‘Down’ is a controversial material. Although it is warm, the complex apparel supply chain makes it hard to trace the absence of animal cruelty. While my closet is currently a mix of both synthetic and down-insulated coats, I try to select pieces that are certified by the Responsible Down Standard. This practice is far from perfect, but I am glad to see more brands care about animal welfare. Hopefully, stricter standards will come to pass in the near future. However, I also respect those who are choosing vegan alternatives to down this winter. Given our advancements in materials science, I am glad that reliably warm options exist that are animal-free.
Disclosure: This post makes use of affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Quilted Wrap Coat with Thinsulate Fill (XXS – runs big; size 2 down) | Similar Maxi Version: Option 1 / Option 2 | Metallic Duffel Tote | Jeans | Water Resistant Lug Sole Boots (TTS)
The Benefits of Synthetic Fill vs Down
Contrary to popular belief, down is actually a soft material found underneath feathers. It is usually located in the chest and belly regions of ducks and geese. They are lightweight, and resemble the radial shape of a ‘dandelion head,’ which helps to trap air for warmth. However, one drawback is that down loses its warmth factor significantly when wet because these clusters lose their loftiness.
One superior benefit with synthetic insulation is that they can be engineered to retain warmth even when wet. And that is where we have these popularized alternatives.
Vegan Alternative to Down: 3M™ Thinsulate™
Thinsulate fibers, as the name suggests, are super thin and made of the same material as polyester (polyethylene terephthalate—PET). This material is water-resistant, and thus stays warmth even when wet. My wrap puffer coat is made with Thinsulate, and has kept me warm up to 30-degree weather when I layer properly.
Brands like Marmot even claim that their Thinsulate jackets are equivalent to 700-fill power in down (warmer range for down coats). Here are some other Thinsulate options to consider for the season:
Quilted Wrap Coat with Thinsulate Fill (XXS – runs big; size 2 down) | Similar Maxi Version: Option 1 / Option 2
Primaloft: Synthetic Microfiber Thermal Insulation
I had a chance to visit the Primaloft headquarters when I studied Fiber Science in college, and found the technology super fascinating. The insulation was first developed to serve the US Army under variable environmental conditions. However, now the material has taken outdoor apparel by storm. You can find their labels all over brands such as J. Crew, LL Bean, Athleta, and REI.
Another fact I love is that Primaloft is the first synthetic insulation to receive the Bluesign certification (a trusted environmental compliance standard in textiles).
Ecoplume: Bluesign Approved Sustainable Fill
One budget-friendly and vegan outerwear brand I love is Bernardo (review). They carry several waist-slimming and tailored puffers using a warm synthetic fill called Ecoplume. The filling is made by melting and drawing filaments from recycled plastic water bottles. I first heard of the brand at Nordstrom in 2020, which carries a smaller selection but may have more product reviews on fit.
Their coats run a little small, and for that reason, I always choose the size S which gives me some room to layer underneath.
Polartec: The Original Synthetic Fleece
Polartec first started as the original synthetic fleece, but has since expanded to many other fabric types (e.g. insulation and technical fabrics). As such, you can find Polartec not just in outerwear but also sweatshirts, ski pants, and more!
Thermolite: Vegan Down Alternative for Lightweight Warmth
Closing out this post of vegan alternatives to down with a final option: Thermolite. Interestingly, the brand is under Lycra (known for their trademark version of spandex). In recent years, the company has come out with ‘Ecomade’ Thermolite, which uses recycled fibers and textile waste to create synthetic fiber fill insulations.
It was a little harder to find outerwear with this insulation. However, the North Face has a similar line of products under ThermoBall, which also provides great warmth. Their ThermoBall Triclimate Jacket comes in Men’s and Women’s with a waterproof outerwear shell, and ThermoBall insulated puffer layer (linked below).
Vegan Alternatives to Down: A Summary
If you are stuck with wanting a warm winter coat that doesn’t come from animals, I hope this post gave you plenty of options to consider! One of the superior benefits to ‘vegan’ down is that it is easier to care for, warm even when wet, and in many cases, less expensive. Some of my favorite lighter-weight outerwear are made with these materials. And if you check you coat tags, maybe you’ll find that some of these options already exist in your wardrobe.
