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The Best Parkas for Cold Weather Adventures This Winter

With its iconic design and modern innovations, the parka is still a surefire way to stay warm.

three parka jackets Courtesy

By Evan Malachosky and Beau Hayhoe

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When winter’s temperatures settle into the biting sub-zeroes, your best option for staying warm is the iconic arctic parka. Today’s iterations draw from mid-century military designs, placing equal weight on function and warmth, but utilize modern waterproofing and wind-proofing innovations. Met with down fill and an optional fur hood lining, cold weather doesn’t stand a chance.

Products in the Guide

  • Best Overall Parka: The North Face Recycled Mcmurdo Parka

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  • Best Upgrade Parka: Woolrich Luxe Wool Long Parka

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  • Best Affordable Parka: Columbia Marquam Peak Fusion Parka

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  • Best Heritage Parka: L.L. Bean Baxter State Parka

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  • Best Parka for the Great Outdoors: Kuhl Arktik Parka

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  • Best Sustainable Parka: Everlane The ReNew Short Parka

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There are also brands making more streamlined versions of the parka, removing the bulk, slimming down the cut and yet still delivering crucial, warm insulation. They’ve come a long way from original adventure jackets designed by the likes of, say, Eddie Bauer and worn in grueling conditions.

The time will come when you absolutely need a parka – you’ll know it without a doubt.

On top of its functionality, the parka is an easy design 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 parka is still the best. Shop a few of our favorites below.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Pros

  • This jacket received the brand’s highest warmth rating
  • Iconic design from a trusted heritage brand

Cons

  • The design of this parka is bulkier and less streamlined than other winter jackets
  • Faux-fur hood trim might not perform as well when wet

Made from recycled nylon and filled with responsible-certified down, The North Face’s McMurdo Parka promises to keep you warm and dry — what more can you ask for? It hits right past your hip, not at your knees, which makes it more flattering for more body shapes. It’s also a well-known heritage style from a brand best known for crafting jackets suitable for extreme conditions.

This one can handle sub-zero temperatures, and the black colorway with faux-fur trim hood is as iconic for winter as L.L. Bean’s “Bean” Boots or Timberland’s 6-inch wheat lace-up boots.

Pros

  • This jacket is overbuilt with warm features like a chin flap for extreme cold
  • Large front buttons are easy to operate while wearing gloves

Cons

  • The insulation is duck down, which performs poorly when wet
  • Natural duck down might not prove as durable over time

If you really want to ramp up your winter outerwear game, it’s hard to go wrong with Woolrich – this jacket is both extremely luxe and yet made to take on the cold in a rugged-yet-refined manner. The horizontal quilted design is eye-catching and a nice change of pace in terms of style.

And yes, it’s quite pricey as far as parkas are concerned. But if you want the best this winter, be prepared to drop some serious coin.

Pros

  • Exterior fabric is water-resistant
  • Features plenty of pockets for your everyday carry

Cons

  • Cotton-poly shell is not as heavyweight/technical as other parka exterior designs
  • Faux-fur hood trim might not perform as well when wet

For the price, few parkas can compete with Columbia’s Marquam. It’s made from a cotton-nylon blend that’s both heat-trapping and waterproof. There are pockets at the hips and at the chest; the hood has a faux fur trim; and it’s filled with the brand’s proprietary Thermarator insulation.

It also comes in a range of cool, colorblocked designs to suit every sense of style, but it’s the affordable price tag that really takes the cake here, so to speak. They’ve also outfitted it with details like an advanced thermal reflective pattern that traps heat while taking up less space.

There are pockets at the hips and at the chest, the hood has a faux fur trim, and it’s filled with the brand’s proprietary Thermarator insulation.

Pros

  • Rated and designed to handle temperatures well below freezing
  • Iconic design from a brand also known for its sturdy winter boots

Cons

  • Features a more traditional fit, and those wanting a closer fit might need to size down
  • Synthetic fur hood trim might not perform as well when wet

Designed for temperatures as extreme as 45 degrees below zero (not that you’d want to spend that much time outdoors anyways in those conditions), , L.L. Bean’s Baxter State Parka is a pillar in the brand’s catalog. They’ve tinkered with the design in terms of color options, but the 650-fill power down is the real deal. In fact, L.L. Bean says this jacket works best with a midweight layer, so take heed.

