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10 Best Winter Jackets And Coats For Men In 2024: Look Cool, Stay Warm
When you live in one of the colder states, style often—and understandably—takes a back seat to simply maintaining a functional temperature. But if your current winter coat leaves you unable to even put your arms down by your sides ("It's Gore-tex, Jerry!") then it might be time to look at some other options. We've rounded up the best winter jackets and coats for men, whether you're the type of person who likes a lighter weight coat to layer over a hoodie or sweater, or want the absolute warmest outerwear.
What to consider when buying winter jackets and coats for menAs when buying other cold weather items, you want to take functionality into account in addition to what it looks like. For example:
Layers"When looking at material for a winter jacket for men, you want to compare both the outer shell and insulation," says Jennifer Straughan, owner of The Thrifty Dresser. "The outer shell needs to be waterproof and have some element of wind-breaking to be effective in keeping warmth inside the jacket. However, suppose you live somewhere that experiences multiple different climates. In that case, it can be helpful to have removable layers incorporated into your winter jacket, like a fleece insert or removable windbreaker."
Material and fill"The outer part of the jacket will likely be made from either nylon or another synthetic material, that's both water-resistant and tightly woven to prevent wind air from infiltrating," says Straughan. "The inside of the jacket is made from bird down or synthetic material. Down fill-power is one measure you can consider for determining the warmth of a winter coat: Usually, the down power is somewhere between 400-1,000, with 1,000 being the most lofty and providing the most warmth, but also, the most expensive insulation. Only those facing extreme arctic climates will need fill power that high."
Straughan adds that fill weight is another important consideration, i.E., the total amount of down in the jacket. The higher the weight, the warmer the coat. "If you mainly need warmth, you're likely looking for a three to six ounce down jacket with a fill power of 800+," she says.
Quality"First and foremost, buy quality," advises Patrick Burch, co-owner of Cave + Post Trading Co. Men's boutique. "It's either going to be a 'daily driver' and therefore you want it to wear well, or it's going to be a fashion piece that you'll only wear a couple times a year, but that you want to last forever. Therefore, quality is first."
Style"Are you the classic gentleman who dons meticulously tailored overcoats and keeps it traditional and sophisticated?" asks Charles Fratto, style director for ILOE Studios. "Or are you a fashion risk taker who's always willing to push the style envelope and experiment with textures, hardware details, and silhouette? Or are you possibly the outdoorsy type who values performance wear for cold weather adventures? Everyone will answer these questions differently and by simply taking a small amount of time to answer them, it will make the overall buying experience easier, faster, and a lot more fun."
Our top picks for the best winter jackets and coats for men Best budget winter coat for men: Eddie Bauer Men's Rainfoil Insulated ParkaIt's no good spending all your budget on a winter coat, only to find you can't afford to leave the house anymore. This suggestion from Straughan is certainly more affordable than many, without sacrificing quality—and from a brand known for quality and warmth. (Eddie Bauer made our list of the best flannel shirts and best flannel sheets.) "This insulated parka from Eddie Bauer is a good, affordable choice right now," she says. "It's hard to find a jacket that will be waterproof and insulated for under $100—this one is reportedly warm for temperatures just below freezing, making it a comfortable, everyday winter coat."
Specifications:An affordable, hooded coat that'll keep the rain off, and boasts pockets to spare.
Best budget winter coat for men
Eddie Bauer Men's Rainfoil Insulated Parka Jacket - Blue - Size M Warmest men's down coat: Canada Goose Paradigm Expedition Parka
Warmest doesn't necessarily mean most expensive, but warm and stylish as hell? Yeah, that's going to cost you. "Is this a splurge? Yes," admits Fratto. "However, when you're looking for a stylish and warm down coat, you can't beat the Paradigm Expedition Parka from Canada Goose. This is a new styling of a tried and true classic that the brand has tested to keep you warm even in the most extreme temperatures." It's probably the one coat that both complements yet elevates even something as basic as sweatpants.
Specifications:An awesomely stylish and warm coat that looks simply incredible in white.
Warmest men's down coat
Canada Goose Paradigm Expedition Water Repellent 750 Fill Power Down Parka in Black at Nordstrom, Size Small Best puffer jacket for men: Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka
Classics are classic for a reason, and it doesn't get much more classic on a cold day than the familiar, bumpy silhouette of a puffer jacket. Dimitry Loiseau, founder and chief editor of REGARD magazine, recommends this option from Mountain Hardwear, saying, "The fabric and design for this jacket is next level. It has the most unbelievable stretch, so it's so easy and comfortable to wear, while remaining extremely functional."
