Greatest Winter Jackets of 2023-2024

Our workforce of winter warriors has spent many seasons testing one of the best winter jackets in the marketplace in the hunt for the warmest and most versatile types. This 12 months alone, we researched dozens of fashions earlier than choosing the 13 finest types to incorporate within the Purchaser’s Information. After in depth hands-on testing in frigid Rocky Mountain, Sierra Nevada, and Midwestern climates, we’re blissful to deliver you our picks for one of the best males’s winter jackets of 2023-2024.

From trendy and streamlined thigh-length coats to sporty and sensible expedition-weight parkas, we’ll assist you to discover the correct winter jacket for you, regardless of your local weather, model, price range, or supposed use. We examined these winter jackets in the identical forms of on a regular basis eventualities you’re more likely to face. From strolling the canine, shoveling snow, or working errands, to an evening out in town or hanging out after a day on the slopes, we’ve organized our picks into distinct classes that can assist you make an environment friendly and knowledgeable determination.

The winter jacket market is filled with revolutionary designs, cutting-edge insulation, and high-tech supplies. That can assist you determine which males’s winter jacket is finest for you, ensure that to learn our purchaser’s information and incessantly requested questions for useful suggestions. Additionally, take a look at our comparability chart to assist steer your decision-making.

Editor’s word: Our workforce up to date this Purchaser’s Information on November 17, 2023 with the addition of the most recent member of Mountain Hardwear’s Stretchdown assortment, the Popover Hoody.

The Greatest Winter Jackets of 2023-2024

Winter Jackets Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Greatest Winter Jackets

Lots of the people behind GearJunkie’s testing workforce dwell within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, and the frozen midwestern plains of Minnesota. We reside, work, and play in areas identified for severely chilly winters, and we put every of those winter jackets to the take a look at in most of the identical situations that you simply would possibly face. From sub-zero temps with bitter winds to full-on white-out blizzards, to these damp, bone-chilling days that hover proper across the freezing level, our groups have examined one of the best winter jackets within the worst forms of climate.

Throughout our systematic testing course of, we paid cautious consideration to total heat and insulation high quality, match and luxury, climate safety, performance, and elegance. From day by day commutes in Minneapolis to mountaineering within the Tetons, to climbing and plowing snow in Lake Tahoe, we’ve put dozens of males’s cold-weather jackets by the wringer.

The newest contributor to this Purchaser’s Information is year-round Lake Tahoe resident Nick Bruckbauer. Nick grew up within the nice state of Wisconsin, the place it’s not unusual to see vehicles driving on frozen lakes within the winter, neither is it out of the query to get a freak blizzard in Could. After dwelling in Santa Barbara, Calif., for over 10 years, he determined he’d had sufficient sunshine and paradise, and moved to Lake Tahoe in late 2020, simply in time to expertise Tahoe’s snowiest season on report in 2022-2023.

Nick spends his winters snowboarding, shoveling and plowing snow, strolling the canine, and sitting by the hearth, and spends his summers swimming, paddling, working, climbing, and splitting wooden to arrange for winter. His favourite winter jacket is the Patagonia Stormshadow Parka, because of its puffy down insulation, waterproof GORE-TEX shell, and fairly mild weight.

Purchaser’s Information: Find out how to Select the Greatest Males’s Winter Jacket

The time period “winter jacket” may be very broad and may actually be divided into a couple of key subcategories relying in your local weather and supposed use. On this Purchaser’s Information, we targeted totally on winter jackets best for on a regular basis use in chilly to reasonably chilly climates. We additionally included a couple of lighter-weight items which are extra particular for lively makes use of or milder climates.

Sorts of Winter Jackets

On a regular basis Use

Winter jackets made for on a regular basis use are perfect for informal day by day put on in chilly climates, and can be utilized for low-intensity actions like commuting to work or college, working errands round city, strolling the canine, or going out to dinner. Usually, these jackets have loads of insulation and are constituted of heavier supplies that prioritize heat, safety, and options. Due to this, they’re extra more likely to limit dynamic motion and are much less more likely to breathe effectively, making them poor selections for high-output actions like working or climbing.

