Deconstructing how companies test their jackets’ temperature protection
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There are more than a few Canadian companies that make winter jackets. Canada Goose is the first one that comes to mind, but there’s also Nobis, Quartz Co., Kanuk, Arc’teryx, Vallier, Soia & Kyo, Mackage, MEC and undoubtedly more here and beyond our chilly borders.
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Given how cold it can get across Canada, we’re evaluating winter jackets based on temperature protection, while also factoring in cost, style, function and online reviews. The list is in order of temperature, starting with coats that can laugh at the Arctic to jackets that are perfect to slip on while running to the car.
Though some jacket companies use their own temperature ranking system (like Canada Goose’s Thermal Experience Index), a standard, though confusing, way of assessing warmth is through fill power. For down jackets, fill power commonly ranges from around 450 to 900, which refers to the volume that one ounce of down fills up in cubic inches.
A higher fill power number doesn’t necessarily mean it’s warmer; there are many factors that go into a jacket’s protection level. Fill weight is a much better indicator of overall warmth. Fill weight considers warmth and packability. For example, a 650 down fill jacket with 300g of down can be just as warm as an 800 down fill jacket with 100g down, but the 650 fill will be bulkier. Because this system is quite technical and confusing, we appreciate it when a jacket includes temperature specs.
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For synthetic materials, numbers like 40 to 60g refer to the weight of a square metre of the insulation, in grams. Jackets with 100 to 200g of synthetic insulation are intended for more frigid temperatures.
Learn more about all the types of jacket insulation here.
Summary of the best winter jackets
Best jacket for extreme temperatures: Canada Goose – Women’s Expedition Parka | Men’s Expedition Parka
Best vegan jacket: Noize – Women’s Winter Long Length Parka | Men’s Emerson Long Puffer
Best longer length jacket: Nobis –Merideth Ladies Parka | Yatesy Men’s Long Parka
Best weather protection: Arc’teryx – Women’s Patera Parka | Men’s Beta Insulated Jacket
Best jacket for everyday wear: lululemon – Women’s Snow Warrior 3-in-1 Parka | Men’s Cold City Parka
Best parka: The North Face – Women’s Arctic Parka Women’s | Men’s McMurdo Parka
Best puffer jacket: The North Face – Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket | Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
Best lightweight jacket: Columbia – Women’s Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket | Men’s Powder Lite II Down Jacket
Best affordable jacket: Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Jacket Warm Winter Down Coat
Best sustainable jacket: Patagonia – Women’s Cotton Down Parka | Men’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka
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Best winter jackets explained
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Temperature tested: -30 C and below
Length: Mid-thigh
Key features: Made in Canada, chin guard is lined with high-pile fleece for added warmth and comfort
Materials: 625 Fill Power White Duck Down
Care: Dry clean only
Cost: $2,095
Where to buy: Canada Goose Women’s | Men’s
Canada Goose also has a collection of coats that uses recycled fabrics. Check it out here.
