The 9 Best Eco-Friendly Puffer Jackets You Should Be Wearing This Winter

Winter is just around the corner. Days are shorter, the wind is biting, and that means it’s time to pull out the big guns…and by big guns, I mean puffer jackets. When you’re looking for the perfect insta-worthy coat to wear, it’s important to think about where these jackets are coming from—meaning, where they’re made and what they’re made from.

Usually the outer shell of a puffer jacket is made from polyester, a synthetic fiber made through non-renewable processes, thus producing serious greenhouse gas emissions. This is no secret. The fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of humanity’s carbon emissions. That said, virgin polyester isn’t our only option. According to the Materials Sustainability Index, recycled polyester is a better environmental choice and, in these increasingly sustainability-minded times, the options for coats made from recycled fibers are becoming more and more common. Additionally, when it comes to puffer jackets, the outside isn’t the only aspect to keep in mind. You might also want to keep down alternatives in mind while winter coat shopping. Not sure where to start shopping? These are a few of our favorite ethically made and eco-conscious puffer jackets that will be your go-tos all season long.

Best Eco-Friendly Puffer Jackets

Everlane ReNew Long Puffer — $198.00

Filled with recycled, high-performance Primaloft insulation, this long puffer is made to stand up to the coldest of cold days and the water-resistant outer shell is made from 100 percent recycled polyester. Each jacket reuses 60 plastic bottles in its manufacturing! Everlane’s goal is to eliminate virgin plastic from its entire supply chain by 2021 and as a result, it’s 90% of the way there,  recycling 1 million pounds of nylon and 9 million plastic bottles.

Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket — $79.00

This jacket is lightweight, water-resistant, and packable, making it a great layer to travel with you wherever you go. It has a nylon construction, secured zip hand pockets, and an interior pocket to store essentials. The down insulation is responsibly-sourced and Responsible Down Standard certified, meaning that it ensures humane treatment of the animals that provide down and feathers.

The North Face ThermoBall Eco Jacket — $199.00

When thinking of puffers, The North Face is the queen of the kingdom. The ThermoBall Eco Jacket has a quilted pattern and packs into its chest pocket, and the best part is that it’s made from recycled fabrics and insulation. It comes in nine colorways, including this Shaded Spruce for a pop of cheer during dreary winter days.

Frank And Oak Mesa Short Puffer Coat — $369.00

The Frank And Oak Cropped Mesa Puffer is the epitome of a ’90s throwback. Perfect to pair with jeans or leggings (sometimes both) on cold winter mornings, the style is water-repellent and the shell, lining, and insulation are made with 100 percent recycled polyester. The Primaloft insulation is breathable, but also a hero when it comes to locking your body heat in the jacket. Frank And Oak also uses recycled and reusable packaging when shipping their styles, so it even comes with a fun tote in the mail.

Nau Windward Insulated Button Up Parka — $250.00

The six button style of this jacket makes it sleek and stylish, and the 100 percent recycled nylon shell with 100 percent recycled down insulation will keep your conscious clean, too. 

Patagonia Silent Down Jacket — $249.00

There are few companies more dedicated to sustainable practices and driving environmental change than Patagonia. The silent down jacket is made with a 70 percent recycled shell, 100 percent recycled down (reclaimed from other down products), and Fair Trade Certified sewn.

prAna Hellebore Jacket — $239.00

This prAna jacket has a fun, colorblock design and is extremely warm without being overly bulky. The nylon shell is water-repellent, and it has a high fill weight of Responsible Down Standard certified insulation.

Arc'teryx Agrium Hoody — $400.00

This technical jacket is lightweight and warm and made with sustainable materials. It has Responsible Down Standard-certified 850 fill and synthetic insulation made from 45 percent recycled polyester, and the shell is dyed with a process that reduces CO2 emissions. Bonus: it’s also made in a Fair Trade Certified facility.

Athleta Downtown Parka II — $269.00

For those days when you want a little more coverage, this long, semi-fitted and long parka will wrap your body in coziness, and it also has a removable hood with a faux fur trim to keep your head warm. The jacket is made with recycled polyester sourced from post-consumer plastic bottles and has Responsible Down Standard certified insulation.

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