The Best Women’s Flannel Shirts of 2021

Flannels are the unofficial cold-weather uniform of the outdoors. Suit up with picks that run the gamut from performance to fashion.

Nothing says fall like a flannel. Crisp nights by the campfire, brisk mornings chopping wood, and chilly days in town all pair perfectly with the warm and stylish shoulder-season staple.

Today’s flannel evolved from lumberjack roots to include shirts made with an array of fabrics, upgraded technical features, and even heavy-duty jackets. Best of all, there’s an option to fit every budget and style.

Scroll through to see all of our recommended buys and get equipped for the colder days ahead or jump to the category you’re looking for:

• Best Everyday
• Best Wool Flannel
• Best Budget
• Best Active
• Heavyweight Flannel
• Best of the Rest

The Best Flannel Shirts for Women

Best Everyday Flannel: Patagonia Fjord Flannel

Made of 100% organic cotton, the Fjord Flannel ($89) is an updated take on the classic flannel. Once you put this buttery-soft flannel on, you’ll never want to take it off. Luckily, it comes in a range of colors and washes up nicely, so you can wear it day after day.

There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles here, but that’s what we like. It’s simple, classic, and comfortable. And it’s the flannel we reach for first.

It’s also available for men, boys, and girls — because the family that flannels together stays warm together.

• Material: Organic cotton
  
• Best for: All-day, everyday wear

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

Best Wool Flannel: Fjallraven Canada Shirt

Looking for a classic wool flannel shirt? Then you need to meet the Fjallraven Canada Shirt ($150). It checks all the important boxes. The wool blend wicks moisture, dries quickly, and naturally stays stink-free.

We’ve found it comfortable next to skin, though it doesn’t have as soft a feel as some cotton options included here. The chest pockets have buttons and are just big enough to stash a card or bit of cash. All in all, this has quickly become a favorite for chilly campsite hangs and cold winter days.

And we feel good knowing it’s helping us tread lightly by using recycled wool.

• Material: 70% recycled wool, 30% polyamide
• Best for: Cold days, chilly campfire nights

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

Best Budget Flannel: Carhartt Rugged Flex Hamilton Flannel

This Carhartt shirt ($23-54) is a classic — and for good reason. It’s impressively durable for the price without wading into scratchy, uncomfortable territory. A blend of cotton and spandex, it has just enough stretch to allow for full range of motion. You can confidently chop firewood without feeling like you’re going to blow out the shoulders.

We like that it has a relaxed but slightly tailored fit. The sleeves can feel a bit shorter for women with long arms. But we tend to roll our sleeves up when working, so it wasn’t an issue for us. This shirt may not be the most technical on the list. But for only $40, it could be your perfect campfire companion.

• Material: 97% cotton, 3% spandex
• Best for: Splitting wood, hanging by the campfire

Check Price at Amazon

Best Active Flannel: Kitsbow Icon Shirt

The Kitsbow Icon Shirt ($235) manages to check all the important boxes. It’s impressively breathable, comfortable against bare skin, durable, and made in the U.S. We’ve worn it nonstop for the past 6 months, and it still looks as good as it did on day one.

And being wool, it will keep you warm even if wet. Quality wool only has one downside, and that’s the price. But given its durability, this is a shirt you’ll own for many years.

The Icon shirt combines the awesomeness of Pendleton wool with Kitsbow’s performance-focused design. The articulated shoulder vents and stretch gussets allow for full range of movement and dump heat when you need it. The abrasion panels on the elbows provide extra protection but also add a fun dash of style.

Yes, this shirt is an investment. But it’s worth it for a shirt that performs on the trail, looks good in town, and is built to last.

• Material: Pendleton merino wool
• Best for: Crushing the singletrack, hiking, everyday wear

Check Price at Kitsbow

Heavyweight Flannel: California Cowboy Women’s High Sierra

California Cowboy impressed us with its first run of flannels as a brand — and now they are back with more (read: women’s) options. The star of the show? The Women’s High Sierra Flannel Shirt. This puppy is high-quality, and ticks nearly everything you could ask for in a flannel.

Luxury Portuguese flannel? Check. Thick, terry cloth thermal lining? Check. Button-up cuffs? Check. Sunglass loop? Check. Double breast pockets? Check. Waterproof and zippered security pocket? Check. And yes, it even has a pocket for your beer.

California Cowboy calls the High Sierra its “signature après-ski flannel.” As it was on the thicker and warmer side of all the flannels we tested, we agree it is great for colder, snowier days, whether at the slopes or hunkering down in a backcountry cabin or hut.

