In this article we discuss how Carhartt jackets and coats fit. In most all of my experiences with Carhartt jackets, they fit true to size.
***UPDATE – Carhartt now has their own sizing guide that can help you decide what size to order. Click here to view their size and fit guide at Carhartt.com (affiliate link takes you to Carhartt.com).
Here is probably the most important thing to understand about Carhartt jacket sizing: The warmer, heavyweight jackets built for extreme conditions will generally have more space built-in and fit larger. This extra space is helpful because it allows you to layer underneath.
So do all Carhartt jackets fit the same? No. The heavyweight Carhartt winter jackets and coats will be roomier (in my experience) than the spring/fall jackets.
For example, here is my size medium Carhartt Crowley Jacket sitting on top of my size medium Carhartt C55 Coat:
Even though they are both size mediums, clearly there is a difference in size there. And there should be.
Those heavyweight coats and jackets need extra room built-in for base layering.
But even though those winter jackets and coats typically have a roomier cut, in my experience, normal sizing is usually the best bet since the extra room is often needed.
Yes, there are a few exceptions, and I will discuss later in the article what jackets I personally would recommend sizing up or down based on my experience.
Let’s get straight to it. Below are 15 Carhartt jackets and coats, and how I would describe their fit. I hope this helps!
***Don’t forget, we also cover Carhartt hoodie sizing, and what type of warmth you can expect from each type of Carhartt hoodie. To read more, visit our article How Do Carhartt Hoodies Fit?
Carhartt Jacket Sizing
Carhartt J140 Jacket
The J140 jacket is my favorite Carhartt jacket. It has a firm duck 100% cotton canvas outer shell. Yes, it will be a bit stiff at first, but it breaks in just fine with time.
This is Carhartt’s toughest cotton outer shell fabric and one of their warmest linings (quilted flannel). Overall, this is a very durable and warm winter jacket.
This jacket has a zip-front with a built-in, insulated hood.
Fit
The J140 is a heavyweight winter jacket, and therefore it does have a roomier fit. I personally order my normal sizing, but there is space built-in to layer.
It is probably fair to say this fits true to size, but expect a roomy fit. Don’t expect a tight fit.
My recommendation is to order your normal sizing, and use the extra space for layering if needed.
This jacket has a cuffed waist. Sleeve length is normal.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt J133 Jacket
The J133 is part of the Carhartt Extremes Yukon series, which is outerwear built for extreme environments. This jacket combines Carhartt’s toughest outer shell fabric (CORDURA Nylon Duck) with Carhartt’s warmest insulation (arctic).
This jacket has a built-in hood and a cuffed waist. It is wind-resistant and water-repellent. No, it won’t stand up to a monsoon, but it will repel light precipitation.
The shell is stiff at first (and a bit noisy). It will take some time to break in, but it is very durable.
Fit
This is another heavyweight winter jacket, and it does have a roomier fit. I would recommend ordering your normal sizing, but just expect space built-in to layer underneath.
It hits near the waist line and has the cuffed waist which can pair with a tool belt.
Sleeve length is normal, although I feel like the sleeves themselves are a bit bulkier than other jackets.
But again, it’s important to remember Carhartt built this jacket for extreme weather, so they naturally created a roomier fit which allows you to layer underneath.
In my experience, normal sizing was best.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt C55 Coat
The C55 coat is the coat version of the J133 jacket we just discussed above. This C55 coat is part of the Carhartt Extremes Yukon series, which is outerwear built for extreme environments.
This coat combines Carhartt’s toughest outer shell fabric (CORDURA Nylon Duck) with Carhartt’s warmest insulation (arctic).
This coat does not have a hood, but it does have snaps so a hood can be attached.
The main difference between this and the J133 jacket is the J133 has a built-in hood, and the J133 has a cuffed waist.
This C55 coat has a drop-tail that finishes well past the waist. Plenty of pockets for storage.
Fit
This coat does fit big. Again, because it’s built for extreme environments, the roomy fit gives you plenty of space to layer.
I’m not going to recommend sizing this coat down, but do expect a roomy fit.
Length will finish well past the waist line. Sleeve length was normal, but bulky.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Gilliam Jacket
The Gilliam jacket is a versatile, lightweight jacket that does have warmth. It is not heavy, and it is very easy to wear.
This is a soft-shell jacket that won’t have that durable canvas fabric that other Carhartt jackets have.
Probably the coolest thing about this jacket is it can function as either an outer or inner layer.
You can easily wear it as a winter jacket, or even use it to layer underneath a heavier jacket for extreme conditions.
Fit
This jacket fits true to size.
