Best Winter Jackets 2025

At Carryology, we live and breathe gear—and when it comes to my kit, jackets are non-negotiable. The right jacket (or, let’s be honest, a dozen) is essential, whether you need a sleek, city-ready shell to battle wind and rain or a rugged fortress built for extreme outdoor conditions. A great jacket isn’t just about braving the elements; it’s about versatility, durability, and style. With 2025 in full swing, we’ve put the best winter jackets through their paces, testing them across different climates, use cases, and price points. Whether you’re navigating urban streets or trekking into the wild, we’ve got standout options that deliver on performance and aesthetics. If you’re searching for your next go-to winter jacket, check out our top picks for the year—your outerwear game is about to level up.

Snow Peak FR 2L Down Coat (US$299.97)

Carryology Credential: Minimalist style with maximalist performance.

Snow Peak do a phenomenal job of blending outdoor-ready performance with urban-friendly styling and the Fire-Resistant 2 Layer Down Coat is a prime example of their considered approach to winter apparel. The coat features a long length and insulated construction with a minimum 90% washable duck down (800FP) fill. In addition to its cozy warmth, you get resistance against wind, water, and fire thanks to its recycled ripstop polyester and aramid fabric. An adjustable hood, drawcord hem, and double zipped and buttoned front closure provide dependable protection against the elements. And with two zippered waist pockets, it’s easy to keep small essentials close at hand. This is an oversized model, making it easy to throw on over other layers, and the two way zipper makes it comfortable to wear on the go or adjust as you need to. The length provides an extra buffer of warmth that not many jackets do, and I found that particularly useful on the really bitter days.

PAKA Apu Parka (US$349)

Carryology Credential: Nature does it best.

Every now and then, a jacket changes things. The PAKA Apu Parka brings sustainable style and outdoor performance to the slopes, with a sleek silhouette and construction that’s friendly to people and the planet. The Apu Parka is innovative in its construction, and exceptional in its performance. Made with a bluesign® certified 100% recycled polyester shell featuring four-way stretch and a PFAS-free water-repellent coating. The PAKAFILL® insulation keeps you warm even when wet and features a 2.1 thermal CLO value, while the natural alpaca fiber in the insulation is fully traceable to its source, a small farm in the Andes. The jacket uses 130 GSM insulation in the body and 110 GSM insulation in the arms and hood, along with a breathable lining and pit zips, so you can stay comfortably insulated and mobile during outdoor activities such as skiing, snowboarding or hiking. Additionally, each purchase also helps support over 150 women artisans in Peru! Its conscience is as clean as its lines. It’s an exceptional all rounder, with innovative construction, a clear environmental mission, and fantastic performance to boot! Not many jackets can say that.

Fjällräven Expedition Mid Winter Jacket (US$400)

Carryology Credential: You won’t believe this is synthetic insulation.

The down vs synthetic debate will rage on forever but synthetic is catching up! No longer is down the only option when you are looking for that fluffy and cosy warmth. Case in point, the Fjällräven Expedition Mid Winter Jacket, which is made with a 100% recycled polyamide shell and lining, paired with 100% recycled polyester padding. If you gave me this jacket and a down jacket, and blindfolded me, I’d be hard pressed to tell the difference. This synthetic padding retains its loft even when wet, making this a great jacket for outdoor explorations and urban roaming even when unexpected showers strike. It’s incredibly warm, and has that “instant hit” of warmth that I usually expect from large down jackets. The midwinter is designed to accommodate thicker mid-layers underneath, so it’s a touch oversized. Not enough to change sizes, but certainly a looser cut. It has a dropped hem at the rear for added warmth on the windy days! It also has great comfort features including an adjustable hood, two zippered hand pockets, an interior zippered chest pocket, and stash pockets. You can easily pack it down into it’s included stuff sack, and while it won’t disappear into nothing, it does become significantly smaller for storage or travel.

Rab Mythic G Down Jacket (US$525)

Carryology Credential: The best warmth to weight ratio we’ve tested. Period. Exceptional comfort with innovative insulation and temperature regulation.