We also loved the fit — which is accurate, though a tad longer in the arms — perfect for keeping you covered and cozy, right down to your wrists.

The High Sierra Flannel comes in sizes XS-XL, and in either checkered or plaid styles.

• Material: Portuguese flannel, cotton-polyester lining
• Best for: Campfire hangouts, ski trips, light winter hiking, commuting, and everyday wear

Check Price at California Cowboy

Best of the Rest

Outdoor Research Feedback Flannel

There are a lot of great reasons to love this flannel. Engineered to be a “cold-weather favorite,” OR’s Feedback Flannel ($85) is a great option for fall or winter. For our tester, the polyester fabric is the perfect thickness, although it’s a bit wide in the shoulders.

The flannel is also easy to layer either with a jacket over or a shirt underneath, which we love. The attention to detail on this shirt with the hidden zip pocket on the torso is great, and the quick-drying feature means it can withstand light exercise. And thanks to its polyester material, it’ll dry much faster than cotton flannel.

• Material: Polyester
• Best for: General wear (in the office, lounging by a fireplace), fall hiking, layering

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Amazon

Topo Designs Mountain Shirt

Looking for a heavy-duty flannel? Check out the Topo Designs Mountain Shirt ($89). Its twill material feels burly and is oh so warm. It’s slightly heavier than a traditional flannel and makes a good layer under a puffy.

Our tester found the medium fit as expected, and it was form-fitting but sufficiently stretchy. We recommend you size up if you have a larger bust.

The thick, oversized buttons feel like they won’t come off easily. And each cuff has three buttons instead of the usual two, giving them a more tapered look. The deep, rich green with black buttons looks great, but some testers weren’t a fan of the brand name printed on the pocket. Beware — twill is more prone to pilling.

This isn’t the absolute lightest or softest on the list, but if you want a long-lasting, heavier-weight flannel, the Mountain Shirt is a winner.

• Material: Organic cotton twill flannel
• Best for: Hiking, crushing it at the office, grabbing a beer, repping that mountain mama life

Check Price at evo

REI Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt — Straight & Plus

REI’s Wallace Lake flannel ($60) is breathable, so it’s well-suited for outdoor activity. This one’s got thinner material and feels lighter than a traditional flannel. We recommend wearing it in temps above 45 degrees or wearing a shirt underneath for added warmth.

There was plenty of room in the shoulders — extra, even — in the medium size. It’s a solid pick for those with wider hips, broader shoulders, longer arms, or larger busts. We recommend sizing down if you like a more form-fitting feel.

As a coal miner’s granddaughter, our tester digs the pickaxe accent on the top snap closure. The buttons on the two chest pockets are reinforced, as are the shirt’s side seams (with gussets where they meet the hem).

• Material: Cotton
• Best for: Stacking wood, active pursuits

Check Straight-Size Price at REICheck Plus-Size Price at REI

Duluth Trading Free Swingin’ Flannel Tunic

When you need a bit of extra coverage, reach for this flannel tunic ($60). The longer cut and drop-tail hem means it pairs well with leggings and won’t ride up during the day’s work.

Most of all, we like how this shirt doesn’t restrict movement. With hidden underarm gussets and a bi-swing back, you can easily chop wood or reach up high without feeling like you’re about to Hulk out of this shirt.

It’s faded slightly over a year of washing and wearing, but that could be avoided if you hang to dry. Otherwise, it’s held up very well, and we haven’t had any problems with shrinking. This is a solid, hardworking flannel that gives an extra bit of coverage.

As of early December 2021, the Free Swingin’ Flannel Tunic is sold out. We’ll continue to check if Duluth restocks and provide an update.

• Material: Cotton
  
• Best for: Chopping firewood, farmhouse chores, everyday wear

Check Price at Duluth Trading Co.

Legendary Whitetails Cottage Escape

In need of an extra campfire layer one weekend, we grabbed the Legendary Whitetails Cottage Scape ($28-55) on a whim. Surprisingly, it became a mainstay. It’s a fun option if you’re excited to jump on the flannel train and are looking for a classic look and budget price.

It doesn’t have any bells or whistles and probably won’t last a lifetime. But for less than $35, it’s a good, basic flannel. It’s available in several classic color combos and fits as expected.

• Material: Cotton
  
• Best for: Casual campfire outings, backyard barbecuing

Check Price at AmazonCheck Price at Legendary Whitetails

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