What are the Best Jackets and Coats for Women this Winter?

Cold-weather trips are made or broken by the clothing you wear. Winter jackets and coats require many considerations, such as warmth and temperature regulation, weight and packing capacity, and technical features. The elements you choose should complement the type of travel you plan to take. 

In East Greenland, where weather conditions are often harsh and unpredictable, people should consider what climate they will be facing, such as whether it will be raining or extremely cold.

Helen Spenceley, co-founder of Pirhuk, a mountain guiding company, agrees. When it comes to synthetic insulation, I prefer it over down whenever I’m at risk of getting wet. 

Women’s winter jackets and coats also come with thoughtful outdoor details. Ice core scientists and National Geographic Explorer Alison Criscitiello insists that a perfectly fitting hood is crucial for cold-weather environments. When you have the right armor on, even -40 degree windchill can feel reasonable. 

Whatever you’re doing this winter, including skiing, sledding, or exploring a city under damp skies, we’ve rounded up our top winter coats and jackets.

Expert advice and extensive online research, along with our own experience as travel journalists, led us to conclude that Arc’teryx Beta Down Parka is a versatile, warm, and weather-resistant jacket.

Moreover, we took special consideration to outerwear that used goose down that has been certified by the Responsible Down Standard, the gold standard for ethical down, or garments that used synthetic insulation that had been sustainably manufactured.

When embarking on a winter adventure, however, it is the way that different layers work together that is most important. Here are all of our favorites.

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Our favorite women’s winter outerwear appears below, along with its pros and cons.   

The Arc’teryx Beta Down Parka is our top recommendation if you’re only going to invest in one winter outerwear piece. A timeless version of the best-selling Beta rain jacket from 1998, this coat ticks all the right boxes.

A classic fit gives you freedom of movement on slick city streets as well as on mountain trails. The jacket is warm, waterproof, windproof, and breathable. 

As Ashley Anson, vice president of women’s design at Arc’teryx, says, “The Beta Down Parka meets the female athlete’s desire for style in her mountain apparel while remaining durable.”

The parka features RDS goose down, Gore-Tex, an adjustable hood, and a two-way front zipper to keep you warm and dry. 

We chose this coat for its performance in a variety of winter climates, but there are other options better suited to extreme cold, such as jackets with a high fill weight (the amount of down in the jacket, often indicated in grams) or synthetic insulation, if you’re planning high-intensity activities. 

Activity: Hiking and casual wear | Jacket weight: 1 lb. | Material: Goose down insulation certified by RDS with synthetic insulation in moisture-sensitive areas; PFAS-free Gore-Tex | Weather protection: Waterproof and windproof | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: Stratus, Black, Eden, Rune. 

The lightweight, insulated jacket compresses to almost nothing in its own pocket, making it a great travel companion for hiking, running, and climbing trips.

A sustainably manufactured synthetic insulation, plus a 100-percent recycled nylon shell, plus thoughtful technical features, keeps you warm when it’s wet.

Side panels and sleeves made from knit make it more flexible, and elasticized bindings at the hood, cuffs, and hem keep you warm. 

Activity: Running, hiking, climbing | Jacket weight: Not listed | Material: Recycled synthetic PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. insulation; 100% recycled 20D ripstop nylon with PFAS-free durable; water-repellent (DWR) finish shell and lining | Weather protection: Water-repellent | Sizes: XXS-XL | Colors: Black, Rusty, multicolor   

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„The down fill in this jacket makes it very warm, and the outer fabric protects me against whatever the weather throws at me,” says Melanie Sommerfeldt, a dog musher and guide at Fjellborg Arctic Lodge & Journeys.

The jacket is designed to fit snowy expeditions with a two-way zipper, an adjustable hood with a bendable brim, and multiple pockets for extra gloves and a GPS radio in a secure inner pocket.”

There is no need to remove gloves to adjust the zipper, and the hood is equipped with a fur attachment to protect the face from hail, snow, and gale-force gusts.   

It’s a hefty piece of gear and will take up space in your suitcase during a blizzard. If you plan to carry it on, you may want to wear it.   

Activity: Trekking, dog sledding | Jacket weight: 5 lbs. | Material: 700-fill power ethically produced Fjallraven Down insulation; DWR recycled polyester outer shell | Weather protection: Water- and wind-resistant | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Colors: Iron Grey-Black, Blue-Mountain Blue, Laurel Green-Deep Forest  

Whether you want an ultra-warm layer around a campfire at night or to take a break along a snowy trail, this jacket will keep you warm.

As Helly Hansen’s warmest down jacket ever, the Verglas Polar Down Jacket is made with RDS 800-fill goose down and strategic construction to eliminate cold spots while keeping you warm, plus a down-filled collar for extra warmth.

This garment is made with a durable, water-repellent, and windproof finish, as well as a cut that enhances mobility.  

Although this jacket is water-repellent, down becomes useless when wet, so a waterproof shell is essential. Therefore, this jacket doesn’t work well if you’re working up a sweat. 

