Found: The Winter Clothes You Actually Need This Season (2024)

Obviously, the best winter clothes for men should keep you warm and protected from the elements. But with increasingly unpredictable temps wreaking havoc on our cold-weather wardrobe essentials, finding the right winter coats, gloves, and boots that play well in a variety of conditions can feel like a fool's errand. Lucky for you, we consulted with our fashion director, Ted Stafford, along with assistant fashion market editor Imani Granger, who put together a shortlist of the best-of-the-best winter clothes for men to throw on this season. Most of them are loaded with heat-trapping, water-repellent fabrics; all of them are easy to layer on and off, and look great doing so. Juzar Dean, a Brooklyn-based musician, models this year's winter clothes to stay ready for the arctic cold, bone-piercing gusts, and sudden whiteouts.

Winter Pants

Just like leg day, you should never skip out on investing in winter pants. Whether you need something to stay dry and cozy on your commute, or some rugged, insulating slacks for your outdoor activities, the best winter pants for men will keep your legs warm, dry, comfortable, and stylish. The right bottoms should have insulating materials (either in the lining or the whole fabric) like wool, flannel, fleece, cashmere, and corduroy that will hold your body heat when the temperature plummets—some winter pants like ski pants are even made with synthetic insulation to beat the Baltic cold. We also looked for bottoms that are water- and windproof as well to shield your bare skin from sub-zero elements, wicking away—rather than absorbing—moisture.

Read more: Winter Pants | Casual Pants | Elastic Waist Pants | Chinos | Cargo Pants

Sweaters

Yes, these knits are cozy, but we consider sweaters the workhorse of winter wardrobes, since you can wear them with just about any casual or business casual fit. The best sweaters for men should be made from heat-retaining, soft, and smooth fabrics. Our favorites? The Fusalp Dorian, which features super cozy wool, and Reigning Champ's classic cotton-jersey sweatshirt. Secondly, the best sweaters for men need to come in a comfortable-but-still-tailored fit for layering over shirts as well as easy standalone wear. Most of these tops look great on their own, or over your favorite dress shirt for more formal occasions.

For a more casual, laidback look, wear a classic crewneck sweater with your go-to pants styles, whether you're running errands or grabbing coffee with friends. V-neck sweaters are great for a smart-casual or business-casual aesthetic in the office or a dinner date since they layer very well over collared shirts. (Zip sweaters also work as such, by the way.)

Read more: Sweaters | Cable-Knit Sweaters | Crewneck Sweatshirts | Cardigans | Cashmere Sweaters | Shawl Collar Cardigans

Winter Coats

Probably your most expensive winter clothing investment, the right winter coat will pay dividends for years to come. Our fashion team looked for coats that had weather-resistant exteriors to keep you dry, as well as insulation like down or synthetic fill to keep you warm. Additionally, the best winter jackets for men will be versatile enough to take you from urban commutes to backcountry escapades.

Your winter coat can give off some seriously good looks, but if it's not warm or durable then it won't do you any good wearing it. We looked for jackets that achieve a high warmth-to-weight ratio. Experts we spoke with recommend natural fibers like down and wool to help trap body heat.

Read more: Winter Jackets | Liner Jackets | Waxed Canvas Jackets | Bomber Jackets | Leather Jackets | Heated Jackets | Hiking Jackets | Winter Jackets for Men | Men's Parkas | Men's Puffer Jackets

Winter Gloves

We'll keep it 100: Most winter accessories are nice to have, but you could probably live without them. However, the best winter gloves are absolutely necessary to make it through the coldest months of the year. Come rain, hail, sleet, or snow, you’re going to want to protect your fingers with something weather resistant, warm, and stylish.

When you’re shopping for a new go-to pair, you want something protective but not too bulky, and stylish but too delicate. You can go with manufactured materials like nylon and spandex or take the classic route with leather. Either way, the best winter gloves, like the best winter jackets, provide tough performance in a fashionable package.

Read more: Winter Gloves | Heated Gloves | Touchscreen Gloves | Driving Gloves

Winter Hats

Also a winter accessory essential: Hats. The right ones will keep your noggin stylishly toasty. Sure, your cheap black beanie might keep your ears warm in a pinch, but it’s not going to cut it once winter sets in. Instead, invest in a high-quality hat that’s right for the weather outside to stay warm and stylish all season long.

Just like the best winter knits, our favorite winter hats are made from premium fabrics that retain heat, and feel incredibly cozy. Merino wool is probably your best bet for a cold weather hat what won't overheat, but also look for cashmere options for a luxurious vibe (and a great gift for him).

Read more: Types of Hats | Winter Hats | Beanies

Winter Boots

Finding the right pair of winter boots can be difficult. While boots for snow and ice are widely available at a variety of retailers, knowing which pairs are actually worth the money is undeniably difficult in the sea of options. But, believe it or not, there are some functional and stylish winter boots out there waiting to make your snowy trek both ways more manageable.

Simply put, the best winter boots mix style and functionality with comfort and warmth—making them the perfect addition to your winter outfits. But this perfect combination of performance, durability, and design can almost seem like a mythical triple threat to which no boot can match—especially if you're on a budget. We did the research for you to find the best cold weather kicks to cop now.

Read more: Winter Boots | Best Duck Boots | Best Dress Boots | Rain Boots

Baselayers

Literally the building blocks of your winter wardrobe, these right baselayers are a cinch to slip into, and should move like a second skin. To get that feeling, look for thermal underwear that's made of performance fabrics like merino wool (such as Outdoor Research's Onset Bottoms), which helps wick away sweat from the body, while still trapping heat.

Without making you feel constrained, your thermals should be close-fitting. If it’s too loose, chances are the thermal layer won’t properly retain much heat. Plus, we considered the construction of each garment to identify any bulky seams, which could prevent easy layering.

Read more: Thermal Underwear | Long-Sleeve T-Shirts | Henley Shirts | Underwear

Photographer: Malike Didibe

Fashion Director: Ted Stafford

This story originally appears in the December 2023 issue of Men's Health.