Some jackets just knock your socks off. That’s the only way for me to describe the Rab Mythic G Down Jacket. I’ve tested dozens and dozens of ‘puffy’ jackets over the years, and I consider myself pretty well versed in them. Rab have been favorites of mine for some time, but the Mythic G is a near perfect insulated jacket for anyone serious about adventuring. Featherweight, impossibly warm, and with blanket-like comfort, this is the gold standard of puffy jackets. When the cold weather really hits hard, the ultralight build features 1000 fill power goose down, while the heat-reflective, body-mapped TILT lining reduces radiant heat loss by up to 30%. This proved invaluable while testing in Montana; with windchill whipping around in the teens, I barely noticed the cold.

The articulated sleeves provide easy movement and the part-elasticated hood and cuffs protect against the wind on those blustery days. The warmth to weight is genuinely astounding, and I found myself comparing my comfort to much heavier down jackets rather than lightweight puffys! A DWR finish, two zippered hand pockets, and a stuff sack for convenient compact storage round out an exceptional product that will live in my bag for a long time to come. The 7D nylon could be considered a little fragile, so if you’re really getting after it with your gear, pair it with a shell for that extra protection.

Mission Workshop Westward Advanced Pea Coat (US$685)

Carryology Credential: The Pea Coat James Bond would wear.

Peacoats are timeless. Look through a family photo album and there is at least one person wearing one in every era! They’re versatile, functional, and reliable. When Mission Workshop makes one, they bring a modern twist to the iconic pea coat with their thoughtful innovation. Burly in build and elegantly refined in style, the Westward features a futuristic three-layer fabric from the wizards at Schoeller. The WB-400 fabric has a wool/nylon stretch-woven exterior, a waterproof mid-layer membrane, and a soft micro-fleece interior. The exterior also has a Schoeller NanoSphere® finish, creating a coat that is highly water-resistant and windproof yet breathable for comfort. Four-way stretch helps you move easily throughout the day, while two zippered hand pockets offer easy-access storage for small items. All of these features combine to make the Westward durable, comfortable, and effortlessly stylish, this is a great addition to everyday and travel wardrobes alike and one you’re unlikely to want to take off!

Filson Lined Mackinaw Wool Packer Coat (US$731.25)

Carryology Credential: The Ultimate Heritage Jacket that will last a lifetime.

Filson was around long before Yellowstone and so were their flagship jackets. The Lined Mackinaw Wool Packer Coat is based on Filson’s original Mackinaw Wool Cruiser patented in 1914. This design is over 100 years old, and it still stands up to the task. Updated to Alaskan Guide flannel lining (from their famous plaid shirts) this jacket is now even more comfortable and even warmer to boot. The coat retains the same pockets as the 1914 original including four snap-flapped cargo pockets, a full-width back pocket, hidden handwarmer, slotted utility, and interior stow pockets. There’s a spot for everything whether you’re on horseback in the valleys, or the chairs in the garden.

For extra protection it now also integrates a double-layer cape over the shoulders and arms. Crafted in the USA with densely woven 24-oz. Mackinaw Wool, the coat features a sheepskin shearling shawl collar (from NZ) that can be raised to ear height when the weather really turns on you. This is a truly iconic jacket made to last, with timeless heritage aesthetics and outstanding warmth that keeps the harsh winter chills at bay. This is an heirloom-worthy piece you can share with future generations, if you’re not buried in it!

Aether Rex Down Jacket (US$750)

Carryology Credential: The upgraded puffy ready for anything.

Aether take classics and bring them into the 21st century. They achieve that with a perfect combination of fashion forward exteriors and performance enhanced guts. The Rex Down Jacket is the perfect example of this philosophy which combines striking style and performance in one. The jacket features custom bonded baffling for an eye-catching aesthetic, while the 800-fill-power goose down insulation keeps you toasty wherever the next adventure leads. Not only that, a three-layer shell provides robust weather protection and stretch-woven fabric lining enhance the warmth while still allowing freedom of movement.

It’s not like any other “puffy” jacket I’ve tested. The little details take this jacket to the next level, such as Italian brushed cotton on the collar interior and brushed tricot at the chin guard for enhanced next-to-skin comfort. These are the touches on a high end jacket that matter, and you notice it the moment you slip it on for the first time. When you spend a lot of money on a piece of gear, it’s nice to have that choice justified each time you use it.

This is not a jacket that you’ll find loose threads or second rate materials on. As well as it’s complete construction, the Rex also offers a choice of interior and exterior pockets for securely storing small essentials, and sealed seams for added protection against the rain. This is the type of jacket that could replace three in your wardrobe, and likely look better than all of them too! If you’re looking for a “grown up” puffy jacket that can do a little bit of most things really, really well, while looking sophisticated and subtle, the Rex is hard to ignore.

