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Cute, comfy and oh so warm, puffer jackets are the sporty and functional MVPs of any winter wardrobe. But when it comes to finding the right puffer, the options can be overwhelming. Do you go for down or synthetic? Black or brightly colored? Cropped or full-on wearable blanket?

To help you narrow down the plethora of options (and to make sure you stay warm no matter what), we consulted professional stylists on their favorite puffers for braving the winter season with a chic, cozy flair, no matter what length, fill or price point you’re shopping for.

Best puffer jackets for women

Whether you need a new coat or are looking for something to add to your collection, Susan Eskew, a buyer for women's coats at Macy’s, says you'll need to select a style that suits your lifestyle and can be worn on multiple occasions. "Long wool coats or trenches can provide a more elevated look," Eskew says, "while a down coat is better suited for colder climates." This Donna Karan jacket offers the best of both styles with a quilted puffer material for warmth, plus felt lining and a tie waist for a cinched silhouette.

Fashion stylist Liz Rundbaken says that Canada Goose coats, while expensive, are “worth every penny” and calls her own Canada Goose pieces “one of the smartest closet investments I ever bought. It’s the number-one reason I don’t dread New York winters anymore.” This Mystique Parka offers protection from the head all the way down to the mid-calf and is rated for temperatures of minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit and below. Rundbaken adds that all Canada Goose products now adhere to the Responsible Down Standard too.

Editor Favorite

Once temperatures start to dip into the low 50s, this REI puffer is one of the first I reach for. It keeps me warm while still being lightweight, and it easily compresses down, which makes it my top pick for traveling too. I never feel like my body is restricted by this jacket, which is really important when I'm hiking, running errands, hustling through an airport or stacking extra layers under or over it. Plus, it's got roomy interior pockets for storing mittens, beanies and other small items.

For those who value practicality, personal stylist Samantha Dawn recommends this retro jacket from The North Face. Available in six colors and plus sizes, it makes for a great everyday jacket that will keep you warm everywhere from the streets to the slopes.

"The details make this puffer jacket special: exaggerated collar, paracord drawstrings and soft sateen material," says Linda Cui Zhang, associate fashion director at Nordstrom. Like other puffers, this faux-suede Varley pick is made with down fill for warmth, but it also features a high-neck fleece collar for extra protection and coziness too.

Editor Favorite

Home and gifts editor Amina Lake Abdelrahman has found a lot to love about this coat from Orolay, the brand behind the viral Amazon coat from years ago. "It keeps me so warm and has massive pockets, which means I can run errands without carrying a purse," Abdelrahman says. "I also love the long length, expandable sides so I can have more room if needed and reflective strips for when I walk at night." If you plan to wear bulky winter sweaters underneath, Abdelrahman recommends sizing up for some extra room.

Puffer jackets can quickly get into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars, but this long puffer from Quince offers protection from your neck to your knees all for under $200. Made of water-repellent and wind-resistant fabric, this jacket comes in seven colors all stuffed with more than 700-fill-power goose down.

Made by ski wear brand Halfdays, you can trust that this puffer will keep you just as warm during daily walks as it will on winter ski runs down the mountain. Even in bone-chilling conditions, it'll feel like you never left the warm embrace of your bed.

For a protective puffer that's also perfectly packable, there are few better options than this Patagonia jacket. Made of recycled nylon ripstop and recycled down fill, and featuring an adjustable hood, it makes the ideal companion for your next adventure, whether it's just going down the street or crossing continents.

Not sure whether to hood or not to hood? A hooded jacket will offer you that extra bit of protection around your neck and face, which can be a real lifesaver if you're faced with both chilly and windy conditions. For under $150, this Mango puffer will give you protection and warmth where you need it most.

Editor Favorite

Updates writer Ellen McAlpine says this Halfdays parka is her saving grace every winter. Offering toasty warmth while still being compressable enough to stuff in a small gym locker, McAlpine also likes the mid-length that gives extra coverage to the hips. "The high collar helps keep my neck covered too, and the storm cuffs are great when I forget my gloves," McAlpine says. "Even though I have lots of room to layer comfortably underneath this jacket, I never need to because it's just that warm."

Cui Zhang calls this Canada Goose jacket "a streamlined, cropped style from a brand that does it best." Available in four colors, all Canada Goose's jackets come with a lifetime warranty so any defects in the materials or quality of the coat can be taken care of without costing your wallet more.

A puffer to pair with your favorite jeans or fleece-lined leggings, this BCBG coat comes in bold hues like a lipstick red, a dark olive and a shimmery blue — in addition to a few core neutrals — all with an oversized pillow collar to keep you properly bundled up.

Editor Favorite

Aritzia’s super-popular Super Puffs come in a huge range of colors and fabrics. New York City-based wardrobe stylist Gloria Cospito especially likes the Liquid Shine finish version that transform the coat into “an interesting statement piece.” All the Super Puffs are also very, very warm, with responsibly sourced goose down and a temperature rating to minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Underscored testing writer Michelle Rae Uy is a fan too, saying that the jacket is lightweight despite how puffy it might appear. "[It's] so easy to put on, which is convenient when you're already struggling with so many layers of clothing," Uy says.

Cui Zhang calls this reversible puffer jacket a "stellar" choice. With a traditional quilted side and soft faux-fur side, plus a spacious hood, Cui Zhang says it's "a style fit for both the opera and the ice-skating rink."

