventures. The 2-way adjustable hood, a plethora of pockets and included stuff sack all add up to one impressive cold weather down jacket.

Price: $399CAN / $399US 
Weight: Men’s - 286g/10.1oz; 
Women’s - 242g/8.5oz
Fill weight: Men’s - 60g/2.1oz; 
Women’s - 52g/1.8oz
Insulation: 1000 Fill Power EX Down
Sizes: Men’s - S, M, L, XL; 
Women’s -  S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Mallard, Black; Women’s - Topaz, Black
Compressed size: Men’s - 13 x 21cm / 4.9 x 8.2in; Women’s - 12 x 21cm / 4.5 x 8.4in
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Sierra Design’s Whitney Hoodie offers up impressive features and all at the lowest price of any down jacket in this review. At just $189 Canadian or US, the Whitney Hoodie is 1/2 the price of most other down jackets out there. Don’t let this diminutive price tag fool you, the Whitney Hoodie uses 800 Fill DriDown which will keep you warm even when it gets wet. With five pockets in total, there is also plenty of space to store things. The two hand warmer pockets are ideal for just that and any small items you want to keep warm will fit nicely into the two internal stash pockets—say climbing skins or spare gloves. There is also an external Napoleon pocket, which is ideal for smaller items like cell phones and cameras.

One of my favourite features of Sierra Design’s Whitney Hoodie is the use of cuff gaskets which do an amazing job of keeping the cold out. Once you experience them you’ll see what I mean. Fully featured and at an amazing price—how did Sierra Designs do it? I don’t know and don’t care, all I know is that is one great Micro Down Jacket.  

Price: $189CAN / $189US
Weight: Men’s - 397g/14oz; 
Women’s - 354g/12.16oz
Fill weight: Men’s - 160g/5.6oz; 
Women’s - 160g/5.6oz
Insulation: 800 Fill DriDown
Sizes: Men’s - S, M, L, XL, XXL;
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Black, Olive, Bering Blue; Women’s -  Majorca Blue, Olive Green, Sunflower, Black
Warranty: Warranted to the original owner against manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for the lifetime of the product
Available: Men’s and Women’s

Outdoor Research nailed it with their Illuminate Down Hoody. It combines 800-fill responsibly sourced down insulation with a sturdy yet light 10D shell which provides light weather resistance. On the inside, a 20D lining provides next-to-skin ultra-soft comfort with a brushed tricot fabric. The feature set is too long to list here but see below for everything that the Illuminate Down Hoody provides. This is an ideal mid-layer to use under a shell or worn on its own as an insulation layer while taking a break or eating lunch on a backcountry ski tour. It also conveniently packs down into its left pocket for easy storage.

The horizontally oriented baffle construction is visually appealing and unique to the Illuminate Down Hoody and is conveniently available for both men and women in both a hoody and jacket version.

Price: $325CAN / $269US
Weight: Men’s - 353g/12.5oz;
Women’s - 321g/11.3oz 
Fill weight: TBD
Insulation: 800 fill power, responsibly sourced goose down
Sizes: Men’s - S, M, L, XL, XXL;
Women’s - XS, S, M, L, XL
Colours: Men’s - Black, Naval Blue/Cobalt, Sapphire, Storm/LightPewter, Turmeric, Dark Roast/Saddle, Forest Green/Seaweed;
Women’s -  Black, Forest, Celestial Blue/Waterfall, Cobalt, Sand/Slate, Teaberry, Light Pewter/Smoke, Washed Peacock, Pacific Plum/Amethyst, Cocao/Beet
Warranty: Infinite Guarantee throughout the lifetime of the product
Available: Men’s and Women’s