To discover the best insulated jacket for every activity, we wore each one in everything from snowy sub-zero temperatures of Canada, Colorado and Alaska, to the frigid, dry conditions of winter in the high desert. We put them over and under other jackets in every conceivable configuration. We stuffed them into their pockets, clipped them to harnesses, crammed them into heavy backpacks, and took them on the go. Our testing team brought them on adventures while traveling, hiking, skiing, camping, climbing, biking, and more. We also tested them objectively in the lab to level the playing field. In doing this, we evaluated each based on five different metrics: Warmth, comfort, weather resistance, packability, and breathability.
Warmth
Warmth is fairly simple to measure, yet undeniably the most important quality of an insulated jacket. In this metric, we wear each jacket with a single base layer in temperatures that drop below freezing. We spend approximately the amount of time in each piece and determine which kept us the warmest. We wear each one for as many adventures as we can dream up in cold weather but also for more mundane and stationary tasks. It's also important to test how cozy the jackets kept us at rest, and how warm they kept us while moving and while working up a bit of a sweat. The warmest jackets with the best insulation, both wet and dry, score the highest.
Comfort
We look at the overall fit and all of the cozy features in this metric. Unsurprisingly, the jackets who put some extra attention towards features to make us comfortable scored higher here. Of course, we also consider the fill and loft of each jacket, stretch panels and movement features, and the construction of the jacket overall. We love to see additions like chest pockets, thumb loops, and spacious hoods that are helmet-compatible. We're big suckers for fleece-lined chin backers and hand pockets when it comes to comfort. We also note which jackets are the easiest to layer, which allow us to move easily and which ones are just downright comfortable to wear. The fit overall is important when considering comfort, and we also handed the jackets out to our friends to assess how they worked for different body types.
Weather Resistance
In this metric, we specifically and objectively looked at water and wind resistance. In addition to our field tests in conditions that ranged from blizzards to wind-driven sleet to your average winter days, we performed quantitative analyses in the lab. For water resistance, we sprayed each jacket down with water and let it sit, and even stood under the constant flow of the shower. We note if the fabrics wet quickly or repel the water and which soak through completely. We keep an eye out for if the exterior holds water and how quickly it dries. To test wind resistance, we stand outside on a windy day with our hands extended to see which jackets resist wind better than others and pinpoint any areas of weakness with a high-powered fan.
Portability
Testing portability was simple: We packed away each jacket to see how small it could get. We noted if jackets had their stowaway systems, weighed each on a scale, and compared relative compression volume. Jackets that scored the highest are both lightweight and compressible. Extra points are given to those with stowaway systems in pockets or included sacks. We also considered how lightweight the jacket felt to wear and how much warmth it packed in comparison to its measured weight.
Breathability
To test each jacket for breathability, we wear each while running, cross-country skiing, hiking, and more high-output cardio activities, through all seasons. With each, we wore a single, similar base layer to determine differences and ensure that we're not skewing our results. After the outings, we compared our base layers to see which kept us warm and dry and which made us wet and sweaty. We also look at the fabrics and note any areas of high ventilation and which fabrics provide good passive breathability or any additional features that allow for better heat escape.
