The 9 Best Puffer Vests We Tested to Keep Warm This Winter

News


The puffer vest is a winter staple that has been around for years. While down jackets can be bulky and sometimes make you overheat, puffer vests are more breathable and allow you to move more freely, thanks to the open arms. Even Kate Middleton, Oprah, and Jennifer Lopez have been known to wear different iterations of the style over the years. 

Stylists Say

“Puffer vests are a great option of keeping your core warm without sacrificing complete style with a full-on coat. Puffer vests are also great for transitional weather as a lighter layering piece.”—Sahra Brandt, personal stylist

We tested 17 women’s puffer vests ourselves to find the best vests to keep you warm this winter. The best puffer vests we found are stylish, warm, and lightweight, and they include vests from The North Face, Patagonia, Lululemon, and more. These are the best puffer vests for women.

PHOTO: lululemon
Star Qualities

  • Kept us warm thanks to quality goose down fill and windproof shell

  • Removable hood and cinchable waist retain warmth

  • Breathable, so we never overheated

This Lululemon vest delivered in terms of warmth, quality, and style. During testing, we found it kept us warm by insulating heat and blocking wind. It followed through on the small details, too: We appreciated the fleece-lined pockets (which make all the difference on a chilly day), adjustable hood, and cinchable waistline. The quality goose down kept things cozy without causing us to overheat.

We aren’t surprised that this vest is simultaneously one of the best looking and highest performing vests that we tested. After all, Lululemon products consistently offer both style and performance. So, while this vest is one of the priciest ones we tested, we think it’s well worth the investment. 

Sizes: 0–14 | Colors: 9 | Fill: 600-fill-power down

Experts Say

“[Puffer vests are] my go-to for active outdoor days—whether I’m winter hiking, running, cross-country skiing, or just taking the dog for a walk! They give just enough warmth without overheating, and the range of motion is unbeatable.”—Shana Draugelis, founder of fashion blog The Mom Edit

Athleta Women's Whisper Featherless Vest

PHOTO: Athleta
Star Qualities

  • Lightweight, breathable construction is suitable for cool climates

  • Adjustable bungee cord offers a more custom fit

  • Folds down easily for packing

This Athleta vest will keep you comfortable in cool weather thanks to its lightweight, breathable insulation. During testing, we wore this vest during chilly morning and evening walks, and it kept us warm without making us overheat. Even when we layered sweaters, sweatshirts, or long-sleeved shirts underneath this vest, we never felt claustrophobic. However, we wouldn’t recommend this vest for super cold weather, since it’s on the lightweight side.

We loved the stylish quilted design, and we appreciated that the longer length offered a bit of modesty, especially when we paired this vest with leggings. If we wanted to cinch the vest a bit, though, we were able to do so thanks to the adjustable bungee cord at the waistline. This vest also made the perfect travel companion, since it folded up nicely in our suitcase. 

Sizes: XXS–3X | Colors: 3 | Fill: 100% polyester

Amazon Essentials Mid-Weight Puffer Vest

PHOTO: Amazon
Star Qualities

  • Impressive quality for such an affordable price

  • Thinner design allowed us to layer it under coats as well as over sweaters

  • Warm enough for cool fall days without being too bulky

Red Flags

  • Not breathable, so we overheated indoors

  • We didn’t love the shallow snap pockets

If you’d like to try out the trend with a budget vest, we’d recommend this lightweight Amazon option. The quality exceeded our expectations, thanks to sleek materials that held up throughout our testing. The fleece lining helped keep us warm on cool fall days, though it wasn’t super breathable, so we overheated when we stepped inside. 

We appreciated that the vest wasn’t too bulky, though, so we were able to layer a coat on top of the vest. However, small details distinguish it from higher quality options, such as the shallow snap-closure pockets and lack of adjustable bungee cords at the waistline.

Sizes: XS–XXL | Colors: 10 | Fill: 100% polyester

Lands' End Wanderweight Packable Ultralight Down Vest

PHOTO: Lands’ End
Star Qualities

  • Lightweight and packable, though it still kept us warm

  • Layers easily over or under sweaters and jackets

  • Waterproof material is super high-quality and blocked the wind

We were impressed with the simultaneous warmth and lightweight feel of this Lands’ End vest. The waterproof material is both warm and breathable, and it did a great job of blocking the wind, too. The vest is great for travelers, since it offers the warmth of bulkier vests while still rolling up nicely in a suitcase. Plus, since it’s lightweight, it’s easy to layer over sweaters or under jackets. We noted that this vest is quite boxy, though we appreciated that it’s offered in plus, tall, and petite sizes. 