On a regular basis winter jackets typically embrace loads of comfort-oriented options like cozy wrist cuffs, draft collars across the neck, fleece-lined hand pockets, and adjustable hems and hoods. Additionally they usually have loads of pockets to hold your pockets, keys, telephone, or different requirements. These options inevitably add a bit of bit to the jacket’s weight, however for informal on a regular basis use, the advantages of the added consolation and comfort undoubtedly outweigh any minor further weight.

Certainly one of our favourite winter jackets for on a regular basis use is the Mountain Hardwear Nevadan Down Parka. This versatile down puffy is heat, surprisingly light-weight (1 pound, 14.7 ounces), way more trendy than most puffy jackets, and comes at an affordable value. It additionally has a really spectacular function checklist, boasting a two-way entrance zipper with twin storm flaps, hood and hem changes, and eight complete pockets that embrace zippered chest pockets, inside stash pockets, distinctive exterior “bevvy” pockets that maintain bottles or cans, and probably the most comfy fleece-lined hand pockets that we examined.

After all, many of the different winter jackets we examined are additionally best for on a regular basis use. Our top-ranked winter jacket — the Patagonia Stormshadow Down Parka — may be very heat and puffy with loads of 700-fill down insulation and boasts a water-resistant GORE-TEX shell. It additionally has a clear and basic model that makes it nice for day by day put on round city, and is mild sufficient that it could possibly be used for extra technical makes use of like cold-weather tenting or climbing. The North Face McMurdo Down Parka may be very heat and has a cultured city model, making it one other good choose for on a regular basis put on.

For a less complicated and lighter-weight possibility that we actually like for day by day use when it’s not fairly as chilly, the Rab Cubit Stretch Down Hooded Jacket has a novel 3DWeave pre-woven baffle design that not solely seems to be cool but in addition helps optimize down loft and thermal effectivity. Weighing solely 18.7 ounces, it has a Pertex Quantum shell materials that additionally does an important job at blocking the wind on these damp, bone-chilling days within the low to mid-30s, and is flexible sufficient for day by day put on or extra lively use. The Mountain Hardwear Popover Down Hoody has the same woven baffle development with a extra informal popover hoody design, however our testers choose the extra streamlined match of the Rab to the boxier match of the Mountain Hardwear.

Efficiency Use

Whereas on a regular basis winter jackets prioritize heat, safety, and handy options, performance-oriented winter jackets will typically stability heat and safety with a lighter weight design and extra particular technical options aimed toward lively makes use of like working, climbing, or cross-country snowboarding.

These jackets will typically have loftier down and lighter shell supplies with the intention to save weight and make them extra compressible for stuffing right into a duffel bag or backpack, and can often have a extra fitted model that permits extra physique motion with much less restriction.

Most on a regular basis winter jackets and parkas use 600- to 700-fill-power down insulation and burly 75- to 150-denier shell supplies, whereas performance-oriented winter jackets will typically use loftier 800- to 1000-fill-power down or high-tech artificial insulation, and could have thinner 7- to 30-denier shell supplies.

Efficiency jackets typically have fewer pockets, however will embrace options like twin zippers to accommodate carrying a climbing harness, and both a fitted hood to put on below a climbing helmet, or an outsized helmet-compatible hood.

Efficiency use jackets usually have very breathable supplies designed to dump further warmth and dry rapidly, so that you don’t must take away the jacket throughout vigorous exercise. Many could have artificial insulation that breathes a bit of higher than down and can retain its insulating properties even when moist from exterior moisture or perspiration. These jackets will often have a water resistant end however won’t be totally waterproof, so most individuals will even deliver alongside a skinny, non-insulated waterproof shell jacket.

The Arc’teryx Atom Heavyweight Hoody weighs simply 16.6 ounces with its light-weight and breathable 30-denier nylon shell and Coreloft artificial insulation, making it best quick paced actions like cross-country snowboarding or climbing.

We additionally just like the Rab Cubit Stretchdown Hooded Jacket (18.7 ounces) and the Outside Analysis Coldfront Down Hoodie (20.6 ounces) as versatile selections that blur the road between day by day put on and technical use. Each of those jackets are heat sufficient for day by day use in milder winter climate (all the way down to about 20 levels fahrenheit), but in addition have easy, light-weight designs that additionally make them appropriate for extra lively use.

