As a wise man once said: winter is coming. The wisest among us make preparations for this fact. And one of the most crucial of all is the coat you opt for. How you shield yourself from the elements is going to determine your comfort and health through the season, so getting it right is make or break. I mean, how many of us have suffered a harsh and unforgiving winter’s night having to clutch ourselves because our coat doesn’t come with a zip, or having to hunchback under it, our backs exposed and drenched, because we’re walking around without a hood?
The smartest options for a winter coat come well padded and protective, and Uniqlo’s down jackets are among the most practical and stylish, and give you the best bang for your buck – plus, handily, they come with zips and the option of hoods as, to be honest, should be government mandated. But while Uniqlo’s range of options make it straightforward to find the perfect fit for you, choosing between them might be overwhelming. Luckily for you, here’s a guide to help you get it right.
1 Are you down?
If so, how down? Check the padding of your jacket: Uniqlo uses a mix of either down and feathers or a synthetic blend. Out of the three, down tends to be better at trapping heat, while feathers add weight, so check the ratio. The premium down collection, 90% down and 10% feather, might keep you that teeny bit warmer. Or maybe you want that weighted blanket feeling on the go – so select based on your needs. The Puffertech coats have zero down, tend to be sturdier and more resistant to water, so are good for a rainy trip. And if you’re concerned by the ethics of the down, Uniqlo uses only responsibly sourced down and feathers from RDS (Responsible Down Standard) garment factories to protect and enhance the welfare of geese and ducks.
2 The power of fill compels you
It’s true that it’s not the size that counts, so instead of looking for the biggest, puffiest jacket, a good pro tip to gauge its warmth is to check out a down jacket’s fill power. The higher the number, the better it is at trapping air, and therefore greater at insulating you. Fill power is typically rated between 300 and 900 – Uniqlo’s down jackets tend to sit at about 750, which is considered premium fill power, so you know you’ll be snug.
3 What’s on the outside matters too
And contrary to popular belief, it’s not just what’s on the inside that counts. Check what each jacket is made of on its outer layer to make sure it’s sturdy enough for your needs. Consider your lifestyle – all of the elements you’ll need that jacket to protect you from. Most of Uniqlo’s jackets use a blend of different materials for durability, but if you’re expecting to spend a considerable time outside, it might be wise to go a step further by selecting a jacket with a water-repellent finish, a coating that all of Uniqlo’s down jackets come with.
4 Is it snug enough?
Make sure you think about the weight of the jacket too. If you’re expecting to be freezing, it’ll make most sense to bundle up in the thickest and heaviest jacket – for example, Uniqlo’s Seamless down long coat. But if you need something light and easy for the transitional seasons or for backpacking, Uniqlo’s ultra light down is perfect, as it can even be rolled up into a nifty little pouch. Or you might want to experiment with layering coats, which might, again, sway you towards something lightweight, or, alternatively, make you opt for a Puffertech coat, which usefully doubles as both a cool jacket and a snug inner layer you can wear under another coat, too.
5 How does it look?
Within each jacket type is a collection with a range of lengths – cropped, vest, short, boxy, long – and often the option of a hood, so there’s a super-handy, readymade customisability for your needs and body type. Do you want that classic puffer look? Go for a Seamless down, which comes in chic neutrals: navy, olive, grey, and black. If you’re seeking bolder colours to brighten up your winter days, look to ultra light down, which, along with classic tones, has pink and wine options too. Looking for something that fits more like a parka? Puffertech is the line for you. Experiment with the sizing too, going up if you’re going to be wearing it with thick layers and jumpers, or keep it close to your own if you’re seeking a more svelte silhouette.
Shop Uniqlo’s down coat collection at uniqlo.com
