A parka is a lot like an upright sleeping bag, except it doesn't simply keep you insulated—it also protects your frostbite-prone fits from Mother Nature’s icy clutches. Parkas originated in the Arctic, where the Inuit designed them to withstand bone-chilling temperatures, before making their way to the US military with the introduction of the N-3B parka in the 1950s.
Crafted for US Air Force personnel stationed in harsh environments like Alaska, the N-3B was built to endure, well, pretty much everything. And while the winter parka has evolved in the time since, its mission remains unchanged: to keep you warm like the most loyal bodyguard your torso can afford.
From royal-grade Italian-made riffs to the type of summit-tested, retro versions favored by legendary expeditioners of old, the best parkas will keep you toasty from the trails to the streets and everywhere in-between.