And whereas they’re each insulated with 700-fill down, they each have options to assist shield in opposition to moisture. The Cubit Stretch has its down protected by a Nikwax hydrophobic end, and the Coldfront has VerticalX ECO artificial insulation in physique areas which are extra vulnerable to moisture.

Shell Jackets

Shell jackets are designed to guard you from harsh climate situations. Like wearable shields that defend in opposition to wind and rain, exhausting shells are supposed to be your outermost layer. Skiers, climbers, and mountaineers exhausting shells for his or her windproof and waterproof safety, and can often put on a shell as a part of a multilayer system which will embrace a base layer, an insulated mid layer, and a water-resistant out shell. Relying on the place you reside, a burly exhausting shell will be the top winter jacket possibility.

Lots of the winter jackets that we examined embrace a water-resistant outer layer, making an extra shell jacket pointless. The Patagonia Stormshadow Down Parka and the Arc’teryx Therme SV Parka each use down insulation shielded by a water-resistant/breathable GORE-TEX. This mixture offers one of the best mix of heat and safety that’s best for on a regular basis use in chilly climates, however shouldn’t be as versatile as a multilayer system for altering climate situations.

Different winter jackets just like the REI Stormhenge Down Parka, the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka, and The North Face McMurdo Down Parka have proprietary waterproof shell supplies made by their respective corporations. Whereas these supplies present waterproof and breathable safety, the efficiency of those supplies isn’t as well-documented as that of GORE-TEX. For normal day by day use in regular winter situations, we had no points with the waterproof efficiency of those jackets.

Some fashions, just like the Patagonia Tres 3-in1 Parka, embrace a detachable inside insulated jacket and an outer waterproof shell jacket. Relying on the situations, every respective jacket may be worn independently, or the inside jacket may be zipped and snapped into the outer jacket for the final word heat and safety.

Heat and Insulation

When contemplating a brand new winter jacket, total heat is clearly one of the crucial vital elements to contemplate. All the jackets that we examined comprise both down or artificial insulation, or each. It’s exhausting to undoubtedly examine total jacket heat and luxury since these options are so user-dependent and may be influenced by the wearer’s gender, physique sort, and exercise stage, and whether or not they usually run hotter or colder.

Having stated that, three jackets that we examined stand out for his or her distinctive heat: the Patagonia Stormshadow Parka, the Arc’teryx Therme SV Parka, and The North Face McMurdo Down Parka. Every of those jackets has a considerable amount of down insulation protected by a water-resistant shell materials, offered the final word mixture of heat and climate safety. Each the Stormshadow and Therme SV are fairly expensive, so in the event you’re searching for luxurious heat with out breaking the financial institution, the McMurdo is a good possibility.

Down Insulation

Fabricated from goose or duck plumage, down is the warmest, lightest, and most compressible sort of insulation on the planet. Virtually the entire winter jackets that we examined for this Purchaser’s Information are insulated with down. When contemplating the warmth-to-weight stability, down continues to be higher insulation than any human-made different. Nevertheless, due to a couple key drawbacks, down does require cautious possession and dealing with.

Down insulation works by trapping heat air within the small areas between the down feathers. Nevertheless, down insulation doesn’t repel water, and it loses its fluffy loft — and thus loses most of its insulation properties — when it will get moist.

To fight this, many down jackets deal with the down with a hydrophobic coating, or add a water-resistant or water-repellant outer shell cloth. Some fashions additionally will strategically change the down with artificial insulation in particular areas of the physique — just like the shoulders or arms —which are vulnerable to moisture out of your physique.

Artificial Insulation

Artificial insulation is designed to duplicate the light-weight insulation down and retain its efficiency when moist. The standard of artificial insulation is consistently enhancing, however it nonetheless usually lags behind down in its total warmth-to-weight ratio. Artificial insulation is usually not as compressible as down, and may lose its loft or fluffiness over time. For these on a price range, artificial insulated jackets are often extra reasonably priced than down.

