During winter, you wear your coat more than anything else in your wardrobe. When the drizzly season hits, it’s the weatherproof saviour that makes leaving the house just about bearable. Beyond practicalities, though, it’s also an important style choice. As the top layer of every outfit, it’s the piece of clothing everyone sees first, so you need to make it count.
There’s much to consider when looking for a new piece of outerwear. Will it be warm enough? Is it a design you’ll wear in a year’s time? Does it coordinate with the rest of your wardrobe?
As with most fashion, we recommend keeping it timeless. Trends come and go – see skinny jeans, motocross jackets, gorpcore et al – but coats are best done classic. Think overcoats, macs, car coats, chore coats, trenchcoats and pea coats. Any of these in a versatile shade of black, navy, khaki or neutral will be a safe investment for this year and beyond.
Also think about what you’ll need the coat for. If you’re out walking the dog every day, you’ll need one that’s waterproof – our favourite would be Rains’ rubberised PU take. Or if you’re a drinks-after-work kind of guy, you’ll want a versatile overcoat that’s sophisticated enough for the office yet warm enough for the pavement. And for the tricky transitional period, a trench is usually best.
Either way, we’ve searched far and wide for the best coats to suit. Here’s our top picks.
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The best men’s coats in 2026
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<em>Best value for money coat:</em>H&M Atelier wool-blend topcoat
There’s a reason H&M has remained a mainstay on the high street for more than 75 years. The Scandi brand creates accessibly priced collections that every guy wants in their wardrobe, whether it’s a simple T-shirt or an exciting designer collaboration.
One of the brand’s newest additions is the Atelier line: premium pieces made using quality fabrics. A case in point is this topcoat that’s made with an Italian viscose-wool blend twill. From the contemporary silhouette (it’s calf length, which is ideal for a topcoat – take a look at Jacob Elordi’s fits for reference) to the subtly textured finish, it looks far more expensive than its £89.99 RRP.
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<em>Best waterproof coat:</em>Rains long jacket
As you may have guessed from the name, Rains is an expert at weatherproof outerwear. Ever since trying one of the label’s coats back in 2018, it’s become my go-to for waterproofs. You can choose from long or short, ponchos or two-piece sets, all in a range of colours crafted using the signature PU fabric with welded seams. The only downside? Since they’re entirely watertight, they’re not the most breathable, so go for a different design if you’re planning particularly active pursuits (see our best waterproof jackets guide for inspiration).
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<em>Best insulated raincoat:</em>Uniqlo hybrid recycled down coat
When it comes to seasonal essentials, Uniqlo covers all of the bases. During summer, it’s the lightweight Airism T-shirts on everyone’s wishlist, while Heattech thermals are sub-zero saviours. Now, the Japanese label’s range of outerwear is rising up the ranks, too. This coat pairs a water-repellent outer with targeted ventilation zones and high-performance recycled down, making it perfect for days when it’s wet and cold.
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<em>Best versatile coat:</em>Mango wool-blend hooded overcoat
If you’re after a one-and-done outerwear situation, Mango’s overcoat is a great choice. You could dress it up for work or down on the weekend. It has a hood for rain protection, the wool-blend fabric is warm enough for the winter but not too insulated for the transitional period, and the black shade will work with everything else in your wardrobe.
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<em>Best car coat:</em>Arket car coat
If you dressed head to toe in Arket daily, you’d look like a man who gets fashion. The Stockholm-based label designs its collections with a capsule wardrobe mindset: the pieces work together no matter what. It could be an easy T-shirt or a sweater, some straight-leg jeans or, in this case, a dark blue car coat that’s well constructed and designed to last.
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<em>Best trenchcoat:</em>Octobre Éditions Hopper trench
A trenchcoat is useful for pretty much every season. When it’s warmer, you can wear it over a shirt and trousers, or you can amp up the heat with a roll-neck and thermals once the temperature drops – Harry Styles was even spotted wearing one in coldest December. Go for one that’s easy to wear with most of your wardrobe; my go-to is one in tan or camel that falls just below the knee. Independent label Octobre Éditions’ Hopper trench nails the brief.
