We’re heading into our second pandemic winter. And if last year was any guide, we’re going to want to spend as much time as possible outdoors, even during the colder months.
If you’re looking for a new jacket to protect you against the elements as you take long walks or meet friends for a drink outside, we have you covered. We scoured the market for the most interesting and innovative outerwear from a wide range of brands, tested it, and selected those that performed best. This year, brands tended to focus on casual styles, in keeping with our relaxed, comfy pandemic aesthetic. And given the fragile state of the planet, many also focused on sustainable manufacturing.
This list features options for every type of weather, from jackets that will keep you dry in the midst of torrential downpours to puffers that will keep you toasty even if temperatures drop to 25 degrees below zero.
American Giant
On the surface, this looks like just another cozy jacket to keep you warm and dry. But making the Blizzard was a minor miracle. The vast majority of outerwear is no longer made in the U.S. because it requires extensive needlework, a skill that is both expensive and hard to come by. American Giant is committed to bringing back domestic manufacturing, so it set out to create a supply chain in Chicago. It takes about 23 people to manufacture each Blizzard from start to finish, from patternmakers to 10 different sewers, who sew each jacket by hand. This local supply chain results in a lower carbon footprint while creating jobs for American workers.
Canada Goose
This season, Canada Goose released these down puffers, which are extremely lightweight and packable, but also keep you warm in extremely low temps (25 degrees below zero!). When you’re wearing the jacket, it expands to be very fluffy. It’s made from soft material that feels comfortable against the skin, but it can be compressed and shrunk down when you take it off. This jacket is made from recycled nylon that’s treated with a water-repellent, tear-resistant finish, and the insulation comes from duck down.
Maloja
If you love nature and care about the planet, you need to know about the German brand Maloja, which is newly available in the United States. The brand focuses on eco-friendly, performance-based outerwear for hiking, cycling, running, and yoga. But it also specializes in creating prints that capture the beauty of nature, with decorative stitching that adds an aesthetic flourish. Jackets are often lined with fabric featuring patterns of falling leaves or flowers. Maloja also tries to use eco-friendly fabrics when possible, like hemp fleece and recycled nylon.
Cotopaxi
If you’re in a warmer part of the country and looking for a lightweight jacket to wear year-round—or you just want a layer for fall and spring adventures—this Cotopaxi jacket made in collaboration with Teva is a great choice. The jacket is fully reversible, giving you two distinct looks. One side features Cotopaxi’s iconic color-block aesthetic in a retro color palette; the other features an abstract print that looks like splattered paint. Whatever side you choose to wear, there are warm pockets and elastic binding on the cuffs and hood to keep out the wind.
Lululemon
If you’re in a rainy part of the country, Lululemon has your back. While most rain jackets tend to feel stiff, Lululemon has developed a new waterproof material that’s soft and stretchy, making it more comfortable and protective in the rain. This new fabric, StretchSeal, is made of three layers—a waterproof outer skin, a layer of fabric, and a cozy jersey liner. All three layers are made using Lululemon’s hallmark stretchy material, so the jacket moves with you. It’s also extremely thin, so it acts like a membrane protecting you from the rain.
