For over 80 years, Columbia has been the go-to brand for premium-quality, performance-driven outdoor apparel. Founded in the Pacific Northwest of the US, we know and understand variable weather; our heritage stems from a location that sees all four seasons, sometimes all in one day, just like the UK. Every item we make is designed with you in mind. From our men’s waterproof jackets to our women’s hiking shoes, you’ll find our dedication to quality, comfort, protection and style. Our collection of women’s lightweight puffer jackets is no different.

In this guide, find out the many benefits of our lightweight puffer jackets. We’ll also share the different types of insulation and exclusive technologies we feature in our puffers, as well as some top tips for finding the right one for your needs. Whether you’re joining one of your local walking parties (or ramblers) or taking a solo trek, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect puffer. With so many styles and colours available, you’re spoilt for choice!

Packable warmth with our women’s lightweight puffer jackets

Feel warm, light and cosy in a jacket from our lightweight puffer jacket women’s collection. Some benefits of our puffers’ ultralight insulation are that they are comfortable to stay active in on your outdoor adventures and also practical and packable. They are designed so that you can easily roll them up and throw them into a bag. This makes them easy to bring with you when you’re going on the road, but also to stow when the temperatures rise again.

Our lightweight women’s puffer jacket options come in many different styles and colours. Some popular shades include black, tradewinds grey, chalk, olive green, peach blossom, bright geranium and nocturnal–Plenty of colours for all kinds of personal styles. Among the varying designs available, you’ll find quilted and hooded coats, urban parka jackets and versatile gilets styles.

Our packable puffer jackets are also available in many different warmth levels, depending on what activity and climate you’re tackling. Heading up a mountain for a ski holiday? Our women's ski jacket collection has plenty of insulated options to keep you warm and toasty as you hit the slopes. Looking for an everyday walking jacket for milder days? Our women’s walking jackets with lighter padding will give you warmth, comfort and more movement. Choose one of our three warmth levels:

• Light Warmth: Jackets with synthetic insulation, some high-end models feature thermal-reflective technology.
• Warm: Jackets generally insulated with down or synthetic and feature thermal-reflective technology.
• Extremely Warm: Our warmest down and synthetic insulated jackets with advanced construction technology.

Synthetic insulation or RDS-certified down

In our lightweight puffer jacket women’s collection, you’ll find two options when it comes to insulation materials. The content in your jacket padding is either synthetic polyester insulation or down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).

The welfare of animals and ethical manufacturing practices should be vital to all brands involved in the supply chain of down and feathers. That’s why we make sure that the down used in your quilted lightweight coats is RDS-certified. Part of our policy is that down and feathers can’t be sourced from live-plucked waterfowl. Our supply chain is traced and verified for responsible sourcing, and we expect our partners to share our values.

Some of our models use our ThermaratorTM insulation made of lightweight synthetic fibres that look and feel like down. They deliver ample warmth without being too heavy, even when wet, ensuring you can stay warm and comfortable on those cold, damp days.

Columbia’s Omni-Heat™ reflective technology

Our advanced thermal-reflective technology ensures that you are warm and toasty all winter long. Whether the climate is mild or extreme, we believe you should be able to enjoy staying outside on your nature quest for as long as you want.

Columbia’s reflective technology includes Omni-Heat™ Infinity, Omni-Heat™ Black Dot, Omni-Heat™ 3D, Omni-Heat™ Reflective and Omni-HeatTM Arctic. Much of the tech in your lightweight puffer makes use of tiny golden dots, black dots, silver reflectors and silver dots to retain heat. Models that use Omni-HeatTM Arctic are inspired by polar bears and effectively absorb solar heat, ensuring advanced insulation in frigid conditions. Reap the benefits of lightweight, instant heat, which minimises the need for wearing multiple layers.

However, we also know that you won’t enjoy your hike for long if your clothes are warm but not breathable. For that reason, we’ve ensured that our Omni-Heat™ jackets are made of fabric with high breathability and moisture-wicking properties, letting excess heat and moisture escape. That allows outdoor lovers to stay dry inside and out when they're on the move. Small pods of soft fibre also improve next-to-skin comfort, creating an air gap between the fabric and your body.

Which lightweight puffer is best suited for you?

