The 8 best parkas for men in 2024, tested and reviewed

Pros: As warm as parkas get

Cons: None

I've tested a lot of winter coats and parkas over the years and Triple F.A.T. Goose has yet to disappoint me. It's one of the few brands that consistently check off all the boxes for adequate warmth, functionality, style, and value.

The Triple F.A.T. Goose Staden Down Parka was first introduced a few years ago, but got phased out for other similar styles. I'm glad to see it back because of how well-equipped it is. 

With an eco-friendly, durable waterproof coating, sealed seams and zippers, and a 3-layer waterproof outer shell, you won't have any problems staying dry in this coat. And with a 750-fill power rating, it's one of the warmest choices on this list. Other key features like the retractable storm cuffs with thumb holes, six fleece-lined pockets (no need to worry about putting your hands into cold nylon pockets), and adjustable drawcords, add to the warmth. 

Some of my favorite features are the magnetic fastenings on the storm flap and two front pockets. They're easy to access, even with gloves on, and never have to spend time fastening a row of buttons to block out the elements. 

With sizes going up to a 5XL, this is easily the most size-inclusive parka we've tested.

Pros: Affordable, high-quality and heavily packed down, waterproof, relatively breathable

Cons: Faux fur can be a little ratty (but you can ditch it)

If you're on a budget (and quite frankly even if you're not) it's hard to make a case against L.L.Bean's Baxter State Parka. It's loaded with pockets, windproof and waterproof, and warm as anything.

Where sustainability is concerned, L.L.Bean uses DownTek down, which is RDS-certified, and there's plenty of it to keep you warm.

With seven exterior pockets, three interior pockets, and one on the sleeve with a snap-closure storm flap, you'll have no problem fitting everything you need on your person for your winter commutes or snowy hikes. 

The hood comes with a wire insert that allows you to shape it around your head, which we like a lot. You can also just zip the faux fur ruff away and forget about it altogether. We also tried the Maine Mountain Parka, which is similar, and we were very impressed with the quality.

Pros: Durable, utilitarian but still stylish

Cons: Not waterproof

Originally released in 1974, the Expedition Down Jacket is one of Fjallraven's most iconic designs. It was initially created for cold-weather explorers who needed serious protection from sub-freezing temperatures, and its current version serves the same purpose.

Of the many winter coats and parkas I've tested, the Expedition Down Jacket is excellent if staying warm is your primary objective. The jacket has a 700-fill power, a below-the-hip length to block out the cold, an adjustable alpine hood, an adjustable hem, two-way zippers, a durable water-resistant outer lining, and adjustable sleeves. And the most surprising feature of all is that it's packable — something unheard of for jackets this big. In terms of function, I can't think of a single feature I wish it had.

While the Expedition Down Jacket is as no-nonsense as winter coats come, its oversized fit makes it less practical for daily use. For example, I found it uncomfortable and difficult to drive my car while wearing it. If you love the style, but want a jacket that's a bit more practical (and affordable), I also recommend the Expedition Down Lite Jacket.

Pros: Powder skirt blocks snow and wind from going up the parka

Cons: Some people have reported feather loss over time

Founded in 1971 as a social club for mountain climbers, Marmot got its start as bonafide outdoors brand after it began producing its own sleeping bags and parkas in 1973. In 1976, it became the first outdoor brand to use GORE-TEX, a waterproof yet breathable fabric, in its gear. Fifty years later, the brand is still deeply rooted in performance and still uses GORE-TEX in its jackets simply because it's just that good.

The Marmot GORE-TEX Mammoth Parka is the brand's most popular parka design. Fit for expeditions and street use alike, it features a two-layer waterproof GORE-TEX fabric and tape-sealed seems to prevent leak through. While many other parkas have some sort of waterproofing technology, GORE-TEX is by far my favorite technology because it keeps water from getting in, but allows built up moisture from your body to escape the garment. I've worn boots, hats, hoodies, and many jackets featuring the technology and they've all impressed me with how well they hold up to water. 

