To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories Ski Pants
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
By Heidi Quill , Jessie Atkinson and Adam Cheung
A piece of outerwear that prioritises comfort without skimping on style, investing in a quality puffer jacket is one of the best winter fashion moves you can make. Shop GQ’s pick of the best options to beat the chill in style
Let's be honest, on the coldest of English mornings, when frost is covering every surface and your car is closer to operating as a fridge, those more sophisticated wool overcoats just don't cut it. In fact, those days are made for the puffer jacket. Down-filled for supreme outerwear insulation, the puffer is the perfect coat for those who have rightly prioritised comfortable, cosy wardrobe additions this year, offering the snugness of your beloved duvet even on the most teeth-chattering winter walk.
With everyone from sports and outdoor brands such as Nike and The North Face to fashion houses such as Gucci and Prada getting down with the puffer jacket this season, there’s no need for a comfortable coat to come at the expense of your discerning sense of style. In fact, puffer jackets are the winter coat of choice for such men’s style icons as David Beckham, Drake, Daniel Craig and Frank Ocean, to name just a few.
Which is why, just in time for the turn of the seasons, we’ve done our duty in scouring the online outerwear rails to bring you the best puffer jackets to beat the chill. Life is about to get a whole lot cosier…
For more fashion, grooming, and technology releases delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our GQ Recommends newsletter.
A rich latte cream hue and a little added length in this coat make it something we can imagine on the back of Roger Moore’s James Bond. Opting to put its pockets on the outside rather than the customary quilted jacket style, this is another Reiss triumph that’s a shoo-in for anyone who’ll be in the vicinity of the slopes this winter. £298. At reiss.com
One of the iciest colours on offer among the many puffer jackets for the taking this year, this jacket proves once again that Nike truly never misses the mark. Its take on the streetwear staple for 2023 sees the usual elasticated hem and cuffs and insulated/waterproof capabilities. The difference? This polar shade is really giving. £184.95. At nike.com
The Marmite of fashion prints, Burberry’s check gets a darker update on this collectible choice, which makes up for its price with the promise of years of wear. And, if you're wondering, yes: Burberry check does count as a neutral. £1,890. At uk.burberry.com
It’s the little things that separate a lacklustre puffer from the cream of the puffed-up crop. Cos excels at those little things: evenly distributed down for a perfectly pillowy shape, curving collars for chin-hugging style and warmth, and just the right crop for a physique-flattering finish. Just as excellent in off-white or black, but our favourite colourway is the airy light grey for its modish Yeezy-esque vibe. £180. At cos.com
Where goose-down jackets were once the saviour of cold water workers, they’re now the reserve of fashion lovers who get a little bit chilly when the mercury drops. Moncler serves the latter audience well with this hybrid, which keeps the down-stuffed body but adds knitted sleeves for a little bit of a twist. £775. At matchesfashion.com
Did you have M&S making one of the best puffer jackets of the season on your 2023 bingo card? If not, this will be a nice surprise for you: the department store’s affordable winter piece uses feather and down to fill out chocolate brown padded panels, finishing it off with a detachable hood, soft feel and stormproof tech. £120. At marksandspencer.com
Axel Arigato’s Observer puffer has all the trappings of a grail: iconic silhouette, coveted colourways and serious streetwear cachet. But the coolest thing about it? Beyond the slick aesthetic, its outer shell is spun from recycled marine litter. Clearing the plastic polluting our oceans one puffer at a time, the Swedish label’s jacket brings new meaning to the term ‘clean up nice‘ – and that you will in this one’s polished panelling and pared-back, modern style. £410. At axelarigato.com
You’ll find many a puffer jacket in black, khaki and even cream in this list, but one shade you’ll see far less of is grey. Weekday does a great job with the shade here, avoiding any comparisons to elephants or rhinos thanks to plump, smooth quilts with a gloss finish. Fleece-lined pockets finish the picture. £109. At weekday.com
Plushly packed with down and finished in royal, shining blue, this Palm Angels pick takes the concept of streetwear and invigorates it with a kingly air. Go-faster stripes and a lining in contrasting cream finish off what is truly a regal take on the puffer jacket. £1,080. At matchesfashion.com
Whether you’re cruising through the streets of Shoreditch or summiting Ben Nevis, the Nuptse Jacket from The North Face has got your back. This particular silhouette has been a mountaineering staple for the past 30 years, and it has just been unveiled in a lush dark brown hue that makes it ideal for the autumn months. On top of that, it has now been updated with recycled materials, so not only will your wardrobe thank you this season, the environment will too. £315. At thenorthface.co.uk & footasylum.com
