Winter jackets without down: how to recognise a good vegan jacket

You can recognise a good winter jacket without real down by a synthetic filling with a clear warmth level, cleanly finished seams, a hood that stays put in the wind, and a zip you can grip with gloves on. If the label says 100% vegan, as it does on our jackets, the lining, padding and faux fur are free from animal-derived components too.

The shops are full of winter jackets, and from the outside many of them look the same. The difference is in what's inside and in the details. This article shows you what a synthetic filling can do, what to look for before you buy, and what the word vegan means when it appears on a jacket's label.

Why choose a winter jacket without real down?

Down is a proven filling material. What the finished jacket won't tell you, though, is how it was sourced. That is why we at NAVAHOO decided in 2014 to work without animal-derived materials from day one, in every model. That is the principle.

The rest is engineering, and it makes the case for synthetics too. Modern synthetic fillings insulate reliably even when damp, while wet down loses almost all of its insulating power. Down also tends to clump when it gets wet. Synthetic down, as these fillings are often called, dries faster and is easier to care for as well. A jacket with a synthetic filling survives a gentle machine wash at home. Always check the care label first to see what is allowed in the wash.

How warm is a jacket without real down?

The warmest thing about your jacket is you: your body is the heater, the jacket is the insulation. What keeps you warm is trapped air, and a jacket's filling stores it in millions of tiny chambers. Synthetic fillings do this across several warmth levels, from light autumn models to thickly padded jackets for the coldest days.

When you compare models, it also helps to look at the padding: its density is given in grams per square metre. As a rough guide, 80 to 100 g/m² will see you through days around freezing; lighter padding belongs in the milder months, heavier padding in deep winter. More reliable than any gram count, though, is the warmth level, because it rates the finished model as a whole: filling, lining and wind protection combined.

What does water-repellent mean on a winter jacket?

An important distinction: water-repellent and waterproof are two different promises. Waterproofing is measured by the water column: a fabric counts as waterproof from around 3,000 mm upwards. That takes coated materials and sealed seams, and it makes the jacket noticeably more technical. What matters for everyday winter life: water-repellent is more than enough. Around town or on the commute, a water-repellent jacket keeps the wet out. The fabric lets drizzle and showers bead up and roll off, and it stays comfortable to wear.

Two things help to keep it that way. After a few washes, refresh the water-repellent finish with a PFAS-free reproofing spray. And when the forecast says persistent rain, reach for a rain jacket, because hours of steady rain will push any padded jacket to its limits.

What does 100% vegan mean on a winter jacket?

On a jacket, vegan means no animal-derived components, from the padding to the lining to the trim on the hood. Fur-free describes the trim alone; vegan covers the whole jacket. So there is no animal suffering anywhere in the production process or in the finished product.

We have worked this way since 2014, across all three of our brands: NAVAHOO, MARIKOO and STONE HARBOUR. All three brands are 100% vegan: no real down, no fur, no animal-derived components. What looks like fur on our jackets is faux fur made from high-quality synthetics. We take part in the Fur Free Retailer programme (Fur Free Alliance, represented in Germany by FOUR PAWS). A clear stand against animal suffering in fashion.

We look closely at the outer fabric too: we choose materials that manage without per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFAS).

Want to find out more about PFAS? Read our PFAS guide. 

Frequently asked questions about winter jackets without real down

How do you recognise a good winter jacket without real down?

You can recognise a good winter jacket without real down by a synthetic filling with a clear warmth level, cleanly finished seams, a hood that stays put in the wind, and a zip you can grip with gloves on. If the label says 100% vegan, the lining, padding and faux fur are free from animal-derived components too.

Are jackets without real down as warm as down jackets?

Modern synthetic fillings store warmth in many small air chambers and cover several warmth levels, from light mid-season jackets to models for days below minus 5 °C. They insulate reliably even when damp and dry faster than down.

Is the fur trim on the hood real?

No. What looks like fur on our jackets is faux fur made from high-quality synthetics. Many trims are removable, so one jacket gives you two looks.

Are vegan winter jackets waterproof?

Our jackets are wind- and water-repellent: a shower on the way to the station is not a problem. Hours of steady rain will push any padded jacket to its limits; for days like that, a rain jacket is the better choice.

How do you care for a jacket with a synthetic filling?

Always take a look at the care label inside your jacket. It will tell you exactly what the right care for your jacket is.

Which size should you choose for a winter jacket?

If you are between two sizes and like a thick jumper underneath, take the larger one. Try the jacket on with the clothes you wear in winter.