10 Best Winter Jackets of 2023 (2024)

Best Overall Winter Jacket for Women

Fjallraven Nuuk - Women's

Insulation: 250 g Supreme Microloft (100% polyester) | Pockets: 6 external, 5 internal

An easy favorite for our female testers, the Fjallraven Nuuk withstands some of the coldest temperatures. Equipped with a faux-fur ruff to keep out the biting cold and wind and a zipper that goes all the way up to your nose, the Nuuk held its own through the most rigorous testing. We loved that it is virtually waterproof yet breathable enough to keep you from melting inside it. The Nuuk is packed with an abundance of roomy pockets, both inside and out, to hold all of your necessities and keep them safe and dry. The roomy cut also allows for layering, a big bonus for more prolonged winter excursions.

We didn't love hauling the Nuuk around while indoors, though. It is large and hefty, making it less enjoyable to carry around the mall while shopping or to your gate at the airport. The roomy cut can also be a bit too roomy, and some of our testers found it to be particularly long in the sleeves. The Nuuk trapped and held water in the fuzzy brim during our testing, although it notably kept us dry. If you want to keep out the cold, no matter the weather, the Nuuk is sure to keep you warm and cozy. If you want something even longer to really keep you covered from the cold, check out the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka.

Read more: Fjallraven Nuuk - Women's review

Best Overall Winter Jacket for Men

The North Face McMurdo Down Parka

Insulation: 550-fill down | Pockets: 7 external, 1 internal

The North Face McMurdo Down Parka is great for harsh winter weather. It has a removable faux-fur hood that effectively holds in heat but still has space to add a beanie if desired. The long hem keeps your thighs warm underneath a layer of 550-fill down. The McMurdo has plenty of useful pockets and seems quite sturdy, especially for its reasonable price. The wrists seal tight enough to keep heat in and cold out.

The fabric and construction of the McMurdo make it a bit bulky and restrictive. The long hem can limit mobility — though that can be mitigated by unzipping the bottom section to allow better movement and ease of sitting. All in all, this jacket is a great shield against the bitter cold. We also love the durable, feature-filled Outdoor Research Stormcraft, and the cozy and stylish Fjallraven Nuuk Parka.

Read more: The North Face McMurdo Parka review

]

Best Value Winter Jacket for Women

REI Co-op Norseland Insulated Parka

Insulation: 650-fill duck down | Pockets: 2 external

The REI Norseland is a great no-nonsense bargain for the thrifty shopper. Modestly priced, the Norseland doesn't boast too many bells and whistles but does boast 238 grams of 650-fill down. This translates into lightweight warmth down to mid-thigh. The side zippers at the hem and double front zipper allow for ease of movement, ideal for having a snowball fight or chasing your kids at the park. The extra length at the back covers where it counts, so sitting on a cold bench or making snow angels doesn't leave your back end out in the cold. We also love the colorful wrist gaiters, which are essential for keeping the cold out.

The Norseland is equipped with a soft fleece-lined hood, but it is a bit shallow, making pairing with a hat or beanie a bit uncomfortable. It also lacks a waist cinch, and the zipper tends to rub at the underside of your chin. However, this pick is affordable, lightweight, and warm for good mild winter fun. The Marmot Montreaux is another warm, lofty jacket we've loved for years and often has last season's colors available at a discount.

Read more: REI Norseland Parka review

Best Value Winter Jacket for Men

REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka

Insulation: 850-fill down | Pockets: 3 external, 2 internal

The REI Stormhenge is a great option for folks on a tight budget who don't want to compromise good durable quality. While this jacket wouldn't be the best for those extra frigid winter days, it does an excellent job for most winter weather. The shell is impressively waterproof. The long hemline and the stretchy wrist gaiters are a nice touch for keeping in the heat. The hood is roomy, with plenty of space for an added beanie if you want.

While the Stormhenge does an acceptable job at a fraction of the price, it is quite bulky and sometimes uncomfortable to wear. The limited color choices make it less than exciting, and the fit doesn't contour particularly well. That being said, it's still a solid option for moderate cold protection on a budget. The Marmot Fordham is another comfortable and affordable winter jacket we love, if the Stormhenge isn't quite your style.