The principle good thing about artificial insulation is that it’s much more proof against moisture than down. Even when artificial insulation does grow to be moist, it nonetheless offers an affordable share of its final heat. Artificial insulation additionally dries rapidly, particularly when uncovered to wind and solar. This makes artificial insulation common for performance-oriented winter jackets the place an lively consumer will seemingly be producing a whole lot of warmth and potential moisture from sweat. The Arc’teryx Atom Heavyweight Hoody is insulated with artificial Coreloft insulation and is a good alternative for lively pursuits.

If you recognize you’ll be carrying your winter jacket in soggy environments such because the Pacific Northwest, think about buying a synthetic-filled jacket as an alternative of down.

Fill Energy and Fill Weight

The general heat of a down jacket is mostly a perform of the fill energy and the fill weight of the down insulation that’s used. Fill energy represents a quantity to weight ratio (expressed in cubic inches per ounce), and fill weight represents weight (in ounces). By multiplying the fill energy by the fill weight, you may get an total quantity of insulation.

Remember that different elements like jacket supplies, match, and baffle form, measurement, and development also can impression the general heat of a jacket.

Fill Energy

Fill energy is a technical specification that usually refers back to the high quality or loftiness of down insulation. That is decided by a standardized lab take a look at that calculates the amount (in cubic inches) taken up by one ounce of down. A better fill energy quantity signifies that the down has better loft (that means it’s fluffier or puffier), which implies that it’s going to have higher thermal effectivity and supply a greater warmth-to-weight ratio.

Remember that the next fill energy does not routinely imply {that a} jacket will likely be hotter. It simply signifies that it makes use of loftier down insulation that may have the ability to present higher thermal effectivity and heat at a lighter weight.

Most down jackets — together with the entire winter jackets that we examined for this Purchaser’s Information — could have a fill energy ranking someplace between 600 and 900. Informal-wear down jackets usually have a fill energy ranking between 600 and 750, whereas high-end efficiency jackets could have a fill energy ranking of 750 to 900 or greater.

Of the winter jackets that we examined for this Purchaser’s Information, the REI Co-op Stormhenge has the very best fill energy ranking at 850, and The North Face McMurdo has the bottom fill energy ranking at 600. Nevertheless, the McMurdo is hotter total than the Stormhenge, however weighs virtually a pound and a half extra. The McMurdo weighs 3 kilos, 8.8 ounces, in comparison with the Stormhenge at 2 kilos, 3.2 ounces.

Some ultralight down jackets in the present day use insulation with a fill energy ranking of 1000. Remember that this worth solely represents a warmth-to-weight ratio and never the general heat of a jacket. Jackets with a fill energy ranking between 900 and 1000 will usually weigh 10 ounces or much less and are supposed for quick and lightweight technical pursuits. These down jackets won’t be practically as heat as any of the winter jackets on this Purchaser’s Information, however will likely be a lot lighter and extra packable.

Fill Weight

As its title suggests, fill weight refers back to the complete weight of the down insulation inside a jacket. Whereas fill energy is commonly marketed extra prominently than fill weight, each are equally vital to the efficiency of a jacket.

All different elements being equal like jacket supplies, match, and baffle development, a jacket with 5 ounces of 700-fill-power down (complete quantity of 5 x 700 = 3,500 cubic inches) will seemingly be hotter than a jacket with 3 ounces of 900-fill-power down (complete quantity of three x 900 = 2,700 cubic inches), however it’s going to weigh extra and be much less compressible.

The upper the fill energy (high quality or loftiness), the much less fill weight is required to create the identical relative heat. It is because the higher-loft down takes up extra quantity per ounce and is ready to lure extra air and heat than a decrease fill-power down.

A jacket with 4 ounces of 900-fill-power down (complete quantity of 4 x 900 = 3,600 cubic inches) and a jacket with 6 ounces of 600-fill-power down (complete quantity of 6 x 600 = 3,600 cubic inches) ought to have about the identical heat, however the 900-fill-power down jacket will likely be lighter, extra compressible, and certain dearer.

Down jackets are usually obtainable with anyplace between 4 ounces and 20 ounces of fill weight. Evaluating fill weight is most helpful when all jackets in query have the same fill energy ranking.

Climate Safety

Whereas heat is usually the highest consideration when searching for a winter jacket, safety from the weather can be important. Cozy down or artificial insulation will assist maintain you heat, however a wind or waterproof outer shell, a ample size, and a protecting hood will assist seal out chilly wind, rain, and snow.

