Flames crackled and popped high into the February air as the blowtorch relentlessly blasted a dense, smoky burn pile. Despite the roaring fire slowly devouring the accumulated old growth, the temps surrounding the scorching blaze were frigid — single digits, if any could be found at all.
Burn piles like this are just one part of cabin life in northern Minnesota. So, too, are puffy jackets pocked through with stick pokes and ember holes — the price of reliable warmth when camping in the winter.
At least, that is, for everyone but me. I smiled with one hand on the Weed Dragon blowtorch, reaching deep into a felled pile of sharp conifer, virtually impervious to flame and puncture alike. There’s nothing like having the right tool for the job!
I tested Teren’s Campfire Puffy 2.0 for a solid (brutal) winter and an ensuing chilly, wet spring.
In short: Teren takes aim at the outdoors crowd with this understated, deceptively capable Campfire Puffy 2.0 ($400) winter jacket. It doesn’t scream … well, anything. Its many pockets and their zippers are semi-hidden, and there are no baffles to call attention to its insulation. But it’s tough, quiet, and suitable for rugged winter treks or downtown jaunts alike. It’s not a budget play, nor an ultralight piece. But as a buy-once, cry-once piece, it’s a solid investment for those who want a jacket to take just about anywhere.
Find your perfect fit in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Winter Jackets
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Tough outer construction -
Plenty of soft pockets -
Very warm -
Everything-proof
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Only available in black -
Premium price -
Not for high output
Teren Campfire Puffy 2.0 Review
Design, Features
A Chattanooga brand, Teren makes a variety of outdoorsy apparel, much of it daily outerwear with subtle, technical hits. But the Campfire Puffy 2.0 might be its most technically forward design.
A combination of natural and synthetic fibers that are inherently fire-resistant, the Campfire Puffy does not employ a special fabric treatment. It does use a DWR treatment to achieve a 10k/10k waterproof-breathability rating. If you notice your DWR coating losing effectiveness after extended use, you might have to reapply it to the jacket eventually. But that should only be necessary after a lot of hard use in wet conditions.
Inside the jacket, 100 gsm of recycled PrimaLoft Gold synthetic fill provides great warmth-to-weight insulation. It’s not ultralight and won’t pack into its own pocket, but for all its weather resistance, it’s not exceptionally heavy or bulky either.
Like the original Ford Model T, the Campfire Puffy 2.0 comes in any color you like, as long as it’s black. There’s no heavy branding, so overall, the jacket is plenty versatile for campouts or nights out and won’t draw much attention.
Two soft-lined hand warmer pockets mirror dual-lined breast pockets, both big enough for any modern smartphone (tested with iPhone 17 Pro Max).
Outdoor Testing: Great for the Back 40
While I received this jacket for testing near some autumn Arkansas campfires — where cold, spitting rain is usually on tap — I found its real home was hard at work in the north woods of Minnesota.
The aramid fibers in particular, which are also employed on bulletproof vests, add some muscle to the exterior fabric. While bare branches can be every bit as dangerous to a puffy jacket as hot orange embers, the Teren took my woodsy winter treks in stride. Plenty of frozen felled firs reached up to take a stab, but none broke through or managed to snag a tear.
And as promised, when flames ate up that old wood, I sat within a couple of feet and took no damage (minus smoke-stung eyes). While the jacket warded off fire, it also shrugged away all the snow that melted and dripped onto my shoulders and back. After a full autumn and winter of use, the DWR still has water beading up and rolling off.
This holds true for heavy wet snow and cold drizzle. The jacket is basically impermeable to the elements.
Not Activewear
While the Teren has survived a few rounds of closet clean-outs and continues to make the cut whenever I move, I keep it on hand as a daily driver jacket. I know it won’t clash in any environment, and I won’t have to worry about what’s around.
But it’s not a single-quiver coat; for all its stated breathability, it’s still much better at keeping the wearer warm and protected than dumping heat when you’re active. It has no pit vents (a feature I don’t much love, regardless), and the PrimaLoft Gold does a pretty damn good job of retaining heat. I keep a few lightweight shells and running-friendly jackets on hand for high-output pursuits in winter.
Who Should Buy
Anyone who camps in autumn, winter, or early spring could find a new ride-or-die outer layer with Teren’s Campfire Puffy 2.0. The price is a big pill to swallow — no doubt. But if you can swing the $400 up front, the cost-per-use — sticker price amortized over each wear — can pretty quickly make this something of a bargain.
It’s plenty warm without being too bulky. It’s not a fashion statement or a faux pas, and it’s basically invincible to all the elements.
You might need to refresh the DWR down the line, but the Campfire Puffy 2.0 looks out for itself as well as it looks out for you.
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