The Warmest Winter Coats For Women, Tested And Scored

When the temperature drops, your outerwear becomes even more essential than usual. The warmest winter coats for women can conquer everything from subzero cold to wet, snowy conditions to bitter winds. To find the true champions out there, I spent months testing more than a dozen different options, in extremely cold weather and freezing rain, and interviewed technical outerwear experts. In the end, The North Face Arctic Parka emerged as the best warmest winter coat for women to wear everyday due to its versatility and optimal insulation, and with the newly updated version’s enhancements, there’s even more to love. The warm and cozy REI Norseland Insulated Parka 2.0 won for the best value pick.

But since no one jacket is perfect for every person or climate, I tested a range of options for specific uses. Here are all the winners, along with expert advice and details on how I picked the best winter coats for women at the end. And to keep you fully outfitted for winter, I also tested the best women’s winter boots.

• Warmest Winter Coat For Women Overall: The North Face Arctic Parka
• Warmest Affordable Winter Coat: REI Norseland Insulated Parka 2.0
• Warmest 3-In-1 Winter Coat: Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka
• Warmest Winter Parka: Tentree Daily Parka
• Warmest Winter Puffer: Canada Goose Cypress Hooded Jacket
• Warmest Long Winter Coat: Lululemon Wunder Puff Long Jacket
• Warmest Winter Down Coat: Patagonia Down With It Parka
• Warmest Winter Coat For Extreme Cold: Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka

Sizes: XS to 3X | Colors: 9 total, including TNF Black and Almond Butter | Shell materials: 100% recycled polyester with non-PFC durable water-repellent | Length: Mid-thigh | Insulation: 600 fill-power recycled waterfowl down | Hood: Yes, insulated

Best for:

• Everyday cold-weather wear
• Versatile outdoor adventures
• Daily work commutes

Skip if:

• You want the full-body protection of a longer-length parka

The North Face Arctic Parka is a warm, weatherproof and stylish winter coat for everyday wear. It’s not too heavy-duty for daily errands, yet robust enough to withstand all but the harshest winter conditions. I’ve tested a past season model along with the newly updated version, which has a few key upgrades that solidify its status as the best women’s winter coat. It’s insulated with 600 fill-power recycled waterfowl down, the ideal amount for a warm winter jacket. The two-layer waterproof and breathable exterior fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester and treated with a non-PFC (aka, better for the environment) durable water repellent (DWR) finish, providing excellent protection against wind, rain, snow and cold temperatures. The Arctic Parka protected me from the usual winter chill and, with proper layering, even kept me warm during an extremely cold polar vortex, enduring temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Arctic Parka has a trim fit and streamlined design that’s more city-friendly than your typical oversized parka. (If you wear heavy sweaters or multiple layers, you may want to size up). The length hits mid-thigh, offering good coverage and freedom of movement when walking. A cinchable elastic drawstring defines the waist, with the toggles hidden inside the handpockets so you don’t have to unzip the jacket to make adjustments. The two-way zipper glides well, and I was able to do it up with heavier mittens on. The older version featured knit cuffs that were cozy, but not the best at keeping out snow; the updated elasticized cuffs have a thumbhole, and are less bulky and better at accommodating gloves. The zippered hand pockets have a soft brushed lining, though they aren’t insulated, and the interior pocket is big enough to hold your smartphone.

The hood doesn’t detach, but it’s warm and cinchable to the face, plus the removable faux-fur trim does an excellent job of blocking cold wind. Previously, I was not fond of the older parka version’s front storm flap, which used hook-and-loop closures that often snagged on scarves. The North Face has remedied this problem by switching to snaps, enhancing the jacket’s overall functionality to the point where there’s nothing to detract from its appeal.

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Sizes: XS to 3X | Colors: 6 total, including Falcon Brown and Raisin | Shell materials: Nylon | Insulation: 650 fill-power RDS duck down | Length: Mid-thigh | Hood: Yes, fleece-lined

Best for:

• Everyday wear
• Most winter activities
• Urban commuting and city life

Skip if:

• You need a waterproof winter coat

The REI Norseland Insulated Parka 2.0 is a versatile and reliable winter coat that caters to a variety of scenarios. It offers great value because it’s warm and stylish, with features that are typically found in winter coats that cost a lot more. It’s insulated with 650 fill-power duck down, which is excellent for an everyday coat, striking a balance between being lightweight and cozy without feeling bulky, and its durable construction should have it lasting for many years.

