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Sally Kaplan, Rachael Schultz, Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
Finding the right winter coat is about more than just staying warm. It's also about feeling comfortable and protected, no matter what the season throws at you. Of course, the best winter coats look cute, too.
For this guide, our team tested over 30 winter coats for women across various styles and conditions, analyzing key factors like insulation, water and wind resistance, ventilation, and overall fit. Our testers wore each coat on multiple freezing days, with temperatures ranging from -10 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, in the harsh winters of New England, New York City, and the Colorado Rockies.
Whether you're navigating freezing coastal city streets, braving icy mountain winds, or bracing for a blizzard, here are the warmest winter coats we recommend for each occasion.
The top 5 best women's winter coats we tested:
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
After two months of testing 24 winter coats in deep Colorado winter, this is the jacket I reached for again and again when temperatures dropped below freezing.
It's both windproof and waterproof. This jacket is constructed with the brand's proprietary Helly Tech fabric. Its construction uses a technology to balance waterproofing and breathability. Even on long walks, I never felt like I was overheating in this jacket. It also has a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, so no water seeped inside even in active snowfall or when I ran the sleeve under a faucet.
It's super warm. The Adore Helly Tech Parka uses synthetic and 100% recycled insulation and is wonderfully toasty. I wore this jacket on nighttime January walks with temperatures in the single digits and was perfectly warm from thighs to head. I found the down hood also helps to keep your head warm. Its two front toggles allow it to cinch tight when the wind kicks up, and when it's up, it's not too cumbersome and I still have peripheral vision.
It has a sleek fit. Most people will love the extra warmth that comes with a mid-thigh parka length, and the overall silhouette of this jacket, luxe material, and sleek design keep it looking clean and not too marshmallow-shaped.
The tradeoff for this level of warmth is that the puffiness is slightly restrictive, but this wasn't enough of an inconvenience to be a deal breaker. Also, it only comes in five colors. While this winter coat is likely too warm for folks who live in a mild climate, it's versatility and technicality makes it a great pick anywhere it gets down to or below freezing regularly.
It's incredibly well designed. This jacket takes the top spot for the best winter coat because in addition to all of the above, it has brushed-lining pockets for cozy hands, a well-placed vertical (and waterproof seam-taped) chest pocket for your phone or sunglasses, a high-neck zipper with a soft chin guard, fold-up reflective strips on the wrist for night visibility. Also, Helly Hansen makes this coat with bluesign certified fabrics in order to limit its production's impact on the environment.
Quince
It's very warm and water-repellent. The Quince puffer is insulated with 700+ fill power, so it'll keep you warm below freezing temperatures. The outer shell is wind-resistant and treated with a PFC-free DWR water-repellent finish to keep snow out. It also has a bungee hem when you need to better trap body heat.
It's nearly identical to (but cheaper than) The Super Puff. The Quince Puffer looks a lot like the Aritzia Super Puff with the same removable hood, thumbhole wrist cuffs, and extra pockets. The Aritzia Super Puff is slightly warmer (though our executive editor, Sally Kaplan, didn't feel a big difference here during testing) and comes in a lot more color options, but if you don't need either of those features, the Quince Puffer saves you $125.
It's responsibly made. The outer shell and lining are made with 100% recycled polyester, the down fill is responsibly sourced, and it's made by a brand that is committed to sustainability and fair manufacturing prices.
Honorable mention: For another affordable pick, the Orolay Women's Thickened Down Jacket kept our former senior style editor incredibly warm on a trip to Maine. She found it well designed and flattering, and it costs a similar amount as the Quince Puffer Jacket.
Ashley Phillips, Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
Sometimes viral things are everywhere for a reason — and after testing many iterations of the Aritzia Super Puff, we can confirm it's a very legit winter jacket.
It's seriously warm. This puffer is filled with 100% responsibly sourced premium down at 700 fill power and made to keep you warm down to -22 degrees. "The best part about the Super Puff is that it feels like being wrapped in a sleeping bag," says our former style and beauty editor, Ashley Phillips. "I never want to take it off!" The thumbhole wrist sleeves and adjustable (also removable) hood keep the heat in, too.
