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Down Outerwear 101: Fill Power, Warmth & Care

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A better puffer starts here

From 700+ fill power to RDS certification, the details make the difference. Here’s what to know about down outerwear, weather protection, and choosing the right puffer for you.

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WHAT IS DOWN?

Down is the soft, insulating layer found beneath the outer feathers of geese. Its clusters create tiny pockets that trap warm air, delivering impressive insulation without unnecessary weight.

That’s where fill power comes in. It measures down’s loft: the higher the fill power, the more insulating air it can trap per ounce. Our down outerwear uses 700+ fill power with a blend of 90% goose down and 10% feathers for lightweight, high-loft warmth.

And because where down comes from matters, ours is Responsible Down Standard certified.

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Exceptional warmth, by design

700+ fill power. RDS certified. Made for cold-weather performance.

SHOP WOMEN’S OUTERWEAR
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What does RDS certified mean?

The Responsible Down Standard helps ensure that down and feathers come from animals raised according to defined animal-welfare standards, including no live-plucking or force-feeding. It also provides traceability through the certified supply chain.

All of our down outerwear uses RDS-certified 90% goose down and 10% feathers. Paired with recycled outer shells across the collection, every layer is thoughtfully considered.

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High-loft warmth. Considered sourcing.

RDS-certified down meets weather-ready design.

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Which outerwear is right for you?

The warmest jacket isn’t necessarily the right jacket for every day. Start with your climate and how you plan to wear it, then choose the level of insulation that fits.

Our outerwear spans down-free Featherless insulation and 700+ fill power goose down, with options designed for different climates, conditions, and ways of wearing them.

Compare outerwear

Compare warmth, insulation, and weather protection to find your ideal layer.

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FEATHERLESS

Warmth Level

Warm

Best For

Everyday, transitional weather

Temperature Rating

Between 49°F / 9°C and 3°F / -16°C

Insulation

Comfortemp®

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LIGHTWEIGHT DOWN

Warmth Level

Warm

Best For

Travel, layering & everyday cold

Temperature Rating

Between 47°F / 8°C and -2°F / -19°C

Insulation

700+ fill power RDS-certified goose down

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RESPONSIBLE DOWN

Warmth Level

Warmest

Best For

Deep-winter warmth

Temperature Rating

Between -12°F / -24°C and -48°F / -44°C

Insulation

700+ fill power RDS-certified goose down

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DOWN OR DOWN ALTERNATIVE?

Our featherless outerwear uses Comfortemp® insulation made from rPET content (recycled plastic bottles and containers), which keeps plastic bottles out of oceans and landfills and keeps you warm without the bulk.

Our down collection uses 700+ fill power, RDS-certified goose down for high-loft warmth with minimal weight. The right choice comes down to your climate, how you’ll wear your jacket, and what matters most to you.

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What makes a great puffer?

Across our outerwear collection, you’ll find functional features like fleece-lined hand pockets, soft knit storm cuffs, removable hoods, adjustable drawcords, and highly packable designs. Along with water-repellent and wind-resistant finishes.

The goal: exceptional warmth, thoughtful protection, and a refined fit you’ll want to wear all winter.

The anatomy of a better puffer

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Thermal performance

High-loft warmth without unnecessary weight.

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Weather-ready shell

Water-repellent fabrics and wind-resistant finishes, made for whatever the forecast brings.

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49°F to -48°F

A range of warmth for whatever winter brings.

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WHAT DOES FILL POWER MEAN?

Fill power measures loft, or how much space an ounce of down occupies when it expands. Higher-loft down can trap more insulating air per ounce, which means more warmth without simply adding more weight.

Our down outerwear uses 700+ fill power across Lightweight and Responsible Down. The difference between those collections isn’t the quality of the down itself; it’s how much insulation and protection each jacket is designed to provide.

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BETTER PERFORMANCE. BETTER PRICES.

High-quality down requires more than simply adding insulation to a jacket. Fill power, responsible sourcing, traceability, shell materials, and thoughtful construction all contribute to how a puffer performs and what it costs to make.

We focus on those same quality markers: 700+ fill power goose down, RDS certification, recycled shell materials, and performance-minded construction. By taking a more direct approach to pricing, we focus on what matters: the materials and details that make the jacket perform.

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How to care for down outerwear

Down doesn’t need frequent washing. Between washes, spot-clean small areas as needed and always check your jacket’s care label before cleaning.

When machine washing is recommended, use cold water on a gentle cycle and skip bleach and fabric softener. Tumble dry on low and make sure the jacket is completely dry before storing it. For extra loft, add three tennis or dryer balls to help re-fluff as it dries. Store down outerwear loose rather than compressed so the insulation can maintain its loft between seasons.

ALL YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

1. What does 700+ fill power mean?

Fill power measures how much loft down provides for its weight. Higher fill power means more insulating loft per ounce. Our down outerwear uses 700+ fill power goose down for lightweight, high-loft warmth.

2. What is RDS-certified down?

RDS stands for Responsible Down Standard. The certification includes animal-welfare requirements such as prohibiting live-plucking and force-feeding, along with traceability through the certified supply chain.

3. What’s the difference between down and synthetic insulation?

Down is known for its warmth-to-weight ratio, loft, and packability. Synthetic insulation offers a down-free alternative and can perform well in damp conditions. Our Featherless collection uses Comfortemp® recycled-polyester insulation, while our down outerwear uses 700+ fill power RDS-certified goose down.

4. How do I choose the right down jacket?

Start with your climate and how you plan to wear it. Lightweight Down works well for layering, travel, and everyday cold, while Responsible Down is designed for deeper-winter conditions. Temperature ratings and features vary by style, so check the individual product details before choosing.

5. How should I wash a down jacket?

Always follow the jacket’s care label. When machine washing is recommended, use cold water on a gentle cycle without bleach or fabric softener, then tumble dry on low and dry completely before storing.

6. Is Quince down responsibly sourced?

Our down outerwear uses 90% goose down and 10% feathers certified to the Responsible Down Standard.