Winter is coming, which means it is time to get you your reliable jacket before the coldest months arrive. Below are some of the warmest on the market, which are packed with down fill or synthetic on occasion and, more importantly, designed to stand up to howling winds and freezing temperatures. They cover the range from casual pieces built for around-town use to performance options for the backcountry. Some are fully capable of handling heavy-duty.
The North Face McMurdo Parka
You can either spend a lot more for a winter jacket or try the McMurdo Parka from The North Face. This jacket has a combination of both quality and value. It covers all the essentials: block the wind, warm, waterproof, and is also breathable for use in milder temperatures. Furthermore, the upper-thigh-length cut offers good coverage while still allowing for plenty of mobility.
REI Co-op Stormhenge 850
As the name implies, Stormhenge comes with a premium 850-fill goose down along with a 2-layer waterproof shell. Impressively, the Stormhenge jacket boasts several technical features like a 2-way zipper up front and pit zips for dumping heat. This winter jacket comes with a comfortable and adjustable hood that you can get at a very reasonable price.
Rab Neutrino Pro
When it comes to warmth, backcountry-ready features, and value, the Rab Neutrino Pro is taken into consideration. Moreover, it has a whopping 8 ounces of 800-fill hydrophobic down, which is considerably more than the other popular lightweight down jacket brands that cost nearly as much. The Rab also sports a Pertex Quantum Pro shell but retains just about everything.
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka
Patagonia toes the line nicely for a winter jacket that is both warm and looks with the Tres 3-in-1 Parka. This winter jacket is comfortable, well-insulated, as well as fully waterproof, and has clean lines that suit well in different situations. Moreover, the versatile 3-in-1 construction gives you the option to either wear the waterproof shell on rainy days or zip in the down inner layer when the mercury drops. Although it does not provide the range of movement of more performance-oriented winter jackets, it is still an excellent choice for around-town use and cold spells in areas like the Midwest and East Coast of the US.
Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka
Feathered Friends is a Seattle-based company that not only specializes in premium down products but also manufactures almost everything in the US. Most essentially, it is packed with high-quality down: 13.3 ounces of 900-fill goose down, to be exact. And you also get extra thoughtful touches like PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation around the reinforced elbows, collar, as well as a two-way handy zipper.
Patagonia Frozen Range Parka
The warmest parka in Patagonia’s lineup, the Frozen Range manages to look good to boot. With a premium 700-fill down, the jacket is waterproof-resistant with a Gore-Tex shell and offers extra coziness with its thigh-length coverage. Its superb hood design protects your entire face and head while giving an opening for visibility.