Specifications:A classically-styled puffer jacket made from modern, cold-beating materials.
Best puffer jacket for men
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka Best parka for men: Patagonia Men's Stormshadow Parka
"Parkas are some of the warmest types of winter jackets, so they tend to come at a higher price point," says Straughan. "This choice from Patagonia features a durable shell made of Gore-tex recycled material, and insulation from 100% recycled goose and duck-down material. It's a heavy-weight jacket (41.7 ounces) and has 700-fill-power down, which will be sure to keep you warm."
Specifications:A tough, functional parka that'll keep the weather out and the warmth in.
Best parka for men
Patagonia Men's Stormshadow Parka Best performance winter coat for men: Arc'teryx Therme Parka
If you're looking for something that'll get the job done without all the extra design fripperies, look no further. "With solid technology and minimal styling, the Therme Parka from Arc'teryx is an easy choice when you're looking for a performance winter coat," says Fratto. "The blend of synthetic, yet breathable fabrics and natural fillers makes this water and windproof coat a top choice all around."
Specifications:A straightforward, intensely practical winter coat for those whose primary concern is keeping warm and dry.
Best performance winter coat for men
Best light winter jacket for men: Patagonia Nano Puff JacketBoth Fratto and Loiseau advise taking a look at Patagonia's aptly-named Nano Puff, if you're looking for something a little smaller. "It has all the Patagonia quality in a lightweight, easy-to-wear jacket, making it a staple for transitional seasons as well," says Fratto. Loiseau adds that, "It's great because you can throw it in a bag easily and bring it everywhere with you. I also love that it's adjustable!"
Specifications:A lightweight, versatile jacket with a ton of color choices that zips up neatly into its own carrying pocket.
Best light winter jacket for men
Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Jacket Best waterproof winter coat for men: KÜHL Stretch Voyagr Insulated
Depending where you live, warmth is only one part of the equation when it comes to a winter coat, with the other major one being, does it keep you dry? It's for the latter aspect that Loiseau recommends this jacket, which is waterproof, warm, and moisture-wicking. "It's also breathable and insulated," adds Loiseau. "Get this jacket in your wardrobe and you're ready to face the rain!"
Specifications:A practical option for wet, wintry weather.
Best waterproof winter coat for men
KÜHL Stretch Voyagr Insulated Best men's winter coat for extreme cold: 66 North Tindur Down Jacket
When the weather outside makes your skin sting and icicles form on your eyelashes, you need something truly special to keep out the cold. Originally designed for a climber planning to scale Mount Everest, this is a highly technical jacket that still allows for a surprising range of movement. "The Tindur Down Jacket boasts impeccable performance thanks in part to its commitment to construction," says Fratto. "It takes a full two days to sew a single jacket and in production time, that tells you that no corners are cut and quality is top of mind."
Specifications:A serious winter coat for serious climates.
Best men's winter coat for extreme cold
66 North Tindur Down Jacket Most stylish winter coat for men: Burberry Wool Cashmere Tailored Coat
Not all winter coats have to be up to the task of scaling a mountain, of course—some just need to look beautiful while keeping out the chill, and this coat very much falls into the latter camp. "When I think of classic and timeless winter coat styling, my mind instantly goes to British tailoring, and what better brand to showcase this than Burberry?" remarks Fratto. "Refined and impeccably designed, this wool and cashmere tailored coat speaks volumes without saying a single word."
Specifications:Not the most practical or affordable winter coat, but if you're going for style, this is it.
Most stylish winter coat for men
Burberry Wool Cashmere Tailored Coat Best men's winter coat on Amazon: Columbia Butte Buck Insulated Hooded Jacket
"A winter coat option on Amazon with overwhelmingly positive reviews is this one from Columbia," says Straughan. "The jacket is a mix of polyester and nylon materials, features a hood, and is climate pledge friendly, indicating that it's made from synthetic down instead of animal materials. It has a sleek style for everyday wear, or even for outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking."
Specifications:A practical, affordable winter coat with a variety of color choices.
