It’s Officially *Too* Cold—These Are the 15 Best Parkas To Wear When You Really Need To Brave the Chill
If you're looking for the best parkas for women, you've come to the right place. There's "chilly" weather, and then there's "please don't make me leave the house, I will actually freeze" weather that feels unbearable. The days are shorter, the winds are mightier, and your favorite leather jacket or well-loved puffer just isn't cutting it anymore. When you do finally muster all the gumption needed to leave the house and brave the elements, your only solution is bundling up in a big (and I mean huge) parka.
Parkas are winter's unsung heroes. They are insulated, long enough to protect your thighs, made for the most frigid of conditions, and are weatherproof enough to stand up to the snow, sleet, slush, and everything in between. With so many options to choose from, we've done the digging, read the reviews, and tried out a few for ourselves to round up the best parkas for women that you're going to want to add to your winter weather wardrobe ASAP.
What makes parkas the best option for the rudest of winter conditions is their level of durability. They are made to trap your body heat in with padded-down or synthetic insulation, and have thick outer shells for added protection. Basically, parkas a great winter staple to invest in. That said, not all parkas are created equally. There are thinner options perfect for layering, casual styles, sleek options that can be dressed up, performance jackets perfect for winter workouts, and picks in every color and pattern under the sun (or lack thereof).
What to look for in a parka
- Material: Most parkas are made of nylon or some sort of fabric, but as you're liking wearing one in inclement weather, you should look for one with some sort of water-repellent, if not waterproof, coating. For something truly waterproof, windproof, and breathable, look for GORE-TEX, but you'll also pay more for it.
- Filling: If warmth is what you're looking for, it's hard to beat down. Made from the plumage underneath feathers, down filling is lightweight, squish-able, and great for trapping warmth. Down is measured by fill power, which is how many cubic inches one ounce of down can fill—the higher the number, the warmer and lighter a parka is. The downside of down is that if it gets wet, it doesn't maintain its warmth, and it tends to be more expensive than synthetic filling. However, down alternatives or synthetic materials tend to be cheaper than down (and friendly).
- Features: Additional features are a matter of preference, but a hood is always convenient for protecting your head, and pockets that are lined and/or zippered/flapped to both keep your hands warm and your valuables safe.
These are the 15 best parkas that will keep you warm and stylish in the sub-zero temperatures, no matter what sort of activities your winter has in store...without looking or feeling like the Michelin man.
Warmest parkas
This black oversized number is easy to match with any day-to-night outfit because of its minimalist design. It’s conveniently machine washable, and the 100 percent recycled nylon shell and polyester and down lining makes it eco-friendly, too. The hidden drawstring waist and hood make it great for styling up or down, and the flap pockets are fleece lined for extra warmth.
Material: 100% recycled polyester
Filling: 100% recycled high-performance Primaloft insulation
Pros:
- Recycled materials
- Adjustable hood and waist
- Water-resistant
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it’s heavy
North Face knows how to make pieces that brave the most frigid of conditions. This parka comes in five different colors to choose from, is lightweight enough to pack, but also filled with down for ultimate insulation. The slim fit is creates a more compact look (and feels more bundled up), and the raglan sleeves and waterproof shell make it great for mobility when doing outdoor winter activities.
Material: 73% nylon, 27% cotton, DWR finish
Filling: 550-fill down
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Down insulation
- Adjustable, removable hood
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it sheds feathers
L.L. Bean is the president of the world of outdoor gear that can withstand the elements. This technical parka falls at your mid-thigh, offering prime mobility, while still featuring a waterproof exterior filled with DownTek insulation that will keep you protected from the elements and cozy warm. The oversized zipper has a rubber grip so it’s easy to pull even if you’re wearing gloves or mittens.
Material: Waterproof TEK canvas exterior
Filling: 650-fill DownTek down
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Down insulation
- Adjustable hood
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs big
Best performance parkas
This hooded parka is light enough to pack, waterproof enough for the most extreme conditions, and features a lightweight, recycled padding that is breathable and doesn’t make you feel like you’re a walking marshmallow, but is, at the same time, also tightly packed and warm.
Material: 100% Eco Circle® recycled Polyester
Filling: 70% recycled polyester 30% polyester
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Recycled materials
- 2-way stretch
Cons:
- Expensive
Featuring a watertight zipper to ensure serious protection against the elements, this hooded parka is made for activity. It’s sleek enough to not feel oppressive, warm enough to withstand an outdoor workout, and the relaxed fit allows for prime mobility.