It hits very near to the waist line when zipped. Sleeve length is normal. This jacket does have a mock-neck collar that zips up near the chin.
Overall, this jacket has a very normal fit, that isn’t too slim or too loose.
It is that sort of in-between cut that can function as an outer or inner layer in your winter wardrobe.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Quick Duck Camo Jacket
This Carhartt Quick Duck Camo Jacket (style 101444) is one of my favorite Carhartt jackets.
Quick Duck is a fabric blend that Carhartt created. It is lightweight and more flexible than standard cotton canvas fabric, but still has that durable canvas feel.
If you don’t like the weight and stiffness of typical canvas jackets, but need something durable, Carhartt Quick Duck jackets might be a nice solution for you.
Fit
This jacket fits true to size.
Sleeve length was normal, and the jacket did not fit too tight or too loose.
This jacket has a mock-neck collar that will zip up near the chin. This jacket does have a drop-tail in the back which gives you extra coverage.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Rockford Jacket
This is a lightweight water-repellent Carhartt jacket for the spring/fall months. It’s a packable jacket that can stand up to light rain.
This is a nice fishing/hiking jacket, with multiple pockets for storage. It has a drawcord waist to help keep the weather out.
This is a zip-front jacket with an attached hood.
Fit
This jacket has a typical loose, baggy fit common to lightweight water-repellent jackets. Don’t expect a tight fit.
Sleeve length is normal. It finishes past the waist for extra weather protection.
My recommendation is to order normal sizing, but expect the loose fit that is common in packable rain gear.
Carhartt Rugged Flex Rigby Shirt Jacket
This is a canvas shirt jacket (style 102851) that also has a bit of spandex mixed into the fabric to give the jacket some stretch.
It has a snap-button front that makes it easier to snap close even when wearing work gloves.
This jacket has a fleece lining and is a nice fall and spring jacket for when the weather starts to turn.
Although it is a shirt jacket, the outer-shell is still a canvas fabric that can stand up to a tough work environment.
Fit
Carhartt describes this as a “relaxed fit”.
This is one of the few Carhartt jackets that I actually feel is a bit over-sized. Sizing down may be needed for this jacket depending on how your prefer a jacket to fit.
I was a little surprised by the fit of this jacket. It’s not a heavyweight winter jacket, so I didn’t expect a roomy fit to layer underneath.
I consider this to be more of a spring/fall jacket for mildly cool weather. In my experience, those types of jackets by Carhartt tend to have a regular, non-bulky fit.
This jacket was very roomy, and big. I personally would have preferred more of a regular fit for this shirt jacket.
The sleeve length was a bit longer than normal also, and the jacket finished well past the waist.
Sizing down may be needed.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Sierra Jacket
This is another jacket that is very popular. It combines a duck cotton canvas shell with a sherpa lining (style 104392).
The sherpa lining is one of those linings that people seem to either love it or hate it. This is one of the warmer linings that Carhartt has.
Again, they don’t temperature rate their products, but this jacket is suitable for mild to moderate winter conditions.
If you are in extreme weather, you may need a heavier insulation.
Fit
I’ve said throughout that a good rule of thumb for Carhartt is to expect the winter jackets to run a bit big. This Carhartt Sierra jacket is probably an exception.
This jacket has a regular fit. The one thing you will need to consider with this jacket is length.
This jacket will finish at the waist. It does have a drop tail in the back for extra coverage.
The good news is Carhartt does offer tall jackets. If you are worried about length, it may be best to order a tall jacket.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Full Swing Cryder Jacket
I like this jacket quite a bit (style 102207). This is a jacket that is probably best for mild winter days. It is very comfortable to wear.
This jacket also uses the Quick Duck fabric we discussed earlier in the article.
Quick Duck is durable, but not as heavy in weight as other canvas fabrics. The best way I can describe this fabric is to call it a flexible canvas fabric.
I know that doesn’t seem to make sense, but that is sort of the brilliance of this Quick Duck fabric is it gives you something durable, but not stiff and heavy.
This jacket won’t weigh you down.
It comes with a hood and is a Full Swing jacket with gusseted panels to improve your freedom of movement through your shoulders and arms.
I really like this jacket. It’s a nice blend of a lot of good things: warm, but not too bulky – durable, but not too stiff.
Fit
This jacket fits true to size.
As I mentioned above, this is best for what I would consider mild winter conditions. This isn’t built for extreme frigid weather.
Because of that, this isn’t necessarily a roomy cut – there isn’t a lot of room built in to layer underneath.
It has a very regular, true-to-size fit. Sleeve length is normal.