With a 700-fill power rating, the Marmot Mammoth is incredibly warm and has plenty of features that make it usable for anything the winter has to offer. The powder skirt is a great feature for snow sports from snow tubing to more extreme sports like snowboarding. You'll also find fleece-lined hand warmer pockets on the outside and convenient media pockets on the inside.

Fitting of the Mammoth name, this parka is slightly oversized, so I recommend going true to size. However, adjustable drawcords at the waist and Velcro cuffs allow you to adjust the fit to your liking.

Pros: Longer back hem for increased coverage, internal cuffs help improve fit, overstuffed collar

Cons: Expensive, sizing can run big

Canada Goose is a staple in the world of versatile winter coats and its parkas have been some of my go-tos when temps get frigidly low. It features 750 fill power duck down and is rated TEI 3 according to the brand's own Thermal Experience Index. This means it's capable of keeping you warm from roughly 14° Fahrenheit down to -4°. That capability proves especially useful, too, when the wind starts gusting.

The Brockton Parka comes with a dropped-back hem to increase coverage, as well as an overstuffed collar that helps provide warmth when the coat is zipped all the way up. High-abrasion areas of the parka (like the sleeves) are reinforced with Cordura fabric for added durability. While I'm usually mindful about taking care of my garments, I appreciated the extra durability because of how expensive Canada Goose can be. The parka has reflective accents, which add visibility in low light, but also simply look cool.

The Brockton Parka is thoughtfully designed to keep you warm, but one of its best features helps you cool off when needed. The inside features interior backpack straps, so you can carry the jacket hands-free. I've found this to be a super useful feature on other Canada Goose jackets I've tested as it's kept me from overheating while in the subway, in the mall, or in between runs while snow tubing.  

It is worth pointing out that the sizing of Canada Goose's parkas tends to run a little bigger than a normal coat. I typically size up to a medium for an oversized fit, but going with my true size, small, gives me the perfect oversized fit I like.  

Read our full Canada Goose Cold Room review. 

Pros: Wide color variety

Cons: Lower fill power

While The North Face is deeply rooted in outdoor performance, some of its most technical cold-weather designs have been adopted in fashion. 

Inspired by the original Himalayan Down Parka, the HMLYN Down Parka bridges the gap between high-alpine gear and streetwear fashion. As a toned-down version of the original, the HMLYN Down Parka features the iconic retro look and feel of The North Face parkas with large down-filled baffles and bold color-blocking, while being more comfortable for daily wear.

The jacket features 550-fill power down, durable water-resistant coating, adjustable cords on the hem and hood, and plenty of interior and exterior storage pockets.

Overall, the HMLYN Down Parka is a great choice of men's winter coats for people who love the look of burly parkas like the original Himalayan Down Parka, but have no intentions of scaling any mountains. Not to mention, it's more affordable.

Pros: 100% recycled and vegan, plenty of zippered compartments for storage, backpack-style straps for indoor convenience

Cons: Sleek and slim design doesn't have classic parka look

Frank and Oak, a brand known for crossing cruelty-free and recycled materials with high performance, finds a solid middle ground in between bulk and warmth with their Capital Parka. While the Parka definitely has an appropriate amount of bulk to keep you warm, and also the right length to cover your posterior, it's not overly heavy and when I'm wearing it I don't feel like I'm taking up more than my allotted space in a busy Subway train.

We've tested a previous version of this parka that boasted 60% recycled polyester and 40% regular polyester, the new iteration now has zero virgin polyester in addition to being completely vegan and cruelty-free. Instead of goose or duck feathers to fill the jacket, they utilize Primaloft ThermoPlume insulation, designed to keep you warm in temperatures as low as 22 below zero. Additionally, the jacket is windproof and waterproof, with a Hydrophobic shell and waterproofed sealed seams, and even waterproofed zipped pockets. I also appreciate the jersey sleeve, which helps keep your wrists protected on a windy day. What this all boils down to is that you don't need to compromise on performance to wear this coat that matches your sustainability and ethical guidelines.

