Best Overall

Arc'teryx Camosun Parka

83 OVERALL

SCORE Warmth - 25% 7

Weather Resistance - 20% 9

Comfort - 20% 8

Style - 20% 10

Features - 10% 6

Durability - 5% 10

Long-lasting Good looks Great protection from inclement weather Noisy, stiff shell

: 2.14 lbs, 750 |: 3

The Arc'teryx Camosun Parka beat out the competition for the third year in a row. From hard sleet to snow, with assaulting winds or bitter cold, this model can keep you well-protected. Our testers liked its stylish looks for chilly jaunts around town, and felt prepared for whatever harsh weather conditions might come their way. Arc'teryx stuffs this jacket full of high-quality goose down in critical areas where warmth is paramount. Meanwhile, synthetic insulation is strategically placed where exposure to precipitation and sweat is expected, like on the hood, neck, shoulders, and cuffs. Although it isn't the absolute warmest and won't turn any heads with its stylet it provides reliable performance in all of our test metrics, which made it the jacket we reached for the most.

The Camosun is an expensive piece of equipment, and that's probably its biggest drawback. In the absolute coldest of temps, this model could also be outmatched. In those conditions, and if money is no object, check out the Canada Goose Expedition or the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka.

Read review: Arc'teryx Camosun Parka

Best Bang for the Buck

Marmot Fordham

70 OVERALL

SCORE Warmth - 25% 7

Weather Resistance - 20% 4

Comfort - 20% 9

Style - 20% 8

Features - 10% 6

Durability - 5% 8

Solid construction Awesome comfort Sufficiently warm Not our wet-weather favorite

: 2.75 lbs, 700 |: 4

Low in price yet high in quality, the Marmot Fordham is a stylish coat that keeps you warm and dry via a waterproof exterior and goose down insulation. The Fordham sports some features that impress us on such an inexpensive jacket, like a comfortable cut and an abundance of pockets. It is also available in a range of colors, which means you can choose which suits you best. Comfy and cozy, this model can get you through the cold and it should last you a long time — all for a reasonable cost.

The Fordham's shell consists of waterproof/breathable fabric, but the seams aren't sealed. That means that extended rain or wet snow can sneak in and the down insulation might take on water. This vulnerability to the elements is a function of the budget price point of the jacket. If you want down fill and a fully waterproof shell, you'll have to pay more. If the weather protection compromise is ok with you, this is a great value. For better wet weather protection, an upgrade to the Arc'teryx Camosun seems worth the extra cost.

Read review: Marmot Fordham

Best Bang for the Buck, Coldest Conditions

The North Face McMurdo Parka III

73 OVERALL

SCORE Warmth - 25% 9

Weather Resistance - 20% 6

Comfort - 20% 7

Style - 20% 6

Features - 10% 8

Durability - 5% 9

Toasty Extended hem Inexpensive Cumbersome Small hood

: 3.62 lbs, 550 |: 8

We can't all afford the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, but the The North Face McMurdo III is a reasonable alternative. At a third of the cost of the Canada Goose, but still incredibly insulating, this is a great value. For extreme latitudes and the coldest days, the McMurdo's down insulation, long cut, and generous hood combine to protect you all day long. This review covers the latest, greatest, and subtly updated McMurdo III. This newest iteration makes improvements that have their pros and cons but don't alter the overall scoring or award choice.

The fabrics and construction of the McMurdo are a little stiff and confining compared to the Canada Goose Expedition, something you'd expect on a budget piece of equipment. The McMurdo, while warmer than many jackets in our review, isn't nearly as insulating as the Expedition or the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka. Again, this is what you'd expect at a budget price point. For the bitter cold, when every dollar counts, we highly recommend the McMurdo III.

Read review: The North Face McMurdo III

Best for Extreme Cold

Canada Goose Expedition Parka

70 OVERALL

SCORE Warmth - 25% 10

Weather Resistance - 20% 7

Comfort - 20% 4

Style - 20% 4

Features - 10% 10

Durability - 5% 10

Brings the heat! Nice organization Useful features Large Overkill for most climates High price tag

: 625 |: 11

While bitter cold, feet of snow, and icy sidewalks do not describe cold conditions for everyone, for those living in extreme latitudes or at high elevation, a winter jacket that protects you from prolonged sub-freezing temperatures makes a lot of sense. Enter the Canada Goose Expedition Parka. This model is the pinnacle of warmth, with an abundance of features, and it's the coziest jacket reviewed. The Expedition is a comfortable parka for the coldest weather, designed with Arctic and Antarctic applications in mind. On that note, a special Polar Bears International (PBI) edition is available. This version comes in a royal blue color, with a polar bear patch on the shoulder and lists at a slightly higher price. A portion of the sales goes to PBI and their mission to save polar bears and their habitats.