Sizes: XS–XL; petite, tall, and plus-size available | Colors: 8 | Fill: 800-fill-power down

L.L.Bean Womens Mountain Classic Puffer Vest

PHOTO: L.L.Bean
Star Qualities

  • Easy to layer over or under sweaters and jackets

  • Insulates heat while offering breathability

  • Outdoorsy and stylish appearance

If you’re shopping for a transitional vest that’s warm but won’t make you overheat, this one from L.L.Bean is a reliable option. While it’s not intended for wear in very cold weather, it kept us plenty warm during cool days. It’s lightweight and super breathable, so we never overheated during testing, and it layers nicely whether under a jacket or over sweaters. 

We were impressed with the durable material, which we expect will hold up for years to come. It doesn’t hurt that this vest has a stylish and outdoorsy appearance that was easy to style, too. 

Sizes: XXS–XL; petite and plus-size available | Colors: 2 | Fill: 55% recycled polyester, 45% polyester

The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nupste Vest

PHOTO: The North Face
Star Qualities

  • Hood can be packed away into the collar

  • Kept us toasty while remaining breathable

  • High-quality waterproof exterior holds up no matter the conditions

This vest from The North Face has become so popular in recent years, and it definitely lived up to our high expectations. The vest is one of the warmest we’ve tested, but it never made us overheat (a testament to its breathability). We were impressed with the little details on this vest, like the fleece-lined pockets and the stowable collar, which packs away into the hood rather than detaching completely (so you don’t lose it). 

The waterproof fabric performed well in the rain, and all of the materials felt durable enough to last us years. Needless to say, The North Face earned its glowing reputation with this vest. 

Sizes: XS–XL | Colors: 3 | Fill: 700-fill-power goose down

Aritzia The Super (Re)Puff Vest

PHOTO: Aritzia
Star Qualities

  • Vegan down and fleece-lined pockets kept us warm without making us overheat

  • Boasts sturdy zippers, bungee cords for adjustability, and a removable hood

  • Stylish appearance

This trendy Aritzia puffer vest lived up to its impressive reputation during testing. This was one of the warmest vests we tested, so we’d trust it in truly cold weather. Even so, it never made us overheat — even when we stepped into warm train cars on our morning commute. The vest doubles down on its high-quality construction with sturdy zippers, adjustable bungee cords, and a removable hood. It’s a pricey option, but we believe this vest will follow through with impressive warmth and long-lasting durability. Plus, if you’re looking to avoid goose down, this is the warmest vegan option on our list.

Sizes: 2XS–L | Colors: 3 | Fill: 100% recycled polyester

Stylists Say

“If you are buying the vest just for warmth, make sure it’s one in a slick fabric and a down alternative fill will help insulate you from the cold on a chilly day.”—Lindsey Bernay, stylist and author

Patagonia Women's Nano Puff Vest

PHOTO: Rei
Star Qualities

  • Warm enough for cool fall days

  • Lightweight and packs into itself, making it great for travel

Red Flags

  • We wish it had fleece-lined pockets for added warmth

  • Runs a bit small, so we weren’t able to comfortably layer under it

Next time we’re traveling someplace cool, we’ll be sure to bring this Patagonia vest along. During our testing, it kept us warm without any unnecessary bulk (though we wish it had fleece-lined pockets, which would make it even toastier). We also appreciated that we could pack the vest into its own pocket for super easy transport. It has an adjustable bungee cord at the waistline, which can sometimes help to keep heat in. However, the vest runs small, so we didn’t need to cinch the waist at all. We would recommend you size up if you want to layer comfortably under it. 

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 6 | Fill: 100% recycled polyester

Vuori Canyon Insulated Vest

PHOTO: Vuori
Star Qualities

  • Layers well over or under sweaters and jackets

  • Breathable enough that we were able to run in it

  • Zippered pocket kept our phone and keys secure on runs and errands

Our editors swear by Vuori activewear, and this vest lives up to the hype. When we tested this vest, we often layered it over our running gear to stay warm in very cold weather. We appreciated that this vest proved to be breathable and warm, although it certainly wasn’t warm enough for freezing temperatures. 

The zippered pocket gave us an extra sense of security, which was particularly helpful on runs. We like that we were able to layer a jacket over it, which was an advantage that we didn’t find with thicker puffer vests. All in all, there’s nothing we would change about this vest, and we think athletes and non-athletes alike would love it as much as we do. 

Sizes: XXS–XXL | Colors: 4 | Fill: 100% recycled polyester

Add to Cart

Shop more of the best fall and winter apparel we’ve tested, from cozy fleece-lined leggings to durable combat boots.

People / Lauren Mikler


What to Know About Puffer Vests

Fill 

Down, which comes from a specific layer of goose or duck feathers, is traditionally considered to be the best fill for puffer vests and puffer jackets. It does a great job of insulating heat, so down jackets and vests are often considered to be the warmest available. The Lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest, the Lands’ End Wanderweight Packable Down Vest, and The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Vest are some down options that we loved. 

