What One New Yorker Thinks

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I’m not a fan of looking for a new winter coat. I often feel like I have to choose between style or practicality, and frankly, if I’m going to shell out a pretty penny, I’d like to have both. Therefore, when Aritzia’s Super Puff caught my eye as a design that ticks both boxes, I knew I had to have one.

As soon as I added the Super Puff into my winter wardrobe, it instantly became the favorite child. I’ve yet to wear any of my other cold weather coats this season, and I highly doubt they’ll see the light of day at this point (at least, all that often). As soon as I slipped into the Super Puff, I fell in love—and immediately kicked myself for not getting one years ago.

What is the Super Puff?

Aritzia offers several versions of its Super Puff jacket for both men and women, and it can be slightly overwhelming to understand the entire “family tree” of options. There’s the original Super Puff Jacket, which is available in five different lengths, 10 waterproof fabrics (including Liquid Shine, a velvet-looking style) and a surplus of colors. All versions feature innovative fabric from Japan and 100% responsibly sourced premium down material. The OG Super Puff is guaranteed to provide warmth to -20 degree Celsius and -4 degree Fahrenheit temperatures, and has water-repellent and wind-resistant ripstop fabric.

The options only expand from there, with the Super Puff Vest, the SuperSnug Puff (made for hourglass silhouettes) and the Super Puff2O, a design that features sealed seams and bonded channels to keep out the elements during serious conditions.

I opted for the Super Puff Shorty cliMATTE in the shade Modern Taupe.

Super Puff Shorty cliMATTE

How I Tested the Super Puff

I’m based in New York City, where temperatures have started to dip lower and lower, and random snowfalls have already come and gone. I received my Super Puff towards the middle of December, and have worn it on days with temperatures as high as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Compared to other puffer jackets on the market, it has some unique features that really sealed the deal for me. Each sleeve has a fingerless hand cover to keep your palms protected—while they won’t fully replace the need for gloves, I appreciate the inclusion and use them every single time I wear my Super Puff.

If my hands need a little extra warmth, the side pockets are fleece-lined and keep my hands incredibly toasty whenever I’m walking out in the cold. These pockets are also roomy enough to hold all my essentials and allow me to forgo a bag in some cases; I can fit my phone, wallet, keys, mini hair brush, and lip products without bulking up the pockets to the point of annoyance. In addition, the Super Puff Shorty has a detachable hood that can easily be taken on and off—while I’ve yet to use it, I know the further we go into winter, the more it will come in handy.

But perhaps my favorite part about the Super Puff is how it over-delivers on keeping your body warm. While I normally layer to the maximum this time of year—I’m talking long sleeve shirt, hoodie and then jacket—I’ve worn just a tank top underneath my Super Puff and been totally content. It’s kind of groundbreaking.

And then, there’s of course, how it looks on. With puffers in the past, I’ve felt like a giant marshmallow (it’s hard not to on my 5 foot 3 inch frame), but there’s something about the Super Puff that just gives sleek. I don’t know if it’s because the fabric itself looks and feels expensive, but the amount of compliments I’ve received while wearing it were enough to solidify that it doesn’t make me look twice my actual size. Again, kind of groundbreaking.

Yes, Super Puff’s are inherently expensive, but I’d argue a winter coat is the one item of apparel you shouldn’t skimp on. Investing in a high-quality coat like the Super Puff is something I should have done years ago, but now that I finally own one, I can tell it will be with me for many winters to come.