The 9 Best Men’s Winter Jackets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
In the end, our favorite men’s winter jacket is the Rab Neutrino Pro puffer jacket. It’s exceptionally warm and lightweight, and it can compress down into a small stuff sack, making it portable for travel. If a puffer jacket isn’t your style, other coats like a luxurious Ralph Lauren peacoat and a versatile L.L. Bean parka made our list, too.
Our expert outdoor enthusiasts tested a range of winter jackets to find the best ones on the market. We evaluated each piece of outerwear based on design, comfort, and warmth after wearing the jackets while hiking, attending sporting events, and going on brisk morning dog walks.
From peacoats and wool jackets to puffers and parkas, there are many different winter styles made for braving the elements. While staying warm is the priority, the best winter jackets will also protect you from wind, snow, rain, and other harsh weather conditions.
Best Overall
Rab Neutrino Pro
Backcountry
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View On Rab.equipment
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: The jacket’s fit can be adjusted in the hood, wrists, and waist.
What to Consider: It has a loose and baggy fit without adjustments.
You can never go wrong with a puffer jacket like the cozy Rab Neutrino Pro when the weather turns. At first glance, the jacket may appear to be too large, but once our tester put on the coat and adjusted the velcro wrists and bungee cord at the waist, it was a perfect fit. The 800-down fill insulation is incredibly warm and marshmallow-like, but the best part is how lightweight the jacket feels despite the ample puffiness. Plus, the coat can fold into a compact carrying bag so you can easily store it in the summer or travel with it seamlessly. “It’s so versatile,” one of our testers said after regularly wearing the jacket for two months. “Whether it’s for a casual stroll or a biking commute, this jacket works in many conditions. At first glance, the puffiness may seem cumbersome, but because it is very light, soft, and squishy, it allows for great range of motion with ease.”
We also love the design of the jacket thanks to the multitude of thoughtful features for staying warm in the winter. The wrists have velcro straps, the waist has an adjustable bungee, and even the hood has drawstrings — all of which helped “lock in the warmth keeping cold air from seeping in,” according to our tester. And the helmet-compatible hood has a little visor built into the brim so your eyes won’t get rain or snow in them quickly. To sweeten the deal further, the brand has a generous lifetime warranty on the jacket. No matter what kind of cold-weather activity you need a jacket for, the Rab Neutrino Pro is the best option for versatility and warmth.
Price at time of publish: $385
The Details: S to XL | Recycled Pertex Quantum Pro
Travel + Leisure / Henry Yung
Best Budget
Carhartt Quilted Flannel Lined Duck Active Jacket
Amazon
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It: It’s a very warm and cozy hoodie-like jacket for those who don’t like puffers or parkas.
What to Consider: The hood is a bit bulky.
If down jackets aren’t your thing, this Carhartt quilted jacket is a great alternative and it’s budget-friendly, too. The coat resembles the design of a zip-up hoodie, but it’s definitely warmer and heavier than a traditional sweater thanks to its thick cotton outer layer lined with cozy quilted fabric on the inside. We love how comfortable and warm it is and our tester shared that “there was no overheating while wearing the jacket, especially outside and it was even comfy just wearing in and out of the house. There was no feeling of ‘this jacket needs to come off now.’” The design of this piece of outerwear is simple and no-frills and, while the hood is a little bit bigger than we would have liked, it wasn’t a big inconvenience. Since Carhartt is known for having durable clothing, we paid close attention to the design and materials of the jacket, and we feel confident that it will last for plenty of winters to come.
Price at time of publish: $109
The Details: S to 5XL | Cotton
Travel + Leisure / Alessandra Amodio
Best Peacoat
Polo Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Melton Peacoat
Polo Ralph Lauren
View On Ralphlauren.com
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: The jacket fits very well around the shoulders, arm, and chest without feeling constrictive.
What to Consider: It’s not suited for rain, snow, or extremely cold temperatures.
A peacoat will never go out of style, especially this timeless Polo Ralph Lauren Wool-Blend Melton Peacoat. As soon as we put on this jacket, we reveled in its luxuriously soft and thick wool outer material. And, it’s outfitted with sleek buttons that depict the initials “R” and “L” on either side of an anchor for an extra touch of elegance and style.
