The 6 best men's winter coats for any winter weather
- A great winter coat will keep you warm, dry, and looking good, too.
- This guide has a variety of coats, but for major warmth, see our guide to the best winter parkas.
- If you're looking for women's styles, check out our guide to the best winter coats for women.
Yes, it's that time of year again when those of us in northern reaches need to prepare to primarily live indoors, and otherwise face the fact that every time we step outside, we require a shield from the cold.
But what makes a good winter coat all depends firstly on what you need from it, and secondly how you want to look in it. The first thing to consider is insulation. Wool and layering work to a point, but when it drops below freezing, insulation (synthetic or down) becomes a necessity.
Below, we've laid out all of our favorites in a handful of the most general and versatile styles, so whether it's an ultralight down, a fur-lined parka, a work coat built for use and abuse, or a prim and proper overcoat, we've got you covered. But if you're looking for serious warmth, check out our guide to the best men's parkas.
These are the best winter coats for men in 2021:
- Best winter coat overall: Patagonia Topley Jacket
- Best waterproof winter jacket: Columbia OutDry Ex Alta Peak Down Jacket
- Best men's parka: Triple F.A.T. Goose's Wyndmeir
- Best for extreme cold: Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero Parka
- Best vintage-style winter coat: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
- Best leather winter coat: Triple F.A.T. Goose Berkshire
Patagonia
The Patagonia Men's Topley Jacket offers the warmth of a parka in a handsome, stylish jacket that looks right at home above a pair of jeans or dress slacks.
Pros: Stylish appearance, dual-layer design offers excellent insulation, clever design features
Cons: None to speak of
Sizing options: XS—XXL
At a glance, the Patagonia Men's Topley Jacket looks like a casual and rather simple jacket. Its design would not have looked out of place in any decade since the 1940s and will likely remain fashionable many decades into the future. Although this jacket may be unassuming in appearance, it's actually quite capable in terms of performance.
The outer shell of this two-layer coat is made from 100% recycled polyester and is waterproof yet breathable. The inner layer is quilted and features 600-fill-power recycled down that provides excellent insulation. Thanks to a zipper secured with a buttoned storm flap, even a harsh, cutting wind will be kept at bay.
What sets this jacket apart from the pack are the details. Its exterior pockets are lined with a brushed jersey material to keep your fingers warm and cozy. Its removable hood is well insulated, adjustable, and features a laminated visor to keep precipitation off your face (and out of your eyes, most notably). The left chest pocket has a waterproof zipper and a port for headphones. The waist can be cinched shut with an adjustable drawcord that keeps out that biting wind.
The best waterproof winter jacketColumbia Sportswear
You could have a friend spray you with a hose and still stay dry in the Columbia OutDry Ex Alta Peak Down Jacket, plus, you'd stay nice and warm.
Pros: Exceptional waterproofing, compresses well for packing, lightweight
Cons: Limited breathability can cause sweating issues
Sizing options: S—XXL
I own a Columbia OutDry Ex Alta Peak Down Jacket and I wear it dozens of times in the winter. When I'm doing any winter camping or hiking, I use it for the duration of the trip, day and night — balled up, the jacket makes a decent pillow for sleeping. By day, it keeps me warm and, as you've likely surmised, 100% dry. When you see Columbia's proprietary OutDry tag on one of its garments, you can count on it to be totally waterproof.
I've worn my Ex Alta Down jacket in heavy snow and in driving rain and on some very cold days, and frankly, when paired with a couple of layers of innerwear, the jacket kept me too warm once my heart rate was up. But that's a lot better than too cold. The jacket features multiple slender horizontal baffles that keep the 700-fill-power down in place and evenly distributed, and all seams are coated with an external tape, keeping out cold air and wetness.
Another thing you will love about this jacket is its remarkable compressibility. This thing can keep you warm in freezing temperatures, but then pack down small enough to tuck away into your pack or even into a glove compartment or a drawer.
The best men's parkaTriple F.A.T. Goose
Triple F.A.T. Goose's Wyndmeir is plenty warm and waterproof, making it a great all-around pick for both the dead of winter and the shoulder seasons.
Pros: As warm as parkas get, TFG offers a wide range of styles and prices on parkas
Cons: Not fully waterproof
Sizing options: S—3XL
Packed full with 700-fill-power down, Triple F.A.T. Goose's line is an Insider Reviews favorite, and several of our writers have deemed it their go-to brand for winter parkas.
