Luckily, he still looks good in black. Its also removable, which makes this a great outerwear item, no matter what the weather. Its not an active piece like the Arcteryx Atom LT above, but breathability is surprisingly good for lower-output uses like hiking and downhill skiing. Combining hydrophobic 800-fill down and a 10x10-denier nylon shell, this piece is purpose-built for minimalism, but you still get two zippered handwarmer pockets, a drawcord hem adjustment, and a stowable design (including a carabiner loop inside the stuff pocket). Popular for both casual and active use, Patagonia brings it all together with the Down Sweater Vest. REI Co-ops in-house brand of outdoor clothing consistently churns out performance pieces at prices that are substantially lower than most big brands. Lightweight fleeces also can be decent ventilators, but most fleece vests are casual in nature and do not excel at regulating temperature. One stat to look for on a down vest is fill power. The 650 Down Vest 2.0 is no exception, offering a legitimately warm layering piece for $80less than half the cost of the Patagonia Down Sweater above. But dont knock Filson until you try it: This Seattle-based outdoor brand makes ultra-premium products that are extremely well-built, functional, and look the part. If your ski gear is even a few years old, theres new technology out there that will help make good days on the snow even better. Its constructed from a soft filament fleece and designed using a classic fit. We have the Cerium LT Vest ranked below the Down Sweater for a couple of reasons. 3.2 oz.What we like: One of the warmest vests on this list.What we dont: On the heavy side and rather puffy. Second, it toes the line between our casual and performance categories better than most, balancing Cotopaxis trademark retro styling with a functional feature set that includes great storage (two handwarmer pockets and two interior pockets) and a drawcord at the hem. Nobody does fleeces better than Patagonia, and their Classic Retro-X harkens back to some of the brands original designs. All in all, a vest will add notable warmth but shouldnt be thought of as a standalone piece for the cold. Both ensure that the down in their jackets was harvested with no live-plucking or force-feeding of the animals concerned. Economical Price TagIf you're searching for a budget-friendly men's down vest, this model is an excellent buy. But we do love the look and feel of this Norrna vest, and its thoughtful design touches make it versatile for both performance and casual use (which could help justify the cost).See the Men's Norrna Falketind Down750See the Women's Norrna Falketind Down750. The recycled polyester shell fabric looks and feels great, repels light moisture, and comes in a wide variety of colorways from muted to bright. For perspective, the full Helios jacket is in Feathered Friends midweight category, with the only warmer items being heavyweight pieces for full-on expeditions to the worlds highest mountains. Multiple Color OptionsYou'll find this men's down vest is available in 27 different colors, including black cherry, azul, surplus green and ancient fossil. Down vests, on the other hand, need to be snug to be functional. No matter what's going on with the weather outside, this men's down vest will keep you warm and dry. Since its lightweight, it wont weigh you down or interfere with your outdoor activities. However, while we love merino wool as a baselayer material, it loses some of its appeal when used in a midlayer. Theyre super cozy, terrific for casual use, and less bulky and expensive than a full jacket. Just know that no matter how cool you look, this is one piece of outerwear you can count on to keep you warm. Alternatively, ORs own Helium Down Vest weighs less at just 8.4 ounces, offers similar weather resistance, and has a much more streamlined and lower-profile (read: less bulky) look and feel. As with most Patagonia products, you will pay a premium for the Down Sweater Vest. For those on a tight budget, the Steens Mountain from Columbia is just about the cheapest vest youll find. The outdoor apparel market has seen a sizable push in sustainability practices of late, and vests are no exception. Category: Casual/performanceInsulation type: Synthetic (PrimaLoft ThermoBall)Weight: 13.3 oz.What we like: Comfortable, lightweight, and easily compressible.What we dont: Heavier but not warmer than the Nano Puff above. When evaluating the quality of down inside a particular vest, fill power is the most commonly provided specification. These downsides are all a result of the technologies that have gone into making it a high-performance piece, but they hurt the Nano-Airs appeal for casual use. One of our favorite synthetic-insulated vests on the market is the Nano Puff from Patagonia, which also comes in a very popular full jacket version (as do most other vests on this list). But for serious warmth at a reasonable price and weight, the Coldfront is an undeniably well-built and capable piece. In general, we've found the ThermoBall line to be best suited for casual uses such as day hiking, resort skiing, and running errands around town. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Fleece is fairly tough but is prone to pilling after multiple washings or extended use. From wearing around the city to hiking and use as a midlayer for skiing, this vest pretty much does it all. Its simply unmatched in terms of warmth, weight, and compressibilitythe plumage and feathers are extremely fluffy and do a great job at trapping heat close to your body and packing down small. And like the OR, the Nuptse has a relaxed fit for layering underneath, so you may want to size down depending on your intended use.See the Men's TNF Retro Nuptse See the Women's TNF Retro Nuptse. All told, the Ghost Whisperer/2 is one of the lightest vests here and still offers a nice dose of insulation where you need it the most. Its important to note that no insulation type is totally eco-friendly, and both down and synthetics have their drawbacks, but the increase in RDS-certified down and recycled synthetic fill certainly are appealing from an environmental standpoint (for more on this topic, see our article on Down vs. The 10-denier shell fabric will require