This winter season still seems to be going strong, with lots of snow and colder temps. And when trying to dress accordingly, layering up is great when you’re out skiing, climbing, snowboarding, biking, etc. But when you’re not out getting rad, it’s brutally cold, and you just want to be warm and dry, it’s nice just to have one super warm jacket that you can throw on no matter how nasty the weather. This year we’ve been using a number of men’s and women’s insulated coats that are designed to fill this role, from ultralight puffies that are suitable for the backcountry and the city, to ultra-warm parkas for sub-zero temps. Check out our roundup to see which one might work best for you.
Arc’teryx Therme Parka
Exterior Fabric: 2L Gore-Tex w/ 75-denier polyester face fabric
Interior Fabric: polyester ripstop
Insulation — Body & Sleeves: 750-fill-power down
Insulation — Hood: Coreloft (synthetic insulation)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $699
Best For: really cold and really wet weather
Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs): The Therme Parka is super warm and fully waterproof. Combine that with its minimal, clean look, and you’ve got a coat that’s perfect for strolling around in wet and cold weather.
The fit on the Therme Parka is long (the size Medium hits me around mid-thigh) and not too bulky given how much down insulation Arc’teryx has stuffed inside (it’s much slimmer than the Fjallraven Down Jacket No. 16). I’ve probably used the Therme Parka for more than 50 days this year, and it’s quickly becoming my favorite jacket to toss on whenever its cold and snowy. It has a lot of high-quality down insulation, making it one of the warmest options here, and it’s kept me comfortable while standing around in temps down to ~15°F with just a hoodie on underneath.
In terms of features, the Therme Parka has two insulated handwarmer pockets, interior and exterior chest pockets, and a nice, high collar. As with every Arc’teryx product of I’ve used, the Therme Parka’s details and construction seem dialed. I’m also a big fan of the Therme Parka’s face fabric, which is very soft to the touch.
If you like a simple, clean aesthetic and want something that you can trust to keep you warm and dry when the weather turns nasty, the Therme Parka is an excellent option.
Filson Featherweight Down Jacket
Exterior Fabric — Main Body: 1.6-oz nylon w/ DWR coating
Exterior Fabric — Hood, Shoulders, & Pocket Reinforcements: 7-oz cotton moleskin
Interior Fabric: nylon
Insulation: 850-fill-power down
Reviewer: 5’1”, 103 Ibs
Size Tested: XS
MSRP: $285
Best For: days that start in the backcountry and end at the bar
Sascha Anastas: The Featherweight Down Jacket is very light, yet has proved to be very durable and perfect for everyday utility. It features 850-fill-power goose down (ethically sourced, which is a big win in my book) that makes this really light and simple jacket quite warm.
The Featherweight Down Jacket features a more “rugged” style with roomy handwarmer pockets that are also fleece lined for optimal hand warmth and plenty big enough for your wallet, keys, phone, etc. The front pockets, shoulder panels, and hood are reinforced with a thick, water-repellent material that feels almost like canvas. The hood fits snug and the collar width is on the smaller side, but it still does a good job of keeping out cold air.
The Featherweight Down Jacket’s fit runs a bit on the smaller and shorter side (which is advantageous for me at 5”1’, as it actually feels like it fits as it should). With that said, you might want to size up if you have a long torso.
Overall, I am impressed with the versatility of the Featherweight Down Jacket. I often wear this jacket everyday around town, but it is so light that I often find myself forgetting to take it off throughout the day, wearing it almost like I would a sweater (I really hate being cold!). It’s also really compressible and has three dime-sized grommets / holes for a bit of ventilation, making this a great jacket to stash in your pack for an extra warm layer in the backcountry.
Fjallraven Down Jacket No. 16
Exterior Fabric: G-1000 Eco (65% recycled polyester / 30% organic cotton)
Interior Fabric: polyamide ripstop
Insulation: 700-fill-power down (stated fill weight of 280 g)
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $800
Best For: vintage style & maximum warmth
Luke: Fjallraven makes a lot of parkas, and their Down Jacket No. 16 is one of the warmest. It’s super puffy, and is the warmest jacket here. The amount of down in the Down Jacket No. 16 means that it’s also the bulkiest option here, so if a streamlined look is what you’re after, the Therme Parka is a better option. But the No. 16’s “G-1000 Eco” organic cotton / recycled polyester canvas fabric, subtle leather details, and overall vintage style (it’s been in Fjallraven’s line for decades) all make for a pretty sweet look. And if don’t dig the canvas color or want to switch things up occasionally, the No. 16 can be reversed and worn with the bright blue lining fabric on the outside.
