Best winter parkas

Top pick: The North Face McMurdo Parka — the classic city-winter answer. A 600-fill down parka with a waterproof DryVent shell and a hip-length cut that covers what a coat needs to on a slushy commute, without the bulk of an expedition jacket.

Who the others suit:

• Mountain Hardwear Nevadan — the lightest serious option here; down warmth for people who hate feeling weighed down.
• Alpha Industries N-3B — the military-style look, with a shearling-lined hood and faux-fur trim for wind-tunnel streets.
• Tower WerkParka — a straightforward, well-rated insulated workhorse if you want simple and warm.
• Cotopaxi Alivio — recycled down and a longer cut, for the eco-minded.
• The North Face Nuptse — not a parka but the warmest-feeling short puffer for milder city days.

Skip the thin fashion puffers and kids' coats if you want real cold-weather protection.