Short answer: Choose a winter jacket by where you will wear it and how much you will be moving in it. For the city, an insulated jacket with a water-repellent finish is enough; for rain and wet snow, look for a membrane with a water column of at least 10,000 mm; and for skiing, you want a ski jacket. Down gives the most warmth for its weight but loses loft when wet, whereas synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when damp. Choose a size that leaves room for a sweatshirt or fleece under the jacket.
Which winter jacket suits which use?
| Where you wear it | Insulation | Waterproofing | Length and fit | Where to look |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City, commuting, standing around outdoors | down or synthetic | water-repellent finish; 10,000 mm for rain and wet snow | covers the bottom, parka or coat | women’s winter jackets, men’s winter jackets |
| Winter walks and day trips | synthetic (warm even when damp) | 10,000 mm or more | waist length to bottom-covering, roomier for a layer underneath | winter jackets with a membrane |
| Downhill skiing, snowboarding | synthetic | 15,000–20,000 mm or more, taped seams | sporty fit, snow skirt | ski jackets |
| Hard frost, long spells standing still | down, or synthetic with a higher warmth rating | depending on the weather; keep down away from the wet | longer cut, adjustable hood | winter coats |
The table is a rough guide. How warm you feel also depends on wind, damp, what you wear under the jacket and, above all, whether you are moving.
Where will you wear the jacket?
This question matters more than any other when choosing. Most NORDBLANC winter jackets are designed for everyday wear, and a few models are also marked for skiing or hiking.
- City. You stand around a lot (at a bus stop, in a queue, on a walk with a child) and are in the warm in between. You need insulation that keeps you warm when you are still, and a zip or hood that is quick to open. Medium waterproofing is enough.
- Mountains and day trips. You alternate between walking and stops, the weather changes, and you often carry a rucksack. Wet gets in more easily under the rucksack straps. Here a membrane, a higher water column and insulation that does not mind damp are worth having.
- Skiing. You move hard, sit on the chairlift in the wind and fall in the snow. A ski jacket has higher waterproofing and extra features: a snow skirt, a ski pass pocket and usually ventilation zips too. More in the guide How to choose a ski jacket.
Which insulation should you choose: down or synthetic?
Insulation keeps you warm by trapping warm air. What matters is how much air it holds, how much it weighs and how it copes with damp.
| Down (down and feathers) | Synthetic insulation (hollow fibre, THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Warmth for its weight | highest | lower, the jacket tends to be bulkier |
| In damp and on wet snow | loses loft and with it insulation | the fibres do not absorb water and insulate even when damp |
| Packability | excellent | good to moderate |
| Care | down wash, careful drying | simpler, dries faster |
| Suitable for | dry frost, city, standing around | changeable weather, active movement, skiing |
What do 90/10 and 70/30 mean? The ratio of down (quill-free clusters, which give the most warmth) to small feathers. The more down, the lighter and fluffier the filling. NORDBLANC down jackets have a ratio of 70/30 or 90/10, which you will find in the product description under Insulation. You can choose between the collections women’s down jackets and men’s down jackets.
What is fill power (cuin)? It shows how much the down lofts: how many cubic inches one ounce of down fills. A higher number means more warmth for its weight. European and US measuring methods give different figures, so compare only values measured in the same way.
Synthetic insulation at NORDBLANC. Most NORDBLANC winter jackets have synthetic insulation made of hollow polyester fibre, labelled FURTHERM in the product descriptions. Some models have THERMOLITE® EcoMade T-DOWN insulation from The LYCRA Company, which the manufacturer describes as a synthetic alternative to down. There are only a few down jackets in the winter range.
How waterproof does a winter jacket need to be?
The waterproofing of a fabric is given as its water column in millimetres. In a laboratory, water is pressed against a sample of the fabric and the number of millimetres of water it withstands before it leaks is measured. As a rough guide:
| Water column | What it can handle |
|---|---|
| no membrane, just a water-repellent finish | a short shower, dry snow |
| up to 5,000 mm | light rain, dry snow |
| around 10,000 mm | ordinary rain and wet snow when walking in town or on a stroll |
| around 15,000 mm | prolonged rain, wet snow, a rucksack on your back |
| 20,000 mm or more | heavy rain, full days outdoors, skiing |
The figure applies to the fabric. For the jacket not to let water in, it also needs taped (sealed) seams and waterproof or covered zips. The table is a rough guide, and manufacturers use these figures in different ways.
On NORDBLANC jackets with a TERATEX® membrane, the number in the name corresponds to the water column: TERATEX® 10000 has 10,000 mm. Most winter jackets, however, have no membrane. A water column is stated for only a smaller proportion of models, in the range 3,000–20,000 mm, most often 10,000 mm. Jackets rated 5,000 mm and below are water-repellent; only models from 10,000 mm up are waterproof. Winter coats more often state a water column, 5,000–15,000 mm for most models, and ski jackets 10,000–30,000 mm. You will find the exact value for each product in the Materials and care table.