Uniqlo dominates the world of affordable winter wear, and Rundbaken says that the brand’s “super-light” puffers are “perfect for layering to instantly winterize any jacket or sweater.” And if you want something with a touch more coverage, you can also shop a slightly longer down parka, which also comes with a hood.

Cassandra Sethi, a personal stylist and image consultant with Next Level Wardrobe, loves that the design details of this hip-length puffer “are executed so well to keep the cold out. It includes thumb holes, an adjustable hood and zippered pockets.”

Looking for a puffer that will keep you both warm and on-trend? This cropped Alo puffer has a corseted hemline to create a more waist-defining silhouette. "The name of this jacket is no coincidence; you’ll feel like the 'it' girl in this puffer with the fun yet sultry silhouette," says Dawn.

This ultra-portable Free People jacket folds into its own pocket, meaning you can easily stash it in your suitcase (or even use it as a travel pillow) when you’re not wearing it. With vivid color options like Hot Watermelon, Cospito calls it “an eye-catching layering piece that will work through early spring and in autumn as well.”

For outdoor adventures on the coldest days of the year, Rundbaken recommends Fjällräven's ultra-warm Expedition Parka. It combines the unbeatable insulation of ethically sourced down with the water resistance of synthetic fill, and it also features an adjustable hood, pockets with both side and top openings, and a two-way zipper.

If you want to stand out in a sea of black winter coats, this printed Farm Rio jacket will make heads turn. Even better, it's reversible with a navy-and-caramel tribal print on one side and a cream-and-wine-colored toucan print on the other, so you'll have options for whatever best matches your chalet chic vibe.

Best puffer jackets for men

Editor Favorite

Although Primary is mainly a children's clothing brand, they offer matching grown-up products too. Underscored's copy chief, Daniel Toy, snagged this striped puffer on sale a few years ago and was impressed by how slimming and warm it was right off the bat. "It's good enough for staying warm during harsh Michigan winters, and I've gotten several compliments on it to boot," Toy says.

Yes, Aritzia also makes their beloved Super Puff jacket in a long style too. Different from the women's fit, this men's style is designed with broader and longer proportions so you can have maximum warmth and coverage at any size.

For a puffer that also fits the bill for stylish streetwear, look no further than this Alpha Industries parka that, in addition to looking ultra sleek, has a removable hood, adjustable hem and cuffs, and interior backpack straps for hands free holding if you get overheated.

Editor Favorite

Underscored health, fitness and food editor, Tobey Grumet Segal, says this jacket keeps her feeling warm but looking cool while braving NYC winters. "It may be pricey, but it's an investment piece I'll have for years to come — as long as I can keep my son from nabbing it from my closet," Grumet Segal says.

Patagonia is one of our favorite brands for shopping durable outdoor gear, so it's no surprise that their Nano Puff Jacket is a hit. This wind-resistant puffer is a great choice if you're looking for a layer that can provide warmth during activities like hiking, climbing or backpacking without weighing you down or getting in your way.

With a timeless cut, this DKNY jacket fits perfectly into the wardrobe of any modern man. Made with down-alternative insulation, a hood and a polyurethane coating for water resistance, this coat is designed for maximum protection and warmth.

Rundbaken recommends this classic parka from L.L.Bean, a brand known for quality cold weather gear and excellent customer service. This parka is one of the warmest the company makes, with 650-fill DownTek Insulation and a wind- and rain-resistant shell. It comes in three colors and both regular and tall sizing

If you're all about having functionality in your winter wear, this Yarmouth puffer can support your needs with four exterior pockets for holding all your grab-and-go essentials. “A fleece-lined hood puts this puffer in winter-wear staple status,” Cospito says.

Although it has a simple silhouette, this Lacoste jacket can also be good move for the guy who enjoys a statement jacket since, in addition to black, it comes in vibrant shades of blue and green, all made with duck-down filling for warmth.

Rundbaken likes that this wind-resistant, quick-drying jacket features a soft eco-teddy lining for added warmth and coziness. She also praises Save the Ducks for making coats that are animal- and planet-friendly without compromising on cold weather performance.

For warmth without the bulk, try this lightweight option from L.L.Bean. "The Primaloft Gold insulation has great performance properties as an alternative to down,” Sethi says. Water- and wind-resistant, this quilted jacket also comes in regular and tall sizes up to 3XL and an array of nine colors.

Meet our experts

For this article, we consulted the following style experts to gain their professional insights.

FAQs

The following FAQs were answered by personal stylist and style coach Samantha Dawn.

Why trust CNN Underscored

Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every product we recommend is worthy of your money. In addition to hands-on testing products, we also consult top experts to understand what features, benefits and possible downsides each item offers. We seek out important considerations and advice from our experts to help give you the information you need to make smarter shopping decisions.

Associate editor Jillian Tracy spoke with stylists and fashion experts regarding the features and design elements that make for the best and most wearable puffer jackets. She also tapped our team of experienced shopping editors for their favorite puffer jacket picks.

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Jillian Tracy Associate Editor

Jillian Tracy is an associate editor at CNN Underscored who covers topics that span the lifestyle vertical such as fashion, health, sustainability, beauty and outdoors. You can find her trying to catch up on her Goodreads goal, planning her next travel adventure or rewatching "RuPaul’s Drag Race."