When choosing a winter coat, it's important to consider many different factors. Weight, durability, cost, maintenance, insulation, and feel are all important aspects of a quality winter coat. When all of the available materials are considered, sheepskin comes out as the most obvious best choice. It is more durable than cloth, softer and warmer than cow leather, and less expensive than exotic leathers like kangaroo.

Sheepskin originally became popular as a jacket material when airplanes were flown with open cockpits. Aviators quickly discovered that the natural insulation of sheepskin kept them warm at the elevations that their planes would take them to. Car drivers quickly caught on to the material and began wearing sheepskin jackets while driving their open-air cars and sheepskin cemented itself as a fashionable and necessary clothing option. It is made into a variety of products, from shoes to jackets, and provides a variety of advantages to other popular materials.

Sheepskin is particularly warm because of the natural amount of fleece and hair from the animal. The natural insulation for the sheep provides warmth with little need for chemical reinforcements when made into a coat. It's also extremely light, so it doesn't weigh the wearer down. It's naturally water resistant and needs only a light shaking out when exposed to rain or snow. It may occasionally get some water spots from exposure but those are easy to brush away with a soft brush. It's more durable than a cloth jacket and warmer and softer than a jacket made out of cow leather.

Because wool has a natural breathing ability, sheepskin coats can be worn in moderate temperatures as well. The wool lining of sheepskin coats will actually absorb the excess body moisture and help keep a body cooler, making it a desirable material if the weather might shift throughout the day or if one will be involved in an activity outside, such as a hike or snow shoveling. Sheepskin coats breathe with the body and allow it to stay at a regulated temperature regardless of the weather.

Although sheepskin coats tend to cost more than an average leather coat, they make up for their cost through their increased durability. With proper care, sheepskin coats will keep their shape and last for quite a long time. When not in use, sheepskin coats should be kept in a garment box or a paper bag away from moisture. They should not be kept in plastic bags because the material needs to breathe. Sheepskin products can be put in the washing machine but it's possible that washing them could make them lose their shape, so it's recommended that leather shampoo be used to wash the jacket by hand. With proper care, sheepskin coats can be worn for many years through all types of weather.

Sheepskin is available for someone looking to make an investment in a quality winter coat. The material is a natural insulation, resistant to rain, snow, and hail, and comfortable. Dollar for dollar, no other material can stand up to the quality of sheepskin.