Have you ever wondered how much it would cost you to buy the best jackets from all the top-tier brands? I often wonder myself, so I went ahead and collected the single most expensive options from all brands worth considering, from Moncler and Arc'teryx to Vollebak and Canada Goose.
But because it wouldn't be helpful just to list a bunch of expensive coats, I went ahead and collected an alternative from each brand you might want to consider, in case your budget doesn't quite stretch to seven and a half grand parkas.
As you'll see, most of the outrageously priced shells below are designed for extreme conditions, from freeride skiing to alpinism and beyond. Selling clothes suitable for these environments requires brands to put their money where their mouth is; you can't just say, "yeah, sure, this coat will protect you from the elements" and not deliver on that promise.
As such, the majority of the items listed below aren't suited for everyday use. You might be able to use some for dog walking, but that would be like driving a Formula 1 car to pick up groceries – possible but completely unnecessary.
Shackleton Haakon Tactical Parka
Recommended price: $2,150/ £1,395
Shackleton's pinnacle offering, the Haakon Tactical Parka, is engineered for the most extreme polar conditions. Designed with input from elite explorers, it combines advanced insulation with tactical features to ensure survival in the harshest environments. This parka represents the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance apparel.
Affordable alternative: I can vouch for the Rothera Hooded Down Jacket, which I tried a few years ago. It's a superb insulated jacket that allows you to track the down feathers used in the garment by scanning the QR code on the label. And it's pretty toasty, too.
Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket
Recommended price: $900/ £800
The Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket is a premium hardshell designed for severe alpine conditions. Constructed with GORE-TEX Pro Most Rugged technology and a 100-denier recycled face fabric, it offers exceptional durability and weather protection. Features include a helmet-compatible StormHood, RECCO reflector (so rescue services can find you in the mountains), and articulated construction for enhanced mobility.
Affordable alternative: The company's Beta Lightweight Jacket sells for a friendlier price and omits most snow-ready features. The hood is sublime, and it's more than waterproof enough for general outdoor activities.
The North Face Himalayan Suit
Recommended price: $2,000/ £1,800
The Himalayan Suit isn't a jacket. It’s a full-body armour system built for Mount Everest. Filled with 800-fill ProDown and wrapped in windproof, water-resistant fabric, it’s designed for survival at -40°C. Serious gear for summit attempts, though admittedly a touch much for the morning commute.
Affordable alternative: If you're looking for a TNF puffer, you can't go wrong with the 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket. It's stylish, warm, and comes in a gazillion different colours. Whether you're gorpcore or not, this is the insulated jacket you need.
Moncler Sedrun Patchwork-Quilted Wool Down Ski Jacket
Recommended price: $5,400/ £3,685
Moncler's Sedrun blends high-performance alpine wear with luxury fashion flair. This patchwork-quilted ski jacket features wool panels, down insulation, and meticulous Italian tailoring. It’s warm, weather-resistant, and unmistakably Moncler, meaning it's equal parts slope-ready and après-ski statement piece.
Affordable alternative: Finding an affordable Moncler jacket is like trying to ski uphill in flip-flops, but something like the Grimpeurs Hooded Windbreaker might be a decent option for urban adventures. Made from water-repellent nylon, this boating-inspired shell is as stylish as it is functional.
Helly Hansen Graphene Infinity 3-In-1 Ski Jacket
Recommended price: $1,300/ £1,100
This is a cutting-edge piece of outerwear designed for versatility and performance. It features a LIFA INFINITY PRO shell that offers durable, chemical-free water repellency and breathability. The inner jacket combines Allied Feather & Down insulation with PrimaLoft Thermoplume Cross Core technology, enhanced by a graphene lining that efficiently redistributes heat for optimal thermal regulation. In layman's terms, an amazing insulated coat for the slopes.
Affordable alternative: As the name suggests, the Urban Lab Down Parka feels right at home on the streets while still being 100% functional, thanks to the HELLY TECH Professional 2-layer fabric system. It's waterproof/breathable, and windproof. Nuff' said.
