It’s that time of year when we start to feel the cold breath of winter creeping in and reach for a winter jacket to stave off the cold. Finding the right winter outerwear can be a challenge as the seasons change, but we’ve tried a few options, from lighter layers to mountain-climbing masterpieces, for Joes, Janes, and the little ones, too.
Men’s Newhill Fleece by Regatta
From £18
Regatta offers many outdoor wear options, but this full-zip fleece is a nice option for cooler days. Made from recycled plastic bottles, the knitted polyester material is surprisingly cosy while still being lightweight. Newhill Fleece is available in a nice range of colours, so you can avoid the usual blacks and greys and liven things up a little.
The cuffs and hem are finished with stretch binding to prevent excessive gapping, keeping cold draughts at bay. Two zipped pockets provide ample space for securely storing your phone and wallet.
There is a small zipped pocket on the arm, but it’s only big enough for a credit card wallet, so it’s more of a design feature than useful storage.
M-Quandary Peak Hoodie by Artilect
£190
This super-lightweight hoodie is much more than it seems. Not only does it look good as everyday wear, it has been designed for multi-sport adventures, so whether you’re spending your winter skiing down mountains, training for a marathon, or just taking the dog for a walk, this one is for you. The high-performance fabric is designed to wick away moisture to ensure you stay warm and dry in all conditions, but we’ve not tested it in the most rugged of conditions to confirm that.
The M-Quandary Peak Hoodie is made from Nuyarn Fleece, a blend of high-loft, responsibly sourced, non-mulesed Merino wool and nylon. It offers exceptional warmth in an extremely lightweight fabric. Three zipped pockets are well-sized and easily accessible, and thumb loops at the wrists keep the sleeves neatly in place under gloves for snow-based adventures.
Whether you wear it as a mid-layer or an outer layer, thanks to its versatility and durability, you’ll look stylish and be warm and comfortable for many, many seasons — a great long-term buy.
Uddesya ¼ Zip Jacket by Sherpa
From £45
Sherpa has plenty of fleeces to keep us warm and cosy this winter, but we tried out the women’s Uddesya ¼ zip jacket. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester and is available in three different colour ways. A men’s version is also available, but this comes in a hoodie rather than a jacket style.
It makes for a great autumn layer, either over a t-shirt or even under a gilet, but it’s a little chunky to fit under a coat unless it’s fairly roomy. The fleece is designed to wick away moisture to help you regulate your core temperature, and the stretchy hem and cuffs will help keep cool air out as winter takes hold.
The men’s and women’s Uddesya Eco fleeces come with a kangaroo pocket for storage or just to keep your hands warm — which it is pretty good at.
Sherpa describes the women’s fleece as having “plenty of room for base layers,” but in our experience, it was a little snug in the body due to the slightly boxy shape. Getting the fleece on over the layers was no problem, but getting it off again was a bit more challenging. If you are slightly broader across the shoulders or chest, perhaps try a size up for a little extra wiggle room.
Drive Pro Storm Lightweight Insulated Jacket by Under Armour
£100
Style meets practicality with this Under Armour offering. It’s lightweight and has plenty of stretch, making it very comfortable to wear as a mid or outer layer. It’s primarily designed for wearing on the golf course, but we think it’s sleek and stylish enough for any activity, and you wouldn’t need to stop and change before heading out for the evening either.
It offers great insulation against the cold, wind and rain, although it is only billed as water resistant, so head for cover if heavy rain sets in.
It does come up a little small in sizing, and the sleeves are relatively narrow at the cuff, so you may find that sizing up provides a better fit, particularly if you have more muscular hands and forearms.
Women’s Welsey II Trench Coat by Helly Hansen
£180
The ever-popular Welsey II trench coat is an excellent choice for a classic trench coat look with added functionality. It’s perfect for breezy Autumn days or wet winter walks and has been constructed using Helly Hansen’s waterproof and windproof fabric.
The front closes with a zipper beneath a double-breasted, popper-fastened front flap, giving lots of protection and creating that chic trench coat look. It’s finished with a tie belt to give more definition when tied to the front or a design detail if tied at the back.
The stylish high collar conceals a foldable hood to keep your Jane dry in the worst of the wet winter weather. The Welsey II Trench Coat is fully lined, which finishes the coat nicely. There’s room for more layers as the weather turns, or an insulated version is also available for extra warmth if it’s winter jackets you’re looking for.
We love the fusion of style and function, which makes it a great all-around jacket for cooler seasons.
Elender Baffled Jacket by Regatta
From £65
When Jane wants to wrap up warm this winter, the Elender Baffled Jacket from Regatta will do the job perfectly. This longline, well-padded jacket is wonderfully cosy, thanks to the feather-free recycled synthetic down insulation.