Read more: REI Stormhenge Parka review

Best Women's Winter Jacket on a Tight Budget

Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket - Women's

Insulation: Not specified | Pockets: 2 external, 2 internal

The Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket gets the job done for a steal of a price. With its fleece lining and protective snow skirt, it keeps your core warm and the snow out. The sleeves lack any cuffs but can tighten around the wrists with a strap and are long enough to retain most warmth on their own. With a deep faux fur-lined hood, the Wantdo stands up against cold wind gusts unless they are coming at you head-on.

The Wantdo doesn't cover your face and neck, and the fur lining around the hood tickles and isn't our favorite to wear cinched down. This less elegant design is comprised of two large laces that tie together and under or across your chin. The collar doesn't come high enough to keep the cold away from your neck, though, and this jacket isn't very breathable. If you work up a sweat, it's staying in there with you. The Wantdo bore mixed results in our shower test, sneaking in through the zipper — though you're unlikely to experience such high pressure from a snowstorm. The length of this jacket leaves much of your lower body exposed, and this doesn't strike us as the most durable jacket. Still, for occasional use or in mild winters, the Wantdo is an affordable option for keeping your core warm. If you need a little more coverage and warmth, though, and can spare a little extra cash, we think the REI Norseland is a much warmer option.

Read more: Wanto Waterproof Snow Jacket review

Best on a Tight Budget for Men

Tommy Hilfiger Men's Hooded Puffer Jacket

Insulation: Synthetic (unspecified) | Pockets: 2 external, 1 internal

The Tommy Hilfiger Puffer is a cozy, stylish option that will keep you warm and save you money. It is comfortable enough for daily use with details like cotton wrist gaiters. A fleece-lined chin and neck make it a snug option for mild winter days. Its cut and style are unrestrictive, allowing for ease of movement wherever you roam.

This jacket is great for cool temperatures but wouldn't stand up against harsher winter freeze without additional layers. The baffles holding the insulation in place are sewn through both the inner and outer shell, and cold gusts can get in at the stitching. The jacket also lacks a robust weather-proof exterior. The shell is treated with a waterproof chemical, but those wear off over time and often don't hold up in trying conditions. Yet for those searching for a pleasant, affordable winter jacket to wear, the Tommy Hilfiger Puffer is a great choice in milder climates.

Read more: Tommy Hilfiger Hooded Puffer review

Best Women's Jacket for Active Winter Endeavors

Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket - Women's

Insulation: 800-fill goose down | Pockets: 2 external, 1 internal

The Rab Neutrino Pro impressed several teams of our female testers, winning top awards in both our review of the best women's winter jackets and our women's down jackets testing. Despite being "just" a down puffy jacket, it also boasts impressive water resistance and serious compressibility. The included stuff sack squishes this jacket down to roughly the size of a football, making it incredibly portable. The Neutrino repelled water and heavy wet snow without breaking a sweat. It easily kept us warm on cold adventures without leaving us sweaty within. A fully insulated and adjustable hood with a wire-supported brim keeps your visibility clear while still keeping your ears toasty, and the high collar protects your face from wind and cold.

The one thing the Neutrino Pro does lack is a fluffy ruff to keep your nose and eyes better protected from windchill. Unlike most of the longer parkas in this lineup, the Neutrino has a shorter hem. This is great for maneuverability but leaves your thighs and bum exposed to the cold. Extra room in the shoulders adds mobility, but the narrow hips proved a bit too snug for our curvier testers and bunched up awkwardly during movement. Sizing up may fix this issue, though, so depending on your body shape, consider buying up a size from your usual. If you need to be able to move freely without compromising core warmth, this is the jacket for you. If you want to be able to move but don't need this much warmth, the Rab Microlight Alpine is another good option that's a bit more affordable, to boot.

Read more: Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's review

Best Men's Jacket for Active Winter Recreation

Rab Neutrino Pro

Insulation: 800-fill down | Pockets: 2 external, 1 internal

The Rab Neutrino Pro also proved an excellent jacket to our male testing team, quickly becoming a favorite for active days in serious cold. With its 800-fill down, full-coverage and fully adjustable hood and top-notch breathability, this jacket did an impressive job keeping out the cold while keeping up with adventure. Adjustability at every point helps seal the weather, while the thoughtful baffle design keeps you mobile enough to chop wood or go sledding at the park. Packing down into a compact package, this jacket is portable and light yet agile and comfortable.

While the zipper is not completely waterproof, most of this jacket does a fair enough job of keeping out the elements. It doesn't have as many pockets as we might like, with just two handwarmer pockets and one inner chest pocket, but those pockets are quite generous in size. And compared to some seriously thick exteriors of other parkas we tested, the featherweight Pertex Quantum of the Neutrino Pro feels delicate. However, this seriously poofy winter jacket has a flexible fit that is optimal for outdoor activities, from shoveling snow to hiking. For something a little more packable, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is one of our favorite packable down jackets.

