Shearling Jacket in Canada: A Toronto Winter Guide

If you are looking for a shearling jacket in Canada, Toronto is a good place to test the idea. The city is not the coldest in the country, but winter there is long, damp and often windy off the lake. According to Environment Canada climate normals for downtown Toronto, covering 1991 to 2020, the average January high is about minus 0.3 degrees Celsius, which is 31.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average January low is about minus 6.7 degrees Celsius, or 19.9 degrees Fahrenheit. That is the kind of cold where a proper coat is not optional.

Toronto Winter by the Numbers

The same Environment Canada data shows about 37 centimetres of snow in January, which is roughly 14.6 inches, and about 121.5 centimetres across a whole year, or around 47.8 inches. January has about 16 days with measurable precipitation, average humidity near 68 percent, and only about 86 hours of sunshine, which is under 30 percent of the daylight hours. In plain words, many days are gray, damp and cold, with a steady chance of snow.

Toronto is also not the hardest test in the country. Cities further north and west can be much colder in midwinter, so if you live there you will want extra layers, a hat and good gloves on top of any jacket. Still, Toronto gives a fair idea of what a Canadian winter asks of a coat.

Why a Shearling Jacket in Canada Makes Sense

Shearling is sheepskin tanned with the wool left on. The Shearling page on Wikipedia gives the plain definition. The leather outside stops wind, and the dense wool inside holds warmth close to your body. For a shearling jacket in Canada, the important points are warmth, wind resistance and a cut that works over thick knitwear.

Shearling also looks good in the city. You can wear it to dinner, to the office or on a weekend walk by the waterfront and it will not look like gear. That is one reason people in cold cities keep a shearling jacket for years.

What to Look For

A roomy cut over layers

In Toronto you will often wear a sweater or a fleece under your jacket. Choose a size that allows that, with enough room in the chest and arms. Our shearling jacket size guide shows how to measure. If you need a precise fit, custom measurements are available.

A strong collar

Lake wind finds every gap. A wide wool collar that you can turn up makes a clear difference at a bus stop or on a streetcar platform.

Cuffs that sit close

Cold air often enters at the wrist. Cuffs that sit snugly under your glove help keep the warmth in.

Length

A hip length jacket is easy for the city. A longer coat keeps more heat in on long walks. Our shearling coat guide and winter coats for men guide compare the options.

Styles to Consider

The B3 shearling jacket is a classic cold weather choice with a big collar and a generous cut. Read our B3 bomber guide for the story behind it. The B6 RAF aviator jacket is slimmer and a bit more refined. Our aviator jacket guide explains how these styles differ. For women, take a look at the Ana de Armas shearling jacket and our guide to women’s sheepskin bomber jackets.

Snow, Slush and Salt

Snow in Toronto is often wet, and salt on sidewalks is a fact of life. Shearling is not waterproof, so treat it with some care. Brush off dry snow before you go inside. If the jacket gets wet, hang it on a wide hanger and let it dry slowly at room temperature, away from radiators. Wipe salt marks with a barely damp cloth once it has dried. Our guides on whether shearling jackets are waterproof and how to care for a shearling jacket cover the details.

What to Wear With It

A shearling jacket does most of the work, but a few small pieces make it better. Wear a wool or cashmere scarf to close the gap at the collar, a hat that covers your ears and gloves lined with wool or fleece. Boots with good grip matter on icy streets. If you want ideas for outfits, our guide to shearling jacket outfits for a New York winter works just as well for Toronto.

Layering a Shearling Jacket in Canada

Good layering makes a shearling jacket in Canada work on a wider range of days. Start with a thin base layer in merino wool or cotton, then add a mid layer such as a wool sweater or a fleece, and let the jacket be the outer shell. On a typical Toronto January day, a sweater and the jacket are usually enough. When a real cold snap arrives, add a thermal base layer, a thicker scarf and insulated gloves. The jacket does not change, only what is underneath. That is why it helps to choose a size with room for a thick sweater from the start.

A Shearling Jacket in Canada for Men and Women

Both men and women can find a good fit. Men can browse our shearling jackets for men, where the B3 and B6 styles are popular. Women can browse the shearling jackets for women collection, which includes styles such as the Ana de Armas jacket. If you are not sure which cut suits you, our shearling jacket gift guide also helps when you are choosing for someone else.

When to Order a Shearling Jacket in Canada

Winter arrives faster than most people expect, so it helps to order early. Standard sizes arrive about 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed, which means you can order in autumn and have the jacket in time for the first real cold. If you want custom measurements, allow extra time and double check your numbers, because custom orders are made to your measurements. Ordering early also gives you time to try the jacket on over a sweater and check the fit before you need it every day.

Ordering From Us

We ship worldwide for free, including Canada, and standard sizes arrive about 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed. Standard sizes run from XS to 3XL, and custom measurements are available. Please note that custom size orders are made to your numbers and cannot be returned, so check your measurements carefully before you send them. Standard sizes follow our return policy, which you can read on our return and exchange page. You can also see our shipping policy or browse the shop.

A Short Checklist for a Shearling Jacket in Canada

• A size that fits comfortably over a sweater.
• A wide collar and snug cuffs.
• Warm gloves, a hat and a wool scarf.
• Boots with grip for ice.
• A plan for drying the jacket slowly when it gets wet.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not buy a size that is too small, because tight sleeves and a tight back make the jacket feel stiff and let cold air in. Do not rely on a jacket alone in the very coldest weeks, because extreme cold needs extra layers. And do not choose by price only. Real shearling is expensive to make, so a very low price for a shearling jacket in Canada or anywhere else is a reason to check the details. Our guide on how to tell real shearling helps.

If you are comparing climates, you may also like our Chicago winter guide and our guide to a shearling jacket for commuting in Philadelphia.

The Short Version

A shearling jacket in Canada has to handle wind, snow and long cold months, and shearling does that well. Choose a size with room for layers, a wide collar and a cut you like. Care for it with a simple routine, and a shearling jacket in Canada will keep you warm for many winters. If you live in Toronto or a colder city, add a hat, gloves and a scarf, and your shearling jacket in Canada will do the rest.

Quick Questions

Is a shearling jacket in Canada warm enough for Toronto?

For most Toronto winter days, yes, especially with a sweater and a scarf. On the coldest nights add more layers.

Can I wear shearling in the snow?

Light snow is fine if you brush it off. Dry the jacket slowly after wet snow and avoid direct heat.

Do you ship to Canada?

Yes. We ship worldwide for free, and standard sizes arrive about 7 to 14 days after your order is confirmed.