much more babying than a vest like the Down Sweater above (20x30D), and with such a streamlined focus you also get a bit less warmth. Without a doubt, down is the warmest insulation type. But for an active vest with tons of everyday appeal, you cant beat the Nano Puff.See the Men's Patagonia Nano Puff See the Women's Patagonia Nano Puff. Category:CasualInsulation type: Down (650-fill)Weight:1 lb. The Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody has long been one of our favorite ultralight down jackets, and you can go even lighter (while still keeping your core warm) with the vest here. . It's currently available in black, silver gray and olive green. Norrna also added a hoodnot common among vest designs which adds a good dose of warmth and a nice, cozy look. One thing we like in particular is the fit compared to other casual Patagonia productsthe Down Sweater Jacket is boxy in the arms, but the vest doesnt have that excess bulk and should work for a wide variety of people and uses. What We Liked: No matter whats going on with the weather outside, this mens down vest will keep you warm and dry. There are a couple features that will make a big difference for heavy outdoor use, and pockets will be one of them. As such, it is the one article of clothing youre most likely to swap out depending on weather conditions.Is it bristling cold and dry Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody Review, Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Vest ($99), Outdoor Research Coldfront Down Vest ($149), See the Women's Coldfront Hooded Down Vest, Fjallraven Greenland Down Liner Vest ($180), See the Women's Fjallraven Greenland Down, Black Diamonds First Light Hybrid Vest, See the Women's Norrna Falketind Down750, The North Face ThermoBall Eco Vest ($149), See the Women's Patagonia Classic Retro-X, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Vest ($225), See the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Vest, Smartwool Merino Sport Ultra Light Vest ($100), Feathered Friends Helios Down Vest ($289). Weight matters most to those who are heading out into the backcountry and carrying their belongings in a pack (backpacking and backcountry skiing are two prime examples). Russian soldiers had been stuffing their coats with feathers since the turn of the 20th century, but Eddie Bauer took credit for developing the first actual down jackets in 1936. Combined with the very steep price tag, these downsides are enough to push the Falketind to a mid-pack finish. As we touched on above, down wins out in warmth and loft, but synthetic insulation breathes better, dries quicker, and is cheaper. For these reasons, its very popular in performance layering, and particularly for baselayers. For a step up in warmth, Smartwool also offers their Smartloft 60 Insulated Vest for $160, although its not a UL standout at 10.6 ounces.See the Men's Smartwool Merino SportSee the Women's Smartwool Merino Sport. Category: Casual/performanceInsulation type: Down (800-fill)Weight: 8 oz.What we like: Premium materials and a little cheaper than the Down Sweater above.What we dont: Not everyone will love the colorful striped design. Who should steer clear of the Columbia? In addition, you can get more warmth for less weight with options like Patagonias own Down Sweater or the Atom LT above. The Coreloft synthetic insulation and stretchy side fleece panels are warm yet breathable, the DWR finish sheds a light rain or snow, and the vests athletic cut means it will stay close to your body whether youre hiking, climbing, skiing, or snowshoeing., In terms of downsides, the Atom LT is relatively thin and light on insulation at only 8.5ounces total. Category:CasualInsulation type: Down (700-fill)Weight: 1 lb. Cotopaxi is also worth calling out directly as one of just a few outdoor brands thats climate neutral-certified (along with REI), which means they continuously monitor their footprint and work to reduce emissions. Wantdo Mens Light Weight Insulated Down Puffer Vest, 11. . Vests dont have a ton of variation in terms of pockets, but most designs boast at least two handwarmer pockets (even the basic fleece Columbia Steens Mountain has two hand pockets). Synthetic Insulation). Arcteryx does a nice job balancing weight, warmth, breathability, and packed size with their in-house Coreloft insulation, Patagonias Nano-Air vest uses an impressively breathable FullRange synthetic, and The North Face has spent a lot of energy on its proprietary ThermoBall (made in conjunction with PrimaLoft). Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Atlantic Regular, 8. . Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to.Learn more. Weve found that the pockets on the vests weve tested are perfect for comfortably carrying the basics: small objects like keys, a wallet, and a phone. If you have a down vest in particular, youll want to add layers when rain or snow really starts to fall. Columbia Mens Steens Mountain Full Zip Fleece Vest, 4. Category: PerformanceInsulation type: Down (800-fill)Weight: 5.6 oz.What we like: Great warmth for the weight, down doesnt pack out like synthetic fill.What we dont: Thin shell fabric, best in dry conditions. With a hefty 13.4-ounce weight and limited breathability, the Greenland is not our first choice (or anything close to it) for active pursuits. Both functional and stylish.What we dont: Expensive and heavy. Merino wool gear is known for its next-to-skin comfort, warmth, temperature regulation, and ability to wick moisture and stay dry. Another is the GTDS, which stands for Global Traceable Down Standard. The RDS-certified sourcing on the down is a nice bonus for the environmentally conscious. In short, the Coldfront is one of the warmest and most substantial vests on the list and built to withstand cold temperatures, but its overkill for mild conditions and not as around-town friendly as picks like Patagonias Down Sweater or Better Sweater above. Whether youre working outside or looking for a casual piece to keep you cozy, the Carhartt is an excellent example of why we love vestsyou can get a bombproof and cozy covering for your core while still maintaining excellent mobility and breathability (Carhartt also makes a Duck jacket, which we find heavier and more restrictive).