Cold season is upon us. That means, wearing layers that will keep you warm when you spend the day out exposed to frigid air and freezing temperatures. A good winter jacket is your first layer of defense against the biting cold of winter, as it shrugs off the cold breezes and nasty precipitation to keep you warm and toasty while you go about your day. Of course, not everyone needs the same winter jacket, as the kind you get will depend on the type of winter weather you expect to experience based on your location and your planned activities for the season.
These are some of our favorite winter jackets.
Burton Evergreen Hooded Down Jacket
If you just want a jacket that will keep you warm and make you look good in your area’s relatively tame winter season, this puffy jacket from the snowboarding outfit makes for one of our favorite picks. Just look at that darn thing. While it’s easily the most stylish jacket in this list, it’s no slouch on performance, with its 650-fill down providing enough insulation to shrug off mid-range winter temperatures, while a technical fabric lining provides consistent temperature regulation. It gets DWR treatment, so it can repel water, although this was not designed for heavy precipitation, so this is strictly for folks not expecting harsher weather this winter season.
Marmot Fordham
If you anticipate a cold and dry winter in your area, then this jacket should make for a suitable outer layer, with its potent blend of warmth, durability, and comfort. Insulation is handled by 700-fill down that can handle anything but the harshest winter weather, making it suitable for wearing in all but the most extreme conditions, while the heavy shell fabrics ensure durable performance, whether you wear this for braving the winters in the city, the farm, or the backcountry. What really makes the jacket stand out, however, is the comfort, as it provides arguably the comfiest time you’ll ever have in a heavy winter garment. On the downside, it’s not the most reinforced for precipitation, so while it can handle wet weather, many seams are unsecured, so water can get through, especially during torrential downpours.
North Face McMurdo Parka
We love this jacket for its excellent combination of insulation and affordability, as it delivers enough warmth to see you through the harshest winter weather, all while coming in at a budget-friendly price. Truth be told, the 600-fill waterfowl down insulation used here is toastier than even some of the jackets selling at twice its retail price, making for one of the best value options out there. Of course, there are tradeoffs, as the 70D DryVent fabric shell and overall construction both feel much stiffer than its more expensive counterparts. Still, it’s comfortable enough, while looking really stylish, especially with the removable faux fur trim on the adjustable hood.
Arc’teryx Camosun Parka
First, we love the clean lines of this outerwear garment, making it look almost too stylish for a technical winter jacket. Don’t let the good looks fool you, though, as it’s one of the most protective garments you’ll find in the category. It uses a mixed fill for insulation – 750-fill European goose down in critical areas where warmth is a priority and Coreloft synthetic insulation in sections likely to be exposed to any kind of moisture, whether it be precipitation or sweat. It’s made from a two-layer Gore-Tex fabric, so it’s as waterproof and breathable as a winter jacket needs to be, all while getting a trimmer, more streamlined fit courtesy of the “Down Contour” construction that allows the insulation to conform to the body’s shape. The jacket includes a removable hoodie with synthetic insulation.
Patagonia Frozen Range Parka
Patagonia’s warmest down parka, this garment uses down-filled baffling construction throughout the interior, which evenly distributes the 700-fill power down across the entirety of the jacket, from the torso and the sleeves to the snorkel hood. As such, it won’t just keep your body and arms toasty, the warmth will extend to your neck, ears, and back of your head, too, with an interior rib of insulation wrapping all around the neck to prevent cold air from seeping in.
It has a two-layer Gore-Tex shell that’s equal parts waterproof and breathable, as well as a nylon ripstop lining. Both exterior and interior sections are coated with a DWR finish for reinforced wet weather performance. Other details include storm cuffs, a full front zip with a button flap closure, and a two-way adjustable hood. Not to mention, it looks darn good, making it a great jacket for everyday adventures around the city.
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
If you live in one of those places with pretty standard winter weather, this is not the jacket to get. It’s overkill. Instead, this is designed for those who subsist in places with punishingly harsh winters, having been originally developed for scientists working in Antarctica. Really. Easily one of the warmest jacket you can get, it’s designed for severe winter weather, with a substantial amount of 625-fill power duck down stashed beneath its heavy-duty Arctic Tech shell. How substantial? Let’s just say, this thing is bulky as heck, all while putting on significant weight at 4.46 pounds. Features include an adjustable down-filled hood with removable fur ruff, fleece-lined chin guard, elasticized snow skirt, and 11 total pockets to keep your hands warm at various sections.