–Jacqueline Pham
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It’s official: winter is here, so you may want to get your outerwear in order. If you’re looking to add one winter jacket to your wardrobe this season, a puffer coat makes a great choice.
Usually, puffers lean more towards the practical end of the spectrum and wool coats, trenches, and capes are more what we think of when we think of stylish, layered winter outerwear. But puffers have gotten a luxe makeover and the list of responsibly made puffer jackets continues to grow.
Gone are the days when we would only reach for these warm puffer jackets and parkas only out of necessity –think outdoor sports or extremely frosty days. They are a fixture of many coveted closets of IT girls and celebs alike. So, it really is the best time to invest in an ethical jacket that is super cozy too!
Below, 21 puffer coats from 7 No Kill-approved brands, who create clothes with minimized environmental impact and great ethical practices. From knee-length to cropped, matte neutrals to rich saturated colors and interesting finishes, there is a puffer coat for everyone.
Arc’teryx
“The most sustainable purchase is no purchase” writes Arc’teryx’s product philosophy. The best purchase, according to the performance clothing company? Buy used gear. “If you are going to purchase something new, we want to provide the best option – quality that will perform, season after season, with a line-up of willing users once your relationship with that garment comes to an end.” All down is responsibly sourced.
Atom AR Hoody
Resilient Coreloft™ synthetic insulation is mapped for optimal thermal performance
Permeair™ 20 underarm improves breathability.
Light, durable and wind resistant Tyono™ 30 has a dura coating for increased longevity
Patera Parka
A puffer posing as a parka. This longer jacket has a smooth exterior but all the puffer goodness still inside. It’s Down Composite Mapping uses 750 fill down for premium warmth plus strategic use of synthetic insulation in moisture heavy areas. Fair trade certified with responsibly sourced down and recycled nylon and it comes in 5 different colors.
Thorium Jacket
The Thorium is made to be a favorite – your go-to when you need the warmth of down to keep you comfortable on cold days outside. Created for performance, comfort, and durability, it’s filled with warm, lofty, responsibly-sourced 750 fill-power grey goose down and has a lightweight, highly abrasion-resistant Arato™ 30 nylon shell.
Nau
Nau is the first sustainable performance wear brand. Offering everything from loungewear made of waxed cotton to winter coats from 100% down, Nau keeps true to its promise of bridging the gap between innovative biodesign and performance clothing. Their clothes are made to last a lifetime, so you’ll surely find the best timeless styles here. Check out their responsibly made puffer jackets below.
Unisex Apollo Down Jacket
You don’t have to live on Mount Olympus to enjoy this insulated jacket. A garment dyed outer shell with Responsible Down Standard filling combine to make this a jacket fit for a legend! Unisex styling and a variety of fall tones will make sure you find your perfect look.
Unisex Breckside Re:Down Jacket
Corduroy is the standout fabric for the Breckside Re:Down® Jacket. This unisex oversize fit coat will leave plenty of room to layer in the coldest months. Made with organic cotton and insulated with recycled down and feather this is an eco-friendly puffy for everyone.
Unisex Essential Hooded Re:Down Jacket
A jacket for everyone. Insulated with 100% Re:Down®, the Essential Hooded Jacket features an oversized comfort fit. Internal ribbed cuffs keep from warmth escaping while two hand pockets and an adjustable hood keep the rest of your body warm.
Frank And Oak
Frank and Oak creates clothes that are aligned with its three core values: sustainability, transparency, and functionality. Inspired by Canadian daily lifestyles, the brand makes high-quality clothes that last. If you live in Canada, you can have your Frank and Oak’s clothes recollected and donated to trusted grassroots nonprofits in its initiative “Let’s give a shi(r)t”. The brand even sets a goal of completely removing virgin plastic from its supply chain in 2022.
The Hygge Puffer Coat
Elevated, comfortable, and warm, this mid-length winter jacket features a comfort loose fit and a shawl hood. Shell and lining made from 100% recycled polyester. Semi-matte finish. 20K/20K breathability for dynamic winter activities. DWR water repellent. Featherless Primaloft™ PowerPlume® insulation.
