THE WARMEST WINTER COATS | OUR WINTER JACKET BUYING GUIDE

When the cold winds of winter blow, people look to the warmest winter brands for the warmest hooded jacket possible to help them make it through the most frigid of seasons. But what is the best jacket for cold winter? We explore the top 10 winter jacket options below (plus some other fiery products) and how to use them to explore the world of winter in comfort and confidence.

THE WARMEST WINTER COAT WE MAKE

ARC’TERYX THERME SV PARKA

You know it’s got the heat when it’s called a parka, The Therme SV is a heavy hitter when it comes to winter, with a longer length than most coats and all the insulation needed to meet the harshest winter days.

Therme is a wearable shelter with extended protection from snow, sleet, rain, wind, and extreme cold air. The breathable 2L GORE-TEX is waterproof and windproof, and most importantly, comfortable.

We use responsibly sourced 750 fill goose down and pack the Therme as thick as we can with it. Light and warm enough to carry you the distance, Therme’s design allows the goose down to work with the body to give maximum heat.

Coreloft™ synthetic fill is used in the places we get wet; think shoulders and sleeves. An insulated hood takes care of the most important part of you.

Don’t need the SV version? The Therme Insulated Jacket looks good in “real life” but is made for harsh weather. Waterproof, windproof, and breathable 2L GORE-TEX fabric protects from the elements while Coreloft™ negates the need for a mid layer in most situations, a preferred setup for milder days on the mountain.

The adjustable StormHood™ is insulated for additional warmth, and internal cuff gaskets seal drafts out and keep heat in.

THE WARMEST COAT IN OUR LEGENDARY ATOM SERIES

ARC’TERYX ATOM HEAVYWEIGHT HOODY

Our celebrated Atom series has been keeping outdoorsmen and women warm since fat skis were a “fad.” This fresh model—formerly known as the AR—performs as one of our warmest outdoor jackets. It’s also great as a mid-layer underneath our best cold weather outerwear.

The Atom Series is based on synthetic insulation and every product—from lightweight hoody to big badass parka—is warm, breathable, wind resistant, and, of course, versatile.

We use Coreloft™ synthetic insulation, which is efficient, effective, and resilient. We place it exactly where it needs to be, so you get the absolute best winter jacket performance. It even works even wet, unlike many inferior synthetic insulations.

The lightweight, wind-resistant, and water repellant Tyono™ 30 shell is treated for extra durability, and Permeair™ panels under the arms add ventilation. The insulated, helmet-compatible hood adds warmth and protection.

FEEL THE HEAVY (WEIGHT) BASE

ARC’TERYX RHO HEAVYWEIGHT ZIP NECK

Who makes the warmest coats? We do, but we also make every winter product warm, like the Rho Heavyweights–our warmest base layer tops.

Created for the coldest days of stop-and-start action like backcountry skiing and snowboarding or climbing, Rho uses Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro so you can move with ease.

When grabbing a meal, belaying, taking skins off, or if the temperature just divebombs, the Polartec® Power Stretch® Pro fleece’s soft brushed interior traps heat.

The durable nylon outer fabric is smooth enough to slide easily under layers. A taller collar keeps your neck toasty warm. A front zipper goes way down to dump heat. All of it adds up to more than a simple base layer. It’s a heavyweight hero.

IS THIS THE WARMEST OUTDOOR JACKET EVER? MAYBE.

ARC’TERYX ALPHA PARKA

So, let’s just get this out of the way—this is a climbing jacket, not an urban style icon. That doesn’t mean it should be left off the list as one of thebest warmest outdoor jackets ever. If you’re looking for the best jacket in the world, this might be it. Ultimate warmth.

It’s called a belay parka because climbers who sit and wait and belay their climbing partner as they climb tend to feel frozen quickly. The Alpha Parka was built for these climbers in the harshest conditions. As our warmest winter jacket, it can help anyone in the vast outdoors.

The 850-fill goose down is RDS-certified (Responsible Down Standard), meaning the feathers and down are from certified farms, and the ducks and geese used were raised in compliance with the principles and criteria of animal welfare. It’s a feel-great winter coat.

Uncompromising warmth from the down is complemented with synthetic insulation for added breathability where the jacket gets wet most.

The most breathable of fabrics, 2L GORE-TEX INFINIUM™, is paired with ultralight, ultra-durable Hadron™ face fabric to block wind and resist water.

Not only is this the warmest winter coat ever, but it’s also almost made with our most durable fabric, Hadron™, which is engineered with a liquid crystal polymer ripstop grid to deliver abrasion resistance.