What about breathability? It is given in g/m²/24 h and tells you how much water vapour from sweat the fabric lets out. For winter jackets with a stated breathability it is 5,000–20,000 g/m²/24 h, most often 10,000. A higher figure matters most to anyone who is active: brisk uphill walking, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing.
What does a warmth rating of ‘down to −10 °C’ mean?
On NORDBLANC jackets you will find a warmth scale: down to 0 °C, down to −10 °C, down to −20 °C and down to −30 °C or lower. Treat it as a guide for comparing models with one another, not as a guaranteed temperature. How warm you feel depends greatly on movement, wind, damp and what you wear under the jacket.
Most NORDBLANC winter jackets are rated down to −10 °C, some down to −20 °C and a few lighter ones down to 0 °C. Winter coats are mostly rated down to −20 °C, down coats down to −30 °C or lower.
Practical advice: if you will mostly be standing in the jacket, choose a model one level warmer. If you move around a lot, you can get by with a less warm jacket and a warmer layer underneath, for example a baselayer and a fleece.
Short jacket, parka or coat?
| Cut | Who it suits | What to think about |
|---|---|---|
| Short jacket (waist length) | car, bike, active movement | bottom and thighs stay uncovered |
| Longer jacket (covers the bottom) | city and day trips | a compromise between warmth and freedom of movement |
| Parka | city, standing around outdoors | a longer jacket with a hood; with longer cuts, check the vent so that you can walk comfortably |
| Winter coat | city, work, longer spells standing outdoors | the longer cut protects hips and seat; not suitable for sport |
On the NORDBLANC scale, coats are mostly one level warmer than winter jackets. You will find them in the collections women’s winter coats and men’s winter coats.
How do you choose the size of a winter jacket?
- Measure your chest circumference over a thin T-shirt, at the widest point, with your arms hanging loosely. Compare the figure with the size chart on the jacket’s product page; the Size charts page can help too.
- Allow for the layer under the jacket. If you wear a sweatshirt or fleece under the jacket, it must fasten without pulling across the back.
- Raise your arms above your head. The sleeves should not ride up past the wrists, and the hem should not reveal your back.
- Check the fit. Almost all NORDBLANC winter jackets have a Regular fit, meaning classic rather than close-fitting. Slim fit and Oversized are found among the ski jackets.
The best way to settle any doubt about size is to try the jacket on. You can try it on in our stores.
Which details should you look for?
- An adjustable hood, preferably detachable. A tightened hood holds better in the wind.
- Inner elasticated cuffs in the sleeves, which keep out wind and snow.
- An adjustable hem at the bottom, so that no draught gets under the jacket.
- Waterproof zips and taped seams on jackets for rain and wet snow.
- An inner chest pocket for your phone, because the battery lasts longer in the warm.
- A detachable fur collar on some city models. Detach it before washing.
Features differ from model to model. You will find the list on the product page in the Features section.
How do you care for a winter jacket?
- Wash according to the label. Wash jackets on their own, inside out and with the zips fastened.
- Do not use fabric conditioner. It clogs the membrane and reduces water repellency.
- Wash a down jacket with a down wash, most often at 30 °C. Dry it naturally or in a tumble dryer on a low heat with dryer balls that break up the down, and shake it out from time to time while it dries.
- When water stops beading on the fabric, restore the water-repellent finish (reproof it).
You will find full instructions on the Product care page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a jacket without a membrane enough for the city?
For ordinary wear in town, mostly yes, provided it has a water-repellent finish and you are not out in the rain for long. If you walk everywhere in all weathers or carry a rucksack, a membrane with a water column of 10,000 mm is worth having. Most NORDBLANC winter jackets have no membrane.
Can I wear a ski jacket in town?
You can. NORDBLANC ski jackets have a water column of 10,000–30,000 mm, and almost all are rated down to −20 °C. They are, however, cut sportier and shorter than a coat. For standing around in town, a longer winter jacket or coat is usually more comfortable.
How should I dress for frost so that I am not cold under my jacket?
Dress in three layers: a baselayer that wicks away sweat, a sweatshirt or fleece, and the winter jacket on top. Leave out the cotton T-shirt next to the skin, because damp cotton chills. For hard frost or long spells standing still, add warmer thermal underwear, a hat and gloves. More in the guide How to choose a baselayer.
How can I tell when trying it on that a winter jacket fits?
Fasten it over the sweatshirt you will wear under it. Nothing should pull across the shoulders or under the arms. When you raise your arms above your head, the sleeves should not ride up past the wrists and the hem should not reveal your back. You can try jackets on in NORDBLANC stores.
What warmth rating should I choose if it is mostly around freezing outside?
For temperatures around freezing and slightly below, a jacket rated down to −10 °C on the NORDBLANC scale is enough, and most winter jackets have it. For harder frost or long spells standing outdoors, choose a higher rating and add a warm layer underneath. The scale is for comparing models with one another, not a guaranteed temperature.