Read more: Rab Neutrino Pro - Men's review

Upgraded Women's Parka for Serious Cold

Canada Goose Expedition Heritage Parka - Women's

Insulation: 625-fill duck down| Pockets: 8 external, 2 internal

If you regularly brave some seriously cold winters, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage may be an investment worth making. This seriously warm jacket was originally designed for scientists working in McMurdo Station, Antarctica, and is rated for wet conditions and temperatures down to -22°F. With the hood deployed, the water could hardly even be heard in our shower test, and not a drop squeezed by this duck down insulated Arctic Tech exterior. With its warm hood with real coyote fur ruff, not even the most biting wind stands a chance. Equipped with more pockets than you could realistically fill, this jacket is the best of the best when it comes to protecting you from the chills of Father Winter.

That being said, unless you risk actual frostbite regularly in your day-to-day, the Canada Goose Expedition is almost certainly overkill. Though cinching the waist cord helps distribute its weight more evenly, it is still heavy and bulky. And perhaps most obviously, it is impractically expensive for everyday use for most people. However, for the right person in the right conditions, this intense warmth and protection is worth every penny. Canada Goose also offers a lifetime warranty and repair program, helping to protect your investment for years to come. If this is a bit too much, still, consider a protective ski jacket, like the Patagonia Insulated Powder Town, that's warm, protective, and costs a fraction of the Expedition.

Read more: Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage - Women's review

Upgraded Men's Parka for Intense Cold

Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage

Insulation: 625-fill down| Pockets: 8 external, 2 internal

Unsurprisingly, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage also earns top marks for cold protection from our men's winter jackets testing team. Even among seriously stiff competition, this polar-intended parka is a great choice for seriously frigid conditions. With 625-fill down and its Arctic Tech outer shell, it works wonders against the most extreme cold. Just like in the women's version, the men's hood is adjustable and lined with a real coyote fur ruff that provides great coverage against biting wind. Sealed at the wrists and with a snow skirt to keep out updrafts, this jacket is durable and impressively weatherproof.

While the cut of this intense parka is roomy and allows for effective layering, it isn't the most stylish. Its warm insulation is too effective for even moderate climates or active endeavors. The Expedition is also very expensive and is only practical in the most extreme cold climates. If you live in a severely cold place and spend a significant amount of time hanging out outside — like ice fishing in Minnesota or bird watching in Vermont — the warmth, protection, and durability of the Expedition Parka may be worth dropping this serious chunk of change. If that still sounds out of reach, the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft is designed for skiing but offers impressive warmth and weather protection for far less.

Read more: Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage - Men's review

Why You Should Trust Us

Each year, we research what winter jackets are best, most interesting, and most intriguing. We then purchase and evaluate them side by side in a series of rigorous and comprehensive tests. Over the past 12 years, we've stood outside in subzero temperatures, laid in snowbanks, and stood in showers to test and evaluate every detail. We have braved blizzards, freezing temperatures, and wet sloppy weather, leaving no stone unturned in our quest for the best.

Our testers scrutinized and measured these jackets across several mutually exclusive metrics, such as:

• Assessments of Warmth

• Tests of Weather Resistance

• Checks and analyses of Comfort

• Trials and polls of Style

• Evaluations of Features

• Estimations and observations of Durability

The head of our men's winter jacket test team, Jeff Dobronyi, is an IFMGA licensed Mountain Guide, who leads backcountry mountaineering and ski trips all over the world. His experiences summiting and recreating in harsh locations such as Denali and other Alaskan mountains, the Andes, the Alps, and across the Canadian Rockies serve him well in identifying high-quality winter wear. From skiing big mountains to shoveling the driveway, Jeff knows what jacket qualities make the best protection against the elements.

From fall through winter to spring, we put these jackets through their paces to see what they're best at.

Our women's testing team began with Liz Williamson, who tested over 100 winter jackets in the course of five years. She pushed these coats to their limits in the frigid Andes, deep in the severe landscapes of Patagonia, and through wet winters in the High Sierra. Joining Liz is Senior Review Editor, Clark Tate. With a Master's Degree in Environmental Science and a solid background in science writing, Clark Tate helped develop our current testing plans and rating systems. She lives in Maine and recreates regularly in the snowy yet freezing peaks of New England, giving her an appreciation of the importance of the right winter gear. Clark has been testing and writing for GearLab for many years and has led our women's winter jacket testing team since 2020.

