The 10 Best Military Parkas
This wiki has been updated 23 times since it was first published in May of 2020. Whether you aspire to look like GI Joe in the snow or a '60s Mod cruising on his Vespa, one of these military parkas will have you covered - literally. They come in a range of styles, from the sleek and slender to the big and bulky. This type of coat is often long in the body and lined with faux fur or something equally cozy, so they're bound to keep you warm and snug through the winter months. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Canada Goose Men's Expedition
2. Arc'teryx Camosun
3. Spiewak Men's N3-B
Editor's Notes
June 24, 2020:
Believe it or not, 'parka' is an Inuit word and the first military parkas were based on their centuries-old design of skin, down, and fur trim. The Inuit were probably far more concerned with function rather than form, but nowadays parkas are worn as often on the streets as they are on the slopes. For this reason, it was important that this list catered for hipsters and hikers alike.
With regards to the practical, it's imperative you get something which won't let you down, since who knows what mountain you might get stuck on? For this reason, we included items from trusted brands such as Canada Goose and The North Face. These brands don't come cheap however, so we tried to offer something practical in the mid-range with the Molemsx Men's Jacket, and something inexpensive yet warm like the Alpha Industries Elyse Gen I or the Wantdo Women's Thicken Woe-Tex.
Military parkas have been the epitome of cool since the Mods first donned them in the '60s fighting the Rockers on England's Brighton Beach. The closest items we found to this classic look were the S13 Women's Luxe Eskimo Midlength and more outrageous, tweaked-for-the-modern-girl, Melody Women's Duck Down Coat. For the men, the Spiewak Men's N3-B is an out and out winner for combining vintage style and comfort on a moderate budget.
First choice for the seriously fashion-conscious winter shopper has to be the Arc'teryx Camosun. The squared shoulders, understated lines, and distinct lack of pockets and zippers give this parka an elegance rarely seen in jackets this insulating.
Special Honors
P-53 Heritage The P-53 is a tribute to the classic M48, made by the bespoke jacket makers at Parka London - a company with 60 years of craftsmanship behind it, dating back to when this coat first hit the aisles. Some notable details include the fully detachable quilted lining, press studs at the fishtail, and decorative leatherettes and military replica badges. parkalondon.com
4. The North Face McMurdo III
5. Melody Women's Duck Down Coat
6. MolemSX Men's Puffer
7. S13 Women's Luxe Eskimo Midlength
8. Alpha Industries Elyse Gen I
9. Wantdo Women's Thicken Woe-Tex
10. WenVen Men's Hooded Puffer
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.