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Searching For The Best Jacket Brands
As the last layer between you and the elements, the type and quality of jacket you have on can be the difference between feeling warm, dry, and comfortable or cold, soggy, and miserable. We’ve put together this list of the best jacket brands to help you find your perfect fit.
In a sea of poorly made outerwear, the best jacket brands prioritize adventure must-haves like waterproofing, durability, insulation, functionality, and style. We’ll take you through our top ten picks so you can see the difference quality makes and get out on your next journey.
10 Best Jacket Brands
1. Columbia
Columbia makes jackets for all kinds of sports like hunting, fishing, and hiking, along with snow and rainy-season styles to keep you supremely warm and dry. With fresh colors and prints, its collections for men, women, and kids encourage exploration and adventure.
Founded in 1938 by Gert Boyle, Columbia is known for its advanced technologies that stand up to whatever Mother Nature can throw. The Portland, Oregon-based brand started as a family hat business after Gert’s parents made their way to America to flee Nazi Germany.
Passed down through the generations, over the years, Columbia has outfitted many expeditions and treks. It’s the current outerwear brand of the U.S, Canada, Brazil, and Ukraine Winter Olympic freestyle ski teams.
Columbia jackets range from $60-$600 depending on the level of insulation.
Highlights
- Wide range of jackets with technologies for any weather
- Styles for men, women, and children
- Great for outdoor wear and treks
- Truly waterproof jackets
- Affordable options
- Worn by multiple Olympic Ski Teams
2. Patagonia
There’s a reason Patagonia is known for having some of the toughest adventure gear available. Founded in 1973 by a climber named Yvon Chouinard, the brand got its start making highly durable rock climbing equipment that put ecological sustainability above all else.
With a focus on designing for sports and outdoor life, Patagonia offers serious equipment to support you on your adventures. Its lines for men, women, kids, and babies are full of high-quality jackets that can stand up to the elements.
You’ll find all kinds of styles in its line-up, including options for rain, snow, and lightweight fleece with prices that range from $60 to $900, depending on insulation level and features.
Highlights
- Range of styles for all kinds of weather
- Lines for men, women, kids, and babies
- 87% of line uses recycled materials
- 1% for the Planet member
- Transparent about sourcing
- Fair Trade Certified
- Array of prices
3. Marmot
Named after the adorably tiny, curious animal that dwells in the mountains, Marmot embodies a spirit of community and exploration. The brand was founded in 1971 by two U.C Santa Cruz students Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley and actually got its start as a social club.
The catch? You had to hike a mountain with another Marmot member.
Known for its unique approach to outdoor gear, Marmot is all about doing things differently. Sewing insulation in squares (other companies choose panels), the brand makes gear that won’t let you down on the trail, mountain, or street.
Marmot’s range of jackets includes parkas, rain, technical, and lightweight styles for men, women, and children. It is one of the most affordable on this list of best jacket brands despite being so high-tech. Jackets cost between $50 and $600.
Highlights
- Range of highly technical gear
- Styles for men, women, and children
- Minimizing carbon footprint
- Provides fair, humane working conditions for workers
- Gives back to organizations that support the earth
- Affordable
- Great for the mountain
4. The North Face
The North Face was founded in 1966 by Doug Tompkins, a climber dedicated to creating high-performing gear. The brand gets its name from the toughest side of the mountain to climb and is propelled by its mantra to “Never Stop Exploring.”
Encouraging others to do the same, The North Face offers a vast selection of insulated, waterproof, and technical jackets to help you explore the outdoors—whatever and wherever that means to you. You’ll find styles for the whole family on its site.
With lightweight jackets ideal for windy walks to work along with parkas to keep you warm on your next expedition, this conscious brand designs to support your life. Expect prices to range from $60 for lighter, fleece jackets to $750 for highly insulated parkas.
Highlights
- Jackets for everyday life and adventure
- Ideal for adventures outdoors
- Styles for men, women, and kids
- Recycles gently used apparel
- Responsibly-sourced fabric
- Sustainable packaging
- Offers a range of prices
5. Canada Goose
Founded in 1957, Canada Goose quickly became a major trend for city folk because of its fashionable styles. Though fashion is at the front of this brand, all of its coats are designed to help you withstand tough, cold weather.
You’ll find its jackets categorized by insulation levels, offering warmth in temperatures down to -30 degrees and below. Constructed with features to keep the cold out like drawstring skirts as well as adjustable hoods and cuffs, Canada Goose jackets are known for being supremely warm.
Canada Goose was founded by Sam Tick back in 1957, only it was called Metro Sportswear Ltd then. This Toronto-based brand’s outerwear is all made in Canada and has been the top choice for expeditionists and city dwellers alike.
Regardless of where you sport your Canada Goose jacket, you can depend on it for warmth and functional features, like deep, insulated pockets and chin guards that make cold weather more bearable.