According to our tester, one of the best parts of this jacket is that the design doesn’t feel bulky or restrictive, as it fits just right in the shoulders, chest, and arms. We found the jacket to be warm enough for 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but because it’s not meant to be worn as a jacket in extreme weather, you may want to opt for a true puffer or parka in snow or rain. However, for those in the market for a wool peacoat, our tester concluded their rave review by stating that the jacket is “a classic design you can wear forever,” thanks to the high-quality materials and classy structure.
Price at time of publish: $598
The Details: 32 to 54 (short, regular, long) | Wool, nylon, cotton
Travel + Leisure / Karen Chen
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Best Sustainable
Everlane ReNew Long Parka
Everlane
View On Everlane.com
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: The jacket has a minimalist design and is made with 100 percent recycled polyester.
What to Consider: It feels heavy to wear and the zipper snagged easily.
We love that Everlane’s ReNew Long Parka is made with 100 percent recycled polyester and PrimeLoft insulation sourced from 64 renewed plastic bottles. The minimalist design of the jacket makes it a versatile option for a variety of winter activities and we found that it’s exceptionally warm and weatherproof on windy or rainy days due to its water- and wind-resistant materials. “I would definitely recommend the parka because it’s versatile and sturdy,” one tester said after regularly wearing the jacker for two months. “I didn’t ever feel like I was going to rip or snag anything, it’s very warm, and I especially love the deep cargo pockets, which are big enough to fit a book while I’m riding the train. I also like the oversized hood for when it’s raining or snowing out.”
Although the jacket might feel a bit heavy to wear, the ample warmth and protection it provides is well worth the slight bulkiness, and if you wanted a more form-fitting look, our tester suggested sizing down to eliminate the extra weight. Another tester noted that the hood is a standout feature for the jacket because it’s “really well-designed and is especially useful in wet, rainy weather, as it shields my head and face from the elements but can also be easily tucked back out of the way when not in use,” they shared. The zipper did snag a bit, but because it’s a self-lubricating YKK zipper, we’re hopeful that it only gets smoother with more use.
Price at time of publish: $278
The Details: S to XL | Recycled polyester
Travel + Leisure / Danielle St. Pierre
Best Puffer
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka
REI
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It: It’s easy to layer underneath the jacket while still being able to move around.
What to Consider: This parka runs slightly big.
The Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka is the perfect puffer jacket for every type of winter activity, from snowshoeing to running errands. The jacket provides the same warmth as a traditional parka, but it has better mobility thanks to the lightweight design, making it easy to move around in. We found it to be very roomy, and even though our tester sized down, there was still lots of room for several layers underneath the jacket, which is ideal for activities in the snow or exceptionally cold weather. “I would absolutely recommend this product due to its quality, comfort, and ability to keep me warm even in extreme conditions,” one tester said after regularly wearing the jacket for two months. “This jacket is very warm and comfortable, and the fact that it runs a little bit large makes it great for layering additional jackets underneath if needed. The material does indeed stretch, but it is not necessarily elastic — this makes moving around when layered up very easy.”
The only time another tester felt a bit too hot while wearing the coat was during a hike when they ended up shedding a layer, but they were still impressed with the jacket’s breathability while remaining at a comfortable temperature. With thoughtful designs for outdoor activities, the tester shared that “the zippers are easy to open and close, and the main zipper on the front of the jacket can be opened from the bottom or the top thanks to its double zipper design. This is really nice if you’re hiking or climbing and need to wear a harness.” Plus, we love that the hood is structured so it shields your face from inclement weather without impairing your vision.
Price at time of publish: $340
The Details: S to XXL | Nylon, elastane
Travel + Leisure / John Somerall
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Best Parka
Eddie Bauer Seabeck Down Parka
Eddie Bauer
View On Eddiebauer.com
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: The materials are thick and warm without feeling cumbersome to wear.
What to Consider: It runs slightly big.
Parkas are the perfect combination of style and function in the winter, and the Eddie Bauer Seabeck Down Parka is no exception. Filled with ultra-soft 650-down insulation, one tester praised the feel of the jacket for being exceptionally cozy and said that “the down panels in this are incredibly soft, and wearing the jacket feels like putting on a blanket.”
This jacket is also designed to keep you warm in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit and our testers noticed right away how warm it was. “It’s a very warm coat with a functional, slightly anonymous look,” one tester said after regularly wearing the coat for two months. “It’s large enough that I could fit it over anything, with stretchable cuffs and it’s got deep pockets on the front and a warm hood.” Based on our reviewer’s experience with the coat, we’re confident it lives up to its promise of keeping you warm in sub-zero temperatures. This jacket runs large, so it’s ideal for layering for added warmth, and the fabric cuff at the end of the sleeves keeps cold air out, even if the arms are a bit too long.
