We tested the best down pants on the market today according to price, weight, warmth, comfort, and fit. Read on to see how they performed, which is best for you, and get some valuable buying advice.
Table of Contents
Best Down Pants
The best down pants are:
- Best Overall Down Pants: GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Pants
- Best Budget Down Pants: RAB Argon
- Best Ultralight Down Pants: MONTBELL Light Down Pants
- Warmest Down Pants: FEATHERED FRIENDS Helios
- Most Comfortable and Durable Premium Down Pants: WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flight Pants
- Best Down Pants for Hunting: STONE GLACIER Grumman
The product comparison table below is sortable. Click the arrow in the heading cell to sort the models by preferred spec.
| MODEL | PRICE |
WEIGHT |
SHELL DENIER |
MATERIAL |
FILL POWER |
FILL WEIGHT |
SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. GOOSEFEET GEAR Down Pants | $235 | 8-9 oz | 20D | Nylon with DWR | 850 | 4.5 oz | 9/10 |
| 2. RAB Argon | $210 | 13.2 oz | 20D | Nylon with NHD | 800 | 5.6 oz | 9/10 |
| 3. FEATHERED FRIENDS Helios | $279 | 13 oz | 20D | Nylon | 900+ | 4.4 oz | 9/10 |
| 4. WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flight Pants | $325 | 12.5 oz | 30D | Microfiber with DWR and PTFE | 850+ | 4 oz | 9/10 |
| 5. MONTBELL Light Down Pants | $229 | 7.1 oz | 10D | Nylon with WR | 800 | 3 oz | 8/10 |
| 6. STONE GLACIER Grumman | $249 | 16 oz | 15D | Nylon | 850 | 4.2 oz | 8/10 |
| 7. MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Ghost Whisperer | $275 | 9.6 oz | 15D | Nylon | 800 | 3 oz | 8/10 |
| 8. KUIU Super Down Ultra Pants | $259 | 8 oz | 12D | Nylon with WR | 850+ | 1.7 oz | 8/10 |
Best Overall Down Pants
Goosefeet Gear Down Pants
Price: $235.00
✅ Warm
✅ Lightweight
✅ Inexpensive
✅ Comfortable
❌ Customizable options are daunting for new users
❌ Longer lead times
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 8-9 oz
- Shell Denier: 20D
- Material: Nylon with DWR
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 850
- Fill Weight: 4.5 oz
GooseFeet Gear’s Down Pants are all about customization. We love that each customer can design pants to their exact measurements and choose the color, fill (2.5-8.5 oz), and even the external fabric (offering 8D-20D nylon options).
There are also choices to add pockets, zippers, buttons/snaps, etc. These choices mean these pants should fit you better than other pants on our list.
We looked at several configurations and all of them ranked as some of the lightest and least expensive to comparable models. We tested the 20D shell fabric and found it durable.
The sheer number of choices can be daunting for someone who hasn’t owned a pair of insulated pants before. And the longer lead times of 5-6 weeks can be problematic if you need them soon.
With all the customizable options, the GooseFeet Gear Down Pants is our pick for the best overall down pants.
Best Budget Down Pants
Rab Argon
Price: $210.00
✅ Best budget down pants
✅ Warm
✅ Durable
❌ Basic design is less comfortable
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 13.2 oz
- Shell Denier: 20D
- Material: Nylon with NHD
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 800
- Fill Weight: 5.6 oz
The Rab Argons are a bargain buy and they are our pick for the best budget down pants. At $210, these are the least expensive down pants on our list.
With a whopping 5.6 ounces of Nikwax-treated 800 goose down fill, these are also some of the warmest we tested. The 20D nylon fabric with Pertex treatment is also durable and water resistant.
The straightforward design doesn’t include any pockets or side zippers. The lack of zippers can make them tricky when getting in/out of boots.
We found the fit to run a little snug and would recommend sizing up. The design is great for hanging around basecamp, but the fabric is less stretchable, making them less comfortable for more active pursuits.
