Brace Yourselves Winter Is Coming: The Best Winter Coats
1. Fjallraven Men's Nuuk Parka
Windproof, insulated, and waterproof on the exterior surfaces, the Fjallraven Men’s Nuuk Parka is a long style coat that can keep you warm and dry in even the harshest conditions that nature has to throw at you. The jacket features 360-degree wind and waterproof coverage and features a large hood and cuffs to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.
2. Cabela's MT050 Whitetail Extreme GORE-TEX Parka
Featuring the TrueTimber Strata camouflage pattern, the Cabela’s MTO50 Whitetail Extreme parka is perfect for hunting trips. The Coat is made from 100% waterproof and breathable GORE-TEX material for its outer shell and also features an MTO50 interior fabric which is extremely quiet. The Coat also features fully seal seams which makes it absolutely waterproof so you can stay dry even during a rainy or snowy hunt.
3. Carhartt Quilted Flannel-Lined Duck Active Jacket
When it comes to heat retention, flannel jackets have been a longtime favorite. The new Carhartt Quilted Flannel-Lined Duck active jacket is perfect for you if you’re a blue-collar worker who finds themselves outside on the job a lot. The Duck Active jacket features an attached 3-piece hood, 2 handwarmer pockets, and an inside patch pocket that can fit your phone or wallet. Best of all, like most Carhartt jackets, this one is super affordable and comes in a variety of standard colors you’ve come to expect from Carhartt.
4. Columbia Powder Lite Jacket
If you’re looking for a lighter option when the weather is cold but you’re not looking to have the heaviest jacket out there, the Columbia Powder Lite Jacket is perfect for just that occasion. Even though it is called a Lite jacket, it is no slouch when it comes to protecting you from light snowfall and the bitter cold. The jacket features elastic cuffs, zippered hand pockets and a soft outer shell featuring Omni-Shield storm technology that can shed water without issue.
5. RedHead Washed Canvas Work Jacket
Similar to the Carhartt but slightly more affordable is the RedHead Washed Canvas Work Jacket. Canvas used to be used for everything from work pants, jackets, and shirts to work tents. The material is tough, reliable, and weatherproof and keeps you warm to boot. The RedHead Work Jacket is a budget option if you’re looking to keep warm in your tree stand our deer camp and don’t really have the cash to spend on some of these other options on the list. The jacket features handwarmer pockets, an attached food, and a 100% polyester lining.
How to pick the best winter coats
There are several things to keep in mind when looking for the perfect winter coat for you. You want one that will keep you warm and dry and be just right for where you live and play.
Warmth
Insulation is a key factor. The traditional warm insulation is natural down, the fluffy feathers birds use to keep themselves warm during winter months. Goose down is the most popular and it is extremely warm. The only drawback is weight, which can be quite a bit if it gets wet.
Wool is another natural warm fabric that comes from sheep. It works great as both an insulating layer and as an exterior layer, shedding water fairly well and retaining heat extremely well.
Synthetic materials are very common these days and work just as well, if not better than natural materials. Synthetic down retains heat, yet weighs less, and can handle water better.
Outer shell
The outer shell is what faces the weather, so you should look fir something that at the very least blocks the wind. Wind will strip away body heat faster than anything. It should also block moisture and keep you dry. Materials like GORE-TEX are popular in that they are waterproof, yet breath to let sweat and water vapor out and away from your skin.
Cotton-based fabrics, like those found in workwear help to block wind, but have the abrasion resistance you need for serious work in the elements.
How much to Winter Jackets Cost?
Winter jackets and coats are generally more expensive than your light raincoats or fleeces. This is mostly due to the increased amount of lining and exterior fabric that is dedicated to keeping you warm and dry. You can generally find winter coats for as little as $75 but some options out there that feature cutting edge insulating and weatherproofing tech can run you north of $300 easily.
Is GORE-TEX really waterproof?
While the GORE-TEX brand initially started off as a brand featuring an entirely waterproof material, some modern GORE-TEX products that are breathable tend not to be completely waterproof. However, they still feature very good water resistance but also have the added benefit of breathability which makes them more comfortable to wear. GORE-TEX has an entire lineup of different products now with varying levels of waterproofing.
What type of winter coat is the warmest?
Parkas definitely offer the most amount of coverage and warmth for harsh winter conditions but they are also extremely hot and tend to be very expensive. Other options include softshell coats which still offer rain protection or even lighter puffer coats which offer great cold-weather protection but tend to be lacking in waterproofing.
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