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<em>Best high-street trenchcoat:</em>Zara water-repellent trenchcoat
For elevated menswear on the high street, Zara takes the top spot. Every season, there’s a few pieces in its collection that could easily be mistaken for a high-end designer’s work. From the longline cut to the wide lapels and cuff fastenings, all in an elevated shade of taupe, this trenchcoat is giving quiet luxury but for a fairly reasonable price.
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<em>Best single-breasted coat:</em>Weekday oversized coat
Weekday may be best known for its gen Z-targeted, trend-led collections, but it also has a solid selection of timeless pieces, too. This coat, from the classic check to the sharp, strong lapels, is a good example. It’s also the perfect overcoat length (below the knees to elongate the body rather than shortening it). All in all, a strong addition to any coat rack.
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<em>Best duffle coat:</em>Gloverall Admiral navy duffle coat
What do David Bowie, peace-loving beatniks from the 50s and a famous cartoon bear have in common? Duffle coats. Characterised by their thick woollen fabric and toggle fastenings, they’re a heavy hitter in colder months. Gloverall is the brand credited with upping the silhouette’s profile back in the 1950s – so why not stay true to the OG? At £450, it’s a considerable investment, but it’s a coat you’ll be wearing for years.
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<em>Best waxed jacket:</em>Barbour Ashby waxed jacket
When you think of waxed jackets, the first brand on your mind should be Barbour. Loved by everyone from the royal family to David Beckham and Liam Gallagher, they’re a tried-and-tested staple that works for just about anyone. Our favourite? The Ashby. Cut to a relaxed silhouette from a heavy, 6oz waxed cotton, it’s a winter-ready essential that still leaves plenty of room for layering when the cold sets in – you could even pair it with one of the brand’s signature zip-in layers.
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<em>Best black overcoat:</em>Topman double-breasted overcoat
Topman is a go-to for well-designed, affordable menswear. Although a black coat may not sound exciting, this one ticks every box. It’s cut to a fit. It has cool-guy XL lapels. And the length is just right. Pair it with plain black basics, and you’ll look like you’ve made an effort – even if you haven’t.
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<em>Best premium wool coat:</em>Cos double-faced wool long car coat
There’s something inherently luxurious about a chocolate brown overcoat. Amp up the richness with a slightly relaxed fit (check out luxury designer the Row’s collections to see how menswear tends to look premium when it’s a touch oversized) and a weighty fabric, preferably a wool blend. This car coat by Cos ticks every box. The only snag? The higher price.
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<em>Best high-street wool coat:</em>M&S Autograph wool-blend hounds tooth overcoat
One detail that tends to give away high-street overcoats from high-end designers is the length – they often finish at mid-thigh length, which shortens the body. That isn’t the case with this hounds tooth take by Marks & Spencer’s elevated diffusion line, Autograph, which lands mid-calf. Silhouette aside, the sharp revere collar and textured fabric add to the top-quality finish.
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<em>Best puffer jacket:</em>The North Face Saikuru jacket
When the frosty mornings set in, only a puffer jacket will do. Enter the North Face’s Saikuru jacket. As someone who’s tried many puffer jackets over the years, this is the one I return to time and again. Not only is it well- insulated using synthetic fill, but it’s also lightweight, a cropped boxy fit (Stephen from The Traitors would certainly be a fan), and it’s wind- and water-repellent. If you’d like something a little brighter than black, there are four other colourways to choose from.
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<em>Best duvet coat:</em>Collusion unisex maxi puffer coat
This might not be a coat you could wear to work, but certain occasions call for a duvet style – walking your dog on a frosty morning or popping to the shops when it’s sub-zero. It’s a coat that will keep you cosy in the cold, even if the silhouette isn’t sharp. Luckily, Asos’s Collusion brand has you covered with this cocooning design that comes in three colours – although the brown is now sold out and stocks of the black and light green are low.
For more, see:
• The best men’s jeans for every occasion – and how to pick your perfect pair
• ‘Understated, unexpected, cool’: the best men’s knitwear brands
• The best men’s pyjamas for sleeping, lounging and all-day comfort
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Peter Bevan is a stylist and fashion journalist covering menswear, womenswear and beauty
• The article was originally published on 18 December 2024. Reviews published in the Filter may be periodically updated to reflect new products and at the editor’s discretion. The date of an article’s most recent update can be found in the timestamp at the top of the page. This article was amended on 4 February 2026; new coats were added, and prices were updated throughout.
