How do you style a puffer vest?

Not only are puffer vests warm and comfortable, but their versatility is unmatched. There's no limit to how and where you can throw one on, whether with leggings and a thermal for a morning walk, jeans and a turtleneck for a backyard bonfire, or a button-down top for a blazer alternative at work. Play dress-up in your own closet, trying on a puffer vest with sneakers and then boots, as well as hoodies and then sweaters. Chances are, you'll find a few killer combos you'll wear over and over.

How do you wash a puffer vest?

Before clicking "add to cart" on any puffer vest, take a peek at the care instructions. While many can be machine-washed, some should be carefully hand-washed, and others may require a trip to the dry cleaner. If you're machine-washing your vest, follow the directions on the care tag. Oftentimes, you'll use a gentle cycle with cold water, adding on an extended rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is washed out. Once out of the washer, wring out the excess water before transferring the vest to the dryer. Use a low heat setting and add a few dryer balls to help fluff up the insulation.

The 18 Best Puffer Vests of 2024

the-best-puffer-vests-new-3-tout — Byrdie / Alli Waataja

Puffer vests are the Goldilocks of fall and winter wardrobe must-haves—they can even be worn into the spring. Cozy but not too heavy with freedom of arm movement, an insulated vest is ideal for layering over a long-sleeve shirt or under a coat. It won't cause you to overheat and instead keeps your core warm during all kinds of outdoor or indoor activities. Simply put: It's the perfect in-between outerwear piece.

Functionality aside, puffer vests are a streetwear fashion staple that doesn't appear to be falling out of trend anytime soon. According to fashion and lifestyle expert Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, "A vest can be styled casually or dressed up." Even within the puffer category, there are several styles, from cropped and hooded to oversized and extra-long.

We scoured the internet and checked our own closets to find the best puffer vests currently available. After considering dozens of options and evaluating them based on style, color, material, pockets, and price, we narrowed it down to options you can wear season after season.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Quince Responsible Down Puffer Vest at Quince.com (See Price)

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Best Budget:

H&M Puffer Vest at Hm.com ($27)

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Best Size-Range:

Girlfriend Collective Everyone Puffer Vest at Girlfriend.com (See Price)

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Best Splurge:

Canada Goose Puffer Vest at Nordstrom ($595)

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Best Cropped:

lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest at Lululemon ($248)

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Best Oversized:

Free People Movement In A Bubble Puffer Vest at Freepeople.com ($148)

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Best Retro-Style:

L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Puffer Vest at L.L.Bean ($79)

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Best Long:

Helly Hansen Essence Down Vest at Amazon (See Price)

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Best Loose Fit:

Nike Sportswear Classic Puffer Therma-Fit Loose Vest at Nordstrom ($110)

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Best for Cold Weather:

The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nupste Vest at The North Face (See Price)

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Best Overall

Quince Responsible Down Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

Quince

View on Quince.com

Materials: Recycled polyester, goose down, goose feathers | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: Stone taupe, black, shiny black, blue

This puffer vest is fluffy and warm but not too bulky, with a regular fit that leaves plenty of room for layering. In addition to the fleece-lined hand pockets, a zippered chest pocket is hidden inside. And the hood is removable, adding to the overall versatility.

Considering the real goose down insulation with ultra-lofty 700+ fill power, it's a great deal. (Fill power is how many cubic inches of loft per ounce of down—so higher numbers indicate fluffier quilting.) We also appreciate that it's certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which tells you the fill is sourced from humanely treated animals. As for the shell, you're looking at water-repellent and wind-resistant polyester that's not only recycled but also Oeko-Tex certified for chemical safety.

Best Budget

H&M Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

H&M

$27 at Hm.com

Materials: Polyamide, polyester | Sizes: XXS–XXL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Black, light taupe, gray

H&M makes a great budget option. This wallet-friendly puffer vest flaunts a cropped cut and a regular fit you can easily throw on over a hoodie, knit sweater, or form-fitting shirt. We love how the oversized baffles and stand-up collar offer a subtle nod to '80s outerwear.

