The Best Plus

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Cozy styles to keep you warm all winter long.

You don't want to be caught in a snow storm or freezing temperatures without a winter coat or jacket to keep you warm and comfortable. If you've been wearing a coat that just isn't holding up against the cold weather, it might be time for an upgrade. A great coat should be designed with high quality materials and feature superior construction to ensure it protects you from the elements and lasts longer than one season. You don't want to sacrifice style or fit for function, though, so be sure to find a coat that's durable that you also love wearing.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, our Textiles Lab experts test all sorts of winter weather gear, including fleece-lined leggings, winter boots, warm socks and, of course, winter coats. In our most recent coat test, analysts evaluated over 30 styles of coats in our Lab, considering fabrication, insulation, unique design elements and more. We also shared our coats with consumer testers who were able to provide us with their feedback about properties like overall comfort, fit and warmth. Altogether, our analysts gathered and reviewed over 1,000 data points and used this information, along with rave online reviews from real users, when making our picks for the best plus-size winter coats.

Keep reading to learn about how we test winter coats and for helpful shopping tips, but first, here are our favorite plus-size winter coats this season. Looking for a new pair of boots to match your coat? Check out our nine best plus-size boots of 2022, designed to accommodate wide calfs.

The Payton Pass jacket may be a new model, but it's already impressed our Textiles Lab analysts. The coat is designed with a two-layer system, featuring an inner down alternative jacket lined with thermal reflective material that's meant to keep you warm without weighing you down and an outer layer made with a crisp, matte, waterproof material. Both pieces can be worn separately or zipped together for an ultra-warm coat. We appreciate the thoughtful construction, including thumbhole cuffs to keep drafty air out of your sleeves, an adjustable waist for a better fit, a plush faux fur-lined hood for warmth and plenty of pockets with snap or zipper closures to keep your belongings secure. Our tester raved about the design as well, giving it a perfect fit rating and sharing that she loved everything about it, describing the coat as "convenient for transitioning from fall to winter."

There's not much better than snuggling into your bed and covering up with a warm duvet. Thanks to one of this year's popular winter wear trends, you don't have to leave the comfiness of your bed behind as you brave the cold. Th is duvet puffer jacket is designed with an oversized fit and box stitch construction, meant to emulate a cozy duvet or comforter. Although we haven't reviewed this pick in the Lab, our analysts love that for less than $70, the long coat is made with nylon material, which is typically more durable than other synthetics and is water-resistant to protect you from cold, wet weather. The coat features recycled polyester fill that reviewers say is warm and cozy but lightweight. Snap vents on each side allow for easier movement, and an adjustable waist provides some shaping for a better, more flattering fit.

L.L.Bean's thoughtful product design continues to impress our Textiles Lab pros, and this winter coat is no exception. For less than $200, t he coat is one of the brand's more basic options but is still made to last. It uses 650 fill-power down to trap heat, and our tester gave it perfect ratings for being warm and comfortable. Lab analysts loved the front snap pockets lined with fuzzy fleece that feature smaller zipped pockets inside for an extra layer of security. Other favorite design elements include the removable fitted hood, adjustable cuffs and waist and durable nylon yoke (extra material over the shoulders and chest for wet weather protection). We did notice some fraying threads at the hem, but the rest of the coat's seams were intact. Our tester appreciated the overall fit of the thigh-length coat, saying it "fits well without being baggy" and pointed out that it's roomy enough to wear a sweatshirt or thicker winter layer underneath.

Over 16,000 reviewers on Amazon have given this coat from Orolay a five-star rating, praising it for being "so warm and plush" and feeling cozy. This style has our largest size range, extending up to 5X, but some reviewers say the sleeves run tight and recommend sizing up. With zippers that run up both sides of the coat, the unique design helps to loosen the fit for comfortable sitting, better movement and added ventilation. Our Lab experts appreciate the baffle construction meant to keep the down and feather blend fill evenly distributed so that you don't experience cold spots. There are over a dozen color and pattern variations to choose from, including options with faux fur trim, and each style features a sherpa-lined hood for extra warmth. When our tester tried her Orolay coat, she was excited about the inner knit cuffs to keep drafty air out, and another tester loved the look of the outer pockets (there are six total!) and long zipper pulls, which add a stylish element to the coat.

If you're looking for an everyday coat to wear all winter long, this pick from Eddie Bauer is a great option. Stuffed with 650 fill-power down that is Responsible Down Standard certified, it's lofty and warm. Adjustable cuffs with fleece lining prevent drafty air from getting inside, and a water-repellent finish provides protection from wet weather. Our Textiles Lab experts were impressed by the overall construction of the coat, describing it as "substantial" and highlighting features like the dual zipper, fleece-lined pockets and adjustable hood with faux fur trim. Although we had no issues using the zippers during evaluation, some online reviews mention the zipper becoming stuck or breaking with extended use. When our tester tried this coat on, she said the shape was tailored and that it fit her well, but she thought it might be a little tight with warm weather layers underneath; you may want to consider sizing up if you're in between sizes.

This windproof and waterproof nylon parka is designed to protect you from winter's worst weather including ice, sleet and snow. The thick, crisp material isn't as soft as other coats, but it's durable and, according to our tester, is great "for days with a wintry mix." Textiles experts appreciate the use of synthetic insulation paired with a fleece-lined torso to provide extra warmth where it's needed most, while still allowing the coat to feel lightweight. Details like a two-way zipper with a storm flap and adjustable cuffs prevent the elements from making their way into your coat and warm air from escaping. Our tester gave the coat high scores for comfort, fit, quality and warmth and raved about the "vibrant" color options and spacious pockets, two of which are lined with fleece to help warm your hands.

