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We tested dozens of winter coats and jackets to determine the best and warmest available today. Oversized Tee
If you live in a region that experiences snow each winter, or even if you frequently travel to chilly places, there’s a good chance you have at least one cold-weather coat hanging in your closet. Whether it be a simple puffer, a heavy-duty parka, or a classic peacoat, an insulated-yet-breathable jacket or two makes everything from snow sports to sightseeing to commuting a little more enjoyable in the winter months. But with so many brands and styles vying for our attention, it can be difficult to find the perfect one for you.
That’s why the Travel + Leisure team tested dozens of the top women’s winter coats and jackets to find the very best. Upon testing for comfort, warmth, design, and value, there were 12 jackets that stood out. Check out our top picks before heading out on your next icy adventure.
It’s literally three jackets in one.
Some shoppers might find it’s too heavy to pack in a suitcase.
It’s not hard to see why this coat from Columbia took the top spot on our list. As the name suggests, this is a versatile multi-use jacket, and you can use the outer and inner layers separately even as two different coats. The interior layer features comfort cuffs with thumb loops and thermal reflective insulation for warmth, while the outer layer boasts an adjustable fleece-lined hood, removable synthetic fur, a waterproof membrane, and a cinched waist for added style. Both pieces also come packed with pockets and are sure to last through years of wintry weather.
The Details: XS to XL | Nylon, polyester
It’s made of recycled materials, and the hood might be the best of all time.
After regularly using the jacket for two months, we found that it was a bit tight in the chest area and could have more give.
If you prefer down coats, you’ll love this option by Patagonia. It’s stuffed with 600-fill-power 100 percent recycled duck and goose down, so you know you’ve struck the insulation jackpot when you put it on. The jacket is also made with a water-repellent shell as well as special hand-warming pockets to keep chilly, damp air at bay. To top things off, the hood is pretty amazing — it’s insulated, removable, and features three panels for a custom, comfortable fit for each wearer.
The Details: XS to XXL | Polyester
It’s warm, comfy, and easy to move around in — so it’s perfect for winter activities.
It’s bulky and can get pretty hot.
If you’re looking for pure comfort, warmth, and mobility, consider dropping this Lands’ End coat in your Amazon cart. Sealed in by a soft, water-resistant shell, the coat boasts 600-fill power-down insulation, a detachable hood with faux-fur trim, and plenty of stretch for excellent mobility. It’s also crafted with anti-static thread, invisible front zip pockets, and HyperDry technology that keeps you warm and dry, even in rain and snow. Because of its bulk, it is, admittedly, not the most stylish option out there, but you can give it an edge with the leopard print version of the jacket.
The Details: XS to 3X, regular and petite | Nylon
The jacket and hood are both super insulated without feeling bulky.
The hood is on the larger side, and the velcro sleeves feel a bit awkward.
If you’re all about an extra-warm hood, put Fjallraven’s Nuuk Parka on your radar. The adjustable hood is lined with fleece to keep body heat from escaping, and there’s also detachable edging made of thick faux fur to shield your face from wind, snow, and rain. Beyond the hood, we’re also quite impressed with the parka’s waterproof-yet-breathable membrane, a protective buttoned placket over the zipper, and a whopping seven exterior and interior pockets. The hand warmer pockets particularly stood out.
The Details: XS to XXL | Polyamide, polyester
It’s a bit stiff and boxy.
Puffer jackets have been all the rage in recent years, and we found one that stands above the rest. The Triple F.A.T. Goose Fara Puffer, a longline jacket designed with warmth and style in mind, is basically a giant pillow you can wrap around yourself. It spotlights a removable and adjustable hood, fleece-lined pockets, and an ultra-soft feel. It’s also one of the warmest options on our list due to its 750 fill-power down and two-layer fabrication. But don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s heavy — the puffer weighs in at less than two pounds.
The Details: XS to 3XL | Nylon
It’s pretty much unbeatable when it comes to comfort and style.
It’s not fully waterproof.
If your perfect winter coat is impeccably stylish, impossibly soft, and the pinnacle of comfort, let us introduce you to the Marlow Coat by Canada Goose. Constructed with ultra-soft, water-repellent, and wind-resistant Ventera fabric, this coat perfectly brings together comfort and function. A high neck and removable, insulated hood keep cold air out, while a removable belt offers extra warmth and a flattering silhouette. It’s crafted with two hand-warmer pockets and even removable backpack straps, like the Canada Goose Garnet Cropped Puffer, so you can carry it over your shoulders, hands-free.
The Details: 2XS to 3XL | Ventera fabric
It will keep you warm even in the coldest temperatures.
It may be too warm for daily use.
This coat truly feels like a sleeping bag — it’s long, puffy, and thick. Even on the coldest days, and for long periods of time, this coat will keep you feeling warm and toasty. The puffy down is the perfect amount so you're well-insulated without feeling too bulky and the adjustable hood is perfect for when it's snowing or raining. The interior of the coat is also lined with an ultra-soft layer of fleece for an added layer of warmth. It's also comfortable enough to use while shoveling snow, walking the dog, and on those frigid winter hikes.
The Details: XS to XXL | Polyester and acrylic
It’s ultra-soft, super warm, and cropped in the most flattering way.
It doesn’t feel as plush and buttery as it looks.
This hoodless jacket from outdoor gear brand Arc’teryx is the ideal pick for shoppers who value warmth but don’t love the bulk or length many parkas and puffers provide. It’s quite sleek, but thanks to 850 fill-power down, a water-repellent shell, and a high neckline, body heat won’t easily escape. A short hemline and two chic color options add style, while two front pockets and a weight of just over a pound offer function.
