Winter. Is. Coming. But fear not, friends! Christmas songs will soon drown out the cacophony of clanking radiators. Festive lights on overdrive will illuminate the 5 p.m. darkness. Ski and snowboarding season will be in full swing. But best of all, in between weekend trips to the mountains, and well beyond the holiday cheer, you’ll hopefully be kitted out in one of the best winter coats of the season.
We’re stating the obvious here, but dressing for winter is all about layers. The one layer that matters the most? Your winter coat. The ideal winter coat is one that possesses a slew of features to help you withstand the perils of winter—and we’re not talking about that one Mariah Carey Christmas earworm.
Winter coats are tasked with a slew of responsibilities. They’ve got to be insulating and warm (hypothermia is nobody’s friend), stylish and versatile (it has to pair with the rest of your cold-weather wardrobe), and durable enough to last several winters (i.e. one of the best fashion investments you can make).
Instead of throwing more sport-oriented down puffer jackets into this particular mix, our roundup of winter coats is here to help you remain dapper even in the dead of winter. We’ve scoured the web for the best winter coats out there, from utilitarian jackets from heritage brands like Barbour to wool topcoats from sartorial innovators like Suitsupply, to present you with 12 great additions to your winter fits.
And keeping in mind that not everyone lives in blizzard territory, we’ve included some lighter-weight picks for those living in more forgiving climes.
Warm, Stylish Winter Coats That’ll Stand the Test of Time
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1. Barbour Winter Bedale Wax Jacket
Crafted using Barbour’s heaviest waxed cotton, this version of its classic Bedale jacket has been winterized with box-quilted nylon lining for added insulation against the elements. It comes with a front zip concealed with a snap-front placket, two handwarmer pockets lined with moleskin, and two bellows pockets that snap shut. It’s finished with a corduroy collar, detachable hood, and rustic leather trim.
This timeless wool blend overcoat from Ted Baker features an all-over herringbone weave that pairs just as well with casual outfits (throw over a hoodie as you run errands) or more formal outings (wear over a suit, then coat check). The Travers comes in a long-length regular fit, with two front welt pockets, button cuffs, two-button front fastenings, and a single back vent.
For an edgier street-style look, toss on this puffy from Mackage’s Cloud Collection. Made from sustainable down with a shiny nylon shell, the relaxed fit leaves plenty of room for thick sweaters or sweatshirts. Storm cuffs, an adjustable drawcord storm visor, and a removable hood add protection against biting winds and numbing temps.
4. Flint and Tinder Flannel-lined Waxed Hudson Jacket
This winter jacket blends old-school heritage and contemporary design. Inspired by the rugged jackets worn by hunters in the English countryside, the Hudson is cut from acclaimed British Millerain canvas treated with weather-resistant coconut wax. It’s lined with cozy flannel from one of the UK’s oldest woolen mills.
Scotch & Soda’s zip-up quilted jacket is a solid pick for milder winter days, when frigid mornings give way to crisp afternoons. It’s made with a fuzzy poly sherpa-like fabric and cut at the waist for casual wearing.
Designed for cold-weather hunters, L.L.Bean has made its original Maine Guide overshirt into a parka version for added protection against winter’s weather. It’s made from durable, tightly woven wool that stays warm even when wet and is armed with PrimaLoft Infinity insulation to trap body heat with remarkable efficiency. The colorways couldn’t be more classic, coming in camo print, red and black plaid, and hunter green.
Schott might be best known for near-perfect leather jackets, but when wintertime begs for heavier outerwear, its Corduroy Rancher Jacket has us lassoed right in. Schott uses a thick, chunky—but insanely soft—corduroy with a quality feel for the outer shell; inside, a wool blend pile provides impressive insulation on cold days.
Theory crafts the Clarence with a luxuriously thick stretch Melton wool from Italy and a soft knit lining. This refined winter jacket keeps things simple with a stand collar, concealed front zip closure with snap buttons, besom pockets, and a single center vent at the back.
9. AllSaints Ventry Shadow Check Regular Fit Double Breasted Coat
Cut to a regular fit, the double-breasted Ventry is constructed from a recycled wool blend material in a black and white shadow checkered motif. It has a front button closure, long sleeves with button cuffs, and two front flap pockets.
This everyday jacket from Fjällräven’s latest fall/winter collection is made with the brand’s sustainable G-1000 Silent Eco fabric; the padding is filled with recycled Swedish wool and PLA fibers derived from cornstarch. The Övik is a superb garment for layering under a waterproof shell or wearing alone, featuring two-way hand pockets, an interior zip pocket, and a press-button collar that can be folded down.
Suitsupply’s wool overcoat comes with a removable padded down vest so you don’t have to reach for your puffer when the temperature dips to single digits. The slim fit is complemented by a broad collar, welt pockets, and a zip and button front closure. It’s also a feel-good purchase—Suitsupply is committed to operating as a net-carbon neutral company that invests in ethical production according to European Fair Wear Foundation standards.
The super-soft Murchison coat has a classic car coat silhouette, a style invented in the early 1900s to be worn by chauffeurs and car passengers when driving was considered an uncommon privilege. Rodd & Gunn’s version is made of soft-brushed recycled wool-polyamide blend and a smooth, quilted taffeta lining. It comes cropped above the knee with a tailored peacoat collar and a concealed Corozo button front.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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