When you are out winter camping or doing any other winter activity in the extreme cold, the winter coat you wear can often make the difference between a fun and enjoyable time and a miserable one. In extreme situations, it can make the difference between life and death.
There are “normal” winter coats that people buy at places like JCPenney’s. These are fine for running around town, getting in and out of the car, or being outside for short periods. But when you will be out in close to zero or subzero weather for a significant amount of time, you must have a high-quality, serious coat that will keep you warm and cozy.
In this article, we will discuss what I feel are the top 5 highest-quality, warmest women’s winter coats on the market today. These are the warmest and highest quality, not necessarily the most expensive. Okay, let’s get into it! See also my related articles: “Top 5 Warmest Women’s Beanies for 2024!” and “Top 5 Warmest Women’s Winter Pants & Bibs for 2024!“
Fortress All Weather Gear Storm Coat
This coat, the Fortress All Weather Gear’s Storm Coat, is not part of my top 5 list, only because it is designed for either men or women rather than just for women. I include it only as an extra because it has amazing qualities none of the other coats have, and I think you should know about it.
It is made using Fortress’s patented, technologically advanced AERIS™ 250 insulation that has been proven to keep a person warm and comfortable in sub-zero temperatures, even if you get it soaking wet.
Fortress went up to a frozen lake in -10 F weather to test the insulation used in this coat, cut a hole in the ice, and had someone wearing this insulation jump in. They have done this test multiple times, and every time, within a minute or two after the person gets out of the water, they stop shivering and are warm and comfortable, even though they are still wet. They did not need to change out of their wet clothes.
Clothes made out of this material could really save a person’s life in extreme conditions. Below is a video of one of Fortress’s tests, having a person jump through a hole in a frozen lake. Please take a few minutes and watch it. It is amazing.
Okay, now let’s really get into my top 5 list of the highest-quality, warmest coats designed specifically for women!
1. Canada Goose Women’s Expedition Parka
Canada Goose makes eight versions of their Women’s Expedition Parkas, each rated for -22 F or below. (For the full selection, see Amazon and Canada Goose). They have different colors, lengths, and styles, so I recommend clicking on that link to their website and looking them all over. These coats are made for extreme Canadian winter conditions, so you know that these are top-quality, really warm coats.
The insulation they use in these coats, which they call their “extreme weather MVP, Recycled Organic Arctic Tech” insulation, combines synthetic and natural fibers. It is about 83% polyester and 17% cotton, but the cotton is treated and is moisture-resistant. Canada Goose makes exceptional extreme weather gear. They are one of the best of the best.
Pros:
- Exceptional Warmth: These women’s expedition parkas are rated to keep you warm in temperatures -22 F or below!
- Moisture Wicking: This insulation’s synthetic and treated fibers wick moisture away from the body, keeping you dry and comfortable.
- Lifetime Warranty: Because Canada Goose parkas are made so well, they are fully warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for the product’s lifetime.
Cons:
- Price Point: The advanced technology and quality materials used in these parkas make them more expensive than many lesser-quality coats.
2. Alpine North Women’s Vegan Down Long Parka
The Alpine North Women’s Vegan Down Long Parka is also rated for an impressive -22 F and below temperature. Check out the prices on both Amazon and Alpine North. So this is a very warm parka that will keep you warm in very cold weather. That is pretty impressive.
Alpine North calls the down they use in this parka “vegan” or “animal free” because in 2017 they switched from feather down to a completely synthetic option. So, no new animals were killed or injured to get the down used in these parkas.
The same applies to the furs used in their coat hats and cuffs. Their website says, “no fox, coyote, or wolf has been, or ever will be, implicated in making our outerwear’s synthetic fur trims.”
Alpine North is a well-known company in business for over 30 years. And they are known for using quality materials in their products.
Pros:
- Exceptional Warmth: This Alpine North Women’s Vegan Down Long Parka is rated for an impressive -22 F and below.
- Recycled Down: Alpine North likes to call this a “vegan” or “animal-free” parka because the down is synthetic.
- Durable Construction: Alpine North is known for using good quality materials.
Cons:
- Cold When Wet: This parka uses normal down, and so has the warmth limitations of down when wet.
3. Fjällräven Women’s Expedition Long Down Parka
The Fjällräven Women’s Expedition Long Down Parka is another very high-quality warm women’s coat. They don’t have a lot of different versions of this coat that I can find. The price is the same both on Amazon and Fjällräven. They do have some variation in colors for this coat.
This is an extra-long parka version made from recycled polyamide and padded with a combination of down and synthetic insulation (approx. 50% of each). The padding is distributed in two layers, one for down and one for synthetics.
They use “an offset construction” that gives maximum warmth without cold spots. This parka is designed for everyday use, forest walks, or ice fishing outings. It is rated for -13 F or below.
Pros:
- Exceptional Warmth: These women’s expedition long-down parkas are rated to keep you warm in temperatures -13 F or below!
- Moisture Warmth: This parka’s mix of down and synthetic insulation layers gives you the best of both worlds, keeping you warm even if you are sweating.
- Durable Construction: Fjällräven used the highest quality materials to construct this parka.
Cons:
- Price Point: The advanced technology and quality materials used in these parkas make them more expensive than many lesser-quality coats.
4. Mammut Eigerjoch Pro IN Women’s Hooded Jacket
The Mammut Eigerjoch Pro IN Women’s Hooded Jacket is an extra-warm insulated jacket for cold and harsh conditions. The coat’s outer layer is made of the extra-lightweight and abrasion-resistant Pertex® Quantum Pro material.
In extreme situations, an additional water-repellent coating provides further protection. Thanks to the revolutionary twin chamber construction and RDS-certified goose down, you stay toasty without cold spots.
The jacket has partially taped seams and is insulated with PrimaLoftTM synthetic fiber insulation made from recycled polyester in addition to water-repellent down that has been treated.
Pros:
- Exceptional Warmth: This Mammut Eigerjoch Pro IN Women’s Hooded Jacket uses both down and synthetic insulation to keep you warm in freezing conditions.
- Moisture Warmth: This jacket’s mix of water-resistant treated down and synthetic insulation gives you the best of both worlds, keeping you warm even if you are sweating.
- Durable Construction: Mammut is known for the quality of its materials.
Cons:
- Price Point: The advanced technology and quality materials used in these parkas make them more expensive than many lesser-quality coats.
5. Kuhl Ukon Women’s Down Parka
The Kuhl Ukon Women’s Down Parka has a tough wax-coated exterior that protects against rugged wind and water. It is insulated throughout with RDS-certified goose down. This parka is very warm in cold conditions. It also has “strategically placed” breathable stretch panels that allow optimal motion freedom.
The coat is not only designed to be warm but to be stylish. They want you to look good while staying warm!
Another good thing about this parka is how well it is built. If not, we would not have it on this list. The materials this parka is made of are high-quality.
Pros:
- Exceptional Warmth: The Kuhl Ukon Women’s Down Parkas use the well-known warmth of Goose Down!
- Moisture Resistant: This parka’s outer layer is wax-coated to protect against wind and water.
- Durable Construction: Kuhl is known for the high-quality materials it uses.
Cons:
- Price Point: The advanced technology and quality materials used in these parkas make them more expensive than many lesser-quality coats.
Final Thoughts
Remember the criteria we focused on in putting together this list of the warmest winter coats is, first, the highest quality because that is how we roll on this site. The second is we were looking for the warmest out there since that is what the article is about.
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