Get up to 56% off lightweight down jackets from Patagonia, Rab, Arc'teryx and more — here are my top recommendations for autumn

Autumn is in the air and now's a great time to start thinking about warm weather gear.

A number of big outdoor retailers are running major sales right now, and amongst them are some seriously strong down jacket deals.

A good down jacket is one of the best investments I've made.

I wear mine constantly over the colder months, to keep me comfortably warm on everything from big hikes to short dog-walks.

A great down jacket will provide an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio — they're lightweight and pack down small, but offer cosiness levels on par with much bulkier options.

My personal brand of choice is Rab — I'm on my second Rab down jacket; the first one got lost, and I replaced it immediately.

Rab is the main brand on sale right now, but there are also lightweight down jackets from other major outdoor brands like Patagonia and Arc'Teryx.

These are the brands that consistently impressed me during my years as an outdoor gear tester, and I'd happily buy from them.

Scroll down for my top down jacket deal picks.

And if you're in the mood to completely upgrade your autumn/winter wardrobe, I've also rounded up the best waterproof jacket deals and the best fleece jacket deals I've spotted — I assume all of these bargains when the cold weather actually arrives, so I wouldn't spend too long deciding.

Men's down jacket deals Hop to the women's down jacket deals section Rab Men's Microlight Jacket — Black Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Hoodie Jacket — Gem Green The North Face Men's Hathersage Insulated Light Down Jacket Rab Men's Microlight Alpine Jacket, Dark Pollen Berghaus Men’s Claggan Jacket Arc'teryx Men's Cerium Hooded Jacket — Nightscape Rab Men’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Rab Men's Microlight Alpine Jacket — Beluga Montane Men's Composite Hooded Down Jacket Montane Men's Anti Freeze Lite Hooded Down Jacket Rab Men's Microlight Alpine Jacket — Tempest Blue Jack Wolfskin Men’s Passamani Down Hooded Jacket Women's down jacket deals Rab Women's Microlight Alpine Jacket — Watermelon Rab Women's Microlight Alpine Jacket — Deep Ink Rab Women's Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Rab Women's Microlight Alpine Jacket — Steel Berghaus Women's Talmine Long Insulated Jacket