When it comes to winter jackets, you may think that they’re all created equally – hey, if they keep you warm, they’re doing their job, right? To answer that question: yes, to an extent. While parkas and jackets are both essential pieces of outerwear for the colder months, there are actually a few key differences between the two styles of winter coats, and if you’re wondering which one you should grab before the temperatures dip, we’ve laid out all the pros and cons of parkas and jackets to help you decide which style of winter outerwear is right for you. 

What Is a Parka?

A parka is a piece of outerwear that is typically worn in the winter, snow, or freezing temperatures and climates. Parkas are also usually insulated and provide a generous amount of warmth, and while you can totally layer sweaters, sweatshirts, or hoodies under a parka, generally, they’ll keep you warm with just a long sleeve base layer underneath.

What Is a Jacket?

A jacket is a piece of outerwear that typically hits at the waist, and while jackets can be insulated like parkas are, there are more varieties of jackets than there are parkas – think denim jackets, leather jackets, windbreakers, winter jackets, bombers, shirt jackets, puffer jackets, etc. However, for the sake of comparing parkas to their winter counterparts, we’ll stick to talking about coats and jackets made specifically for cold weather.

What Are the Main Differences Between a Parka and a Jacket?

There are actually a few key differences between parkas and jackets, with the main difference being the length of each garment. Parkas are jackets that hit below the waist, often hitting mid-thigh, at the knees, or even at the shins. This means that parkas trap heat better since they cover a greater surface area of the body, unlike jackets, which hit at or around the waist. Generally, parkas are your best bet for freezing cold temperatures – think Arctic-like conditions – because of their potential to keep most of your body warm.