Alternative down is becoming more and more popular, and some of these vegan vests proved to be super warm. These vests are commonly filled with insulation made of polyester. The Aritzia Super (Re)Puff Vest was a warm and breathable option, while the Amazon Essentials Mid-Weight Puffer Vest was warm, albeit a bit less breathable.

Sizing  

Since a vest is meant to be layered, it is important to consider what kind of sweaters and jackets you’d like to pair with it. If you plan on wearing bulkier items underneath the vest, it may be best to size up. On the other hand, if you plan on wearing a jacket over the vest, it may be best not to add any extra bulk by sizing up. 

We found that most of these vests ran true to size, though some were more difficult to layer under, like the Patagonia Nano Puff Vest. Generally, we recommend sizing up if you are between sizes. This will ensure the vest will fit well, no matter what you layer underneath. 

Styling

The great thing about puffer vests is they’re so versatile, so you can throw one over athleisure or opt to dress it up, too. When it comes to styling them, personal stylist Sahra Brandt says it comes down to one thing: “balance.”

“If your puffer vest is extra puffy and bulky it will look best balanced with a tighter top underneath; think a turtleneck or classic crewneck sweater,” Brandt says. “For a thinner puffer vest that might be a bit oversized you can play up that balance by going with a chunkier sweater underneath.”

Shana Draugelis, founder of fashion blog The Mom Edit, says she “swears by an oversized puffer vest.” She loves wearing them while traveling, since they’re easy to slip on and off, wrinkle-resistant, and they keep her from overheating. “For travel, a puffer vest works great over a matching set (whether fleece or cashmere), or even over a long, comfy sweater dress—one you can still curl up in,” Draugelis says.

Stylist and author Lindsey Bernay says she likes to dress up puffer vests. “The key is blending practical winter warmth with elevated style,” she says.

To elevate the winter staple, Bernay likes to pair puffer vests with wide-leg trousers, oversized button-downs, cozy cashmere sweaters, loafers, and tall boots. “Of course, denim and puffer vests are besties and look great when paired with your favorite sneaker or fall bootie,” she adds.

Price Range

The best puffer vests we tested range from $48 (our best budget pick, the Amazon Essentials Mid-Weight Puffer Vest) to $248 (our best overall, the Lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest). We also tested some impressive mid-range vests that performed well at a moderate price, such as the Lands’ End Wanderweight Packable Down Vest at $80. We weighed each vest’s performance against its respective price to ensure that each vest we recommend has a great value, from the least expensive options to the true investments. 

People / Kayla Kitts


Behind the Scenes 

We tested 17 of the most popular and highly rated puffer vests. Across 240 total hours of testing, we wore the vests while running errands, commuting, going on leisurely walks, and even working out. Then, we evaluated each vest on its fit, warmth, quality, and design. 

  • Fit: A good vest should be roomy enough to allow you to layer long sleeves and sweaters underneath. We evaluated the fit of each vest with this in mind. When applicable, we also considered whether it was easy to layer jackets over the vest, too. 
  • Warmth: When evaluating warmth, we considered not only how well each vest insulated heat, but also how breathable the vests were. The best vests kept us warm when necessary, but didn’t make us overheat when we stepped inside. 
  • Quality: Like all of our PEOPLE Tested favorites, we aimed to ensure each vest boasted a good value. This means each vest should last through the season and beyond. We noted any signs of wear-and-tear, and we also evaluated whether we think the fabrics, zippers, and other details will hold up over time.
  • Design: We took note of any notable features, such as unique pockets, removable hoods, and adjustable bungee cords. We also evaluated how versatile each vest was, in terms of both activity and temperature. 

People / Bridget Annear


Why Trust PEOPLE? 

Genevieve Cepeda is a staff shopping writer who specializes in writing about the best beauty and fashion products. She stays up-to-date with the latest fashion trends, which has helped her share the best wide-leg jeans, the best denim jackets, and more. 

Hailing from Chicago, she has tested plenty of outerwear to help fight the cold. For this story, she tested the Aritzia Super (Re)Puff Vest, and she was pleasantly surprised at the warmth and breathability it offered. She said she would even wear it in Chicago winter (and that’s saying something). She also interviewed three fashion experts, who shared their favorite puffer vests and how they like to style them.

What Is PEOPLE Tested? 

We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.

But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.

In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.



Source link

Articles You May Like

Why Does My Cat Attack Me at Night? Tips to Stop Nighttime Pouncing
How Kate Middleton’s Carol Service Honored Her ‘Brutal’ Year with Cancer
Photos of Angelina Jolie and Her Kids on Red Carpets
How to Keep Your Cat’s Nails Healthy in 5 Vet-Approved Steps
Loki’s Jack Veal Claims He Was ‘Abused at Home’ and Is Now ‘Homeless at 17’

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *