Womens Winter Outerwear

Insulation
Where you live and how you spend your time outside determine how much insulation you need to stay warm. If you're out chopping wood, feeding livestock, or running from the car to the office, you can get away with something lighter. If you're standing around the tailgate, waiting for the bus, or counting birds at a field station, you'll want a much warmer jacket.

Down Insulation
Down insulation is the fluffy plumage that grows beneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. It's one of nature's great insulators. Unfortunately, harvesting it usually kills the bird. See our Sourcing Ethics discussion below for more information on this topic.

Synthetic Insulation
Synthetic insulation is any human-made insulator. It's usually plastic-based, such as polyester threading and fibers that mimic the structure of down. The fibers trap warm air like down, but they don't clump or lose loft when wet.

Features
Features like fleece-lined pockets and insulated hoods can make a big difference in how warm a winter jacket keeps you. Cozy cuffs are a favorite example, particularly those with thumb holes. Cinched waists that block drafts are another.

Hoods
Any self-respecting winter jacket is going to have a hood. Not only does it protect your head in stormy weather, but it also provides warmth on frigid days. Many zip or snap off for mild days or shoulder seasons.

Pockets
We appreciate the winter jackets that feature pockets with soft fleece lining. They warm our hands up quickly. And be sure to check that there is insulation between the pockets and the outside of the coat. Many pockets aren't insulated, and we always notice.

Two-way Zippers
Two-way zippers are more or less mandatory on any knee-length parka. Long jackets are more challenging to move around in than a mid-thigh or hip-length option. Unzipping the bottom a bit helps you walk and sit comfortably. Almost all knee-length models we tested have a two-way zipper.

Storm Flaps
We appreciate jackets with a storm flap to snap over the zipper, providing extra protection from wind and water. A bonus is that the snaps can quickly close the coat if it's not cold enough to zip it all the way up, or you're in a hurry.

Cuffs
Wrist cuffs are excellent at trapping heat and keeping precipitation out. The cuffs on the jackets we've tested are fleece, knit, elastic, or nylon. Others are adjustable via a snap or Velcro closure. Some work better than others.

Shell
Very cold places tend to be dry. Frigid air doesn't have the energy to carry much moisture and, if it does, that water is frozen. Warmer winters tend to be wetter. In a wet climate, you'll want something waterproof or at least water-resistant. Whether a jacket can resist or completely seal water out depends on its construction and whether it's treated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) coating.

Waterproof Membranes
Waterproof jackets are made by layering fabrics, one of which must be a working waterproof membrane. This layer blocks rainwater or snowmelt. If the membrane is also breathable, it will release some of the heat and sweat you generate through pores, millions of them per cubic inch.

Our main strengths lie in our wide range of expertise, outstanding quality, reasonable prices and short lead times. We have an experienced management team and strong sample development skills. Quality, speed, and competitive pricing are the core elements of our production. We ensure that all products are monitored and tested at each stage of the production process, and all finished items are under final inspection before packing. We accept small orders, capsule collections, OEM & ODM orders.