Price at time of publish: $279
The Details: S to XL | Cotton, nylon
Travel + Leisure / Andrew Whalen
Best Design
L.L.Bean Men’s Maine Warden’s 3-in-1 Parka
L.L. Bean
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Our Ratings
Why We Love It: The jacket has a removable puffer liner that can be worn as a separate coat on warmer days.
What to Consider: It could be too warm for above-freezing temperatures.
The L.L. Bean Men’s Maine Warden’s 3-in-1 Parka was designed with the help of Maine Wardens who enforce fish and wildlife laws in the state of Maine. With 15 pockets, a removable puffer liner, and a waterproof shell, this jacket is an all-in-one purchase. Our tester referred to this versatile piece of outerwear as “by far the best winter coat I’ve ever had, mainly because it’s so comfortable that I forget I’m wearing it,” they said. The shell of the jacket has a handy storm flap and is made with a waterproof, breathable Gore-tex fabric to keep you shielded from harsh winter weather. “I’d absolutely recommend this product — it’s two jackets in one, looks great (albeit bulky), and keeps me warm,” another tester said after regularly wearing the coat for two months.
Arguably the best part of this jacket is that it has a removable puffer liner that can be worn on warmer days since both the shell and liner can be a little too warm for above-freezing temperatures, according to our tester who had to keep the jacket unzipped in 35-degree weather. While this is one of the pricier jackets we tested, the option to wear the shell, the puffer, or both at once, makes the value well worth the cost.
Price at time of publish: $399
The Details: S to XXL (regular and tall) | Nylon, polyester
Travel + Leisure / Nick Maslow
Best for Extreme Weather
Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka
Outdoor Research
View On Backcountry.com
View On Moosejaw.com
View On Outdoorresearch.com
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: It’s made with 700-down fill without feeling too puffy or bulky.
What to Consider: The material feels thin but it doesn’t affect the performance of the jacket.
Our testers raved about how warm the 700-down fill Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka is for below-freezing temperatures. “As I wore the jacket more and more, I started to feel bad that I wasted years in other mediocre jackets,” one tester said after regularly wearing the jacket for two months. It has a variety of thoughtful features for those living in harsh environments like wrist gaiters for preventing snow or cold air from seeping in, an adjustable hood, a chin guard, and so many pockets that another tester said “who needs to carry a bag when this jacket is a carry-all?”
Although the jacket feels a bit thin, we found that it does an excellent job of retaining warmth thanks to the water- and windproof Gore-Tex 2L shell, and it doesn’t feel bulky or cumbersome to wear for long periods of time. In fact, our tester wore the jacket on a 50-degree day and didn’t overheat. Additionally, they raved about the breathability of the lightweight parka and said that “I have seen a noticeable drop in sweat levels produced while wearing this jacket as compared to other winter jackets that provide warmth from a lack of breathability.” For extra chilly winters, this Outdoor Research parka is a must-have for staying warm without overheating.
Price at time of publish: $499
The Details: S to XXL | Gore-Tex, polyester, nylon
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Best for Everyday Wear
REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka
REI
View On REI
Our Ratings
Why We Love It: It has all the right features to keep you warm, but not overheat you.
What to Consider: It runs unusually large so you’ll want to size down.
The REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka is a no-frills parka that is ideal for wearing any day during the winter. It’s made with a cozy 850-down goose fill that is the perfect balance of warm and soft without feeling bulky or too puffy to wear on a typical day. Plus, we found that the mid-thigh length isn’t too long or too short for staying warm and still having plenty of mobility. “It obviously keeps you warm, has deep pockets, a detachable hood, and all the bells and whistles, but it’s also not bulky,” one tester said after regularly wearing the jacket for two months. “Even when you’re wearing it, you aren’t drowning in it.”
Another tester loved that the jacket has a variety of fleece-lined pockets for keeping your hands toasty, and the sleeves have a wrist gaiter for extra protection in cold weather. While we normally recommend sizing up for winter jackets so you can layer, we found that this coat runs unusually large so we sized down and still had plenty of room for additional layers — though we think this jacket is plenty warm without extra clothing underneath.
Price at time of publish: $299
The Details: S to XXL | Recycled nylon