Offering both heavy and light jackets, alongside its everyday coats, Canada Goose has a range of fashionable picks for snow, rain, and wind. You can get your hands on a parka for between $795 and $2,195 or a rain jacket for $475.
Highlights
- Jackets withstand extreme cold
- Designs for city and arctic wear
- Styles for men, women, and children
- Going fur-free by 2022
- Helping to conserve polar bear habitats
- Working towards more sustainable production
- Transparent about manufacturing, sustainability
- Made in Canada
6. Belstaff
Belstaff is “a brand for those who want to push the limits.” Founded in 1924 by Harry Grosberg and his father-in-law Eli Belovitch, the company is known for its advanced technologies and is now owned by the INEOS Group.
The number of incredible people that have sported the brand throughout the years is truly something to behold. Whether it was Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible III or Amy Johnson as the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, Belstaff has become an important part of our history.
The makers of outerwear for men and women, Belstaff is one of the most iconic names on this list of best jacket brands. You’ll find all kinds of gorgeously-designed jackets in its collection, including vintage leather, quilt & down, shearling, and lightweight styles.
With a fashionable, slightly retro look, its prices range from $395 for a lightweight shell to $2,150 for leather shearling.
Highlights
- Range of jackets for everyday and adventure
- Luxury quality
- Styles for men and women
- Worn by iconic historical figures and celebrities
- Fashionable
- Uses recycled materials
7. Arc’teryx
To Arc’teryx, “there is always a better way.” The brand was founded in 1989 by Dave Lane and got its name from the Archaeopteryx, one of this planet’s first birds that evolved from dinosaurs.
When launched, Act-teryx was called Rock Solid and specialized in climbing gear. Wishing to express life-changing, revolutionary technology, the company (which is now owned by Anta) changed its name.
Today you can find Arc’teryx apparel in over 3,000 retailers, with 1,000 employees working in its North American stores alone. Known and loved for its “Vapor” line of incredibly durable heat-laminate tech gear, the brand’s collection is one typically associated with quality, exploration, and innovative fabrics.
Arc’teryx makes both insulated and shell jackets for men and women. They range from about $230-$1,000.
Highlights
- Range of styles for men and women
- Designs for longevity
- Ideal for the mountain
- Fair Trade Certified
- Working towards sustainability and carbon neutrality
- Lifetime care, repair, and product guarantee
- Sells used gear
8. Triple F.A.T. Goose
Triple F.A.T Goose jackets are all about using the “highest performance materials possible.” Said to have the “warmest down jacket” ever by Travel & Leisure, the brand’s designs use traceable down to keep you warm in arctic temperatures.
The company was founded in 1987 by James Chung who wanted to give the modern consumer something authentic, offering its outerwear for sale online only. Cutting out the middleman to keep things affordable, you’ll find great-looking, fashion-inspired jackets in its collection for one-third of the price of comparable brands.
Its lines for men, women, and kids may look trendy, but they perform just as well in cold weather. You’ll find a range of bombers, parkas, puffers, and rain jackets in its collection with prices that range between $250 and $800.
Highlights
- High-performance fabrics
- Styles for men, women, and kids
- Responsible down and fur
- No new fur products as of 2021
- Direct-to-consumer
- Affordable
- Luxury look
- Great for city treks
9. Burberry
Did you know that Burberry was created as a performance outerwear brand? Founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, the company got its start making durable clothing to “protect people from the British weather,” which is consistently wet and miserable.
Its collection of quilts and down jackets and puffers has come a long way from 19th-century designs but has kept the brand’s traditional look of luxury. Today, Burberry is worn by the who’s who of the fashion world, but back in the day, it was sported by Fridtjof Nasser, the first-ever recorded polar explorer.
Its Spring 2022 collection is full of colors true to the label, including buttermilk beige, black, and navy, along with a few bursts of pink, mustard, and the brand’s signature print. Including long quilted jackets, cropped puffers, and simple throw-ons, Burberry’s line of jackets fits in with your everyday life.
Its iconic designs have shaped British outerwear for the military, explorers, and fashion in general; today, it’s not so suited for arctic treks, but that history is sewn into each design. You’ll find puffers for $2,000-$3,000 and quilted jackets for $1,000-$2,000 for men and women.
Highlights
- Designs to withstand cold, wet weather
- Great for everyday wear
- Styles for men and women
- Uses recycled materials
- Iconic brand
- Fashion-forward styles and colors
- Luxury designs, luxury prices
10. Moncler
Moncler was created in 1952 by Rene Ramillon and Andre Vincent. Designing athletic clothing for the mountain, the line prioritizes both aesthetics and performance for men, women, and children.
Moncler is all about creating the look of luxury, using unique style, quality fabrics, and creative flair in every one of its jackets. Its collection includes sleek designs for the city that translate well to ski trips and beyond.
With down jackets, parkas, and raincoats, it offers chic styles for all kinds of weather. You’ll find styles for the whole family on its site.