To top it off, a StormHood™ protects without impacting lines of sight. Both men's and women’s versions come with an articulated gender-specific design to fit comfortably over winter climbing gear.

We thought of it all, so you can stay warm anywhere in any conditions. Go get it.

TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME EVEN WHEN IT’S COLD

ARC’TERYX PATERA PARKA

Long on style and short on patience for the winter elements, the Patera can handle it all: snow, sleet, wind, rain, and frigid temperatures.

How does it become one of the best cold weather jackets we sell? Easy. The right ingredients and obsessive design. Goose down fill for warmth. Soft, breathable GORE-TEX fabric for weather protection. Coreloft™ synthetic insulation for areas prone to moisture.

An adjustable hood keeps your head happy. Gaskets at the neck and cuffs keep. The wind out and the heat in.

A long, long length isn’t just there for show. It’s there for distinctive style, while the cut still allows for layering. Together with an Arc’teryx mid layer, this might be the best cold weather outerwear of the season.

THE WARMEST GLOVES WE MAKE

ARC’TERYX FISSION SV GLOVE

How do you make a glove worthy enough to pair with best cold weather jackets? Combine the undeniable performance of Fortius™ 1.0 with the most obvious winter fabric—waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX. Add in PrimaLoft® Silver and Gold Insulation for more-than-adequate warmth. And we’re not done yet. An additional Octa® Loft breathable insulation lining next to the skin manages moisture and makes for an easy on/off.

Gloves take a beating, especially when they are used for skiing and snowboarding. To keep the beating to a minimum, we added a double layer of premium goat leather reinforcements. Nothing is more resilient than a goat, especially in the mountains.

Finally, an elasticated wrist strap keeps your gloves close, and a cleverly designed gauntlet fights off the most severe of weather. All hail the G.O.A.T.

ONE OF OUR BEST WATERPROOF WINTER JACKETS EVER

ARC’TERYX BETA INSULATED JACKET

We don’t need to tell you how iconic the Beta line is. For over two decades, the Beta line has accompanied adventurers into the alpine, keeping them warm, dry, and moving in the harshest environments known to humankind. For real. Beta doesn’t play around when it comes to playing hard in the mountains.

With the Beta Insulated Jacket, we pair Coreloft™ Continuous insulation with a more sustainable waterproof, breathable 40D GORE-TEX fabric. Essentially, it’s just like the other Betas but better for the earth and built for the coldest conditions, plus it’s still waterproof which is what makes it our best waterproof winter jacket.

The StormHood™ adjusts to maximize peripheral vision for your goggles while easily accommodating a helmet. Add some pit zippers for ventilation and an embedded RECCO™ reflector to help let the SAR know where you went.

A QUESTION OF INSULATION

When shopping for the warmest winter brands Arc’teryx rises to the top, but we make a massive spectrum of the warmest winter jackets. Picking one is and should be a well-thought-out experiment. What activities will you need it for? What fit and size is required? And one of the most common questions when people are seeking a performance winter jacket: should I get synthetic insulation, goose down, or a hybrid of both?

It's a fair question that is not easily answered. Warmth is not the only factor. Weight is important (synthetic is heavier), level of water resistance is key, and compressibility comes into play. Price is affected. And for those concerned with animal welfare, a whole new line of questioning can be applied when shopping for the best winter jackets.

Let’s try and answer some of those questions for you.

THE PROS AND CONS OF SYNTHETIC INSULATION

If you did a survey of the top 10 winter jackets, most would be shells that do not require insulation. The ones that did would probably use synthetic, or polyester AKA plastic.

QUICK DRYING

Synthetic insulation dries rapidly compared to down, giving it a leg up on the bird down.

MADE FOR WET

Synthetic keeps on insulating even when it’s wet, so if you live in the Pacific Northwest, Sierra Nevadas, or any other wet, cold, and/or coastal environment, synthetics may be the best bet.

Less Expensive (Most of the Time)The big advantage for many when it comes to synthetic insulation is the price. It’s simply cheaper to produce.

ANTI-SNEEZE

It’s hypoallergenic, which alone makes it the number one choice for many.

CONTINUOUS FILAMENT OR SHORT STAPLE?

Want to delve even deeper into synthetics? There are two main kinds: short-staple insulations and continuous filament. The line between them is as easy as length. Continuous filament is, well, one continuous—and thicker—line of polyester bunched up. Short staple is a bunch of shorter pieces of thinner filament.

