Best Winter Coats for Extreme Cold for 2023 (Warm & Toasty)

For Men

Arc'teryx Therme Parka

Of all the winter jacket brands, Arc’teryx is a well-known for creating technical and innovative jackets, but Therme Parka is perfectly urban. These men’s winter coats will surely keep you not only warm and toasty but sleek and stylish on any occasion.

This insulated parka has a high-end Gore-Tex waterproof membrane and fully taped seams, making this jacket breathable and long-lasting. It is insulated with 750-fill goose down around the core for utmost comfort. It is also fitted with quality synthetic insulation in high-use areas such as the sleeves, the hood, and the collar. It also has insulated pockets and a zippered passport pocket on the front for convenience and ease of use.

The Therme Parka is the perfect jacket for winter in places prone to wet snow. The materials are windproof and waterproof.

The sizing is a bit off as it tends to run slightly larger than regular athletic sizes. When purchasing online, ask for exact measurements to ensure proper fit.

Fjallraven Expedition Down Lite Jacket

Fjallraven is renowned for its Kanken daypack you have probably seen all around the country. But these days, they are also bringing their outdoor expertise to the world as well.

Although they are well-known in the deep north of Europe, until now, they have not been known globally. But don’t let that fool you. Fjallraven knows how to make insanely high-quality gear.

This Expedition down jacket is an example of that. Starting on the inside, this winter down jacket has 700 power fill that is 90% goose down. So, you know it’s warm from the get-go.

The outside of the jacket is made from durable Polyamide with a DWR coating that should last for a long time and keep the water out!

They have not forgotten storage with two large front pockets that I found easy to get at from the side, although they are mostly top loading. The hood adds to the overall warmth and when it really get cold, you can batton the hatches with the flap, the hood and the drawstring.

As one reviewer on Amazon said – he got away with a thin base layer underneath it is so warm! His final statement – Just Get It!

Canada Goose Expedition Parka

Always amongst the most popular winter coat brands, Canada Goose Expedition Parka is more on the heavy and bulky side, but for good reason. It keeps wearers warm with 625-fill-power duck down and keeps harsh weather at bay with heavy-duty Arctic-Tech outer shell material. For those in search of a hard-hitting jacket, this burly parka performs exceptionally well in severe conditions, polar expeditions, and long commutes in cold weather.

Functionality is not overlooked either. It has a total of 10 exterior pockets, with both zipper and velcro closures and one interior zippered pocket. It also features a snow skirt and one of the best hoods in the market.

This is one of the most niche winter coats that won’t run you over $1,000, but it can be too much jacket for the average person. If below zero temperature is your everyday life, the Expedition Parka is the best option.

Note: Another option that is similarly warm is the Canada Goose Langford

FOR WOMEN

Below, we have collected some of our favorite warm women’s coats for winter.

The North Face McMurdo Parka III

When it comes to finding the warmest winter coat, the North Face McMurdo Parka III is hard to beat. At a third of the price of the Canada Goose Parka, this is definitely one of the best budget parkas that will perform well in cold weather.

The McMurdo III is made with DryVent™ 2L, which is a durable material that’s weatherproof, breathable, and sealed with taped seams.

With 600 down fill, this men’s winter parka is insulated well like most North Face coats. The hood is robust, large, and well-sealed to trap heat around the head. The hem is long to cover the thighs, but a front zipper from below makes the jacket less constricting.

The North Face McMurdo parka also comes with several storage options. There are four pockets with exposed zippers on the front of the jacket and a back of the sleeve pocket. And just for completeness, the color choices are quite limited with only three available.

While the McMurdo III provides adequate weatherproofing, there are some options that will perform better in wet conditions. However, for the affordable price of this jacket, it provides adequate protection from the cold, snow, and other weather conditions. In our opinion, for very cold weather this is perhaps the best men’s down jacket for the money. And maybe, the warmest men’s winter coat in most situations!

North Face McMurdo Review

FOR WOMEN

Below, we have collected some of our favorite warm women’s coats for winter.

Canada Goose Kensington Parka

The Kensington Parka is where function meets style. Its sleek and smooth exterior fabric and the flattering feminine silhouette are uncommon for winter coats, but this is one of those women’s warm coats that will keep you warm, even in harsh winter conditions.

The Kensington Parka rests just above the knee and stands out with the coyote fur ruff around the hood. The fur and the hood are removable, making this jacket versatile even for above zero temperatures. The waist has an adjustable cinch tab to better conform to the body.

Insulated with 625-fill-power white duck down, this jacket is warm and comfortable. The cold air is kept out even from the sleeves thanks to the thick, rib-knit cuffs. The knitted collar completely keeps air out when zipped up. While it’s effective, it wears tight and can constrict.

The down jacket closes with buttons. This makes securing the jacket a little more cumbersome than a full zip. There are also kick pleats on the back of the jacket that allowed for better mobility and ventilation.

Patagonia Downdrift Parka

At the top of the pack is Patagonia with the Downdrift Parka which you know is going to be both warm and stylish.

You know you are helping the planet with Patagonia – not only are they putting all their money back into saving the planet, the materials are top-notch. The parka contains their recycled goose & duck down, along with 100% postconsumer recycled nylon – made from fishing nets.

But is it warm enough for extreme weather? With all that down encased by a thick jacket it is going to be. And the hood, the full knee length jacket, along with covered front-zipper will keep the wind and cold at bay no matter how far north you go!

Patagonia is renowned for being expensive, but in this case, the jacket is mid-range at about $400.

Columbia Women's Flurry Run

Colombia has been making outdoor gear for decades and with this winter jacket, it shows. It has all the features you would expect from a jacket designed for extreme cold.

First off, it’s long, so will cover all those places shorter jackets leave to get cold. Second, it’s got long sleeves with thumbholes to keep your hands warm (or leave no gap with gloves).

There is also a slightly oversized hood with a ruffle like the Eskimos wear. (side story: I used such a hood in a harsh, windy Yukon winter, and trust me – ruffles make all the difference). However, if you don’t like the look of having it get in the way – it’s removable too.

Inside, there is a decent amount of down, but the kicker is Columbia’s own Omni Heat. It’s a silver layer on the inside of the jacket that reflects your own body heat back (instead of letting it out). This adds an extra layer of warmth that most jackets just don’t have.

Downsides? Well, there are always a few things to watch out for. One, this “black” model featured here is more of a dark grey. Second, these jackets tend to run large, so if you want more room, and long arms, that’s great. Otherwise, have a think about taking a smaller model.

Overall, if you are looking for something to allow you to stay warm in those very cold and snowy situations, then this is a great option.

Marmot Montreaux Down Coat

With the faux fur ruff and knee-length form, the Marmot Montreaux Down Coat keeps wearers warm, toasty, and stylish whether indoor or outdoor.

While this parka can weigh heavy, it wears light thanks to its 100% Polyester/700 Fill Power Down material. The down is evenly distributed and does not bulk up in inconvenient areas.

This also helps in keeping the feminine shape of the coat intact. The hood is insulated with plush down that does an excellent job in terms of trapping heat. The fleece-lined torso makes for a very comfortable fit as well. Micro-fleece also lines the exterior pockets, collar, and cuffs.

The down coat is sufficiently water-resistant with its durable water repellent coating. However, extended periods of time in the rain will saturate the jacket.