Best men's winter coat on Amazon
Columbia Buck Butte Insulated Hooded Jacket How we chose the best winter jackets and coats for men
Our picks were made with the input of our panel of style and clothing experts, who know the fashion industry—and the world of winter coats—inside out. We also considered price, materials, and style, and ensured all of our picks were highly rated by actual customers.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Which brand of winter coat is the warmest?"Brands that use down insulation are the warmest," affirms Straughan. "Downs taken from ducks or geese are from animals sourced and used for food, so they're not hunted strictly for their downs. However, many still have ethical concerns with this practice.
Brands such as Canada Goose, 66 degrees North, and Moose Knuckles use either goose or duck down as insulation. Other brands, such as The North Face, also use lofty goose down for insulation, but again, only from birds that are otherwise sourced for the food industry."
Straughan advises that several brands use a synthetic insulation called PrimaLoft instead, so if that's important to you, you might want to check out coats from Patagonia and Lululemon. "The general consensus is that synthetic down will not provide the same warmth as bird down, although it is a good alternative, especially if you're completing performance activities outside that require some breathability," she says.
Which brands have the best winter jackets?Straughan suggests looking at The North Face, Patagonia, Lululemon, TenTree, Eddie Bauer, and Columbia. Burch, meanwhile, recommends Filson, which he says, "has been a mainstay of stylish, outdoor goods since 1897. You'll see their pieces all over the Yellowstone show and on real ranches worldwide. It's a heritage brand, with quality materials and construction, beautiful fabrics, and durability."
How can you tell if a winter jacket is good quality?"The weight, the material it's made from, and the price all can be indicators of a jacket's quality," says Straughan. "However, not all quality winter jackets look the same–some wool and cashmere coats can also be good options, depending on what you're looking for. Each of those is made of high-quality materials, just not as water-resistant."
Should winter jackets be tight or loose?"With winter jackets in particular, you need to walk that fine line of finding a piece with the perfect amount of ease," says Fratto. "The chances of you wearing additional layers underneath it are pretty much guaranteed, so err on the side of more ease rather than less. But don't go overboard lest you look like you're drowning in fabric—that's never a good look and it will be unpleasant to wear. You want the jacket to compliment your silhouette, not distract from it one way or the other."
How much should a good winter coat cost?"A good winter coat will likely start around the $100 price point, and go up from there," says Straughan. "Outerwear is not cheap, so consider shopping second-hand to find quality products at a lower price (and to be more sustainable!) A great part about winter clothes is that in many climates, people only need them half the year, so people tend to sell and donate older clothes that are still in excellent condition due to their quality construction."
"It all depends on what you're wearing the coat for," adds Loiseau. "If you're working in Alaska or anywhere near the north pole, you don't want to sacrifice on price, as it can mean your life. However, when it comes to fashion, there's a little more wiggle room for your budget. Plus, think about how often you'll wear it and if you're going for one staple, go-to jacket, or will be getting different jackets for different occasions."
Best Winter Jackets For Extreme Cold, Tested And Reviewed
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With winter settling in where I live in Fairbanks, Alaska, there's no better time to talk about jackets for extreme cold, and how to pick a good one. A jacket or parka is a critical piece of gear for thriving in sub-zero temperatures, but selecting the best coat for you requires a few things: To pick the right coat, you've got to consider your activity level and what you'll be using it for. The cost and durability of your jacket are going to affect your choice too.
Extreme cold isn't a frost that kills your grandma's tomatoes or sends Texas into a tailspin. Keeping yourself warm, dry, and functional when the air has a bite that sucks the breath from your lungs depends greatly on your activity level and layering. One coat might be great for working in extreme cold, another better suited for hiking or snowshoeing. Each application has its own demands and challenges. There's not a single best option for everyone, but if you're looking for the best winter jackets for extreme cold, this lineup is a good start.
How I Tested Winter Jackets for Extreme ColdTesting winter jackets for extreme cold requires, first and foremost, extreme cold. I gathered all these jackets at my home in Fairbanks, Alaska, and waited. Though it's been a mild winter, we finally hit some solid sub-zero temperatures in December. "Extreme cold" is a relative term. In some places, that means below freezing. Anchorage folks consider zero degrees cold. Here in Fairbanks, 40 below zero is the gold standard, but anything 20 below zero and colder is damn chilly.
