TOP 5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN THE WARMEST JACKETS (You’ll Never Guess #5!)

It’s hard to know what to look for when you’re looking for the warmest jackets. Here are five features that separate the best cold weather jackets from the not-so-warm after all!

1. The Warmest Jackets Have a Lining that Reflects Heat

What do the warm jackets and NASA have in common? They both use the same type of fabric to reflect heat!

One of the warmest kinds of jacket linings uses the same type of fabric NASA uses in space blankets (those shiny, metallic-looking blankets you find in emergency kits). When this material is used as a reflective lining in a jacket, it traps your body heat and bounces it back to you.

Our light and flexible WarmPlus graphene lining is one of the most effective reflective linings out there. It’s 24% warmer than traditional linings, so you'll be surprised to learn that graphene is actually the thinnest and lightest compound—it's only 1 atom thick! Still tough enough to handle the longest workday, it heats up four times faster than other linings.

Check out the WarmPlus graphene lining in our Extreme Hooded Jacket!

2. The Warmest Insulated Jacket Shouldn’t Weigh You Down

An insulated jacket is a must to keep you warm, but sometimes it can weigh you down and make it harder to get anything done. That’s why you should look for synthetic insulation, which is more lightweight while still trapping the same amount of warmth.

Our AirBlaze® insulation is 40% lighter than other insulation, which means you’re protected from freezing temps and still have the flexibility to get the job done. Bonus: AirBlaze® is partially made of plant-based materials, so it helps the Earth, too!

Look for lightweight, eco-friendly AirBlaze® insulation in the 54 Gold Jacket from RefrigiWear®.

3. Demand Durable Construction in Your Insulated Jacket

Everyone wants a warm jacket that’s well-made, but how do you know if the jacket’s construction is strong enough to last? Two little things that make a big difference are bound seams and rivets like the ones found on our collection of Iron-Tuff® jackets for extreme cold weather.

Iron-Tuff® Collection is the OG in sub-zero warmth and has been proven in the cold since 1954. The bound seams seal out drafts and rivets reinforce stress points of all Iron-Tuff® gear, making sure it keeps you warm season after season. And the legendary warmth of Iron-Tuff® is no joke with a comfort rating of -50°F!

The HiVis Iron-Tuff® Jackoat™ is a great example of a warm jacket with solid construction.

4. A Quality Cold Weather Jacket Needs a Tough Outershell

You want a jacket that will last, so it’s important to look for a tough material on the outside that won’t tear when put to the test. A good example is the 400 denier nylon in our Iron-Tuff® Collection.

Denier is ten-dollar word for the thickness of the threads and trust us, 400 denier nylon is serious business! This fabric will hang tough no matter how long your days get and how much you put it through. No more ripped jackets after one season of use—an Iron-Tuff® jacket is here to stay.

Check out the Iron-Tuff® Arctic Jacket with a 400 denier nylon outershell.

5. Durable Zippers on Cold Weather Jackets

Choose a jacket that uses zippers known for quality, like YKK® zippers. We use YKK® zippers on our jackets to ensure they last and stand up to daily wear and tear.

An extra feature you might not think of right away is a waterproof zipper. Rain and snow can come up out of nowhere and you shouldn't have to think twice about your phone and wallet getting wet when there's work to be done. Many RefrigiWear® jackets, bibs and sweatshirts have a pocket with a waterproof zipper for exactly that reason.

Take a look at the PolarForce® Jacket that features not one, but two chest pockets with waterproof zippers.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with so many options out there labeled as the warmest jackets. Now that you know what to look for, you can cut through the noise and find a quality cold weather jacket that will keep you warm for years to come!