The information and testing results in this review were compiled by Kendra Ridenour. Kendra is a lifelong writer who uses her experiences crafting fictional tales and entertaining her friends and family to synthesize the results of GearLab testing into digestible information. She has decades of experience with everyday items like winter jackets, which she uses to keep her family of five warm in Ozark Mountain winters.

We leave no detail un-tested, always taking our testing seriously to bring you the best options.

What is a Winter Jacket?

At its most basic, a winter jacket should keep you warm in cold weather. There are many types of jackets that can help you to stay warm in the winter. The biggest determination in picking a great one is considering what kinds of activities you will wear it for. If you are planning a ski trip or climbing excursion, you aren't going to want a heavy-duty jacket with a hem down to your knees. On the other hand, if you live in a place that regularly sees subzero temps and you have a dog to walk regularly, you may want exactly that. Consider also the precipitation and temperature where you live. If you reside in a place like the Pacific Northwest, where winters are wetter but typically not as cold, you need a good waterproof option, perhaps not geared quite so much to freezing temperatures. Keep these things in mind as you work to whittle down what type of jacket will be best for you.

Gendered Jackets

No matter what winter coat you're looking for, they are very rarely sold as "unisex." Instead, each jacket is gendered by the manufacturer and tested by our corresponding testing team. While this article covers our top recommendations for both men and women, you can dive deeper into all the testing we've done by checking out our full lineups. In the chart below, you can see a comparison of all the current women's winter jackets we've tested.

While many jackets perform similarly for both men and women, that is not always the case. In particular, the fit of a jacket across different genders and body shapes can be wildly different. The following chart summarizes the complete current lineup of the best men's winter jackets that have gone through our rigorous testing.

Down Jackets

Down is a great insulator — ask any bird that sticks around in the winter. It has an extremely high warmth-to-weight ratio and is incredibly lightweight and effective at trapping and holding heat. The quality of down in a jacket is measured by how many cubic inches one ounce fills. The higher the fill power, the more air the down catches to heat up. It also means that higher fill power down is more compressible. A 900-fill power down jacket will be very compressible, very warm, and very expensive. It is also probably a bit much for the typical winter wanderer. More reasonable, in both widespread usage and affordable cost, is a 500 to 800-fill power range.

However, fill power is not perfectly correlated to the warmth of a jacket. The fill weight combined with the fill power is a much better estimation of warmth. A 650-fill jacket that uses less down within its baffles will almost certainly be colder than a 550-fill jacket that has double the down contained within. Of course, additional factors contribute as well, including fit and features. Adding your favorite fleece jacket or thicker heavy shell over the top will improve the warmth of any jacket. And, in fact, many down jackets are designed with this type of layering in mind, forgoing much weather protection on their exteriors.

One of the downsides of down is that it does not insulate if it gets wet. The tiny fibers that give down its loft and warmth will clump together when wet, losing its heat-holding ability. Some down is treated with a hydrophobic coating to help prevent this from happening if your jacket gets wet. Others swap out down for synthetic insulation in key areas like the tops of shoulders and ends of cuffs. Because down is always an animal product, it also breaks down over time and becomes less effective. Repeated compression of down will lessen its lifespan — whether that's from cramming it in your bag or wearing it and leaning back against the car seat.

Down is also expensive and, though many jackets are made using Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down, the use of any animal product always raises concerns about animal welfare. Having a down-insulated jacket is best for folks who prioritize low-weight gear and compressibility and are willing to do a little extra work to keep it from getting wet (if the jacket in question doesn't have a weatherproof exterior) and have a little more cash to shell out.

Synthetic Insulated Jackets

In a lot of ways, synthetic insulation is the opposite answer to all of down's downsides. Made of spun filaments, synthetic insulation retains its loft — and therefore warmth — even when wet. It's more resistant to damage from compression, whether that's years of regular wear or being smashed into your suitcase on vacation.

Conversely, synthetic insulation is almost always heavier than the same warmth rating of down. It doesn't compress as well, making it take up more space in your closet or your bag. It's also more difficult to gauge the warmth of insulation based on its numbers and stats. There are many types of synthetic insulation commonly used in winter jackets today, which is why we take warmth testing very seriously. In our insulated jacket testing, we pit each jacket head to head in side-by-side tests and comparisons to understand which ones are truly warmer.