The primary drawbacks of the Canada Goose Expedition are weight, bulk, and price. This is a large jacket, in every way. The quality and performance are impeccable, but such specialized performance comes at a cost. This not your everyday winter jacket—only those exposed to truly bitter cold should accept the drawbacks. If you need a truly warm and durable jacket, you won't do better than the Expedition Parka. It's the gold standard among polar researchers and adventurers for a good reason.

Read review: Canada Goose Expedition Parka

Best for Expeditions

Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka





$639.00 at Feathered Friends See It



70 OVERALL

SCORE Warmth - 25% 10

Weather Resistance - 20% 7

Comfort - 20% 6

Style - 20% 4

Features - 10% 8

Durability - 5% 6

Extremely warm Great warmth-to-weight ratio Technical features Bulky Not fully waterproof Too warm for most uses

: 2.11 lbs, 900+ |: 5

The Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka boasts the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of all the winter jackets in our review. It weighs only 2.11 pounds, yet it provides more warmth than any other jacket in our view except the Canada Goose Expedition Parka, which is equally as warm but weighs more than twice as much. Purpose-built for technical expeditions to the world's highest peaks, the Khumbu is packed full of features for expedition climbing like a seamless hood that's designed to fit over a helmet, insulated handwarmer pockets, secure velcro cuff closures, and adjustable drawcords to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. This jacket is meant to be unnoticeable in a pack, yet provide life-saving warmth when needed.

In general, this jacket is overkill for all but the most extreme conditions. We tested this parka on mountaineering trips all over the United States, and actually found that it's uncomfortably warm above 15 degrees Fahrenheit… and that was with no other insulating clothing worn underneath the parka. This jacket is designed for the coldest conditions on earth, and would be a good winter jacket for those living in arctic climates. The Pertex Shield exterior fabric is not as durable as Gore-Tex, nor as water-resistant, and will allow water to penetrate during a soaking rain. That said, this jacket is not meant to be worn at all when liquid water is present. Rather, it's the ideal choice for the coldest conditions and tallest mountains, places where snow and ice rarely melt.

Read review: Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka

Why You Should Trust Us

Our test team is led by full-time Jackson, Wyoming resident and professional mountain guide Jeff Dobronyi. He leads backcountry skiing and ice climbing trips in the Tetons and all over the globe in the winter and spends his summers leading alpine climbs and expeditions. Jediah Porter also contributed to this review. Jed is a mountain guide in Jackson Hole as well. Between the two of them, they have ventured on a total of six expeditions to Denali, as well as many trips to the Andes, Canadian Rockies, and Alaskan mountains. They know what it means to brave the worst weather on earth, whether that's in the mountains, or shoveling the driveway during a blizzard in the American West. They have the expertise and experience to evaluate each jacket and determine how it stands up to real-world use.

Having tested the latest and greatest winter jackets for years now, our scoring metrics and evaluation methods have become rigorous and thoroughly refined. We've used these jackets in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Pacific Northwest, the Tetons, mid-winter New York City, and backcountry skiing and ice climbing destinations across the country. We really put them through the wringer, and emerged with a good idea of how they compare.

Related: How We Tested Winter Jackets

Analysis and Test Results

We rated each jacket's performance in key areas, including warmth, weather resistance, comfort, style, durability, and features. Read on for specifics about how the jackets fared in the individual metrics that comprise the overall scores.

Related: Buying Advice for Winter Jackets

Value

Every purchase is an exercise in value assessment—what am I getting? And what I paying? With winter jackets, you should consider your warmth and weather resistance needs, your location, your style, how often you'll use the jacket, and your budget. Thankfully, there are winter jackets for everyone, from major bargains to technical gear requires a serious investment. The best values are those items that earned high scores in each category while being priced at the bottom of the pack, such as the The North Face McMurdo Parka III.

