The 21 Essential Men’s Winter Coats

From off-piste to après, here’s the gear you need

By The Editors
January 5, 2017 9:00 am

The secret to surviving winter is not a thick jacket: it’s thick skin.

Even a polar vortex is no match for some good old-fashioned mental toughness.

Having said that, a thick jacket certainly never hurt.

So whether you’re on the hunt for a technical puffer, a cozy new fleece or a suit-able overcoat, we’ve rounded up the seven essential pieces of outerwear every man should consider.

For each, we’ve pulled a range of styles and price points — but every single one will keep you warm all winter long.

Photo: Woolrich John Rich & Bros
The Parka
The parka is the preferred outerwear of Arctic explorers, but its merits go beyond warmth: there is no detriment to throwing a winter parka over any ensemble, suits included. And remember: it doesn’t have to be fur-trimmed. It may be required in polar zones, but don’t be afraid to skip it for technical lightweight insulation.

GET IT HERE: Carhartt WIP Trapper Parka ($275); Woolrich John Rich & Bros Arctic Parka No Fur ($695); Exley Utility Parka ($895)

Photo: Outerknown
The Technical Puffer Jacket
Back in the day, puffer jackets were just that: puffy and bulky. But as fabric technology has advanced, so has the jacket, and today we’re seeing warm, lightweight and packable options to suit every price range. Thanks to light layers of filling and weather-resistant exteriors, these puffers will keep you toasty without adding any bulk.

GET IT HERE: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket ($199); Outerknown Evolution Puffer ($295); Stampd x Puma Down Jacket ($300)

Photo: Mr. Porter
The Shearling Jacket
Shearling has a transformative quality in that it can give even your basics an air of luxury. This stuff is also warm. Very warm. And while you’ll find all kinds of styles trimmed or lined with the soft stuff, your safest bet is to stay true to its heritage and go military. Think bombers and field jackets. Not only is it the most approachable, it’s also a very hard look to botch.

GET IT HERE: Wallace and Barnes Sherpa-lined N-1 Jacket ($268); Todd Snyder x Private White V.C. Bomber Jacket ($735); Coach Shearling-Trimmed Bomber Jacket ($1,600)

Photo: Aether
The Modern Overcoat
No man looks bad in an overcoat. This is fact. Overcoats are traditionally worn with suits and suits only. But these days, brands are democratizing the classic style, offering up options that are slightly more loose-fitting and all together more casual.

GET IT HERE: DSTLD Long Wool Coat ($275); Death To Tennis Watvin Jacket ($605); Aether Apparel Crosby Jacket ($825)

Photo: Stussy
The Duffle Coat
The duffle, or toggle, coat, has come a long way since its origins as British naval issue during WWI. But the look endures. Before you say it’s too fashion-forward for your taste, think of it as you would the humble pea coat — just with more interesting buttons.  

GET IT HERE: Scotch & Soda Classic Duffle Coat ($295); Stussy x Schott NYC Duffle Coat ($600); TS(S) Double Cloth Duffle Coat ($1,195)

Photo: Apolis
The Quilted Shell Jacket
When it comes to style, winter is more or less about two things: layering and texture. Grab yourself a quilted shell and you’ll have both. Meant to be worn on its own on brisk days or under a heavier coat on colder ones, the quilted shell jacket is a versatile piece of outerwear that bridges the gap between fashion and function.

GET IT HERE: Apolis Transit Issue Quilted CPO Jacket ($248); Nau Intersect Utility Down Sweater ($265); The Hill-Side Quilted Ueno Jacket ($398)

Photo: Taylor Stitch
The Fleece Jacket
Despite collegiate associations with fleece, the fuzzy stuff is back and having a moment. You can thank a new school of brands that have elevated the look with new designs sharp enough to wear in public — and we don’t just mean in the ski lodge.

GET IT HERE: Taylor Stitch Polartec Fleece ($98); Penfield Prescott Fleece Jacket ($140); Outlier Strong Wool Funnel Neck Fleece ($325)

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