The fit on the No. 16 is quite large — the size Medium hits just above my knees, and I could be happy in a size Small. For features, the No. 16 has insulated handwarmer pockets on the inside and outside, two big, drop-in pockets on the canvas-side, and a hood that’s so big that it basically covers my ears when it’s down, which is awesome when it’s really cold.
The No. 16 jacket’s “G-1000 Eco” exterior fabric isn’t waterproof, but it is pretty water resistant, and you can re-treat it with Fjallraven’s “Greenland Wax” to revive its water repellency. That said, the No. 16 would not be my top pick for places like the Pacific Northwest where you’d get a lot of wet snow / rain. But if you live in a drier, but still very cold locale, the Down Jacket No. 16 packs a lot of warmth into a cool, vintage silhouette.
Patagonia Stretch Nano Storm Jacket
Exterior Fabric: 2L H2No w/ 30-denier nylon stretch ripstop
Interior Fabric: 20-denier nylon stretch ripstop
Insulation: 60-g FullRange synthetic insulation
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $449
Best For: comfort
Luke: Unlike most insulated jackets, the Stretch Nano Storm doesn’t use a sticky, crinkly lining fabric. Instead, it uses the same lining as Patagonia’s Nano-Air midlayers, and also the same breathable FullRange insulation. Combined with the stretch of the fabric, all of that makes the Stretch Nano Storm one of, if not the most comfortable waterproof & insulated jacket I’ve used. It honestly feels more like a puffy sweatshirt than an insulated shell.
In terms of warmth, the Stretch Nano Storm is warmer than the standard Nano-Air and most midlayers, but not as warm as the Micro Puff Storm or the parkas here from Arc’teryx and Fjallraven. So, the Stretch Nano Storm isn’t the best option if you’re looking for something to toss on in the absolute coldest weather. But if you don’t need the warmest jacket and would rather have something that’s super comfortable and more breathable than most insulated shells, the Stretch Nano Storm makes a lot of sense.
For features, the Stretch Nano Storm has two exterior chest pockets, two insulated handwarmer pockets, two interior drop-in pockets, and pit zips. In terms of fit, the Stretch Nano Storm is shorter than all of the other men’s jackets here, and the size Medium hits just below my hips. It’s also worth noting that, for 19/20, the Stretch Nano Storm will feature a recycled fabric (along with all of Patagonia’s other shells).
If you like the sound of an insulated shell that you won’t want to take off cause it’s so comfy, check out the Stretch Nano Storm. And for more info, check out our full review of the Stretch Nano Storm Jacket.
Fjallraven Nuuk Parka
Exterior Fabric: Nylon w/ waterproof / breathable membrane
Interior Fabric: Polyester
Insulation: Supreme Microloft synthetic insulation
Reviewer: 5’1”, 103 Ibs
Size Tested: XXS
MSRP: $500
Best For: super cold and windy days
Sascha Anastas: The Nuuk Parka is a waterproof jacket that features Fjallraven’s Supreme Microloft synthetic fill and a vintage style. It’s also super warm, very heavy, and is definitely more bulky than sleek. But it does feature a gentle waist cinch that cinches the back for a more flattering / sleeker fit.
The Nuuk Parka has a fleece-lined hood with an incredibly soft, removable faux-fur trim. The hood is quite roomy but has a slim velcro panel that halves the size of the hood so that the fur lining can fit snug on the cheeks when the hood is on. The Nuuk’s collar is quite wide and is also pretty bulky, which is a definite plus in stormy / windy conditions, but can feel a bit cumbersome when it’s not storming outside. However, the bulkiness of the collar can be reduced by unzipping the detachable fur lining from the hood.
Another great aspect of the Nuuk Parka is the number of pockets. I counted ten! There are deep cargo pockets on the front panels, two slim chest flap pockets, a flap pocket on the right sleeve, and fleece-lined oblique pockets accessible on the sides at the waistline that are optimal for warming up your hands. There are also two media pockets located on the inside of the front panel (with a headphone port), and then on the outside, there is a slim, subtle pocket to the right of the main zipper that’s a perfect home for your wallet and is deep enough for even the largest of smartphones.
