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The 6 Best Insulated Jackets of 2013

The first question to ask yourself is: Down or synthetic? Synthetic insulation is water-resistant, dries quickly, and is usually not as marshmallowy as its natural counterpart, which makes for better layering. Down, on the other hand, is lighter, compresses better, and offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio. But down loses its insulating properties when wet and takes forever to dry (the exception being the newfangled water-resistant down you’ll find in Sierra Designs’ Gnar Light). You’ll also want to pay attention to the exterior. To trim weight, manufacturers use gossamer ripstop nylon or polyester fabrics, which are so light they’re easily punctured by wayward branches. Our advice: If your puffy is your go-to outer layer, opt for a fabric that’s at least 10 denier (the measure of how densely woven a fabric is) and treated with a DWR (durable water-repellant) coating.

2013 Winter Buyer's Guide
Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Outdoor Research Incandescent

By: Category: Winter Buyer's Guide, Snow Sports, Jackets, Insulated, Gear
Outdoor Research Incandescent Photo: Outdoor Research

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Easily the warmest jacket here, the Incandescent is literally stuffed with primo 800-fill down, but it’s still compressible enough to pack into its own pocket, making it great for overnight winter excursions. 1 lb

Brand: Outdoor Research

$325

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