Only mildly cold for Fairbanks, Alaska, 20 below zero is extremely cold for most places. Tyler Freel
We haven't hit 40 below yet, but I've spent quite a bit of subzero time with each jacket (my wife helped me with the women's jackets) tackling day-to-day chores, plowing snow, hauling wood, ice fishing, hiking, and riding snowmachines—snowmobiles for you lower 48ers. I was able to ride with each jacket in minus 20- to minus 30-degree temperatures, at speeds of 20 to 30 mph. That produces a wind chill of around 50 to 60 below zero—if you believe in such a thing as wind chill. Below the coats, I wore only a light Primaloft insulation layer, lighter than I'd normally wear in such conditions, to feel the difference in warmth of the coats. I've rated each jacket according to its intended purpose, and how well it suits that application.
Best Jackets for Extreme Cold: Reviews & Recommendations Best Overall Men's: Beyond Clothing Allta Polar L8 ParkaSee It
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Across the wide variety of jackets that I tested, the Allta Polar L8 was far and away the best jacket for brutally cold weather. It's similar in some ways to the old canvas fur-ruffed parka that my dad used when working in Prudhoe Bay in the late 1970s, and the old, discontinued Cabela's parkas, except that this is a lighter, warmer, and more responsibly sourced coat.
It features a lightweight nylon ripstop shell that's DWR treated and water resistant. When the mercury plummets to minus 20 degrees, many jacket shells become stiff, loud, and inhibit your movement. That's not the case here. The coat feels light, and movement is easy.
The PrimaLoft Gold insulation packs down well, but offers exceptional warmth, while drying faster than down. One of the fastest ways to freeze in extreme cold is to sweat out and soak your parka. This PrimaLoft dries quickly, even with only your body heat. This coat also stops the wind exceptionally well: When standing upright riding at temperatures around minus 25 degrees, I never felt any cold spots. Extreme cold demands that you use a lot of gear, and I really appreciate the hammock-style elastic pockets inside the coat flaps. They're perfect for extra gloves, hats, or face masks.
The Beyond parka is a light, mobile, and excellent all-around coat for extreme cold. Tyler Freel
Many cold-weather coats are weak in the hood and collar, and sometimes the collars are entirely too tight to zip or fasten completely. The Allta Polar L8 has an excellent insulated hood and collar. The collar has plenty of material to zip up over a mask or neck gaiter, and it has an enlarged weather flap that has both hook-and-loop and a snap-in fitting to secure it over your face. The hood features a zipper-removable Finnish fox fur ruff that, unlike most fashion-inspired ruffs, serves its purpose well. The fur ruff's purpose when fully extended with the hood up is to maintain a warm pocket of air on your face. This is centuries-old technology, and it works. With the hood secured and the ruff extended forward, I could ride without goggles at minus 25 degrees comfortably. Without a ruff or goggles, the biting cold air feels like someone's driving a nail between your eyes. I appreciate Beyond's use of these Finnish-farmed silver fox fur ruffs; my only critique being that fox is a very fine-haired fur, and not very durable. I'd rather see a coyote ruff used, and I'll likely see about replacing mine with a nice wolf or wolverine ruff.
Best Overall Women's: The North Face Women's Arctic ParkaSee It
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After testing, my wife's clear favorite was The North Face Arctic Parka. It's a simple long-cut design that uses a waterproof shell and recycled waterfowl down for insulation. The DryVent shell is flexible and doesn't stiffen up in the cold too bad, but it's durable and abrasion resistant, and protects the down insulation from moisture. The insulation is sewn into baffles to prevent sagging, but the monolithic outer shell helps prevent heat loss between baffles. This coat has nice neoprene cuffs with a thumb hole that can be used or bypassed. This helps keep drafts and snow from penetrating the coat.
This parka features a nice insulated hood with a fake fur ruff. The construction of the hood is excellent, and the ruff can be folded back and secured with three small snaps. When it's needed, the snaps can be undone and the ruff extended forward to protect the user's face by creating a warm air pocket. This hood and ruff work well, but as a trapper and former contracted fur handler, fake fur is a poor imitation of the real thing. Sustainably-sourced real fur is a renewable resource, and the fake stuff just can't compare.
My wife liked the long cut of this jacket because it kept her warmer than shorter cuts, especially while wearing snow pants rather than bibs. When fully zipped, the jacket does impede leg movement a bit but the zipper can be opened from the bottom to allow more freedom of movement too. This is a coat that allows for active use in extremely cold weather, but it's not one that you'll want to hike in. It stops the wind wonderfully and is an excellent all-around extreme cold weather coat for a variety of tasks and applications.