Find the ideal lightweight jacket for you by browsing the wide range of colours and design features available in our collection. Consider what your needs and preferences are and think about what fit and colour you prefer. Do you want a smooth or quilted jacket? Do you prefer a hooded version or one with a high collar to protect your neck? Do you want a long coat or a jacket with a shorter hem? Do you prefer ultra lightweight down insulation or synthetic insulation made with recycled polyester?

You can trust that we’ve carefully considered smart design features such as practical cuffs and pockets with zippers. You can get a jacket with elasticated sleeve cuffs to protect your wrists. Many of our jackets also have an interior security pocket that you can zip up and keep your valuable items in.

You can also choose a lightweight puffer depending on how water resistant you want your outerwear to be. We divide our women’s waterproof jacket models into four easy-to-understand levels: Drizzle, rain, downpour and deluge. This allows you to stay both warm and dry as you brave the winter weather.

Thinking about the above factors will help you choose the ideal lightweight jacket which you’ll be more than happy with and explore nature in for years to come!

Keep discovering our new women’s collection and the many categories of women’s coats and jackets that Columbia offers:

• women’s parka coat
• women’s coats
• quilted puffer jacket women’s
• black puffer jacket women’s
• women’s body warmer
• women’s puffer jacket with hood
• quilted jacket women’s
• women’s parka with hood
• women’s 3 in 1 jacket
• long puffer jacket women
• hiking jacket women’s
• women’s windbreaker jacket
• softshell women’s jacket
• women’s casual jackets

And don’t forget to check out our men’s puffer jacket collection to explore our line of insulated men’s jackets.

FAQs

Are lightweight puffer jackets warm?

Columbia’s lightweight puffer jackets offer several levels of warmth so you can find the perfect amount of insulation for your needs. Most of our lightweight puffers provide a light to moderate level of warmth, making them ideal for brisk, cool temperatures. However, they can also be layered with one of our women’s body warmers or gilets  for additional heat. If you’re looking for even more warmth, our lightweight puffers could be worn as a midlayer underneath one of our  women’s parka coats.

Who makes the best lightweight down jacket?

The best lightweight down jacket is one that has all of the essential features you’re looking for. Columbia’s collection of lightweight down jackets offers insulation, comfort and style. Not only that, but the down we use is RDS-certified, which means you can rest assured that the feathers in your down jacket have been responsibly and ethically sourced. Our lightweight down jackets can also be easily packed for travel.

Which brand makes the best puffer jacket?

Given that Columbia has been designing and manufacturing outerwear for over 80 years, we have the expertise and experience to provide our customers with exceptional outdoor apparel, including our puffer jackets. Our entire collection of puffers, including our collection of  women’s puffer jackets with hoods, offers warmth, comfort and style. They also come in a range of colours and lengths, ensuring there is something for everyone.

What is the warmest, lightest down jacket?

Due to down's inherent lightweight nature, most down puffers are incredibly light. This also makes them conveniently packable and great for travelling. Down is also naturally very warm. However, if you’re looking for additional protection against frigid temperatures, consider a puffer that features Columbia’s exclusive Omni-HeatTM Arctic. Omni-HeatTM Arctic is a solar-capture insulation system, inspired by polar bears, to deliver lightweight, high-efficiency warmth. 

What’s the difference between a down jacket and a puffer jacket?

Typically, all down jackets are puffers, but not all puffers use down. A puffer jacket is a broader term for any quilted, puffy jacket with insulation.  This insulation can be down or synthetic.

Which is better, a padded jacket or a puffer jacket?

Neither is inherently better; it all depends on your preference and needs. Puffer jackets are better suited to very cold and dry conditions. Alternatively, padded jackets tend to be thinner with more water-resistance, making them suitable for milder, wet weather. They’re also slimmer and less bulky.

Are puffer jackets waterproof?

Many of Columbia’s puffer jackets are water and stain-repellent, but they’re not waterproof. If you anticipate a storm with heavy downpour, check our collection of women’s waterproof jackets.

Does Columbia offer a warranty service for puffer jackets?

Yes, Columbia takes pride in our products and workmanship. That’s why we offer a limited warranty on our outerwear. Find out more about our warranty policy here.