Best Size-Range

Girlfriend Collective Everyone Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

Girlfriend Collective

View on Girlfriend.com

Material: Recycled plastic bottles, spandex | Sizes: XXS-7XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Thorn, gold

Girlfriend Collective delivers an impressive option with this all-gender, versatile puffer vest. Ranging from size XXS-7XL, there really is something for everyone. Plus, those with eco-friendly priorities in mind will realy appreciate that the outer shell, lining and filling are made with 100% recycled plastic bottles. The wind-resistant, water-repellant design comes in neutral tones, Thorn (a deep tan) and Gold, and cinches at the bottom for extra cold protection.

Best Splurge

Canada Goose Puffer Vest

$595 at Nordstrom View on Canadagoose.com $650 at Neiman Marcus

Materials: Recycled nylon, down | Sizes: XXS–3XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Black, silverbirch, dawn blue, summit pink, sagebrush +more

Canada Goose's Cypress Vest is one of Hartman Malarkey's favorites, thanks to its high-gloss design, last-forever quality, and soft-to-the-touch feel. And the premium down fill will keep you supremely warm. It's at the top of price points, as far as puffer vests go. But if you choose to invest in this keeper, know you'll reach for it, again and again, this year and for many to come. Plus, the brand backs its products with a lifetime warranty.

Best Cropped

lululemon Wunder Puff Cropped Vest

PHOTO:

lululemon

$248 at Lululemon

Materials: Nylon, elastane, down | Sizes: 0–14 | Pockets: 4 | Colors: Symphony blue, black, trench, white

This puffer vest from Lululemon features a cropped cut that's slightly longer in the back. The relaxed fit is roomy enough to wear over a hoodie or chunky sweater, but you can size down if you prefer a slimmer silhouette. It's filled with real goose down, which is naturally insulating with thermal-regulating abilities, so it'll keep you warm without causing you to overheat.

Best Oversized

Free People Movement In A Bubble Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

Free People

$148 at Freepeople.com

Material: Nylon | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Sour citrus, flame, jewel jam, true blue, hot pink, lemon +more

We love the laid-back, oversized fit of this puffer vest. Perfectly slouchy with a longer length and a high neck, it'll go effortlessly over any shirt (and even many jackets) while enhancing your look with a cool, casual appeal. What's more, the sleeping bag-like quilted nylon construction will keep you cozy while repelling water.

Best Retro-Style

L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

L.L.Bean

$79 at L.L.Bean

Material: Polyester | Sizes: XXS–3XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Storm blue/steel blue, sienna brick/adobe red

It's hard to narrow down what we love most about this L.L.Bean puffer vest: Its reasonable price point, wind- and rain-resistant materials, or '80s-esque colorblock design. It's sold in a wide range of petite, regular, and plus sizes, so no matter your shape, there's a fit for you. We also like that this lightweight yet cozy insulated vest can be thrown on as a top layer or worn under a heavy winter coat.

Best Long

Helly Hansen Essence Down Vest

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Amazon $230 at Nordstrom View on Hellyhansen.com

Materials: Polyester, duck down, duck feathers | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Terrazzo, utility green, black

The thigh-length cut of Helly Hansen's Essence Vest makes a dramatic statement without sacrificing versatility. We're drawn to the extra-puffy quilting, high neck, and cinchable waist. It's insulated with natural duck down and feathers with 600-fill power.

The down comes from Allied Feather & Down, a sustainable supplier of RDS-certified fill. "At Allied, we recycle a large portion of the water used in the wash process," says Daniel Uretsky, president of Allied Feather & Down. "We use only environmentally safe detergents and reduce our energy usage." And the shell has a water-repellent finish, so raindrops will bead up and fall right off.

Best Loose Fit

Nike Sportswear Classic Puffer Therma-Fit Loose Vest

PHOTO:

Nike

$110 at Nordstrom $60 at Nike.com $23 at Dick's

Materials: Polyester | Sizes: XS–XXL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Black, white, sail, red stardust

We can't get enough of the boxy silhouette of this Nike vest. The loose fit is not only ideal for layering but also undeniably on-trend for today's streetwear fashion. It's filled with lightweight down-alternative insulation that promises to help regulate your body temperature to keep you cozy (but not uncomfortably warm) in chilly weather.