As you assess your value needs, here are a few thoughts to consider. First, comfort in cold weather is a blessing. The right jacket can turn the worst storm into a pleasant romp through a real-life snow globe. Next, durability matters. Suitable materials will last longer, and often increase the price of a jacket. Insulation materials vary in both price and durability. Goose down insulation generally keeps its loft and warmth much longer than synthetic insulation. Within down insulation, the fill power number describes the relationship between weight and insulation value, not durability. More expensive down is warmer per weight, but it won't necessarily last longer than less expensive down. Finally, quality weatherproofing is costly. Sealed seams, watertight pockets, and protected zippers take effort, design, and pricy materials. If you really need to guard against wet and wind, you will have to pay for it.

The Canada Goose coyote fur hood lining is controversial, it's also really warm.

Warmth

Warmth is the most important metric we used to rank each model and directly corresponds to how much insulation is used in a jacket, whether its down or synthetic insulation. The more insulation a jacket contains, the warmer it is. We looked at the insulation quality (fill power) and quantity (fill weight) of each jacket and then compared it to the jacket's cut and length to gauge how the insulation is distributed. If two jackets have an equal fill weight of 10 ounces, but one has a waist-length hem while the other has a mid-thigh length hem, they won't feel equally warm. The most useful measurement for warmth is, of course, comparative testing in actual conditions. We spent a lot of time outside side-by-side testing, swapping jackets between the test team, and comparing notes.

Down Fill Power and Fill Weight — Higher down fill power numbers denote higher quality down feathers. This translates into lighter, warmer down fill that is also more compressible. However, it is ultimately the amount of insulation, not the quality, that determines a jacket's warmth. The amount used, usually measured in ounces, is described by a jacket's fill weight. Manufacturers generally advertise a jacket's fill power but not its fill weight.

The Arc'teryx Camosun features lofty down which keeps the jacket lightweight and highly packable. Most of the down-insulated parkas feature down below 750 fill power, all the way to the 550 in The North Face McMurdo III Jacket. However, this low fill-power number should not dissuade shoppers. Heavier, lower quality down drops the cost, and a casual winter parka doesn't need to be as light or compressible as a technical jacket for overnight wilderness trips. On the other side of the spectrum, the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka uses 900+ fill power down for maximum warmth and packability at a fraction of the weight.

To get a jump on winter jacket testing we took evening motorcycle rides in mountainous autumnal temperatures to simulate colder, more rugged conditions. (We eventually got into some rain and snow as well.)

The Canada Goose Expedition Parka is filled with average quality 625-fill down, but it has so much of it that it's the warmest model reviewed. (It's also pretty bulky.) Not far behind is the Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka. It's nearly as warm and much lighter than the Canada Goose Expedition Parka. The North Face McMurdo is nearly an expedition parka, with the price tag of a casual jacket, earning it the best value in our test.

The Khumbu is one of the warmest models we tested.

The Patagonia Jackson Glacier and Patagonia Frozen Range Parka also kept us warm in most wintry conditions. The Arc'teryx Camosun Parka falls between the Patagonia Glacier and the Frozen Range Parka. We were very impressed by the warmth of the Arc'teryx Thorsen Parka, which features lots of 750-fill down from the bottom of the hem to the top of the hood. The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 was the most versatile in the warmth category, offering a thin raincoat and a medium-weight down sweater that combine to produce a surprisingly warm winter jacket.

Removable faux fur lining and an integrated facemask help you stay toasty when wearing the McMurdo III.

Overall, jackets with synthetic insulation are not as warm as the down models. For example, the Haglofs Torsang is warm enough for the average cold, especially in milder climates, but isn't warm enough for true frigid conditions in much of North America. Down insulated jackets provide much more warmth, for the same weight.

The McMurdo III is a great deal, and a great deal warmer than much of the competition. For deep cold on a budget, look closely.

Despite its slim appearance, the Arc'teryx Camosun is very warm, thanks to body-mapped down and synthetic insulation. It also sports a waterproof/breathable membrane and taped seams.

Weather Resistance

Most jackets in this review are thick enough to cut the wind, so you just need to watch out for drafts. Longer jackets or those with ribbed hems should protect you from below. Inner sleeve cuffs and hoods will also keep warm air in and cold out. That leaves us with water. Waterproof outer shells keep you and your jacket's insulation dry in wet cold weather. The models reviewed employ a variety of weather resistance measures, from basic nylon with a durable water-resistant (DWR) coating to fully-waterproof membranes with taped seams. These strategies predictably supply varying degrees of protection.