Choosing a warm, quality winter coat shouldn't mean that you need to sacrifice style. Noize's puffer is flattering with a belted waist and matte outer fabric, but it's also long and received a perfect rating for warmth, proving it to be a great balance of fashion and performance. Our analysts appreciate that the coat is filled with recycled polyester down-alternative fill, along with the two-way zipper and the fleece-lined pockets. One tester found the zippers to be a bit finicky, but she was impressed that it zipped all the way up the neck to keep the hood in place. She also said she "love[d] the belt detail that adds a cinched waist to an otherwise unflattering silhouette." Other positive feedback praised the length, saying it's "toasty" without being restrictive or feeling bulky.

Inspired by a popular 1990s design, this winter coat from The North Face is a nostalgic style with modern design elements. Although we haven't tested this particular coat, our Textiles Lab pros are fans of the brand and appreciate this coat's durable nylon ripstop material. This lighter weight style is a great option for transitioning into colder weather and is filled with 700 fill-power goose down, which provides insulation without weighing you down. The jacket folds into its own pocket for easy traveling, and the brimmed hood even packs into the collar so it stays out of the way when you're not actively using it. This is a cropped, boxier silhouette, but reviewers still say it fits true to size, and elastic around the cuffs and drawstrings at the hem allow for a snugger fit.

Outdoor Research's lightweight jacket is easy to layer and pack for your next adventure. The jacket is filled wit h a synthetic polyester that's meant to mimic the warmth of real down clusters, and the brand compares it to a 700 to 800 fill-power down. Weighing in at just 10 ounces, the jacket is surprisingly durable thanks to the abrasion-resistant nylon material. When we evaluated this jacket in the Lab, our textiles pros were impressed by the unique diagonal quilting pattern, which is meant to decrease the amount of stitching needed to keep the down in place and, in turn, reduce cold spots in the jacket because the fill is spread throughout the jacket without being trapped in one place. Our tester loved the jacket, raving about the high collar that doesn't require a scarf. She also gave the jacket perfect ratings for warmth, quality and comfort, but we wouldn't recommend wearing this jacket on its own in extremely cold temperatures and suggest layering it instead.

Textiles Lab experts conducted market research, working with well-known outerwear brands to test new and best-selling coat styles. Our experts consider online product information like design specs and material info including fabric and fiber type, construction and insulation before reviewing coats in person.

Once we receive the coats in the Lab, we analyze each one for overall quality and consider design features like materials and lining, pockets, hoods, sleeve and cuffs, closures (buttons, snaps, hook and loop, zippers), drawstrings and seams. Pictured here is an analyst examining a coat's construction.

Along with testing in the Lab, our analysts share coats with consumer testers who are able to try on and wear the coats and provide feedback about their experiences. Our testers rate the coat for factors like appearance, comfort, warmth, fit, quality, ease of use and more. They're also able to share their thoughts on what they like and dislike about the style they test and what they think the best use for the coat is (everyday wear, wet weather, etc.). As the weather permits, our Lab experts will continue to gather more information from consumer testers about the coats and their performance in colder conditions to ensure that our initial data remains accurate and up-to-date.

When shopping for your next plus-size winter coat, here are a few things to consider:

✔️ M aterial: Most coats are designed with synthetic fabrics made of nylon or polyester fibers. Nylons tend to be more durable and are often water-resistant, so they're great for a quality outer shell. Polyesters aren't quite as durable but are cheaper and are often used for lining or as the shell for more affordable options.

✔️ Insulation type: There are two primary types of fill used for winter coats: down and down alternatives (synthetics).

✔️ Fill power: Fill power impacts the warmth and loft of a coat. It's technically the measurement for the volume of down fill in cubic inches per ounce. A higher fill-power down is loftier and takes up more space, which means it will trap more heat, resulting in better insulation. The average winter coat will have a fill power somewhere between 300 to 900, but coats with fill powers over 550 are considered warmer. Only down coats have fill power, but some down alternative coats may list the fill power equivalent. It's important to note that weight and fill power are two different measurements; weight refers to the amount of down used in the coat. A coat can have a high fill power but still be lightweight if it doesn't use much down fill.

✔️ Weatherproof design: Sealed flat seams help to keep fill in and wet weather out. Drawstrings and elastic edging around hoods, hems and cuffs allow for a more secure, snug fit, which protects you from drafty air and prevents warm air from escaping.

✔️ Style: Some coats are more functional than fashionable, while others prioritize style. Reflect on your own personal style and how you want to wear your new coat before making a purchase. Longer styles provide more protection from the elements but are more restrictive. A shorter, boxy cut may be more on trend but won't stay as fitted to the body and may let cold air in. Tapered seams and adjustable waists contribute to a more flattering, fitted look. Consider if you prefer a matte or shiny outer material and if you're a fan of visible branding and logos.

Amanda Constantine is a home and apparel reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates clothing items, including intimate apparel, shoes and swimwear. She recently worked directly with dozens of brands to test best-selling coats and down jackets, along with new styles from the 2022-2023 season. In the Lab, she evaluated each coat, analyzing construction elements and the overall quality. She then coordinated consumer testing, sharing each coat with someone who was able to provide real user feedback. Altogether, over 1,000 initial data points were collected for analysis, and more testing will be conducted as weather permits. She also drew from former coat testing conducted by Textiles Lab executive director Lexie Sachs. For this article, she combined testing data with rave reviews from online users to make the best plus-size winter coat picks.

Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.

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