The puffer guide: How to choose the right jacket for your winter trip

With the winter travel season fast approaching, you’re probably on the lookout for a puffer to pack for that December trip to Japan. That cardigan you keep at your desk for the office aircon isn’t thick enough, and you’ve probably outgrown your past puffers from a few seasons ago. 

That’s why it’s important to find a good-quality puffer that’s as practical and durable as it is stylish. That being said, brands like lululemon are stepping up with outerwear designed for exactly that. Once reserved for ski slopes and mountain treks, the puffer is now the jacket you’ll spot on city commuters and, as of this season, Formula 1’s most closely watched dresser, Lewis Hamilton himself.

But not all puffers are made equal, and when you’re only buying one, the details matter. So before you start shopping, here are a few things you should look out for in a puffer. 

Pick your shape

Before you get into fill and fabric, you’ll want to first decide on the silhouette of your choice. 

Cropped

Sitting at or just above the hip, a cropped puffer keeps your proportions in check, which makes it a good bet if you’re petite. You can easily style it by pairing it with high-waisted trousers, wide-leg jeans or leggings. Take a cue from singer Chris Lee. In the campaign he styles it with a cropped black puffer over a slim zip-up, yoga mat in hand, ready for a morning class or a long walk through the city.

Oversized

If you like something more roomy and boxy, you’ll want to check out the one Hamilton has on. We love how the big collar does a lot of the work, so balance the volume with something slim on the bottom. The extra room also means you can layer a chunky knit underneath when the temperature really drops.

Long

For those looking for more coverage, consider a long puffer or insulated coat. It offers a classier, more sophisticated look, and it pairs especially well with sleek boots, so it doesn’t swallow you whole.

Down or synthetic?

What’s inside your puffer matters more than any label on the outside, and it also depends on where you’re going. 

Down is the soft under-plumage of ducks and geese, and nothing beats it for warmth-to-weight. It also squashes down impressively small, which is good especially when you need lots of luggage allowance. lululemon’s Featherweight is the down option in the new range, and it’s the one Hamilton wears in the hero shot.

Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, uses fine polyester fibres designed to trap heat the way down does. It’s traditionally a touch less warm for its weight, but it holds on to its warmth when damp. lululemon’s ThermoZen uses PrimaLoft Gold, one of the better-known names in synthetic insulation, and comes as a long khaki coat that looks far more trench than puffer.

But if you’re still unsure of which fabric, follow this simple rule of thumb: for crisp, dry cold, go down. For wet, damp, or humid conditions, where it’s damp more often than it’s freezing, synthetic is the safer bet.

How warm do you actually need to be?

When you look at down jackets, you’ll often see “fill power”. And what that means is that the higher the number, the less down it takes to keep you warm. So the jacket ends up lighter and packs smaller. It isn’t a straight measure of warmth, though. A generously filled 600-fill jacket can keep you just as toasty as a slimmer 900-fill one, but the only difference is that it’ll just be a little bulkier.

lululemon’s range covers both ends. The Featherweight uses 900-fill down for warmth with barely any weight, while the Wunder Puff uses 600-fill and now comes in bomber-style jackets and vests as well as the classic puffer. For most city trips, the Wunder Puff is plenty.

Don’t forget the outside

The shell fabric of the jacket is often overlooked, but it decides how your puffer copes with weather. But when you’re choosing one, there are often three terms that come up again and again.

• Water-repellent means the fabric has a coating that makes light drizzle bead up and roll off. 
• Water-resistant fabric holds out a bit more, but it will eventually soak through in a proper downpour.
• Waterproof means a membrane and sealed seams, which is what you need for snow sports or days spent out in steady rain.

Also look for windproofing. On a cold and windy day, the wind strips heat away faster than the cold itself, which is why a windproof shell can feel warmer than a thicker jacket without one.

Storage

During your trip

Roll your puffer tightly into a packing cube or its own stuff sack, or simply wear it on the plane. It doubles as a blanket on a freezing overnight flight. When you arrive, give it a good shake so the insulation can fluff back up.

Back home

Singapore’s humidity is your puffer’s biggest enemy. Make sure it’s completely dry before you put it away, then hang it or store it loosely in a breathable cotton garment bag rather than plastic. Don’t leave it squashed in a vacuum bag for months, as that flattens the down over time. A moisture absorber in the wardrobe helps, and so does taking it out for an airing every few months.

The lululemon outerwear collection is now available online and in-store at lululemon ION Orchard and Takashimaya Shopping Centre.