Moncler vs. Burberry: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Moncler is the authority in high-performance luxury outerwear, known for its iconic down jackets that blend technical innovation with a sleek, sporty aesthetic. In contrast, Burberry is a hallmark of timeless British fashion, celebrated for its heritage trench coats, classic check patterns, and sophisticated ready-to-wear collections.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right luxury brand for your wardrobe.

Moncler: The Icon of Performance Outerwear

Moncler has built its reputation on creating the ultimate winter jacket, combining exceptional warmth and functionality with a modern, fashion-forward sensibility. Originating as a maker of alpine skiwear, the brand has evolved into a global symbol of sporty-luxe style. Its target customer prioritizes technical performance and values an investment piece that is as stylish in the city as it is effective on the slopes.

• Product mix: Primarily focused on insulated outerwear, including down-filled puffer jackets, vests, and high-performance skiwear. Collections also include knitwear, footwear, and accessories, often featuring the brand's signature logo patch.
• Price point: Premium luxury pricing. Jackets typically range from $1,000 to over $3,000, particularly for designer collaboration pieces or more technical expedition-grade models.
• Quality & Materials: Renowned for its lightweight construction using high-quality Japanese nylon and superior down feather filling, providing an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio. The craftsmanship ensures durability and resistance to harsh weather conditions.
• Sizing/Fit: Tends to run true to size with a tailored, slim fit designed to insulate effectively. For those planning to wear thick layers underneath, considering one size up might be a good idea.
• Sustainability: Actively working on sustainability through initiatives like responsible down sourcing, increasing material traceability, and moving toward carbon neutrality in its operations.

Moncler is the go-to for anyone seeking cutting-edge, warm, and stylish outerwear that performs as well as it looks.

Shop Moncler: moncler.com

Burberry: The Essence of British Heritage

Burberry is a quintessential British luxury house that has defined classic, sophisticated style for over 150 years. Famous for inventing the gabardine trench coat, Burberry offers a wide range of products that blend impeccable tailoring and heritage motifs with a modern runway vision. Their customer appreciates timeless elegance, superior craftsmanship, and a connection to a rich brand story.

• Product mix: Known for its iconic trench coats, the brand offers a complete ready-to-wear collection for men, women, and children. The selection also includes leather goods like the popular Lola bag, shoes, scarves featuring the iconic check, and a successful line of fragrances and beauty products.
• Price point: Spans a broad luxury range. Scarves start around $500, while iconic trench coats are typically priced between $1,500 and $2,500. Ready-to-wear and leather goods can range into the several thousands.
• Quality & Materials: Emphasizes heritage craftsmanship with fabrics like cotton gabardine, cashmere, silk, and fine leather. The construction and attention to detail in their tailored pieces are exceptional, designed to last a lifetime.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally follows standard European sizing and runs true to size. Coats are designed with a classic fit that allows for comfortable layering over suits or knitwear without appearing bulky.
• Sustainability: A leader in the luxury sector for sustainability, with public commitments to becoming climate positive, sourcing sustainable materials like organic cotton, and pioneering circular economy initiatives like product repair services.

Burberry excels at creating sophisticated, versatile classics that blend tradition with contemporary style, making it a cornerstone for an elegant wardrobe.

Shop Burberry: burberry.com

Moncler vs. Burberry Comparison

Price Comparison

Both brands sit firmly in the luxury tier, but their entry points and flagship product costs differ. Moncler's core products - its goose-down jackets - command high prices, rarely falling below $1,000 and easily exceeding $3,000 for special editions. While you are paying for technical innovation and extreme lightweight warmth, this makes it a significant investment focused purely on outerwear.

Burberry offers a broader range of products at different price levels. While their iconic trench coats cost $1,500 to $2,500, customers can enter the brand by purchasing a cashmere scarf, a wallet, or a polo shirt for under $600. Overall, Burberry provides more accessible entry points into its brand world, while Moncler's core offering is more consistently in the high-end luxury bracket.

Quality & Materials

Quality at both brands is exceptional, but their focus is different. Moncler is an expert in technical fabrics and insulation. They use premium, lightweight nylon shells that are water-resistant and filled with DIST-certified goose down, which offers the highest possible level of thermal insulation. The focus is on performance, durability against the elements, and lightweight comfort.

Burberry's quality is rooted in traditional craftsmanship and natural textiles. Their signature cotton gabardine - used for their trench coats - is a tightly woven, weather-resistant fabric invented by the brand's founder. They also excel with fine cashmere, wool, and leather. Burberry's quality is about luxurious texture, precise tailoring, and creating pieces that age beautifully over decades.

