13 Best Jacket Brands for Winter

Winter brings on the chills, and with it, you dive into your closet for extra layers. There is no denying that one of the best attire for keeping the cold out is a good jacket. Whether you’re at work, on the slopes, or a long commute, there is nothing like the warmth of a good jacket. However, choosing the best jacket brands for winter can be pretty confusing with so many jackets out there.

That being said, the best popular brands are so because of their features. Most of these brands have unmatched quality, whether the jacket’s exterior or the filling inside. These jackets not only keep out the cold but keep you dry too. So whether you’re looking for the best jackets for winter hiking or the best jackets for the snow, you’re sure to find something you like among the best jacket brands for winter.

Fjallraven

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If you’re looking for extra warmth, one of the best jacket brands for winter is undoubtedly Fjallraven. The brand’s Swedish roots play a large influence on its clothing designs. With its commitment to getting more people outdoors, the brand sources material directly from the environment. Jackets from Fjallraven look and feel good too.

G-1000, the cornerstone material in most of the brand’s products, stands up well to the rigors of the outdoors. The material is wind and water-resistant, durable, and ventilating. Eco-Shell is another material associated with the brand. It is also a breathable, outer synthetic material protecting from snow, rain, and sleet.

One of the more popular winter jackets from the brand is their Skogso Padded Jacket. This hip-length, lightly padded winter jacket comes with an adjustable hood. The G-Loft Supreme padding provides extra warmth even during damp conditions, making this a preferred choice for cold climatic conditions. Additionally, the signature G-1000 exterior keeps the wind and water out. Fjallraven’s Nuuk Parka is a good choice for women.

Mountain Hardwear

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Mountain Hardwear is another brand that stands out among the best jacket brands for winter. Founded in 1993, the brand is committed to making gear that works. It is another environmentally conscious brand and strives to create enduring performance, knowing that our actions impact the planet.

Their apparel embraces all kinds of nature enthusiasts with something for everyone. As for their jackets, these are especially good for the outdoors. You can choose from lightweight jackets to insulated snow shells.

The Ghost Whisperer jacket is a lightweight jacket that is surprisingly warm. Made from entirely recycled face fabric, this ultralight down jacket is one of the brand’s bestselling jackets. The style is available for both men and women.

Caterpillar

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Caterpillar is primarily associated with heavy-duty equipment. However, like many companies, the brand expanded its operations to include clothing, hats, luggage, gloves, footwear, and watches, among other things.

Cat apparel has gradually been appreciated for its high quality, performance, and durability. While the brand’s workwear is highly popular, there is a growing market for its jackets, hoodies, and pants. The best thing is they are pretty affordable!

The Caterpillar Men’s Soft Shell Jacket is incredible for someone whose primary concern is warmth. The water-resistant, windproof jacket comes with reflective piping for greater visibility in low light conditions. However, if you’re looking for something warmer, the Heavy Insulated Parka is as good as it gets.

Helly Hansen

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Headquartered in Oslo, Helly Hansen is a popular Norwegian brand with skiers and sailors. With a heritage that goes back to 1877, you can be certain their jackets are extra special. From developing survival suites for offshore oil workers in the North Sea, the brand became a popular name for urban youth in the late 1990s.

In 2008, the brand won the Red Dot Design Award for their Odin collection, a 3-layer materialization system for mountaineers. With the advancement of technology came the H2 Flow Jacket that allows the wearer to regulate their body temperature. Their jackets now use the Helly Tech system that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. The brand is also well-known with skiers and sailors.

Helly Hansen’s Dubliner Insulated Jacket with Packable Hood is ideal for cold weather. Firstly, the jacket’s Helly Tech Protection fabric provides excellent protection from the elements. In addition to this, the lightweight insulation is excellent for cold weather and rainy winter days.

Marmot

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Named after the Marmot squirrel, the best jacket brand for winter goes back to 1974. The brand has a reputation for the best technical gear and outdoor apparel. For instance, their cutting-edge outdoor gear gained recognition after being featured in the film The Eiger Sanction.

Marmot’s products are not confined to jackets but include tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags. The brand stands out among the best jackets brands because of its performance and affordability. Technology such as waterproof NanoPro coating and featherless insulation forms a big part of their outdoor apparel and gear.

We recommend the Marmot Men’s Guides Down Winter Jacket for pretty cold conditions or the Women’s Ithaca Down Jacket. The men’s down-filled hoody is built to withstand the elements. You can be sure you’ll stay warm and dry with the 700-fill down that comes with water-resistant Down Defender.

