The Best Winter Jackets for Men, Tested by Style Editors

Over the past six winter seasons, our Men’s Health team has tested a ton of coats—though none have measured up to Lululemon’s Wunder Puff Jacket. I’ve worn it ice skating in 40-degree weather, and it kept me super toasty without giving those bulky, Michelin Man vibes. Thanks to the water-resistant shell, it also kept me dry in heavy showers on my way to the office. Raindrops beaded right off instead of soaking through to my clothes. The polyester exterior has this buttery-soft, matte touch and a slight sheen that looks great whether I’m layering it over sweats or something a little dressier.

The 600-fill-power down might not sound impressive on paper, but the generous amount of down and plush, oversized channels crank up the heat. It feels like being wrapped up in a marshmallow. The pockets are deep, lined, and cozy—a safe haven for cold hands that need a quick thaw. I also love the design details: a relaxed fit that leaves me room to layer over chunky sweaters, a close-fitting hood and cinchable hem that trap warmth, and a high zip-neck that shields my lower face from biting winds. Another feature is the stretch. Most puffers feel stiff, but the elastane in the body and cuffs lets me haul groceries, hop on the train, or trek through a slushy park.

Sure, the price is up there, but after testing the piles of winter coats every season, I can say the Wunder Puff earns it. Between the durable, weather-ready shell, the plush down that keeps you snug, and the flexible design that makes it comfortable to wear everyday, this coat is worth every penny.

Read More: Best Men’s Puffer Jackets

I’ve been getting my wear out of Mack Weldon’s WarmKnit Air Hooded Jacket for the past couple months and it’s surprised me with its performance. At first glance, you’d think it’s just a lightweight puffer built for those mild 50 to 60 degree temps. But I found it could hang in the 40s, too—and still keep me warm. That’s thanks to its Thinsulate fill, synthetic insulation made of ultra-fine fibers, which does the heavy lifting without making me feel like a bloated marshmallow. It’s water- and wind-resistant, so a little drizzle or gusty wind doesn’t ruin a commute either.

The snap-button front and the two-way zipper make it easy to get in and out of, and the structured hood actually stays put, protecting your head without flopping around or blowing off. Just like most of Mack Weldon’s winter collection, sporty casual meets performance is the vibe here, so you can wear it with anything from a sweatsuit to a casual crewneck over chinos. With bonded quilting and interior pockets, it’s both functional and polished, so it works for weekend hikes or casual dinners, and won’t look out of place.

Yes, this Columbia down jacket is lightweight, but it does a bang-up job of keeping you warm. Inside, it has Omni-Heat reflective lining—the shiny silver dots that bounce your body heat back to you—so you stay toasty across a wide range of outdoor temps. I love to layer my outerwear, and this puffer was perfect for throwing over my favorite thin hoodie as a mid-layer without feeling cramped.

The 650-fill down feels lofty and warm without bulk, and the baffle design keeps the insulation in place while giving the jacket a more polished, dynamic appearance than other puffers we’ve tested. Columbia also loads this jacket with tech features like HeatSeal, the brand’s proprietary technology that keeps warmth locked in while letting the jacket breathe. Omni-Shield is another feature, which repels moisture and resists stains. That came in handy when I walked to the subway in a light drizzle or spilled coffee at my office desk; the jacket stayed dry and clean.

If you want a stylish winter coat that’s cozy and turns heads, this one from Madewell is worth a look. The Italian tweed has that textural richness you’d expect to see on high-end fashion runways—think Brunello Cucinelli-level elegance, but without the intimidating price tag. I love the shirt-style collar that closes with one button for a dressed-up vibe. It’s perfect for a holiday gathering or a night at the opera, but I’ve also worn it running errands around town for hours without feeling an inch of cold.

The wool-polyester blend has real heft, keeping me from shivering in the low 30s without a heavy layer underneath. While it doesn’t stretch much, I could shift around on the subway or sling a tote over my shoulder without feeling boxed in. The relaxed fit drapes cleanly, staying polished without feeling stiff.

One thing to note: it only comes in black-and-white pattern, so it’s definitely a statement piece. Keep the rest of the fit neutral and simple—monochromatic layers, slim turtlenecks, tailored trousers—and let the coat elevate your look. If you run cold, pair it with a midweight sweater; if you run hot, a tee or lightweight knit is usually enough.