Whether you rely on just DWR-treated fabric or a waterproof membrane and a DWR coating you have to take maintain the DWR coating to keep things waterproof. Detergents strip DWR treatments from the fabric, but letting the jacket get dirty will also make the waterproofing less effective. So go for a DWR or Gore-Tex specific cleaner, and when your DWR finish wears off (they all will), use a wash-in or spray-on waterproofing to restore your winter jacket's weather resistance.

A large, comfortable and adjustable hood does a great job of keeping you out of the weather. We liked the one on the Arc'teryx Fission SV.

If your precipitation tends to fall as rain or wet snow rather than dry powder, consider a winter jacket with a waterproof outer shell, like the Gore-Tex fabric on the Arc'teryx Thorsen. This waterproof and breathable fabric sheds water faster and for much longer than a DWR treatment alone. (If a jacket has a waterproof membrane, you can be sure the outer face fabric is treated with DWR.) The Arc'teryx Camosun, Patagonia Frozen Range, Patagonia Tres 3-in-1, Marmot Fordham, and North Face McMurdo III all have waterproof and breathable membranes as well. The McMurdo III does not have sealed or taped seams like the Arc'teryx jackets though, which can allow water to seep through, and thus, hurt the jacket's overall rating.

If a jacket claims to be waterproof, make sure that the seams are fully taped. Why? Stitches punch tiny holes in the fabric. If they are not taped, they become an easy entry point for moisture. The Arc'teryx jackets all have taped seams.

If you wear your jacket in freezing temperatures where it tends to snow instead of rain, and if that snow is relatively dry, then a jacket with DWR treatments, such as the Canada Goose Expedition Parka or Patagonia Jackson Glacier, offer adequate protection. Another jacket that works well in those conditions is the McMurdo III. It's not incredibly water-resistance due to its untaped seams, but it's warm enough to excel in genuinely sub-freezing conditions. Luckily, in those temperatures, precipitation is rarely liquid, and the limited weather protection isn't a problem. On technical expeditions, where staying warm and dry in sub-zero temps is a matter of life and death, the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka has you covered with a lightweight waterproof shell to cover its high-quality down.

The ski skirt on the Canada Goose Expedition Down Parka seems odd since you wouldn't want to hit the slopes in this sleeping bag of a jacket. But it works wonders to keep drafts at bay.

The Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody is not designed to repel water, which makes is difficult to recommend as a winter jacket except for users in the Southwestern US.

The Haglofs Torsang Parka features excellent weather protection. It's a fully waterproof rain shell with light insulation. It isn't warm enough to be a go-to winter jacket in most climates, but the wet and sleety corners of North America are just the place for it. In terms of weather protection, it is similar to the Camosun. The Arc'teryx Thorsen is similarly equipped, but with more insulation underneath a burly Gore-Tex membrane. This parka offers a great combination of warmth for the coldest urban conditions, along with the weather protection needed when the snow turns to sleet or rain.

Fleece linings are comfortable, but can be binding. Haglofs mitigates the issue by lining the lower hem and the sleeves with smooth, light nylon.

Comfort

Cold is uncomfortable enough. Your winter parka doesn't have to be. Most of the models we reviewed make braving the cold and wind less miserable.

We found a rough correlation between cost and comfort. More expensive jackets use softer materials and more thoughtful tailoring to achieve better comfort. A parka's cut has a significant impact on its comfort. A meticulously designed jacket like the Arc'teryx Camosun Parka will fit most bodies better than a generic square-cut design. Many of these parkas use a longer hem, which keeps the waist from riding up and exposing you to drafts. A notable exception to our observations about price is the Marmot Fordham. Despite its bargain price, every tester who tried on the Fordham was impressed to find that it was more comfortable than the competition.

There is also a correlation between comfort and warmth. The biggest jackets we tested are the warmest, but they are also the most confining. Lots of insulation and an extended cut to keep the heat in make for a larger package. This bulky package limits your range of motion, which can cause discomfort. The best jackets on the market use smart designs like smaller baffles and stretchy underarm fabrics to help increase mobility without sacrificing warmth.

Comfortable knit cuffs keep snow out and your wrists warm.

The Arc'teryx Camosun is nearly a perfect day-to-day winter coat.

We love the cozy feel of a fleece lining, especially when it lines pockets and chin covers. The North Face McMurdo parka, and both Canada Goose products feature fur or faux fur hood trim. When cinched tight, it works as intended to hold in warmth, making you feel like you're at home in front of the fire, albeit with a little tickling on your cheeks. The Frozen Range features a brushed jersey lining in the handwarmer pockets, which adds to the cozy factor.