Arc’teryx Ralle Down Parka (US$900)

Carryology Credential: Lightweight on the scale, heavyweight in comfort. An exceptional all-rounder.

We know Arc’teryx makes phenomenal jackets, so we shouldn’t be surprised when they make one of the best all-round parkas on the market. The Ralle is a jack of all trades for certain, particularly for those in colder and wetter climates. Arc’teryx brings their signature technical expertise and clean style to the Ralle, which delivers warmth and weather protection while keeping the weight to just 919g (2 lb 0.4 oz.). That lightweight construction isn’t something one usually associates with a Parka, but it is one of the most noticeable things when you pick it up. Internally, the jacket features RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified 750-fill-power European grey goose insulation, paired with PFAS-free GORE-TEX to protect you from wind, rain, and snow. I’ve found it to be one of my most used jackets this winter.

The length provides great protection for the extra cold and more static days, while the GORE-TEX shell means it can be of service all winter long, even those horrible wintry-mix days. The parka also includes an insulated StormHood with an integrated insulated collar which locks in that heat on bitter days and the two way zip (arguably the most useful feature on any parka) makes adjusting on the go easy, whatever your activity. Arc’teryx employs their famous articulated patterning to ensure freedom of movement, while a zippered chest pocket, two lined and zippered hand pockets, and an interior dump pocket offer handy storage. The Ralle is an impressive statement from Arc’teryx, combining many of the wants from their uses into this weather ready, lightweight, and warm Parka. It’s an investment, certainly. But if you find yourself somewhere with moody winters, this is worth your attention.

Fjällräven Polar Expedition Parka (US$1000)

Carryology Credential: The ultimate expedition parka.

Harsh conditions don’t need to keep you indoors if you’re suitably prepared. And when it comes to clothing for the extreme cold, Swedish powerhouse Fjällräven knows a thing or to! No jacket showcases this better than the indestructible Polar Expedition Parka. Designed for harsh and extreme outdoor conditions, the parka features interior 700 fill-power down baffles and a baffle collar to keep you toasty warm. This Parka feels like a fortress when you slip it on, with an exterior made from tough G-1000 reinforced with G-1000 HeavyDuty on the rear, chest, elbows, and under the forearms for enhanced durability in high-wear areas.

As one would expect from a polar parka, everything is finished to the highest quality including the inner baffle collar, better down quality, a removable snow skirt with non-slip elastic reinforcement, zippered side openings on the hand pockets, and repairable drawcord adjustments at the waist and hem. When you’re relying on a jacket to keep you safe and possibly alive, these features make all the difference. The Polar Parka is made for pursuing adventures off the beaten path but its stylish enough for urban settings too (particularly in the muted colour options), this burly parka is a worthy investment piece for anyone seeking excellent durability, functionality, and winter-ready warmth for bitter days and nights.

Overland Lucas Sheepskin Coat (US$1595)

Carryology Credential: Merino at its most luxurious and refined.

Sometimes, you just want to look good and feel good. Enter Overland. Now, sheepskin coats are classics for a reason, blending excellent warmth and eye-catching style in one. From their early beginnings in the cockpits of planes, to their days on horseback in the rural meadows of the west, sheepskin jackets are as reliable as they come. The Overland Lucas Sheepskin Coat elevates the classic style even further with premium materials and artisan craftsmanship from Turkey. The coat features a tough but refined merino sheepskin exterior with a smooth finish, it is the type of jacket that will only get better the more it’s used, as the creases start to show and the leather patinas. When you pair that leather body with cosy merino shearling and a standup double collar, you’re well protected whatever the weather has in store. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how warm this has been during a rather chilly winter on the east coast, it has measured up to single digits admirably, particularly when worn with the right layers.

Not only that, but thanks to the benefits of Merino, it’s hard to overheat in this jacket as it breathes well, avoiding that clammy feeling that you can sometimes get in leather jackets. The coat secures with a leather-lined snap and zipper closure (although I wish it was a two way zipper on a jacket this long) and offers five pockets including two exterior slash pockets, two interior zippered pockets, and one interior phone pocket. It isn’t as feature rich as other winter jackets on the market, nor does it need to be. With its versatile longer length, durable build, and suavely understated aesthetic, the Lucas Sheepskin Coat is a level up piece. This is a jacket that knows who it is and what it does, and it does that exceptionally well.