As many women working outside know, it can be tough to find a warm, yet feminine work jacket. Women know, when we search for work jackets, many times blazers will pop up or dull, boxy jackets for men. We need warm, big pocket jackets to do our outside chores just like everyone else. So how do you narrow great women’s work jackets and pick which one is the best?
That a good question! And it call comes down to materials, design, fit and construction, which will help a work jacket function in the stresses of an outdoor lifestyle, as well as be durable and remain comfortable for the long haul.
We ran through quite a few reviews and asked our farming friends and colleagues what jackets kept them warm during those chilly morning chores and this is what we found. The selections for the best women’s work jackets are diverse — there are Carhartt work jackets, a Dovetail jacket, a Helly Hansen jacket, and more, all of which are wonderfully representative of agriculture’s diverse tastes and needs.
The best part is that companies continue to release great winter work jackets for women, so our picks have grown, too. Here is our expanded list of the seven highest-rated women’s work jackets for 2021 and how to get ahold of them:
Helly Hansen Workwear Luna Winter Jacket
This jacket does great with insulation without seeming bulky — which also means that you don’t lose any mobility while keeping warm. It’s waterproof, has a lot of pockets, and doesn’t weigh you down during chores. We published a review of this jacket on AGDAILY, and the writer said this was one of the absolutely best women’s work jackets she’s ever worn. It is also feature-packed, with Helly Tech performance membrane, Primaloft Black Eco Insulation, fully taped construction (a perfect women’s cut), no shoulder seams, a detachable hood, an extended back for comfort, and comfortable wrist gaiters.
Promising reviews:
- I am truly impressed with the quality of this jacket, and I fully expect it to last me years. Incredible job on this one, Helly Hansen!
- I bought this jacket to replace another manufactures (Big Name Brand) winter jacket that I absolutely HATED. This jacket is a million times better. It’s perfect in length, and size. It runs a bit big actually, which is perfect for shoving a hoodie under it on those cold Alaska days.
- I bought it a size larger to layer. It’s a warm jacket. It is otherwise true to size. I also love all the pockets.
Carhartt Women’s Lined Sandstone Active Jacket
Made from rugged, 12-ounce, 100 percent cotton sandstone duck this product offers heavyweight three-piece hood for durability and warmth, quilted-flannel lining for warmth and comfort, rib-knit cuffs and bottom band keep the warmth in, deep pockets allow for extra storage and tough, triple-stitched main seams. This 100 percent cotton machine wash Carhartt jacket is sure to keep you warm and comes in eight different colors.
Promising reviews:
- I’m a beef farmer and wear this jacket every day in the winter for chores. It is warm, durable, and fits great, even when wearing layers.
- Love this jacket. Just got cold enough this week to wear it. I paid attention to the sizing in the comments. also tried a couple on locally. I’m 5’7” 190 and bought the medium. It fits perfectly. I can put a T-shirt and long sleeve workout jacket/thermal underneath. Perfect for trails in the shade. — Sizes are bigger, don’t but too big.
- I am a little annoyed that this appears to be Carhartt’s warmest jacket that comes in women’s sizing, but it’s still not QUITE as warm as the men’s version that they issue to us at work. Women need to be warm too! But it’s nearly as warm as the men’s version and it’s keeping me warm in Antarctica, so I can’t complain too much. I just wish it were a little bit more windproof. On REALLY cold days I have to wear a wind proof layer underneath this jacket.
Carhartt Women’s Elmira Jacket
A 100 percent Nylon coat is sure to keep you dry while having the perks of being machine washable.
Other benefits include storm defender waterproof breathable membrane, rain defender durable water-repellent finish, and fully taped seams. With high reviews and over 70 percent as fits as expected, this would make a great Christmas gift.
Promising reviews:
- I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan — so very cold, long winters! So far it is just late fall and only a little snow — but even in windy 30 degree weather I was very very warm in this! I can easily see wearing this as a normal daily wear coat (going to work, dropping kids off at school, running errands, etc.) It might not be a super insulated ski coat, but it is exactly what I was looking for!
- This is a great mid-weight coat, that it perfect for fall and early winter here in Minnesota. It’s insulated enough to make it warmer than a shell, but not so insulated that it’s super thick. It’s the coat you’d reach for when you’re already wearing a sweater, or a hoodie. And it seems to even be sized with this in mind.
- Great light winter jacket. It is perfect for the pacific northwest where it is wet and chilly but not super cold most of the time. The coat fits with room for a sweater. I wear a size 8 or 10 and the medium fits great.
Outback Trading Co. Walkabout Waterproof Jacket
This 100 percent Cotton Oilskin, five star jacket received rave reviews with benefits like a two way zipper, dual entry hip pockets, snap riding gussets, inside security pocket.
Promising reviews:
- The first outback oilskin I got must be at least 10 years old now. It is just a rag having been worn routinely in barn work and riding. I really love it. All the fine details, the fine, smooth quality of the fabric, the snap flaps in back for riding.
- A great oilskin jacket at a great price. It’s my third since 1992 by the same company. The other two wore like iron, all they needed was minimal maintenance as described in the product information brochure.