For moist situations corresponding to rain and sleet, prioritize a jacket with a water-resistant shell. Waterproof jackets include taped seams and heavy-duty exterior materials. Jackets on this class are additionally nice for wind safety. The Arc’teryx Therme SV stands out right here for its waterproof GORE-TEX shell, its adjustable insulated hood, and its prolonged size that nearly reaches the knees.

Should you plan to put on your jacket in freezing situations the place it’s extra more likely to snow than rain, otherwise you’ll be in a dry chilly, a totally waterproof shell might not be essential. Many extremely insulated jackets, whereas not utterly waterproof, include a top quality DWR therapy that sheds mild moisture.

Options

Helpful options may be the distinction between a superb jacket and an important jacket. Snug hoods, handwarmer pockets, and cuff closures are a few of the winter jacket options we think about to be probably the most beneficial. When mixed, these design particulars add vital heat, versatility, and safety from chilly situations

Hood

Winter jacket hoods are available in a variety of styles and sizes. Throughout stormy climate, a protecting hood is necessary. Effectively-designed hoods provide ample customization and adjustability. Further hood options corresponding to a fur lining and a stiff brim are additionally value searching for out.

Certainly one of our favorites is definitely the easy and comfortable hood design of the Rab Cubit Stretch Down. This jacket has a fitted hood with no adjustment cords or straps aside from an elastic brim across the wearer’s face. Whereas this hood gained’t match over a climbing or ski helmet, we admire the simplicity and luxury of the comfortable match.

On the opposite finish of the spectrum, many of the winter jackets we examined have well-insulated hoods with two entrance and one rear adjustment cords. This enables the consumer to dial in a extra personalized match, and infrequently permits the hood to be worn over a ski or climbing helmet.

We’d additionally like to notice that the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 has a non-insulated hood since it’s a part of the outer shell jacket, and the Eddie Bauer Superior Down Parka is the one mannequin we examined for this Purchaser’s Information that features a detachable fake fur ruff.

Two-Approach Zippers

Two-way zippers let you open the entrance of your jacket from each the underside and the highest. In extra-long and thigh-length jackets, two-way zippers are important for enabling leg mobility whereas sitting or stepping right into a car. On extra technical jackets, a two-way zipper makes it simpler to the place a climbing harness whereas carrying the jacket.

A lot of the jackets we examined have a two-way zipper. The Arc’teryx Therme SV is the longest parka that we examined, and we’re grateful that it has a useful two-way zipper.

Pockets

All the jackets we examined have a various assortment of pocket designs, starting from handwarmer pockets to exterior gear pockets to chest pockets to inside zippered or stash pockets. Extra totally featured parkas just like the Mountain Hardwear Nevadan or the Eddie Bauer Superior Down Parka usually have probably the most different and helpful pockets, however this additionally provides to the load of the jacket. Lighter weight jackets just like the Outside Analysis Coldfront or the Rab Cubit Stretch Down is perhaps restricted to handwarmer pockets and perhaps an adjunct pocket or two.

Hand pockets most likely have the most important impression on consolation and comfort, however not all hand pockets are created equal. Some — just like the Mountain Hardwear Nevadan and the Outside Analysis Coldfront — have cozy fleece-lined hand pockets which are at simply the correct angle to relaxation your arms. However others — just like the Eddie Bauer Superior Down — have oversize pockets which are at a clumsy angle and aren’t as comfy.

Cuff Closures

Cuff closures let you create a seal round your wrist that stops wind and snow from getting into by your sleeves, and usually embrace a Velcro strap or snap attachment level. Jackets also can embrace inside wrist gaiters for further heat and tender, cozy safety. Wrist gaiters may be tough to put on with a wristwatch or bracelet however undoubtedly assist the general consolation.

The Eddie Bauer Superior Down Parka has a few of the coziest wrist cuffs. Theirs is a tender inside gaiter that seems like a comfortable sweater, and an adjustable Velcro strap on the outer cuff.

Different fashions have extra easy cuff designs, like an elastic band that helps maintain a cosy match across the wrist. This design is often ample for lighter weight jackets, however isn’t as versatile as an elastic cuff.

Continuously Requested Questions