The Fusalp Down Jacket Guide: Barsy, Misha and Every Doudoune

A Fusalp down jacket, the doudoune in French, is the house’s answer to deep cold, on the mountain and in the city. The Barsy, Misha, Melisan, Renisem, Skamanaa and Iwaga all carry Fusalp’s top warmth rating, 5 out of 5, for cold down to -30 degrees Celsius. Coveti stocks them on our Fusalp page and in women’s coats.

What makes a Fusalp down jacket worth buying?

Three things set it apart from the high-street puffer. The first is the fill: Fusalp’s down is certified to the Responsible Down Standard, and most of the styles here use 80% duck down with 20% feather, while the lighter Kerin, Skamanaa and Acarim go up to 90% down. The second is the shell. The warmest pieces add what the brand calls the Fusalp approved membrane, described as waterproof, windproof and breathable, so a 5 out of 5 coat can handle wet snow as well as dry cold. The third is the cut. Fusalp was founded by two Annecy tailors in 1952, and even its puffers have waists, belts and drawcords.

Each jacket is designed in France and tested in the Annecy Quality and R&D laboratory, which runs over 8,000 tests a year. Production is named product by product. In our edit the Barsy in Black and the Kerin in Black are made in Vietnam; the Misha coat, the Barsy Velvet, the Acarim and the Miraca in China. Our guide to where Fusalp is made has the full table, and Fusalp warmth levels explained decodes the 1 to 5 score. Down outerwear is also in our women’s jackets edit.

Fusalp down jackets by warmth level

Fusalp only gives a temperature for level 5. Levels 2 and 3 have no degree figure; think of them as mid-season pieces and layering pieces.

The Barsy: Fusalp’s signature doudoune

Fusalp calls the Barsy an iconic piece of the house, and it is the down jacket people ask for by name. The Barsy Down Jacket in Black is boxy and oversized, quilted in an ultra-matte stretch fabric with the Fusalp membrane, with an integral hood, an adjustable hem, a light fixed snow breaker and a ski pass pocket. It is made in Vietnam. The Barsy Velvet Down Jacket in Desert is the velvet-finish version, made in China; it has the same 5 out of 5 rating. Fusalp designs the Barsy to be worn oversized, so do not size down. If you want the version built for the slopes, our Fusalp ski jacket guide covers the Barsy Ski Down.

Long down coats: Misha, Renisem, Skamanaa and Valomea

The Misha Coat in Black is the most tailored. Its shell is a waterproof, water-repellent stretch twill with the Fusalp membrane and welded main seams, the hood is large and lined with faux fur, and the size is adjustable from inside. There are double-entry hand pockets with zip and press studs and a city pass pocket. Garment measurements show a centre-back length of 86 cm in a Fusalp 34, rising to 91.5 cm in a 44. It is made in China, in Black, Navy and Army.

The Renisem Down Jacket in Black is a long coat in a light, water-repellent satin with a removable quilted belt and a fixed adjustable hood. The Skamanaa Down Jacket in Falcon is the lightest long style, in ultralight nylon with 90% down, an elastic drawcord at the waist and an inside pocket it packs into. The Valomea Coat in Moss Green is a long quilted coat in matte bi-stretch twill with a removable hood and snap cuff tabs, cut to be worn loose.

My pick for a city winter is the Renisem in Black. The belt gives it a waist, and it looks right over tailoring on a Monday as much as over a ski suit after the lifts close.

Shaped and statement: Melisan and Iwaga

The Melisan Down Jacket in Mastic sits just below the hip in waterproof satin, with a topstitched belt you can wear for a waist and leave off for a looser line. It is designed to be worn oversized. The Iwaga Down Jacket in Black has a soft faux fur collar and an elastic drawcord at the hem that pulls it into what Fusalp calls its signature balloon silhouette. Note that Iwaga runs to UK 14 in our listing.

Lighter down for layering: Kerin, Acarim and Miraca

• Kerin Down Jacket in Black: 3 out of 5, packable into its own inside pocket, with a drawcord to define the waist and quilted, reinforced shoulders. It works on its own in autumn and under a shell in spring. Made in Vietnam.
• Acarim Down Jacket in Black: 3 out of 5, very thin, with smocked shoulder pads and a packable design. Fusalp suggests wearing it alone and layering it under a heavier down jacket. Made in China.
• Miraca Sleeveless Down Jacket in Black: 2 out of 5, the gilet version of the Acarim, for mid-season and as a warm layer under a coat. Made in China.

How do Fusalp down jackets fit?

Fusalp sizes 34 to 44 equal UK 6 to 16, so a Fusalp 38 is a UK 10. The house advice is to take your usual size, and the larger size if you are between two. The cut matters here more than with most outerwear: the Barsy and Melisan are designed oversized and the Valomea loose, while Misha, Renisem, Skamanaa, Iwaga and Kerin are true to size. If you plan to wear a thick knit underneath a true-to-size coat, try your usual size first and check the garment measurements. Full charts in the Fusalp size guide.

How Fusalp compares with other down specialists

Fusalp’s strength is ski heritage and a tailored shape. For sleek city down, see Herno and our Herno Laminar guide. For heavy parkas, Moose Knuckles and Mackage; we compare those labels in brands like Moose Knuckles. Pair any Fusalp down with a beanie from the Fusalp ski accessories guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Fusalp down jacket is the warmest?

Fusalp rates the Barsy, Misha, Melisan, Renisem, Skamanaa, Iwaga and Valomea 5 out of 5, its highest level, with protection for cold down to -30 degrees Celsius. The Kerin and Acarim are rated 3 out of 5.

Is Fusalp down ethically sourced?

Fusalp’s down is certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) by Ecocert Greenlife. The styles in our edit use 80% to 90% duck down.

Is the Fusalp Barsy waterproof?

The Barsy uses an ultra-matte stretch fabric with the Fusalp approved membrane, which the brand describes as waterproof, windproof and breathable. Fusalp does not publish millimetre waterproof ratings.

Does the Fusalp Barsy run big?

The Barsy is designed to be worn oversized, with a boxy cut. Fusalp sizes 34 to 44 equal UK 6 to 16, and the brand advises taking your usual size rather than sizing down.

Where are Fusalp down jackets made?

Fusalp down jackets are designed in France and tested in Annecy, then made by partner workshops. In our edit the Barsy in Black and the Kerin in Black are made in Vietnam, and the Misha coat, Barsy Velvet, Acarim and Miraca in China.