What Types of Winter Jacket Do You Need?
There are five main types of winter jackets. To find the right one for you, think about the activities you plan on doing. Understanding different materials, insulation types, and practical features is crucial for selecting the best winter jackets. Do you need a jacket for walking around town and going to work, or are you looking for something to wear in the backcountry?
Puffer Jackets
Puffer jackets are a popular choice for winter wear due to their lightweight and warm design. Filled with either down or synthetic insulation, these jackets provide excellent warmth and loft, making them perfect for cold weather. Puffer jackets are often water-resistant and windproof, which makes them a great option for comunting and enjoy city life. Their quilted design not only adds to their aesthetic appeal but also helps in evenly distributing the insulation, ensuring you stay warm throughout.
Long Parkas
Parkas are designed to provide maximum warmth and protection from the elements. These winter jackets are typically longer and more insulated than other types, making them ideal for extreme cold weather conditions. Parkas often feature a hood, adjustable cuffs, and a waterproof and breathable outer shell, ensuring you stay dry and comfortable even in the harshest conditions. Whether you’re braving a snowstorm or just a chilly commute, these jackets are built to keep the cold air out and the body heat in. Find even more options in our detailed article about the best winter jackets for extreme cold.
Ski or Snowboard Jackets
For winter sports enthusiasts, ski and snowboard jackets are a must-have. These jackets are specifically designed to be waterproof and breathable, with a focus on mobility and flexibility. They often come with adjustable cuffs, hem, and hood, as well as multiple pockets for storing gear and accessories. Whether you’re carving down the slopes or hitting the terrain park, these jackets provide the protection and freedom of movement you need to perform at your best.
Ultralight insulated jackets
Ultralight jackets are the best choice for those looking for lightweight warmth that allows for full range of movement when engaging in outdoor activities. Brands like Rab and Norrøna make jackets that are suitable not only for cold weather, but for various activities like skiing, ice climbing and mountaineering.
These jackets will include more technical features like helmet-compatible hoods and pit-zips to increase airflow during high-intensity activities. Generally, technical jackets are more lightweight than casual around-town winter jackets, and will be more compressible and packable. Most technical jackets made for intense winter pursuits will feature a 3-layer (3L) construction. This term is most often associated with membranes like GORE-TEX that use a layering system to create durable waterproof shells, perfect for wearing on top when layering. More layers can sometimes mean more weight, so some technical jackets will be designed to reduce bulk and weight while maintaining total weather protection.
Product Name
- Ultra-lightweight ripstop fabric
- 800-fill RDS®-certified down insulation
- Highly packable design
Product Name
- Ultra-lightweight ripstop fabric
- 800-fill RDS®-certified down insulation
- Highly packable design
3-in-1 Jackets
3-in-1 jackets are the epitome of versatility and practicality, offering three different wear options in one jacket. Typically, they consist of a waterproof and breathable outer shell, a removable insulating layer, and a lightweight inner layer. This design allows you to adjust the level of warmth and protection to suit different weather conditions and activities. Whether you’re facing a mild winter day or an extreme cold snap, a 3-in-1 jacket can be adapted to meet your needs.
When choosing a winter jacket, consider the type of activity you’ll be doing, the weather conditions, and your personal style. Whether you opt for a puffer jacket, parka, ski jacket, or 3-in-1 jacket, make sure it provides the right level of warmth, protection, and mobility for your needs.
What's the difference between down and synthetic?
There are two main types of insulation in winter jackets: down and synthetic.
Each type of insulation has its own advantages and disadvantages so it’s best to do your research to make sure you buy the right winter jacket for your needs.
1. Down: designed for cold, dry climates
Down is the lightest and most compressible insulation on the market, so if weight and size are important to you, it should be your first choice. Down jackets offer an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility, making them ideal for those who need efficient insulation. However, it’s important to remember that down is not ideal in wet conditions. If you spend your winters in a dry, cold climate, a down jacket will perform to its full potential and protect you from the elements, but if you live in a climate like the west coast of British Columbia, your down jacket may not perform as well.
When down gets wet, the feathers clump together and lose their insulating properties and loft. In most cases, the coat must be dried properly in a dryer to regain its original loft.
2. Synthetic Insulation – Designed for Cold and Wet Climates
There are a wide variety of proven synthetic insulations available. One of these is PrimaLoft, used by The North Face in their ThermoBall Triclimate jacket (one of our favourites). Although synthetic insulation may be heavier than down, it is just as warm, much more affordable and effectively resists moisture. Synthetic insulated jackets are known for their durability, moisture resistance, and affordability, making them ideal for colder, wetter conditions.
Check out this article to find out which type of insulation would be best for you!
WILL IT BE WEATHER RESISTANT ENOUGH?
In other words: GORE-TEX or DWR treatment?
To perform well in all conditions, a winter coat must have a weather-resistant outer shell, that’s either waterproof or treated with a DWR finish. The outer shell of a winter jacket is your first line of protection against the elements, so make sure it’s appropriate for the region you live in.
Jackets with a GORE-TEX membrane will be in their element in wet environments where they can put their waterproof properties to good use. If you experience wetter, rainier winters with milder temperatures, such as on the West Coast, a winter jacket with a GORE-TEX outer shell is essential.
Winter coats with a durable water resistant (DWR) treatment will be weather resistant, but will not perform as well as those made of GORE-TEX. If you live in an area with cold, snowy winters and don’t often run into slush or rain, then a coat with a water-repellent finish is more than sufficient.
Keep Body Heat in and Cold Out
A large portion of our body heat escapes through our head, so almost all winter jackets will have a hood. Ideally, choose a jacket with an adjustable hood. A hood with barrels will let you tighten it around your head so that it can stay in place even in strong winds. Many technical winter jackets will come with a hood, but if you layer your jacket over a layer that already has its own hood, a removable hood will easily help shed any excess bulk. Additionally, selecting a warm jacket is crucial to retain heat in cold weather, ensuring you stay protected in extreme conditions.
POCKETS ARE PRACTICAL
Pockets are an essential part of our winter jacket. Having secure and utilitarian pockets allows your coat to be functional and organized.
Look for a jacket with an internal pocket that’s compatible with an audio cable so you can move around while listening to the latest hits. This pocket can also hold your important cards if your wallet is too big to keep up with you on the slopes.
For those looking for a technical winter jacket for mountaineering or backcountry skiing, check the location of the pockets and their depth. Pockets that are easily accessible and large enough can make all the difference.
*To learn more about other technical features found on winter jackets such as taped seams and laminated zippers check out Altitude-Sports’ guide to raincoats.
HOW’S THE FIT?
For some, winter is the perfect time to make a statement with their wardrobe. You always look your best when you feel good, so choose a winter jacket with a great fit
If you’re looking for a winter jacket to walk around town in, you can always get away with a fitted, well-insulated coat. However, if you’re looking for a winter coat to wear on the slopes, give yourself enough room for extra layers.
A coat should be snug enough to keep the cold air out. However, if you take it too tight, you may not have enough room to wear anything but a t-shirt underneath.
BRING ON WINTER!
Find your new winter jacket on Altitude Sports! Members enjoy free returns and loads of benefits. The only way to enjoy the cold season is by choosing the right winter jacket!
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