The Best Winter Jackets (That Won’t Go Out of Style)
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Keeping warm in a big winter jacket can feel like a chore. They can be heavy, and many winter jackets completely forgo fashion for warmth and weatherproofing. But this doesn’t have to be the case: the best winter jackets are capable in any weather and stylish enough to make you look forward to chilly days.
The term ‘winter jacket’ is a catch-all, as the best winter jackets can include everything from parkas to trench coats to down jackets. Parkas are perhaps the most popular option, as they offer the best protection in extreme cold. But, if you’re not in sub-freezing temperatures, a good down jacket or trench coat can be layered to get you through the winter, and worn solo during transitional months.
There’s a lot to choose from, but here’s the best part: the best winter jackets are investment-worthy pieces that you’ll likely appreciate for years to come. For this reason, we often go with nice winter jackets, even if it means stretching our budget a bit.
How to Choose the Best Winter Jacket
Shopping for winter jackets requires a bit more consideration than most clothing. While looking for your new coat, here are a few things to think about.
Style: If you commute to an urban office, maybe opt for a pulled-together trench coat. If you run errands in extreme weather, pick up a thick parka. We’ve rounded up winter jackets for most activities, but think about your personal look and lifestyle before making a purchase.
Weight: Outerwear doesn’t have to be cumbersome to be warm. Some of the best winter jackets are very lightweight, making things easier when walking around indoors or packing for a trip. Unless you like the heavy, cozy feel of a big coat, look for a lightweight jacket.
Warmth: Warmer isn’t always better. Choose a jacket that reflects your area’s climate (no parkas, Angelenos). If you need serious warmth, look for jackets with ample insulation (down insulation with a high fill rating is best).
What Are the Best Winter Jackets?
No matter your daily routine or typical winter weather, there’s a great coat to match. Here are some of the best winter jackets to buy online right now, including picks from brands like The North Face, Nike and Burberry.
1. Canada Goose Emory Parka
Canada Goose is often considered the gold standard of winterwear, and for good reason. This Emory parka, for example, delivers both top-notch warmth and civilian wearability — a combination you don’t see too often. It can endure temperatures as cold as -13° Fahrenheit thanks to premium 625-fill down insulation and a weatherproof DWR-treated cotton shell. But, despite this rugged capability, the Emory’s slim cut and high-quality materials make it stylish enough for urban usage — even over a suit.
Buy Canada Goose Emory Parka $1,450
2. The North Face McMurdo Parka
Another great parka is this McMurdo from The North Face. It brings a nineties aesthetic that we’re loving right now with color-blocked shoulders and forearms, a North Face logo on the chest, and muted colorways. But, as expected from The North Face, it’s also seriously warm. Inside a weatherproof outer layer of DryVent membrane and recycled nylon, you’ll find lightweight yet effective 600-fill recycled down. It also features a removable vegan fur trim on the hood and plenty of pockets.
Buy The North Face McMurdo Parka $349.95
3. Levi’s Type III Sherpa Trucker
If your winters aren’t freezing cold, check out this timeless sherpa trucker jacket from Levi’s. It’s as cool as Clint Eastwood with a denim exterior and a cozy sherpa lining, and it gets even better with age as you wear it in. Pick up your true size to wear it over tees and button-ups, or go a size up if you want to layer the jacket over hoodies, sweaters, or other layers.
Buy Levi’s Type III Sherpa Trucker $108
4. The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
Another great jacket from The North Face is this Nuptse. Thanks to its Nineties-inspired look, the jacket has made a massive comeback lately, and we’re happy it did. The Nuptse is as warm and functional as it is stylish thanks to 700-fill goose down, a stowable hood, and an adjustable hem and cuffs for locking in warmth.
Buy The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket $320
5. Barbour Bristol Wax Jacket
A UK brand with over 100 years of outerwear expertise, Barbour nails grown-up style. We like this Bristol jacket for all-around use in the fall and winter, featuring a waxed cotton construction, a corduroy-lined collar, and a lining for added warmth. Wear it with jeans and classic sneakers for a casual look, or pair it with slacks and boots for a countryside gentleman’s vibe.
Buy Barbour Bristol Wax Jacket $415
6. Nike Sportswear Storm-FIT Windrunner
For a more casual winter jacket, check out Nike Sportwear’s Windrunner puffer. The jacket’s hooded shell keeps you dry in the rain or snow while Nike’s Primaloft Thermoplume insulation keeps you toasty on cold days. We also love the throwback Chevron design (the V chest line), which is inspired by Nike’s Windrunner track jacket from 1978.
Buy Nike Sportswear Storm-FIT Windrunner $200
7. Eddie Bauer Men’s Superior Down Parka
For extreme cold, this Eddie Bauer Superior parka is your best bet. Promising protection in temperatures as low as -40° Fahrenheit, the jacket boasts 650-fill down insulation, a sturdy, water-resistant nylon shell, and a removable vegan fur ruff. Surprisingly, even with all this warmth, the jacket is very lightweight at just 2.36 pounds. Although it could be worn in the city, we highly recommend the Superior parka to hikers, backpackers, and skiers.
Buy Eddie Bauer Men's Superior Down Parka $244.30
8. L.L.Bean Wool Peacoat
We love technical parkas and down jackets, but there’s something so cool about a classic wool peacoat like this one from L.L. Bean. It’s made of 100% Italian wool (with a polyester lining), meaning the jacket is naturally water-resistant and extremely warm — even when soaking wet. We also like that L.L. Bean stuck with the classic peacoat look — anchor buttons and all — for a timeless style. Wear it casually with slim-fit jeans, a tee, and boots, or dress it up over a nice sweater and slacks.
Buy L.L.Bean Wool Peacoat $289
9. Moncler Black Tocquet Down Jacket
This Tocquet down jacket from Moncler is something you might see on a style-savvy Silicon Valley executive. It’s extremely luxurious with lambskin paneling on the shoulders, down-filled, quilted nylon, and the recognizable Moncler logo patch on the shoulder. But this luxuriousness is subdued: it’ll catch some approving looks, but it’s not over-the-top. Plus, unlike some designer outerwear, you can wear the Tocquet jacket with everything from sweats to slacks.
Buy Moncler Black Tocquet Down Jacket $2,230
10. Burberry The Mid-Length Chelsea Heritage Trench Coat
Arguably the most iconic coat of them all, Burberry’s famous trenches may not be as warm as some of the other top winter jacket picks on our list, but it’s ideal for winter in warmer climates. We like this one, the Chelsea, because it delivers the classic Burberry trench look with a mid-length cut. This shorter length is more versatile and easier to wear (say, while driving or sitting).
The Chelsea trench looks right at home over a power suit, but we think it looks great dressed down too; try it with sweats, grail-worthy sneakers and a baseball hat for a bold, streetwear-inspired look. Yes, it’s pricey, but customers often wear these for years, if not decades.