The 11 Best Winter Jackets: Staff Picks

If you're looking for a high-performance puffy jacket that will move with you, reach for the Arc'teryx Atom Insulated Hoody. It's loaded with 60 grams of synthetic insulation, but stretchy side paneling and articulated arms help you feel nimble, whether on the slopes or other snowy adventures.

When worn beneath a shell like a mid layer, that same stretch paneling also allows for venting so you can dump heat if you're working hard. Designers at Arc'teryx placed the insulation of the Atom on the front and back of the torso to retain warmth. The insulation itself is synthetic (called Coreloft Compact), making it more breathable and quicker-drying than down jackets but not as warm as the Patagonia Down Sweater. If a particularly gruesome yard sale ends with snow down your shell, the Atom will still insulate when wet too.

"Arc'teryx is a design company and they take every detail into account," says Dawn F., a retail sales specialist at the REI Co-op store in Dallas. The Atom has a low-profile hood that fits under a helmet. The cuffs are buttery-soft, making for easy removal and layering, and the Atom durable face fabric is tough enough to handle being worn as an outer layer. Plus, it provides light rain protection, thanks to a durable water repellent (DWR) coating.

"This jacket is a reliable, versatile workhorse," says REI Expert Advice managing editor Phuong Le, who has used hers as a mid layer while downhill skiing, on rainy mountain bike rides and as a go-to piece for international travel. "I've stuffed this into backpacks and crammed it into my travel carry-on, and still it remains as durable and as sleek as ever." Prefer a down option? Consider the Arc'teryx Cerium Insulated Hoody. Other versions: Shop the full Atom collection.

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.

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, REI 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 versions: Shop the Nano Puff collection.

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Arc’teryx has the mighty Coast Mountains of British Columbia in its backyard. The technical outdoor brand takes full advantage, using snowy peaks and gnarly ice fields to test its fleet of packs, footwear and apparel, including the Cerium Down Hoody. Weighing less than 12 ounces and packable down to the size of a 20-ounce YETI Rambler, the Cerium is indeed light. With a trim fit designed to fit under a waterproof shell, it even looks the part. But its 850-fill-power goose down and targeted Coreloft™ synthetic insulation help make this little number a heavier-hitter when it comes to warmth and weather protection. 

If you’re choosing between this jacket and the Atom Hoody, consider your activity level: The Cerium’s down fill will help trap warmth during activities like moderate hiking or climbing, while the Atom’s more breathable synthetic insulation is better suited for heavier action, like running.

An insulated, helmet-compatible hood tightens to the needed size with a single tug on the Cerium’s rear bungee. A draft-deterring hem cord and FC0 durable water repellent (DWR) help keep wind and rain at bay, while articulated patterning supports easy movement. “I love the fit of this jacket,” says one customer-reviewer based in Virginia. “There is great range of motion in the shoulders.”

Find another (perhaps surprising) stand-out feature in the center-front YKK zipper, which uses a reverse-coil construction to improve durability and create a lower-profile look. When I gave the Cerium a whirl on multiple fall outings, I found the TPU zipper pull to be a just-right length: long enough that I could grab it with my chunky Hestra Wakayama Mittens, yet short enough that it adds minimal weight. Other versions: Shop the full Cerium collection.

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, REI hike editor, 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. 

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. Other versions: Shop the full Fuego collection.

The Sisar Down Hoody Jacket from Patagonia is effortlessly cool. A matte exterior, oversized baffles and streamlined silhouette mean you’re sure to draw admiring eyes both around town and at the trailhead. Of course, 600-fill-power down insulation, a water-resistant ripstop nylon face fabric and cozy, three-piece drop hood also show the Sisar means business. One customer-reviewer from California says her Sisar is “performing as well, if not better, than my 800-fill-power Down Sweater Hoody. Plenty of room to layer, plenty of pockets and a nice, sturdy exterior that will hopefully withstand years of use.”