Even if you aren't "working out" in a winter jacket, some range of motion is helpful. Here, lead test editor watching elk in Yellowstone National Park.

The Arc'teryx Thorsen is extremely comfortable, with soft nylon fabric on the inside that slides effortlessly against any fabric worn underneath. The down baffles contoured well to our testers' bodies, and the jackets felt amazingly comfortable, despite the level of warmth and weather resistance that it provides. On the other hand, the thick layers of the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 are warm and protective, but they rub awkwardly against each other and are very heavy, making the jacket more of a chore to wear. After weeks of testing, the difference in comfort was staggering.

Features

Cold-specific features distinguish these jackets from 3-season options. Hoods, multiple hand warmer pockets, two-way zippers, and cuff closures work together to protect you from frigid environments.

A hood is mandatory in stormy weather, and while it is not a substitute for a warm hat, it certainly makes life a lot nicer. Ideally, hoods would be highly adjustable to allow for a customizable and secure fit. The best hood in our test was found on the chart-topping Canada Goose Expedition. This hood is warm, large, and can be cinched down securely and comfortably. The stiff brim also kept the hood mostly out of your field of view. The hood on McMurdo III is smaller than previous versions of this product, and warmth and weather protection suffers accordingly. If you leave the removable fur ruff on and don't have to move your head much, the McMurdo's hood effectively seals out the weather. Otherwise, the more sophisticated hoods of the Arc'teryx and Patagonia jackets are at the head of the pack.

Patagonia Jackson Glacier has one of the best hoods in the review.

Insulated handwarmer pockets are an excellent place to keep cold hands or gloves, and most have a fleece-like liner. The Arc'teryx jackets had the best hand warmers among the jackets we tested. The Haglofs Torsang Parka and the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka also have fully insulated handwarmer pockets that we like. Most of these include a wrap-around fleece lining. This not only means that your hand is insulated while in the pocket, but also that there is no draft when the pocket is unzipped.

The McMurdo has both chest mounted hand warmers, as used here, and waist level ones.

Like earlier iterations, the latest version of the McMurdo III still has four fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, but the upper, chest-level pockets are now placed further to the sides. This means that you have to chicken-wing your shoulders and elbows to get your hands into them. So much so, that these pockets are uncomfortable to use. Nonetheless, the jacket is incredibly worthy.

We wish that the jackets featuring a single layer of fabric protecting the hands in a warming pocket had a more sophisticated design. The Canada Goose models, for instance, both have uninsulated hand pockets.

Two-way zips, like the one found on the Haglofs Torsang Parka, are super useful.

In a thigh-length parka, the need for a bottom zipper pull is quickly apparent. The extended length can inhibit stride, and wearing a long coat while seated can be awkward and uncomfortable without this feature. The Haglofs Torsang Parka is a long coat with a separating zipper on the bottom. Getting this zipper started is annoying, but once rigged, it runs smoothly.

Cuffs like these on the Torsang jacket hold winter winds at bay.

Cuffs can be simple elastic closures, a snap closure, or velcro, but a good winter parka needs something secure. The cuffs prevent snow and wind from entering through the sleeves, and interface with gloves to create a weather-proof system. Open cuffs with internal gaskets, like those on the Arc'teryx Camosun and Patagonia Frozen Range, combine fashion and function. The Haglofs Torsang has soft inner gaskets with velcro closed outer cuffs. This is perhaps the best of both worlds. Over time, however, well-used velcro straps can wear out, creating a durability concern.

Other features that may be important to you might include internal phone pockets with headphone ports, inner skirts to seal out snow, or built-in face warmers. The most notable feature that we came across is the ability for one jacket to be worn in three ways. The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is comprised of a burly outer shell, which can be worn separately as a raincoat, and an inner down sweater, which can be worn separately on dry, chilly days in the fall or spring. Together, they combine to produce a formidable winter jacket that can withstand the harshest urban cold.

The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka include two separate jacket components and can be worn three ways, for the ultimate in versatility.