This jacket does have a drop-tail in the back for extra coverage.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Crowley Jacket
The Crowley jacket (style 102199) is that perfect jacket for fall/spring temperatures that you can just keep by the door and wear practically anywhere.
This jacket looks good both on and off the clock.
It is a soft-shell jacket, and is very comfortable to wear. No, this won’t be Carhartt’s most durable jacket, but it also isn’t flimsy. The fabric is durable enough to be used as a work jacket.
The fabric does have some spandex in it to give the jacket a flexible fit. This jacket is water-repellent. This is not a winter jacket.
Fit
This jacket fits true to size. I recommend ordering your normal sizing.
This is a mock-neck collar that will zip up near your chin.
The sleeve length is normal, and the jacket falls near the waistline. It does have a drop-tail back for extra coverage.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Full Swing Chore Coat
This is another Carhartt Full Swing coat which means it has the gusset panel in the back to allow for more freedom of movement (style 102707).
This coat has a fleece lining.
In my opinion, this coat is best used as a mild winter coat. If you are in extreme conditions, you will want to layer underneath this coat for extra warmth.
It has a 12-ounce cotton duck canvas outer shell, with plenty of pockets for storage. This is a button-front coat, with a drop-tail that finishes well past the waist.
Fit
This coat does run a bit big in my opinion.
If you are in-between sizes, I’d recommend going down a size.
I really like this coat. It’s very comfortable and very functional. But the fleece lining, in my opinion, is better for mild winter conditions, and if you are in frigid winter conditions, you will need to layer underneath.
So if you plan to layer a hoodie or shirt jacket underneath this coat, the extra room will probably help.
This coat falls well past the waist, even for me at 6’2″. Sleeve length normal.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Shoreline Jacket
This jacket (style J162) is built for rainy days. Although there are other water-repellent jackets on this list, this is the only waterproof jacket included.
The cool thing about this jacket is it isn’t some flimsy rain jacket. It’s still durable enough for a job site.
It has a full-zip front and an attached hood. Draw-cord waist to help keep out the weather.
Fit
Like many rain jackets, this jacket is sized big. It has that sort of loose fit that adds a little extra coverage from the rain.
If you need a rain jacket for work, you’re probably wanting it to fit a little big anyway.
My recommendation is to stick with your normal sizing here, just expect it to have a baggy, loose fit.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Detroit Jacket
If you are looking for a men’s Carhartt bomber jacket, this might be the closest you get. This Detroit jacket (style J001) has a sort of bomber or trucker style. It is a collared jacket that finishes at the waist.
This jacket is made here in the USA. It has a 12-ounce firm duck cotton canvas outer shell. The inside of this jacket is blanket lined (best Carhartt blanket lined jackets). In my experience, this lining can work for mild to moderate winter conditions.
If you are outside in extreme conditions, you will probably want a heavier insulation. But this jacket is a nice winter option for those of you who don’t like a huge, bulky winter work jacket. This jacket has a cool trucker style that looks good even off the clock.
Fit
This jacket fits true to size. It has a regular fit that doesn’t run too loose or too slim. One thing you will want to consider for this jacket is length. It is made to finish at or near the waist.
If you are taller (like me), length could be an issue. Sleeve length was normal. As I said earlier, the good news is Carhartt does offer tall jackets. If you are worried about length, it may be best to order a tall jacket.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Rough Cut Jacket
This is a soft-shell jacket, and a great option for you if you don’t like stiff canvas fabric (style 103829).
My version of this jacket comes with a hood, but you can also buy a collared version.
This jacket is water-repellent and wind-resistant.
No, it won’t keep you dry during a hurricane, but it will fight off light precipitation.
The main takeaway for this jacket is it is very comfortable to wear, has some stretch to it, and is not heavy.
It has a lightweight lining that can keep you warm on cool spring/fall days, and maybe some mild winter days.
Fit
Just like most of the Carhartt spring/fall jackets, this jacket has a regular fit that isn’t too tight or too loose.
My recommendation is to order your normal sizing for this Carhartt jacket.
Sleeve length is normal. This jacket does have a drop-tail for extra coverage in the back.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
Carhartt Washed Duck Insulated Active Jacket
This jacket (style 104050) is an update to the J130 jacket, which was a very popular Carhartt jacket.
I’m not sure if Carhartt has chosen to discontinue the J130, or if they are just offering this as an alternative.
The J130 combined the pre-washed sandstone duck fabric (which takes away stiffness), with the quilted flannel lining.
The J130 jacket was quite popular because it was very warm, very durable, but also was pre-washed to break it in. This eliminated that stiff feeling off the rack.
This updated version does has some differences. For example, this does not have the quilted flannel lining (but it does have a pre-washed shell).