CONTINUOUS FILAMENT SYNTHETIC INSULATION

Loftier. Stronger. More durable. This is the synthetic insulation that has a “firmer” feel, making it less compressible than short-staple insulations. Where it shines is in staying put, which means there are fewer gaps to let in the cold.

SHORT STAPLE SYNTHETIC INSULATION

These fine-denier filaments are packed tightly with the idea of holding heat in better. Short Staple is great for warm winter jackets because it feels softer and is more flexible, making it better to wear. Some claim it’s like down, but diehard proponents of down would balk at that. One way it is like down is that it’s less durable. Either way, short-staple offers better compressibility than continuous filament.

PROS TO SYNTHETIC INSULATION

  • Water resistant
  • Less expensive than down insulation
  • Insulates while wet
  • Hypoallergenic

CONS TO SYNTHETIC INSULATION

  • Heavier than down
  • Bulkier than down
  • Less warmth-to-weight ratio than down
  • Less durable than down

DOWN INSULATION

First off, let’s get a few things straight. Bird feathers are not down insulation. It’s the good stuff underneath called plumage that keeps birds warm, and it’s the same naturally genius material that makes the warmest winter jackets.

Down is made of the fluffiest of filaments, and insulates us the same way it does for ducks—trapping air in the down, which then traps heat from our bodies. It’s ultralight, compressible, and breathable.

The single best application of down insulation in the best cold weather outerwear is cold, dry conditions. It’s also a go-to when weight and pack space are an issue.

DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE?

Geese are the typical source of down insulation. It has become wildly popular in recent years, so some manufacturers have started using the cheaper duck down. They both work great but goose down is still cherished more in high-end products because of a higher fill power.

WHAT THE FILL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

Fill power means how much the down can trap heat. The more loft, the more heat. It’s that easy. As for the measurement, one ounce of 400-fill down can fill 400 cubic inches of space. One ounce of 800-fill down can fill 800 cubic inches of space. The highest quality goose down available can reach upwards of 900 fill-power, whereas duck down goes no higher than 800.

WHY DO I CARE?

It’s simple: higher fill power down means less down is needed to make the warmest lightweight jackets. The better (higher fill power) the down is, the lighter and warmer the jacket will be.

HERE’S WHERE IT BUNCHES UP

So far, down sounds damn good, right? Here come the complaints. Down insulation clumps up and loses its loft when it gets wet. And when it gets wet, it gets cold. Insulation should never be cold. Some companies have developed proprietary technologies that allow down to be water resistant, but soaked down is soaked down, and will chill fast.

LET’S TALK DURABILITY

Down can last for decades, but not without a lot of care, love, and attention. Treat your favourite winter jacket right and it will take care of you, but disrespect or ignore it and all the expensive down in your warmest winter jacket will be worthless in winter.

PROS TO DOWN INSULATION

  • Higher warmth-to-weight ratio
  • More compressible...which means way more packable
  • Durable...kind of

CONS TO DOWN INSULATION

  • Gets cold when wet
  • Takes forever to dry
  • Expensive...but worth it for those in dry, cold climates
  • Requires special care in cleaning
  • Not hypoallergenic...but people are rarely allergic to down

ON THE SUBJECT OF ANIMAL RIGHTS

The world of goose and duck down is rife with debate. Not only are many concerned about how the animals are treated, some simply do not agree with using animals for insulation whatsoever. It’s a personal choice. At Arc’teryx, we take animal welfare seriously.

Down is a wonder material, and in our quest for obsessively designing the best winter coats in the world, we use down as an insulation material. Its warmth-to-weight ratio is staggering. Its compressibility allows athletes to take it on the most gnarly objectives. It is a resilient material that gives back for decades when treated with care. All the down we use is certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). This independent global standard safeguards animal welfare. Certification is provided at every step of the supply chain, from hatchling to final product.

It should be noted that live-plucking and force-feeding are prohibited under the RDS.

All Arc'teryx down is traceable to farms in Eastern Europe and is processed at the Allied Feather and Down facility in California. We have been sourcing from Allied since we launched down products in 2013. Allied is a fellow Bluesign® system partner, has required farm verification of animal welfare practices since 2008, and was an early implementer of third-party auditing.

HOW TO WASH YOUR ARC’TERYX DOWN WINTER JACKET OR WINTER COAT

Down keeps you warm by having tiny pockets of air within it that capture and keep the warmth. When the outer fabric of your best cold weather outerwear is compromised by dirt, sweat, and

other substances the material attracts water. When that water makes it through the fabric it causes the down to clump. Clumping is a disaster for insulation, and a dirty jacket will soon be a cold jacket.

