The 7 Best Winter Jackets
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The Best Overall Winter Jacket
Patagonia Frozen Range
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 2.76 lb | Number of pockets: 4
REASONS TO BUY
Long-lasting
Warm
Great protection from inclement weather
REASONS TO AVOID
Polarizing style
Expensive
Could have more pockets
2.76 lb |
The Patagonia Frozen Range excels in every way that a winter jacket needs to, beating out the rest of the competition and earning our nod as the best winter coat on the market. It has plenty of warmth thanks to lots of high-quality down insulation, weather resistance from its Gore-Tex shell, a comfortable fit. It can take anything that winter throws at it, and is durable enough to handle harsh winter after winter. When the temperature drops and the snow starts to fall, there is no jacket we’d rather be wearing.
The jacket’s stand-out style isn’t for everyone, but most of our testers agreed that it looks good. And, with such a high price tag, many users will opt for a less expensive jacket. But if you are hoping to stand out from a crowd, and are willing to spend top dollar to do so, this jacket performs as well as it looks, and you’ll get what you pay for.
Read more: Patagonia Frozen Range review
The Frozen Range is perfectly suited to bitter cold mornings around town.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Best Value for Premium-Level Warmth
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka
$228 at Amazon
$240 at Backcountry
$282 at REI
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 3.62 lb | Number of pockets: 8
REASONS TO BUY
Toasty
Extended hem
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Cumbersome
Not everyone likes fur
3.62 lb |
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka is an excellent option for budget-conscious users in cold climates that need a jacket to keep them warm and dry in the most severe winter weather. It is packed with high-quality down insulation, has a long hem and roomy fit, and comes with a removable faux-fur hood liner that creates a seal between the hood and face. It is waterproof, breathable, has tons of pockets, and is relatively stylish. And while it’s not the least expensive jacket in our test lineup, it performs similarly to jackets that go for twice as much.
The fabrics and construction of the McMurdo are a little stiff and confining compared to the Canada Goose Expedition, something you’d expect from a piece of equipment that is a third of the price of the Canada Goose. And the McMurdo, while warmer than many jackets in our review, isn’t nearly as insulating as the Canada Goose Expedition or the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka. Again, this is what you’d expect at a more reasonable price point. We highly recommend the McMurdo for the bitter cold when every dollar counts.
Read more: The North Face McMurdo Down Parka review
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka earned a high rating for warmth in our tests.
Credit: Sam Willits
Best Bang for the Buck
REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 1.94 lb | Number of pockets: 6
REASONS TO BUY
Warm enough for most winter days
Good weather protection
Durable
Plenty of pockets
REASONS TO AVOID
Unremarkable style
Boxy fit
1.94 lb |
The REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka is a warm and weather-resistant winter jacket that provides the same features and protection of much more expensive models at a more affordable price. It is packed with plenty of high-quality down insulation that helps the jacket puff up to an impressive loft, providing plenty of warmth for most winter days. It features a fully waterproof outer shell, a protective and adjustable hood, and stretchy wrist gaiters that seal out the elements. It also has plenty of pockets to be useful.
The Stormhenge’s style is understated, with limited color options and a boxy cut. This cut also feels a bit bulky to wear, taking away from the jacket’s overall comfort. But aside from those downsides, this is a great jacket that lacks the refinements of only the highest-quality (and most expensive) winter jackets on the market. If you need the warmest option available for extreme winter temperatures, you’ll have to look elsewhere, but if you want a high-performance coat at a reasonable price, this is the one for you.
Read more: Rei Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka review
The Stormhenge has decent styling and a neutral fit.
Credit: Sam Willits
Best for Tight Budgets
Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Hooded Puffer Jacket
$66 at Amazon
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 1.84 lb | Number of pockets: 3
REASONS TO BUY
Warm enough
Comfortable
Stylish
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Little weather protection
Pockets aren’t useful
1.84 lb |
The Tommy Hilfiger Puffer is a stylish, relatively warm, and super comfortable winter jacket at an unbeatable price. In an affordable package, you get enough warmth for most winter days, good looks, comfortable materials, and decent durability. It can’t compete with the performance of most other (more expensive) winter jackets on the market, but this one gets the job done for users on the tightest budgets.
