Winter style can be great, right? You've got cozy layers and textural knits—in an ideal world, you'd step out in the morning with your long woolen overcoat worn open (to show off the fit) and maybe a scarf slung casually around your neck. But our world, as we know all too well, is not ideal. Winter can be a real bitch. Bone-chilling wind, frigid freezing rain, maybe snow and a heap of other unpredictable meteorological conditions. Without the right outerwear, you'll suffer.

The smart move is to pull on a powerful puffer jacket. Quilted with a heat-trapping down filling, these coats' insulation is their secret to keeping you toasty, no matter the conditions outside. For the uninitiated, “down” is the light fluffy coating clustered beneath the feathers of ducks or geese that helps to protect them and keep them warm through natural insulation. Of course, nowadays, not all puffers are stuffed with genuine down. Some alternative fillings can be just as insulating but kinder on your allergies (or conscience).

Down feathers.

Down feathers.

These sporty jackets warm up and retain heat in ways that regular old coats just can't. And luckily, you don't have to sacrifice style for the sake of your comfort. We're living in the golden age of outerwear thanks to the rise of Gorpcore and other hiking-inspired trends in menswear. Which means your options range from classic heritage brands and simplified styles (in a range of colors) to luxurious and rarefied options from modern and designer labels. So whether you're looking for an easy, packable nylon jacket to keep you warm on your travels or more of an investment piece, cut from a waxed Japanese broadcloth or refined Donegal wool fabric, we've pulled our favorites from the season. But don't wait until mid-winter (when you really need it) to buy. By then, they'll all be sold out.