To kick things off, we can’t ignore the classics. Since its introduction in 1996, The North Face Nuptse jacket has been an icon. Originally designed for high-altitude climbers, the jacket set the standard for high-performance cold weather apparel moving forward. Yet, technical features notwthstanding, almost simultaneously the jacket found itself embroiled in the cultural zeitgeist. A cult-favorite in Upper Manhattan and The Bronx, hip-hop’s brightest stars regularly reached for a Nuptse jacket right alongside their six inch Timberland boots come winter time. The slew of bright colors and limited nature led to a rabid culture of collecting, swapping and boasting well before hype was a commodity. The inspiration for countless down-market imitations as well as high-fashion homages, the Nuptse is a crucial component of New York streetwear as we know it.

So much so that following years of brands ranging from Supreme to Balenciaga cashing in on its design, The North Face formally reintroduced the original 1996 puffer as part of its permanent collection. While aesthetically the piece is almost entirely unchanged—including a wide, cropped silhouette with a bold body color and contrast black collar and chest—the inside is all modern, featuring sustainable 700 fill goose down lining and a DWR (durable water resistant) finish. Backed with a lifetime guarantee and often available well below the already agreeable retail price, the Nuptse is by all definitions perfect. With this piece you just can’t miss.

Since its days as a purveyor of mountaineering and ski equipment, Moncler has been a product first, utilitarian label. Yet, over the last six decades, the brand has transformed from high-end equipment manufacturer to the default brand for the world’s chalet owners and cold-climate elite. Originally founded in 1952, the brand boasted a sizeable following by the early ‘90s, however in the midst of a oft-delayed expansion and sales woes, the company took a turn for the worst. That was until Italian magnate Remo Ruffini took control. As CEO, Ruffini chose to focus almost solely on outerwear, with a particular ethos on lifestyle and the fashion space. The strategy proved smart, and within a decade every affluent man, woman and child from the Swiss Alps to SoHo seemingly wore a Moncler jacket.

While boasting every technical aspect (if not more) that its competitors do, the main selling point is no doubt the trademark Moncler badge. Instantly recognizable, the embroidered “M” logo is a clear indicator of affluence and taste for those in the know. If you’re looking for a puffer that does all the talking for you, look no further than Moncler.

Simple made better. While slightly corny, the Uniqlo tagline truly does encompass what makes the brand so great. Its top selling jacket is just that, a packable, lightweight thinsulate jacket that might just be the last outerwear piece you ever have to buy. Unlike many other options on this list, the Uniqlo puffer is not only a coat, but due to its slim construction and compact nature doubles as a layering piece, allowing you to wear it underneath coats that would usually not be suited for the frigid winter months.

Yes, this jacket is an incredible value, but more than that it’s sleek, functional and timeless—there’s a reason Uniqlo keeps them stocked year round. While more difficult to track down, the Uniqlo U iteration designed by Christophe Lemaire offers a bit of added Parisian flair, but even the general release version in bolder colors is a great addition to any wardrobe. What can we say, the Japanese simply do things better.

It gets cold in England, so naturally London streetwear stalwart Palace produces a puffer. A classic example of founder Lev Tanju’s tongue-and-cheek humor, the “Puffa” jacket—both slang and how Brits pronounce puffer—has been a seasonal staple for years now. Unlike rival Supreme, Palace presents not two but four main collections a year (spring, summer, fall, winter), as well as a fifth “ultimo” holiday capsule which almost always includes a Puffa. While there are numerous versions, our personal favorite is the pullover anorak version, given that it’s drastically different than everything else on the market.

Made with 600 count synthetic fill, featuring a packable hood and almost always a vertical Palace logo running down the back, the jacket is loud, abrasive but above all, warm. Palace has always been a clever hybrid of function and character, and this puffer is no different.

Ever since former Vetements designer Demna Gvasalia took over creative control of Balenciaga in 2015, he has applied his ethos of high-fashion plain clothes to the French fashion house, with at times fantastic results. From the runaway success of the Triple S to co-opting Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign logo, his hyper-sarcastic meta take on fashion has swept across the industry attracting legions of followers and ample critics as well. While the media tends to focus on the meme-ified pieces and massive sales, often incredibly clever design flourishes and technical design are overlooked. The C-Shape puffer is one such instance.

