Also known as a down jacket – or if you’re Wyclef Jean, a bubblegoose – the puffer jacket is that rarest of things: a nineties fashion staple with real practical benefits. These padded wonders are capable of locking in heat in even the iciest of conditions, making them the first choice not just for hip-hop stars, but polar explorers and mountaineers too.

And there’s another benefit: the best men’s puffer jackets have good looks on their side as well, something which hasn’t gone unnoticed by designers. In recent seasons everyone from Balenciaga to Raf Simons has marched puffers down the runway. And as a result, there’s been a noticeable shift in their popularity.

Not everyone possesses the bank balance or the inclination to spend £1,915 on a Balenciaga puffer (as opposed to £70 at JD Sports), but everyone can get in on the action. Pulling off this trend doesn’t have to cost a bomb, but it does require some skill. That’s where we come in.

Styles To Consider

Lightweight

Keeping warm with down insulation doesn’t always have to mean going full Michelin Man. With a lightweight puffer jacket you get all the practical benefits without sacrificing a slim silhouette. The fitted cut also makes it a useful tool for layering – use it as outerwear, another barrier against the cold under your parka on seriously frigid days, or even wear it beneath a suit jacket for frosty morning commutes.

These low-profile puffers also have the added benefit of being packable. Big puffers are heavy and bulky, but quite often their lightweight counterparts can be scrunched up into their own pocket when not being used. Making them a popular choice for everyone from outdoors enthusiasts to seasoned travellers.

Winterproof

There’s a certain pleasure that comes with knowing your jacket could keep you toasty on an ascent of K2. Even if you’re only going to be using it to get to the office and back. This is the level of security a proper winter-ready puffer jacket can provide to you.