Don’t wash down unless it's absolutely necessary. After all, we build the warmest winter jackets as tools for performance, and to maintain that performance only wash your garment when it shows signs of dirt or sweat, or the down is starting to lose loft or clump.

Use a cleaning agent made specifically for technical down products:

  • Arc’teryx Nu Care Products
  • ReviveX® Down Cleaner
  • Grangers® Down Wash
  • Fibertec Down Wash
  • Nikwax Down Wash Direct

PREPARING YOUR WINTER COAT

Close the main and pit zippers of your performance winter jacket. Open pocket zippers. Release tension on all elastic drawcords. Loosen and secure the cuff Velcro®.

Front-load washing machines are recommended; however, if you have a washing machine with an agitator (top loader), putting your garment inside a mesh bag will help protect it.

WASHING YOUR WINTER COAT

Put your garment in the machine, add cleaning agent and wash on medium heat (40°C/104°F) at permanent press or gentle cycle settings. Double rinsing is recommended.

APPLYING DWR TO YOUR WINTER COAT

If your best waterproof winter jacket doesn’t bead water after it has been washed and dried, you need to apply DWR (durable water repellant). Remove your good winter jacket and shake off any leftover water. Close every zipper. Hang it up and spray DWR on the outside. Concentrating on the places where the jacket is most worn.

DRY YOUR WINTER JACKET

Turn your best cold weather outerwear inside out, lay it on a flat surface, and remove all moisture by gently pressing on it with a clean towel.

Place your garment in the dryer on low heat (permanent press cycle) with two “dryer balls” or clean tennis balls to prevent the down from clumping and to help it regain its loft. It will be necessary to periodically turn your garment inside out throughout the cycle to help it dry properly.

The down in your best cold weather jacket must be completely dried before storing to avoid clumping or mold. Be prepared for the process to take upwards of three hours.

WHO DESIGNS THE WARMEST WINTER COATS IN THE VEILANCE LINE?

Arc’teryx has long been recognized globally for making the warmest winter jackets for men, but with the introduction of the Veilance line in 2009, a whole new level of heat was achieved. Veilance is Arc’teryx’s style-conscious arm, led by visionary designer Taka Kasuga. For over a decade, he and his team have created some of the best urban winter jacket sever seen. We are talking clean lines, superior technicality, and an obsessive eye for the details. With small product runs and an exclusive vibe, Veilance is an elevated urban approach to outdoor style.

“The people I can see wearing Veilance ... [appreciate] clean lines and want to stay protected in weather.” Kasuga told Hypebeast during Arc’teryx’ 10-year anniversary. “We definitely don’t worry about trends.”

When inspiration for style arises, it’s easy for product designers to get carried away and leave the technical details of the warmest winter jackets out in the cold. Kasuga believes that style and function should be equally addressed from season to season, and use a multitude of materials to keep Veilance evolving, as he told Cool Hunting in 2018.

“What I see out there is more focused on the look rather than the function itself, but our priority is not so much about outdoor look, it’s more of the function itself. And we want to make sure that we have a cultural context...so that’s where the aesthetic side comes from for Veilance.

We’ve had a lot of GORE-TEX, but now we started to apply that context to different materials, such as cotton or cotton blends. That started to look more interesting, and we are kind of evolving both from the natural material side to very, very progressive, what’s the latest, the most breathable fabric from GORE-TEX in the future kind of thing. So I think in the past few seasons we were making more maintenance moves, but we are really progressing in the future.”

One of the biggest challenges of being an offshoot of the best winter jacket brand on the planet is staying true to the brand’s identity and aesthetic. This is what Kasuga had to say about it when speaking to Gear Patrol about the Veilance line.

“As long as the design is based on the user experience we want to provide, I think it’s good. But, aesthetically, I think we can stretch on both the material side and the lifestyle side. What I mean by that is that there are some very new technologies coming out and I feel like we are a little bit behind in adapting them. I want to bring a more progressive edge into the line. Right now, I think Veilance’s material palette, color palette, and design palette are a foundation, but I want to expand a little bit.

Also, we don’t necessarily want to be an outerwear supplier. We want to be a progressive design brand. So we are looking into the product categories we are not in such as new packs and footwear. For our audience, Veilance being technical is a given —there’s a trust in that —but they want to see more excitement around design itself.”