Best for Cold Weather

The North Face Women’s 1996 Retro Nupste Vest

PHOTO:

The North Face

View on The North Face $230 at Backcountry.com $107 at Neiman Marcus

Material: Recycled ripstop nylon, goose down | Sizes: XS–3XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Black, pine needle, violet crocus, black/gardenia white, black/coal brown +more

As the name suggests, the 1996 Retro Nuptse Vest is a throwback to The North Face's iconic vest from the '90s. Vintage style aside, you'll be glad to have this piece on hand when the temperatures drop. Designed explicitly for cold weather, it boasts naturally insulating down fill to keep you continuously warm. And despite the three-dimensional puffiness from the 700 fill power and jumbo baffles, it's compressible for easy packing—the entire vest can be stowed in its right-hand pocket.

Best for Transitional Weather

Uaneo Cropped Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

Amazon

$35 at Amazon

Material: Polyester | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Beige, black, brown, burgundy, hot pink, mustard +more

This cropped puffer is a stellar choice for transitional weather—you know, when you're unsure if a proper coat is actually necessary but don't want to be caught in the cold. It's cute and practical, and best of all, it won't break the bank. Not only that, but it comes in several neutrals, like black, brown, and khaki, and a range of statement hues, including Barbie pink, late-90s yellow, and kelly green.

Best Down

Beyond Yoga Pillow Bubble Vest

PHOTO:

Beyond Yoga

View on Beyondyoga.com

Material: Polyamide, gray duck down, feathers | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Darkest spruce, rose violet, travertine

If you're partial to the super-lightweight loftiness and natural insulation of real down, Beyond Yoga's Pillow Bubble Vest might be the one. Filled with 75% gray duck down and 25% feathers, it'll keep your core warm on the coldest days without restricting arm movement. We also like the zippered pockets and pillowy high neck, both of which are lined with soft, cozy fleece.

Best Down-Alternative

Columbia Joy Peak Insulated Vest

PHOTO:

Amazon

$59 at Columbia.com $140 at Dick's View on Publiclands.com

Materials: Nylon, polyester | Sizes: XS–XXL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: Stone green, black, night wave, beetroot

This vest is filled with polyester fibers that mimic the lightweight loftiness and insulative properties of real down. The fill material even stays warm when it gets wet—but you shouldn't have to worry about that, thanks to the water-repellent nylon exterior. The Joy Peak Vest also features Columbia's signature Omni-Heat lining, a thermal gold foil material that reflects your own body heat back onto your body.

Best Layerable

Patagonia Down Sweater Vest

PHOTO:

Back Country

$137 at REI $229 at Backcountry.com View on Patagonia.com

Material: Recycled nylon, down | Sizes: XXS–XXL | Pockets: 5 | Colors: Conifer green, black, lagom blue, sienna clay +more

When it came to designing this puffer vest, Patagonia thought of everything. (Like it always does.) It's light as a feather yet remarkably warm with a drawcord hem that seals in your body heat. The Down Sweater Vest doesn't skimp on pockets, either. You can keep your hands warm in the two front pockets and store your essentials in the three interior pockets. We also love that it comes in a handful of colors, including chic statement hues and everyday neutrals.

Best Lightweight

Uniqlo Down Vest

PHOTO:

Uniqlo

View on Uniqlo.com

Material: Nylon, polyester, down | Sizes: XXS–XXL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Off-white, black, gray, pink, beige, navy

This puffer vest from Uniqlo is surprisingly affordable, considering it's filled with real down. You'll get the fluffiness and warmth of 750 fill power without any extra weight or unnecessary bulk. The light-as-air design is also pocketable, meaning you can compress the vest and stash it in its own pocket. We like this vest's soft matte shell and boxy silhouette that layers effortlessly over pretty much any shirt or coat.

Best Packable

Threads 4 Thought Aubri Packable Puffer Vest

PHOTO:

Nordstrom

$98 at Nordstrom View on Threads4thought.com

Material: Recycled polyester | Sizes: XS–XXL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: Artichoke, aspen, sandalwood

The Aubri Puffer Vest features classic square quilting and a long-ish cut with curved hems. Not too slim nor too boxy, the relaxed fit is conveniently layer-able and suitable for multiple seasons. Best of all, the down-alternative insulation is compressible. You can pack this vest into its own pocket, which has a handy wrist strap for easy carrying if you get too hot and decide to take it off.