Best Value Men's: RefrigiWear Extreme Hooded JacketSee It
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RefrigiWear has been a staple brand for a long time here in Alaska. Their Iron Tough coveralls have been a go-to for trappers in interior Alaska for decades, and the more modernized Extreme Hooded Jacket offers the same endearing properties. It's a heavy-duty jacket that's geared toward working in subzero temperatures but is also great for riding, ice fishing, or any other non-strenuous activity. At 4 pounds 8 ounces, it's a heavy coat, but has a soft polyester shell that doesn't get stiff in the cold, which is common with a number of durable-shell jackets. The slick inner lining goes on smoothly and the sleeves don't stick to middle layers when taking it off—a big plus.
The sleeves have a deep inside cuff that fits tightly around the wrist. It keeps snow and drafts out of the sleeve, but extends far enough into the sleeve to fit long gloves or mitts under the outer cuffs. The zipper-detachable hood is lined with a synthetic wooly fleece. The collar is also lined with a finer fleece, which is especially comfortable on the face when you're dripping snot-cicles. The storm flap and pocket flaps are secured with large, heavy-duty snaps as well as some hook-and-loop on the zipper flap
The Refrigiwear coats are excellent for many cold-weather applications. Tyler Freel
This coat has a comfort rating of 60 below zero, which is a bit subjective. There's not very many ways to stay comfortable at 60 below. From experience, I can tell you that just the moisture from your eyes will cause your eyelashes to freeze together within a few minutes at that temperature. This coat isn't quite as specialized for some things as a fur-ruff parka, but all around, it's one of the very best winter jackets for extreme cold weather that I tested. Starting out cold, the coat warmed quickly and stayed warm when riding, cutting the wind well. I've worked on a lot of construction jobs outside in the winter, where you need a durable and warm coat, and this one is as good as any I have used. It's well suited for just about any cold-weather activity that doesn't involve a lot of strenuous movement—for that it would be too hot. At just over 200 bucks, it's the best value I found.
Best Value Women's: RefrigiWear Polar Force ParkaSee It
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RefrigiWear came away with a best value win for both men's and women's coats in this test. Although they weren't our favorite coats of the test, they are unmatched in utility and warmth for the money. My wife's only negative feedback for this coat was its weight and bulk. It's too warm for a lot of active work, but she thought it was the best coat for staying warm while riding snowmachines or being out in the wind. This coat features a soft polyester shell that's thick, durable, and doesn't get stiff or crunchy in subzero temperatures. It uses synthetic, polyester insulation that's heavier than down, but a better insulator if it gets wet from sweat. The coat also has upper and lower interior draw cords for keeping drafts out. The interior lining of the coat is a reflective silver fabric with black mesh laid over it. It's easy to put on without the sleeves of your inner layers being pulled up.
The Polar Force Parka has a zipper-attached removable hood. On that is a snap-attached, fake fur ruff. The ruff can be secured back with a secondary set of snaps, or folded forward when the hood is in use. Like The North Face parka, I'd rather see a real fox or coyote fur ruff on this jacket, but it's functional as-is. This jacket is rated to 40 below zero, and that's likely a pretty accurate rating if you're layering smartly and not just sitting still. You will have a hard time finding a better, warmer, or more durable cold weather jacket for the money.
Best for Ice Fishing: Striker Apex JacketSee It
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If there's one outdoor pursuit that folk associate with freezing your ass off, it's ice fishing. Nothing says cold like sitting on a bucket on a frozen lake with your back into a stiff sub-arctic breeze. Lots of jackets will work well for ice fishing, but the Apex jacket from Striker is quite literally tailored for it. It's a winter coat that uses Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation, as well as Sureflote for flotation assistance—something that could be very valuable to anyone traversing potentially sketchy ice. Its exterior is durable 320D nylon with a breathable waterproof liner. Ice fishing often involves getting splashed with snow, slush, and liquid water in freezing temperatures, and this jacket is one of the best at shedding that moisture.
For ice fishing, it's hard to beat the waterproof, floating Apex jacket from Striker, expecially when paired with their Apex bibs. Tyler Freel
The Apex jacket has well-placed pockets, including fleece-lined hand warming pockets—something that's needed for any ice fishing venture. Cargo pockets and the storm flap are secured with magnetic closures and are easy to operate with wet, numb hands. They flaps also include a small piece of rubber fabric for clipping hemostats onto. Inside the jacket, both sides have mesh cargo pockets for extra gloves, hats, or gear. The back, chest, and shoulders have fleece "heat map" panels on the interior, but the sleeves have a slick polyester lining that won't bind on your inner layers when putting the jacket on or taking it off.
