Frank And Oak makes sustainable, heavy-duty coats with down-free insulation — we put them to the test in blistering cold New York City weather

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• Sustainable clothing startup Frank And Oak has released a new collection of performance winter outerwear.
• Inspired by and built for harsh Canadian winters, the outerwear collection includes a variety of parkas and puffers for adults. The down-free coats are made mostly of recycled polyester and wool. 
• We put four of the coats to the test by wearing them in blistering cold New York City weather. 
• Priced from $250 and up, the Frank And Oak outerwear collection the Frank And Oak outerwear collection is expensive, but we came away supremely impressed by the level of warmth they offer.

While thick down jackets with fur-trimmed hoods might seem like the only way to stay warm in blistering weather, it's still possible to find styles that are environmentally friendly and warm.

Canadian clothing company Frank And Oak is one brand proving that you don't have to sacrifice your values to stay truly warm this winter, thanks to its collection of sustainable performance coats.

Inspired by and adapted for harsh Canadian winters, the Frank and Oak outerwear collection includes a variety of winter parkas and puffers that have been made from mostly recycled materials.

Read more: Frank And Oak is recycling old denim to make new pairs of jeans for under $100

We put four of the coats — the Capital Waterproof Parka in Navy (join the waitlist), the Capital Waterproof Puffer in Black (join the waitlist), the Alpine Parka in Wine, and the Expedition Puffer in Navy Plaid (no longer sold)— to the test. Frank And Oak outwear is on the expensive side (the jackets we tested were $249 to $499), but we came away appreciative of the warmth they provided and their use of sustainable materials. Keep reading for our full reviews.

Shop sustainable outerwear at Frank And Oak here.

Review of the men's Capital Waterproof Parka (join the waitlist):

My number one prerequisite for winter coats is warmth; less important to me is what brand it is, what it's made out of, or how much it costs. Frank And Oak meets that requirement but gets bonus points for doing it sustainably.

The Capital Parka that I tested is made out of 60% recycled polyester from plastic water bottles and 40% regular polyester. Rather than using duck or goose down, the parka is insulated with Primaloft, a polyester material that closely mimics the look and warmth of traditional down.

Frank And Oak considers this to be its most technical parka and it absolutely lives up to those claims. It's 100% waterproof with sealed seams and has loads of useful additions. From the neoprene neck collar and jersey sleeve extensions to the multiple storage compartments and magnetic buttons that automatically fasten themselves, you can tell that Frank And Oak put a lot of thought into optimizing warmth and convenience. In my opinion, there isn't anything else that the designers could have added to make it a better coat.

At $349.99, the Capital Parka is on the higher end of Frank And Oak's outdoor collection, but it's worth it. It has a good length, a comfortable fit, and it's not bulky. I have a lot of winter coats to choose from, but if I had to pick one to wear every day this winter, it may very well be the Capital Parka.  — Amir Ismael, Insider Reviews reporter

Product Embed:
Product Name: Frank And Oak Capital Waterproof Parka
Card Type: small
https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5df276ebfd9db20e4935d3b5&type=small&live=true
Width: 100%
Height: 150%

---

Review of the women's Capital Waterproof Puffer (join the waitlist):

Frank and Oak's Capital Waterproof Puffer has quickly become my favorite. It's warm, has a short, modern silhouette, and the two-layer breathable fabric keeps me from feeling overheated while walking around the city without letting the cold in. I've worn it on top of sweaters and thin T-shirts, and I've been impressed with how the sealed seams prevents chilly air from getting in. The neoprene collar is also a cool touch. The only complaint I have is that, unfortunately, the jersey extension with a thumb hole is a little too short for my arms — I usually skip using it. Even so, the pros still outweigh the con. — Mara Leighton, Insider Reviews senior reporter

Product Embed:
Product Name: Frank And Oak Capital Waterproof Puffer
Card Type: small
https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5df28fc7fd9db23ced290cb6&type=small&live=true
Width: 100%
Height: 150%

---

Review of the women's Alpine Parka:

Most of the outerwear I've tested at Insider Reviews, including Patagonia's and Everlane's, contains recycled or vegan materials. What I've learned and what Frank And Oak's parka further confirms is that these environmentally sound alternatives perform really well, and they're often more affordable, too. 

Compared to a couple of Hunter winter jackets that I recently tested, Frank And Oak's Alpine Parka is on the slimmer side and doesn't take up as much space, which is impressive considering it's just as warm. The water-repellent exterior isn't super soft, but the interior is another story — soft, gently padded, and comfortable. 

In my usual size (medium), the parka is still roomy enough where I can wear a thick sweater underneath, and it hits at my knees (I'm 5-foot-6), covering and protecting most of my body from nasty winter winds. I love red-hued clothing, so I picked the gorgeous deep Wine color, but it's also available in black and olive green. — Connie Chen, Insider Reviews senior reporter

Product Embed:
Product Name: Frank And Oak Alpine Parka
Card Type: small
https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5df288e4fd9db272a12c7783&type=small&live=true
Width: 100%
Height: 150%

---

Review of the women's Expedition Puffer (no longer sold):

Let me start by telling you that I once wore this coat outside on a 29-degree night paired with a cocktail dress and heels, and the upper half of my body was so warm that I almost forgot my toes were about to fall off. Every time after (and before) that I wore this coat, I stayed exceptionally warm and cozy thanks to the down-free insulation that still very much feels like down. 

The outside of the coat is made with recycled wool — a fun touch on a puffer coat — while the inside is lined with recycled polyester. I'm borderline allergic to wool, but every part of the coat that would come into contact with my skin has some sort of liner to prevent any and all itchiness. 

Perhaps the best part of the coat is that the hood is removable, but if you choose to leave it on, it has a bungee cord that lets you tighten it against your head. There's also another adjustable cord around the bottom hem to seal out the wind.

If you're trying to figure out your size, I recommend going true to your usual. I am generally between a medium and a large in coats, and I opted for a large so I could layer underneath. In the picture above, I have a thick blazer on underneath my coat — so it can definitely stand up to heavy sweaters. The coat also comes in a honey yellow and deep red for $249.99 in case the plaid isn't your favorite. — Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews senior editor

Product Embed:
Product Name: Frank And Oak Expedition Puffer
Card Type: small
https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5df290adfd9db2248f29cbf6&type=small&live=true
Width: 100%
Height: 150%

The bottom line

Collectively, we were all happy with the overall quality and style of Frank And Oak's new outerwear collection. They've kept us extremely warm during our testing (even as we shot these photos in 35-degree weather by the water). 

Shop sustainable outerwear at Frank And Oak here.