Carhartt

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Founded in 1889, the American brand Carhartt is synonymous with heavy-duty working clothes. From jackets, coats, vests, dungarees, and jeans, you’ll find a wide range of apparel. No matter what kind of weather, their clothes are designed to last.

Although the brand’s popularity has been with workers, hunters, farmers, and those who work outdoors, the brand has diversified to general streetwear, namely Carhartt WIP. The brand saw a kind of revival after Matthew Mcconaughey’s character in Interstellar flaunted their blanket-lined jacket.

Carhartt Men’s Quilted Flannel Lined Duck Active Jacket is an example of their high-quality jackets. Crafted with water-repellent and wind-resistant rugged cotton duck, the jacket keeps the cold out. For under-the-covers warmth, the body and hood are lined with quilted flannel.

Triple F.A.T Goose

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Originally engineered to provide supreme warmth in the coldest climates, the Triple F.A.T Goose is America’s original premium urban outdoors brand. Their jackets stand out for all the right reasons. In a word, they are warm, durable, and of the highest quality.

With the extra batch of down filling, their jackets provide the warmth required for cold climates. Accordingly, their down jackets and parkas have been tested in Chicago and even Antarctica. Since 2015, the brand has become a direct-to-customer brand, offering luxury outwear with technical performance features.

You’ll find jackets for both men and women. A good example of the company’s excellent jackets is the Triple F.A.T. Goose Verso Reversible Men’s Puffer Jacket. The jacket features a 90/10 white duck down to feather insulation. Consequently, you can look forward to exceptional warmth with the down. This classic take on reversible puffy jackets allows you the luxury of two distinctive looks.

Amazon Essentials

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Sometimes the best jacket brands for winter are those that you don’t pay much attention to. Amazon Essentials is one such brand with some excellent jackets for winter. The brand focuses on creating affordable, high-quality, and long-lasting everyday clothing. So you can look forward to jackets with these features.

For winter, you’ll find cashmere sweaters, fleece and down jackets, and much more. Each piece is tested to maintain the highest standards in quality and comfort.

One of this brand’s more popular winter jackets is the Amazon Essentials Lightweight Long Sleeve Puffer Jacket. Given the affordable price tag, it’s surprising how well this jacket does in cold weather. It provides great warmth even though the filling is not down and is durable. The best thing is that it’s easy to pack.

Patagonia

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With values that reflect the minimalist style of those that started the business, Patagonia is another name to be reckoned with for outdoor gear. Founded in 1973, the brand has hundreds of stores across five continents. If you’re looking for the best jacket brand for winter, the Patagonia jackets are worth your time.

While the brand’s range includes backpacks, bags, and gear care products, their jackets are extremely popular. From lightweight jackets to fleeces, you’ll find an excellent range to choose from. The brand is also committed to social issues, with 1% of its total sales to environmental groups.

Try Patagonia Women’s Better Sweater Fleece Jacket for something a little different this winter. This jacket is made from warm, midweight 100% recycled polyester. It is fleeced dyed with a low-impact process that significantly reduces the use of dyestuffs, energy, and water. The jacket has a wool-knot face a soft fleece interior. In addition to this, soft brushed tricot trims the wind flap, cuffs, hems, and pockets. The Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater Jacket is a good buy for men.

Arc’teryx

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The Canadian brand Arc’teryx is another trusted name in outdoor clothing. Originally named Rock Solid, the brand’s initial focus was on climbing gear. In 1996 the company diversified its products to add a new line of outdoor technical apparel with Gore-Tex. Since then, there has been looking back with the brand producing some of the best outdoor attire in the world. They are the best jacket brand for winter.

The company’s design process is connected to the real world to deliver durable, unrivaled performance. Having its headquarters at British Columbia’s Coast Mountains is an advantage as many of its products are tested on the ground. You can expect premium quality fabrics and designs from the brand. As with most of the best jackets brands, Arc’teryx also does its bit for the environment. It uses dope dye, which means pigment is added at the polymer level, saving water, reducing CO2 emissions, and increasing fabric colorfastness.

The insulated Atom LT Hoody is a versatile hoody that climbers and backcountry travelers have used for years. It is made from versatile synthetic insulated mid layers that stand up well to the weather. This means that it retains warmth even when damp. The lightweight structure also makes it easy to pack. Apart from this, the water-resistant Tyono 20 face fabric is breathable and durable.