The jacket did great in testing when worn with bibs, but it's a little short to use with snow pants. I felt some mild cold spots in the shoulders and chest when riding, but I stayed comfortable. No one would want to be sitting outside a shelter ice fishing at 20 or 25 below zero, but the jacket is great for travel and augering holes. At 10 above zero, it's perfectly suitable for fishing outside all day. This jacket's water repellency makes it a good candidate for a riding jacket too, as it won't get caked or soaked with snow or ice.
Read Next: Best Ice Fishing Suits
Best for the Tree Stand: Cabela's Instinct Standhunter ParkaSee It
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One of the most difficult extreme cold scenarios to deal with is hunting in a blind or tree stand. You must remain still and quiet, but that means your body will be producing less heat. A jacket won't do you any good if it keeps you warm but makes noise when you have to prepare to shoot. Though the Standhunter Parka is an entirely different beast than the old coyote-fur-ruff Cabela's parkas, it's perfectly suited for sitting still and being quiet. It's got a microfleece outer lining that's backed with a DryPlus breathable rain-repellent liner. Up top, it sports a heavy removable hood, and the inside is lined with microfleece too. This coat has four zippered front pockets, two interior zippered pockets, and two large mesh hammock-style pockets. Specifically for the treestand hunter, it has a hole for the safety harness strap just below the back of the collar to allow use of the hood.
The Standhunter Parka is a heavy, bulky coat. It's not packable. It is warm, however, and the DryPlus lining certainly helps cut the wind and moisture. In the wind at 20 below, I could feel some cold in my shoulders and chest, but it wasn't bad. I did notice some snow and ice clinging when driving down tight, brushy trails. The fleece fabric will absorb some moisture from rain or snow, but if you're able to dry it out every night, it's perfect for long sits in cold weather. The cut isn't very long, so insulated bibs would be a great choice to keep Jack Frost from scratching at the top of your pants when you sit down. This doesn't rank high for me as an all-around jacket, but for its intended purpose, it's a stellar, affordable option.
Best Synthetic Packable: Kifaru Lost Park ParkaSee It
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One of my favorite all-around cold weather coats is the Kifaru Lost Park Parka. It's a simply-designed puffy jacket with reinforced elbows and front pockets that's packable, durable, and very warm. I've carried this coat around in my backpack for years on sheep and goat hunts in Alaska, and have also used it as a primary winter coat for riding, ice fishing, and trapping. It's got a light, durable ripstop shell, and uses Apex Climashield insulation. This jacket is available in full- or half-zip configurations, the half-zip having a large pouch pocket with sleeves that hold hand warmers.
I've used the Lost Park Parka as both a backpacking puffy layer and a primary jacket for extreme cold. Matt Herkstroeder
In extreme cold, the Lost Park Parka is comfortable for moderate activity, and stays very warm with a good base and middle insulating layer. It's great for cutting a biting wind or chill any time of the year, but you'll quickly find yourself sweaty from lots of physical exertion. A big benefit of the synthetic insulation is that it dries very quickly, but your body heat will drive moisture out of it if you happen to get wet. It's like wearing a sleeping bag.
Best Down Packable: KUIU Superdown Burner ParkaSee It
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The Kuiu Burner Parka is one of the warmest coats for the weight that you'll find. It's too hot for any strenuous activity in any temperature. The coat includes a breathable waterproof membrane to keep moisture out, and though the loft of the down makes the coat feel bulky, it packs down nicely. To save weight, the jacket doesn't have an excessive number of pockets, but it has good adjustable cuffs, a tall collar and insulated storm flap, and probably the best non-fur-ruff hood in this test. The hood wraps around my head nicely and the hood opening sits out in front, which helps tame the wind. It's a coat that can be stowed in a stuff sack when not in use, but be quickly ready to handle extremely cold temperatures.
Goose down coats are some of the warmest for the weight, and the use of water-repellent down helps make this coat more practical for a wide variety of conditions. If down gets wet and clumps, it quickly loses its insulating properties. In extreme cold, the moisture isn't usually as much of a problem, just be careful not to get too sweaty. The coat is great in the wind, and the separate shell helps minimize heat leakage through the baffle seams. I took this coat on a December whitetail hunt in Kansas that involved all-day sits in freezing or below-freezing temps and stayed toasty warm. Just don't expect this coat to be ultra quiet. Especially in sub-zero temperatures, the outer shell is pretty loud and crinkly. The Burner Parka is expensive, but it's damned nice and can serve a variety of purposes.
