Winter Outerwear 101: Coats, Jackets, and Parkas – What’s the Difference?

Understanding The Differences Between Coats, Jackets & Parkas

The arrival of winter means that it’s time to bundle up, and winter outerwear is a must-have piece in anyone’s winter outerwear ensemble. Would you hand us that coat … er, jacket … er, parka? Wait! What’s the actual difference between these three things, anyway?

 

Believe it or not, they’re not just three names for the same thing, and they’re not regional variations like whether you call soft drinks soda or pop. Coats, jackets, and parkas are all fundamentally different pieces of clothing that serve different purposes as winter outerwear. But, to make it more confusing, the terms are often used interchangeably, and none of them has a strict and universally agreed-upon definition. Confused yet? Don’t worry; our winter outerwear experts are here to help you sort it out. It’s actually not too complicated once you break it down, so let’s go. 

What’s a Coat?

A coat is a piece of insulated cold-weather clothing with a hem that falls below the waistline. Coats typically feature thick insulation that’s suitable for winter weather and are often made from heavier materials like wool or nylon. Their extra length and insulation make them an ideal top-level piece of winter outerwear, especially in colder and wetter conditions. 


Some people use “coat” as a generic term for any kind of cold weather outerwear. This isn’t necessarily wrong, but it can lead to confusion when it comes to which kind of winter outerwear you actually need.

What’s a Bomber Jacket?

A jacket, or many times referred to as a bomber jacket, is a piece of cold weather clothing with a hem that falls above or just at the waistline. Jackets come in a huge range of shapes and sizes. Some are suited for a brisk fall day, while others will keep you warm even in the depths of winter. Their one caveat is that their shorter length can provide less protection against the wind than a longer garment. 

 

Jackets can make ideal pieces for layering your clothing since smaller and thinner jackets are often designed to slip under larger and heavier jackets. However, a heavier winter work jacket like a bomber jacket can also be a great investment by itself for keeping the winter weather at bay, especially when combined with a pair of winter pants or winter overalls. 

What’s a Parka? 

“Parka” doesn’t get thrown around quite as often as the other two terms, but many people still aren’t aware of what a true parka is. The term is often used for any heavy winter jacket, but it’s actually a specific type of heavy winter jacket. A true parka will have the following characteristics: 

  • Ends below the waist
  • Includes numerous pockets
  • May include multiple types of pockets, such as snap pockets, side-zip pockets, and handwarmer pockets
  • Often waterproof or water-resistant
  • Often includes a built-in hood
  • Offers more insulation than thinner and lighter styles of coats

Although parkas have sometimes been thought of as bulky, today’s best winter parkas are designed for mobility and performance. 

What Kind of Winter Outerwear Do You Need? 

Now that you know the difference, the real question is: Which one is right for you? Although that decision will ultimately be up to you, here are some common guidelines delineating for which situation each is appropriate: 

  • Coat: Prolonged outdoor wear in cold weather, windy conditions, rainy conditions, top layers
  • Jacket: Lighter winter or fall conditions, cold without excessive wind, middle layers, used in combination with lower body workwear
  • Parka: Harsh winter conditions, heavy precipitation, jobs where lots of pockets are required, top layers

Of course, it’s also possible (or even likely) that you might need two or even all three of these winter outerwear types. In such a case, you might want to consider an all-in-one coat or parka design

Shop Our Entire Selection Of Winter Work Gear

Winter Outerwear: Coats, Jackets, and Parkas from HiVis Supply

HiVis Supply serves customers in a wide range of different jobs and industries, so it’s important to us that we cover the whole range of winter workwear. That means we’ve got coats, jackets, and parkas all available in high-performance designs and bright, fade-resistant hi vis coloring. Here are some of our premier choices for winter outerwear: 

 

Ready to take your hi vis winter workwear to the next level? See HiVis Supply’s complete selection of hi vis winter outerwear, including coats, jackets, parkas, and much more. 

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