We liked the feature set on the Canada Goose Expedition Parka. It has almost a dozen pockets, a snow skirt, and a drawcord waist, not to mention a fur-trimmed hood. We also appreciated the features on The North Face McMurdo III Jacket and the Marmot Fordham. Both come with an array of pockets, including an internal Napoleon pocket (referencing his famous pose) that has a headphone channel, so your electronics stay dry. The McMurdo jacket adds removable fur hood lining and unique integrated face mask/neck gaiter. The Patagonia Frozen Range Parka features a large button flap that hides the front zipper. While this helps prevent wind from penetrating through to the torso, it also adds an element of style.

Style

Style is personal. Our personalities show through our clothing choices, winter jackets included. This review includes parkas that could be worn to a nice restaurant and a Broadway show, and others that convey a simpler taste. While technical jackets might be at home in the mountains, they are also worn in urban settings and can let some of your outdoorsy personality show through. For example, many Patagonia products are designed for technical use, but the brand label is seen just as often in urban cafes and at suburban barbecues. Casual urban parkas don't usually work the other way. They are likely missing crucial elements for safe cold adventurings, such as hoods or full waterproofing.

Most of the models reviewed have an extended cut, which adds warmth and weather resistance. It also gives them a different look than the waist-length athletic cuts that most backcountry-inspired jackets have. We liked the style of the Patagonia Jackson Glacier and Arc'teryx Camosun, which are both stylish enough to dress up but also perform well while snowshoeing or ice skating. The Patagonia Frozen Range Parka is one of the most fashion-forward jackets in this review and should be considered by anyone who considers style paramount. Just don't expect this jacket to perform in any event more athletic than jogging to catch a train or hustling along a crowded sidewalk.

The versatile Camosun tops our style list.

The Marmot Fordham has a fairly neutral style. Across the board, we tested different "looks" to find something for everyone. One tester did not like the "tubular" look of the Haglofs Torsang. Not all testers disapproved of the Torsang's style, but this opinion was strong enough to be worth noting. Similarly, testers either loved or hated the hood on the Patagonia Frozen Range.

The hood design gave some of our testers pause.

Both the Arc'teryx Thorsen and Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 are well-styled and have a classic urban winter look. The Tres is a bit more center-of-the-road and high class, with large horizontal pocket flaps and a square cut. The Thorsen is a bit edgier, with a sleek, tubular cut and a very long hem, suggesting a hip and young look.

The Thorsen Parka features a slim, urban style. It looks good in a wide array of contexts.

Durability

This category reflects the fact that purchasing a winter jacket is an investment that can pay off or be wasted. With few exceptions, durable warm outerwear is expensive. For a quality parka, expect to pay more. On the upside, that investment will pay off for a few years of consistent use, depending on your activity level. Are you going to be in contact with sharp gear, like skis? Or will you only be using the parka to get from the office door to the Uber? After investing a large sum of money in a winter jacket, we want to feel like our investment is protected, so it is important to consider the warranty and lifetime guarantees offered by each company. Companies like Canada Goose and Patagonia stand by the craftsmanship and materials of their products, and will help repair or replace your jacket if any durability issues arise.

One of the most critical durability considerations is a jacket's outer fabric. Solid, heavy-duty, canvas-like exterior materials can withstand more abuse than a thinner shell. Zippers, snaps, and velcro take a lot of abuse too, so we examined these closures to see if they were durable enough.

We gave our highest score in this category to the Canada Goose Expedition Parka. The large zippers, durable outer material, and quality construction make this jacket last. Similarly, the Canada Goose Chilliwack Bomber is quite rugged.

We are concerned about the durability of the technical models tested, like the Feathered Friends Khumbu Down Parka. These jackets are frequently around sharp mountaineering tools, and a thin nylon shell is easily ripped or torn. Quality options like the Arc'terxy Camosun are less worrisome. It didn't scuff or abraid when loading wood or tossing skis over the shoulder. Comfort and weight are compromised by the heavier materials used in the Camosun, and the right balance of durability and comfort is different for everyone.

Overtime jacket colors change but our rigorous testing process never fails to sort out the best of the best.

Conclusion

Selecting a winter jacket is complex, and always involves a compromise. Our review features jackets that provide different levels of performance in a variety of aspects. The all-around jackets scored well across the board, while the technical, purpose-built jackets scored highly in just one or two categories. For most users, warmth, weather resistance, comfort, and cost are paramount, but more specialized users need to consider features, specific construction details, and style. Take a look at the rankings in each scoring category to decide which jacket strikes the perfect balance for you. We welcome your feedback to help us create the perfect comparison of winter jackets. Our ultimate goal is to make the choice as easy as possible.