How to choose the right winter coat to stay warm?

1 – Insulation for your winter coat: down or synthetic?

When it comes to choosing your winter coat, the first criterion to consider is its insulation. Whether it's a women's or men's coat, you have two options: down insulation or synthetic insulation . These two materials have their own particularities. Zoom in on the advantages and disadvantages of each!

Down insulation

Down jackets are becoming increasingly popular due to their breathability and efficiency. They're also a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts due to their ability to fit neatly into luggage.

Ideal for the Quebec climate, they protect against arid and cold temperatures. Often cited as the best thermal insulator in the world, down is natural. It was by reproducing the body of a duck or a goose, which have down under their feathers, that we came to create sufficiently warm winter coats.

A down jacket is good, but a quality one is even better. To determine whether a down winter coat will protect you from the cold, you need to evaluate its fill power. The higher this power, the more the down can expand, making it lighter and warmer. FOSFO down jackets are insulated with 600-fill down of an 80/20 quality (80% down and 20% feathers), which offers a warmth rating of -25 degrees Celsius.

All FOSFO down jackets for men and women have received the RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification, which attests to good practices on geese and ducks throughout the manufacturing process.

Synthetic insulation

Those who choose a synthetic winter coat are those looking for excellent moisture resistance, especially when practicing winter sports. Since it dries faster than its counterpart, it is easier to maintain. Others may turn to this type of insulation since it is a hypoallergenic option.

For those who prefer this type of insulation, our Audvik line offers jackets made entirely from recycled synthetic fibers, such as Exkin Air or PrimaLoft. Both have the advantage of replicating many of the characteristics of down and being made from recycled materials.

2 – Waterproofness and warmth index for your winter coat

Between November and April, we face a wide variety of weather conditions: slush, ice, rain... sometimes all in one morning! For a winter coat to be truly warm, it must be able to withstand these adverse weather conditions. Without a waterproof coat, staying dry—and therefore warm and enjoying winter—becomes extremely difficult. Here are some tips to help you choose the right coat.

Since the outer shell acts as the first barrier against cold and moisture, it must have waterproof properties. This ensures that rain and snow bead up on the surface of the fabric instead of seeping into your bones.

Good news: all our FOSFO winter down jackets for women and men are water resistant up to 5,000mm, keeping you dry and warm. They also offer a warmth rating of -25°C.

For downhill skiing, snowboarding, or hiking enthusiasts, it's recommended to opt for a higher waterproof rating. Our FOSFO men's short, waterproof, and comfortable pullover jacket was designed for the mountains. Meanwhile, the FOSFO women's sleeveless vest, also water-resistant, is perfect for spring skiing.

At Audvik, we use a 10,000mm Gore-Tex membrane to make our women's and men's winter coats. Our eco-friendly coats are made with recycled fabrics and, since 2022, insulated with synthetic Primaloft®.

Finally, for those looking for a lightweight, waterproof, and breathable coat, the Audvik anoraks are ideal. Available for men and women, they are designed for both urban strolls and nature hikes.

3 – Your winter coat style

Although coat style is sometimes the first thing we look for, it should be at the bottom of the list. However, a quality winter coat that protects against the cold and snow doesn't have to be bland or colorless!

Winter jacket length

There is a wide range of coat lengths, which can meet specific needs.

Our women's FOSFO short jacket is perfect for three occasions: a stroll through the city, a hike in the forest, or a downhill ski trip. It's no coincidence that it's one of our most popular styles. Insulated with RDS-certified down, it's made with recycled fabric from abandoned fishing nets. It offers a waterproof rating of 5,000 mm and a warmth rating of -25 degrees.

How would you like to be protected from the cold from head to toe? Our maxi FOSFO was designed for those who are always cold. It's a very (very) long cut that protects against the cold and bad weather in the city.

Our long FOSFO winter jacket is a beautiful hybrid between a short and a maxi, retaining the same waterproof and breathable characteristics as its counterparts. Nothing can stop it: it was designed for skating, tubing, hiking in nature, or waiting at the bus stop. Since it's also made of down, it fits easily in a suitcase.

Our FOSFO jacket pullover has more than one trick up its sleeve! Rain or shine, its versatile fit lets you take to the ice rink, snowy slopes, and less accessible trails. Thanks to its high waterproofing and -25-degree heat rating, it's the perfect winter coat for experiencing winter to the fullest.

Coat Details

It is often said that perfection lies in the details. For this reason, each style of FOSFO coat has particularities that distinguish it.

While some of our coats feature a two-way zipper for ease of movement, others slip on like a sweater for ready-to-wear. They also have inside pockets, an anti-static lining, and microfleece inner cuffs.

We've designed coats in a variety of colors. All of our women's and men's coats are available in energizing shades , such as raisin, orange, light blue, and yellow, and neutrals , such as black, taupe, and midnight blue.

As you may have seen, there are as many types of women's winter coats and men's winter coats as there are winter activities. Before the temperature drops, it's now up to you to choose the right quality winter coat that will keep your body warm for hours. When there's snow, there's fun!