The shell fabric isn’t waterproof, which is a relatively big deal. Winter weather is often accompanied by rain and snow, and this jacket won’t last long in these conditions. But for chilly fall and spring days, or mild winter days, this jacket is all you’ll need. We also wish there were better pockets. Still, we can’t complain, given the price point. We have paid more for a pair of our favorite sunglasses than for this stylish jacket.
Read more: Tommy Hilfiger Men’s Hooded Puffer Jacket review
The Tommy Hilfiger Puffer is a solid, affordable jacket for mild winter weather.
Credit: Sam Willits
Best for Active Winter Recreation
Rab Neutrino Pro
$385 at Backcountry
$385 at Amazon
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 1.38 lb | Number of pockets: 3
REASONS TO BUY
Very warm
Lightweight and packable
Surprisingly stylish
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Only has three pockets
Thin shell fabric tears easily
1.38 lb |
The Rab Neutrino Pro is a technically-minded down parka that provides excellent warmth and comfort in a lightweight package. Designed with active winter pursuits in mind, this is a perfect parka for anyone who goes outside in the cold during activities ranging from skiing and snowboarding to sledding, hunting, and ice fishing, or even just chopping wood and shoveling the driveway. It packs high-loft down insulation into thoughtful baffle patterns and a comfortable and cozy hood and is tailored to fit the body’s contours. It is very comfortable to wear, especially while moving.
We also like the style of this puffy. It feels right at home in various situations, from small towns to big cities and everywhere in between. It doesn’t have as many pockets as other jackets, but the pockets it does have are handy and well-placed and will fit large items like binoculars. Two drawstrings on the hem and two drawstrings on the hood, as well as velcro wrist straps, help seal out the elements during brutal winter storms. However, the shell material isn’t as waterproof as other jackets on the market, and it is thin enough to snag and tear on any remotely sharp object or rough surface. If you spend a lot of time outside in the winter and need a jacket that can keep up with your active lifestyle, look no further. It comes at a reasonable price as well.
Read more: Rab Neutrino Pro Jacket review
The Neutrino Pro, shown here one size larger than the tester usually wears, has good style for both outdoor activities and urban wear.
Credit: Sam Willits
Best for Extreme Cold
Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 4.46 lb | Number of pockets: 11
REASONS TO BUY
Brings the heat
Nice organization
Useful features
REASONS TO AVOID
Large
Overkill for most climates
High price tag
4.46 lb |11
While bitter cold, feet of snow, and icy sidewalks do not describe cold conditions for everyone, for those living in extreme latitudes or at high elevation, a winter jacket that protects you from prolonged sub-freezing temperatures makes a lot of sense. Enter the Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage. This model is the pinnacle of warmth, with abundant features, and it’s the coziest jacket reviewed. The Expedition Parka is a comfortable parka for the coldest weather, designed with Arctic and Antarctic applications in mind. On that note, a special Polar Bears International (PBI) edition is available. This version comes in a royal blue color, with a polar bear patch on the shoulder, and has a slightly higher price. A portion of the sales goes to PBI and its mission to save polar bears and their habitats.
The primary drawbacks of the Canada Goose Expedition are weight, bulk, and price. It is an oversized jacket, in every way. The quality and performance are impeccable, but such specialized performance comes at a cost. It is likely not your everyday winter jacket — only those exposed to the truly bitter cold should accept the drawbacks. If you need a truly warm and durable coat, you won’t do better than the Expedition Parka. It’s the gold standard among polar researchers and adventurers for a good reason.
