As the air grows colder, we’ve been receiving more and more questions like, “Which samue is the warmest for winter?”
In truth, it’s hard to say a single “warmest” option, as the feeling of warmth varies depending on how and where the samue is worn, as well as personal comfort preferences.
So in this blog, we’ll introduce several samue we especially recommend for the winter season—along with impressions from WASUIAN staff who personally tried them on. Because this post is a bit long, we’ve also prepared a categorized table of contents for easy navigation.
Please click the section that catches your interest and explore the details. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect winter samue to keep you warm through the cold months ahead.
From WASUIAN’s popular winter classic, the Sashiko-ori series, I’d like to introduce Thick Yarn Sashiko-ori Samue, especially praised for its remarkable warmth.
Among all of WASUIAN’s sashiko items, this samue stands out for its exceptionally dense and weighty fabric. This 100% cotton sashiko material is slowly and carefully woven, creating a rich, substantial texture reminiscent of kendo or judo uniforms, yet it remains surprisingly soft and supple. By weaving the fabric slowly and meticulously, the surface develops a soft, plump texture with gentle ridges, resulting in a warm and pleasantly tactile feel.
Many customers praise its unrivaled comfort, sharing comments such as, “It feels great whether I’m sitting or lying down.”
I’ve personally worn this piece for several years as winter workwear, and each year I can feel the fabric becoming softer and molding more naturally to my body. Thanks to the breathable nature of sashiko weave, this samue is also highly recommended as cozy loungewear for relaxing indoors.
“Fully lined” refers to samue in which both the jacket and pants are lined throughout. This double-layered construction enhances insulation and moisture retention, keeping you comfortable even on cold winter days.
Among all our fully lined options, the Suede-Lined Samue stands out as our top recommendation for exceptional warmth.
The outer fabric is thick yet wonderfully soft, offering a gentle, natural texture. It’s made from the same material used in our Enshu-ori Samue, giving it a charming, rustic warmth reminiscent of hand-spun textiles. Inside, a luxurious cotton suede pile lining provides a rich, enveloping heat that feels unmistakably premium.
Because the lining is made of cotton suede, it delivers the pleasant touch unique to natural fibers—and it’s also resistant to static electricity, which is a welcome bonus in the dry winter months. While the silhouette retains the clean, minimal look of a standard unlined samue, the warmth you feel when wearing it is on an entirely different level.
When trying it on myself, the moment my arms slid into the sleeves, the brushed lining gently brushed my fingertips and skin, giving an instant sense of comfort and warmth.
▲This is the lining fabric. The soft, raised fibers trap air warmed by body heat, providing excellent insulation.
To test wind resistance, I directed the strong cold-air mode of a hairdryer at the fabric. I felt almost no draft. In comparison, the previously mentioned “Thick Yarn Sashiko-ori Samue” allowed a slight chill to pass through, so the full lining clearly makes a noticeable difference.
While it didn’t concern me personally, the lining does add some weight. For reference, size L (jacket + pants) weighs about 1,445 g in total. If you prioritize lightness in clothing, this may be something to keep in mind.
“Wataire” refers to the process of inserting cotton or other material between the outer fabric and lining of a garment, as well as the garments made using this method. The material placed inside is called nakawata (filling).
Thanks to its fluffy structure, this filling traps a generous amount of air. This creates a natural barrier that blocks cold air from outside while preventing your body heat from escaping.
Within WASUIAN’s lineup, wataire items include both samue and hanten, with most pieces using polyester filling.
Polyester is the most widely used synthetic fiber in the world, known for its practicality, such as its resilience, wrinkle resistance, and ease of storage.
▲This is the filling. Its softness is so impressive that it’s hard to believe it’s polyester.
While polyester is often associated with low moisture absorption and limited breathability, these characteristics become real advantages during winter. Because it doesn’t absorb moisture, it dries quickly after washing, and its wind-resistant nature helps retain heat, making it an excellent material for cold-weather clothing.