Material: 2-layer GORE-TEX fabric
Filling: 750-fill-power goose down; 60 g and 80 g Coreloft polyester
Pros:
- GORE-TEX shell
- Down/synthetic blend insulation
- Insulated hood
Cons:
- Expensive
Made for movement, this long parka is versatile enough for outdoor winter workouts and running errands in frigid temperatures. The exterior shell is waterproof, and has goose down insulation to keep you toasty warm. There’s also a removable fleece collar, and backpack straps inside so you can carry the jacket hands-free once you’re inside.
Material: 100% Polyurethane
Filling: 80% Grey goose down, 20% Grey Goose Feathers
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Down insulation
- Cinchable waist and hood
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the zipper sticks
Best hooded parkas
This mid-length, oversized puffer is lightweight and stylish. There are bungees at the hood, waist, and sleeves so you can enjoy a snug fit, and the high collar will keep your neck warm. It also has a glossy finish to help you stand out while you’re outside braving the elements.
Material: Woven fabric
Filling: Not listed
Pros:
- Bungee hood, waist, and sleeves
- High collar
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Shorter in length
This technical hooded parka is the warmest style from the brand. The pockets are fleece-lined to keep your hands toasty warm, and the water-repellent exterior is made with eco-conscious materials that are kind to the environment while keeping you protected.
Material: Fabric with water-repellent treatment
Filling: 80% Polyester, 20% Elastane
Pros:
- Adjustable hood
- Lined pockets
- Water-repellent
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs large
This down parka comes in four colors and is a “capital F” Fashion staple piece. The hood is adjustable and has a removable fur trim, the exterior is water resistant, and the interior is filled with duck down. The snap-close lower back vents are also great for breathability to limit the dreaded “I’m wearing too many layers” sweats. There are also backpack straps inside for when you need to delayer.
Material: Arctic-Tech shell
Filling: 625-fill down insulation
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Down insulation
- Lower back vents
Cons:
- Expensive
Best colorful parkas
Stand out in a crowd in this fitted parka. The jacket is breathable, has great mobility, features a two-way zipper so you can style it as you choose, and has an adjustable waist so you can fit the style to your body.
Material: Recycled Polyester
Filling: RDS FeatherDry down
Pros:
- Lightweight and breathable
- Water-repellent
- Recycled materials
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs large
This bright parka has over 18,000 five-star reviews and comes in 13 colors to choose from. It’s stylish, modern, a statement piece, and has six pockets to fit all of your essentials and cold weather accoutrement. The coat’s 100 percent polyester lining is also very windproof to protect you from the chill.
Material: 100% Polyester
Filling: 90% duck down, 10% duck feather
Pros:
- Down and feather insulation
- Lots of pockets
- Extended sides
Cons:
- Bulkier fit
This statement puffer is long and oversized, perfect for layering and protecting your legs against the wind. It has a detachable faux fur hood trim and a sherpa lined hood, and both a zipper and fisheye buttons to keep the cold out.
Material: 100% Nylon
Filling: Not listed
Pros:
- Extra long
- Sherpa lined hood
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs large
Best lightweight parkas
This down parka is one of the warmest on the list, yet it’s not the heaviest. This is great if you’re hiking (or doing some kind of activity that requires as much mobility as possible without weighing you down). The fleece-lined torso, insulated hood, and hand warmer pockets make sure that all of your bases are covered…literally. The detachable faux fur is also great for dressing up or dressing down the piece.
Material: 100% polyester
Filling:700-fill power down insulation
Pros:
- Water-resistant
- Down insulation
- Two-way zipper
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs small
This long parka comes in five bright shades. It’s streamlined, lightweight, and great for traveling. The down filling is practical for cold weather, but also thin enough to fold easily. The shiny finish of the jacket is also on trend.
Material: 100% nylon
Filling: 90% white duck down,10% feather
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Down and feather insulation
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs small
Looking for a blanket you can wear? This parka feels like a thick duvet or sleeping bag, and is oversized enough to fit many layers inside. And while it’ll keep you covered, you won’t feel like you’re wearing sand bags. The filler is sustainable, the hood has a drawstring to fit it to your head, and the below the knee cut will keep you protected from the wind.
Material: 100% recycled polyester
Filling: Ecoplume™ 100% recycled plastic bottles
Pros:
- Recycled materials
- Drawstring hood
- Two-way zipper
Cons:
- Some reviewers say it runs large
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