Winter Season Jackets of 2022
When the coldest winter months arrive, it’s time for a serious jacket. Our picks for the best winter jackets and parkas below are among the warmest on the market—they are packed with down fill (or synthetic on occasion) and built to stand up to freezing temperatures and howling winds. They run the gamut from casual pieces designed for around-town use to performance options built for the backcountry. Some toe the line nicely and are fully capable of handling double duty.
1. Marmot West Rib Parka
- Insulation: 800-fill down and 40-gram synthetic
- Rating: Warmest
- Moisture protection: DWR coating
Sliding on the West Rib feels like wrapping up in a sleeping bag, and we mean that in the best way. It’s soft, cozy, stuffed with a ton of insulation, and outfitted with a deep hood. Accordingly, we were plenty toasty while wearing it. A layer of synthetic insulation tops square baffles packed with down on the coat’s lining. This construction, as opposed to traditional baffles, creates additional spaces—between the cubes—to trap air.
2. The North Face Gotham Jacket III
- Insulation: 550-fill down
- Rating: Warmest
- Moisture protection: 2-layer waterproof shell
The Gotham Jacket III is as stylish as it is capable of keeping you warm and dry. The standard-fit men’s coat accomplishes that with 550-fill goose down insulation, a gaiter built into the hood, and rib-knit cuffs within the sleeves and at the hem to seal out the cold. To prevent water from seeping in, The North Face deploys its DryVent fabric—a material that’s been coated with polyurethane—and seals the seams.
3. Kühl Arktik Down Parka
- Insulation: 800-fill down
- Rating: Warmest
- Moisture protection: Water-resistant coating
There’s a lot to appreciate about the Arktik Down Parka: A large hood, five pockets, a two-way zipper with a draft flap, and internal cuffs with thumb holes top the list. Kühl also adds some flair with an attractive cotton-blend shell, high-quality metal hardware, faux-fur hood brim, and micro-suede trim, without sacrificing performance (as we would hope from a coat this expensive).
4. Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
- Insulation: 60-gram synthetic
- Rating: Warmest
- Moisture protection: DWR coating
If you’re looking for warmth without heft, pick the 13.2-ounce Atom LT. Arc’teryx tweaked the design slightly for 2020 to include wider cuffs for easier layering. We were very impressed with the 60-gram Coreloft insulation that kept us as warm as heavier jackets would. We adjusted the cinch cords at the waist and on the hood to further seal in heat. But when we were moving quickly, the fleece-lined uninsulated side dumped heat effectively.
5. Flylow Stiles Jacket
- Insulation: 550-fill down
- Rating: Warmer
- Moisture protection: DWR-treated polyester taffeta
The Stiles is an unassuming jacket with serious heat retention. The large baffles and lack of a hood give it an around-town vibe, but (though we haven’t used it in this way) those attributes should also lend it nicely to layering under a ski jacket. No surprise there, given Flylow‘s heritage; the company makes premium apparel for the slopes. Yet the Stiles is among the more affordable down jackets.
6. REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid
Category: Performance/casual
Fill: 850-fill-power down; 180g & 80g synthetic
Weight: 1 lb. 15.8 oz.
What we like: Premium warmth, strong waterproofing, and a nice feature set at a great price.
REI’s Stormhenge 850 was a game changer when it hit the market a few years back. Here was value-priced winter jacket that had true technical chops, including premium 850-fill-power down and a waterproof shell. For winter 2022, REI has released the follow-up Stormhenge, which further hones the concept. Key changes include synthetic insulation in areas most prone to moisture (like the cuffs and hood), a longer cut for more coverage, and additional storage (we especially like the new interior zippered pocket).
