Aritzia Super Puff Climate vs. Rainstop: What's the difference?

The Aritzia Super Puff Climate and Rainstop collections both offer stylish, high-quality outerwear, but they are engineered for entirely different weather. The Super Puff Climate is an insulated puffer jacket designed to provide maximum warmth in cold, dry winter conditions, while the Rainstop line features technical, waterproof fabrics and sealed seams to keep you dry during wet, rainy weather. Essentially, one prioritizes warmth, and the other prioritizes water resistance.

Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Aritzia jacket for your climate.

Aritzia Super Puff Climate

The Super Puff Climate is Aritzia's solution for serious cold. This jacket is part of the iconic Super Puff family, known for its signature puffy silhouette and exceptional warmth. It uses high-quality synthetic insulation to offer protection against freezing temperatures while maintaining a relatively lightweight feel for a winter coat.

• What it is: A trendy, synthetically-insulated puffer jacket designed for extreme cold-weather protection and warmth.
• Key features: High-quality down-alternative fill, a durable water-repellent (DWR) outer shell, quilted design, and often includes features like a high collar and fleece-lined pockets.
• Price: $250 - $350
• Materials/Construction: Built with a durable synthetic outer shell treated with DWR to repel light moisture and snow. The insulation is a high-performance synthetic fill that mimics the insulating properties of down.
• Sizing/Fit: Designed with a slightly oversized, classic puffer fit that allows for easy layering underneath. Most find it fits true to size, but it is intentionally voluminous.
• Pros: Excellent insulation for very cold conditions. Fashionable, puffy silhouette available in many colors. Lightweight for its warmth level. Cozy and comfortable.
• Cons: Not fully waterproof, only water-repellent. The bulky, puffy style may not be for everyone. The DWR coating may need refreshing over time.

This jacket is perfect for anyone living in a climate with cold, dry winters who needs reliable insulation and values a modern, stylish look.

Shop this product: aritzia.com/clothing/jackets-coats/puffers

Aritzia Rainstop

The Aritzia Rainstop collection is engineered specifically to combat rain. These pieces are technical rain jackets and coats made with fully waterproof or seriously water-resistant materials. The priority is keeping you dry, utilizing features like sealed seams and breathable, weather-proof fabrics, all packaged in Aritzia's signature minimalist aesthetic.

• What it is: A collection of technical outerwear, including raincoats and trench coats, built to provide superior protection from rain and moisture.
• Key features: Waterproof fabrics, sealed seams to prevent leaks, water-resistant zippers, and breathable construction.
• Price: $150 - $350
• Materials/Construction: Made with technical textiles, sometimes featuring membranes similar to Gore-Tex, that are engineered to block water while allowing vapor to escape. The seams are an important feature, as they are sealed to ensure complete water protection.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to have a more tailored, streamlined fit compared to the Super Puff. Sizing is true to size and designed to accommodate light layers underneath without appearing bulky.
• Pros: Excellent waterproof performance. Sleek, minimalist design is highly versatile. Breathable materials prevent stuffiness. Durable and built to handle wet conditions.
• Cons: Offers very little insulation, not designed for cold conditions on its own. The technical appearance may be too sporty for some formal occasions. Often has a stiffer feel than a fashion-focused coat.

This line is ideal for those in wet, temperate climates who need a reliable and stylish jacket to stay comfortable and dry on rainy days.

Shop this product: aritzia.com/clothing/jackets-coats/rain-waterproof

Aritzia Super Puff Climate vs. Rainstop Comparison

Weather Protection & Warmth

This is the most critical difference. The Super Puff Climate excels at providing warmth through its substantial synthetic insulation, making it suitable for freezing temperatures. Its outer shell has a DWR finish, which makes it water-repellent and capable of handling light snow or drizzle, but it is not waterproof. In a heavy downpour, water would eventually seep through the fabric and seams.

