The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (2024)

If there’s one trend that has surfaced in the last few years and seems to be sticking around for the long haul, it’s sherpa jackets. Not only are these faux fur coats incredibly warm and cozy, but they add texture and detail to any outfit. From athleisure to street style, sherpa has popped up just about everywhere in fashion. According to fashion editor and stylist Gabrielle Prescod, the best thing about sherpa jackets is their versatility.

“A sherpa jacket is something that you’ll want in your closet for years to come, so bear that in mind while shopping,” Prescod tells Byrdie. “A friend has recently been telling me that we should take our purchasing of clothing as seriously as we would getting a tattoo. Consider it a lifelong decision, so don’t make it lightly.”

With pointers from Prescod in mind, we searched high and low to find standout options based on cut, material, and price, narrowing it down to stylish options you'll wear more than one season.

Ahead—the best sherpa jackets available right now.

Best Overall

Athleta Tugga Jacket

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (1)

In search of a classic sherpa jacket to throw on over workout clothes or for a long hike? This Athleta option ticks all the right boxes. Plus, the sizing options make it one of the more inclusive options on the market.

Size Range: XXS–3X (tall and petite available) | Material: Polyester | Colors: Acacia Olive, Black, Cream

Best Value

Rag & Bone Elliot High Pile Fleece Jacket

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (2)

This Rag & Bone sherpa shacket is the perfect balance of comfort and style. It’s cozy enough to throw on for errands but elevated enough to look great with a pair of cool boots and some leather pants or jeans. Plus, we love the color options that are a bit different than others on the list.

Size Range: XXS–XL | Material: Polyester | Colors: Yellow

Introducing the perfect, everyday sherpa shacket. No matter how you’re planning to style it, this is our ideal cozy layering piece for any type of outfit thanks to its oversized silhouette and streamlined appeal. Plus, Good American offers this up to a 5X and requires its retailers to carry the full size range, too.

Size Range: XS–5X | Material: Polyester | Colors: Tusk (Cream)

Best Longline

Alo Yoga Oversized Sherpa Trench

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Though this size range isn’t particularly inclusive, the oversized nature of the jacket does make it a good option for a sherpa trench. Like wearing your favorite blanket, this trench will keep you warm on those blistery cold winter days, all while adding some style to your look.

Size Range: XXS–L | Material: Polyester | Colors: Camel, Black, Ivory

Best Denim

Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (5)

If you’re going to invest in a sherpa-style denim jacket, you might as well go with the OG: the Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket. It's a classic that will literally never go out of style. The brand also offers a similar style in plus sizing.

Size Range: XS–XL | Material: Cotton | Colors: Addicted to Love (Medium Wash), Black

Best Hooded

Andrew Marc Faux Fur Shearling Jacket

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Not only does this cozy sherpa jacket have a large hood (perfect for staying warm while running errands or while traveling), but it also has incredibly deep pockets—great for keeping your hands warm or storing your wallet or phone.

Size Range: XS–XL | Material: Polyester | Colors: Camel, Black

Vuori's Cozy Sherpa Jacket is made of nearly 75 percent recycled materials, making it a good option if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint (read up on the brand's ethical manufacturing practices). The cropped and relaxed silhouette lends well to layering, making it a jacket you can wear many months out of the year.

Size Range: XXS–XXL | Material: Polyester | Colors: Umber (Pale Pink), Charcoal

Best Budget

PrettyGarden Faux Shearling Oversized Shacket

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (8)

On a budget? This best-seller from Amazon is a solid choice. The fluffy, oversized design is the perfect outerwear for just about any fall or winter ensemble—or you can cozy up in it while hanging out at home. We also like that it comes in a wide range of sizes and and whopping 32 colors.

Size Range: S–3X | Material: Polyester | Colors: 32, including Khaki, Black, Blue, Brown +more

If you're open to spending a bit more on a high-end design, you should definitely consider Lamarque's Badu Jacket. Crafted from super-plush faux shearing with a notch collar and vegan leather trim, it has an effortlessly luxurious feel. We also appreciate how the oversized fit is casual but endlessly chic.