Activity: Camping, hiking, ski touring | Jacket weight: Not listed | Material: RDS-certified 800-fill power goose down insulation; durable, water-repellent shell | Weather protection: Water- and wind-resistant | Sizes: XS-XL | Colors: Black, Ultra-Blue  

This top-seller is made with windproof, waterproof, and sweat-resistant materials so it can handle a little sweat too. “The Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody is a great top layer for cold mornings or windy summits,” Spenceley says.

“I wear it during really cold days for training too, either running or skiing with my small ski-mountaineering equipment.” We also appreciate how lightweight and travel-friendly this jacket is. 

Synthetic insulation can keep you warm if you are sweaty and damp, but it isn’t quite as warm as goose down, so it is best to wear another layer on colder evenings. 

Activity: Hiking, snowshoeing, ski touring, running | Jacket weight: 0.68 lb. | Material: Synthetic PrimaLoft Gold PURE insulation; 100% recycled polyester shell Sizes: XXS-XXL |

Windproof and water-resistant | Colors: Stormy Mauve, Lagom Blue, Black, Burnished Red, Torrey Pine Green, Thermal Blue    

An ideal winter travel jacket, this full-length puffer will keep you warm and comfortable. Recycled nylon shell blocks wind and locks in body heat. Contains 700-fill down from responsibly sourced sources.

An adjustable hood with a baffle ruff and wrist gaiters keep warm and soft, and a brushed fabric lining at the collar protects against cold air.

If you are thinking of a cool urban getaway, going for a winter walk, or watching northern lights outdoors at night, this is an ideal option for you. 

Though this style is waterproof, it is not designed to withstand wet snow or heavy rain. 

Activity: Casual wear | Jacket weight: 2.2 lbs. | Material: RDS 700-fill power goose down insulation; 100% recycled nylon shell | Weather protection: Water- and wind-resistant | Sizes: XS-XXL | Colors: Oyster, Black.

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The North Face’s warm, midweight insulated jacket is regarded as one of the best everyday jackets by reviewers. Water-repellent recycled polyester, a 50/50 blend of 600-fill down and synthetic insulation helps keep you warm if you get sweaty or wet. Cold winds are kept at bay with a cinch-cord hood and elasticized cuffs. 

There are some reviews that say this jacket runs small. Consider going up a size if you are between sizes or need room for layering. 

Activity: Casual wear, light hiking | Jacket weight: Not listed | Material: 50% RDS 600-fill power recycled waterfowl down and 50% recycled polyester insulation; 100% recycled polyester shell with PFC-free DWR finish | Weather protection: Water-repellent| Sizes: XS-3XL | Colors: Black, Fawn Grey, Forest Olive, Beet Root, Midnight Patrol, Khaki Stone, Midnight Mauve 

When choosing a winter jacket or coat, consider how you’ll wear it. The type of adventure you’re going on will determine how much warmth you want, how much weight you need, and whether you should use synthetic or down insulation.  

You’ll need multiple layers if you’re heading into the backcountry for skiing, climbing, or snowshoeing so that you won’t get damp and cold. In the evening when you’ll be generating less body heat, that’s especially important.

As much as comfort and safety are important to Spenceley, layering is also important. To keep your inner layers dry, minimize sweating. Heat can then be reduced by covering everything with a big, insulated jacket (unless it’s raining). 

In Spenceley’s opinion, no one jacket can cover everything. “It all comes together because of how I layer.” 

You should keep in mind that when down gets wet, it loses its ability to keep you warm. It has the best heat-to-weight ratio when used in dry, cold conditions, according to Anson.

When synthetics are wet, they insulate quickly and dry quickly, making them ideal for activities that require a large amount of output or in climates that tend to get wet.   

If you are planning to buy a down jacket, check for the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification to ensure that the down is ethically sourced.

“RDS provides certification across the entire supply chain, from hatchlings to final products, that ensures animal welfare is respected,” Anson asserts. 

The product description will indicate if other brands are using trademarked ethically sourced down. Prima Loft P.U.R.E. technology is one of the most sustainable materials available for jackets and coats with synthetic insulation.  

You should look for fabrics with a durable, water-repellent finish (DWR) rather than those that are water-resistant. If you’re headed into rainy weather, you should also pack a fully waterproof shell in addition to your insulated layers.   

It is best to choose a product with mapped insulation, which allows for more breathability in high-touch areas and offers greater warmth around the core. An indication of the quality and insulation ability of down is its fill power.

A jacket’s fill weight also matters, and the higher the fill weight the warmer it will be overall (product descriptions often indicate weight in grams). Design elements like small windows can have a big impact on keeping out the cold.

“I pay attention to details such as an adjustable hood that fits perfectly as a helmet or without, a wrist cuff design that fits comfortably inside gloves, and a high collar that provides adequate protection for the chin and face,” says Criscitiello.   

Count Criscitiello as one of the best designers in the world when it comes to finding a balance between being lightweight as well as packable, but also durable.

Although synthetic insulation is more effective in wet weather, it is slightly heavier than goose down. If you plan to pack multiple insulated layers, choose items that can be easily packed in their own pockets or stored in compression bags. 

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