Among all padded samue, CLEANSE® Denim Quilt Samue delivers outstanding warmth.
Both the jacket and pants are generously padded, creating a cozy warmth that feels like being gently wrapped in comfort. The jacket’s elastic cuffs and the pants’ elastic hem further help trap heat and improve insulation.
I initially expected the padding to limit movement, but when I tried it on, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to move. The secret lies in the perfectly balanced amount of filling and the use of polyester, which is lighter than cotton, resulting in excellent mobility.
Many of our customers who work at temples also tell us that they rely on padded samue for winter duties. This is yet another reason we can confidently recommend wataire samue for people who need warmth and ease of movement in active environments.
WASUIAN offers products that provide even greater warmth when combined with the winter samue I've introduced so far. Here, I briefly introduce Haori, Hanten,Coat, Scarf, and undergarments. Combining these with your samue for outdoor wear in the depths of winter will significantly enhance your cold protection.
The Hanten is an indispensable winter garment. It's a convenient cold-weather layer that can be quickly thrown over both Japanese and Western-style clothing. It offers a snug, enveloping warmth.
For those seeking more substantial insulation, the "sleeved type" is recommended.
On the other hand, the sleeveless type is ideal for balancing warmth and ease of movement. Like a down vest in Western wear, you can enjoy coordinating it according to your plans or mood for the day.
When heading out in cold weather, you might feel that a samue alone isn't quite enough. However, layering a Western-style coat or jacket can ruin the carefully arranged look and Japanese atmosphere of your samue. Naturally, you'd want to pair your samue with a coat that complements it. Born from this desire is this "Samue Coat".
The outer fabric is a wool blend that feels warm to the touch, while the lining uses wind-resistant polyester. The model in the photo wears a relaxed smile amidst falling snow. I, too, have experience wearing this Samue Coat for several hours in early February a few years ago. I spent hours in single-digit temperatures wearing this coat. Far from feeling cold, I actually worked up a sweat. (Incidentally, underneath the coat, I wore the "KAIHARA DENIM 11oz Samue." This denim samue has been popular in winter since its release, and we now sell an improved version KAIHARA DENIM 11oz Samue [Kai].)
The beautiful silhouette, unique to the "samue-style" with its four ties, blends well with both Japanese and Western clothing and shines in various winter scenes.
Wrap your neck in this "Wool Scarf," and you'll have nothing to fear from the cold.
This scarf is made from 100% wool, offering excellent warmth retention. Its elasticity also makes it resistant to losing shape or wrinkling. The slip-on design is another recommended feature, allowing anyone to wear it easily and stylishly.
We've introduced various products so far, and you might be wondering, "So which samue is actually the warmest?" If a customer asked me that, I would respond as follows.
Indeed, items with lining or padding offer a significantly different level of warmth. Furthermore, combining products with excellent cold protection will keep you even warmer. Please use this as a reference when making your selection.
Among the [Fully Lined Series] introduced earlier, some use "polyester" instead of "cotton" for the lining. Generally, so-called all-season suits often feature polyester lining. This prevents internal soiling and improves slip, providing a smooth wearing experience.
If I were to recommend one warm piece from our samue line featuring this polyester lining, it would be this one.
The outer fabric also uses 100% polyester "chambray" material. Chambray is a type of plain weave fabric made by weaving colored warp threads (colored yarn) with bleached weft threads. Its unique, beautiful mottled appearance and rich texture are its appeal.
Fully lined with polyester, it offers a light, comfortable feel while providing reliable warmth. The elastic cuffs on the jacket sleeves and the hem of the pants help keep out cold air during outings or yard work. Being lighter than natural fabrics, it's the perfect garment for active occasions.
While researching this article, I tried on various products myself. My honest impression is that "you truly don't know until you try it on." As with everything, seeing is believing. Writing this article provided me with a very valuable experience.
Beyond the items featured here, WASUIAN offers a wide selection of products designed to make your winter more comfortable and enjoyable. We hope you'll discover your "favorite piece" or a "coordinated look that makes you look forward to winter."
