These Super Warm Winter Coats Are Actually Stylish
- 1/18
These Super Warm Winter Coats Are Actually Stylish
A good winter coat should keep you toasty and dry without making you look like a marshmallow. The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab researched tons of down, wool, and active coats to find the ones with top-quality performance and design. Our picks offer a range of styles, price points, size offerings and activity levels, so you can buy one that looks good, feels good, and actually lasts. But first, here's what you should consider before you get shopping:
What is the warmest winter coat?
Down (which comes from ducks or geese) is the best insulator for winter coats because the clusters trap in heat. For less expensive picks, look for down and feather blends or down-alternative (which is made of synthetic fibers, so it may not be as lofty or warm).
When shopping, you'll want to check the fill power of the down: The higher the number, the more space the down takes up and the better insulated it will be. Fill powers can range from 300-900, though anything over a 550 is considered warm. For extra warmth, look for a high fill power and a high fill weight, which tells you how much down is used. Many brands also now use responsibly-sourced down to ensure the birds are not force-fed or live-plucked. If you want a guarantee, look for certifications, such as the Responsible Down Standard.
What is the most stylish winter coat?
For a sleek and stylish look, consider a wool jacket. 100% wool will be warmest, but one with at least 60% wool will also keep you cozy. Look for nylon in the blends — they're strong and will help with the coats last for years — but avoid coats with fabric that has over three fibers blended together because these are more prone to pilling.
If you're looking for extra warmth, pay attention to the design: double-breasted and longer styles that button up all the way to the neck are ideal. One more thing to note: You'll have to dry clean these styles, as most wool coats are not machine washable.
What is the best performance winter coat?
If you're hiking, sledding, or skiing this winter, you'll need an active coat for your outdoor adventures. Construction is crucial — these coats are subjected to extreme weather and wear and tear. Nylon is often the most durable, but you can find good quality jackets made of polyester as well.
Look for styles that are lightweight, breathable, and not too long if you plan to be moving around a lot, and consider coats that have added insulation if you think you'll need one that's super warm. The coat should also have flat, sealed seams to keep water out and design details that block cold air, such as drawstrings to cinch or a flap over the zipper.
Below are the best, most stylish, and warmest winter coats you can buy:
- 2/18
Eddie Bauer Women's Sun Valley Down Parka, Navy Regular M
- 3/18
Valuker Down Coat
Beinia
amazon.com
$99.99
It's nearly impossible to find a down coat for $100, but this Amazon best-seller does just that and has thousands of five-star reviews from users who say it has held up to freezing cold weather. It's a blend of 90% down and 10% feather fill and has great attention to detail with its removable faux fur trim, deep pockets, two-way zippers, and elasticized cuffs to help keep cold air out.
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- 4/18
Montreal Puffer Coat
Marmot
amazon.com
$284.95
Between its impressive 700 fill power and its knee-length style, this one's bound to keep you cozy in frigid temperatures without weighing you down. On top of that, the outer fabric is water-resisant and the down fill has been treated to prevent it from clumping if it gets wet. There's also a high neck with a removable faux fur collar, a two-way zipper and fleece-lined pockets to keep your hands warm (genius!).
- 5/18
Thickened Down Jacket
Orolay
amazon.com
$149.99
It's so popular, it even has its own fan-based Instagram account. This style is the Amazon best-seller with thousands of five-star reviews from users who say it helps them stay cozy and fits great. It also has unique side zippers so you can loosen the fit when you're sitting in the car or if just want some ventilation. Other design features include zippers with long pulls, plenty of pockets, and small segments throughout to keep the down/feather fill evenly distributed.
- 6/18
Ultrawarm 3/4 Length Coat
L.L.Bean
llbean.com
$239.00
This mid-length style is perfect for the cold temperatures, but it's also available in full-length or shorter options depending on how much coverage you need, all of which are available in regular, plus and petite sizes. The two-way zipper is covered with a flap that snaps in place to keep your middle extra toasty. In addition to its 650-fill-power down warmth, its polyester shell is water-repellant and stain-resistant. The faux-fur trim is removable and the coat is both machine washable and dryer safe.
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- 7/18
Wunder Puff Jacket Mid Length
- 8/18
Expedition Pack Down Hoodie - Women's
- 9/18
Women Long Down Alternative Winter Puffer Coat Zip-Off Plush Lined Fur Trim Hood - Waxed Loden (Medium)
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- 10/18
Classic Lambswool Polo Coat
L.L.Bean
llbean.com
$249.00
This quarter-length style, also available in full-length, is a classic, luxe coat that will keep you nice and toasty. It's made of 100% Italian lambswool, which is softer and smoother than regular wool. It has a polyester lining and is filled with Thinsulate, a down-alternative insulation. The style itself is timeless and flattering and its available in a wide range of sizes, including plus and petite.
- 11/18
Amazon Brand - Daily Ritual Women's Wool Blend Belted Coat, Black Herringbone 8
- 12/18
Double Breasted Peacoat with Scarf
London Fog
amazon.com
$79.57
This peacoat is a shorter style and uses a blend with 60% wool in the fabric. The basic look makes it convenient for everyday use and it's double breasted, which is ideal for jackets with button closures. And as if the low price isn't a good enough value, the coat comes with a bonus scarf.
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- 13/18
The Cocoon Coat
Everlane
everlane.com
$250.00
For a more relaxed look and feel, this cocoon style looks like an oversized blazer and the brand says it's versatile enough to wear from work to date night. The ethics-focused company stands out for using transparent pricing so you know how much it costs to make the garment (they say this one costs $102). Just keep in mind that this 60% wool fabrication has five different fibers in the blend, which can often cause pilling over time.
- 14/18
Squall Parka
Lands' End
landsend.com
$179.95
With its impressive details to protect you against winter's elements, this parka is windproof and waterproof to keep out rain, snow, ice and sleet. It's insulated and has a fleece lining to add extra warmth, but is designed to be lightweight in certain areas (like the lower body and hood) so it won't feel too heavy. The two-way zipper is covered by a storm flap and there are plenty of zippered pockets to keep belongings safe.
- 15/18
Ski Jacket
TSLA
amazon.com
$62.98
This jacket is specifically designed for outdoor sports with its three layer construction: a rugged outer layer, insulated padding in the middle, and a cozy fleece layer inside. It also has a waterproof finish to protect against rain and snow, and users rave that it feels both lightweight and warm. You can pick 10 different colors, including both neutrals and vibrant shades, and you don't have to worry about spending a fortune.
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- 16/18
Mighty Lite Hooded Jacket
Columbia
amazon.com
$109.99
If you're looking for the thinnest winter coat, this best-selling jacket uses both insulation and Columbia's OmniHeat technology that reflects body heat to keep you warm, while keeping it lightweight and breathable so you don't have to worry about overheating. It has a long silhouette for more coverage with geometric baffles that are designed to be more flattering on women's bodies.
- 17/18
Resolve 2 Jacket
The North Face
amazon.com
It's not the warmest coat you'll find, but if you plan to hike in wet weather on a winter day, this jacket is waterproof, windproof and not too heavy. The high collar helps to keep out cold air and can easily store the hood when it's not in use. It also uses elastic cuffs at the wrists and a cinched hem at the bottom to provide a good fit.
- 18/18
These Super Warm Winter Coats Are Actually Stylish
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Stay warm without looking like a walking marshmallow.