Read more: Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage review
Pockets for days. If you lose anything while wearing the Expedition, it’s not the jacket’s fault.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Best for Frigid Climbing Expeditions
Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka
OVERALL
SCORE
Total Weight: 2.11 lbs | Number of pockets: 5
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely warm
Great warmth-to-weight ratio
Technical features
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Not fully waterproof
Too warm for most uses
2.11 lbs |
The Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka boasts the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of all the winter jackets in our review. It weighs only 2.11 pounds, yet it provides more warmth than any other jacket in our review except the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, which is equally warm but weighs more than twice as much. Purpose-built for technical expeditions to the world’s highest peaks, the Khumbu Parka packs in the features for expedition climbing. It has a seamless hood that fits over a helmet, insulated handwarmer pockets, secure velcro cuff closures, and adjustable drawcords to keep warm air in and cold air out. This jacket is meant to be unnoticeable in a pack and provide life-saving warmth when needed.
In general, this jacket is overkill for all but the most extreme conditions. We tested this parka on mountaineering trips all over the United States. We found that it’s uncomfortably warm above 15 degrees Fahrenheit, even with no other insulating clothing worn underneath the parka. This jacket is designed for the coldest conditions on earth and would be a good winter jacket for those living in arctic climates. The Pertex Shield exterior fabric is not as durable as other options nor as water-resistant and will allow water to penetrate during soaking rain. That said, this jacket is not meant to be worn in temperatures anywhere close to the freezing point. Instead, it’s the ideal choice for the coldest conditions and tallest mountains, places where snow and ice rarely melt.
Read more: Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka review
While this jacket is plenty warm for early mornings at the bus stop, It really shines on big expeditions thanks to its high lofting down and lightweight.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Compare Products
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Testing this year’s crop of winter jackets in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Credit: Sam Willits
Why You Should Trust Us
We’ve tested winter jackets for a decade, and have had hands-on experience using over 120 different men’s and women’s styles. We have refined our testing process and scoring metrics to a rigorous and thorough standard throughout the years. Warmth is the most important metric, accounting for 25% of each jacket’s total score, with weather resistance, comfort, and style taken into serious consideration, too. We have used these jackets during blizzards in Jackson Hole, wet and slushy storms on the streets of New York City, arctic temperature blasts in Calgary, and while skiing and vacationing at mountain destinations across the world. We put these jackets through the wringer and emerged with a great idea of how they compare to one another.
Our testing of winter jackets is divided across six rating metrics:
- Warmth tests (25% of overall score weighting)
- Weather Resistance tests (20% weighting)
- Comfort tests (20% weighting)
- Style tests (20% weighting)
- Features tests (10% weighting)
- Durability tests (5% weighting)
Our testing of winter jackets is divided across
Full-time Colorado resident, and IFMGA licensed Mountain Guide Jeff Dobronyi leads our winter jacket testing team. He leads backcountry skiing and mountaineering trips and all over the globe in the winter and spends his summers leading alpine climbs and expeditions. He has ventured on four expeditions to Denali and many trips to the Andes, Alps, Canadian Rockies, and Alaskan mountains, in addition to winter camping for ski mountaineering in the Tetons. He knows what it means to brave the worst weather on earth, whether climbing and skiing the biggest mountains worldwide or shoveling the driveway during a blizzard. He has seen it all and has the expertise to distinguish between jackets that are the real deal and those that won’t handle lousy winter weather.
We closely examined the details of every jacket, including things like pocket location and design.Sleeve length and cuff design are important considerations for comfort and weather resistance.Interior pockets can increase the utility of a jacket.
Analysis and Test Results
We rated each jacket’s performance in the key areas, and through our testing process, we learned exactly what to look for in a winter coat and how to narrow down the options. Read on for specifics about how the jackets fared in the individual metrics that comprise the overall scores.