Our Grooming Editor Sean Zucker wore this parka in every cold weather situation: long commutes, chilly hikes, snowball fights. It has a slim puffer design similar to Lululemon’s jacket but with a longer cut and more down, making it warmer for bone-chilling morning walks to the coffee shop. Zucker recently got caught in a sudden downpour, and the waterproof—not just water-resistant—shell kept him completely dry. On a freezing 30-degree cold and windy day, he stayed warm and comfortable the entire time. Plus, the storm cuffs blocked icy gusts from sneaking in at the sleeves.

He also appreciated the two-way zipper, which you don’t see on a lot of winter coats. It made hopping on and off the subway or sitting at a cafe easy without feeling restricted. While the insulated hood isn’t super spacious, it cinches close enough to trap heat. The fit is stylish without feeling bulky, and my hands fit perfectly in the pockets—small detail, but it really makes a difference when it’s freezing out. Yes, it’s an investment piece, but with premium 700-fill down warmth, waterproof and windproof protection, and thoughtful features, this parka is a true workhouse built to handle harsh conditions.

Men’s Health designer Jason Speakman took this burly parka from Fjallraven out on the slopes during a trip to Aspen. At 6 feet tall with a slender build, this jacket wasn’t suffocating or too heavy, letting him flex, bend, and twist easily while carving turns or easing down steep trails. The fleece-lined hood with detachable faux fur edging kept his head and ears warm on icy chairlift rides, and he could easily remove the fur for a sleeker apres-ski look. Thanks to the drawcords at the neck, it pulls tight around your face to shut out breezes.

This coat has eight pockets—more than any on the list—including roomy zippered chest pockets that fit slim essentials like a phone or cardholder. Its weight-to-warmth ratio is excellent; after five hours on the snow, Speakman stayed warm without feeling like he was wearing a stiff, overstuffed parka. The fit is generous but not sloppy, allowing space to pile base layers and still keep a polished profile.

Canada Goose’s coat may come with some sticker shock, but our Deputy Editor, Christian Gollayan has made good use of it for the past three winters. He wears it to walk his two corgis, and between the snow, wind, and icy sidewalks, it keeps him warm without feeling like he’s lugging around a heavy sleeping bag. The Artic Tech fabric—a polyester-cotton blend—has structure without stiffness, so it handles those brutal days when the wind tries to cut straight through you. The longer cut provides extra coverage for your legs, perfect for winters with more than four inches of snow. Not to mention, it’s a stylish coat, so you’re getting warmth and thoughtful design versus a bulky, shapeless puffer.

Like Fjallraven’s parka, this one has more pockets than your average coat—four outside, three inside. Two are great for thawing frozen mitts, and the others flapped down to secure a wallet, beanie, or winter gloves. There’s even a down-filled hood that feels toasty without making you feel stuffy, plus backpack-style straps if you want to carry it hands-free while running errands or grabbing coffee.

Sure, it’s very pricey, but we had to bite the bullet and think about the bigger picture. Stepping outside doesn’t feel like wrestling with the elements anymore. Between warmth, thoughtful design, and sleek style, it’s become our go-to armor for extreme weather—and it’s already survived three ruthless winter seasons in a row

The Difference Between Winter Coats and Winter Jackets

For most of us, the terms “jacket” and “coat” are probably interchangeable. However, the main difference between a coat and a jacket is a coat prioritizes function first. A winter coat’s main objective is to keep you warm, which is why it’s bigger and thicker, extend longer past the waist at times, and are filled with some type of insulation. A jacket, on the other hand, is considered a combination of style and warmth. They don’t typically go past the waist and they’re designed to be worn indoors at times, if you so choose. Winter jackets can be layered more with outfits too—sometimes even under a coat.

These days brands are incorporating all sorts of fabrics and using different types of construction to maximize the warmth of a winter jacket, which has made them more viable as your main outerwear garment when temperatures drop. But if we had to put a ballpark number on the temperatures a winter jacket can withstand you’d probably be good wearing most styles into the mid-30s (Fahrenheit). Anything lower than that temperature you want to consider switching over to a thick winter coat. This advice is simply based on our experiences in buying winter coats and jackets. We all interpret the cold in different ways.