It’s wind- and waterproof and the go-to jacket for those traversing the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where the brand tested its capabilities.

The faux fur hood attachment zips off, too, if you truly don’t need it. It helps when it’s super, super cold, though.

a person wearing a black jacketKuhl

Best Parka for the Great Outdoors: Kuhl Arktik Parka

Pros

  • Made with highly advanced fabrics and proprietary materials for optimum performance
  • Boasts an oversized hood and draft flap for extreme weather

Cons

  • Goose down might not prove as durable or maintain its shape as well over time
  • Jacket is fairly pricey and not often on sale

Sure, every parka is, by definition, well-suited for time spent in the wild. But Kuhl seems to go the extra mile when it comes to seriously souped-up design, especially in its choice of fabric and material throughout this jacket.

It’s made with a rugged cotton-poly-nylon blend across the exterior, filled with goose down, lined with a proprietary nylon fabric, and then finished off with a faux-shearling material in the hood and draft flap. It should prove ultra-warm and pleasingly rugged, with next-level fabrication across the board.

Pros

  • Made from material derived from recycled plastic bottles for added sustainability
  • Insulation is also made from recycled materials for an eco-friendly finish

Cons

  • Some might prefer added faux-fur detailing on the hood for greater warmth
  • Some might prefer a more secure fit than the Velcro-front closure

Everlane’s ReNew collection is a group of puffers and fleeces made using renewed alternatives to polyester. As with lots of other Everlane essentials, it comes in two minimal colors for plenty of wearability, but it’s what’s inside that really counts.

The collection recycled millions of plastic bottles, turning them into a super-fine polyester thread, which was knit and woven into polyester fabric. This jacket is minimal and quite affordable, and is filled with recycled PrimaLoft insulation (recommended for 0 to 35°F temperatures). Note that it boasts a shorter design that hits just below the hip, so while useful when you need extreme mobility, it offers less coverage than more traditional, longer parkas.

Pros

  • Highly adaptable jacket that can be worn three different ways
  • Outer shell made from recycled polyester for a sustainable touch

Cons

  • Made with natural recycled down, which (although warm) might not prove as durable over time
  • Some might prefer a jacket made from thicker exterior fabric

Patagonia is giving you options with this parka, which incorporates a removable liner jacket beneath the sturdy parka exterior. It’s almost a stroke of genius that helps justify the slightly higher price tag, since you’re getting 3 jackets baked into one.

This jacket style, although highly contested, gives you versatility and would function nicely on a day hike or a day on the slopes, where temperatures tend to fluctuate. That being said, this is a super-warm parka, with its down fill, thigh-length tail and 2-layer breathable water-and windproof laminate.

Pros

  • Highly innovative parka made with distinctive stretch material for comfort and ease of movement
  • Two-way front zipper offers ease of access

Cons

  • Box-quilt design might not retain its shape as well over time
  • Goose down is not as technical as synthetic insulation

If you’re in search of a jacket to take out onto the slopes this winter, Mountain Hardwear might be just what you need. This windproof jacket uses a blend of nylon and elastane for durability and stretch, and believe us when we say that the company’s proprietary fabric should offer plenty of mobility.

That mobility and ease of movement is often a rare quality in a parka, so it should prove useful for outdoor winter sports.

As such, it’s incredibly light considering how warm it truly is: 700-fill-power goose down delivers the heat, while the nylon construction shaves ounces off its total weight. The box-quilt design is also a streamlined touch, but might not prove as durable over time.

styleWoolrich

Best Military-Style Parka: Woolrich Arctic Parka

Pros

  • Modeled after old-school Arctic and military parkas with iconic looks and functionality
  • Finished with a handsome coyote fur hood

Cons

  • High upper chest pockets might prove difficult to access
  • Teflon-coated exterior might wear out over time

Get winter-ready with Woolrich’s Arctic Parka. It was originally designed for Alaskan oil workers, meaning it had to withstand subzero temperatures on top of harsh wind. It also shares some DNA with parkas worn by the military and other outdoor explorers, and Woolrich certainly has the heritage and the archive to reference.

