To kick off the official start of winter, I wanted to share some love for one of the most important pieces of gear an outdoor lover could own-The Puffy.

I’m talking mid-layer, could be worn solo, light enough to be combined with outer-layer, packable (not a parka) puffy. The item you always pack, all year long. The jacket you love to wear, drinking coffee on a chilly morning or wine on a cool night. The summit jacket, trailhead layer…the legend…the mystery.

If you’ve ever tried to shop for this layer, you know it can be overwhelming. Down? Synthetic? $300? $90? How much are they worth? What do I want? Let’s take a moment to work through the basics.

Down: Down insulation, coming typically from goose down is often superior to synthetic in many ways. It has a higher weight: insulation ratio and is able to pack small due to the actual shape of the down fibers. Overall comfort of down is typically better, it feels lighter making any item that much more cozy. Down does have 2 drawbacks, but depending on the person are easily mitigated. 1). It does NOT insulate when wet-though ‘dry down’ a down treated with a water repellent chemical has helped with this 2) It is usually more expensive than synthetic. *other drawbacks like sustainability are being managed by manufactures. if you’re looking to buy down, check into the brand and what they are doing for the sustainability of down.

Synthetic: Synthetic insulation is just fabricated insulation to act much like down. Fibers have gotten smaller and down fill like, for better packability and more comfort. In many ways it often comes in at a close second in warmth, packability and comfort but has some key positives. 1) It does still have some insulating qualities when wet-and it will dry out on a line at camp if it does get wet. 2) its typically more affordable.

What does this mean? Down is typically preferred if you have to go far. If weight and space mean a lot to you, along with major performance over many days (expedition) down might be the right choice for you. If you are likely to travel in wet environments and you are unlikely to keep down dry, synthetic is probably a better choice!

But there is more to it than that!

Above I am wearing the Arcteryx Atom Hoody. You can find it from most outdoor retailers for a price tag of $300. Ouch.

It is my favorite puffy (not my only) and let me tell you why.

Let’s go back to my first puffy. A classic. The Patagonia Down Sweater (no hood) that retails for about $280. I got it on sale for around $100 over a decade ago.

Here it is-in all its glory in Glacier National Park 2011. Today it has a few patches but it’s still going.

For ME this puffy has 2 draw backs.1) No hood 2) I sweat….a lot.

If you scroll up to the teal, hooded puffy from Arcteryx you’ll see the underarms are all stretchy breathable fleece…this turned out to be a huge feature for me. In the photo below, Brandon is wearing HIS favorite puffy from Eddie Bauer-notice the breathable fleece under the arms, a big feature for comfort for him. I happen to be wearing a unique purchase. A girls jacket, size XL, that happened to fit and priced for $20. I said “wow, that’s cheaper than a nice fleece, they don’t make jackets for adults in this color-I could climb in that!” And I do. (now enjoy the romance of our engagement, captured by a total stranger, not at all planned)

The Atom Hoody is incredibly comfortable, very warm, breathable under the arms, helmet compatible hood, packable, and even has a light water repellent finish to allow you to wear it even longer in adverse conditions. I love it. The color is even great, and the fit is impeccable. The only cons are the price and the cuffs. The articulated cuffs keep warmth in, and make it super difficult (sometimes impossible) to look at a watch-which is something I do often in the outdoors. I haven’t figured out a good way to fix it, and near as I can tell that hasn’t changed in recent years.

So what’s with the puffies in the first photo? The Patagonia Nano Puff pullover hoody. They don’t make the pullover version anymore, but again we got this on sale and they are an easy go to for basically everything else outdoors. When I don’t want to ruin my nice Arcteryx jacket or Brandon’s nice down Eddie Bauer jacket, we wear these….all….the….time.

They are synthetic insulation, have been washed hundreds of times and patched even more. The fit isn’t my favorite (I’m a little broad shouldered) and the pullover style took some time getting used to, but now I love it. The pockets are awesome and it is super comfortable and layers like a champ.

We take them to the Boundary Waters (first photo) because they are so easy to patch if an ember gets them and we have a fire every day. We like to fly fish in them (last photo) because the pullover layers amazing in my waders and I don’t worry about getting it wet or snagging it with a fly. And with a little tech wash, it is brand new out of the laundry.

So can I tell you which puffy is the absolute best and right one for you? No. But I hope I have given you something to think about in your next gear purchase!

Thanks for reading-stay warm, Happy Solstice and enjoy your upcoming Days Off!