The REI staff just can't get enough of the Nano Puff Jacket from Patagonia, which is warm and windproof thanks to 60 grams of PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco. The synthetic insulation retains its warming abilities when damp and a brick-quilting pattern ensures the insulation stays put, making it a perfect winter hiking companion.  

"Everyone in our family owns Nano Puff jackets that have lasted us for years," says Phuong Le, Expert Advice managing editor who's based in wet and chilly Seattle. She adds that they use the jacket for all seasons and multiple activities (but they don't wear matching colors). "It's our mid layer of choice when we don't want the thickness of fleece, and though it's not waterproof, it has surprisingly kept us all warm through some unexpected rainy hiking adventures." 

Emma Cullen, who works on the REI paid media team and lives in snowy Idaho, adds that the Nano Puff lives up to its name. "I barely remember that I’m wearing a jacket when in the Nano Puff," she says. "It's so lightweight and moves with me whether I'm ripping skins, using hiking poles or just out for a dog walk. This is the perfect jacket to keep as a 'just in case' layer in a bag since it is so small but can be so warm." 

Know who else loves the Nano Puff? Your Mother (Earth, that is). The jacket's recycled insulation comprises 100% post-consumer material, and its fully recycled polyester ripstop shell features a moisture-shedding durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that's free from perfluorinated chemicals. (Other Nano Puff products include a parka, hoodie and mittens.) Also available in kids’ and infants'/toddlers’. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

Just like your favorite rom-com star, the Stormhenge Down Hybrid Jacket from REI Co-op features a gruff exterior but is a total softy inside. Its durable water repellent (DWR)-treated, double-layer HydroWall shell repels even the wettest flakes, and 850-fill-power goose down insulation in the body and lower arms help keep it überwarm while staying compressible and lightweight (under 2 pounds). 

When snowshoeing, we're more likely to sweat under our arms and on our backs (especially while wearing a pack), so it makes sense to look for a jacket featuring relatively lightweight, breathable fabrics in these areas. The Stormhenge features 180-gram recycled-fiber synthetic insulation that's mapped to the upper and lower body as well as side panels that retain warmth when wet and dry quickly. The jacket's down baffles are welded to the shell to better hold in warmth and prevent cold spots. A draft tube in the collar (like what you find in many sleeping bags) further deters heat loss. 

What does that look like in action? "The Stormhenge moves beautifully, is well-insulated without being bulky and doesn't get soaked through when I'm shoveling," says Ever Meister, hike editor for Expert Advice, adding that the jacket stands up to their home state Minnesota's -60°F windchill. "Another bonus for that shoveling: pit zips! I always overheat when I'm taking care of the sidewalk, but the easy ventilation on this little number keeps me going comfortably." A three-way adjustable hood fits over a helmet in case you want to take the Stormhenge skiing. Buy women’s. Buy men’s.  

The Attack Hybrid Cycling Jacket from Pearl iZUMi is built for adventures where you start out chilly and end up sweaty, making it a primo fat-biking buddy. The body-mapped design helps with temperature regulation thanks to highly breathable, and stretch-woven fabric under the arms that lets heat escape. A two-way zipper makes it easy to pull this outer shell on and off over a base layer or jersey.  

No matter if your sunny day turns out drizzly: While it’s great at dumping heat, the three-layer Attack handles the elements too. It has a wind-blocking, water-repellent face fabric and taped seams that seal out moisture, plus plastic cuffs and hems to minimize bulk. A defined fit with a longer tail keeps your backside dry, and reflective details mean you can ride from sun-up to sundown while staying visible up to 100 meters. Other perks: A UPF 50+ rating for UV protection on sunny days and three rear pockets for stashing snacks and extra layers. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

One REI customer declared the Norvan Insulated Hoody from Arc’teryx, “Excellent for those cool misty morning runs and hikes,” and we couldn’t agree more. The wind-resistant, breathable Norvan is a high-performance piece designed to keep you cozy when you’re up logging miles before the winter sun. This hoodie weighs less than 8 ounces—the lightest among the jackets in this list. And it features body-mapped synthetic insulation where you need it most—at the front, sides and sleeves. The uninsulated underarm gussets and back panel dump heat and up the jacket’s mobility, while moisture-resistant outer fabric is treated with a nonfluorinated durable water repellant (DWR) to shed snowmelt or rain while you’re eating miles for breakfast. 

Customers are delighted by the details too: Integrated mittens in the sleeves let you warm your hands when you’re on the move and. Reflective elements help you stay visible on morning and evening runs. The front pocket doubles as a stuff sack, and a small interior pocket holds small items like cards or keys. Another nice perk: You can roll the hood up into the collar when you don’t need it. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

The colorful and cozy Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket is a co-op staff and member campsite favorite, earning this 800-fill-power goose down coat a nearly five-star rating. "Great minimal jacket for an alpine or backpacking layer system," says a reviewer from Ohio. Another says, "I wanted a nice warm jacket so I didn't have to layer all the time. This jacket is great for the fall in Utah, it keeps you warm at 40°F. It's super lightweight and comfy [so] you'll forget you're even wearing it." In fact, the entire Fuego line—including a vest, parka and the ridiculously awesome down overalls—is top-rated at the co-op. 