The Details: XS to XL | Nylon, polyester
The fabric is lightweight and breathable, but still able to keep you warm.
The jacket runs slightly large, so size down if you like a more tailored fit.
We love the slim and feminine fit of this jacket with a slight scrunch in the back to give the jacket this figure. Even when wearing over layers, the coat offers full range of motion without any restriction. While the jacket is warm, it is also super lightweight (it weighs less than one pound, so perfect for packing or carrying aboard a flight). The hood is also removable with a smooth zipper that is easy to use and there are plenty of deep pockets. As an added feature, there are buttons by the neck to keep you extra warm. After two months of use, the jacket is still as fluffy and plump as the day it came out of the box.
The Details: XXS to XXL | Nylon or polyester
It locks in heat without sacrificing style.
The cropped style doesn't extend any warmth to your lower half.
This slightly oversized puffer jacket is a fun statement piece for anyone looking for a sporty winter coat. The boxy fit works well as an outer layer with plenty of space underneath, although taller users may want to size up further as the cropped style may not come fully to your waist. Breathable, warm, and comfortable, this jacket is great for hiking, dog walking, or running errands with a full range of motion. The outer pockets have zippers that are helpful for securing phones, keys, and other essentials. This puffer also has a removable hood and light cinching on the sleeve cuffs and bottom hem, adding to the coat's versatility and comfort.
The Details: XS to L | Nylon, polyester
Travel + Leisure / Danielle St. Pierre
Travel + Leisure / Danielle St. Pierre
Travel + Leisure / Danielle St. Pierre
It provides impressive warmth, but remains lightweight enough to easily roll up into luggage.
The body of the jacket is not waterproof.
Whether you're heading home for the holidays or setting off on a cold-weather adventure, packing a coat can be a major hassle — this lightweight option from Outdoor Research is the perfect solution. The coat offers an athletic style that is perfect for hiking and winter sports like cross-country skiing, but can also be worn for walking around a new city. The hood and shoulders sport a waterproof panel, so if you're caught in the snow, the cold won't leech onto your inner layers. The coat features plenty of pockets including chest pocket that's perfect for phones and other small items. The fabric of this jacket is also especially nice — it's durable and very high-quality with densely woven, smooth, and soft materials that you'll want to curl up in.
The Details: XS to 4X | Pertex, nylon
The lambswool is soft and plush, and the inner lining is quilted to prevent sagging.
A peacoat is such a stylish alternative to puffy down jackets and can keep you just as warm. This L.L.Bean style hits mid- to upper-thigh and just as the name says, it's a "classic" cut, which is to say, a bit boxy and not super tailored. The soft wool shell provides plenty of breathability, yet keeps you warm and toasty in cold weather. The coat is lined with Thinsulate insulation between the lining and the wool shell, that keeps you comfortable and adds a plush layer that isn't too bulky. This versatile coat is perfect for when you want to elevate your winter look and shows no signs of wear (or pilling) after our extensive testing.
The Details: 4 to 20, regular, petite, and plus sizes | Lambswool, polyester
Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie: We loved how mobile and non-bulky this coat was. However, we didn’t find it to be particularly cozy or warm enough to spend more than a short time outside. We recommend it for exercise in cool weather and not much else.
We tested dozens of women’s winter jackets and coats for over two months. We wore these pieces over a typical winter outfit on at least six separate test wears. We wore their jackets in different types of winter weather, paying close attention to the fit, feel, and functionality. No feature went untested — pockets were used, zippers were zipped and unzipped, and hoods and drawstrings were adjusted.
After all of the testing steps were completed, we rated the coats in four categories: comfort, warmth, design, and value. To snag a spot on our list, the coats had to be incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time during a range of activities, have excellent mobility and layering capabilities, have kept us extremely warm (but not too warm) with the perfect level of breathable insulation, and feature easy-to-close zippers and fasteners, easy-to-reach pockets, and overall performative construction for winter.
Some shoppers may believe one winter coat is all they need for every cold-weather occasion, but that’s not necessarily true. If your current coat is on the thinner side and you anticipate spending some serious time outside this season, opt for a thicker coat with a high fill-power (the higher the fill-power, the better the insulation). If you’ll be spending your winter days in a less-arctic climate, leave the heavy coats at home, and instead go for a more breathable, lightweight jacket with sweat-wicking capabilities or even a removable lining.
It’s important to prioritize warmth and comfort, especially if you live in (or will be traveling to) an area that sees frequent snow. However, if you don’t like the look of your coat or feel confident wearing it, there’s a good chance you’ll find every excuse not to wear it. We recommend buying a coat that feels as good as it looks — even if you have to try on a dozen jackets to find it. Trench coats have one of the best style-to-function-to-versatility ratios, if you ask us.
It may be tempting to choose the coat with the tiniest price tag, but a good quality winter essential is something you’ll want to spend a little extra money on. Hundreds of dollars might sound steep for a jacket you only wear for a few months of the year, but you’ll be thanking yourself when you’re actually warm, comfy, and styling this year — and for years to come.
Many winter coats, especially peacoats, call for dry cleaning only, so check your coat’s tag or any instructions that may have come with its packaging. Otherwise, spot clean or hand wash using a large plastic tub and detergent. Does your coat have fur trim? If it’s removable, do so before washing, or have it dry-cleaned. Faux fur can usually be machine-washed — just gently brush it before drying it.
Down insulation tends to be the warmest insulation in coats and jackets. It’s also typically more lightweight and compressible than other types of insulation, so many shoppers prefer down coats for travel.
For this article, T+L editors and writers personally tested nearly two dozen women’s winter jackets and coats to decide which ones are worth buying and which are not. Editor Hillary Maglin and Taylor Fox compiled the results into this roundup.
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