As Australian winter fades into spring and your puffer jacket's daily duty comes to an end, how you store it for the next six months determines whether it'll perform as well next year. Poor storage practices are one of the leading causes of reduced jacket performance, yet many people simply stuff their puffer into a drawer and forget about it until the cold returns. Taking a few minutes to store your jacket correctly protects your investment and ensures years of reliable warmth.
Why Storage Matters
Both down and synthetic insulation work by creating loft—the puffy structure that traps warm air. When insulation is compressed for extended periods, it gradually loses its ability to fully expand. Down clusters can become permanently flattened, and synthetic fibres may lose their resilience. The longer the compression, the more permanent the damage.
Additionally, residual moisture trapped in storage can lead to mould, mildew, and bacterial growth. These issues create odours that are nearly impossible to eliminate and can physically damage insulation fibres. Starting the storage period with a clean, fully dry jacket prevents these problems.
Preparing Your Jacket for Storage
Clean Before Storing
Never store a dirty jacket. Body oils, sweat, and environmental grime that accumulate during the season will set into the fabric and insulation over months of storage. These substances can also attract pests and promote bacterial growth.
Wash your jacket according to proper care instructions before storage. Use appropriate detergent, rinse thoroughly, and dry completely. This is also a good time to reapply DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment if the jacket's water resistance has diminished during the season.
Critical: Ensure Complete Dryness
Before storage, confirm your jacket is absolutely dry. Down insulation can retain moisture in its core even when the outer fabric feels dry. Store a damp jacket and you'll discover mould and a musty smell next winter. When in doubt, dry longer.
Inspect for Damage
Before putting your jacket away, check it over for any damage that needs repair. Small tears or holes should be patched before storage—see our repair guide for instructions. Address any broken zippers, loose stitching, or worn areas. It's far better to handle repairs now than to discover a damaged jacket when you need it next winter.
The Right Way to Store Your Puffer
Storage Method: Hanging vs. Loose Storage
Best option: Hanging in a closet
If you have adequate closet space, hanging your puffer jacket on a wide, padded hanger is the ideal storage method. This allows the insulation to remain fully lofted with no compression. Ensure the jacket has room to hang without being crushed against other garments.
Second option: Large breathable storage bag
If hanging isn't possible, store the jacket loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage bag. The jacket should have ample room to maintain most of its loft. Avoid cramming it into a space that's too small. Large cotton pillowcases or dedicated gear storage bags work well for this purpose.
What NOT to Do
- Never store in the stuff sack: Those compact little sacks are for travel and transport, not storage. Months of compression in a stuff sack will degrade your insulation's performance.
- Avoid plastic bags: Non-breathable plastic traps moisture and prevents airflow, creating conditions for mould growth.
- Don't fold tightly: Folding creates compression along fold lines that can become permanent.
- Avoid vacuum storage bags: The extreme compression from vacuum sealing is highly damaging to insulation.
Storage Summary
- Do: Hang on a wide hanger, or store loosely in a breathable bag
- Don't: Compress, stuff, fold tightly, or seal in plastic
- Remember: Clean and fully dry before storage
Choosing the Right Storage Location
Where you store your jacket matters almost as much as how you store it.
Ideal Conditions
- Cool and dry: Avoid hot spaces like attics or garages that heat up in summer. Excessive heat can damage fabrics and adhesives over time.
- Good ventilation: Airflow helps prevent mustiness and moisture accumulation.
- Away from direct sunlight: UV exposure degrades fabrics and can fade colours.
- Protected from pests: Moths and rodents can damage insulation and fabrics. Cedar blocks or lavender sachets provide natural pest deterrence.
Locations to Avoid
- Attics: Temperature extremes are harmful.
- Garages: Often dusty, may have pests, temperature fluctuations.
- Basements: High humidity promotes mould growth.
- Near windows: UV exposure and temperature variations.
A bedroom closet or spare room closet typically provides ideal storage conditions for most Australian homes.
Reviving Your Jacket After Storage
When winter returns and you retrieve your jacket from storage, take a few steps to restore its full performance before wearing it in the cold.
Restore the Loft
Even with proper storage, insulation may be slightly compressed. Put your jacket in a tumble dryer on low or no heat with a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls. Run for 15-20 minutes to fluff up the insulation. This is particularly important for down jackets.
Air It Out
Hang the jacket in a well-ventilated area for a day before wearing. This allows any residual mustiness from storage to dissipate and gives the insulation time to fully expand.
Check Condition
Before heading into cold conditions, verify the jacket is in good condition. Check that zippers work smoothly, seams are intact, and the DWR treatment is still functional (water should bead on the surface rather than soaking in). Address any issues before you need the jacket for serious cold weather.
Special Considerations for Down Jackets
Down insulation is more sensitive to storage conditions than synthetic fill. The natural structure of down clusters can be permanently damaged by prolonged compression or moisture exposure. For valuable down jackets, hanging storage is strongly recommended over any form of bagged storage. If you must store in a bag, choose the largest practical option and avoid any compression.
Some owners store their down jackets inside large clean garbage bags loosely tied at the top. While not ideal, this protects against dust while allowing the jacket to remain lofted. Just ensure there's no moisture inside before closing.
With proper seasonal storage, a quality puffer jacket can maintain its performance for many years, providing reliable warmth winter after winter.