In This Article
- Top 10 Warmest Winter Coats
- 1. The North Face McMurdo Parka
- 2. REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid
- 3. Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka
- 4. Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka
- 5. Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka
- 6. Patagonia Frozen Range Parka
- 7. Mountain Equipment Lightline Eco
- 8. Arc’teryx Camosun Parka
- 9. Marmot Fordham Jacket
- 10. Canada Goose Langford Parka
- Last Words
This article will go through 10 of the best and warmest winter coats available in the market today.
When the most chilly months of the year hit, you’ll need a heavy-duty jacket. You don’t have to worry. Our top recommendations for the great winter coats and parkas are among the warmest on the market.
We’ll talk about coats with down fill or synthetic fill on occasion and designed to withstand freezing temperatures and wailing winds.
They have various styles, from casual outfits for around-town wear to high-performance alternatives for the backcountry. Generally, people walk a fine line and are perfectly capable of double duty.
Let’s see the warmest winter coats’ top list and purchasing recommendation options we have for you.
Top 10 Warmest Winter Coats
1. The North Face McMurdo Parka
You can undoubtedly spend a lot more money on a winter jacket, but the McMurdo Parka from The North Face offers a great blend of quality and affordability. That’s why it is our best overall winter coat!
This parka has it all: warm, waterproof, windproof, and breathable enough for warmer weather. The upper-thigh-length cut, which provides decent covering while allowing for lots of movement, is also a plus.
TNF has included a few critical environmental features in a recent update, such as recycled down and materials and a PFC-free DWR treatment. Last but not least, the $350 McMurdo is far less costly than several of the parkas we on this list.
What are The North Face’s McMurdo Parka’s drawbacks? It has a very casual appearance and feels to it. Thus it isn’t intended for use in the wilderness.
Furthermore, you won’t receive the same warmth or compressibility as some of the most expensive jackets on the list, which employ thinner shells and 800-fill-power down or higher.
However, they shouldn’t be significant difficulties for around-town usage, so many choose the McMurdo. The icing on the cake: the jacket has a great aesthetic.
The synthetic fur on the hood is detachable, which is a good thing since it could be a deal-breaker for some.
The Arctic Parka for women doesn’t have the same name as the men’s version, but it has a lot of the same features, such as complete waterproofing, a warm inside, and a hood with a detachable fake fur lining.
2. REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid
A few years ago, REI’s Stormhenge 850 was a game-changer when it first came out. This winter coat is for you if you’re going for quality and affordability.
This jacket is a budget-friendly winter jacket with actual technical capabilities, such as quality 850-fill-power down and a water-resistant shell. Good thing REI has launched Stormhenge, a follow-up to the original, for winter 2022.
Synthetic insulation in high-moisture places that includes the cuffs and hood, a longer length for better coverage, and increased storage are notable improvements. According to some buyers’ reviews, people especially like the new interior zippered pocket.
Fortunately, they retained the 2-layer waterproof construction with complete seam taping, pit zips for dumping heat, and a two-way main zipper from the original. The new Stormhenge is an incredible bargain when you add it all together.
Classifying Stormhenge and determining which group it belongs to is more tricky. The waterproofness and technical characteristics are akin to those of a belay jacket or ski shell, yet the sleek style and stylish hues might work just as well in the city.
Furthermore, its warmth lies in the middle: it’ll keep you toasty in the low 20s Fahrenheit with only a thin base layer, but it can’t match a higher-end alternative like the Outdoor Research Super Alpine.
Despite the flaws, we believe the new REI Stormhenge Down Hybrid is another excellent product that offers an unbeatable mix of features, performance, and value.
3. Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka
Patagonia’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka walks the line beautifully between being warm and looking the part for daily wear. With this, we consider it the most versatile parka for everyday use.
This coat is warm, comfortable, and entirely waterproof, with sleek lines that perform well in some scenarios. The 3-in-1 design also allows you to use merely the waterproof cover on wet days or zip in the down internal lining when the temperature falls.
True, the Tres comes short on the range of motion of more performance-oriented coats, but it’s a terrific alternative for around-town wear during chilly periods on the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
Compared to other casual models on this list, the Tres 3-in-1’s 700-fill-power down is superior to The North Face McMurdo’s 600-fill.
Furthermore, the parka-length cut provides more incredible warmth and covering than anything outside Canada Goose. On the other hand, the jacket is pricey. It is Patagonia, after all. And parkas are notoriously tricky to fit well.
However, we like the design and complete waterproofing, which Patagonia’s Jackson Glacier Parka does not provide. You can always check the Patagonia Frozen Range for the ultimate warmth.
4. Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka
Although the North Face McMurdo and Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 above are for daily usage, a variety of more performance-oriented winter coats are available.
The best winter coat in performance would be the Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka. It’s our best selection for the 2022 season as it takes warmth, backcountry-ready features, and affordability into account.
Most notably, you’ll receive 8.8 ounces of 800-fill hydrophobic down, which is far more than most casual jackets on the market.
The OR also comes with a water-resistant Pertex Quantum Pro shell with a DWR finish that provides excellent protection against dripping ice and wet snow and practical features like internal stash pockets and hood, hem, and cuff adjustments.
The Super Alpine is not for everyone. The parka has a technical appearance, and the longer hem may put off some climbers and skiers.
Second, although the 30-denier shell fabric is decent in performance and keeps weight down, the jacket is more fragile than most casual alternatives on our list, particularly those with tough shells like the TNF and Patagonia above.
Finally, the Super Alpine is heavier than many of its direct competitors—Rab’s affordable Neutrino Pro, which was largely unavailable at the time of publication, weighs over 8 ounces less.
The Patagonia Grade VII, which can cost around $899, while Arc’teryx Alpha Parka may come at $999, is warmer and lighter for a significant price difference.
However, considering its mix of warmth, affordability, and availability, the OR is a well-rounded heavyweight puffy that provides all the performance most winter travelers want.
5. Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka
Feathered Friends, situated in Seattle, is a small business that focuses on high-end down items, with most of its products manufactured in the United States. And this Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka is the best expedition for the most extreme cold temperature.
We adore the lightweight Eos for chilly weather, but the heavyweight Khumbu Parka is as toasty. Most significantly, it’s stuffed with premium down: 13.3 ounces of 900-fill goose down, to be precise.
PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation is also around the neck, reinforced elbows, and a convenient two-way zipper. Because of its limited appeal for everyday usage, the Khumbu Parka is listed below instead of higher.
True, you may wear this jacket in the dead of winter on the streets of Chicago or Boston, but it belongs on big-mountain peaks and for high-altitude climbing.
After all, more casual choices like the Mountain Equipment Lightline Eco and Patagonia Fitz Roy below offer a cleaner style and broader appeal for less money. Still, the Khumbu Parka wins on warmth and down fill.
6. Patagonia Frozen Range Parka
The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 above is an excellent casual garment with many adaptabilities, but on the worst winter days, you’ll probably need to layer beneath it.
Enter the Frozen Range is Patagonia’s warmest parka that looks fantastic. The coat is waterproof with a Gore-Tex shell, and it features a thigh-length cover-up for extra warmth.
This Tres-shell in-1 only goes down to the thigh and has a superb hood design that protects your whole head and face while leaving an opening for visibility.
This jacket is ideal for super cold and windy places like Chicago and Boston. We like the front buttons, which elevate the Frozen Range to new heights.
Firstly, the Frozen Range 3-in-1’s insulation only extends to the waist. The shell stretches to the thigh, making it less warm overall. Secondly, the jacket’s numerous zippers and connection points increase weight, weighing 3 lbs 9 oz.
Lastly, the 3-in-1 costs $100 more than the 2-in-1, $799. Both are good alternatives depending on your requirements, but I would suggest the warmer and lighter one featured here since it saves us money.
7. Mountain Equipment Lightline Eco
Give Mountain Equipment’s Lightline a good look if you’re looking for a warm down puffy that won’t break your savings.
This jacket comes with an impressive 10.4 oz of 700-fill down and reliable protection from the elements with a windproof, and it also has a water-resistant Drilite cover. They recently modified it to the “Eco” with Bluesign-approved, recycled textiles and PFC-free DWR coating.
We also appreciate the Lightline’s clean design, durable construction, and variety of elegant, muted colorways—it’s a good choice for anything from technical usage to daily wear in cold regions.
Lastly, for $325, it’s a great deal. Many winter coats cost far more than others with a fraction of the down.
Why is this jacket so reasonably priced? Mountain Equipment, situated in the United Kingdom, isn’t well-known in the United States, and the firm doesn’t invest much in athletes or advertising campaigns.
The Lightline’s material quality, particularly the mid-range 700-fill down, is inferior to rivals like the Outdoor Research Super Alpine above, typically with outdoor gear that wins out in price.
Consequently, it falls short of the OR in terms of warmth and portability. On the other hand, the OR has a tough 50-denier shell that will stand up well to regular usage as the OR’s cover is 30D. You won’t find a better deal on insulation and comfort for your money.
