![]() ![]() But the Atom vest isn’t as warm as the Montbell vest, and it doesn’t keep the wind out quite as well. Like our pick from Montbell, this vest is durable and highly water-repellent, and it contains synthetic insulation, which stays warm even when wet. ![]() Along the sides, this vest has non-insulated stretch paneling, which adds mobility and makes the vest more breathable. We already liked this vest, but in 2023, Arc’teryx updated the women’s version, streamlining the fit even more and slightly cutting the price. If you’re planning to go climbing or trail running: Consider the Arc’teryx Atom Vest ( men’s and women’s lightweight). At the moment, most down products-including most of the vests in this guide-are certified through RDS. Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS) is another down certification program that both guarantees the safety of the birds and also audits the farms distributing feathers. Ethical sourcing: We preferred vests that contained down certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which aims to ensure a company sourced its feathers from birds who weren’t live-plucked.Positive online customer reviews: We looked for models with more than four out of five stars, when available.Extra features: We looked for a full zipper and a waist cinch to reduce draft (which all of the vests except the Uniqlo model had).Hand-warmer pockets: These two pockets are positioned on either side of the body where the arms fall, allowing you to stuff your cold hands into them.600 to 800 fill power (for down vests): By eliminating vests with a lower fill power (a measure of how much volume, in cubic inches, 1 ounce of down will fill), we found vests with better warmth-to-weight ratios.So then you’re better off wearing a jacket. Chances are good that if the weather is cold enough for a heavier vest, you’ll want arms with it. If you’re moving around, the best vest will keep your core warm but won’t leave you wanting to take it off. Light to midweight models: Our experts steered us away from heavyweight vests.(Since the first iteration of this guide, prices have gone up, and some of our picks are now closer to the $200 range.) Some of our vests tend to retail for more but are on sale with enough regularity that we decided to include them. Price: We looked for vests that were available in both men’s and women’s versions for approximately $150 or less.Still, we think that it’s a decent option for the price several of our testers even ranked this vest as their favorite option providing “just enough” warmth. And despite having a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, this vest still isn’t great at repelling water, so it’s not ideal for rainy climates-once the vest is wet, it loses its warmth. That said, the price cuts were evident in its wider baffles and the fact that feathers started emerging from the seams after only a day of use (a sign that the vest might become less warm over time, as it loses insulation). This vest comes in a range of sizes, for many body types, and due to the slightly boxy fit, adding layers beneath it is quite easy. ![]() The REI Co-op vest, which has 650-fill-power down, is as warm or warmer than all but our top pick (and it’s less than half the price). The REI Co-op 650 Down Vest 2.0 (which comes in men’s, women’s, and women’s plus versions) is an ideal budget option for people who want a down vest to wear for commuting, urban walks, and the occasional outdoor adventure. The remodeled vest feels slightly warmer (the company says it added 27% more down), but it’s still lightweight and durable. But in 2022, Patagonia updated the Down Sweater Vest (and jacket) line, and the designers fixed this fit problem, allowing for easier layering and a more flattering look. In past years, we didn’t like the men’s version: The fit was boxy, and reviewers noted that it wasn’t great for layering. Due to the 800-fill-power down, this vest kept us warm, even on the coldest days-in fact, it’s one of the warmest options we tested. The Patagonia vest comes in a variety of colors, and its front pockets are located right where your hands fall, so they’re well positioned for keeping them warm. And the vest has a tough, ripstop nylon shell (in 2022, the company switched to a ripstop nylon made from recycled fishing nets), which minimizes insulation loss. The Patagonia vest’s stitching is some of the strongest we found. The Patagonia Down Sweater Vest (in men’s and women’s versions) is a warm, stylish choice for people who want to wear a vest while walking the dog, running errands in urban areas, hanging out in cool temps, and engaging in outdoor adventures. ![]()
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