While the market may be moving away from natural down (and fur, which the brand also offers), Triple F.A.T. Goose is on the relatively responsible side of things when it comes to sourcing down (and arguably fur, too). The brand's down is never live-plucked or force-fed, and is inspected, tested, and certified by the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL). You can read about the company's fur and down policy here.
If you're in a somewhat milder climate like the maritime, the Wyndmeir is not fully waterproof but treated with TFG's Atmoshell+, and it's sealed at key seams for better water repellency without compromising breathability. It's also filled with less down, leaving some room for layering when it gets really cold.
Each of the parkas we've tested from Triple F.A.T. has been generously endowed with down, and warm as can be.
The best winter coat for extreme conditionsMountain Hardwear
The Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero Down Parka will keep you warm and dry whether you're hurrying down a snowy city street or clinging to the north face of a Himalayan mountain.
Pros: Fantastically warm, durable construction, blocks out water and wind, thoughtful pocket layout
Cons: Overkill for most people's daily needs
Sizing options: S-XXL
Let's get the elephant in the room out of the way early: Yes, this coat is very expensive. But when said garment could be the difference between life and death during a mountaineering expedition, you really shouldn't worry over a few (hundred) dollars.
The Mountain Hardware Absolute Zero Down Parka might be for high altitude winter hiking or climbing, but it's also a fine choice for anyone who lives in areas prone to heavy snowfall and frigid winds, no alpine excursions required.
The parka provides its amazing insulation thanks to an abundance of large 800-fill down baffles. "Fill power" essentially refers to the quality and density of down. Higher fill power means higher quality down that insulates better, it doesn't simply refer to a larger volume of material.
Its seams are welded and the exterior of the jacket is fully waterproof. Inner water bottle pockets and a mesh stash pocket help you keep your water and snacks close at hand...and not frozen. Thanks to the mid-thigh length of the jacket, your entire core will be kept warm and dry.
The best vintage-style winter jacketThe North Face
The North Face Nuptse Jacket is a staple in streetwear style, but still lives up to its origins as a high-performance jacket for Himalayan mountaineers.
Pros: Warm, packable design, street style, high-performance quality and features, lots of colors available
Cons: None to speak of
Sizing options: XXS-3XL
The North Face Nuptse Jacket originally released in 1992 as a top-of-the-line jacket for cold-weather mountain climbers. Named after a mountain in the Central Himalayas, it was designed to be super warm, relatively lightweight, and durable for handling such harsh cold-weather climates.
The 1996 version became a fan-favorite and could be spotted anywhere from mount peaks to city streets. Its distinct boxy cut and large insulated baffles give it that classic puffer coat look with real functionality.
The design also includes useful weather-blocking additions like a bungee cinched hem, Velcro wrist cuffs, a packable hood in the collar. And the most impressive feature is that the entire jacket packs into its pocket for compact storage — something that most winter jackets can't do.
Overall, The North Face Nuptse has been one of the most timeless winter jackets over the last three decades. It's stood the test of time and looks just as good today. You'll find them in a variety of colorways, so you can pick your favorite color or collect multiples for different outfits.
The best leather winter coatAmir Ismael/Insider
The Triple F.A.T. Goose Birkshire is made with luxurious lambskin leather and packs serious warmth.
Pros: Soft leather material, 700-fill power, packable hood, bungee waist, warm
Cons: Not ideal for wet conditions
Sizing options: S-XL
From a technical and performance standpoint, Triple F.A.T. Goose is one of our favorite winter coat brands. They're truly built for cold weather, hence the acronym "For Arctic Temperatures" featured in its name. But before its modern-day resurgence, the brand was also coveted for its style.
Inspired by the brand's late 80s designs, the Birkshire features a soft lambskin leather shell. In the two years that I've owned mine, the leather has gotten softer with time. It's an extremely high-quality piece that will likely last for decades with proper care.
As stylish as it is, this jacket is also still very warm. It has a 700-fill power, fleece-lined pockets, a bungee cinched hem for blocking cold wind at the waist, and a packable hood. I've worn it on the coldest days of winter and was kept comfortably warm.
If you're looking for a real leather jacket — not those plastic garbage bag-looking high-gloss puffers — that you can wear well after fall, this is it.
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