Value
Winter jackets can be pricey and might be the most expensive piece of clothing that many users own. That said, they are one of the most essential pieces of clothing for users who live in cold climates and can make the difference between enjoying beautiful winter days and shivering miserably, wishing summer would arrive sooner. In general, the warmest jackets are the most expensive, but there are still good deals to be found. Consider how much warmth you’ll need, making sure you don’t buy a jacket that is unnecessarily warm (and expensive).
We love the value of the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka, which provides plenty of lofty down insulation, a waterproof membrane, and excellent features. Plus, it is well-constructed and durable for a range of uses. The North Face McMurdo is another great value, especially if you live in the coldest climates, performing nearly as well as the best jackets on the market, at a much lower price. However, if you genuinely need warmth and weather resistance to resist the most brutal winter climates, the more expensive jackets are worth the investment. Refined design characteristics, down insulation, effective waterproofing, and comfortable tailoring require time, effort, and money on the manufacturer’s part. This extra effort drives up the sticker price, but in the long run, a well-designed winter jacket made from durable materials will prove its worth, especially in brutal winter climates. In more temperate or tropical areas, users might be able to get away with less. While it can’t match the performance of the best jackets, the Tommy Hilfiger Puffer offers decent performance at an incredibly low price for users who need to be judicious with their budget.
Warmth
Warmth is the most important metric we used to rank each jacket, and each product’s score in this metric has a 25% influence on the overall result. Warmth directly corresponds to how much insulation is used in a jacket, whether down or synthetic insulation. The more insulation a jacket contains, the warmer it is. For down jackets, we looked at the insulation quality (fill power) and quantity (fill weight) of each and then compared it to the jacket’s cut and length to gauge how the insulation is distributed. If two jackets have an equal fill weight of 10 ounces, but one has a waist-length hem while the other has a mid-thigh length hem, they won’t feel equally warm. The most helpful measurement for warmth is, of course, comparative testing in actual conditions. We spent a lot of time outside side-by-side testing, swapping jackets between the test team, and comparing notes.
Down Fill Power and Fill Weight — Higher down fill power numbers denote higher quality down feathers. This effect translates into a lighter, warmer down fill that is also more compressible. However, it is ultimately the amount of insulation, not the quality, that determines a jacket’s overall warmth. The amount used, usually measured in ounces, is described by a jacket’s fill weight. Manufacturers generally advertise a jacket’s fill power but not its fill weight.
The Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka features lofty 900 fill-power down, which creates an incredibly light, packable, and warm jacket. Most of the down-insulated parkas feature down below 750 fill-power, and even as low as 550 in the case of The North Face McMurdo Down Parka, which is almost as warm as an expedition parka but has the price tag of a casual jacket, earning it the best value for warmth in our test. However, this low fill-power number should not dissuade shoppers. The Canada Goose Expedition Parka is filled with average quality 625-fill down, but it has so much of it that it’s the warmest model reviewed a perfect score in this metric. (It’s also pretty bulky.)
The Khumbu is one of the warmest models we tested.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Heavier, lower loft down drops the cost and a casual winter parka doesn’t need to be as light or compressible as a technical jacket for overnight wilderness trips. Still, some of the best jackets use high fill-power down. The Patagonia Frozen Range kept us warm in most wintry conditions, with its 700 fill-power down, and the 850-fill power down of the Rab Neutrino Pro makes that jacket very warm for its weight. The Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka also uses high-quality down throughout the torso to provide a warm internal environment.
The McMurdo packs tons of down insulation into this heavy piece, making it a standout jacket for warmth in an affordable package.
Credit: Sam Willits
Overall, jackets with synthetic insulation are not as warm as the down models. For example, the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka is warm enough for the average cold, especially in milder climates, but isn’t warm enough for true frigid conditions. Down insulated jackets provide much more warmth for the same weight.
Weather Resistance
Cold winter weather and heavy storms often arrive at the same time. Making weather resistance a vital factor to consider, and we give this metric a 20% weighting in the overall score. Winter jackets need to be proficient at keeping wind, snow, rain, and sleet outside the coat and keeping their down insulation dry. Wet feathers stick together and don’t insulate as well as dry feathers. Other attributes like jacket length, hood size and shape, pocket design, and sleeve cuff openings can contribute to how well a jacket keeps the elements out.
