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.”

The 12 Best Sherpa Jackets of 2022

We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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 the faux fur jackets 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.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is the Athleta Tugga Jacket because of its versatility, inclusive size range (including plus, petite, and tall sizes), and approachable price point. It's also partially made with recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic bottles. For a true budget option, we recommend this Short Faux Shearling Jacket from H&M; the outfit options are endless with this one.

“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.”

Ahead—the best sherpa jackets available right now.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Athleta Tugga Jacket at Gap.com

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

H&M Short Faux Shearling Jacket at Hm.com

Jump to Review

Best Collarless:

Old Navy Collarless Sherpa Jacket at Gap.com

Jump to Review

Best Color Options:

Free People Sherpa Fleece at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Value:

Rag & Bone Elliot High Pile Fleece Jacket at Renttherunway.com

Jump to Review

Best Shacket:

Good American Sherpa Shacket at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Longline:

Alo Yoga Oversized Sherpa Trench at Aloyoga.com

Jump to Review

Best Denim:

Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Hooded:

Andrew Marc Faux Fur Shearling Jacket at Bloomingdales

Jump to Review

Best Sustainable:

Vuori Cozy Sherpa Jacket at Vuoriclothing.com

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
Why Trust Byrdie

Athleta

View On Gap.com

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 (plus tall and petite) | Material: Polyester and recycled polyester | Colors: Cream, Black, Mahogany

Price at time of publish: $129

H&M

View On Hm.com

The structure and shape of this sherpa jacket are what make it stand out from other sherpa jackets you’ve seen or worn before. Consider wearing a delicate slip dress to create a balanced silhouette, or wear jeans to keep things more casual.

Size Range: XXS-XL | Material: 100% polyester | Colors: Light Beige

Price at time of publish: $35

Old Navy

View On Gap.com

No matter what your budget or size is, odds are that this Old Navy sherpa half-zip will work for you. Consider pairing this with some high-waisted leggings and chunky socks with dad sneakers for a casual, cool everyday look.

Size Range: XS-4X | Material: 100% polyester | Colors: Cozy Cashmere

Price at time of publish: $60

Free People

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Freepeople.com

Free People is known for its bright colors and fabrics, and this fleece comes in some of the most saturated, statement-making tones you can imagine. Just imagine the color-blocking options.

Size Range: XS-L | Material: 100% polyester | Colors: Ivory, Orangeade, Black, Red Grape, Lush Pine

Price at time of publish: $168

Rag & Bone Elliot High Pile Fleece Jacket

Nordstrom

View On Renttherunway.com View On Saksoff5th.com

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: 100% polyester | Colors: Burgundy Print, Ivory, Black, Mustard

Price at time of publish: $375

Good American

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Goodamerican.com

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: 100% polyester | Colors: Tusk, Summer Green, Team Cardinal, Putty, Black, Sepia, Midnight, Ink

Price at time of publish: $169

Alo Yoga

View On Aloyoga.com View On Shopbop.com

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: 100% polyester | Colors: Camel, Ivory, Black, Dusty Pink

Price at time of publish: $298

Levi's

View On Amazon View On Levi.com View On Shopbop.com

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: 100% cotton | Colors: Addicted to Love, Doin' Fine, Rough and Tumble, Yes Black

Price at time of publish: $108

Andrew Marc Seneca Faux Fur Shearling Hooded Jacket

Nordstrom Rack

View On Bloomingdales View On Nordstromrack.com

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: 100% polyester | Colors: Camel, Black

Price at time of publish: $220

Vuori

View On Vuoriclothing.com

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: 74% recycled polyester, 26% polyester | Colors: Dusty Pine, Umber, Charcoal

Price at time of publish: $168

Tuckernuck

View On Tnuck.com

This reversible vest gives you two styling options in one so you can get double the wear, making this higher-priced item definitely worth it. We love the classic camel and brown colorways that are absolutely perfect for fall outfits.

Size Range: XXS-XXL | Material: 100% polyester | Colors: Camel

Price at time of publish: $298

Saks

View On Saks Fifth Avenue

There’s a reason why people are obsessed with the designer brand Telfar. This hoodie from the label’s collaboration with UGG is a perfectly cozy, extra-soft sherpa fleece sweater for lounging.

Size Range: XS-2XL | Material: 100% polyester | Colors: Black, Chestnut

Price at time of publish: $210

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 for in a Sherpa Jacket

Style and 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.

“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

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.

Here Are The 13 Best Chelsea Boots That Match Form with Function

Best Overall: Athleta Tugga Jacket

Best Budget: H&M Short Faux Shearling Jacket

Best Collarless: Old Navy Collarless Sherpa Jacket

Best Color Options: Free People Adventure Awaits Sherpa Fleece

Best Value: Rag & Bone Elliot High Pile Fleece Jacket

Best Shacket: Good American Sherpa Shacket

Best Longline: Alo Yoga Oversized Sherpa Trench

Best Denim: Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket

Best Hooded: Andrew Marc Seneca Faux Fur Shearling Hooded Jacket

Best Sustainable: Vuori Cozy Sherpa Jacket

Best Vest: Tuckernuck Leather and Shearling Reversible Beckham Vest

Best Hoodie: UGG x Telfar Shearling Hoodie

Related Stories

The 12 Best Sherpa Jackets That Are Warm, Stylish, and Comfy

Best Overall: Athleta Tugga Jacket

Best Budget: H&M Short Faux Shearling Jacket

Best Collarless: Old Navy Collarless Sherpa Jacket

Best Color Options: Free People Adventure Awaits Sherpa Fleece

Best Value: Rag & Bone Elliot High Pile Fleece Jacket

Best Shacket: Good American Sherpa Shacket

Best Longline: Alo Yoga Oversized Sherpa Trench

Best Denim: Levi’s Ex-Boyfriend Sherpa Trucker Jacket

Best Hooded: Andrew Marc Seneca Faux Fur Shearling Hooded Jacket

Best Sustainable: Vuori Cozy Sherpa Jacket

Best Vest: Tuckernuck Leather and Shearling Reversible Beckham Vest

Best Hoodie: UGG x Telfar Shearling Hoodie

What to Look for in a Sherpa Jacket

Style and Price

Fabric

Why Trust Byrdie

Related Stories