The inner lycra cuffs ensure a tight fit to keep out cold draughts, and the padded high-line collar and elasticated hood will keep Jane snug. It’s water-repellant, too, so light showers and morning mists will be no problem, but it’s best to try to avoid a downpour!
The zipper can open from the bottom to allow freedom of movement when walking, and there are two outer and one inner pocket, all sealed with zips, so belongings stay securely stowed.
This fully machine-washable option is comfortable and stylish and will make the perfect winter jacket for many seasons to come.
Kid’s Waterproof Winter Jacket Nautical Blue Shark by Regatta
From £16.45
Even the winter weather doesn’t stop kids from wanting to get out and about, so this characterful waterproof jacket, with its fluffy Thermoguard insulating lining, will keep them dry and warm no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.
The 100% polyester Hydrafort outer is waterproof and windproof with taped seams for added protection, so your Mini Joe or Jane will remain dry and draught-free. The synthetic lining is designed to trap air close to the body, keeping the warmth in without the need for too many bulky layers.
The delightful animal designs also inject a touch of fun and colour into the dull winter days. During our testing, Mini Joe was snug and warm and seemed very comfortable wearing the Nautical Blue Shark. Thankfully, it wasn’t raining, but looking at the quality of the jacket, we do not doubt that he would have stayed dry. These character jackets are fully machine washable, keeping them spick and span to pass on to the next little adventurer.
Kid’s Shelter Outdoor Jacket 2.0 by Helly Hansen
£90
The Shelter Outdoor Jacket makes it easy to keep kids warm and dry throughout the winter season. It comes in a range of stylish colours and sizes from toddler to teen.
Mini Joe looked fabulous in navy and was snug all day, thanks to the waterproof, windproof and breathable material that makes up the Shelter Jacket 2.0. The lining is soft and comfortable with no harsh edges to chaff exposed skin, and the cuffs are adjustable to keep wrists warm and gloves tucked in during the coldest weather of the season.
The removable lined hood has a neon strip at the front, and the stripes on the sleeves and logo on the front and back are reflective, making Mini Joe more visible on dark winter evenings.
The Kid’s Shelter Outdoor Jacket 2.0 is well-designed with some lovely details and made from quality materials that will last several occupants. It will make Mini Joe and his siblings the envy of the winter playground.
Outdoor Adventure Winter Jacket Options
If you spend the winter months doing more than just walking the dog or going to and from the office, you might need something with a little more oomph to suit your needs. We took a look at a couple of more rugged jackets that would be just as at-home ski touring or mountaineering as they would at the local coffee shop. We haven’t tested them in the most challenging of environments, but the season is still young.
Men’s Odin Backcountry Lightweight Hooded Insulator Jacket
£250
The Helly Hansen Odin Backcountry Hooded Insulator Jacket combines rugged, lightweight warmth with an easy-to-wear style for outdoor winter sports enthusiasts and city dwellers alike. Having a jacket dedicated to the few times a year you can head into the freezing mountains is great, but why not opt for one that doesn’t look out of place as everyday wear for the rest of the winter, too?
This two-layer insulated jacket has a lightweight and soft insulating lining that holds warmth in the breathable fibres without feeling bulky or restrictive. It’s quick-drying, too, so if you are working hard, you will stay warm and dry as you do.
There are plenty of pockets for storing everything you need on the go, and the outer is made from durable 20D ripstop material to prevent snags from bushes or rocks if you’re out in the wilderness or from over-zealous shoppers on that challenging last-minute Christmas gift run.
The lightweight fabric is perfect for wearing over a jumper for maximum warmth day to day without feeling restricted. It’s also compact enough to roll up and carry in a small backpack, ready for the cooler evenings in early autumn, making it an excellent option for multiple seasons.
Torren Jacket By Montane
£300
The Torrens jacket is new to Montane’s lineup this year. It features new levels of breathability and waterproofing thanks to the 100% recycled three-layer fabric, which incorporates Montane’s Petrichor Technology for coping with the most extreme conditions.
This high-quality fabric is not only super-breathable but also durable, with 30D Ripstop to protect against damage.
There are harness-compatible hand pockets and a chest pocket with a zip for safe storage. The fully adjustable hood is designed for wearing over a helmet if necessary.
The jacket is lightweight and comfortable, with articulated sleeves to allow complete freedom of movement. The fit has been tailored to allow for layering underneath the jacket to ensure maximum warmth and comfort, no matter where you are.
While it has been thoughtfully designed for wearing in an outdoor adventure scenario, it looks great everywhere. There are three zingy colourways alongside the more sedate black option, and a women’s version is also available.