It's surprisingly durable and weather-resistant. The Super Puff is made with Japanese performance ripstop fabric (read: super durable) that's water-repellent and wind-resistant. "It's great in the snow thanks to its adjustable hood, and at the opening for your hands, there's an extra little sleeve with thumbholes that prevents any wind from getting in," says Insider Reviews' executive editor Sally Kaplan. "It's the only coat I trust for the coldest, windiest, crappiest days of winter."
There's a style for everyone. The original Super Puff comes in four different lengths — the original which hits just past the hips, a knee-length Long, a cropped Shorty, and a parka Mid — as well as a fully waterproof, seam-sealed, ripstop version, "The Super Puff2O." Also, every length has at least seven different color options. So, truly, whatever your taste, there's likely a Super Puff for you.
Honorable mention: During testing, we fell in love with The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket for its steezy style and top-tier warmth. It's more expensive than the Super Puff while also being shorter and without inner wrist sleeves, so the Aritzia Super Puff is a better bang for most people's buck. But if you prioritize retro style and are fine wearing gloves on chilly days, it's worth buying.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
It's very, very lightweight and very warm. The Fjällräven Expedition Lätt Hoodie packs a lot of warmth into just 420 grams (just shy of 1 pound). I've worn this jacket dozens and dozens of times this winter in temperatures ranging 5 to 40 degrees. It's insulated with 100% recycled polyester with stitch-through channels; it has a loft like down, making it cozy, but moreover, it's downright warm. The elastic edging around the wrists, hood, and bottom help to keep heat in.
It's a highly versatile winter piece — especially for the price. This jacket is part of the brand's Expedition Series, so it's made to be very reliable against the elements and built to last. The design here is simple, but in my opinion, the Expedition Lätt Hoodie is the perfect basic puffer considering it's only $215. I found the light weight on this jacket made it incredibly comfortable to wear as an everyday puffer running out to the store, perfect for travel or winter hiking, and a light, mobile mid-layer on seriously cold ski days under a shell.
It feels expensive. Unlike a lot of gorp-core puffers, the material on this jacket feels particularly luxurious and silky, giving it a more elevated look.
It's from a quality brand with a sustainable focus. Fjällräven is a brand of substance that not only crafts their gear to last decades but also keeps sustainability as a cornerstone of their brand. This puffer coat is made with 100% recycled fabric and insulation, and is produced without PFAS.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
We love Halfdays for its unique standing with one leg in the sustainable fashion world and the other in technical outdoor gear —and its Wheeler Parka hits the same sweet spot.
It's seriously warm, wind-resistant, and nearly waterproof. Filled with Performance PrimaLoft 100% recycled insulation, the Wheeler Parka is rated to keep you warm down to -30 degrees temperatures. It's also wind-resistant and water-resistant with 20,000 mm DWR. I regularly wore this in temperatures down to 0 degrees and was perfectly toasty and felt fully protected from the elements.
It's well-designed — for the most part. Wearing this jacket is like wearing a comforter—but in a good way. The oversized puffiness is both stylish and comforting. I love that the hood is removable, the length keeps your bum warm, and it has many, many pockets including fleece-lined hand warmers.
I had a mixed relationship with the hood and chin guard, since it sits a bit floppy when not in use but does add a great layer of protection when you have it up and snapped in place. Also, while I love that the fabric is recycled, this also makes it a bit heavier and stiffer. It definitely feels durable, but the jacket does weigh on you more after a long day of walking compared to some other super warm jackets on our list. That said, this only feels like a dealbreaker for people who walk a lot in the winter.
It's very, very fun. For those of us who are looking to stay super warm to and from our car and, moreover, seriously cute during après-ski or on a winter girls' trip, it's a slam dunk. I got so many compliments while wearing this parka out and about — though I'll warn that it runs large, so I recommend sizing down. Most of all, this coat is just downright fun. It makes a statement with its exaggerated puffy shape.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
If you want to stay warm while achieving the après-ski look, we're absolutely obsessed with this Cotopaxi Cropped Down Jacket.