Warmest Down Pants
Feathered Friends Helios
Price: $279.00
✅ Warm
✅ Comfy
✅ Durable
❌ Expensive
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 13 oz
- Shell Denier: 20D
- Material: Nylon
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 900+
- Fill Weight: 4.4 oz
The Feathered Friends Helios down pants have the highest level of fill power on our list. With 4.4 ounces of the 900+ goose fill, these are the warmest on our list. The Feathered Friends team designed them for mountaineers who go up against some of the most extreme conditions.
The Helios down pants are some of the most comfortable we tested, thanks to large vertical baffles, Lycra cuffs, and full-length side zippers. Although they have bulky puffer pants look, they pack down small. The fit is athletic, with a double-snap adjustment and elastic waistband for a secure, personalized fit.
They are the second most expensive we tested, but if you need warmth and lots of it, the Feathered Friends Helios is worth the cost.
Most Comfortable and Durable Premium Down Pants
Western Mountaineering Flight Pants
Price: $325.00
✅ Durable
✅ Comfortable
✅ Warm
❌ Expensive
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 12.5 oz
- Shell Denier: 30D
- Material: Microfiber with DWR and PTFE
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 850+
- Fill Weight: 4 oz
The Western Mountaineering Flight Pants are the most comfortable and durable premium down pants we tested. They fit extremely well thanks to a stretchy, adjustable waist and velcro ankle closures. The full-length side zippers allow you to dump heat if you’re getting too warm and allow for easy on and off.
We found these to be extra durable with 30D polyester Windstopper® fabric in the seat and knees to keep these high-use areas dry and protected. With 4 ounces of 850+ down fill, we loved how warm these pants were too.
The big drawback with these down pants is the price. At $325, they are by far the most expensive down pants we tested. But if you’ve got the money to spare, we love that these puffer pants are extremely warm, comfortable and offer a good range of flexibility. They come in a unisex option.
Best Ultralight Down Pants
Montbell Light Down Pants
Price: $229.00
✅ Ultralight
✅ Inexpensive
❌ Less durable
❌ Less comfortable
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 7.1 oz
- Shell Denier: 10D
- Material: Nylon with WR
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 800
- Fill Weight: 3 oz
The Montbell Light Down Pants weigh just 7.1 ounces, the lightest of all the insulated pants we tested. Despite the ultralight construction, these are also one of the least expensive down pants on our list.
The shell of the pants is made from 10D Nylon Ripstop, which is thinner than most models on our list. While we didn’t have any issues with durability, we recommend treating these thin pants with care.
A major difference between the Montbell Light compared to other down pants is they have diamond-shaped baffles instead of horizontal ones. The baffles are sewn-through to keep insulation evenly distributed.
The feature set is minimal. There are no-fly, snaps, or enclosures. No zippered legs or pockets. The waist is held up by elastic and a drawstring. We found the fit to be less comfortable than the other down pants we tested.
If you want a lightweight but warm minimal pair of pants for hiking, the Montbell Light Down Pants are our top ultralight pick. Available in men’s and women's.
Best Down Pants for Hunting
Stone Glacier Grumman
Price: $249.00
✅ Warm
✅ Comfy
❌ Heavy
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 16 oz
- Shell Denier: 15D
- Material: Nylon
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 850
- Fill Weight: 4.2 oz
The Stone Glacier Grumman pants are designed for less active endeavors like hunting or fishing. These puffer pants pack in the features.
We liked the full-length zippers making temperature regulation and taking them on/off with boots a breeze. Another feature we liked is the additional shell textiles, which provide extra durability in high wear-and-tear areas like the knees and the seat of the pants.
We found these pants to be quiet when moving around, a necessity for hunting. With 4.2 ounces of 850 HyperDry™ down, we loved how warm these were and that they offered a bit of water resistance. Although these unisex pants are the heaviest option on our list, they pack small and are an excellent option for backcountry wear or hunts.
