When winter’s temperatures settle into the biting sub-zeroes, your best option for staying warm is the iconic arctic parka. Today’s iterations of the parka draw from mid-century military designs, placing equal weight on function and warmth, but utilize modern waterproofing and wind-proofing innovations. Along with down fill and an optional fur hood lining, cold weather doesn’t stand a chance. The practical and timeless design is easy to incorporate into any wardrobe, complementing a wide range of different aesthetics. In the case of cold-weather outerwear, the aphorism “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” readily applies, and the classic design is still the best.
Battenwear Northfield Parka
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Best Overall Parka
Made in the USA, Battenwear’s vintage-inspired parka features a water-repellent 60/40 cotton-nylon shell with a faux shearling lining. It comes with flap pockets, Polartec-lined hand-warming pockets and a brimmed hood. The price tag certainly isn’t the cheapest, but for all the features you get, it’s pumped full of value.
Price: $550
Woolrich Mountain Parka
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Best Upgrade Parka
Woolrich originally made parkas in the early ‘70s for Alaskan oil pipeline workers, designed to keep people warm in the most frigid conditions. This full-length parka updates the classic silhouette with a modern stretch-blend shell insulated with grey duck down. The style — with a zip front and protective high collar — has a relaxed fit with two concealed hand-warmer pockets and an internal security pocket.
Price: $750
Everlane ReNew Long Parka
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Best Affordable Parka
Everlane launched its ReNew collection, a group of puffers and fleeces using renewed alternatives to polyester. The collection recycled millions of plastic bottles, turning them into a super-fine polyester thread which was knit and woven into polyester fabric. Theis jacket is minimal and quite affordable, and is filled with recycled PrimaLoft insulation (recommended for 0 to 35°F temperatures).
Price: $198
Uniqlo Hybrid Down Jacket
This jacket features a combination of down insulations and heat-generating padding. Cut from durable nylon, the styles are both water-repellent and windproof. For the price, it has a number of enticing under-the-radar details. Softer, matte nylon doesn’t rustle as you move, added stretch materials improve mobility and stitch-free quilting keeps cold air away.
Price: $130
Taylor Stitch Winslow Parka
If your idea of outdoor adventures is more rustic than technical, Taylor Stitch’s Winslow Parka is the move. Made with a British eight-ounce waxed canvas exterior, the water-resistant parka features a super warm 14-ounce wool-blend blanket lining, flap pockets, a hood and brass fittings.
Price: $298
Carhartt WIP Trapper Parka
East Dane
Wind and water aren’t a problem with Carhartt WIP’s Trapper Parka and its tough poly-cotton shell. The polyester fill in combination with the removable faux fur hood ensure you’ll be toasty even through a sudden bout of snow.
Price: $326
The North Face HMLYN Down Parka
Based on down jackets frequently spotted scaling the Himalayan mountains, this puffer features 550 down fill inside of a lightweight and durable ripstop nylon shell.
Price: $330
Filson Granite Falls Down Parka
Filson’s feature-rich parka comes with all the trappings you could want and more. A tough poly-cotton shell with a smooth all-cotton lining sandwiches bluesign-approved goose down, while your head is swaddled in fuzzy fleece and a removable faux fur ruff. Plus, the extra reinforcements at the yoke, hood and forearms ensures you’ll have this parka for plenty of winters.
Price: $695
Veilance Monitor Down Coat
This thigh-length coat from Veilance uses Down Composite Mapping, a technique that combines 850 fill down with strategically placed synthetic insulation in moisture heavy areas. It also features taped seams and Down Contour technology, a unique down baffle construction that eliminates cold spots. The jacket has two zippered hand pockets — the zippers are highly water-resistant — and an insulated hood.