While ostensibly a normal puffer jacket, the hem is in fact sewn with a specific fuse and technique to create a deep arc—ergo the “c” designation. The resulting effect is a jacket that constantly appears to be in motion and naturally forms to the curvature of the individual, adding a flattering element to boot. Considering house founder Cristobal Balenciaga was one of the most technically gifted couturiers to ever live, the design is right in line with the house’s deep history. Fabric wizardry aside, the jacket is undeniably cool. Of course it’s warm, but that’s not quite the point here. Whenever Gvasalia’s reign comes to an end, this will be one of the pieces that defines his tenure.

Arc’Teryx’s high-end techwear-focused sibling, the Arc’Teryx Veilance line eschews all branding (and in many cases color) to create minimal, highly functional and exquisitely tailored outdoor gear. After a decade in business, the label has recently rebranded—it’s simply “Veilance” now—and in doing so did a top-to-bottom overhaul of its entire seasonal offering, including a brand new rendition of its Conduit jacket. Dubbed the “Conduit AR”, the new jacket features an unheard of 850 fill down—the most on this list by far—combined with synthetic fill in key moisture prone areas for a jacket that’s as ready for sub-zero tempature as it is for the slopes.

Literally designed to go from the mountains to the streets, a creative box wall construction ensures that jacket remains lightweight with even warmth distribution while still conforming to current trends. Leave it to Veilance to think of everything.

While recent seasons have veered away from BDSM culture, early 1017 Alyx 9SM collections fully embraced designer Matthew William’s seedy sub-cultural fascinations. Available since the label’s debut menswear offering, the bondage puffer recontextualized the brand’s iconic roller coaster belt as a leather neck harness with clasp, D-ring and all. While the reference may not necessarily speak to you, the all-black colorway, premium fabrics and Italian construction certainly will.

Featuring custom silver Alyx hardware, ribbed cuffs and a studded removable collar, the jacket adds a subtle edge to an otherwise classic black puffer jacket. With a regular wide fit, the jacket itself will work for anyone, meaning that even if you don’t back the reference, the jacket will still look great. Granted, given the studded collar this puffer is certainly a statement, however sometimes that’s the entire point.

Just over two years again during its Fall/Winter 2018 menswear show in Milan, Prada announced that after nearly two decades, it was relaunching its beloved and sport-focused Linea Rossa line. Originally intended as a sort of sportswear diffusion line when it first debuted in the ‘90s, the line amassed a cult following for its technical approach to designer fashion, however was arguably too ahead of its time. In an age of heavy licensing and brand consolidation, Prada saw the label as ultimately a failure and shuttered it. Today, however, given the the newfound fervor for outdoor gear and technically minded, wearable clothes, the line was primed for a comeback. Whether it was the current fashion environment or the sudden surge in collectors hunting down Linea Rossa, the line managed to capture the zeitgeist, and the nylon, water-resistant pieces were a huge hit. And, of course, there was a puffer.

Called LR-HX015, the new version of the ‘90s cult-classic boasts high-grade Japanese fabric and a new and improved version of the red rubberized Prada logo–the Linea Rossa designation throughout the ‘90s. Though available in a range of seasonally appropriate colors, we prefer the high-visibility neon versions. Who said performance clothing can’t be fun? Just remember, Miuccia knows best.

Puffer jackets are technical by design, so it’s no surprise that one of the leading technical sportswear brands makes some of the best in the business. With an unprecedented attention to detail—not to mention the entirely unique colorways—Stone Island created an obsessive fanbase, and with ties to hooligan culture and numerous celebrity cosigns, today Stone Island is one of the most respected luxury sportswear brands in the industry. Already renowned for its outerwear, the cult Italian label produces some of the most innovative fabrics and boundary pushing dye methods in menswear, both of which appear in its Crinkle Reps NY down jacket.

Made from a nylon neps fabric woven exceedingly tight to ensure durability and wind resistance, Stone Island then resin coats the fabric to fully waterproof it before immersing it in the dye bath. The combination of dye and resin leads to a specific crinkle effect that’s impossible to imitate—resulting in something collectors go nuts over. Combine that with the neon colorways and high count goose down and the result is one of the best puffers out there.