Of course, the Fuego is eye-catching—as are most other products from this certified B Corporation dedicated to "gear for good." But the Fuego is much more than a pretty face. It's made with a durable 20-denier ripstop nylon exterior lining to resist scratches from errant branches and unwieldy tent poles. The water-resistant goose down insulation keeps your trunk and arms toasty, and a drawcord hem and elastic bindings at the hood and cuffs prevent drafts from wafting in. A scuba hood protects your neck from the chill. Zippered hand pockets offer more protection from the cold, and a stash pocket is perfect for a trail snack; the whole coat stuffs into an interior pocket for easy packing and quick layering. One note: The coat itself isn't waterproof or windproof. If there's rain or snow in the forecast, bring a hard shell to wear over this puffy. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

Lightweight enough for those who like to layer, windproof for those who seek high-elevation gains and warm enough for zero-degree days, the versatile Patagonia Down Sweater is our preferred winter jacket workhorse.  

“This is my second one and I like the style, pockets, weight and packability,” a customer-reviewer in southern California says. “Good for layering under a lightweight rain jacket.” Other perks: Roomy (but not bulky) drop-in pockets accommodate a pair of lightweight gloves. And the Down Sweater is easy to tie around your waist or stuff into its own chest pocket. A carabiner clip comes in handy when traveling, too.  

A customer-reviewer who bought the Down Sweater for an Alaska cruise gave it high marks for being packable and warm enough for “really chilly” outings. “Loved the high neck zip when I needed extra coziness, and simply unzipping when inside a warm environment kept me from overheating,” they say, noting that it will become a “standard travel jacket.” 

This isn’t the outer layer you’ll reach for in a blizzard: Its 100% recycled outer shell has a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) finish that offers only lightweight protection from snow and rain. But its Responsible Down Standard–certified 800-fill down provides ample warmth, and nylon-bound, elastic sleeve cuffs and a pull cord in the handwarmer pockets help seal in warmth when conditions are cold and dry. The Down Sweater is available in multiple styles, including a hoodie and vest, plus sizes for kids, toddlers, and babies. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

Back in January 2014, one of this story’s authors endured a Chicago storm so cold the Lincoln Park Zoo moved its resident polar bears inside. This is the coat she wishes she'd had with her: the Nuuk Insulated Parka from Fjallraven. This winter heavyweight parka contains a whopping 250 grams of synthetic insulation, making it the warmest on our list. It drapes below the rear and thighs for exceptional coverage and heat, making it best for frigid nighttime football games, outdoor hangs or making snow angels, but not high-output activity. The Supreme Microloft insulation is designed to mimic the warmth-trapping power of feathers without their downsides: Though the synthetic filler isn't as compressible as down, it retains its loftiness over time, stays warm even when wet and proves easier to clean. (Related reading: Down vs. Synthetic: Which Insulation Is Right for You?) 

The Nuuk's exterior fabric is a durable recycled polyamide and includes a waterproof breathable membrane. Don the fleece-lined storm hood to block frigid winds, and either embrace the faux fur look or remove it (the edging is detachable). Eight pockets offer a place to warm chilly hands and house far more than the essentials. Finally, an adjustable drawcord at the waist creates a flattering silhouette. So, while the Nuuk might feel like you're wearing a sleeping bag (it's hefty at more than 3 pounds), it doesn't look like it. Note that some reviewers find this jacket runs large; consider sizing down in this burly coat. Buy women’s. Buy men’s. 

The REI Co-op Timber Mountain Insulated Snow Jacket helps kiddos stay cozy and dry whether they’re building snow forts or waiting for the school bus. This storm-ready layer features a seam-sealed, waterproof construction, that blocks wind gusts up to 50 mph, and a nonfluorinated durable water repellent (DWR) to offer extra foul-weather protection in rain, snow or a wintry mix. Less insulation in high-movement, high-sweat areas mean this body-mapped jacket is excellent for shredding slopes and slinging snowballs, though one customer wishes it had pit zips for a quicker cool-down. Plus, its low-profile powder skirt prevents snow and cold from getting in. 

A Tennessee-based customer (and their 6-year-old) says the Timber Mountain performed well during a recent epic winter storm: In addition to the shell’s warmth-inducing, weather-blocking properties, “It also has a nice snow skirt at the bottom, which came in handy today, our largest snowstorm in at least 10 years (+1ft). She played all day in the snow and didn't complain of being cold once.” 

Additional features include reflective trim on the sleeves, internal drop-in pockets, knit snow cuffs with thumbholes, a write-on label to help littles keep track of their gear and a removable, helmet-friendly hood with an adjustable hook-and-loop tab. Importantly, it’s machine washable. Also available in infants/toddlers’ sizes. Buy here.