Style & Aesthetic

Moncler's aesthetic is best described as sporty-luxe and modern. Their designs are sleek, often featuring high-gloss finishes, bold logos, and a form-fitting silhouette that flatters the body while providing warmth. It's the definitive outerwear for high-end ski resorts like Aspen and stylish Gstaad, as well as a status symbol jacket for cold urban winters in cities like New York or Moscow.

Burberry embodies timeless British elegance and sophistication. The house style is more classic, understated, and versatile. A Burberry trench coat is just as appropriate over a business suit as it is with jeans and sneakers. The look is refined and rooted in heritage, though recent collections have injected more modern and trend-aware elements, particularly under chief creative officer Daniel Lee.

Fit & Sizing

Moncler is known for a contemporary, slim fit. Its jackets are designed to sit close to the body to maximize insulation efficiency. While sizing is generally true, it’s not generous. Shoppers, especially men or anyone who prefers a roomier feel for layering, should seriously consider sizing up or carefully checking product-specific measurements.

Burberry’s fit is more traditional and classic, especially in their heritage trench coats like the Kensington and Westminster styles. The cut is typically true to size and designed to accommodate layers underneath comfortably. You can usually take your standard size and still have room for a sweater or blazer, making it a more consistent and predictable fit.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands have made significant commitments to sustainability, but Burberry is often cited as a leader in the luxury segment. The brand has clear, ambitious targets to become climate positive by 2040, uses recycled materials, and offers aftercare and repair services to extend the life of its products. Their transparency and holistic approach are well-regarded.

Moncler also has a strong sustainability plan, with a focus on responsible sourcing (all down is certified under their own protocol), advancing a circular economy, and reducing emissions. While its efforts are commendable, Burberry's long-standing public commitments and comprehensive strategy give it a slight edge in this area.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both brands offer exceptional quality, but they cater to very different styles and needs.

Choose Moncler if:

• You need an exceptionally warm and high-performing jacket for very cold weather or winter sports.
• You prefer a modern, sleek, and sporty-luxe aesthetic.
• Lightweight construction and technical fabrics are your main priorities in outerwear.
• You view your winter coat as a contemporary fashion statement.

Choose Burberry if:

• You are looking for a timeless, versatile coat you can wear for many years across different seasons.
• You value classic British heritage, craftsmanship, and sophisticated tailoring.
• You want an iconic piece that works for formal, business, and casual occasions.
• An elegant, understated look is more your style than bold, technical designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moncler or Burberry more expensive?

While both are luxury brands, Moncler's core products (down jackets) often have a higher average price than Burberry's iconic trench coats. However, Burberry's collection includes runway pieces and exotic leather goods that can be even more expensive, while Moncler's price range is more concentrated in the $1,200-$3,500 zone.

Which brand is warmer, Moncler or Burberry?

Moncler is unequivocally warmer. Its entire brand identity is built on producing high-performance down jackets engineered for extreme cold. A Burberry trench coat is designed for mild and transitional weather and offers protection from wind and rain but provides minimal insulation.

Does Moncler or Burberry run true to size?

Burberry generally runs true to size with a classic fit. Moncler also runs true to size but has a distinctly slimmer, more tailored fit. Many people, particularly men, find they need to size up in Moncler for a comfortable fit, especially if they plan on layering.

Which brand holds its value better for resale?

Both brands have a strong resale market. Iconic and classic styles, like a Moncler Maya jacket or a Burberry Kensington trench coat, tend to retain their value exceptionally well due to timeless demand.

Is Moncler only for winter?

While its fame comes from winter jackets, Moncler has expanded its collection to include lightweight down vests, windbreakers, polo shirts, and footwear suitable for other seasons. However, its core strength remains cold-weather apparel.

What is Burberry most famous for?

Burberry is most famous for its invention of the gabardine trench coat and its iconic "Haymarket Check" pattern, which is one of the most recognizable motifs in fashion history.

Can you wear a Burberry trench coat in the winter?

A standard Burberry trench coat is not warm enough for true winter weather on its own. However, they are excellent for layering. In milder winters or with heavy knitwear underneath, they can be a viable option, but they are not intended for freezing temperatures.

Which brand is better for everyday wear?

This depends on your climate and lifestyle. For someone living in a temperate climate, a Burberry trench is more versatile for daily wear. For someone in a cold city like Montreal or Moscow, a Moncler jacket is a practical and stylish everyday choice throughout the winter months.