While many of the Patagonia’s most ardent fans focus on fleeces and the ubiquitous baggie shorts, those in the know have long since realized the label’s massive product offering includes several sleeper hits across a range of categories. Despite its rock climbing roots, Yvon Chouinard’s nearly 50 year-old business has expanded to tackle nearly every outdoor activity, alpine-ready down-filled gear included. Though there are a spectrum of options ranging from quilted vests to the best-selling Grade VII down parka, the classic Fitz Roy is by far our favorite.

While most of the jackets on this list will run you a pretty penny—even on Grailed—the Patagonia Fitz Roy is undeniably affordable no matter where you purchase it. Made by the most conscientious—and, as of late, coolest—brand on the planet, the Fitz Roy has all the bells and whistles of competitors, including high grade 800-fill down and a water-repellant finish. Made from proprietary Pertex Quantum fabric specially designed for Patagonia, the jacket is practically indestructible. Like all clothes Patagonia makes, the environmental footprint is top of mind, and recycled fabric and plastic is utilized when it can be—even the goose down is ethically sourced to ensure animal welfare. Beyond a beautiful coat, this down jacket has the future of the planet in mind, not just inclement weather.

For those looking for a decidedly more avant-garde take on the puffer, look no further than Rick Owens’ rendition. While the designer has intermittently released down jackets throughout his tenure, for his Fall/Winter 2017 collection, down fill dominated the entire range, from massive oversized scarves to asymmetrical oversized jackets. The master of drape, these stunning looks were mesmerizing, but it was difficult to see how they would translate from runway to the street. The final results, however, were a smash hit.

Now part of the permanent collection, the “Glitter” parka—the title of the corresponding collection—appears in some form or another every winter, and Rick Owens acolytes seemingly can’t get enough. In both sleeved and sleeveless iterations, the massive jacket is stuffed to the brim with the highest grade of goose down and its cocoon-esque shape wraps the body, slightly skirting out at the waist to create a modern fit unmistakably Owens’ handiwork. With a massively oversized hood and a number of deceptively deep pockets, this down jacket makes a statement few others would dare.

While we already mentioned one Canadian brand, we couldn’t call this a puffer list if we didn’t include the best-selling puffer jacket from the Great White North. While today Canada Goose is a full-fledged ready-to-wear brand, for decades it was best known for its extreme cold-weather parkas, designed to withstand brutal sub-zero temperatures in the North and South Pole. Although its iconic Expedition Parka may be the best selling model, the equally as effective—and infinitely better fitting—Wyndham parka is a fantastic alternative.

Designed for a slim, modern fit, the Wyndham does away with the massive front flap pockets and embroidered patch logo, instead focusing on a narrow silhouette that sits snug on the body (as opposed to obscuring it entirely). With snack pockets, a storm zipper and certified 625 Fill duck down, the jacket will weather any temperature, barring a trip to the Antarctic. Though the patch may be gone, the beloved racoon fur hood remains. Cropped at the waist and ribbed at the cuffs, this modern iteration of a certified classic is all the Canada Goose comfort you could want, while standing out amongst a sea of Expedition parkas.

We get it—is this a "puffer" in the most traditional sense? No. Is Craig Green a traditional designer though?

Labeling Craig Green as simple “workwear” is a stretch by any means. The increasingly conceptual designer is at the forefront of British menswear, pushing military and utilitarian inspired garments to their utmost limits, experimenting with themes of tribalism, spirituality and geography. Still, exceedingly conceptual runway shows and multi-colored masks aside, at its core the label is a collection of garments inspired by everyday wear. Though clearly not designed for it, the marquee workwear jacket is one such example.

Available year-round in a number of different fabrics ranging from cotton to ripstop, recently the designer began releasing a padded nylon version, perfect as either a layering piece or a winter jacket on its own. With a light down fill and fully lined, the jacket is everything menswear fans love about the designer’s chore coats with added padding to withstand the winter warmths. Aesthetically identical to the non-quilted original, this is one of the rare winter coats that actually looks as good as it is warm. Whether you’re a fan of Craig Green’s work or not, this one is hard to argue against.