RAB

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Rab is a U.K.-based brand that knows a thing or two about harsh winters. Founded by Scottish climber Rab Carrington in 1981, the company is renowned for its expedition wear. Their gear is designed with cold weather and uses European goose and duck down.

The down used in clothing and sleeping bags is treated with fluorocarbon-free water repellent to reduce water saturation. Besides this, the brand also uses synthetic insulation either by itself or with down.

The Nebula Pro Jacket is the warmest of the brand’s new Cirrus HL synthetic insulated jackets. Crafted from recycled 30D Pertex Quantum Pro ripstop nylon, the jacket also has a water-repellent DWR coating. Given the revised structure of this jacket, it lofts higher and retains the loft for longer. With this jacket in your collection, you’re sure to be warm and dry in the winter. Women may prefer Rab Women’s Microlight Down Jacket for extra warmth.

Columbia

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Columbia is a well-trusted name in outdoor gear, so no surprise that it features on our list of the best jackets brands for winter. Since 1938, the brand has aimed to create innovative products to keep people outdoors for as long as possible.

Its jackets are top class with a wide range to choose from. Whether it’s women’s fleece jackets from Columbia or parkas, you’ll find an excellent range to choose from. Like most of the best jacket brands for winter, Columbia also has unique features. Some jackets come with a chin guard to trap heat, while others feature Omni-heat lining for insulation.

An excellent winter jacket for women is the Columbia Women’s Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket. Featuring the patented Omni-heat technology, the jacket is designed for warmth. It also has synthetic down insulation plus a versatile fit. The long style also has a plush fleece-lined hood and collar. Men can check out our list of Columbia’s men’s fleece jackets.

The North Face

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When it comes to the best jacket brand for winter, The North Face tops most lists. The brand that has been churning out outdoor gear since the 1960s creates some of the best hiking gear in the world. If you’re interested in a North Face Backpack or a North Face fleece jacket for women, the brand has you covered.

As far as their winter wear is considered, you can rely on the brand for some of the best. There is something for everyone’s style and comfort, from the best North Face fleece jackets to parkas and insulated jackets.

One of our favorite winter jackets is The North Face Women’s Mossbud Insulated Reversible Jacket. The versatile jacket has a water-repellent exterior and an insulated fleece lining. When it comes to protection from the cold, you can expect superior warmth from the 80grams of Heatseeker Eco 70% recycled polyester insulation.

How To Choose The Best Jacket For Winter

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a winter jacket is where you will use it. Casual jackets look fashionable but may not provide the high level of warmth that performance jackets offer. A warm, casual jacket is good enough if your winters are mild. For those snowy days, a thicker jacket is your best bet. So how do you know what makes a good winter jacket?

Insulation

If you’re going out in biting cold weather, it’s imperative to have a good insulated jacket. Many jackets come with down fill which makes them warm and light. You’ll also find synthetic filling, which is much cheaper than down but provides good warmth too.

Fill Power and Weight

Fill power refers to the down filling in jackets. The higher the fill number, the greater the warmth and loft. Jackets with more fill are also easier to pack as they compress easily.

A heavier jacket is generally recommended for those exposed to extremely harsh climatic conditions. The reason is these jackets have larger amounts of premium down. On the other hand, casual winter jackets feature less fill and heavier shells.

Wind Protection

Windy winter days are more chilly than regular days, so your jacket must protect you from the wind. The type and thickness of the shell, fabric liner, and insulation all play a part in keeping the wind out.

How Important Is A Hood?

A good hood is essential for a winter jacket as it helps keep the wind and dampness out. You can tighten the hood to keep your head snug and keep the wind out. Also, the hood should feature the same insulation as the rest of the jacket for extra warmth.

Is It Necessary To Have A Waterproof Winter Jacket?

The decision to get a waterproof winter jacket would largely depend on the weather conditions in your area. Most winter jackets are water-resistant with a DWR to keep moisture at bay. These jackets are pretty good for freezing, snowy conditions. Fully waterproof jackets are a good option if you’re going to be out in pouring rain.

Will I Need To Layer My Winter Jacket?

Most insulated jackets provide enough warmth and may not need a thick bade layer. If the weather conditions are terrible, you may require a mid-layer. Layering is again a personal choice. What works for one person may not for another. That aside, it’s always a good idea to have a backup.