Noize: Winter Long Length Parka – Women’s | Emerson Long Puffer – Men’s
Temperature tested: Up to -30 C
Length: Knee
Key features: Long-Length Parka: removable vegan fur trim | Emerson: maxi silhouette with ribbed cuffs
Materials: 100 per cent recycled RePET
Care: Machine wash, gentle cycle, hang to dry
Cost: Long Parka: $358 | Emerson: $300
Where to buy: Noize Maxi Parka | Emerson
Nobis: Merideth Ladies Parka | Yatesy Men’s Long Parka
Temperature tested: -30 C
Length: Knee
Key features: Windproof, waterproof and breathable
Materials: Premium Canadian Origin White Duck Down
Care: Machine washable
Cost: Merideth $1,395 | Shelby $1,695
Where to buy: Nobis Merideth | Yatesy
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Arc’teryx: Patera Parka Women’s | Beta Insulated Jacket Men’s
Temperature tested: Arc’teryx uses a layering guide to adjust warmth and weather protection. They don’t necessarily commit to a temperature protection, but they have detailed layering recommendations
Length: Mid-thigh
Key features: Patera: water and windproof | Beta: water and windproof
Materials: 750 fill down for premium warmth
Care: Machine wash in warm water, tumble dry on low heat
Cost: Patera $950 | Beta $900
Where to buy: Arc’teryx Patera | Beta
lululemon: Snow Warrior 3-in-1 Parka | Cold City Parka
Temperature tested: lululemon does not have a warmth rating system, but I’ve worn their parkas in Toronto winters (which don’t shy away from -20 C temperatures and have been fine)
Length: Thigh
Key features: Snow Warrior: waterproof and can be worn as two different jackets or both together | Cold City: waterproof
Materials: 80 per cent grey goose down, 20 per cent grey goose feathers
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Cost: Snow Warrior: $798 | Cold City $598
Where to buy: lululemon Snow Warrior | Cold City Parka
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The North Face: Women’s Arctic Parka Women’s | Men’s McMurdo Parka
Temperature tested: The North Face uses a scale from 1 to 3 to rate temperature protection. These jackets are rated a 3 (learn more about the scale).
Length: Arctic: thigh | McMurdo: hip
Key features: Waterproof and windproof
Materials: Arctic: 550 fill power goose down | McMurdo: 600 fill recycled waterfowl down
Care: Dry clean recommended but you can also machine wash in warm water, tumble dry on low heat
Cost: Arctic: $460 | McMurdo: $520
Where to buy: The North Face Arctic | McMurdo
The North Face: Women’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket | Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket
Temperature tested: The North Face uses a scale from 1 to 3 to rate temperature protection. These jackets are rated a 3 out of (learn more about the scale)
Length: Waist
Key features: Stowable hood
Materials: 700 fill down
Care: Dry clean
Cost: $430
Where to buy: The North Face Women’s | Men’s
Columbia – Women’s Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket | Men’s Powder Lite II Down Jacket
Temperature tested: Uses temperature regulating Omni-Heat Thermal technology. Columbia also doesn’t commit to a specific level of temperature protection, but you can learn more about their technology.
Length: Heavenly: Mid-thigh | Powder Lite: Waist
Key features: Water-resistant, lightweight warmth
Materials: Synthetic down 100 per cent polyester
Care: Machine wash on gentle, tumble dry on low heat
Cost: Heavenly: $210 | Delta Ridge: $180
Where to buy: Columbia Heavenly | Powder Lite
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Orolay Women’s Thickened Down Jacket Warm Winter Down Coat
Temperature tested: “Midwinter,” according to the company’s description of the coat. “I live in Toronto, Canada, and winters are fierce! I highly recommend!”, according to user Boo Boo on Amazon
Length: Mid-thigh
Key features: Windproof and water-repellent
Materials: Insulation is 90 per cent fine duck down and 10 per cent feather
Cost: Starting at $194
Care: Machine wash on gentle, tumble dry on low heat
Where to buy: Amazon
Note: Runs small so try a size larger than your usual size
Patagonia – Women’s Cotton Down Parka
Temperature tested: Patagonia doesn’t provide a temperature rating (learn more) but rather uses the “thickness equals warmth” rule
Length: Below hips
Key features: Water-repellent finish
Materials: 600-fill-power 100 per cent recycled down
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Cost: $435
Where to buy: Patagonia
Patagonia – Men’s Tres 3-in-1 Parka
Temperature tested: Patagonia doesn’t provide a temperature rating (learn more) but rather uses the “thickness equals warmth” rule
Length: Below hips
Key features: Waterproof finish, removal hood
Materials: 700-fill-power 100 per cent recycled down
Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Cost: $869
Where to buy: Patagonia
For additional jacket options that are stylish but aren’t as temperature-tested consider Uniqlo, Old Navy and Everlane.
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