Best winter coats and jackets for men 2024: warm and stylish

Looking for the best winter coats for men? Keep out the cold with these stylish, technical jackets, overcoats, parkas, and shells

Man surrounded by rocks, he's wearing one of the best winter coats, the Shackleton Lockroy parka
(Image credit: Shackleton)

The best winter coats and jackets block out the cold and keep you warm while still looking stylish. The fact is, nothing beats winter blues like battling Mother Nature in a jacket stuffed to the gunnels with down. And so, just for you, T3 has picked out the best winter coats for those looking for protection from the elements.

Whether you're looking for a sophisticated overcoat, a technical puffer jacket, or an Arctic-proof parka, we've got you covered. Although many of the jackets here have weatherproof qualities, if you're looking specifically for an outdoor coat that'll keep you dry in a downpour, head to our roundup of the best lightweight waterproof jackets instead.

Best winter coats for men 2024

Best winter coats for men: styles explained

While capsule wardrobes are in-vogue and certainly have their merits, it’s unlikely you’ll only have one coat in your wardrobe that will carry you through all occasions in a season. So, you might want to add a new style to your sartorial arsenal, but where to start?

Parka

(Image credit: Mr Porter)

Parka

You may forever associate the Parka jacket with Liam Gallagher and Brit Pop, but it was arguably invented by the Caribou Inuit and its cool-factor will live forever. Technically, a parka is a hip-length coat stuffed with down or warm fibre, sometimes with a furry-edged hood. But there are heaps of different types, meaning you can choose a version that fits with your personal style. Parkas look great with jeans and trainers at the weekend, but not so much with a business suit. So, if you spend a decent amount of time pottering around a park at the weekend, this could be a style for you.

Bomber

(Image credit: Mr Porter)

Bomber

The bomber jacket, or flight jacket, needs little introduction. Coming into its own during World War One, it’s since been embraced by all sorts of subcultures, including punks and hip-hop pioneers. The style recently had a major fashion moment in 2006 but may not be cutting edge at the moment. However, it’s still a great staple in your wardrobe. Once again, it’s not for (most) offices, but is a brilliant style for the weekend, and can elevate the most basic t-shirt and jeans combo.

Overcoat

(Image credit: Mr Porter)

Overcoat

A classic overcoat is handy for so many situations, from work to winter weddings. There are so many styles to choose from, so it’s important to choose a length that suits you and your style, as well as details you like. The best coats will boast quality materials (perhaps wool or even cashmere) and lovely touches like horned buttons, sumptuous lining and stylish lapels. It’s surprising how much such a classic coat can portray your personality. The classic overcoat can be dashing (think Jane Austen or Richard Gere) or effortlessly cool (James Dean and Bob Dylan) making it a coat worth investing in, that with care, could be a staple in your wardrobe for years to come.

Down

(Image credit: Mr Porter)

Down

You don’t need to be an intrepid Arctic explorer to benefit from a down coat. More practical for the outdoors than a wool overcoat, down coats are a must if you like winter walks and being outdoors in all weather conditions. If you’re not going to incredibly cold climbs, looks come into play as most of these down coats (with the exception of seriously cheap high street versions) are water and windproof, and filled with ether duck, goose or synthetic down. So, if you’re veggie or vegan, it’s worth looking closely at the filling.

Fleece

(Image credit: The North Face)

Fleece

It's about time the humble fleece made a comeback, isn't it? No longer the preserve of Bargain Hunt contestants, a modern fleece (such as the Pumori Expedition Jacket from The North Face, pictured above) is stylish, warm, and a modern stable in any man's wardrobe. These garments are perfect for transitioning from city streets to hilltops, and can be a godsend when working outdoors or camping. They're also hugely flexible in how you wear them – either as a warm top layer or as a breathable midlayer. The Pumori Expedition Jacket from The North Face is named after the 7,161m summit that stands in the shadow of Mount Everest and has been made from recycled plastic bottles collected in the Himalayan foothills and responsibly-sourced cotton. 

Best winter coats for men: what is down and how is it measured?

Traditionally down comes from the feathers of ducks and geese. The more technical down jackets are measured in 'fill power' or quality of the down. 

It's calculated by measuring how many cubic inches an ounce of down creates at its maximum loft (or when the down fibres are fully fluffed up). Annoyingly, like tons/tonnes, the measurements are different in the US and Europe, but the range spans from 300 to 900+ with the lower number denoting lesser quality and loft. 

So, if you want a seriously warm jacket, plump for more than 550, but if you're throwing on a down jacket in-between visits to shops, a lesser number may keep you cosy enough.

Best winter coats: buying tips

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

  • It might be tempting to tap into current trends, but to get the most use out of your new coat, it’s best to look inside your current wardrobe and work out what you want to wear your coat with. For example, if you’re outdoorsy you’ll probably want to plump for down, but if you have a smart office job, an overcoat is more likely to cut the mustard.
  • When it comes to quality, choose warm materials like down, wool or cashmere. A coat is traditionally one of the most expensive items in your wardrobe and quality coat can last for years if you pick a timeless style, so it’s worth investing.
  • Work out where you’re planning on wearing your coat. If you spend loads of time in the elements then a super warm down coat is just the business, but it could be annoyingly hot if you mostly peruse shops during a wintery weekend. 
  • Finally, take a leaf out of Marie Kondo’s book and choose some outerwear that sparks joy. After all, it can seem like forever until summer, so a nice coat can offer a light at the end of a very long, grey tunnel.
Bethan Girdler-Maslen
Home Editor

Beth is Home Editor for T3, looking after style, living and wellness. From the comfiest mattresses to what strange things you can cook in an air fryer, Beth covers sleep, yoga, smart home, coffee machines, grooming tools, fragrances, gardening and much more. If it's something that goes in your house, chances are Beth knows about it and has the latest reviews and recommendations!


Having always been passionate about writing, she’s written for websites, newspapers and magazines on a variety of topics, from jewellery and culture, to food and telecoms. You can find her work across numerous sites, including Wedding Ideas Magazine, Health & Wellbeing, The Bristol Post, Fashion & Style Directory, TechRadar, CreativeBloq and more. In her spare time, Beth enjoys running, reading, baking and attempting craft projects that will probably end in disaster!

With contributions from