Key Highlights:
- Learn where to find the Winter Jacket in Sons of the Forest on the golf course.
- Survive freezing conditions on mountains and in winter with added stamina protection.
- Use torches, fires, and shelters as backups until you secure the jacket.
The Winter Jacket is one of the most useful clothing items in Sons of the Forest, yet it’s not marked on your GPS tracker. Before version 1.0, you could grab it near a waterfall on the south side of the island. That changed with the full release, and now the jacket is tucked away on the northern golf course. Knowing the new location can save hours of wandering, and the sooner you collect it, the sooner you’ll be ready for the island’s brutal winters.
To find the Winter Jacket, head for the golf course on the north-eastern side of the map. Look out for golf cart icons on your GPS and golf course flags, they’re a clear sign you’re in the right area. The jacket is stashed inside a large grey tent near a pond, close to where a helicopter sometimes hovers overhead. When you reach the camp, check inside the tent to the left of an ammo rack. The Winter Jacket is sitting right there beside a black backpack. Pick it up with “E” to add it to your inventory, or hold “E” to equip it immediately.
If you need a clearer route, start from the Rebreather Cave or the nearby beach spawn. Following the waterline north makes navigation much easier. Eventually you’ll spot the small lake that looks like a stretched-out smiley face. At the tip of that lake, the tent with the Winter Jacket is waiting.
Along the way you’ll also find ropes, crates, and other supplies worth collecting.
Equipping the Winter Jacket makes a huge difference in cold biomes. Without it, your stamina bar shrinks rapidly whenever you’re “cold and wet.” You’ll also see ice creeping in around your vision and your character shivering uncontrollably. With the jacket on, you’ll keep your stamina buffer high and can stay active longer on snowy mountaintops or through the full winter cycle. It’s not just comfort, it’s survival.
Until you secure the Winter Jacket, you’ll need to fall back on temporary measures. Fires keep you warm in place, and bonfires last longer if you fuel them with logs, leaves, or cash. A torch is the best mobile option. Crafted with a stick and cloth, it burns steadily even in rain and snow, though it forces you to put your weapon away. It’s a workable stopgap, but not ideal if you’re moving through hostile territory.
One last tip: Kelvin and Virginia can wear alternate outfits, but the cold doesn’t affect them. The Winter Jacket is purely for you, and you’ll feel the impact immediately once equipped. For anyone planning to explore mountain caves or push through the winter season, it’s a must-have early pickup.