6 Alternatives To Traditional Down Winter Coats

Looking for a warm winter coat but want to skip traditional down? You're not alone!

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While down jackets are lightweight and incredibly warm, many people seek alternatives for ethical reasons.

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Down feathers come from ducks and geese. In some cases, these feathers are forcibly plucked from the birds while they're still conscious—a cruel process that causes skin tears, severe injuries, and sometimes death.

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Fortunately, there are plenty of great brands making down-alternative winter coats. Here are 6 brands where you can find sustainable winter coats and jackets:

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Tentree

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Parkas, puffers, reversible jackets, vests | $

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To keep you warm on the coldest days, Tentree uses PrimaLoft® Black ThermoPlume, a synthetic insulation with the look and feel of natural down. The outer layer of its jackets is made from Bluesign® Certified fabric with Bluesign® Certified PFC-free DWR. For some of its other winter jackets and coats, it uses fibers from the kapok tree that are naturally insulating, regeneratively grown, and require minimal processing. The products are made in fair, safe working conditions, and for every product, Tentree plants 10 trees.

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Asket

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Coats, jackets, overshirts | $$

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Asket uses a majority of sustainable fibers in its garments. For its outerwear collection, it uses 100% Recycled Wool as a down alternative. The body lining for these coats and jackets is 100% organic cotton. The clothes come in plastic-free packaging and if your jacket needs fixing, it will help you repair it to keep it out of landfills.

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Patagonia

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Coats, jackets, parkas, vests, fleece | $$

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Patagonia knows its stuff when it comes to sustainable winter coats and jackets. It packs its jackets with PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation and recycled down from old products. All products come in packaging made from recycled plastic, FSC-certified material, and recycled cardboard. Plus, every item is backed by a lifetime warranty. Need repairs? It’ll help you fix it. Done with your jacket? It'll take it back!

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Also read: 10 Best Places to Sell Clothes Online

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Outerknown

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Coats, jackets, puffers, blazers, shackets | $$

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You'll love Outerknown's evergreen jacket and coat collection! Instead of down, it uses recycled wool and recycled polyester in its puffers. Some jackets even feature 100%recycled down from old cushions and bedding, if you want a more sustainable down option. It makes the jacket shells from recycled fishing nets and ships everything plastic-free. Plus, you can resell your jacket to the brand when you're done with it.

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Another Tomorrow

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Women’s coats, trenches, jackets | $$$

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Another Tomorrow packs its winter coats and jackets with 100% post-consumer recycled cashmere, GRS-Certified recycled wool, and recycled polyester instead of down. What we love about the brand is its transparency. You can see exactly who makes your clothes and check out its policies on everything from living wages to forest protection.

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Also read: Sustainable Bedding Fabrics to Keep You Warm During Winter

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