The Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
When it comes to choosing a women’s puffer jacket, there is always the debate of down versus synthetic. Down is typically lighter and loftier for the weight, which provides more warmth. However, synthetic holds up better in wet weather. But what if there was another—dare we say better—option? A few brands have started to craft wool puffer jackets, and our favorite tested thus far is the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie ($285).
In our guide to the Best Puffer Jackets for Women, we kept coming back to the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie. As the name suggests, the Aire Hoodie is neither down nor synthetic but instead utilizes merino wool for insulation. The result? An excellent balance of insulative properties, lightweight construction, and weather resistance. Read on to learn more about our experience with the Aire Hoodie and why wool is winning us over this winter.
Related: Best Puffer Jackets for Women | Best Puffer Jackets for Men
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightest puffer jacket we tested | Pricey for warmth |
| Wool insulation is versatile | Best for active pursuits or warmer temps |
| Looks great |
The Aire Hoodie is lightweight and breathable. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
First Impressions of the Ibex Aire Hoodie
Looks wise, the Aire Hoodie appears to be an ordinary puffer jacket. But when I picked it up, I could tell it was different than your typical puffy jacket. For starters, it’s super soft, both on the inside and the outside. It also feels really thin and lightweight. I like the feel of a thin jacket and typically find that they’re better suited for active endeavors, but I worried it might not be warm enough for shoulder season in Colorado. I was eager to find out.
CHECK PRICE ON IbexNotable Features
Weight: 9.875 oz
Fill: 80g Merino Wool
Fit: Slim Fit
Category: Ultralight
If you are unfamiliar with merino wool, let me fill you in. Merino is a specific type of wool that comes from the merino breed of sheep. The wool has a reputation for being lightweight, breathable, and insulating, and helps the sheep survive in harsh conditions. Because of its worthy outdoor qualities, merino wool has become popular in outdoor gear, specifically clothing designed for hiking and backpacking.
Merino Wool Insulation
Where most puffer jackets use down or synthetic insulation, the Aire Hoodie utilizes merino wool as fill. The wool works wonders as it helps transfer sweat and moisture away from your skin, so it keeps you warm even when fairly wet. And while it doesn’t dry out quite as quickly as synthetic fibers and fill, wool tends to dry much quicker than down.
When I’m hiking, I like wearing wool products. But when I’m backpacking and have limited clothing options for the week, wearing wool is essential (especially with hiking socks!).
Lightweight Fill
Weighing in at 9.875 ounces, the Aire Hoodie is very lightweight. In fact, it was the lightest of all the jackets we tested in our Best Puffer Jackets for Women. Now, this comes with a bit of an asterisk, as it’s not necessarily as warm as similarly weighted jackets (the Arc’teryx Cerium, for example). That said, this makes a great option for hiking, backpacking, and traveling. Better yet, it packs down into its own pocket, and the wool, while not quite as compressible as down, is certainly easy to pack.
The Aire Hoodie has two zippered hand warmer pockets. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Other Features
The Aire Hoodie features a unique scuba style hood that allows you to get it snug around your face — this feature is particularly nice when you’re caught in the wind and/or rain. The jacket also has elasticized cuffs that further seal in the warmth (and helped prevent the sleeves from sliding over my hands while stand up paddling). Finally, the Aire Hoodie has two zippered pockets that work well for stashing small essentials or warming up chilly hands.
Made from Bluesign certified fabric, the material is wind and water resistant, which I greatly appreciated during my shoulder season testing in Colorado. Due to the lightweight nature of the jacket, I found that it worked well to wear while exercising. I wore it hiking, stand up paddling, and running, and found that the material was indeed breathable and non-restrictive when moving.
Drawbacks
The sizing on the Aire Hoodie is a little funky. The jacket runs small, which can work okay if you simply plan to wear a t-shirt under it for working out or layering thicker jackets over it. But if you plan to wear base layers beneath the jacket or prefer a looser fit, then I’d definitely suggest sizing up.
Fit and Warmth
As predicated in my initial impression of the jacket, the Aire Hoodie isn’t the warmest puffer on the market, which can be a good or a bad thing depending on where you live and how you intend to use the jacket. If your intent is to wear the Aire Hoodie for hiking or as a mid-layer for skiing or snowboarding, then the lighter weight slim fit is a positive in my book. But, if you live somewhere especially chilly, and are planning to wear this to combat the cold, then it might not be your best bet.
We love the bright, bold colors on the Aire Hoodie. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Competition
If you’re looking for a jacket that works well for hiking and backpacking but is filled with traditional down, the Patagonia Down Sweater is a great option. The jacket incorporates sustainability into its design — the shell fabric’s NetPlus 100% post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop is made from fishing nets removed from the ocean. The shell fabric is coated with a durable water-repellant finish and it’s stuffed with 800-fill power 100% Responsible Down Standard certified down. Weighing in at 10.3 ounces, it’s slightly heavier than the Aire Hoodie, but only just.
Or, if you’re looking for a warmer puffer jacket, the Hikerkind Packable Down Puffer 01 was our top pick women’s puffer jacket thanks to its thoughtful design and resistance against the elements. The jacket features a water-resistant nylon shell and the 600/800 Responsible Down Standard certified goose fill is baffled in diamond shapes. Although the Down Puffer 01 could certainly be worn hiking, it’s more of a lifestyle jacket.
Regardless of whether it’s wet or dry, this puffer will keep you cozy. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
Final Thoughts on the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie
If you’re in the market for a lightweight, breathable puffer jacket to wear for active endeavors, then the Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie should be right up your alley. I wore it hiking, stand up paddling, and running, and found that it worked well for all, plus it looked good walking around town post-workout. Made from merino wool, the Aire Hoodie helps wick sweat away from your body and works to keep you warm regardless of whether it is wet or dry. It’s a winner for me.
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