On average, you’ll pay between $1,000 and $5,000 for a Moncler jacket.
Highlights
- Jackets are great for ski trips and winter fun
- Styles for men, women, and children
- Luxury designs
- Fashion-forwards
- Working towards a more sustainable future
- Transparent manufacturing, sourcing, financials
How to Shop for the Best Jacket
Knowing what you need is key to navigating through the best jacket brands and finding the right one. To help you narrow down your options, we’ll walk you through six critical elements to keep in mind while you shop.
Brand
Sometimes it feels like a brand just gets it. You browse their collection, read up on their practices, and you feel at home. That’s usually a good sign you’ve found the right company to shop with, and that alone may be all you need to choose one brand over another.
If you’d rather leave it to reputation, shopping with a company that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue may make you feel more comfortable. That way, you’ll already know it’s a solid brand.
Looking for something sustainable from head to toe? If a company cares about sustainability, you can usually read about it on their sites. Some options on this list are more eco-friendly than others.
Though most of the best jacket brands on this list take sustainability to heart, certain names were founded on it. If you’re interested in a company that puts the earth at the forefront of what it does, choose accordingly.
Style
Some of the best jacket brands mentioned here are more concerned with style than others. For example, comparing Burberry to Colombia is tough, as one was specifically created for the outdoors and has stuck with that category of outerwear throughout the years.
If you have a certain style you’re looking for, such as city chic, then choosing a company that doesn’t offer that wouldn’t make much sense. Identify your particular style and then choose a brand that matches. Don’t settle for something you won’t love just because it’s popular.
Materials and durability
So here’s the good news, all of the best jacket brands listed here prioritize quality. That’s why they’re on this list. With that said, not every one of them is going to use the kind of materials you’re looking for.
For example, Patagonia is known and loved for its fabric technology. Designed to truly support you in the elements, if you need something that’s going to keep up with your heavily active outdoor life, then opt for a brand that uses the right materials.
Purpose
All of the best jacket brands offer a range of designs for different purposes. Are you looking for a simple, fashionable rain jacket or an expedition parka? Some of the names here make both, but others specialize in one over the other.
Isolating what you’ll need your jacket for will slim down your options and makes it easier to find the right fit.
Functionality
If you plan on taking your jacket with you on adventures, then it must have the right features. Since you’ll be outdoors in the elements, perhaps you’ll want a hood, easy-access pockets, and a thermal lining.
Some of the names on this list of best jacket brands design with specific sports or activities in mind. If you’re buying yours for a particular reason, then shopping within those collections (ie. hiking, skiing, running, etc.) makes things much easier.
Price
With durability, advanced technology, style, and sustainability come higher prices. It’s something we’re willing to pay for peace of mind across the board, but it’s also something you should keep in mind while you shop.
Choosing a luxury designer brand is great because you know you’re getting a durable, quality product, but it may not be practical for your budget. We’ve included a wide range of price points on this list—if you’re shopping with a tight budget, check out one of the more affordable options.
Do Puffer Jackets Keep You Warm?
It depends on the type and amount of insulation used. For example, down jackets trap more heat than those that use synthetic fibers—that’s why so many companies choose down. The amount of insulation your puffer jacket provides depends on what it’s made from.
At their core, puffer jackets are designed to keep you warm as they’re usually stuffed with tons of insulation. If you’re shopping for a puffer jacket, be sure to read up on the warmth it provides—companies usually state this right on the product page.
Which Jacket Is Best For Rain?
When choosing the best jacket for rain, you’ll need to consider materials and construction. A water-resistant jacket is not the same as one that’s waterproof, and it won’t offer the same protection.
The best jacket brands that design for rain are typically ones that specialize in outdoor gear like Columbia or Patagonia. Designing their rain jackets with features like a bonded hood, adjustable cuffs, and rain-proof zippers, companies like these are serious about keeping you dry.
What Coat Size Should I Get?
Some people size up from their normal shirt size when buying a coat. You’ll want a fit that leaves room for layers underneath that’s comfortable and not overly snug. Make sure to double-check your measurements with a company’s size chart to ensure a perfect fit.
Since dressing for the colder seasons often involves bulky sweaters or multiple layers, it’s best to choose a coat that can accommodate them.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s for windy city streets or rainy season treks, the best jacket brands design with your life in mind. With options that prioritize function, style, and comfort, each of our top picks has something amazing to offer.
Since we’ve reached the end of this list of best jacket brands, we hope you’re ready to head out on your next adventure—wherever in the world that may be.
How We Chose The Best Jacket Brands
Before choosing any brand, we scour the web and all the biggest e-tailers to ensure we know all the available options on the market. We look at customer reviews, star ratings, brand ethos, processes, materials, accessibility, and so much more. We weigh the pros and cons, so you don’t have to, helping you make informed shopping decisions.
Next, check out other top brands we’ve curated below:
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