While synthetic insulation is heavier and not as warm for its weight, it doesn't lose loft and stick together when wet like down does, making it a great choice for folks living in wet environments or frequently playing in the snow with dogs or children. Synthetic insulation is great for people who are looking for a more affordable option, something a little more weather-resistant, and hoping to avoid the harvesting of birds.

Activewear Jackets

Ski jackets are a different animal than your standard winter jacket. The best ski jacketscome with features designed for the slopes, like ventilation to release excess heat, large pockets for snacks and equipment, snow skirts to keep out that spray while you carve, and high collars to protect your face and neck from the wind as you speed down the hill. Much like a winter jacket, your ideal ski jacket is going to vary depending on your needs.

Hardshell jackets are also great for customizing your heat-retaining underlayers. They have very slight insulation and don't offer much protection from the cold, but are waterproof and windproof, making them great for putting the final seal on your layering system in frigid conditions. A softshell jacket can be a better option for active endeavors, as it's more breathable and often more flexible to keep up with you while you recreate. If you are looking for a great ski jacket, check out our expert reviews to find the best one for you.

Elements of a Good Winter Jacket

Winter jackets may be filled with down or synthetic insulation, but the best ones include multiple elements to keep you warm and dry. While most puffy jackets — and even many ski jackets — work best when paired with other layers, a good winter jacket can keep you warm without requiring a complicated layering system underneath.

Little details come together to make a great standalone jacket, which is what a good winter jacket should be.

Outer Shell

If you live in a more frigid region, chances are you are not going to experience very wet winters. The air tends to be dry in these areas, so having a waterproof shell may not be at the top of your priority list. However, some of the coldest places can also be some of the windiest, and what is waterproof is almost always also highly wind resistant. Milder and warmer regions often trend towards wetter winter weather. In that case, a waterproof or water-resistant shell is crucial to your overall happiness.

Insulation

Finding the type of insulation in a jacket that you're looking for is only part of the process. The more crucial piece is making sure the jacket has enough of it. It won't matter what insulation you've chosen if the jacket lacks the right amount to keep you warm in your climate. Regardless of the type of insulation within, if a jacket has sewn-through baffles, these tiny punctures through the fabric can create weak points for whipping winds to head straight through the jacket and cool your core.

Fit

Some jackets are made roomier than others. Consider your body shape and your typical winter wardrobe, and be sure your jacket can accommodate your build and your layers. A jacket that is tight across the shoulders is going to be uncomfortable and difficult to move your arms in while loading up the car or rolling a snowman. Likewise, tightness in the hips can make a jacket bunch up when you try to walk or run, leaving you uncomfortable and exposed. Consider also the hem length and your intended activities. If you are going to be doing a lot of running around, you may want a shorter model. If you intend to sit on a bench or the ground, a longer hem will keep you warmer.

Features

What can help separate the okay jackets from the exceptional ones are the features. A great jacket may be next to useless if it has a lack of pockets, an impractical hood, or no adjustable cuffs to seal out the cold. A quality hood that will keep you warm will be well-insulated. The addition of a ruff offers a high degree of protection against windchill. A removable hood is handy and can provide a bit more versatility in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when you may not need the extra weight around your neck. If you intend to wear a beanie, you'll want to look out for a roomier hood to fit easily over additional layers on your head without exposing your face and neck to the cold.

Two-way zippers are a great feature to have on a knee-length parka. Mobility is typically quite limited in a longer hem, and loosening the zipper just a few inches can make all the difference. It can also be helpful in regulating temperature if you get too warm. Wrist cuffs are essential for holding in the heat and keeping the outside out. Some are fleece, knit elastic, or nylon, and some even have an extended portion with a thumbhole that functions as a wrist warmer. The most protective ones include a snap or velcro strap that allows you to tighten the cuff around your wrist, sealing out the cold, wind, or wet.

Conclusion

Choosing a winter jacket can feel like a daunting task, but knowing what you're looking for can make it a little easier. We hope that our in-depth testing and comprehensive evaluations and comparisons have helped you to feel confident in finding the right jacket with the warmth, features, and protection to fit your needs and budget.

While a great jacket is a major key in winter cold protection, there are a few other pieces essential to complimenting the right one. A great pair of gloves, a warm beanie, and a solid pair of snow boots are paramount in snowy weather. For colder treks, we recommend adding a toasty set of our favorite long underwear and the best base layer to help keep you warm.