If precipitation falls as rain or wet snow rather than dry powder in your neck of the woods, consider a winter jacket with a waterproof outer shell. Jackets in our review with waterproof and breathable membranes include the best-overall Patagonia Frozen Range, Patagonia Tres 3-in-1, Marmot Fordham, REI Stormhenge, Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka, and The North Face McMurdo Down Parka. The McMurdo does not have sealed or taped seams like some others, though, which can allow water to seep through, thus hurting the jacket’s overall rating.
A protective hood, like the one found on the Patagonia Frozen Range, is key to keeping your face and head protected in bad weather.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
If you wear your jacket in truly frigid temperatures where you tend to get light and dry snow instead of wet, heavy snow or rain, then a coat with DWR treatments, such as the Canada Goose Expedition Parka and the Patagonia Jackson Glacier should offer adequate protection from the elements. On technical expeditions, where staying warm and dry in sub-zero temps is a matter of life and death, the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka has you covered with a lightweight waterproof shell to cover its high-quality down. The Rab Neutrino Pro doesn’t feature a highly water-resistant shell because it is designed for temperatures below freezing. Still, the individual feathers are treated with a waterproofing agent that allows some water to penetrate the jacket without affecting warmth performance.
The ski skirt on the Canada Goose Expedition Down Parka seems odd since you wouldn’t want to hit the slopes in this sleeping bag of a jacket. But it works wonders to keep drafts at bay.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Hoods are another essential component of weather protection. All of the jackets in our review have hoods, but for proper protection in a blizzard when the snow is blowing sideways, the hood needs to be large enough to protrude from the user’s face and forehead to block the wind and snow. Humans in cold climates have used animal fur around the hood opening to create a micro-climate of warmth around the face for thousands of years. Although they are controversial stylistically, modern faux-fur hoods are very warm and keep the wind off the sensitive skin of the face.
Comfort
A good winter parka incorporates lots of insulation and weather-resistant materials into a comfortable package that you can easily wear in uncomfortable winter conditions. All of this material can be restricting, and some jackets do better than others at making the user feel at ease. Comfort has a 20% weight in the overall scores of these jackets.
We found a rough correlation between cost and comfort. More expensive jackets use softer materials and more thoughtful tailoring to achieve better wearability. A parka’s cut has a significant impact on its comfort. A meticulously designed jacket like the Patagonia Frozen Range will fit most bodies better than a generic square-cut design. Many of these parkas use a longer hem, which keeps the waist from riding up and exposing you to drafts, but the extra material can also make the jacket feel unwieldy. The Rab Neutrino Pro puffs up like a marshmallow. Still, its high-quality tailoring keeps this insulation wrapped to the body’s contours, resulting in a comfortable feel despite the puffy bulk. Notable exceptions to our observations about price are the Marmot Fordham and Tommy Hilfiger Puffer. Despite their bargain prices, every tester who tried them on agreed that they are among the most comfortable jackets on the market. They earn some of the highest comfort ratings of the group.
Comfortable knit cuffs keep snow out and your wrists warm.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
There is also a negative correlation between comfort and warmth. The biggest jackets we tested are the warmest, but they are also the most confining. Lots of insulation and an extended cut to keep the heat in, but make for a larger package. This bulky package limits your range of motion, which can cause discomfort. The best warm jackets on the market use clever designs like smaller baffles and stretchy underarm fabrics to increase mobility without sacrificing warmth.
Even if you aren’t “working out” in a winter jacket, some range of motion is helpful. Here, lead test editor watching elk in Yellowstone National Park.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Features
Cold-specific features distinguish these jackets from three-season options. Hoods, multiple hand warmer pockets, two-way zippers, and cuff closures work together to protect you from frigid environments. The combination of features found on each jacket contributes 10% to their overall scores.