Mammut Eiger Free Pro HS Hooded Jacket
Recommended price: $TBC/ £750
German outdoor giant Mammut's Eiger Free Pro HS Hooded Jacket is a high-performance freeride hardshell designed for extreme conditions – radical, bro! Featuring a GORE-TEX Pro membrane and recycled nylon outer fabric, the jacket offers exceptional durability, waterproofing, and breathability. Its ergonomic design ensures freedom of movement, making it ideal for demanding alpine adventures.
Affordable alternative: If you prefer to spend your time in less extreme environs, check out the Alto Light HS Hooded Jacket. Costing a fraction of the price of the Eiger Free Pro, this shell still sports a 2.5-layer Mammut DRY Tour laminate made with recycled polyester, which is PFC-free and waterproof.
Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka
Recommended price: $TBC/ £1,695
An icon, the Snow Mantra Parka from Canada Goose is engineered for extreme cold, offering unparalleled warmth and protection. Designed for industrial and commercial use in the coldest regions, it features 247 components, including a down-filled hood with coyote fur ruff, fleece-lined chin guard, and multiple utility pockets. Renowned as one of the warmest coats available, it's built to withstand temperatures as low as -30°C.
Affordable alternative: The Snow Mantra caters for a niche market, and most people are better off with something like the Nanaimo Jacket Black Label. This packable rain jacket has three pockets, is fully seam-sealed and has a good-sized hood to keep your hair dry in a sudden downpour.
Fjallraven Polar Expedition Parka
Recommended price: $1,000/ £1,070
You know the drill by now; the Polar Expedition Parka is engineered for extreme winter conditions, offering exceptional warmth and durability. Filled with 700 fill-power goose down, it features large baffles and an inner baffle collar to retain heat. The outer shell is constructed from G-1000 fabric, reinforced with G-1000 HeavyDuty in high-wear areas like the chest, elbows, and rear, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Affordable alternative: I thoroughly enjoyed using the Nuuk Lite Parka, which offers most of the features of the Nuuk but isn't as warm as that one. That said, it's plenty warm in most conditions apart from arctic, and is also waterproof.
Norrona lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Plus Jacket
Recommended price: $1,190/ £1,090
The Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Plus Jacket is a top-tier freeride shell designed for big-mountain skiing and snowboarding. Constructed with 3-layer GORE-TEX PRO fabric, it offers exceptional waterproofness (28,000mm), optimised breathability, and total windproofness. The jacket's technical fit, articulated arms, and longer back cut provide optimal mobility and extra protection.
Affordable alternative: Not into skiing? Try the lofoten Gore-Tex Insulated Jacket instead (the non-Pro variety). It's half the price of the lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Plus Jacket, yet has a 2-layer Gore-Tex system to keep you dry and comfortable, no matter the weather.
66 North Tindur
Recommended price: $1,260/ £995
A pinnacle of Icelandic outerwear engineering, the Tindur Down Jacket is designed to withstand the most extreme Arctic conditions. Originally crafted for Leifur Örn Svavarsson, the first Icelander to summit Everest's north side, this jacket combines advanced insulation with practical features. It boasts 800-fill white duck down in a baffled-box construction, ensuring optimal warmth and minimal cold spots. The GORE-TEX Infinium shell provides windproof and water-resistant protection, while the detachable hood, multiple pockets, and snow gaiter enhance functionality.
Affordable alternative: 66 North claims the Dyngja is "incredibly warm" and filled with high-quality recycled down. It looks the part, for sure.
Vollebak Eiderdown Winter Puffer - Exosphere Blue edition
Recommended price: $7,495/ £5,995
The Vollebak Eiderdown Winter Puffer – Exosphere Blue Edition is a pinnacle of luxury outerwear, combining exceptional warmth with cutting-edge design. Filled with 100% Icelandic eiderdown – considered the lightest, warmest, and rarest down on Earth – this jacket offers unparalleled insulation. The eiderdown is hand-gathered by third-generation caretakers in the remote Fljót Valley of northern Iceland, ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability.
Affordable alternative: Everything looks more affordable when looking at the asking price of the jacket above. That said, the Ultralight Puffer Vest with Dyneema uses the world's strongest fibre (Dyneema) and costs a mere $795/ £595. What's that between friends, right?