This updated version has a quilted nylon lining with 80 grams of 3M Thinsulate for insulation. Carhartt doesn’t put temperature ratings on their jackets, so it’s hard to say which is warmer.
Having worn both the J130, and this new version, the warmth is similar.
I’d probably say the J130 was slightly warmer, but this jacket isn’t as bulky to wear.
This new version also has storm cuff sleeves, but the old J130 just had normal cuffed sleeves.
Overall this is a very comfortable jacket, that is suitable from moderate winter conditions. It has a built-in hood and a cuffed waist.
Fit
I’ve said throughout that a good rule of thumb for Carhartt is to expect the winter jackets to run a bit big. This jacket (style 104050) is probably an exception.
This jacket I feel like has a very standard, regular fit. It is not as bulky as some of the other winter jackets and coats.
That is one change I noticed from the old J130, is this jacket doesn’t feel as big and bulky when I wear it.
My guess is this is probably due to using the 3M Thinsulate insulation. 3M Thinsulate is very good at trapping heat, without being bulky or heavy.
This jacket has normal length in the sleeves.
It has a cuffed waist that sits at or just below the waist. Normal length. Overall, a standard fit.
(6’2″ 200; size medium)
And BONUS, for comparison purposes, here’s a quick look at my old J130 jacket (style 104050 is an update to the J130):
Carhartt Jacket Warmth
Carhartt has numerous types of insulation (varying in warmth) across numerous types of jackets and coats.
I have found that the sizing can fluctuate a bit depending on insulation and lining (which makes sense).
It can also be difficult to understand what type of lining is warmest.
Below is a table of Carhartt’s available linings, and my personal opinion on how they rank from lightweight warmth to warmest.
Just for reference, I would consider the thermal lining something I’d wear on a mild winter day.
**As a disclaimer, please understand that the table below is my opinion based on wearing these jackets over the years. Carhartt does not offer a temperature rating for their jackets, and the “warmth” that I’ve assigned to the linings below is just my opinion, and may not reflect Carhartt’s opinion on this matter. Available linings may change over time. Contacting Carhartt directly for warmth advice is my recommendation.
| Carhartt Lining | Warmth |
| Thermal | Mild Warmth |
| Fleece | Mild Warmth |
| Blanket | Medium Warmth |
| Quilted-Nylon | Medium Warmth |
| Sherpa | Warm |
| Quilted-Flannel | Very Warm |
| Arctic Insulation | Warmest |
It’s also worth noting that there are other aspects to a jacket that can affect warmth. The outer shell fabric can also make a difference.
In my experience, the Arctic Insulation and the Quilted Flannel jackets have been the warmest. They can also be a bit bulky.
Do Carhartt Jackets Shrink?
The short answer here is yes, you can expect the 100% cotton shells to shrink a bit over time, but the overall amount is very minimal, and doesn’t affect my sizing choices.
Here’s a look at my new J140 sitting underneath by old J140. The old J140 is about 7 years old and been through 20+ wash cycles over time (plus the elements).
The main takeaway is I personally don’t let it affect my sizing decisions. To read more about shrinking, visit my article Do Carhartt Jackets Shrink?
Conclusion
How Do Carhartt Jackets Fit?
Do Carhartt Jackets Run Big or Small?
As I mentioned earlier in the article, this will depend on what type of specific jacket you order. No two Carhartt jackets are sized exactly the same.
My general advice:
- Expect heavyweight winter jackets and coats to have a roomy fit that may feel big, but gives you space to layer.
- Expect spring/fall jackets to have a more regular fit.
What size Carhartt jacket should you get?
This is a difficult question to answer not knowing your sizing preferences or what type of jacket you are interested in.
In general, I recommend ordering your normal sizing in Carhartt jackets. Yes, some of the heavy winter jackets have a roomy cut, but normal sizing has worked best for me.
The lighter-weight spring/fall jackets that Carhartt offers tend to run true-to-size. In most all cases, normal sizing is best.
Yes, there are a few exceptions.
Two that stick out to me are the Carhartt Full Swing Chore Coat and the Carhartt Rugged Flex Rigby Shirt Jacket. In my opinion, those both are almost too big, and sizing down may be needed.
- The main takeaway is 1) not all Carhartt jackets are sized the same, but 2) Carhartt does a reasonably good job in sizing their jackets and coats, and ordering your normal sizing is almost always the best bet.
I personally really like Carhartt, and wear a lot of their products. I find them to be dependable, and reasonably priced compared to the market.
If you are interested in reading about other brands that are similar to Carhartt, visit our article about the best Carhartt Alternatives.