Here in New York City, it’s gone from 70 degrees in November (major yikes) to 35 degrees in a matter of weeks (major yikes again, but for different reasons). This means that, for me, the window to ditch my tees and light jackets and replace them with heavier, more waterproof pieces was very narrow; parka season arrived before I even had time to prepare.
And, yes, I do say “parka season” as opposed to “coat season” or “puffer season,” because when the weather is this cold and wet and windy, a parka is a necessity. The insulation, length, and hoods of parkas set them apart from jackets which might be fashionable enough for winter, but certainly not functional enough. A parka, on the other hand, is hard to go wrong with, if it’s A) under 45 degrees, B) wet and/or windy, C) generally miserable outside, or D) all of the above.
So as we settle into December and the threat of winter becomes a Jon Snow-level reality rather than a Ned Stark-level fantasy, hang up your lightweight jackets and your impractical coats, and pull out your parkas. And if you—like me—have procrastinated before getting one and need a new pick ASAP, you’re in luck; 15 of the best men’s winter parkas, from brands like The North Face, L.L.Bean, and Arc’teryx, are below.
Best Heavy Parka
Tommy Hilfiger
Arctic Cloth Heavyweight Performance Parka
Colors |
13 |
Sizes |
XS-3XL |
Materials |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester |
Best Versatile Parka
L.L.Bean
Maine Warden’s 3-in-1 Parka, with Gore-Tex
Colors |
Warden Green, Black |
Sizes |
M-XXL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Best All-Black Parka
Chemist Creations
Black Nylon Parka
Colors |
Black |
Sizes |
XS-XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester |
Best Down Parka
Todd Snyder
Italian Short Tech Down Parka
Colors |
Orange, Black, Green Smoke |
Sizes |
XS-2XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
Duck Down and Polyfill |
Best Designer Parka
Guess
Faux Fur Trim Hooded Parka Jacket
Colors |
7 |
Sizes |
S-2XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester/Faux Fur Trim |
Insulation |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester |
Best Investment Parka
Arc’teryx
Alpha Parka
Colors |
Dynasty, Black |
Sizes |
XS-2XL |
Shell Material |
2L Gore-Tex Infinium with Hadron Face Fabric |
Insulation |
850-Fill Goose Down |
Best Long Parka
The North Face
McMurdo Parka
Colors |
9 |
Sizes |
S-3XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Recycled Polyester |
Insulation |
600-Fill Recycled Waterfowl Down |
Best Affordable Parka
Everlane
The ReNew Long Parka
Colors |
Black, Moss, India Ink |
Sizes |
XS-XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Recycled Polyester |
Insulation |
PrimaLoft |
Best Colorful Parka
Ambush
Blue Nylon Parka
Colors |
Blue |
Sizes |
XS-XL |
Materials |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Best Luxury Parka
Acne Studios
Oversized Logo-Appliquéd Fleece-Lined Shell Hooded Parka
Colors |
Beige |
Sizes |
IT46-IT52 |
Shell Material |
68{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester, 32{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester |
Best Hooded Parka
Columbia
Marquam Peak Fusion Omni-Heat Infinity Insulated Parka
Colors |
Delta, Metal, Black, Navy |
Sizes |
S-2XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
Thermarator Insulation |
Best Recycled Fabric Parka
PS by Paul Smith
Green Wadded Parka
Colors |
Green |
Sizes |
XS-2XL |
Materials |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Recycled Nylon |
Best Practical Parka
Eddie Bauer
B-9 Waterproof Down Parka
Colors |
Slate Green |
Sizes |
S-2XL |
Shell Material |
61{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Cotton, 39{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Nylon |
Insulation |
650-Fill Responsible Down Standard Down |
Best Timeless Parka
Canada Goose
Langford Hooded Parka
Colors |
Black, Graphite, Atlantic Navy |
Sizes |
XS-3XL |
Shell Material |
84{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester, 16{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Cotton |
Insulation |
80{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Down, 20{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Feathers |
Best Multi-Pocketed Parka
Duncan Keith x Nobis
Heritage Men’s Parka
Colors |
Black |
Sizes |
2XS-2XL |
Shell Material |
100{362bf5cdc35eddfb2532d3c23e83b41deb229c4410d15cb1127c60150cbd4488} Polyester |
Insulation |
Premium Canadian Origin White Duck Down Insulation |
Trishna Rikhy
Trishna Rikhy is the Associate Style Commerce Editor at Esquire.