Winter jackets are a must-have in your wardrobe. But, unlike cozy sweaters and sweatshirts, you may not have dozens of them hanging in your closet, so you’ll want to ensure the styles you own are the crème de la crème of outerwear.
The best winter coats are ultra-warm and durable enough to last several seasons. Hopefully, your winter coat is stylish, too, since it often becomes the star of your winter ensemble.
We tested best-selling styles, examining the quality, comfort, fit, and design of 23 women’s winter coats. These were the best we tested, including coats from Columbia, Patagonia, and Lands’ End.
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Super warm thanks to the thick material, long length, and fleece-lined hood
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One of the least expensive coats we’ve tried
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Plenty of internal and external pockets
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Large size range
This trendy winter coat isn’t just an Oprah favorite — it’s our favorite, too. Online, reviewers rave about the style, fit, warmth, and price tag — and we were equally impressed when we tested it. It’s ultra-comfortable and kept us as warm as its luxury counterparts, partly thanks to its longer length and fleece-lined hood.
It fits a bit snug, so we recommend you size up to leave plenty of room for your winter layers.
Size Range: XXS–5X | Material: Polyester | Colors: 11
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One of the warmest coats we tried thanks to its fluffy down filling
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Regulates temperature, so we didn’t overheat
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Reasonably priced for a down coat
This Lands’ End coat is one of the warmest coats on our list, which wasn’t surprising considering the down fill. During testing, we wore this coat in a frigid, wet climate and were pleasantly surprised by how well it held up and protected us from the cold. More than that, we were impressed by its temperature control, which kept us nice and warm outside without making us sweat and overheat once back indoors.
Since the jacket is pretty fitted, we don’t recommend it as a layering piece when wearing chunky knit sweaters.
Size Range: XS–3X, petite and tall sizes available | Material: Polyester | Colors: 9
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Synthetic down is warm without being bulky
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Packs down well, so it’s great for traveling
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Reasonably priced
If you’re looking for a top-notch synthetic down jacket, this is one of the best we’ve tried. The jacket is surprisingly slim-cut, thanks to a heat-reflective lining that kept us warm and toasty without the extra bulk of a traditional puffer. It goes down to the mid-thigh, which provides more coverage against the winter elements.
The down-filled parka is surprisingly lightweight and packable, too. It runs true-to-size and comes in a slew of neutral and bright colors to compliment anyone’s taste.
Size Range: XS–3X | Material: Nylon, polyester, fleece | Colors: 14
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Durable, water-resistant, and machine washable
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Thermal lining and synthetic down filling offer extra warmth
This coat provides impressive warmth thanks to Omni-Heat thermal reflective lining that traps body heat. It’s also filled with synthetic down material, which helps to retain heat no matter the conditions — so you’ll be toasty even when heading out in rain or snow.
It has longer sleeves, which we appreciated, although they may not be ideal for petite frames. We also liked how easy this jacket was to layer with chunky sweaters and thin layers alike. Best of all, this coat comes in a decent size range, including plus sizes.
Size Range: XS–3X | Material: Polyester | Colors: 7
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Quality details like thoughtful pocket placement and a fleece-lined collar
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Kept us super warm, especially the zipper closure up to the neck
A high-quality coat can last you for years, and we think this parka is worth the investment: It kept us comfortable in all conditions.
We were able to layer all kinds of sweaters and sweatshirts underneath this parka, and it never felt stiff or bulky. We were especially impressed with the little details of the coat, like the hand pocket placement, which felt so comfortable. We also loved that the collar is fleece-lined and the zipper closes up to the neck, so our face was just as toasty as our torso in cold conditions.
While this coat is certainly pricy, it’s stylish and functional. If you live somewhere where temperatures are frigid and a cheaper jacket just won’t cut it, we recommend this one.
Size Range: XXS–XXL | Material: Recycled polyamide | Colors: 6
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Stylish and functional, with lots of zippered pockets
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750-fill power down maintains warmth in frigid temperatures
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Has a sleeker look than others we tested
This puffer coat isn’t just stylish — it’s functional, too. The down design, comfortable fit, and cute silhouette make it a must-have for frigid temperatures. This coat is designed with cold temperatures in mind, so it may be too warm for some climates. We liken wearing this jacket to wrapping yourself up in a sleeping bag, since it’s equally cozy and warm. Several design features set it apart from the competition, like its matte finish, several zippered pockets, high collar, and great length.