The Highland Long Puffer Coat
The Highland long puffer is back to embrace the snowy days ahead. Made from recycled polyester, it features an oversized fit and a shawl hood. Wind and water-resistant C0, Durable Water Repellent (80/5) coating. Hydrophilic PU full lamination, 20K/20K breathability and performance. Includes integrated carrying straps to wear the coat as a backpack while indoors. Single-breasted with vislon zipper and hidden magnetic snaps in placket for extra weather protection.
The Capital Parka
The Capital parka features a relaxed fit and a mid-thigh length.Hydrophilic PU full lamination, 20K/20K breathability and performance. Thermore® Ecodown® insulation, a vegan fibre that outperforms down feathers. Recycled polyester lining. Integrated carrying straps to wear the coat as a backpack while indoors.
Ecoalf
ECOALF became the first fashion company from Spain to receive a certificate as a B Corporation in as early as 2018. The B Corp certificate is a prestigious third-party verification that rigorously measures a company’s sustainability level far beyond the product level, and up till now only 18 fashion companies are on the certified list. Ecoalf’s winter jackets, cut in a simple timeless silhouette with neutral colors to compliment, are as fashionable as they are functional.
Marangu Coat
A looser fit puffer that sits just below the hips.
This item contains bluesign® APPROVED fabrics, PFC-free, Vegan
Robson Jacket
A longer coat with Primaloft fill and a looser fit to allow layering. It has a hood and is slitted on the sides to allow ease of movement when you’re on the move.
GLAM JACKET
The GlamJacket is made from their Ocean Yarn which is spun from plastic bottles collected from the bottom of the Ocean through Ecoalf Foundation’s Upcycling the Oceans project. Collaborating with more than 4,000 fishermen, it has removed more than 1,000 tonnes of waste from the bottom of the ocean since 2015.
Pangaia
A favorite of No Kill Mag, Pangaia offers supple, comfortable clothes that magically fit right in the intersection between athleisure, performance wear and loungewear. Its iconic feature that no other brand can emulate? A vivid array of rich to irisdescent shades for you to choose your favorite monochromatic set from, or in this case, a perfect all-occasion, trademarked FLWRDWN™️ puffer jacket. FLWRDWN™ is a cruelty-free alternative to goose and duck down made from natural, dried wildflowers. It’s taken over 10 years to develop this breakthrough plant-based, animal-free and resource-efficient material which makes you feel warm.
FLWRDWN Reversible Jacket
This jacket is smooth on one side and has the quilted puffer look on the other. The design is reversible with a lightweight recycled nylon interior that creates two cozy looks in one. Four color options.
FLWRDWN Bomber Jacket
It is created using wild flowers and a biopolymer –and it has a recycled nylon outershell. This style has an oversized fit and is designed to keep you warm.
Flower-Warmth Recycled Nylon Long Puffer
A longer puffer jacket in a new color, rind yellow or classic black
The North Face Renewed
You might be surprised to see North Face in our lineup, but for a big brand they’re surprisingly on point when it comes to sustainability. Their site explains how they’re working towards full sustainability in clothing by 2025 and shoes and equipment by 2030.
But wait. Couldn’t that be greenwashing? There’s always that possibility but they’re clearly committed to responsible down, and as we’re a North American publication we try to highlight brands that are most familiar to our readers that they can easily find. In addition what we want to suggest is buying your North Face jacket secondhand! Which is why we’re linking you to their Renewed site where you can find a winter jacket at a lower price and extend it’s lifespan.
Patagonia Worn Wear
Nothing feels better than bundling up in clothes that keep you warm and cut down on consumption at the same time. Enter Patagonia Worn Wear, the internal hub where you can get used Patagonia gear, and get trade-in credits, all with the company’s repair and care service. Here, you can find a diverse array of puffer jackets coming in different shapes and sizes.
Say goodbye to the Zara puffer that you see on 3 people within the same day – here you get some of the best made winter jackets secondhand. This saves you money and saves these from heading to the landfill. Patagonia refurbishes and refreshes each jacket as needed before reselling. And when you’re done with it you can send it in for store credit towards a new one! (note: there’s only one of each–but don’t worry if these are sold out there will be plenty more for you to check out)
