Columbia Down Jackets

Down uses clusters of goose or duck plumage to trap warm air, which gives it the best warmth for its weight of any insulation and lets it pack down very small. A synthetic jacket uses man made fibres that are bulkier and a little heavier for the same warmth, but they keep insulating when damp and are simpler to wash. The main catch with down is moisture, because traditional down loses loft and warmth if it gets soaked, though many Columbia jackets now treat the down to resist water for longer. If you want the lightest, most packable warmth for cold dry days, choose down. If you expect wet weather or hard everyday use, a synthetic jacket is the safer pick.

Warmth comes down to how much down is inside and how the jacket is built, so the range runs from light packable layers like the Lake 22 up to substantial parkas like the Juniper Ridge. A hood, a longer cut, and a higher fill weight all add warmth, and many styles add Columbia Omni-Heat reflective lining, the silver dotted fabric inside that bounces your body heat back without adding bulk. Some jackets are Turbodown hybrids that combine down with synthetic insulation to hold warmth better in damp conditions. As a rule, pick a light hooded jacket for active days and a longer insulated parka for standing around in real cold.

Most down jackets here are water resistant rather than waterproof, so they handle light showers and snow but are not built to keep out steady rain. This matters more with down than with synthetic, because soaked down clumps together and stops trapping warm air until it dries out. A few models such as the Juniper Ridge and Mountain Croo pair the down with a waterproof shell for exactly this reason. If you regularly face persistent rain, choose one of those waterproof styles or wear a hardshell over your down jacket to keep it dry.

Wash down only when it needs it, using a cleaner made for down rather than ordinary detergent, which can strip the natural oils that keep the plumage lofting. Tumble dry on low with a couple of dryer balls or clean tennis balls, which break up the clumps and bring the loft back, and be patient because full drying can take a few cycles. For storage, keep the jacket loosely hung or in a large breathable bag rather than crushed into its stuff sack, since long spells compressed will flatten the down over time. Looked after this way, a good down jacket easily lasts many winters.

Yes, choose Click & Collect at checkout. Orders are usually ready within 24 hours and you will get an email when ready. Available from our Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown and Cork City Centre stores.

Yes, we offer free standard delivery on all orders over €100.

We have four stores across Ireland: Dublin Carrickmines, Dublin Blanchardstown, Cork City Centre and Arnotts Dublin.