Hood
A hood is mandatory during stormy weather, and while it is not a substitute for a warm hat, it certainly makes life a lot nicer. Ideally, hoods would be highly adjustable to customize and secure the fit. The best hood in our test was found on the incredible Canada Goose Expedition Parka. This hood is warm, oversized, and can be cinched down securely and comfortably. The stiff brim also kept the hood out of your field of view. The hood on The North Face McMurdo Down Parka is roomy and lined with faux fur, making it extremely warm and comfortable. The McMurdo’s hood effectively seals out the weather if you leave the removable fur liner on. Otherwise, the more sophisticated hoods of the Patagonia jackets and the Rab Neutrino Pro are at the head of the pack.
Patagonia Jackson Glacier has one of the best hoods in the review.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Handwarmer Pockets
Insulated handwarmer pockets are an excellent place to keep cold hands or gloves, and most have a fleece-like liner. The Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka and Rab Neutrino Pro have fully insulated handwarmer pockets that we like. Most of these include a wrap-around fleece lining. This feature means your hand is insulated while in the pocket, and there is no draft when the pocket is unzipped.
The McMurdo has both chest mounted hand warmers, as used here, and waist level ones.
Credit: Meagan Buck Porter
The McMurdo Down Parka has four fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, but none of them are insulated, and the chest-level pockets are now placed further to the sides, slightly out of the normal range of comfortable motion. Nonetheless, the jacket is incredibly worthy, with a total of seven pockets. We wish the jackets featuring a single layer of fabric protecting the hands in a warming pocket had a more sophisticated design. The Canada Goose models, for instance, both have uninsulated hand pockets.
Two-Way Zipper
In a thigh-length parka, the need for a bottom zipper pull is quickly apparent. The extended length can inhibit stride, and wearing a long coat while seated can be awkward and uncomfortable without this feature. The Fjallraven Nuuk is a long coat with a two-way zipper that helps add mobility, but the zipper doesn’t extend down to the bottom of the hem, which makes it hard to start. But once you get it going, it’s straightforward to operate.
The Fjallraven Nuuk’s two-way zipper allows for better mobility in a jacket with a long hem.
Credit: Sam Willits
Cuff Closures
Cuffs can be simple elastic closures, snap, or velcro, but a good winter parka needs something secure. The cuffs prevent snow and wind from entering the sleeves and interface with gloves to create a weather-proof system. Open cuffs with internal gaskets, like those on the Patagonia Frozen Range, Outdoor Research Stormcraft, REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka, and Tommy Hilfiger Puffer combine fashion and function.
The internal wrist gaiters on the REI Stormhenge Parka are very comfortable and cozy.
Credit: Sam Willits
Other Features
Other features that may be important to you might include internal phone pockets with headphone ports or interior mesh stash pockets for storing hats, gloves, scarves, or newspapers. The most notable feature that we came across is the ability for one jacket to be worn in three ways. The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is comprised of a burly outer shell, which can be worn separately as a raincoat, and an inner down sweater, which can be worn independently on dry, chilly days in the fall or spring. Together, they combine to produce a formidable winter jacket that can withstand the harshest urban cold.
The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka include two separate jacket components and can be worn three ways, for the ultimate in versatility.
Credit: sam willits
We liked the feature set on the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, and it earned one of the highest scores of the group. It has almost a dozen pockets, a snow skirt, and a drawcord waist, not to mention a fur-trimmed hood. The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka is the only other jacket that earned a perfect score in this metric.
Style
Style varies from one individual to the next, and our personalities show through our clothing choices, winter jackets included. This review includes parkas that you can wear to a nice restaurant or a Broadway show and others that convey a simpler taste. While technical jackets might be at home in the mountains, they are also worn in urban settings and can let some of your outdoorsy personality show through. For example, many Patagonia products are designed for technical use, but the brand label is often seen in urban cafes and suburban barbecues. Casual urban parkas don’t usually work the other way. They lack crucial elements for safe cold adventurings, such as protective hoods, athletic tailoring, or full waterproofing.
