Travel Essentials: in cold weather, nothing beats a down jacket

The right clothing is essential in bad weather, and down is the perfect material for chilly conditions. Warm without being heavy, down compresses tightly so it is not too bulky when packing. With even the UAE prone to freezing temperatures, a down jacket may be useful at home as well as in the Arctic tundra, if only for a day or two.

North Face Nuptse 2 jacket

This is a classic, a favourite with everyone from BBC correspondents reporting from chilly climes to rappers in music videos. Don't be distracted by the glitz - this jacket performs well in very cold conditions. The ripstop nylon shell is packed with 700-fill goose down, keeping you warm and dry in light rain or snow. The shoulders are reinforced to protect them when carrying a backpack and there's a hood packed away in the collar. Available from www.cotswoldoutdoor.com from US$249 (Dh915), plus shipping.

Rab Neutrino Endurance jacket

This lightweight, warm jacket is designed for climbing and mountain walking. The outer layer is made from Pertex, a breathable and water resistant fabric. It is filled with 800-fill European goose down. It also has an ample drawcord hood filled with down. Both the hood and the sleeves have velcro adjustments and the zips are water resistant. Available from www.amazon.com from $314.95 (Dh1,157), plus shipping.

Mountain Equipment Annapurna jacket

This tough jacket has a Drilite outer layer that's windproof and water resistant. There are lots of pockets, including hand-warmers, chest pockets with zips and a mesh section inside for a water bottle. The hood, big enough to fit a helmet, can be zipped away when not needed. The jacket is available in a wide range of colours, including black, red and blue. Available from www.ellis-brigham.com from $292 (Dh1,073), plus shipping.