By far my favorite aspect of the Nuuk Parka is its length. I initially thought the parka length was a little too long (even in the size XXS), but after a few really cold walks, I quickly became a fan of the mid-thigh length. In addition to the waist cinch that creates a very flattering “skirt,” there is a cinch drawstring at the hem that also slims the bottom and seals in warmth when the wind is howling.
While I may not grab this parka in super wet snow or rain, in really windy conditions the Nuuk would be the first jacket I’d choose thanks to its extra coverage and warm insulation. The fit does run large so I would recommend going down a size. But the good news is that Fjallraven offers the Nuuk Parka all the way down to a size XXS.
Patagonia Micro Puff Storm Jacket
Exterior Fabric: 2L H2No w/ 12-denier nylon ripstop
Interior Fabric: 10-denier nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum
Insulation: 65-g PlumaFill synthetic insulation
Reviewer: 5’8”, 155 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $499
Best For: backcountry & in-town use
Luke: The Micro Puff Storm combines Patagonia’s ultralight, synthetic PlumaFill insulation with a waterproof fabric, resulting in a super light, warm, and waterproof jacket.
Since its synthetic insulation won’t lose all of its insulative value when it gets wet (unlike down), the Micro Puff Storm is a great option if you’re looking for a jacket that you can not only use in the city, but also take with you on any winter trips as an emergency insulator / shell. It’s not as warm as the Arc’teryx Therme and Fjallraven No. 16, but the Micro Puff Storm is still quite toasty.
The Micro Puff Storm fits a bit longer than the Stretch Nano Storm, with the size Medium Micro Puff Storm hitting me around mid-thigh. It’s got two insulated handwarmer pockets that are mesh-backed to help vent, and two drop-in pockets on the inside.
The Micro Puff Storm definitely looks like a technical jacket, but if you’re cool with the styling, it’s an excellent, very light jacket to use for serious backcountry adventures, and also less-serious ones in town. Check out our full review of the Micro Puff Storm for more info.
Fjallraven Greenland No. 1 Down Jacket
Exterior Fabric: G-1000 Eco (65% recycled polyester / 30% organic cotton)
Interior Fabric: polyester
Insulation: 600-fill-power down (stated fill weight of 100 g)
Reviewer: 5’10”, ~175 lbs
Size Tested: Medium
MSRP: $500
Best For: warmth without too much bulk
Jonathan Ellsworth: When Luke Koppa told me that we were publishing this roundup, I insisted that we include this coat, because I’ve been using the same Greenland No. 1 Down Jacket since the winter of 2014, and I am still a huge fan. It’s very warm, quite water resistant, and it looks really sharp. I’d also give it high durability marks — I now easily have over 200 days in mine, and it shows zero signs of any wear or tear.
While it’s not as warm as Fjallraven’s No. 16 Down Jacket, the Greenland No. 1 is much slimmer and sleeker. It’s got insulated handwarmer pockets, two small chest pockets, and a shorter and slimmer fit than all of the other men’s jackets here.
Beyond its good looks, I think it’s worth underscoring again that the Greenland No. 1 Down Jacket has proven to be very durable. And while it might not be 100% waterproof, I’ve never had the coat wet out on me (not even close), and it certainly works great when walking around in the snow. Like the No. 16 jacket, the Greenland’s G-1000 Eco fabric can be treated with Fjallraven’s wax to improve water resistance.
The Greenland No. 1 Down Jacket is an excellent winter coat that doesn’t have much of the bulk or “Michelin Man look” of many other jackets and parkas, and I fully expect to keep using this same jacket for years to come.
The Down jacket no. 16 WARM?? And you tell me the same about the Arcteryx? Well… both of these are just mid range in my collection of down jackets. The 16 doesn’t have any draw cords, so for it to be warm, your body has to just fit it – which is not the case with me, as I’m quite slender. Too wide a gap at the bottom means, all warmth escapes there.
About the Arcteryx: although a good jacket, its warmth is just mediocre. And the small number of relatively small pockets mean, its use is limited to strolling in the city indeed. I know LOTS of parkas which are warmer, have more pockets and can be tightened somewhere and are waterproof too. The North Face McMurdo for instance is a classic one that has been around for ages and still is a top pick. The Bergans Lava down parka is even better, but unfortunately now discontinued.
And if you want it to be warm, extremely versatile, waterproof, but not down: the Fjallraven Yupik (now: Nuuk) parka is the one you should absolutely take a look at. Mine was borrowed by 6 people, FIVE of them ran to the shop to buy one, after a short test. This tells much more than I could ever write about it.