Size Range: XXS–XXL | Material: Polyester, vegan leather | Colors: Beige

Best Fleece

Patagonia Lunar Dusk Fleece Jacket

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (10)

When it comes to cozy jackets, you can't go wrong with Patagonia. Made in a Fair Trade facility from recycled polyester, the brand's Lunar Dusk Fleece flaunts high-pile fleece and an après-ski vibe.

Size Range: XS–XL | Material: Polyester | Colors: Nest Brown, Dark Natural (Beige),Nouveau Green +more

Final Verdict

Our top pick is the Athleta Tugga Jacket, which boasts a classic, versatile design and an ultra-cozy feel. But if you're on a budget, the wallet-friendly PrettyGarden Shaggy Oversized Shacket Jacket is a solid choice.

Meet the Expert

Gabrielle Prescod is a fashion editor and stylist whose work has appeared in Bustle, Grazia USA, Nylon, and Interview.

What to Look Forin a Sherpa Jacket

Price

According to Prescod, the biggest thing to consider when looking for a sherpa jacket is style and price. Consider how long you plan on wearing this item and your budget when shopping to make sure the piece lasts for as long as possible.

If you're on a budget and only expect to wear the jacket one or two seasons, consider the PrettyGarden Shaggy Oversized Shacket Jacket. But if you're looking to invest in a high-end piece, the Lamarque Badu Jacket won't disappoint.

Style

“There is a range of styles to choose from that can be a great addition to any closet, whether it's cropped, printed, or oversized,” Prescod says. ”I’m partial to a cropped fit with a high-waisted wide-leg pant, and a fun boot for the many days of false spring we have ahead. The crop allows you to not overheat but the sherpa keeps you warm enough (and a layer of heat tech, too, doesn’t hurt).”

Fabric

Unlike, say, a waxed jacket that's made out of cotton, faux sherpa tends to be made out of polyester, but there are now options that make this fabric more eco-friendly; some are produced using recycled materials like post-consumer plastic water bottles (i.e., the best overall Athleta Tugga Jacket). If you want a faux sherpa jacket but want to be mindful of the environment, one of these may be a better option for you.

FAQ

  • What is sherpa?

    According to an article on the blog for outdoor clothing brand KUHL, the primary feature of a sherpa jacket is to emulate a sheep's warm, fuzzy wool lining. Sometimes this is translated in different ways, depending on which style you choose. As the KUHL article also points out, there are denim sherpa jackets, sherpa corduroy jackets, faux leather sherpa jackets, and more.

    A common question about sherpa jackets is how, exactly, it’s different from fleece, another extra warm, super popular material for winter coats. According to the sewing website Silver Bobbin, “The main difference between fleece fabric and sherpa fabric is that sherpa is designed to look like sheepskin and is mostly used as a lining material. On the other hand, Fleece can stand on its own as a jacket or blanket, depending on its weight and thickness.”

  • How do you wash a sherpa jacket?

    Another article on Silver Bobbin also explains how to wash sherpa, noting that washing sherpa fabric by hand in cool water or on the delicate cycle could both be good options. When in doubt, though, it never hurts to send a coat or jacket to the dry cleaner.

  • How to style a sherpa jacket?

    Prescod suggests opting for a printed sherpa to experiment with color and dimension in your wardrobe. Need more styling ideas? Prescod has you covered.

    “Add one to a monotoned athleisure set and some Cloud Socks from Brother Vellies, et voila!" Prescod explains. "Perfect for a day running around doing errands or casually grabbing lunch with a friend. An oversized fit can be worn out for date nights with oversized knits and a chain-link bag or even to a formal winter event thrown over a dress.”

Why Trust Byrdie

Olivia Muenter is a fashion commerce contributor for Byrdie, and she has been published in Refinery29, Bustle, Fashionista, Glamour, and Woman’s Day, among others. Her search for this piece covered cashmere retailers of all types. For criteria, she evaluated customer reviews, size inclusivity, price point, and style.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough seamless underwear from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy (2024)

FAQs

The 10 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy? ›

Sherpa refers to a fabric with a thick, fuzzy pile that imitates the wool lining often found in traditional Sherpa clothing. It's known for its excellent insulation properties, making it ideal for colder temperatures.

Is a sherpa jacket warm enough for winter? ›

Sherpa refers to a fabric with a thick, fuzzy pile that imitates the wool lining often found in traditional Sherpa clothing. It's known for its excellent insulation properties, making it ideal for colder temperatures.