Best Shiny

Sam. Freedom Vest

PHOTO:

Amazon

View on Amazon $236 at Nordstrom $295 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Material: Nylon, duck down, feathers | Sizes: XS–XL | Pockets: 2 | Colors: Jet, caviar, salsa, grass, silver, light royal, smoke, military, parakeet

We're absolutely obsessed with the glossy finish of this puffer vest. The shiny nylon catches the light, the channel quilting adds three-dimensional shape, and the oversized zipper offers a modern touch. You can't go wrong with black, but we also love the space-age silver and fiery red hue. As for warmth and weather resistance, you can count on the down insulation and water-repellent, wind-resistant shell to keep you cozy and dry.

Best Hooded

Outdoor Research Coldfront Hooded Down Vest II

PHOTO:

Backcountry

$48 at Backcountry.com View on Outdoorresearch.com

Material: Ripstop polyester, down | Sizes: XS–XXL | Pockets: 3 | Colors: Black, saffron, sienna, snow

This vest from Outdoor Research really holds its own against winter coats. It's got RDS-certified natural down insulation with 700+ fill power to keep your torso warm in the coldest weather. Meanwhile, the extra-durable ripstop polyester shell blocks wind and resists snow and rain. And you can pop the insulated hood over your head for extra protection from the elements. This puffer vest has a purposefully roomy fit for easy layering, but consider ordering a size down if you like a slimmer silhouette.

What to Look For in a Puffer Vest

Fill Material: Some puffer vests are filled with real down (potentially with feathers mixed in), which is naturally insulating, breathable, and thermo-regulating. Ideally, down-filled designs will be certified by the Responsible Down Standard, which tells you the fill was sourced from humanely treated live birds—even better if it comes from Allied Feather & Down. "The carbon footprint of Allied down is far below a petroleum-based synthetic or even a recycled synthetic," says Uretsky. Real down is generally the warmest, fluffiest option. But you can find down-alternative vests that do a good job mimicking the loftiness and insulating properties of down.
Shell Material: Most puffer vests have nylon, polyester, or polyamide shells. These synthetic textiles are inherently water-resistant, and they can be treated with a DWR (durable water-repellent) finish for extra protection from rain and snow. The vest exterior should also offer some wind resistance.
Pockets: Can you ever have too many pockets? (No. We're going with no.) At minimum, puffy vests should include two hand-warming pockets. Make sure they're big enough and at a comfortable height to stick your hands in—the pockets on some cropped styles might be a little too high to actually use. If the vest includes hidden internal pockets for all your essentials, you've found a winner.
Color: You'll also want to keep color in mind when browsing options. You really can't go wrong with a puffer vest in a neutral hue, like black, gray, white, or navy. But don't be afraid to make a statement with a punchier pop of color, either.

FAQ

How do you style a puffer vest?

Not only are puffer vests warm and comfortable, but their versatility is unmatched. There's no limit to how and where you can throw one on, whether with leggings and a thermal for a morning walk, jeans and a turtleneck for a backyard bonfire, or a button-down top for a blazer alternative at work. Play dress-up in your own closet, trying on a puffer vest with sneakers and then boots, as well as hoodies and then sweaters. Chances are, you'll find a few killer combos you'll wear over and over.
How do you wash a puffer vest?

Before clicking "add to cart" on any puffer vest, take a peek at the care instructions. While many can be machine-washed, some should be carefully hand-washed, and others may require a trip to the dry cleaner. If you're machine-washing your vest, follow the directions on the care tag. Oftentimes, you'll use a gentle cycle with cold water, adding on an extended rinse cycle to ensure all the detergent is washed out. Once out of the washer, wring out the excess water before transferring the vest to the dryer. Use a low heat setting and add a few dryer balls to help fluff up the insulation.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in apparel, accessories, lifestyle, and beauty. She has worn outerwear from several brands featured here, including Quince, Lululemon, Helly Hansen, Nike, The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, and Outdoor Research. You can find more of her buying guides on Travel + Leisure, People, and The Spruce.

Our writer used the following experts to help with this roundup:

Chantelle Hartman Malarkey is a travel and lifestyle expert.
Daniel Uretsky is the president of Allied Feather & Down.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough puffer vests from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

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