Why I Swapped My $800 Puffer For This Uniqlo Down Jacket
After a few winters in a beautifully made, technically impressive, but very expensive puffer jacket (I’ll name names, it was Arc’teryx Veilance’s Conduit coat) I realized it just wasn’t fitting quite how I wanted it to. No matter what I tried, it still felt too slim, too long, and not quite the right vibe. I decided to take decisive action: Flip it on Facebook Marketplace, and start looking for something else.
Being the menswear sicko that I am, I initially looked at a replacement in the same price range. A $600 puffer from an expert Japanese label at my local menswear shop caught my eye. Gorgeous, obviously. But at the end of the day, I wasn’t really convinced I needed to spend the scratch. After all, I’ve had holiday gifts to buy.
Still, it’s cold where I live (Canada), and today the sun set at quarter-to-five. Most days, that means practicality beats getting a fit off. I undeniably needed a no-nonsense daily workhorse, but at a more manageable price. This led me to Seamless Down Jacket from Uniqlo.
At first, I wasn’t sure. Was it going to be enough? Was it too normie? But what I’ve learned since deciding to cop it anyway is that, at least for city life, it’s absolutely warm enough—even during this colder-than-usual December. It’s practical, anonymous, and while it’s technically less warm (750 fill versus the Veilance’s 1000), it’s plenty warm enough. The fact that it uses Responsible Down Standard–certified insulation is a nice bonus. Sure, I still have a heavier long parka for blizzards, but those are few and far between. Most winter days, this is what I grab.
Okay, so it’s warm, it’s inexpensive—great, you say, but does it have any style? Or is it, in fact, decidely normie? Again, I’ve been more than satisifed. The relaxed boxy silhouette feels current, while the collar is thick and stands tall, actually protecting my neck. (The hooded version is great too, if that’s your vibe.) It’s also puffed out just enough to feel substantial—like a ’90s Nuptse, minus the logo, which is another positive to me. Plain, to misquote Gordon Gekko, is good.
Courtesy Ben Kriz
Courtesy Ben Kriz
The details are there, too. The seamless construction means there are no gaps for wind to sneak through, and the windproof fabric—finished with a water-repellent coating—has held up well against gusts off Lake Ontario. It’s all helped by a sturdy front placket that protects the zipper, and a drawstring hem lets me cinch the jacket so that it hits closer to my waist than my butt. These are small but meaningful touches my previous, far more expensive jacket somehow skipped.
The colors on offer, too, are versatile, from my black (pictured) to a “neutral” cream and a trendy but still very wearable brown. All are ready to slot in with your dark pants and boots throughout the winter months.
For me, this jacket pretty much nails what we all want from outerwear right now: no loud logos, just enough performance, and a price that doesn’t hurt. There’s something liberating about choosing the obvious option. Sometimes, the smartest move really is the simplest one.
