ou might have seen your local fashionista wearing a puffy, protective jacket covered with quilted pads. These so-called puffer jackets are more than a stylish trend, though. They’re a warm, comfortable hug whenever the temperature drops, whether you’re on the city street or high up in the mountains. Let’s dive into what a puffer jacket is, explore which materials you might like best, and explore our top picks from Decathlon.

Also known as quilted or padded jackets, puffer jackets are a type of outerwear characterized by their padded construction and signature "puffy" appearance. Puffer jackets are stuffed liberally with insulation (typically down or synthetic fiber) for excellent protection in the cold.

Lightweight and packable, some puffer jackets can be folded down into a backpack or duffel bag. So if the weather suddenly turns when you’re out training on the field or trekking through the trails, warmth and comfort are just a reach away. Puffer jackets are ideal for layering under a shell jacket or over a base layer, depending on conditions.

Let’s take a look at the key differences between synthetic and down insulation, so you can find the puffer jacket that suits your needs.