Most of the models reviewed have an extended cut, which adds warmth and weather resistance. It also gives them a different look than most backcountry-inspired jackets’ waist-length athletic cuts. We liked the style of the Patagonia Frozen Range the most, although some may eschew its urban styling. The Patagonia Jackson Glacier is also a nice-looking option that received high marks in this area. Both are stylish enough to dress up and perform well while snowshoeing or ice skating.
The Patagonia Frozen Range is a stylish and well-built parka.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 has large horizontal pocket flaps and a square cut. We find this jacket to be well-styled with a classic urban winter look. We also like the urban “puffy” look of the Tommy Hilfiger coat.
The Tommy Hilfiger, from the backside. This puffy jacket fits in during social events in urban centers.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Durability
Purchasing a winter jacket is a significant investment, and it stands to reason that users expect five to ten years out of their purchase. Because this will factor into some users’ purchase decision, we give this metric a 5% weighting in the overall score. Durability is impacted by the quality of materials used in the garment, the jacket’s design and construction, and how heavily the coat is used. More durable materials generally cost more, and durable designs are more refined and expensive to produce. Tight stitching, fabric reinforcements, and metal zippers help increase a jacket’s lifespan. Jackets used for skiing or sledding will take more of a beating than jackets used only to get from the office door and into the Uber or onto the subway. A good warranty program helps in case anything goes wrong. Although our testers have warrantied plenty of gear over the years, we don’t put too much weight on our experiences with a given company’s warranty policy because we can’t guarantee that customer service will remain constant.
One of the most critical durability considerations is a jacket’s outer fabric. Solid, heavy-duty, canvas-like exterior materials can withstand more abuse than a thinner shell. Zippers, snaps, and velcro take a lot of abuse, too, so we examined these closures to see if they were durable enough. We gave our highest score in this category to the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, which earned another perfect score here. The large zippers, durable outer material, and quality construction make this jacket last. Similarly, the Canada Goose Chilliwack Bomber is quite rugged. Finally, the cotton canvas exterior of the Carhartt Loose Fit Firm Duck Insulated Flannel-Lined Active Jacket is very durable as well, helping this jacket survive long bouts of manual labor on the farm or ranch.
The Carhartt’s thick “duck” exterior fabric can withstand plenty of abuse.
Credit: Sam Willits
Among the waterproof/breathable shell options, the Patagonia Frozen Range and the Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka have thick, durable outer fabrics that can take a beating without showing signs of wear. They didn’t scuff or abraid when loading firewood or tossing skis over the shoulder.
The Frozen Range’s thick and durable Gore-Tex shell repels all liquid water with ease.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Thick nylon and canvas-like shell fabrics are generally the most durable because they easily slide over rough and sharp surfaces without catching and tearing. The burly external shell fabric of the Fjallraven Nuuk resists snagging, but its synthetic insulation does not retain its loft as long as down options. On the other side of the spectrum, the Rab Neutrino Pro is packed with down that will last a long time, but the thin shell fabric requires meticulous care to ensure that it doesn’t come into contact with any sharp surfaces.
The thick nylon shell of the Fjallraven Nuuk easily slides over rough surfaces, protecting against tears.
Credit: Sam Willits
Conclusion
Choosing the right winter jacket for your needs and your budget can be a challenge, with so many great options out there. Our comparative review has something for everyone, from the warmest and most weather-resistant jackets in the world to more practical alternatives that do well in most conditions and won’t break the bank. We also have jackets that span the style spectrum, from sleek parkas that feel at home on 5th Avenue to versatile, classic styles that you can wear around town or on the ski hill. Carefully consider the winter climate in which you expect your jacket to perform because this is the most critical factor that will steer your decision. Take your time, consider all the options, and stay warm out there.