It's highly warm for a cropped fit. Cotopaxi has designed this jacket with a shorter hem to minimize the sleeping bag aesthetic, but loaded it with every feature to block out the elements. We wore it on long walks in 20-45 degree weather and stayed surprisingly warm. It's insulated with a strong 650-fill responsibly-sourced down and has drawcords in the hood and bottom hem to lock in heat, as well as wrist-sleeves and thumb loops to give more coverage over your wrist and hands.
During testing, we loved how big and warm the hood was and it added a lot of protection against the elements. The outer shell is water-resistant and there's also a storm flap over the zipper to block wind and water from getting in.
Naturally, it doesn't keep you warm below the waist, and it did fall short when we were biking in 25-degree weather as the wind started to cut through, but for everyday icy, winter-wear, we were very impressed with this coat's protection.
It has cozy, thoughtful features. This cropped winter jacket has a fleece chin guard for more warmth and comfort at your face, fleece-lined hand pockets (though, we did find these aren't the biggest for carrying essentials), and a round zipper pull that's easy to use while keeping your gloves on. The outer material of this coat is also incredibly soft to the touch, which adds to how stylish it feels.
It's responsibly produced. Cotopaxi is one of our favorite ethically-minded companies, and they've crafted the Alivio Down Cropped Jacket in Fair Trade Certified factories, from 100% recycled shell and lining materials, and responsibly-sourced down, all intentionally made without any PFAS chemicals. Cotopaxi also builds their products to last and stands behind the quality with lifetime warranty and repairs, so this jacket is a worthwhile investment.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
Long puffer jackets are top-tier for full-body warmth, but most come with drawbacks like restrictions from the length and an unflattering fit. The Stio Colter Windstopper Down Parka, however, is perfect from head to toe.
It's highly technical, including waterproof and windproof. Fully GORE-TEX waterproof and windproof with 650-fill sustainably-sourced down and coverage down to the mid-calf, there's no question if this winter coat will do its job. We wore it on many, many winter days from 16 to 40 degrees, in sunshine and snowstorms, and had no real complaints.
It has great heat control. While it was common to overheat in most of the other long puffers we tested, the Colter Windstopper has zippered underarm venting so it was easy to release heat without having to take the jacket off. (It's likely still too warm for more mild winter climates, though.) Also, it's pretty lightweight for the amount of material involved (36 oz or 2.25 lbs) and didn't feel heavy after wearing it for 2+ hours.
It is very well designed. We found the hood and chin cuff to be wonderfully protective against the wind and greatly appreciated the many, many pockets, including fleece-lined hand warmers high on the hips. Also, while it's normally frustrating to try and drive with a long jacket, we found the roomy design of this coat prevented that from being a problem—and it has a two-way zipper if you need more leg mobility. We did find it unzips from the bottom sometimes when we'd bend down to put boots on, but this wasn't a dealbreaker. Note that overall, the jacket runs large.
It'll last you years. All in all, Stio is a smaller brand that makes very reliable and well-constructed gear with an environmental conscience, so this is a piece worth investing in for the long run.
Honorable mention: The Patagonia Down With It Parka ($349) proved to keep the cold wind and water out and has all the standard features of a great long puffer jacket, including a two-way zipper, multiple pockets, and a frustration-free design. It doesn't have as much temperature control as the Stio Windstopper without underarm vents or as good of a hood cinch, but it is a great pick for $150 less.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
Parkas are often the ideal winter coat since the mid-thigh length lets you maximize warmth and protection, while also being universally flattering. There are a lot of winter parkas out there, but reigning supreme is the Fjällräven Singi.
I've been wearing this parka for over eight years in all types of winter conditions, including slushy New York City, mild Virginia, and bone-cold Rocky Mountains — and it is hands-down the best parka among those I've tested.