8. Arc’teryx Camosun Parka
The Camosun is Arc’teryx’s winter jacket that sits just below the Therme Parka in the lineup. The Camosun, like the Therme, has a two-layer Gore-Tex shell for reliable moisture and wind protection.
The jacket also effectively blends cold-weather warmth with increased confidence for especially damp days around town by combining 2.6 ounces of excellent 750-fill down with 140-gram synthetic Coreloft around the cuffs, hood, which is also removable, and under the sleeves.
Overall, it’s another well-made and attractive garment from the venerable Canadian brand, and it’s a fantastic fit for wet-weather climates.
When comparing the Camosun to the Therme, the former is $50 cheaper, weighs around 2.5 ounces lighter, and has a thicker outer fabric with 150D vs. 75D.
With 1.1 ounces more down and a 2-inch longer length, the Therme provides superior warmth and covering and an extra pocket at the outer chest.
Therme features a wide “regular” shape with a stylish and protective flap over the front zipper, while the Camosun is more technical, with the brand’s well-loved “trim” fit and streamlined WaterTight front zip.
In addition, while Arc’teryx doesn’t produce a complete women’s version, the $600 Andra Down Jacket has Gore-Tex waterproofing and a combination of synthetic (60g and 100g Coreloft) 750-fill down insulation.
9. Marmot Fordham Jacket
Like The North Face‘s McMurdo above, Marmot’s Fordham is a modestly priced winter jacket meant primarily for casual wear.
We believe the Fordham is an excellent all-around alternative. It includes a lot of 700-fill down, better quality than the McMurdo, a durable 2-layer waterproof shell, and a detachable hood for when you don’t need it.
Fordham’s utilitarian, urban style with robust materials and many pockets is particularly appealing.
Why isn’t Fordham University higher up on our list? The fit is a little restrictive for a cold-weather layering garment, especially when adding additional warmth like a scarf to the neck region. It’s also more bulky and puffy than the McMurdo, particularly around the shoulders and arms.
On the plus side, we found it to provide an extra layer of warmth on freezing days, albeit its shorter cut can’t compete with the McMurdo’s covering. With its mix of comfort, durability, and pricing, the Fordham is a solid challenger to the casual alternatives on our list.
10. Canada Goose Langford Parka
Canada Goose, established in Toronto, is one of the top winter jackets. These jackets are the genuine deal: warm, well-made, and downright stylish for individuals who want to appear their best.
The Langford Parka, our top selection from Canada Goose, achieves a beautiful sweet spot between the Arctic and urban usage.
The Langford is said to withstand temperatures as low as -15°F because to 625-fill duck down. Ironically, the manufacturer employs predominantly duck down rather than goose and a thick and robust Arctic-Tech shell.
The Expedition Parka, the company’s second-warmest tier of the garment, is suitable for temperatures as low as -25°F. Aside from the incredible warmth, quality, and style, Canada Goose’s main flaw is the price. The Langford costs a phenomenal $1,275.
The Antarctic-ready Expedition Parka is a ridiculous $1,495, but unlike Arc’teryx and other high-end brands, Canada Goose doesn’t utilize premium down.
The Langford is simply a slight upgrade over the $350 model. However, it has more fill and is substantially warmer than the North Face McMurdo in down quality.
On the other hand, Canada Goose has a vital niche in the market if you get cold quickly, want better insulation, or love the style.
Last Words
The intended function of a winter jacket is perhaps the most significant consideration. Casual winter coats are worn daily in colder climates, such as Denver, Chicago, Boston, New York, and ski resorts.
On the other hand, performance jackets are more technological and, thanks to the use of quality down and shell materials, are frequently lower in weight. These versions can be purposeful for cold-weather mountaineering, climbing, and other outdoor activities.
The good news is that wearing a casual coat will save you a lot of money in the long run. The North Face McMurdo and Marmot Fordham, two of our best simple selections, are under $300 and provide enough warmth and weather protection for most individuals.
Weight, packability, and range of motion are all tradeoffs essential while climbing mountains but not so much on the morning commute.
A few parkas that fit into the casual/work category with very robust polyester shells and outstanding toughness are at the bottom of our list.
Here are some other posts you may find as interesting and informative as this one:
- Warmest Blanket for Camping (Which is the Best?)
- Top 10 Picks on the Warmest Winter Hat You Can Get This 2022
- 9 Heat Sources You Should Prepare for the Winter
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I really adore the parka coat! I need to be on a suit at work, and there are times when I don’t feel like doing a complete business appearance, especially with an overcoat for the cold, and it actually seems like a decent option. As you indicated in the blog, a bit more trendy while still keeping graceful.