The Other Noteworthy Models
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer
Price: $275.00
✅ Lightweight
✅ Comfortable
❌ Expensive
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 9.6 oz
- Shell Denier: 15D
- Material: Nylon/li>
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 800
- Fill Weight: 3 oz
These down pants are constructed using the same technology as Mountain Hardwear’s best-selling down jacket. They have a close-knit quilt pattern which aids in even heat distribution and makes them one of the least visually poofy pants on our list.
The Ghost Whisperers come in a standard fit and have two deep pockets, zippered, snap, and drawstring closures at the front and drawstring ankles. They have a knee-high external leg zipper, and their roomy design allows ease of movement, making them one of the most comfortable insulated pants we tested.
We like these pants for just about any backcountry adventure, including hiking, climbing, skiing, or snowboarding. The biggest drawback for us is the cost. At $275, these are the third most expensive down pants on our list. A men's and women’s version is available.
Kuiu Super Down Ultra Pant
Price: $259.00
✅ Lightweight
❌ Less warm
❌ Less durable
KEY SPECS
- Weight: 8 oz
- Shell Denier: 12D
- Material: Nylon with WR
- Fill Type: Goose
- Fill Power: 850+
- Fill Weight: 1.7 oz
Made for hunters and fishers, the Kuiu Super Down Ultra Pants are designed for doing activities where they have to sit still. The Polish goose down clusters used in the KUIU Super down pants are treated with DWR, and we like that they use a premium 850+ down fill.
However, we wish there was a bit more than the 1.7 ounces of fill. These pants offer less warmth than other models. The good news is that if you don’t need super warm-down pants, these are lightweight at just 8 ounces.
Durability is an issue for us with these pants. The 12D ripstop is thinner than other comparable options. The fabric is less noisy than other down pants we looked at, an important feature if using these for hunting. They have full-length side zippers, adjustable Velcro at the waist, and come with a self-stowing pouch. They’re offered in men’s only.
Key Factors To Consider When Choosing
Price
Down pants don’t come cheap, with $200 being the entry point for budget down pants. The use of ultralight shell fabric, high-quality down, and additional comfort features all add to the cost.
The most premium models on our list use only the best of all of these.
Down pants that provide the greatest value:
Affordable down pants:
Premium down pants (most expensive):
Weight
What makes down products so incredible is the amount of warmth they provide while remaining extremely lightweight and packable.
Just like with down jackets, your pants don’t have to weigh much. A pair weighing around 16 oz or less should easily keep you good and toasty.
The Lightest down pants:
Warmth
Warmth is a combo of fill power and fill weight. Fill power is how lofty or “fluffy” the down is. More loft equals more insulation. We recommend down pants have a fill power of 750+.
Fill weight is the weight of the down-fill material. The more fill weight, the warmer the down pants will be. We recommend the fill weight be at least 30% of the total weight of the down pants.
The warmest down pants:
Comfort & Fit
Down pants should be comfortable, like wearing a sleeping bag on your legs. When choosing a fit, it’s best to leave a little breathing room so they can be worn over top of a baselayer or another bottom.
You also want enough flexibility to comfortably bend your knees, squat, etc., without ripping them. Shoot for an athletic fit that allows for an easy range of motion and enough room for adding a thin layer or two underneath if necessary.
The most comfortable down pants:
- WESTERN MOUNTAINEERING Flight Pants
- MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR Ghost Whisperer
- STONE GLACIER Grumman
- FEATHERED FRIENDS Helios
Other Things to Consider
Down Type
Goose is most commonly used in down items, although Duck has been on the rise in recent years because it’s cheaper and easier to get. The two are comparable in insulation, warmth, durability, and how compressible they are.
Their major difference lies in the price (Goose is more expensive, and its cost is continuing to rise) and fill power (Goose can reach a fill power of 1000, while duck only goes up to 800). Duck is also a hint heavier than Goose.
Down Source
RDS stands for the “Responsible Down Standard” which is a voluntary, global standard that ensures the down taken from geese and ducks is sourced ethically and that no unnecessary harm is done to the animals.
Companies can independently certify their products to the RDS through an on-site audit. Once the audit is complete, a report gets printed, and a decision to certify the company is made by an inspector and an official certifier.