Thoughtful extras like drawcord adjustments, a covered placket over the front full-zipper, and cold-blocking, encased-elastic cuffs are all the kind of details that put the Sisar Hoody in the top tier. Sufficient pockets—two exterior and one interior in the women’s and five total in the men’s—mean this layer always has a just-in-case tissue or emergency snack on hand (or at least the space for it). And then there’s the jacket’s gently oversized fit and silky-smooth polyester taffeta lining that feel almost as good around you as a great big bear hug (from a friend, that is, not a bear). Other versions: Also available as a parka in women’s.

The Kiruna Padded Insulated Parka from Fjallraven blends everyday style with dependable winter protection, whether you’re dashing out for morning coffee or strolling snowy sidewalks. Weather-resistant polyester-cotton fabric blocks wind and light snow, while synthetic insulation—80 grams in the body, 60 in the sleeves—keeps you cozy without extra bulk. 

A fixed, adjustable hood and button tabs at the back and cuffs help seal in heat, and zippered pockets galore—two hand, one chest, one interior—to keep your must-haves secure. One customer-reviewer reports that the Kiruna is perfect for “tall and pear-shaped women,” and is the “perfect mix of fashion and functionality! I can wear this around town, skiing or backpacking without looking out of place. … The adjustment in the back cinches the waist for a more snug and stylish fit, and the bottom widens out which is great if you have an hourglass or pear shape. I usually wear medium but the large was more comfortable on me.” Several reviewers note the extralong sleeves, which some love and others find superfluous; consider sleeve length if you choose to size up to accommodate layers.

Looking for the men's version? Check out the Fjallraven Skogso Padded Insulated Parka.

Our staff and customers have long loved the women’s-specific Kiruna Padded Insulated Parka from Fjallraven, which has been consistently featured in this guide. Now, there’s a worthy counterpart with the brand’s Skogso Padded Insulated Parka. It’s dressy enough for town thanks to the classic, matte look but burly enough for the trail. It’s one of the warmest jackets on the guide, chock full of warm-when-damp synthetic insulation, and it’s prewaxed for water resistance (which can be boosted further by applying Greenland Wax Water Repellent). “Fits well, looks great, and super warm,” confirms one California-based customer-reviewer who enjoyed all-day comfort in   it while on a jaunt around northern Europe during a cold spell.

The author’s husband (and frequent Expert Advice gear tester), Mike S., is a fan as well. “The hood has a nice form to it that doesn’t cover your eyes,” he says, after testing the Skogso on a long walk through chilly, drizzly conditions in Colorado and while directing his tween’s soccer practice one autumn evening. He appreciates the hood’s snug fit and adjustability, “plus, it’s insulated, so my head stays warm, too.”

Another consistent selling point among customer-reviewers and in-house testers: the ample, well-sized pockets. Dual exterior, zippered front chest pockets provide a handy stash spot for sunglasses (far from where you might sit on them, notes my husband), while two zippered hand pockets are a great place to keep your keys and, well, hands. You’ll find four more pockets inside: two surprisingly deep chest pockets and a pair of mesh drop-in pockets ready to store a beanie and gloves. “The Skogso’s pocket game is 10 out of 10,” Mike says.

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.

The Campwell Down Parka from REI Co-op is your best friend when there’s more than just a chill in the air. This lightweight, 650-fill-power down parka provides ample warmth without feeling puffy or stuffy, and the windproof, nonfluorinated water-resistant shell repels snow flurries and blocks blustery gusts. Unzip the side vents when you’re on the move to keep from overheating, or snuggle deep into the extra-long, sherpa-lined cut for full protection from the coldest days. 

An adjustable waist drawcord lets you shape the fit, and zippered hand pockets and an interior chest pocket keep essentials close and secure. The Campwell Down Parka is built for life outside, and its bluespass certified materials manufactured in a Fair Trade Certified factory allow you to wear it comfortably, knowing it was made responsibly.