The updated version has a detachable coyote fur trim, duck down fill and a teflon coating for wind and water resistance.

The front also folds over further than most jackets, which creates a literal blockade against wind, rain or snow.

Pros

  • Heritage style from a trusted, historical brand
  • Water-repellent exterior for maximum functionality

Cons

  • Some might not like the left upper-sleeve logo and would prefer a more minimal design
  • Duck down will prove less durable than other types of insulation

Ralph Lauren’s classic parka combines elegance and durability. How? The design is relatively simple, with a straight down button stack, slant pockets and a removable faux fur hood. When it comes time to trade in your Ralph Lauren polo for a winter coat, you needn’t even worry about changing brands – this one is practically a Northeast winter style classic, with the specs to match.

It’s longer, too, to cover your entire torso, and it’s both wind- and waterproof. But it’s the 650-fill-power down that keeps you warm.

Pros

  • Sleek, modern jacket with a Gore-Tex exterior
  • Minimal design pairs well with other winter style staples

Cons

  • Roomy fit, while easy to layer, might not prove as streamlined for some
  • Fixed hood design is not removable

Here’s an option for the outdoors-oriented folks shopping this list. Outdoor Research’s Stormcraft Parka is made from polyester, lined with Gore-Tex and filled with certified-responsible, 700-fill down. Better still might be the no-nonsense color options and streamlined design, ideal for both modern city dwellers in search of a minimal look, as well as outdoor lovers getting out into the country.

You’ll be fine on a mountain hike or on the way back from a hard day’s work, courtesy of a GORE-TEX laminate that fights off the elements but lets sweat evaporate.

a black coatBonobos

Most Stylish Men’s Parka: Bonobos Italian Wool Expedition Parka

Pros

  • Filled with PrimaLoft insulation for added warmth
  • Hood is lined with sherpa for a luxe yet highly functional touch

Cons

  • Jacket doesn’t offer as much coverage as other parkas
  • Wool exterior is not as technical compared to other parkas

Thought Bonobos just made some of the best chinos on the market? Think again, because this luxe take on the parka is a stylish outerwear choice for a winter evening on the town. Granted, the design isn’t as technical as other options on this list, but it boasts a warm sherpa-lined hood and streamlined PrimaLoft insulation. Oversized hip flap pockets call to mind the classic field jacket, yet with the added warmth of a wool parka.

Pros

  • Designed with PrimaLoft Silver insulation for an incredibly lightweight feel
  • Light and breathable enough to wear comfortably for most outdoor winter sports

Cons

  • Although lightweight and packable, parka might prove too thin for some
  • L.L. Bean only recommends wearing this jacket with midweight layers

L.L. Bean’s waterproof, lightweight parka ramps up the technical specs in a design that cuts out the bulk in favor of a streamlined look and feel. You’ve now got a jacket to pair up with your go-to Bean Boots. The key is the of super-lightweight PrimaLoft insulation, which is about 20 percent lighter than other types of insulation (according to L.L. Bean).

That design detail makes it an ideal option for your next winter getaway, as you should be able to pack up this parka with ease.

It’s also the ideal snow-blowing option, with its nylon shell, fully lined inside and fleece neck warmer.

Pros

  • Windproof jacket finished with a DWR coating for weather-ready performance
  • Affordable jacket in a modern, streamlined design that should prove easy to layer
  • 3D-cut design adds mobility around your chest and upper arms

Cons

  • DWR coating, while useful, will wear off over time
  • Jacket doesn’t feature as much coverage as other jackets in terms of length

Uniqlo is stepping into the future with this parka, made without stitches or seams for a look that’s both streamlined and comfortable. The 3D-cut sleeves and raglan sleeve detailing also offer excellent mobility and layering potential. This jacket, although cut shorter, is also filled with responsibly sourced down for a warm and sustainable touch. And like most everything from Uniqlo, it’s a standout value in terms of style and utility.

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