The Norseland 2.0 has a roomy fit that allowed me to comfortably layer a thick sweater underneath for extra warmth on extremely cold days. The parka hits mid-thigh, with a little extra drop-down coverage in the back to help hold onto heat without restricting movement. To further improve mobility and add ventilation, it has a two-way zipper in the front and 6-inch side zippers, which are particularly useful when navigating steps or during active outings. And the zippers are conveniently outfitted with pull tabs that allow for use with thick gloves on.

The parka isn’t waterproof, but the outer nylon shell is treated with a DWR finish that works well to shed light rain and snow, and a storm flap over the front zipper adds extra wind protection. However, if you’re outside in heavy, wet snow for extended periods of time, moisture will start to soak into the fabric, particularly the fleece hood. If your winter is a wet one, consider a waterproof winter coat, like The North Face Arctic Parka.

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Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 total, including Northern Green and Smolder Blue | Shell Materials: 100% recycled polyester | Insulation: 700 fill-power recycled duck and goose down | Length: Above the knee | Hood: Yes, removable

Best for:

• A wardrobe staple you can use year-round
• Nearly any winter conditions you’ll find yourself in
• Urban and outdoor activities

Skip if:

• You’re looking for extreme warmth

The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is great if you live in an area with heavy snowfall and frequent rain. This versatile coat consists of a rugged outer shell and a zip-out down puffer jacket, which can be worn separately or combined, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of weather conditions, from mild and rainy to cold and snowy. It’s a practical choice for winter, no matter what the forecast calls for.

The exterior features Patagonia’s H2No Performance Standard fabric, a robust two-layer waterproof and windproof material made of recycled polyester. It also has a PFC-free DWR finish for added protection. The outer shell has a detachable hood large enough to fit a beanie, and the extended brim did an excellent job of keeping snow and rain off my face. The inner insulated jacket also delivers exceptional warmth for its weight, courtesy of its 700 fill-power recycled down and heat-trapping horizontal baffles. While it may not be as toasty as some other options, like the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka, it’s more compressible for travel.

The Tres 3-in-1 Parka offers a tailored fit that’s not too snug, with a length that hits just above the knee, providing unrestricted movement and a stylish look. Wrist zippers on the outer shell allow thicker gloves to be tucked under the cuff, and both coats feature zippered hand pockets for added convenience (although the pockets on the outer shell aren’t very warm). It’s one of the more expensive jackets I tested, but it’s a great investment because you get three jackets in one, providing you with almost year-round use.

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Sizes: XS to XL | Colors: 2 total, including Meteorite Black and Black Olive Green | Shell materials: 100% recycled polyester | Insulation: PrimaLoft (75% recycled polyester) | Length: Mid-thigh | Hood: Yes, attached

Best for:

• Those looking for a warm down-alternative coat
• Cozy everyday protection

Skip if:

• You need a fully waterproof jacket

The Tentree Daily Parka stands out as a meticulously crafted winter parka with synthetic insulation from a brand renowned for its commitment to sustainable everyday wear. This cozy, oversized, water-resistant coat—created from 63 recycled plastic bottles, according to Tentree—is made with a recycled polyester shell and high-performance PrimaLoft insulation that mimics the loftiness of a good-quality down. Tentree gives this jacket a temperature rating down to around -13 degrees Fahrenheit, and while you’d need additional layers to stay warm in those conditions, I kept toasty in -5-degree weather, and its resilient outer shell adeptly handled slush and light rain, making it a versatile option for chilly, damp shoulder-season days.

The Daily Parka has an understated contemporary style suitable for various occasions, with performance-enhancing details like a soft chin guard, taped seams for enhanced protection and a storm flap that securely snaps over the two-way front zipper. The soft, stretchy internal cuffs effectively keep wind and snow at bay, and they comfortably layer under gloves. The insulated hood has a short curved brim that keeps falling snow off my face and a drawcord for customization, but it’s on the smaller side and doesn’t accommodate a beanie as well as some hoods.

What sets this parka apart is its ingenious side pocket layout, featuring three separate compartments to keep your hands warm and your items organized and secure (the pocket opens from the top, and twice on the side: one hand-warmer pocket with a soft brushed lining and one secure zippered pocket). The zipper can be finicky though, and the limited size range will leave some people looking elsewhere.

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