The Best Men’s Parkas to Wear This Winter

While owning a wide range of jackets is the mark of a true style connoisseur, we understand the need for simplification. That’s why we’d recommend a parka for any guy who’s looking to cut the fat from his wardrobe this upcoming season and focus on an outerwear piece to replace their most utilized garments. Below, we’ve curated a selection of our favorite men’s parka jackets from around the industry, placing an emphasis on utility, structure, and weatherproofing.

What’s the point of a Parka?

As the quintessential winter garment, the parka is a well-rounded contender that could (and should) put the rest of your outerwear to shame. Not only does it boast the warm, insulated fill of its puffy counterparts, or the technical, waterproof textiles that you’d find in the genre’s more expeditionary pieces, but it’s also inherently good looking, thanks to its unique cut, fur neckline, and draped silhouette.

Parka history

We can trace the parka’s origins back to indigenous Arctic cultures (historically called an “anorak”), and they found fame during World War II when the U.S. military began using them for cold conditions. Shortly after, it became a symbol of rebellion in the ’50s and ’60s, embraced by the counter-culture at the time (much like other military surplus gear). These days, parkas are just as much about the style as they are about the warmth they provide, and are still just as iconic.

what to look for

Insulation: First off, you want a parka with solid insulation, like down (usually duck) or something synthetic. Down is great for its warmth-to-weight ratio, and synthetic insulation is good for staying warm in wet conditions. If the parka has down insulation, higher fill power down will be warmer and easier to pack down. 

Fit/Length: Make sure your parka has enough room for layering underneath without making you look too puffy. Features like adjustable drawstrings for the waist and adjustable hoods can help you get a more custom fit as well. Also, if you want extra protection against the elements, go for a longer parka. 

Shell: Your parka should be made from waterproof and breathable materials like GORE-TEX or eVent. These not only keep the rain out, but also let your body breathe so you don’t get too hot.

Pockets: We all love storage, and while it’s especially convenient for winter gear, you should keep an eye out for parkas with hand warmer pockets (or at least lined hand pockets).

Alpha Industries N-3B Parka

Best Budget Parka: Alpha Industries is one of the most iconic outerwear brands in the world, and its militaristic garments are second to none. They’re so beloved, in fact, that many of their silhouettes have been adopted as trademarks within branches of the armed forces, including the N-3B Heritage — a dependable example that derives its design from the USAF Snorkel parka. Like any good parka model, it features a protective hood with removable faux fur for added comfort and warmth, a full-length storm flap, and channel-quilted lining for increased reinforcement against wear and tear. A tough nylon shell helps to deter the elements, making the N-3B a surefire pick for those who are looking for a (surprisingly) affordable alternative to some of the genre’s more expensive models.

L.L.Bean Maine Mountain Parka

Best Starter Parka: L.L.Bean continues to enamor with its heritage-focused outerwear pieces. This time, we’re focusing on its Maine Mountain parka — a tasteful model that pairs traditional design cues with modern fabric technologies to create the quintessential garment for outdoor exploration. Each example boasts a sleek, simplified appearance, complete with abrasion-resistant, waterproof TEK canvas, 650-fill DownTek insulation, and an adjustable snorkel hood for increased protection from the elements. Of course, it’s difficult to call it a “parka” without the addition of a removable faux fur ruff, so L.L.Bean decided to throw one in as an added bonus.

The North Face McMurdo Parka

Best Relaxed Fit Parka: The famous outdoor brand’s McMurdo Down Parka is windproof, waterproof, and boasts 600-fill power down-insulation. Then, it’s finished with a recycled nylon plain weave construction and a DWR treatment to protect anyone who throws it on from winter weather’s typical unpredictability. The iconic piece of outerwear is rounded out with a pair of front patch pockets, secure-zip alpine chest pockets, and an adjustable hood with removable faux fur for added warmth from neck to waist.

Helly Hansen Urban Lab Down Parka

Best City Parka: Functional, streamlined, and durable, there’s typically no way you can go wrong with any parka from Helly Hansen. That said, the Urban Lab Down is one of our favorites from the outdoor outfitter, equipped with a trusty DWR finish and sturdy waterproof membrane to ensure protection from rain and slush all ski season long. Of course, this option is far more technical than the traditional parka. However, it’s still worth operating in city environments, boasting convenient details ideal for the average daily commuter, including roomy hand pockets and a D-ring.

Houdini M’s One Parka

Best Lightweight Parka: Houdini’s technical proficiency is a godsend for the outerwear world, and its parkas are truly one-of-a-kind. While other brands are more interested in perfecting the formula of construction and utility, the outfit’s One Parka seeks to transcend the boundaries of traditional function, resulting in a decidedly pleasing garment. This sleek, technical piece features a waterproof and breathable 2.5-layer shell, which takes the place of the genre’s lined options. As a result, it’s lighter (and more breathable) than your average outdoor jacket, allowing you to utilize it at various points throughout the year. To accent its slim persona, the One has been crafted to be a bit more spacious than other models, giving you the opportunity to layer up from the inside, should the need arise.

Arc’Teryx Therme Parka

Best All-Arounder: Arc’Teryx continues its utilitarian rampage with the Therme parka — an urban essential that’s equally as viable in the outdoor environment. To keep it as functionally sound as possible, the brand has incorporated a waterproof, and windproof GORE-TEX face fabric, as well as an innovative Down Contour Construction that allows the garment to form to the body for more efficient heat retention. Utilizing a specialized Down Composite Mapping system, Arc’teryx has pinpointed the areas of the parka where synthetic insulation provides the most benefit, introducing lofty, high-performance 750-fill European goose down throughout. To offset this, a synthetic Coreloft substitute is used in the jacket’s cuffs and hood, enhancing moisture control in some of its most prominent areas.

Norrona Oslo Gore-Tex Insulated Parka

Best GORE-TEX Parka: Norrona’s Oslo GORE-TEX Insulated parka is a lesser-known garment within the outerwear world, but don’t let its understated following deter your opinion. The fact is, it stands at the top of the parka range, thanks to its waterproof and insulated GORE-TEX shell, recycled PrimaLoft insulation, and sleek, eye-catching design. While this classic model features a fully protective hood, fleece-lined front pockets, and storm-guard flaps, it becomes abundantly clear that where the jacket truly shines is in its visual appearance. When compared to the busier, more complicated models on our list, it stands apart with a simplified exterior, inlaid pocketing, and protected zippers, allowing it to maintain its streamlined aesthetic.

Woolrich Luxe Long Parka

Best Wool Parka: While it may not be doused in the heritage brand’s beloved shade of buffalo check, Woolrich’s Luxe Long Parka is a premium option suited for more upscale dressers. The sturdy, wind-resistant piece is made using luxury Italian wool, insulated with 90/10 duck down, and horizontally quilted to maintain the traditional look of your favorite parka. For the sake of keeping things simple and elegant altogether, the piece is available in black or a deep shade of blue.

Canada Goose Expedition Parka

Best Premium Parka: Drawing inspiration from the snowy expanses of Antarctica, this unique garment is as close as you’re going to get to a surefire expeditionary garment, thanks to its adjustable, down-filled hood, fleece-lined chin guard, and hide-away nylon snow skirt, which can be deployed at a moment’s notice when the weather takes a turn for the worse. To remain in line with the parka aesthetic, a removable fur ruff, and 625-fill Power White Duck down have been added to keep the elements at bay.

The Best Lightweight Quilted Jackets

If you want some winter warmth without the weight, consider a pick from our best quilted jackets guide.