Men’s Patagonia Downdrift Winter Jacket Review

Bottom Line

The Patagonia Downdrift is a city-ready jacket designed with Patagonia’s strong commitment to creating durable and sustainably sourced products.

We loved using the Downdrift for short hikes, city excursions, and chores around the yard. It’s one of our top men’s winter jacket picks for a casual jacket due to its durability and well-crafted features.

The 600-fill down is enough to keep you warm on most days and is made of down recycled from other products. The durable shell withstood scrapes while carrying firewood and was enough to repel light moisture. Made with recycled nylon from fishing nets, this jacket does good while looking good.

This jacket is solidly casual and lacks many of the features of more technical options. The boxy fit can feel awkward and restrictive depending on the body type, especially in the shoulders. In our experience, we felt it ran small and would have sized up.

While we won’t be taking this on any treks, it’s a great chore coat or town option that boasts Patagonia’s top-tier commitment to sustainability and the environment.

How We Tested

The Patagonia Downdrift was tested on blustery days around town when we needed a stylish yet warm and comfortable jacket. Even taking it on snowshoes and hikes, we were sure to push the limits of this jacket to find out where it performs best and to deliver the most well-rounded and thorough review possible.

Warmth

We tested the Downdrift on the cold icy streets of Anchorage, Alaska, and short hikes in Chugach State Park. Its 600-fill down was more than enough to keep us warm in temperatures under twenty degrees, even without a mid-layer. While 600 is less than other jackets we tested, it’s plenty for brief outings in the cold and short winter hikes.

The shorter length of this jacket means that more of our body was exposed to the cold compared to longer-length jackets like parkas. This was especially noticeable on windy days when we felt the occasional gust blow up the jacket. The Downdrift provided more than enough warmth for getting across town but probably is not your first pick for a backcountry excursion.

Weather Resistance

We tested the Downdrift on the cold icy streets of Anchorage, Alaska, and short hikes in Chugach State Park. Its 600-fill down was more than enough to keep us warm in temperatures under twenty degrees, even without a mid-layer. While 600 is less than other jackets we tested, it’s plenty for brief outings in the cold and short winter hikes.

The shorter length of this jacket means that more of our body was exposed to the cold compared to longer-length jackets like parkas. This was especially noticeable on windy days when we felt the occasional gust blow up the jacket. The Downdrift provided more than enough warmth for getting across town but probably is not your first pick for a backcountry excursion.

Comfort & Functionality

Retro-inspired, the Downdrift has a classic look at home in the brewery or around your local mountain town. Its hip length is smart and trim, and the baffles have the look of a righteous jacket your dad probably wore in the ’70s. The Downdrift fits solidly in the casual jacket category and is one we reach for when heading out on the town.

However, we found the cut of this jacket somewhat puzzling. The short length of the jacket, while good looking, rides up uncomfortably when wearing a backpack, and any waist strap causes significant lumps to form in the front of the jacket. Being tight in the shoulders, slightly short in the arms, and boxy in the body, the Downdrift can be hard to fit appropriately.

We tested our usual medium size, and while adequate, it was on the smaller end of the medium spectrum. Although not comfortable enough for backcountry use, the Downdrift was comfortable for excursions across town.

Features

The most notable feature in designing the Downdrift was the choice to use sustainable materials. Patagonia’s commitment to the environment is readily apparent in this jacket and is the jacket of choice looking for outerwear that does good while looking good. The insulation is made of down recycled from reclaimed products. The shell is constructed with NetPlus, Patagonia’s nylon made of 100-percent recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution.

Dual pockets on the front secure items like gloves and hats while a zippered internal pocket keeps your phone safe and dry. Customize the look of the jacket with a removable hood. Button snaps are a timeless closure system over the zip that are stylish and easy to use. The hem comes with an elastic cinch that we appreciate as a feature not commonly seen in other casual jackets.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Downdrift?

If sustainability is at the forefront of your decision-making process for buying a jacket, the Downdrift is an excellent choice.

Made of recycled fishing nets and recycled down, Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability shines through this jacket. However, if you’re looking for a performance-oriented piece for your next summit, you may look elsewhere.

The Downdrift lacks the weather resistance found in more technical jackets and it is not packable enough to fit into a backpack easily. Most at home on city streets or working around the yard, the Downdrift is a casual use jacket that offers adequate warmth for most winter conditions.

We’ll keep reaching for this jacket for nights out, carrying firewood and other chores for its durability and classic retro style.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Check out our other best winter jackets for men or take a look at the in-depth reviews for models that are most similar to the Downdrift:

Patagonia DAS Parka Review: With solid technical performance, the DAS Parka offers Patagonia’s same commitment to sustainability and solid reputation also found in the Downdrift.

The North Face McMurdo Parka Review: If you’re looking for another casual jacket but with extreme weather resistance and warmth, the McMurdo is the jacket for you.

Fjallraven Nuuk Parka Review: Solid winter performance meets style in the Nuuk Parka, offering more warmth and weather resistance than the Downdrift.