Size Range: XS–3XL | Material: Nylon fabric and 750 Fill Power 11 oz. white duck down (90% down, 10% feather) | Colors: 4
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Kept us warm in below-freezing temperatures thanks to the down filling
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Padded hood provides extra warmth
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Zippered pockets offer added security
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Tighter on the chest, which might not be ideal for larger busts
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Not available in plus sizes
If you plan on braving below-freezing temperatures, consider this Patagonia parka. It’s comfortable and warm, so we were impressed with its performance in colder conditions. The chest section is a bit tight, so this parka wouldn’t be ideal for large busts. We wish it came in a larger size range, too.
We were impressed with all the little details on this jacket. The hardware was high-quality, even when compared to other luxury coats. This coat is absolutely worth the investment, and we think it will last you for years to come.
Size Range: XXS–XXL | Material: Recycled polyester, recycled down | Colors: 7
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Sleek, non-bulky jacket packs down well
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Great for moderate weather conditions, including outdoor exercise
This jacket has a packable silhouette that’s rare for coats and jackets. It’s lightweight, so it folds up nicely and doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase. It’s warm enough for moderate winter temperatures (around 40 degrees Fahrenheit), so it’s the perfect layer to bring with you on mild winter travel.
When we tested this jacket, we found that it was effective for outdoor exercise, particularly long runs in the winter. It isn’t bulky so it permits a good range of motion, and we found it warm enough for athletic activities. Plus, this jacket will wear into the springtime, since it makes a great transitional layer.
Size Range: XXS–XXL | Material: Nylon, recycled polyester, elastane | Colors: 11
What to Know About Women’s Winter Coats and Jackets
Style Versatility
When shopping for a winter coat, stylist Christina Petry says style versatility is super important. “Having a coat that goes with multiple outfits, whether dressy or everyday casual, is not only functional but realistic for people who want options in their personal wardrobe,” she explains. With this in mind, look for coats that are available in neutral colors or a hue that pairs well with lots of items in your wardrobe (even if that color isn’t neutral).
Fit
Whether it’s a rain jacket, a down coat, or some other kind of outerwear, the fit is an essential aspect of jacket shopping. And, if you plan to layer underneath your coat, you will definitely want to consider that, since sizing up might better accommodate chunky knits or multiple layers.
When shopping, Soneca Guadara, a style consultant and personal fashion stylist, says to first ask yourself if you want a coat to be fitted or loose. If considering a more fitted silhouette, she recommends “something that will create definition at your waist,” such as a belted coat or something that cinches in a little more at the midsection.
Fit also defines comfort, which is why Guadara says trying it on with items you’ll actually wear — such as a sweater or sweatshirt — with it is a must.
Function
“You need winter coats that will keep you ready for varying weather conditions such as rain, snow, wind, and really cold temperatures,” says Kriena Nederveen, a stylist with over 30 years of experience. While you might be able to meet some of these criteria with just one jacket, you should consider investing in a couple of different options, especially if you live in a rainy city where more moisture protection is required.
Behind the Scenes
At PEOPLE, we know how important a good winter coat is (especially for those of us who live on the East Coast). We wore 23 coats for a minimum of six hours each. Then, we evaluated each coat on the following criteria.
- Comfort: We took note of how comfortable every coat was, including whether or not the coats restricted movement. We also considered the overall fit, as well as how easy it was to layer sweaters underneath each coat.
- Warmth: The best winter coat is one that will keep you warm. We paid extra attention to which conditions every coat was suitable for. Coats that insulated heat well and had thoughtful warming details like fleece-lined collars received the best scores in this category.
- Design: We evaluated not just the style of every coat, but also the little things that set the best coats apart. For example, zippered pockets were one of our favorite details that earned some coats extra points.
- Value: Last but not least, we considered the price of every coat. While we certainly think a winter coat is an essential worth some investment, higher costs require a higher standard. The most expensive coats we recommend are ones that truly outshine their less expensive counterparts. However, we think every single coat on this list is worth your money.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE.com who writes about beauty, fashion, home, pets, DIY, and more. Her work has been published in Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON Magazine, StyleCaster, Brit+Co, Forbes, Bustle, Sunday Riley’s The Sunday Edit, Dermstore, and Girlboss.com. For this article, she relied on the input of our team of product testers and interviewed stylists Christina Petry and Kriena Nederveen.
This story has been updated by shopping writers Cai Cramer, who added new product picks and fresh insights, as well as Genevieve Cepeda, who pared down our favorites to the absolute best coats on the market.
Our Expert Panel
- Christina Petry is a professional stylist and owner of Red Carpet Ready Personal Styling.
- Kriena Nederveen is a professional stylist based in LA with over 30 years of experience.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.
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