Guide to Buying a Winter Jacket — What Should You Consider?

As the weather cools, it’s time to bring out warmer clothing. A warm jacket is one of the most comfortable pieces to wear on chilly days. Winter jackets have developed significantly in recent years, and we’ve put together a guide for anyone shopping for a new winter coat.

For many, the first image that comes to mind when thinking about a winter jacket is a thick and warm padded coat. However, it’s worth taking a moment to consider what the jacket will be used for. The warmest jacket is not always the most versatile — and may not be the smartest choice for your specific needs.

Things to Consider When Buying a Winter Jacket:

• Purpose of Use: For urban use or outdoor adventures?
• Insulation Material and Amount: Down or synthetic, and how much insulation?
• Weather Resistance: Do you need a water- or windproof winter jacket?
• Breathability: Potentially breathable materials and ventilation openings.
• Fit and Comfort: Right size — does it fit over a sweater?
• Details: Pockets, hood, two-way zipper, reflectors, etc.
• Durability and Sustainability: Check down certifications and ease of care.
• Value for Money: A good winter jacket is an investment for years to come.

Fjällräven Winter Jackets

Fjällräven is one of our biggest and most popular winter jacket brands. Their extensive range includes jackets for polar expeditions, ski touring, day hikes, as well as everyday urban use.

A very warm option from Fjällräven is the Expedition Down Lite Jacket. For winter day hikes or as a stylish city jacket, we recommend the Skogsö Padded Jacket for men and the Greenland Winter Parka for women.

Winter Jackets for Light Outdoor Use and the City

If you don’t live in the far north of Finland and plan to use your jacket for light outdoor activities and city wear — including in autumn and spring — you might want to consider whether you need a waterproof jacket. Especially in damp, rainy autumn weather, outdoor activities become more enjoyable with a waterproof coat.

A jacket without extremely thick insulation is often more versatile. It works well in slightly warmer weather, and in colder conditions, you can adjust the insulation level with a mid-layer like a sweater.

Pictured: the beautiful Didriksons Leya Parka 2, a winter jacket that works well in both autumn and spring.

Our Didriksons selection includes stylish and functional jackets, especially suited for the variable weather in southern Finland. The collection features waterproof jackets with varying insulation levels. Warm jackets have insulation thicknesses of 100–140 g/m², while very warm jackets range from 160–250 g/m².

Popular models for women:

Women’s Erika Parka 3 — Fairly long, waterproof, with 180 g/m² insulation.

Women’s Marion 2 Parka — Long, protective winter coat, not waterproof, windproof and breathable. Whopping 300 g/m² insulation.

Popular models for men:

Men’s Drew Parka 8 — Waterproof, long parka with 200 g/m² insulation.

Men’s Akilles 2 Parka — Waterproof, hooded, with a generous 250 g/m² of insulation.

Finnish brand Halti also offers a stylish winter jacket collection. Their coats are well-suited for urban environments and combine quality with functionality.

Our best-selling women’s winter coat year after year is the Jack Wolfskin Women’s Frozen Palace Coat. This jacket is a very popular choice for a warm city coat, but thanks to its high-quality FP 700 down, it’s also used for hiking. The coat packs down very small and, of course, feels feather-light to wear.

Columbia offers a wide selection of winter jackets with great value for money.

Most of The North Face winter jackets are suitable for both city life and outdoor activities. Especially among youth, North Face jackets are popular as everyday coats, but their high quality also makes them great for hikes. These jackets work well as warm layers during breaks and pack compactly into a backpack.

Winter Jackets for Hiking and Active Outdoor Use

During hikes and active outdoor activities, your heart rate goes up and your body generates heat and moisture. A too-warm winter jacket can easily make you sweat — usually, a lightly insulated winter jacket is sufficient.

A common mistake when buying a winter jacket for hiking or active use is choosing a size that’s too small. The jacket shouldn’t be too fitted, so you can comfortably wear a mid-layer underneath when needed.

Often on hikes, you only need a warm jacket when resting or at camp. In these cases, a packable, lighter jacket that fits easily into a backpack is ideal. Many hikers opt for lightweight padded or down jackets.

Rab offers a wide range of down jackets for winter and lightweight down jackets for year-round use — although in summer, such warmth usually isn’t needed. The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket is one of our most popular lightweight down jackets, and its stylish design makes it great for city wear too. It packs conveniently into a backpack.

Rab also makes winter jackets for extreme cold, such as the Positron Pro jackets with water-repellent outer fabric, or the slightly lighter Neutrino Pro Hoody jackets.

Haglöfs is a popular jacket brand among hikers, offering everything from very warm to lightweight jackets. A high-quality outdoor jacket is also suitable for everyday wear.

You can find all winter jackets and down jackets [here].