Functionally, the coat checks off what most people who aren't wandering around in sub-freezing temperatures need, while also offering a sleek design with plenty of fun convenience features. My favorite features are the magnets that clasp the main zipper and exterior pockets closed because you don't have to deal with buttoning or clasping anything to fully seal yourself from the cold. This is also especially helpful when you're wearing gloves or mittens. There's a good amount of interior pocket space, one side with three compartments, a zipper section on top of a velcro on top of a mesh pouch, and a singular velcro pouch on the other side. There is also a sneaky zipper pocket on the sleeve that is perfect for quick access items like a credit card or a pack of tissues plus another hidden pocket on the outside of the main zipper. The hood and waist can be tightened to your liking, and the jacket also comes with backpack straps attached to the interior. — Danny Bakst, former Senior Manager, Story Production

Pros: Lots of pockets

Cons: No adjustable drawcords at waist or hem

There's something about an oversized parka that always wins me over. Not only is comfortable to wear a coat that's not tight and restrictive, but if you choose the right one, it'll look great, too. The North Face's Coldworks Insulated Parka is one of the best-looking and most useful choices available.

The North Face is often known for its bright color-blocking (which I love too), but it's refreshing to see some neutral colors like the Almond Butter I tested and the Coal Brown that's also available. Aside from the color options, the style is timeless. It features four large pockets at the chest and hips that are reminiscent of military field jackets.

The Coldworks Parka isn't the absolute warmest jacket in terms of a fill power rating, but it has excellent coverage to block out the cold with the below-the-waist fit, adjustable hood, and adjustable cuffs. Plus, the relaxed oversized fit allows you to adequately layer up underneath. I love to wear chunky sweaters, hoodies, and fleeces in the winter, didn't mind wearing another layer for added warmth.

Despite not having the highest fill power rating, I wouldn't hesitate to wear it in the snow. It's made using The North Face's proprietary DryVent material, so it's waterproof and breathable at the same time.

The only disappointment I had with this parka was the lack of an adjustable draw cord at the hem. As much as I like the style, this parka fits me just a bit too big in a size medium. If you're in between sizes like I am, I recommend choosing the smaller size because you'll still have plenty of room.

For this guide, I tested each parka in the real world over several winter seasons. Each parka was worn during the coldest months of the year. I considered the overall warmth, water resistance, comfort, bulkiness, style, and important design features like adjustable cuffs, hand warmer pockets, and removable hoods.

I also considered testing a variety of styles to meet different people's needs and budgets. Some parkas are designed for more technical use, but my testing was based on everyday wear — as the average person would wear them — outside a controlled environment.

How do brands sustainably use down?

The sustainability and ethics surrounding down and fur are inherently points of contention. The animal welfare of waterfowl is slightly more clear-cut and traceable: Many of the brands in our guide, including Fjallraven and Triple F.A.T. Goose, put their down through rigorous testing to identify whether or not the down was plucked from live animals.

Triple F.A.T. Goose puts its down through the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL) to meet the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Then there's the Global Traceable Down Standard (Global TDS), which is certified by the NSF and slightly more rigorous in requiring parent farm certification. That means that whatever farm an egg or a hatchling came from must be certified, too.

Otherwise, the RDS and Global TDS are almost identical, and both essentially uphold the Five Freedoms, ensuring that the ducks and geese whose feathers and down are collected are not force-fed, live-plucked, malnourished, or transported from farm to farm.

Do brands still use real fur?

Some do, yes. Fur can come from animals that have been farmed (as is often the case with foxes and minks), or it can come from wild animals. Coyote fur, which is usually what you'll see adorning parkas, is generally trapped or hunted. A lot of brands source coyote fur from places where they're deemed to be a problem species, either by way of overpopulation, mange, or invasiveness. Blue fox is the most common type of fox fur used in the industry, and is often sourced from farms certified by Nordic fur trading companies, such as Saga. 

When brands disclose their own use of fur, a general practice is to list their compliance and cooperation with game trapping laws and standards set forth by the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) in Canada and the Best Management Practices (BMP) standards in the United States.

Fur does indeed have moisture-wicking properties and warmth that no synthetic material can match. But we see it being phased out by more and more brands, as public opinion has generally shifted towards "cruelty free" alternatives. For example, Triple F.A.T. Goose stopped producing new fur based products as of 2021. Canada Goose still offers fur trimmed parkas, but announced they stopped manufacturing with fur in late 2022.