The Rainstop collection is designed for the opposite scenario. Its primary function is to be a barrier against liquid. With waterproof fabrics and sealed seams, it offers superior protection from rain, keeping you completely dry even in a storm. However, it lacks a substantial insulating layer, providing minimal warmth beyond acting as a windbreaker.

Style & Aesthetic

The two collections have distinct visual profiles. The Super Puff Climate embodies the popular puffer trend with its quilted, voluminous silhouette. It’s a statement piece that reads as cozy and casual, available in a wide array of colors from bold hues to classic neutrals. It can be dressed up or down but clearly signals "winter coat."

Rainstop jackets have a more sleek, minimalist, and technical aesthetic. With clean lines and a closer-to-the-body fit, these jackets resemble modern raincoats or trench coats. Their appearance is functional yet chic, with a color palette that leans toward versatile neutrals like black, navy, and beige.

Price & Value

The price points for both lines overlap, with the Super Puff Climate typically ranging from $250 to $350 and the Rainstop collection falling between $150 and $350. The value of each depends entirely on your needs. If you face harsh winters, the Super Puff offers excellent value in terms of its warmth and construction for the price.

If you live in a location with frequent rain, a high-quality Rainstop jacket is a worthy investment. The technical materials and construction needed for true waterproofing often command a higher price, and Aritzia delivers this functionality without sacrificing style, providing good value for a performance-oriented jacket.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both collections offer excellent quality and style, but the right choice comes down to the weather you encounter most often.

Choose the Super Puff Climate if:

• You need a jacket for cold, dry winter weather and freezing temperatures.
• Insulation and warmth are your highest priorities.
• You love the popular puffy, quilted aesthetic and want a cozy feel.
• You need a go-to coat for daily winter wear when it's not heavily raining.

Choose the Aritzia Rainstop if:

• You live in a climate with consistent rain during fall, winter, or spring.
• Your primary need is to stay dry from rainstorms, not to stay warm in the cold.
• You prefer a sleek, technical, and streamlined silhouette.
• You need a versatile shell that you can layer over fleeces or sweaters in transitional weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between the Aritzia Super Puff Climate and Rainstop?

The main difference is their function. The Super Puff Climate is a heavily insulated puffer jacket designed for extreme cold and warmth. The Rainstop is a technical shell jacket designed with waterproof materials and sealed seams to protect you from rain.

Is the Super Puff Climate waterproof?

No, it is not fully waterproof. It has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that can handle light snow and brief, light rain, but it will not keep you dry in a steady downpour because its seams are not sealed.

Is the Aritzia Rainstop collection warm?

The Rainstop collection itself is not designed for warmth. It acts as an excellent waterproof and windproof outer layer, but it contains very little insulation. To wear it in cold conditions, you would need to layer warm clothing like sweaters or a fleece jacket underneath.

Which jacket is better for winter?

It depends on your winter. For a cold and snowy winter, the Super Puff Climate is much better because it provides necessary insulation. For a mild but very wet and rainy winter (like in Vancouver or Seattle), the Rainstop collection would be more useful.

How do you clean an Aritzia Super Puff?

Most Super Puffs can be machine washed. Aritzia recommends washing on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent and then tumble drying on low with a few clean tennis balls to help re-fluff the insulation. Always check the specific care label on your jacket.

Do Aritzia jackets run true to size?

Generally, yes. The Super Puff has an intentionally oversized fit, so if you are between sizes or prefer a closer fit, you might consider sizing down. The Rainstop jackets tend to have a more standard, tailored fit but still allow room for light layering.

Can I layer under the Rainstop jackets?

Yes, the Rainstop jackets are designed to accommodate layers like knit sweaters, hoodies, or fleece jackets. This allows you to adapt the jacket for different temperatures, making it a versatile piece for multiple seasons.

Is the Aritzia Super Puff filled with real down?

While many Super Puff styles use 100% responsibly sourced goose down, the "Climate" version mentioned here often refers to styles made with high-performance synthetic, down-alternative insulation. This makes it a great option for those who prefer animal-free products. Always check the product description for the specific fill material.