A down jacket or puffer jacket is a quilted, padded jacket filled with down feathers (usually duck or goose down). This material is usually used to insulate an outer layer which is usually some synthetic fiber such as nylon or polyester.

History

The first down jacket, then known as an "eiderdown coat", was designed by Australian chemist George Finch for the 1922 Everest expedition and made by SW Silver and Co. It was bright green, composed of hot-air balloon fabric. Finch's jacket was initially mocked by other members of the party, but later won respect for its effectiveness in the windy mountain environment.

Since this time many fashion designers including Eddie Bauer have adapted and commercialized down jackets. The term puffer jacket was thought to have been originated by the Kepple brothers in 1995 when their father arrived at a Houston Airport wearing a red down jacket.