Multiple quilted panels draw together like an eight-pack of abs in this C.P Company design, which may well represent the final boss of puffer jackets. An enormous hood (complete with built-in goggles) tops off this perfect specimen in quilted outerwear. £750. At matchesfashion.com
Haven’t you heard? Abercrombie is cool now. A lightyear away from the moose-studded prepwear of the early aughts, this puffer jacket — which is on the lighter side of the kind typically on offer — comes in cream, navy, black and green. And at under £100? One in each colour, please. £99. At abercrombie.com
Those of you who have ever looked at a four year-old girl’s wardrobe and felt envy…this acid trip of a pink floral puffer goes out to you. Brainchild of L.A. brand ERL, this twill outer, down inner special is inspired by the 1970s and intended for the very bravest — and coolest — among you. £1,235. At matchesfashion.com
For a warming puffer that’s never uncomfortably hot, Lululemon has lopped the arms off of its Wunder Puff jacket. It’s an underrated omission that makes room for all manner of hefty winter layers, not to mention leaves you free to move as you please. As for weather defence, the vest delivers on that front too: its high-fill goose down is enrobed in water-repellent fabric, and cut with zip pockets that’ll keep your mitts nice and toasty. The perfect puffer for a dewy morning walk with the dog in tow. £228. At lululemon.co.uk
With convenience at its core, the Crofton puffer from Canada Goose is an easy-to-stash pick for the man on the move. Easily worn as a crossbody bag or backpack, this puffer goes from jacket to carry-on in just a few smooth moves. And, when worn in full down jacket mode, this gold-tone jacket can withstand temperatures up to -25 degrees celsius. £1,025. At canadagoose.com
For those looking to channel something a little Gareth Southgate-esque, this puffer jacket from Arket boasts an elongated design that skims just above the knee. Whether you're donning this with one of Gareth's signature three-piece suits or something a little more casual, this coat is constructed with reclaimed materials specifically picked to offer specialised, natural warmth as part of Arket's Upcycled Down collection. With windproof and water-resistant properties, this toasty number can tackle cold weather like no other, putting all those other winter coats in your cupboard to shame. £229. At arket.com
We don't know about you, but whenever we lay our eyes on cerulean, we hear the voice of Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada passionately lamenting the undeniable role of high fashion in everyone's lives… Anyway, Meryl Streep aside, Pangaia's cerulean blue FLWRDWN bomber jacket is an eco-friendly vision in bright blue, insulated with the use of a biobased, animal-free alternative to goose and duck down. Cop it before stocks run out… it's what Meryl would want. £310. At pangaia.com
The so-called “gorpcore” trend is more popular than ever this season, and Arc’teryx is leading the charge with pieces such as the Thorium AR. Offered in a stealthy dark navy colour scheme, the puffer jacket perfectly balances versatility with warmth, all stuffed in a sleek and streamlined package. It would take us a very long time to go through every single technology that the Canadian outerwear brand has crammed into this piece, so let’s just say that they’ve really gone all out here… Trust us. £350. At arcteryx.com
If you want a simple, no-nonsense puffer jacket that will get you from Point A to Point B with no dramas, Uniqlo’s Ultra Light puffer jacket is here for you. Thin and lightweight without compromising on warmth and water resistance, this piece comes in a whole spectrum of colours, but our favourite has got to be the rust orange one. Whether you’re rocking a full suit or chilling out with some sweats, you just can’t go wrong with this. £69.90. At uniqlo.com
Keep it monochromatic with this black and white panelled down jacket from The North Face. Windproof, water-repellent, filled with a lofty down and yet breathable, this puffer does it all and does it well. Finished with the label's instantly recognisable logo at the chest, this jacket secures with a zip fastening that runs from the piece's hem all the way up to your chin, leaving no room for wind or rain. Wrap up and stay warm out there. £350. At thenorthface.co.uk
This boxy beauty from Gucci forms part of the label’s Aria collection, from a runway dedicated to the glamour of Hollywood with all the usual tinges of Italian heritage and equestrian iconography, all wrapped up in a dynamic 1970s-style flair. This puffer is among the warmest offerings of the collection, filled with down and secured with a press-stud front fastening, and is finished with the label’s signature Web stripe and logo patch detail. £1,950. At gucci.com & mytheresa.com
Known for balancing youthful style with high-tech fabrications, Moncler creates show-stopping, minimalistic outerwear that's just as suitable on the slopes as on the streets. In a glossy inky navy hue, this half-zip puffer jacket is water and wind-repellent, filled with a super insulating feather down that'll see you through many winters to come. £980. At matchesfashion.com
Best men’s winter coats to see you through the cold in style
Best men’s fleeces for peak cosy layering this autumn
Ski Outfit Best grey sweatshirts to nail off-duty style