The best fall jackets of 2023
Top Brands | May 1, 2023
SAIL
November 28, 2024
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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 humid days, wet snow and bitter winds, winter can be intense… and unpredictable. That’s all the more reason to be prepared and properly equipped! To make it easier for you, we have put together a selection of the best winter jacket models and brands for our Canadian winters.
In this article, you will learn more about some of the best winter jackets available:
This German brand may have only been around for a few decades, but its high-quality gear and solid expertise in making winter jackets have helped it carve out a place among the big players in the outdoor industry. With a strong focus on design, product development and technology, Killtec creates highly functional winter clothing with well-thought-out details that optimize comfort and performance. The brand is also concerned with sustainability, prioritizing recycled elements, PFC-free products and Global Organic Recycled Standard (GOTS)-certified fabrics.
Packed with convenient features, the KSW 45 winter jacket is a perfect piece for hitting the slopes, trails or fresh powder. It is breathable to allow moisture to escape when intensity rises, and fully waterproof to effectively shield against rain and snow. TPU lamination on the outer fabric also enhances its resistance to tears, abrasion, and harsh weather conditions, while the high collar with a chin guard adds an extra layer of comfort and protection.
With its 10,000 mm waterproof rating, the KSW 66 jacket is built to handle snowfalls, rain showers, and hours of winter outdoor fun. Lycra inner cuffs with thumb holes add a touch of softness while blocking the cold and wind, and a snow guard with a non-slip rubber coating helps keep snow and water out during every activity. Versatile and practical, this jacket features multiple pockets to store a cell phone, snow goggles and other small essentials.
Hailing from California, this famous brand delivers technical outerwear crafted with quality materials and innovative technologies, rigorously tested in extreme conditions. With durability and performance always in its line of sight, The North Face is also committed to minimizing its environmental impact, whether it’s choosing PFC-free water-repellent treatments, using only Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified down or incorporating high proportions of recycled content in its products.
Insulated with 550-fill power recycled down, the Hydrenalite winter jacket (available in men’s and women’s models) offers superior warmth and a comfortable loft. Lightweight, durable and windproof, it is perfect for everyday wear and moderate outdoor activities. Its fully recycled outer fabric is treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, making it resistant to rain and snow. Elasticated cuffs, insulation in the hood and a draft flap under the front zipper add further protection from the cold for maximum comfort.
This super warm men’s winter jacket is built with a two-layer fabric and packed with 600 fill recycled down insulation to provide excellent protection from cold winter weather. Its cozy, relaxed fit and longer cut create a perfect shelter from snow, wind and sub-zero temperatures. Featuring The North Face’s DryVent™ technology, the McMurdo parka is fully seam-sealed and engineered to repel water from its surface while letting vapour pass through to prevent moisture accumulation.
Versatility and continuous innovation are at the heart of Columbia’s activities. The brand develops high-performance technologies to ensure its winter jackets provide the best possible level of protection, whether it’s insulation materials, thermal-reflective lining or PFC-free water-repellent fabrics. In line with its passion for the outdoors, Columbia is also committed to sustainability and works to incorporate eco-friendly materials in its products.
This long, cozy puffer is filled with Columbia’s Thermarator™, a lightweight material that was developed to combine the fluffy look and feel of down with the powerful features of synthetic insulation. Dry or wet, the Puffect II women’s winter jacket remains effective at trapping and retaining heat. Thanks to Omni-Heat™ technology, its fabric is also quick-drying, water-repellent and stain-resistant.
This high-performance men’s winter jacket is part of the Columbia Titanium range, which includes some of the brand’s most advanced outerwear in terms of fit, features and technologies. Equipped with advanced thermal-reflective gold dots on the inside, it converts body heat into instant warmth and offers excellent heat retention in cold conditions. Designed for movement, the Winter District II is made from stretchy, waterproof-breathable materials that keep water out while allowing excess heat and moisture to escape.
Born in California and deeply rooted in the surfing world, O’Neill understands what it takes to create gear that performs well in the outdoors and effectively resists water, wind and active use. The brand’s expertise in waterproof materials and its permanent quest for innovative, high-performance technology are reflected in the quality and features of its winter jackets. Sustainability is also made part of the equation through a careful selection of materials and various initiatives to raise awareness on environmental issues.
The sleek, single-colour Hammer winter jacket is lightly insulated with Repreve® synthetic fibres and fully waterproof for reliable performance in snowy (or rainy) weather. Its unique two-layer outer material with mechanical stretch makes it perfectly flexible for winter sports and outdoor activities. Wrist cuffs with thumb holes and an adjustable hem add an extra layer of protection and ensure everything stays in place when there’s plenty of action.
Designed for movement and built to withstand all kinds of winter conditions, the Carbonite jacket is both highly breathable and waterproof, thanks to taped seams and a PFC-free water-repellent coating that effectively keeps moisture at bay. Light synthetic insulation offers protection from the cold, backed by O’Neill’s Firewall Magma lining, which captures and radiates body heat for lasting warmth and comfort.
This Toronto-based brand follows a “no limits” philosophy. Drawing from a deep understanding of winter sports and valuable feedback from athletes and outdoor adventurers, it aims to keep elevating function and performance in every one of its jackets. Karbon also develops its own technologies for properties like insulation and waterproofing, combining them with other proven materials to deliver the best results every time.
This winter jacket is built to offer reliable protection from any weather and ensure optimal comfort for skiing and other outdoor activities. Seam-sealed and waterproof, it is equipped with Karbon’s Thermik 1 insulation to provide the perfect amount of warmth and moisture control. With features like an insulated hood, a lined collar and a snow skirt, it creates a cozy and reliable shield from wind, snow and cold temperatures. The Particle Element jacket also comes packed with thoughtful details like an RFID pass pocket, a key clip and a goggle wipe.
Crafted from a stretchy yet hard-wearing two-ply shell fabric, the Draft III jacket is resistant and allows for total ease of movement. Featuring Karbonite 15,000 mm protection, sealed seams and a waterproof front zipper, it is built to handle snow, rain and humidity while maintaining breathability. Cuff closures, an adjustable hem and a full wind flap also provide effective protection from the wind. Weatherproof and highly functional, this men’s winter jacket makes a perfect outer layer in a multilayer system.
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.