Best for Layering: Stone Glacier Cirque and M7 JacketsSee It
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If you're planning on physically demanding activities in extreme cold, layering is of the utmost importance. Hats, masks, and gloves are still critical for keeping your extremities warm when hiking, snowshoeing, etc, but you'll quickly sweat yourself out if you keep a heavy jacket on. If your primary activity is active, or might vary, you might find a system like the Stone Glacier Cirque synthetic coat and M7 fleece-lined rain shell to be the ideal balance. The Cirque is a simple, form-fitting puffy insulated coat with a nice hood and pockets, and pit zip vents for high activity. The M7 is a waterproof softshell jacket that's lined with fleece and similarly has an adjustable, articulated hood. Chest pockets are ideally located for wearing a backpack belt strap.
The Stone Glacier Cirque and M7 jackets layer together and work well for active use in the cold. They are light for static activities though. Tyler Freel
This system won't keep you comfortably warm in subzero temperatures if you're just sitting around, but it's ideal for lots of movement—you might even have to shed the outer layer at times. Riding at temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees below zero, I felt cold spots on my chest and shoulders, but they weren't intolerable. Keep in mind, I also had no base layer and only a minimal light insulating layer, something I normally wouldn't do in those temperatures. Using the Cirque jacket with synthetic insulation as an active layer allows much of your body's moisture to be expelled—especially with the outer layer removed, but when using the M7 jacket on top, you have an excellent wind-breaking and moisture-blocking barrier. This is an expensive combo, but it's very versatile for the active user and can be utilized in other seasons too.
Most Durable Down: Columbia Landroamer Down ParkaSee It
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If you're looking for a durable down parka, the Landroamer from Columbia is right up your alley. It's sheathed in a durable polyester fabric that's waterproof, breathable, and makes an excellent wind stopper. It does great at shedding snow and slush, while allowing your body heat to bake out some of your own moisture. The down isn't advertised as hydrophobic, so that waterproof shell is important for keeping it dry and effective. The outer shell is much more durable than a standard puffy or down jacket, and can withstand some abrasion. However, it doesn't become excessively crinkly or stiff in the bitter cold.
The interior of the parka is lined with Columbia's Omni-Heat liner, a gold colored, space blanket looking, reflective fabric. I'm not sure how much of a difference it makes, but I do like that the lining is slick and doesn't bind on your sleeves or other parts of your base layers when putting the parka on. I do wish that it had inner snow cuffs on the sleeves, but if you keep the cuffs secure, they work well.
The Landroamer parka has a durable waterproof shell that protects the down insulation. Tyler Freel
The chest has seven pockets total. It has four large flap-covered pockets, two on each side. The bottom flap pockets have additional zippered pockets. Between the two sets of pockets are fleece-lined hand warming pockets that come in very handy. I would like to see a couple of large gear pockets inside the jacket. The only interior pocket is a small zippered chest pocket that's great for holding your phone, except that the pocket itself sits outside the insulating layer and gets cold.
The Landroamer is a very warm coat and was only slightly cooler than the Beyond Parka when riding full tilt at 25 below zero. Had I been wearing a normal middle insulating layer, I wouldn't have felt it at all. The long cut puts the bottom of the garment below my butt, but running the bottom zipper up slightly allows great mobility. This is another coat you'll have to shed for strenuous activity, but it will warm you right back up after you stop moving.
Active Puffy for Women: Columbia Snowqualmie JacketSee It
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For daily use and active cold weather activities, my wife really liked the Snowqualmie jacket from Columia. It's a simple throwback design that uses recycled polyester for both the shell and insulation. I had the up-sized men's version too and think it's an ideal jacked for daily use and active cold weather applications. The coat is very warm, but if you have to shed it while moving, it packs down well and can be put right back on. It also features more durable material on the shoulders and arms, great for anyone who's hiking or busting through brushy areas. The rest of the jacket shell is thinner. It's not one you want to stand by a bonfire in.
This jacket has simple elastic cuffs and a drawcord cinch at the bottom to keep out drafts. The cut is pretty high, so it's best used with bibs rather than pants. The high cut and flexible design allow lots of movement and freedom of motion. The hood is snap-attached, so it's quickly removable, but doesn't provide quite the sealed protection that some other jackets do. In windy conditions, some of the heat will see
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