It's withstood the test of time. In true Fjällräven fashion, this parka is built to last decades; over the eight years I've had it, the outer material looks more broken in, but the integrity of it, along with the seams and hardware, are still full-on. With pockets galore, Velcro sleeve cuffs to secure warmth, and a timeless look, this parka is a very worthwhile investment.
It's highly technical against winter conditions. Wind- and water-resistant, this jacket is crafted with Fjällräven's signature G-1000 material on the outside, giving it a durable, waxed, water-resistant finish. The fabric is also reinforced in the shoulders and rear for more protection against the elements. Inside, it's insulated with a 600 fill power synthetic-feather-down blend.
This parka has successfully kept me dry and warm in super wet and heavy snow storms many times over. The fur-lined hood helps to keep snow out, and you can remove it for a sleeker look on mild days. I also love that it has drawcords at the waist and hems because it looks more tailored and effectively seals in body heat.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
Most parkas fall at the mid-thigh or just above the knee, but there's a time and place for longer styles like the Patera Long Parka from Arc'teryx — namely, those most frigid days when deep cold and heavy winds threaten to send a chill right through your bones.
Hitting my five-foot-two frame at the mid-calf, this parka has many technical features to trap warmth inside, all while remaining shockingly lightweight. It has been my go-to for two winter seasons, concealing me completely from even the worst gusts of wind.
It has an unbelievable warmth-to-weight ratio. At just under 2.5 pounds, the Patera Long Parka is lighter than many of my short puffers. The featherweight GORE-TEX shell keeps the jacket so light (as well as windproof and waterproof), and the 750 fill-power down offers extreme insulation. There are also strategically placed synthetic fill areas where moisture is more likely to build up, which offers more breathability. The horizontal quilting of the down insulation also creates small channels within the coat where warmth from your body gets trapped.
The fit is roomy so you can wear thick layers underneath. One of our biggest pet peeves with parkas is that the material can be stiff and thick, making it uncomfortable to wear layers underneath. But Arc'teryx designed the longer version of its Patera parka to be a bit roomier, which makes bundling up for extreme cold a heck of a lot more comfortable.
The technical design features are superior all around. I won't bore you with a list of every feature that makes this coat special, but some of the standouts are the insulated, adjustable hood that won't block your vision, cuff gaskets that hold heat in, and a two-way zipper that makes it much easier to get in and out of your car. This coat essentially allows you to laugh in winter's face.
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It is as toasty as they come. The Helly Hansen Inspire Down Puffer has 800 fill power feather and down (responsibly sourced) and will keep you warm in seriously, seriously cold conditions. It has a hem cinch, hood cinch, and elastic cuffs to keep heat trapped and a huge down chin guard to protect your face when the wind kicks up. We've been wearing this jacket in negative temperatures in the Rocky Mountains, as well as one 30-minute sleigh ride in 17 degree weather with icy wind biting at our face—and this jacket felt like being in a sleeping bag on a cold morning when you just don't want to get out.
It's a joy to wear. Perhaps more than its extreme warmth, this jacket is easily the coziest coat on our list. The fabric is incredibly silky to the touch and, despite being a marshmallow puff, feels as light as a feather to wear at just over 2 pounds.
We love the huge pockets and especially the knit wrist cuffs which not only work well at keeping air out but also add to the jacket's luxurious and snuggly feel.
It's sufficiently waterproof. The Inspire Down Puffer has waterproof YKK zippers and is treated with a PFC-free DWR treatment over water-resistant recycled Polyamide; we found it to work perfectly at keeping water from seeping in during both active snow and our sleeve-under-the-faucet test. That said, the jacket isn't completely waterproof and down filling does lose its warmth when it gets wet, so, while it should hold up fine for most wintery conditions, it's not the best pick for those in extremely wet and cold conditions—for that, we'd recommend our top overall pick of the extremely warm Helly Hansen Adore Helly Tech Parka, which has the added advantage of a longer length, too.
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The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka consists of an outer shell that's fully waterproof and wind-resistant. Inside is a removable inner liner with 700-fill-power 100% recycled down and horizontal baffles that help trap heat.