DWR
It’s no secret that moisture and down just don’t mix. No matter if that moisture comes from rain, sweat, or a damp climate. If the down gets too wet, it’s pretty much useless.
Luckily, down items designed for outdoor use are treated with a DWR agent, which is a water-repellent finish. In recent news, manufacturers have begun using forms of DWR internally on fibers to help them dry out and keep their loft faster. A few common DWR brands are Nikwax and downTek.
Durability
Down pants are made from Ripstop Nylon, which is the same outer shell material used in many sleeping bags and down jackets. The higher the denier of the item, the more durable the fabric is going to be (which still isn’t much).
One consideration to think about, which many who design UL down products do, is that the higher the denier of an item, the more it will weigh. Because of this, many manufacturers forgo a higher denier level to cut down on the item’s weight.
GooseFeet Gear down pants.
Baffles
The size of the baffles and their spacing changes how a down piece looks and can impact whether the heat is evenly distributed across the item. For example, down items with larger baffles look “puffier,” and are better designed for holding greater amounts of insulation since they allow more room for loft. But this can also lead the down to move around easier, which can cause cold spots.
Smaller baffles make for a less puffy appearance and are better at holding down in place, which helps to reduce the risk of developing cold spots.
Sewing
Most down items and garments are sewn-through. It means that both the internal and external layers of the fabric are sewn together with the down enclosed in between. This stitch creates small, individually sealed-off “pockets” for the down, so it doesn’t shift around as easily.
Packability
Down is great for its packability, and down pants are no exception. Look for a pair of down pants that will condense to the size of a Nalgene bottle or smaller.
As a bonus, some down pants will come with a stuff sack to compress for storage. If your pants have a pocket, they are often designed to stuff into that when not in use.
Features
Down pants can come with pockets, snaps, and zippers galore, or they may be straightforward designs that cut out these extras to save on weight. A few common features of down pants are:
- FLY: A fly will make the down pants seem more like regular pants and make it easier to get them on/off.
- SIDE ZIPPERS: Side zippers make temperature regulation and switching between your camp shoes and hiking/mountaineering boots a heck of a lot easier. Some pants have half-zips, while others have full-length. The full-length zippers make the pants easier to get in and out of when you want to put on or take off the pants without removing your boots.
- BELT OR WAISTBAND: An adjustable belt or waistband and drawcord combo will help to secure the pants on your body.
- STRETCH HEM: Stretch hems will lie at the ankles of the pants, and they’re there to keep snow, cold drafts, and other unwanted things out while keeping body heat locked in. They also work to turn your pants into instant capris in case you get a little too toasty.
© Courtesy of Stone Glacier
FAQs
WHEN TO USE?
The best times to wear down pants are in polar climates or winter camping, as a mid-layer during outdoor activities like hiking, mountaineering, ice climbing, or while skiing/snowboarding.
A pair of insulating down pants can also be used in more sedentary pursuits like hunting, ice/wade fishing, or snowmobiling. And on especially chilly evenings, you can wear them straight to bed which can give around 20F of extra warmth in your sleeping bag or quilt.
HOW TO WASH AND DRY?
To wash and dry down pants, first, read the manufacturer’s instructions, then close up all zippers and fasten all snaps. Spot-clean any stains with plain water or mild soap by dabbing with a sponge or washcloth.
Finally, use a downwash detergent like Nikwax or Granger downwash. Air dry or dry on a low or no heat setting on a dryer. Be sure to check the jacket every 20-30 minutes, so it doesn’t overheat and toss a few tennis balls in to revitalize its loft. We recommend washing down items at least once a season.
HOW TO STORE?
The best way to store down is by giving it room to breathe. For example, hanging in a garment bag in a closet to help the loft from clumping together which will lead to unwanted cold spots.
HOW TO REPAIR?
To repair down pants, use specially made nylon repair tape. In a pinch, a strip of duct tape will work nicely.
Down pants used while backpacking.
650-Calorie Fuel
