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Winter has officially arrived. Days are shorter. And the weather has turned frigid. This means that it’s time to pull out those warm coats from your wardrobe. And, one of the biggest trends this season are puffer coats for women. They have a unique combination of being both warm and light. Plus, they’re waterproof, which makes them ideal for long days outdoors. Yet, for all their good stats, puffer coats are usually made from virgin synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester, which are both plastic-based and derived from fossil fuels.
Yet, virgin plastic-based materials aren’t your only option when shopping for puffer coats for women. There are clothing brands paying attention and providing environmentally responsible options for staying warm and dry this winter. Some of the best puffer coats on the market are made using eco-friendly materials such as recycled polyester, bison fiber, organic cotton, and responsibly sourced wools. All of these materials pose a lighter risk to the environment than virgin plastic-based fabrics, while still keeping your plenty warm and dry.
So, if you’re in the market for a new puffer coat, read ahead to discover nine ethical and sustainable options which will bring you years and years of comfort and happiness.
Frank And Oak – The Hygge Puffer Coat
Frank And Oak is one of Canada’s leading sustainable fashion brands. They ensure that all clothing items are designed with three key principles in mind – sustainability, transparency, and functionality. The oversized Hygge coat is made from 100% recycled polyester. It’s water repellent, has vegan insulation and even a recycled zipper. Wear it with your favorite pair of jeans or leggings and you’ll be ready to withstand the frigid weather all winter long!
Environmental Impact: Frank and Oak, a B Corp, already uses a lot of natural and recycled fibres. Yet, the clothing brand announced its five sustainability goals for 2022 including cutting the use of virgin plastic and polyester to 0%, increasing carbon offset programs, switching to renewable energy sources, and promoting their zero-waste philosophy.
Patagonia – Women’s Nano Puff Parka
Patagonia is always a good sustainable choice when shopping for sustainable puffer coats for women. The Nano Puff Parka features a traditional brick pattern. Because it is lightweight and compressible, this coat is great for travel and all your winter adventures.
Environmental Impact: This winter parka is Fair Trade Certified. It’s PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco is made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester with P.U.R.E.™ technology (Produced Using Reduced Emissions), and is wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining.
The North Face Women’s 1996 Printed Retro Nuptse Jacket
The North Face, an American company founded in 1966, is a leader in outdoor equipment and sportswear and is factoring sustainability into their designs. When the cold weather arrives, we know we have to dig out one of their iconic puffer coats for women. This jacket’s outer layer is made from recycled polyester ripstop with non-PFC durable water-repellent and the insulation is certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).
Environmental Impact: The North Face has created four actionable commitments in regards to sustainability: scale circularity (Limited Warranty program, Renewed Collection, and Clothes the Loop program), 100% responsibly-sourced fabrics by 2022, work together with suppliers and retailers and accelerate sustainable packaging.
Pangaia – Women’s FLWRDWN™ Lite Puffer Jacket
Pangaia is an eco-friendly loungewear brand that has expanded its product line to include outerwear. This Lite Puffer Jacket is the ultimate light, warm and versatile layer. You can wear it alone in summer or layer under another jacket to keep cozy in the colder months.
Environmental Impact: Pangaia’s colorful puffer jackets are filled with FLWRDWN, a vegan, biodegradable down material made from natural, dried wildflowers, a biopolymer and aerogel which has taken over 10 years to develop. These wildflowers directly support habitat conservation since they are grown without pesticides or artificial irrigation and are managed by a non-governmental organization (NGO). To add to that, with every purchase of a Pangaia item, the company will plant, protect, or restore a tree.
Tentree – Cloud Shell Packable Puffer
Tentree was founded back in 2012 with a collection of wear-anywhere clothes that are comfortable, fairly priced, look good, and happen to match our values. They are made from eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton and hemp, using no animal products.
Environmental Impact: This puffer coat is made from 100% recycled polyester. That means that 33 plastic bottles were used to make this jacket. And, for every purchase, Tentree plants 10 trees all over the world. To date, the brand has planted 30 million new trees on earth. By 2030, their goal is to plant 1 billion trees. Another one of their sustainable goals is to to eliminate single-use packaging by 2023.
Outerknown – Women’s Chromatic Puffer
Outerknown, founded by surfer Kelly Slater in 2015, is a sustainable California-based company that combines style and function while also protecting natural resources. For the coldest days, we recommend the brand’s puffer coats for women. You’ll feel great in it today, but also wear for years to come.
Environmental Impact: Ninety percent of the materials Outerknown sources are organic, recycled or regenerated. This puffer is made from 100% recycled polyester with PFOA-free DWR, and 100% RDS-certified grey duck down. Furthermore, Outerknown was the first brand to partner with the Fair Labour Association before ever shipping a product.
Houdini – W’s Bouncer Jacket
Houdini is a Swedish brand, designing for circularity since 2001. This warm and highly weather resistant Bouncer Jacket is made for alpine environments and demanding conditions. It’s perfect for people with big hearts and curious minds.
Environmental Impact: Houdini’s long-term goal isn’t just to make a minimal negative impact, it’s to make a positive environmental impact. This environmentally friendly and ethical puffer jacket is produced from recycled and recyclable materials, is free of PFAS ( a type of forever chemical) and is made without stealing the feathers off any birds. Furthermore, Houdini manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint. Lastly, when your Houdini garment wears out, you can return it through the recycling unit at their stores or partner retailers.
Prana – Alpine Air Jacket
PrAna (a word defined as the universal energy and life-giving force that flows in and around all of us) was founded in Carlsbad, California in 1992. They specialize in activewear made from high-quality materials, but they also provide a wide range of jackets and coats. Their mission is to make “clothes for positive change.”
Environmental Impact: Prana tries to be environmentally friendly on various levels by using organically grown materials such as hemp, recycled wool or organic cotton, recycled fibers, fair trade, and bluesign certification. In 2016 they converted all down to 100% Responsible Down Standard Certified to protect our high-flying friends. In 2019 they published their supply chain list to promote transparency on their global impact and in 2020, they launched the Responsible Packaging Movement to support and eliminate single-use plastics. 95% of their products are rolled up, fixed with a raffia tape and not sent in plastic bags – they have been able to do without 20 million plastic bags since 2010.
Thought – Elisha Recycled Polyester Long Puffer Coat
Thought’s journey started in Australia in 1995. With a mantra of “Wear me, love me, mend me, pass me on,” Thought aims to educate people about the small steps they can take in order to make a difference. This contemporary, easy-to-wear puffer coat with surely keep the cold away.
Environmental Impact: Elisha is the most eco-friendly coat of Thought to date, since the fabric and the filler are made from around 150 recycled plastic bottles. Thought sources natural, environmentally friendly yarns that use less water, pesticides, and CO2. This brand carefully sources its fabrics, uses only slow shipping to reduce its carbon footprint, and adheres to a strict ethical code of conduct for employees. 98% of its packaging is recyclable.