Canada Goose alternatives Ultra-warm winter coats that won’t set you back $1,000

It’s that time of year again, when leaves fall, evening commutes darken and thoughts turn to the inevitable question: What’s the best way to beat the cold?

If you have the money — and the inclination — you can spend $1,000 on an oh-so-trendy Canada Goose parka, engineered to withstand the icy punishment of Antarctica.

But the rest of us don’t have to settle for inferior style or warmth. A few years ago, I invested in a very warm down coat from Eddie Bauer, and two years ago, my husband snagged an ultra-rugged parka from The North Face. Neither cost more than $350, and both ticked off a good many of the boxes that make Canada Goose’s coats so popular among celebrities and Northern city-dwellers.

The coats had fur-lined hoods, quality down and understated sporty style that worked for Midwest living. And they were warm, really warm, especially when worn with a thin down layer underneath. They made subzero temperatures truly manageable and made a cold wimp like me feel, if not indomitable, at least well protected.

With those coats in mind, I searched out this year’s top Canada Goose alternatives, and found options sleek and sporty, fresh and surprisingly sophisticated. The list prices range from $300 to $400, but bear in mind that sales have recently brought some down to less than $200.

Lodge Down Duffle Coat, Eddie Bauer, $299

All of these coats are recommended for subzero temperatures, and one — Eddie Bauer’s Lodge Down Duffle — for temperatures as low as -60 F.

Men’s McMurdo Parka III,

The North Face, $330

The coats that most closely resemble the Canada Goose coats worn by celebrities such as Emma Stone and Drake are classics like the North Face’s Men’s McMurdo Parka III, which is waterproof and windproof, and comes in strong colors like pine, as well as British khaki. The fur ruff on the hood is faux, not Canada Goose’s real coyote, but to some shoppers, that’s a plus. The coat gets great marks for warmth from online reviewers in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Alaska.

Maine Mountain Parka, L.L. Bean, $399

The L.L. Bean Maine Mountain Parka for women has a great retro mountaineer look: It could be the family heirloom that you cleverly wrested from your styleconscious sister.

Sun Valley Down Parka, Eddie Bauer, $299

Want something more fitted than the standard parka? Eddie Bauer has you covered with the Sun Valley Down Parka.

UNIQLO Men’s Ultra Light Down Jacket, Uniqlo, $69.90: Feeling adventurous? Try DIYing it, like a Tribune editor who layers up to three of these jackets in different colors, depending on temperature.

LANDS’ END Women’s Insulated Plush Lined Winter Coat, Lands’ End, $219.95: This coat has an actual waist and a touch of shimmer.

NORTH FACE Women’s Down Sierra Parka, The North Face, $329: At The North Face, they’re buzzing about this traditional baffled down coat with pared-down, forward-looking design. It has the brand’s highest warmth rating and effortless style.

EDDIE BAUER Olympia Waterproof Down Stadium Coat, Eddie Bauer, $399: For women, options include the Olympia, particularly striking in white-ish “cement” and rated for -35 F temperatures. Waterproof, with 650-fill responsible down, it was recently on sale for $279.30.

EDDIE BAUER Men’s Superior Down Stadium Coat, Eddie Bauer, $399: For men seeking maximum cold protection, Eddie Bauer offers this coat, rated for -50 F, waterproof and longer than a parka by about 6 inches. The look is outdoorsy and practical, with oversize pockets and a roomy fit for layering.

NORTH FACE Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, The North Face, $249: The North Face is bringing back its puffy hip-length jacket from the 1990s, complete with a stowable hood, 700-fill goose down and the original shiny fabric.