30 Winter Coats for Every Circle of Hellish Weather

The stylish know there’s no such thing as bad weather as long as the best men’s winter coats are involved. Sub-zero windchills, sheets of ice falling from the sky, sideways snow: The right coat will have you feeling blissfully unaware.

Of course, finding that coat is easier said than done. Winter varies from region to region and a jacket that’s overkill in San Diego might be woefully hopeless for a November in Toronto. Add to that the flurry of different styles to choose from and it’s enough to leave even the most seasoned shopper frozen with choice paralysis.

But you’re in the right place. Your fearless fashion friends here at GQ Recommends aren’t only professionals, but the best in the biz, and we’ve rounded up the choicest options of the season. For commuting through a frigid metropolis in heavyweight wool coats and bombproof puffers to roughing it in the great outdoors with fleece-lined winter parkas, here are the best winter coats for men right now.

Puffer Down Jackets

A great puffer is first and foremost functional. It’s the jacket you reach for on the crappiest, bone-chilling-est days of winter. Whether it’s filled with goose down or high-tech synthetics like Primaloft, the job is the same: trap heat and keep the cold at arm’s length. Some are even packable, meaning you can squish them down into a tiny pouch and toss them into your bag when the winter weather feels a bit closer to fall. Technical stuff aside, it doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your style to wear one. Beyond the sleeping-bag-like coats of your youth, there’s a whole universe of sleek and shapely puffers out there for the coldest of times.

Further shopping: The Best Puffer Jackets for Your Cold, Trembling Torso

Topcoats

You know that tired chestnut about the Inuit supposedly having 50 words for snow? That’s sort of the deal with topcoats. Call ‘em an overcoat or a car coat, a balmacaan or a chesterfield. The list goes on forever. Each of those distinct styles varies slightly, but they’re bound by a common denominator: they’re long and tailored from a warm, dense fabric—generally wool or cashmere—and will keep you looking and feeling all-business in the face of chilly temps. They’re roomy enough to toss over a hoodie or even a suit, or when the weather is somewhat mild, over a T-shirt and jeans like you’re dashing from gate to gate at LAX.

Further shopping: The Best Topcoats Are Long, Louche, and Layerable

Duffel Coats

Beloved by generations of great Brits—from Winston Churchill to Paddington Bear—the duffel coat, with its heavy melton wool body and charming toggle closures, feels more relevant right now than it has in ages. It feels rugged and rustic, but can swing to more refined territory with the right details. Lean into its preppy energy by layering one over a chunky turtleneck and some horsebit loafers, or go full Raf Simons FW11 by wearing one with your biggest, leather-iest pants.

Parkas

You probably owned a great surplus store parka in high school, and the appeal remains the same: they’re big, they’re tough, they look killer with everything from thrashed jeans and boots to flannel trousers and brogues to cargoes and trail runners. Parkas inherently are designed with hoods. The rest is kind of left up the air. They can be filled with down insulation or they can be left unlined and lightweight enough to pack into a tote bag. They can be zipped up, buttoned up, or pulled over. They can come with a furry hood or a detachable hood. There are many ways to slice it and you couldn’t easily mess it up.

Further shopping: The Best Parkas Give ‘Ol Jack Frost the Willies

Peacoats

The peacoat has all the necessary hallmarks of a menswear staple: initially designed for the military (the US Navy, to precise) and once worn (devilishly well) by Steve McQueen. They’re usually made with a dense, super thick Melton wool fabric which is great at keeping the wind out. They’re also usually double breasted and sit just below the butt. Try one with some slim jeans (a little flare is optional, but highly recommended!), beat-up boots, and the collar popped to maximize the ’70s Robert Redford energy.

Further shopping: The Best Peacoats Anchor Your Cold-Weather Dressing

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What to Look For In a Winter Coat

Once you’ve got your base layers, beanies, and scarves down pat, the next step is the Big Coat. Each of the coats we’ve included above pass our standards for high-quality garments, but when it comes to determining the right coat for your particular winter, here’s what to consider.

• Warmth: Winter is, famously, cold—but more insulation isn’t always better. Linings like flannel, wool, fleece, or corduroy help trap heat, while insulation does the heavy lifting. Down is lighter and warmer by weight; synthetics cost less and will still preserve heat if they get soaked through.
• Waterproofness: Winter is also wet. Whether that’s from an onslaught of rain or melting snow, some sort of water-resistance will likely come in handy. Water-resistant coats rely on treated outer shells—usually DWR or wax—to shed rain and snow (both can be reapplied). More technical options use sealed seams and fabrics like Gore-Tex, which work extremely well but cost more.
• Windproofness: Wind steals the heat your jacket’s trying to trap and preserve. Look for windproof shells of nylon or extremely tightly knit twills.
• Breathability: Breathable jackets may sound counterintuitive in a winter context, but trapped sweat turns into heat-sapping moisture if it can’t escape. If you’re going to be active in your winter jacket—whether from hiking or skiing, or just walking a lot—you’ll want to consider prioritizing an outer fabric that lets the hot air escape, like Gore-Tex or Pertex.

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Winter Coat Shopping FAQ