THE WARMEST WINTER COATS FOR MEN FROM THE ARC’TERYX VEILANCE LINE

We picked the best cold weather outerwear from Veilance to highlight here. From vests to parkas, these are the best cold weather jackets available now.

THE WARMEST WINTER JACKETS ARE ALWAYS DOWN FOR URBAN ADVENTURE

ARC’TERYX MONITOR DOWN COAT

When your warm winter jacket looks this good, you can be forgiven for forgetting about the technical details. A clean, iconic silhouette steals the spotlight when it comes to the thigh-length Monitor Down Coat, but it’s still a technical standout, like all Veilance products.

The Monitor Down Coat is insulated with lofty 850 fill-power European goose down for warmth. Even when the wind is blowing heavy and frigid into your face and down the boulevard, this jacket will keep you warm. The most rugged GORE-TEX PRO material available is waterproof, windproof, and breathable, but it’s also tough enough for the urban environment.

The StormHood™ is all about keeping your head in cold weather, offering deep warmth and full weather protection without impacting vision.

No one wants a bulky, clumsy jacket. Monitor’s innovative construction techniques reduce bulk and weight, and articulated patterning frees movement, allowing you to walk with confidence in the worst of winter.

WHEN NOTHING ELSE WILL DO, BRING ON THE VEST

ARC’TERYX CONDUIT DOWN VEST

Vests can be polarizing, but for those who love them, nothing else can replace the sheer versatility and technicality of a good down vest. It’s warmth without restriction. It’s a distinctive contemporary aesthetic. It’s down for adventure, always.

The Conduit showcases an advanced material package, utilizing the celebrated warmth of light, lofty 850 fill-power European goose down in a low-profile, distinctive Veilance aesthetic.

Oversized baffles and mini-grid outer create a technical visual appeal. DWR adds water repellency.

Stretch adds freedom, as does a lack of sleeves. Long live the vest.

ARC’TERYX FIELD JACKET

Some pieces just stand out more than others. The Field Jacket is one of them, despite being subtle and refined like the rest of the warmest lightweight men’s jackets by Veilance. This hooded jacket also happens to feature GORE-TEX storm protection, so its good looks are backed by a deep pedigree in weather protection.

Fitting in easily with any minimalist wardrobe, the Field Jacket is aptly named. It’s built for complete storm protection in a classic military silhouette reimagined for the contemporary landscape.

What keeps it waterproof, windproof, and breathable? 3L GORE-TEX, a microfleece backer, and a StowHood™ that provides coverage but tucks away when not in use.

DISTINCTIVE CONTEMPORARY AESTHETIC IN THE BEST WINTER PARKA

ARC’TERYX CONDUIT DOWN JACKET

With decisive design, a toasty aesthetic, and the most premium of materials, this jacket even looks warm. Versatile enough to wear as either a standalone piece or a mid-layer standout, the light, lofty 850 fill-power European goose down provides exceptional warmth either way.

Oversized low-profile baffles and a mini-grid outer create a technical visual appeal while showcasing an advanced approach to winter insulation. DWR (Durable Water Repellent) to keep you dry. Stretch to keep you comfy through a full range of motion.

A WARM WINTER COAT TO DRESS UP OR DRESS DOWN.

ARC’TERYX ALTUS DOWN JACKET

Everyone loves a nice technical warm winter coat, but sometimes they can look a little, well, techy. The Altus islow-key in styling but high performing otherwise. Gain uncompromising warmth regardless of the conditions.

Crafted for the most demanding dress codes, this warm winter jacket is the storm shield for winter’s harshest days.

Insulated with lofty 850 fill-power European goose down. Shelled with waterproof, windproof GORE-TEX with GORE C-KNIT™ backer technology for breathability and softness. Coreloft™ synthetic insulation is used where the jacket gets the most moisture. Articulated patterning frees movement and creates shape.

An insulated StormHood™ keeps the head warm and won’t get in the way even while you’re peeking over your shoulder. Don’t worry, they’re only looking your way because you look so darn good.

OUR WARMEST LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S JACKET

ARC’TERYX ISOGON MX JACKET

When the weather is indecisive, but you can’t be, Isogon MX has your back. This technical, streamlined hooded jacket is the correct choice for transitional weather.

This strong softshell can resists wind and light moisture. More importantly, it breathes liberally and stretches for a full range of freedom as you move throughout your day.

An adjustable StormHood™ provides shelter without getting in the way of your vision. The perfectly placed hand pockets hide little zippers for under-the-radar storage that doesn’t disrupt the clean lines we worked so hard to create.