Are sherpa jackets still in style? ›

When it comes to looking cool while staying warm, sherpa jackets rule the day. We love sherpa jackets in their many variations, beginning with the original Sherpa Trucker Jacket, all the way to the All-Over Sherpa, a jacket covered inside and out in plush faux shearling.

Which is warmer fleece lined or sherpa lined? ›

With sherpa fleece, you can expect a material that is: Warm: Many regard sherpa fleece as the warmest of all the fleece options, which is not only attributed to the material, but also the double-sided fabric. Breathable: Another wool-like property you find with sherpa fleece is its breathability.

What makes a good sherpa? ›

Sherpas are strategists, looking at the terrain and weather and taking the best route to the summit they can find for those on the climb with them. They carry loads for those who falter due to the high capacity they alone possess. They know when it's time to camp and when it's time to proceed.

Which is warmer sherpa or Teddy fleece? ›

A teddy jacket typically has looser fibers or a looser weave giving it that teddy bear furry look. Therefore, it may not provide as much warmth as the Sherpa and fleece jackets.

Is polar fleece warmer than sherpa? ›

Warmth: Sherpa and Berber fleece, followed by polar fleece and microfleece, are the warmest varieties of fleece blankets. Softness: Sherpa, Berber, and coral fleece are often the softest varieties of fleece blankets.

What is Type 3 sherpa jacket? ›

The cozier counterpart to our Original Trucker Jacket, we constructed this Type 3 Sherpa Trucker Jacket with durable denim and lined it with fuzzy sherpa for extra warmth. Iconic and instantly recognizable, this jean jacket has been a symbol of individual self-expression for decades.

Which type of jacket is trending now? ›

Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets are a fashion goldmine. They're versatile, easy to style, and come in different shapes. Whether you have the body shape of an inverted triangle or a square, you'll still look your best. These types of jackets for men appeared in late-1950 Europe.

What is the difference between real sherpa and fake sherpa? ›

One way to tell the difference between real and fake shearling is by looking at the fibers. Real material fibers are irregular in length, while fake fibers are usually uniform in length. You can also try pulling apart the fibers a bit. Real fibers will be attached to a hide so that they won't come apart easily.

How warm is Carhartt sherpa lining? ›

A: All of Carhartt's linings are rated warm, warmer, and warmest. The thermal would be in the warm category, the quilted would be warmer, and the sherpa would be the warmest of these 3.

What is better, plush fleece or sherpa? ›

But it is believed that Sherpa blankets are warmer and softer than fleece blankets. It does a great job trapping in tapping the heat in its soft, faux-wool nap. Available in various sizes and distinct levels of thickness from lightweight to slightly scratchy microfleece to thick, blanket-like polar fleece.

Who is the best Sherpa in the world? ›

Tenzing Norgay

He is one of the most famous Sherpas, known for his achievement in being the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary. He is celebrated as a national hero in Nepal and India.

Who is the most famous Sherpa? ›

One of the best-known Sherpas is Tenzing Norgay. In 1953, he and Edmund Hillary became the first people known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest.

What is real Sherpa called? ›

Shearling is the skin of a sheep or lamb that has just been shorn, tanned, and cleaned. Sherpa is the name most people use for fake shearling fur. Real shearling is heavier than fake shearling, more flexible, and has denser fur. It also breathes. Sherpa is the usual name for fake shearling fur.

Can you wear sherpa jacket in winter? ›

They are lightweight, delightfully soft, and easy to maintain, which makes them perfect for everyday adventuring in the coldest of temperatures. The KÜHL Dani Sherpa™ Jacket is the ideal balance of style and warmth. It's a great option for any outdoor activity in the fall and winter, as well as for everyday wear.

Is a sherpa lined jacket good for winter? ›

The soft Sherpa lining offers warmth and coziness, making it an ideal winter jacket, season after season.

Is sherpa warmer than thermal? ›

The thermal would be in the warm category, the quilted would be warmer, and the sherpa would be the warmest of these 3. Thank you for your feedback! We failed to record your vote.

What season do you wear a sherpa jacket? ›

It's the perfect layering piece for fall and winter, especially if you live in a place with warmer winters (like this girl). It's rare in Dallas that you need a super heavy fall or winter coat, so a sherpa jacket like this one is ideal.

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