- I’m a size 12. Ordered the large and I can layer comfortably underneath it. Excellent quality.
Legendary Whitetails Women’s Saddle Country Shirt Jacket
This affordable work jacket is flannel lined is a blend of cotton, polyester, and nylon. It also features a heavy-duty zipper and snap down storm flap with cargo pockets.
Promising reviews:
- The material is good quality, it will definitely last you. The outside is like a jean material but it’s almost velvet-like. The sleeves have a nylon lining and the body lining is 100% cotton. It’s a perfect autumn jacket.
- Cute fit with just enough flare in the back to have a smart look and just roomy enough to wear a sweater or a t-shirt underneath. This is my new favorite go-to for everyday wear. Love it!
- I would recommend ordering one size up from normal. This gives me room to wear a hooded sweatshirt underneath on the cold days. That being said. I LOVE this jacket! I use it as a barn coat and for riding. Walking dogs, etc… if they came in other colors I would order one for going into town!
Carhartt Women’s Fryeburg Insulated Cotton Coat
This jacket is loaded with perks. Including, 100% cotton, machine wash, quilted, flannel lining in body and quilted nylon lining in sleeves, zip front with snap placket, and two lower-front pockets with flaps and snaps that double as hand warmer pockets with side entry, two chest pockets, and two interior pockets.
Promising reviews:
- I love the nice big pockets, I can keep my gloves and hat tucked in them when I go inside. The inside breast pockets are a little too shallow for my iPhone 6s plus, but they are wide enough. There are elastic drawstrings at the waist that I can synch in to give it a more feminine shape.
- Nice looking three season coat good enough for an Alaskan mom. This fabric looks and feels very durable — perfect for being in the woods or playing hard with the kids without having to worry about getting a hole.
- Pros: two way zipper, nice color ((deep wine), extra room for a 2nd layer on cold days, banded cuffs, longer in the back, price on Amazon was much less than on the Carhartt website. Cons: I wish it had a detachable hood but I’m okay with the permanent one and the drawstring is a little high waisted but I don’t intend to cinch
Dovetail Eli Chore Coat
Fashioned from strong, abrasion-resistant fabric with a warm, light, fleece core and poly-fill insulation, this piece is water and windproof, stretchable and breathable. Cut long in the back with underarm vents, swing gussets at the shoulder blade and five intuitive pockets, it’s chiseled in all the right places. Multiple drawcords serve to contour the hood for ideal peripheral vision and seal around the hips to keep out the weather. Double-layer cuffs featuring runner’s thumbholes offer extra warmth and coverage as you work. Offered in paprika and black. We liked this coat so much, it was part of a review we did on a few of Dovetail’s standout products, which you can read here.
Promising reviews:
- I ordered the Eli jacket recently. I’ve only worn it 1/2 dozen times and I’m already in love with it! It’s lightweight but hardy. I’m planning on wearing it on my trip to Iceland (with layers!!) this Fall. Thank you for focusing on function in fashion!
- I’ve been on the hunt for a winter work coat for years. Nothing has ever been just right. The Eli Chore Coat is so close to exactly what I’ve been looking for that I’m ending my hunt and will layering under it in extreme cold.
- The Eli Chore Coat is so close to perfect — the fit, the details, the way it performs in the rain or snow, the amazing pockets. What would make this jacket perfect in my opinion, is tweaking two things: changing the placement of the runner’s thumbholes and lengthening the strip of velcro that allow you to tighten the jacket by the wrists . When I put my thumbs into the runner’s thumbholes, it tugs oddly at the sleeves and feels very uncomfortable on the crease between my thumb and pointer finger. Also, if the velcro strap on the sleeve were a little longer, it would allow the fabric tab to lay flat rather than flop around when I’m not tightening it down to keep out the cold.
How to choose the best work jacket for you:
What type of jobs will you be doing in it?
Just like morning chores, not every work jacket is made the same. The first question you need to ask yourself when buying a new work jacket is what type of work will you be doing in it? If you are needing it to feed the livestock, you will want to make sure it is able to keep you warm in those cold morning hours while also giving you ample room for movement in the shoulders.
Similarly, know what is important to you in a jacket. Do you need a few big pockets or more smaller pockets? Does your jacket need to be insulated or would a waxed canvas jacket be better? Finding out what you need in a jacket will help you select the perfect one.
Will it match your weather demands?
Depending on where you live, you have different meanings of “cold”. For example, Alabama cold has a totally different meaning to Minnesota cold. Knowing how much insulation you need is vital. In addition to insulation, some jackets have room for layering while others do not. It is important to read reviews to figure out sizing and if you plan on layering underneath.
At the same time, you don’t want to buy an expensive work jacket only to find out that is too warm for your climate and you only wear it one day out of the year. By doing a little research and reading up on the materials of different work jackets, you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Not every jacket is created equally — in many cases, you get what you pay for. Work jackets come in many different materials and durability options. It is important to select which women’s work jacket will be the best for you and your working conditions.
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