The best fall jackets of 2023
Top Brands | May 1, 2023
SAIL
October 1, 2025
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Are you looking for the best winter jacket to take on the season and keep enjoying your favourite outdoor activities no matter what the weather has in store? From freezing temperatures to brisk, damp days, wet snow and bitter winds, winter can be intense… and unpredictable. All the more reason to be prepared and properly equipped! To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a selection of the best winter jacket models and brands for Canadian winters.
In this article, you will discover some of the best winter jackets available:
Columbia is a staple in the outdoor gear industry, and it proudly engineers its products to withstand whatever nature throws at them. This includes waterproof, windproof, breathable fabrics that incorporate some seriously innovative technology. Case in point: the brand’s famous Omni-Heat reflective insulation, which retains body heat without adding bulk — the perfect add-on for a winter jacket designed to keep you toasty during the worst of the Canadian winter.
When you picture a warm, cozy puffer jacket, chances are it looks a lot like the Amaze Puff down winter jacket. With its RDS-certified 650 fill power down insulation, moisture-repellent finish, and fleece-lined pockets, you’ll feel as if you’re wrapped in a blanket even when the temperature drops. As a bonus, its stylish urban design includes removable interior shoulder straps, so you can carry it hands-free when you start working up a sweat.
Want to be ready for just about any type of weather? The Explorer’s Edge II has you covered. Warm, waterproof, breathable and hooded, with Omni-Tech fully sealed seams, this jacket is built to take on anything. Thoughtful details make all the difference when you are pushing for the summit in rough conditions: a hood brim, chin guard to prevent chafing, underarm venting, and a droptail hem for added coverage. It’s everything you need to reach the top and still enjoy the journey.
Ever wondered where The North Face gets its name? It was inspired by the most challenging side of a mountain, and that simple fact speaks volumes about the brand’s ethos. The North Face is well known for its commitment to innovation and to creating products built to withstand the most extreme conditions. Think of the Summit Series or the iconic bright yellow Himalayan Suit many of us remember from the 1990s. Since then, the company has continued to innovate with the goal of helping adventurers spend more time outdoors and look good doing it.
This Hydrenalite puffer has everything you need to take on the harsh Canadian winter while others stay barricaded indoors. Want to make sure your purchase is sustainable? It features 600-fill down insulation made from recycled waterfowl down and a fully recycled water-repellent fabric that is both lightweight and eco-friendly. From daily errands in the city to relaxing at the top of a mountain, this jacket is designed to get you outdoors without harming the planet.
This men’s version of the Hydrenalite jacket comes with the same impressive sustainability features: recycled 600-fill down insulation, fully recycled water-repellent fabric, and the kind of proven durability that keeps it out of landfills. But beyond its green credentials, it is an outstanding piece of gear. Lightweight and easy to compress at the bottom of a bag, it is designed to get you outdoors while others hesitate to open the front door. Wear it daily through the colder months or pack it as an extra layer for rest stops on your winter adventures and enjoy the instant, cozy warmth that only a great puffer provides.
Down vests and parkas were among the first products prototyped by Marmot founders Dave Huntley and Eric Reynolds, and that expertise remains at the core of the brand. Today, Marmot is an established name in mountaineering, offering a wide range of versatile jackets and cold-weather gear for outdoor enthusiasts of every level.
Not sure what you need this winter? The Pertex 3-in-1 jacket is every backpacker’s dream. Wear the bulk-free lining on its own as a breathable layer on dry days, or add the lightweight, rainproof shell for full protection from the elements. Fully taped seams and a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish keep you dry, while the inner lining retains warmth without causing overheating. This minimalist option is ideal for mountaineers since it can be easily stuffed in a backpack when not in use. Its hand pockets are perfectly placed for easy access to gear even when clipped into a harness.
Mastering the layering system has never been easier thanks to the Minimalist Pertex 3-in-1 jacket from Marmot. Featuring a synthetic Repreve® ThermaLOOP™ recycled polyester liner and a highly packable Pertex® Shield waterproof shell, this jacket lets you adapt your outfit to the weather. Wear the insulated liner on its own for extra warmth on a cool, brisk walk, the shell on rainy dog walks, or both together when the conditions are at their worst. The best part? This versatile 3-in-1 works just as well in the city as it does in the backcountry.
Born in the English countryside, Rab began by designing sleeping bags before moving on to clothing. Discovering how to create a cozy cocoon to keep you toasty warm means the brand now excels at designing winter gear. Today, Rab offers outerwear for a wide range of cold-weather activities, including mountaineering, running, hiking, skiing, and camping.
This staple within the brand’s jacket range is built with 100% recycled fabric and a revolutionary fluorocarbon-free membrane, offering the best of both worlds: the protection of Gore-Tex with sustainable credentials. With its regular fit and Gore-Tex 3-layer construction, the Namche is the piece of gear you’ll reach for every time the sky turns grey.
While its cold-repelling features deserve the spotlight, it’s the Cirrus Alpine’s cool, modern design that first grabs attention. Beyond its fresh vibe, this classic loose-fill synthetic insulated jacket turns up the heat. Filled with recycled PrimaLoft insulation, it is highly compressible and delivers instant warmth the moment you pull it from your pack. Capable of standing up to winter conditions, it is also versatile enough to wear during any cold spell, in any season. Look for smart details like the semi-elasticated hood with stiffened peak, concealed zip hand pockets, and an integrated storage pocket with a clip-in loop.
Outdoor Research founder Ron Gregg was a nuclear physicist by trade, so it’s no surprise the brand is known for its research-led approach. Driven to create quality, functional clothing that stands up to the toughest outdoor challenges, the company now offers a wide range of parkas, down and insulated jackets for every type of weather and every kind of adventurer.
The Snowcrew has everything skiers and snowboarders need. Its waterproof and windproof fabric makes riding in snowy or rainy conditions a breeze, while the breathable yet lofty 700+ fill down keeps you warm, even during long waits in the ski lift queue. The fabric’s mechanical stretch ensures ease of movement, and the hood is fully helmet-compatible. Added details like an interior chest pocket to keep your phone warm and a powder skirt make it easy to enjoy every moment on the slopes.
Designed for skiing and snowboarding, the Snowcrew jacket offers superior insulation for cold-weather riding. But beyond the serious punch of comfort and ski-specific features, including the waterproof and windproof shell fabric, pit zips, powder skirt, numerous pockets, and helmet-compatible hood, this jacket also delivers responsibly sourced warmth. Bluesign® approved, recycled, and RDS-certified materials are used to create this ultimate riding jacket. Whether you are resort riding or hiking to a secret spot for an unforgettable powdery descent, you’re well protected with the Snowcrew.
You are now familiar with some of the best options to consider when shopping for men’s or women’s winter jackets. Heat retention, waterproof properties, wind resistance, functionality, comfort… The brands featured here excel at crafting jackets that check all the boxes, without forgetting the importance of a sustainable approach. Whether you’re at the top of the slopes or deep in the trails, these winter jackets guarantee endless outdoor fun, whatever the weather.