It's also one of the best rain jackets for women I tested because it's so weather resistant and the knee-length protects most of your body. It's the ideal winter jacket for wintry-mix forecasts of roughly 10 degrees, in my experience.
It's storm-proof. The outer shell is both waterproof and breathable, so it won't trap moisture inside on long walks. It also has a two-way, full-zip closure and a storm flap to keep water out, along with a zip-through stand-up collar for chin wind protection. The removable hood isn't filled with down so it's not particularly warm, but it will keep moisture and wind out and is roomy enough for a warm hat underneath.
It's warm, but not overly so. The inner down liner is insulated with reclaimed duck and goose down. With 700 fill power, it's well-balanced to maintain warmth underneath the shell block without becoming an oven. If you live somewhere very cold, we recommend sizing up so you can fit more layers underneath.
It's a three-season jacket. I also love that it when you remove its inner liner, you can wear its shell in the spring and fall. If you live in extreme cold, you can trade the inner layer for something warmer but leverage the weatherproofing on the outside.
The versatility makes this jacket well worth the cost, but if you want something more affordable, I found the Helly Hansen Adore Helly Tech was also strong in wet and windy weather.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
The ultimate winter jacket for outdoor adventures, the Mountain Hardware Storm Whisperer will keep you warm, dry, and protected against the elements.
It's very technical. Made with ultra-durable ripstop fabric and insulated with 800-fill responsibly-sourced goose down, I found this jacket is reliably warm on its own in temps below freezing, but it also has a loose fit if you want to layer underneath for extremely cold days. The large underarm zip vents allow you to dump heat when you start moving fast, and the stretch knit cuffs and elastic hem help to seal in warmth.
It's ultralight. This coat weighs just 1 pound and 1.6 ounces. It packs down small, making it ideal for stashing in a pack or carry-on suitcase if you're headed somewhere cold. On my winter hikes and long dog walks in the mountains, I found this jacket to be almost weightless and still kept me seriously toasty.
It's nearly waterproof. This jacket is technically classified as water-resistant, likely because the zippers aren't completely water-sealed (though they do unzip both ways, which is great for wearing a climbing harness or dog waist leash). While it is a bit frustrating for a jacket at this price to not be fully waterproof, I did find that the fabric itself seemed to be solidly waterproof despite the official designation. I wore it during multiple snowfalls and ran the sleeve under the faucet, and no water seeped inside.
There are a few features I wish this jacket had for the price, like thumb holes on the wrist cuff for more warmth and a hem cinch to completely prevent wind from getting under. But the technicality of the fabric and design, plus its ultralight weight, make it well worth it.
Hoyer Trondheim
"The Cypress Puffer by Canada Goose is definitely a luxury pick, but it's one you'll reach for all the time," says executive editor Sally Kaplan.
Its warmth-to-weight ratio is peak. The Cypress Puffer is packed with 750-fill power responsibly-sourced down and finished with a feather-light ripstop fabric. "It feels impossibly lightweight, but the thick baffles are stuffed with high-loft down that traps heat and remains extremely warm," says Sally. Our men's style editor Amir Ismael Amir tested the masculine version of this jacket, and he said it's one of the best he's ever found in terms of its warmth-to-weight ratio.
It packs down small and is easy to carry. "It's hard to imagine that this coat is actually packable, but it folds down to roughly the size of a travel pillow," Sally continues. There are also internal straps that allow you to wear the jacket like a backpack when you're inside.
It has side air vents and a soft interior. This coat zips open at the sides to allow for more airflow when you warm up, but when it's brutally cold out, you can zip them back up. Its recessed cuffs lock in warmth and prevent cold leakage on windy days. We also love the sueded chin guard for softness against the face.
To learn more about what makes these status symbol coats worth it, check out our Canada Goose Cold Room review, where Amir stepped inside a walk-in freezer to test their warmth.
Gabrielle Chase/Business Insider
The advantage of vegan winter coats from brands like Frank and Oak and Save the Duck (besides being cruelty-free) is that the material still insulates when wet, unlike goose down. It doesn't quite match the warmth of natural fibers, but it does better in humid weather.
It functions like a windproof shell. This oversized coat keeps me protected on all sides. Some may find the fit a little bulky, but I found it really protective against the strong gusts of wind, especially around the shawl hood. The Hygge coat wears like a puffy shield, which I like because it means I can wear fewer layers underneath and still be dressed properly when the temperature is in the teens.
It's easy to carry thanks to its internal strap. It can be a real hassle to hold onto a coat of this size when you're transitioning from outdoors to indoors. But with its crossbody strap, I can move around hands-free and still keep my coat on me. This feature earned me multiple compliments from friends when we went from the park to the café.
It's made with recycled materials and PrimaLoft insulation. I've worn this coat in a few downpours, and it kept me totally dry. The only drawback is that once the laminated exterior is wet, it takes a little while to dry again.
On its interior, the coat uses a synthetic material by PrimaLoft called "ThermoPlume," which is meant to mimic the fill power of goose down. I think the recycled plumes work for an outer layer of this sort, but in order to feel thoroughly insulated, I still wear natural fibers like Merino wool and cashmere as my base layers underneath.
Sally Kaplan/Business Insider
It's very flattering and versatile in its style. A belt on a coat—especially a puffy one — helps to add a waisted silhouette and sidestep the often marshmallow look that comes with lofted warmth. We like that the belt and hood on the Marlow are removable in case you feel like switching it up. Our executive editor Sally Kaplan, who tested this winter coat, also highlighted the shawl-style collar for a more high-end look.
It'll keep you warm even in sub-zero temperatures. The Marlow is made with soft Ventera fabric, which is water-repellent and wind-resistant, and insulated with 750-fill power responsibly-sourced down. It's rated to keep you warm from -4 to 14 degree temperatures, so while it's going to be too warm for mild winters, it'll keep you toasty in serious cold.
It has all the design features you want. Recessed cuffs at the sleeve, backpack straps inside the jacket that make it easy to carry around inside, streamlined pockets that don't add bulk — we have no complaints with the design of this coat.
Honorable Mention: The Triple FAT Goose Montalva Women's Puffer Down Belted Jacket looks sleek and has several much-appreciate features like a bungee-corded hood, sleeves that hit just past the wrist bone for extra hand warmth, and many pockets (including hand warmers). It's another great choice for a belted winter coat at a lower price.
Rachael Schultz/Business Insider
Warmth and ventilation. We collectively tested over 30 winter coats, wearing each at least three times (though most many more times) in various locations, including New York City, New England, and the Colorado mountains. We wore the jackets in everyday life, as well as on 1-3 mile walks in the winter, in temperatures ranging from -10 to 40 degrees. Here, we tested how warm the jacket keeps you moving at a regular pace, as well as if it caused you to overheat when entering a store or in the subway. We considered whether the jacket had ventilation features as well as needed.
Water and wind-proofing. We tested every jacket in active snow and regular winter wind to see if it maintained its warmth and protection. Additionally, for most we also ran the sleeve of the jacket under the faucet to see if any moisture or cold seeped through.
Comfort and weight. How comfortable a jacket is includes if it feels restrictive or bulky with a winter sweater underneath, if you can move and bend down with it fully zipped up, and how heavy it feels on your body after over 30 minutes of wear, as well as how heavy it is if you have to carry it around inside a store.
Usability and quality of the hood, zipper, and other features. We tested whether each jacket's hood stayed on in the wind, and if the hood restricted one's range of vision. We also tested if it was adjustable and removable, and how hard both these features are to use. For pockets, we tested if they were big enough to hold one's winter essentials (including phone, wallet, sunglasses, and gloves) without making the coat too bulky, and how comfortable and ergonomic the hand pockets felt. Zippers are where many companies cut costs, so we tested whether the main and hand zippers tracked well time after time, and if they were easy to use with winter gloves on.
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