A jacket is something that is vital to the well-prepared person’s lifestyle, whether you are hiking through Alaska’s frozen mountains or waiting for a helicopter on a chilly airstrip. I have personally used many types of jackets, and out of all I have tried, I have found these five to be the best jackets. I’m open to testing other brands but here’s the hard and fast. Below, I have listed major quality brands with a specific model I like or (in many instances) have personally owned or tested. Something you want to look for in a good jacket brand is that they stand behind their product and they have a good no-nonsense return policy. There are many different features and combination of materials to look for when purchasing or selecting a jacket, your life could depend on it!
1. Arc’teryx Men’s Beta AR Jacket
Reputable and premium, the go-to for those who need the best.
Completely everything about Arc’teryx is stunning and high quality, from their website to their stitch count, from the integrated hoods to the high quality materials. They have a great return policy and you can even trade in your used gear for them to recycle. Wearing Arc’teryx makes a statement about what type of person you are, i.e. Alpha personality. The quality does come at a steep price (like $600-$900 for some of their top jackets…), but you get what you pay for. Some of the features are accessible at a lower price point. If you believe in the message of Arc’teryx and the prestige of the brand, and it’s in your budget, this is the best quality brand of jackets for you. My personal favorite is the Beta AR Jacket.
2. Columbia Men’s Bugaboo™ II Fleece Interchange Jacket
Personally, my budget-friendly favorite
Some of my longest lasting jackets have been by the Columbia brand. I really like their multi-layer ski jackets. The outside shell repels water and the fleece underlayer wicks moisture and retains heat, and it is tastefully stylish. The versatile 3-1 design allows you to separate the inner fleece liner from the outer shell, making this an excellent choice for layering and adapting to changing weather scenarios. I wore a Bugaboo for years and it is a hard jacket to beat, with its timeless style and bomb-proof construction. It’s also conservative in style so it won’t draw the attention that something like an Arc’Teryx jacket would – and for some people, that’s an advantage.
3. Patagonia Men’s Downdrift 3-in-1 Jacket
Name Brand Reputation, Quality, and Style
Patagonia is an extremely well-respected brand and their Downdrift 3-in-1 jacket delivers! A durable Nylon shell repels rain and its thoughtfully made from recycled materials (if you are into that kind of thing). Which makes the construction sustainable and means this is an eco-friendly jacket. It features a full-length center-front zipper; two-panel hood with brim that adjusts with a drawcord for a secure, customized fit; zippered chest pocket and handwarmer pockets; adjustable cuffs with snap closures; hem adjusts with hidden cords routed inside front pockets. For those needing functional style, this is a solid performer!
4. Snugpak Sleeka Elite Reversible Jacket
My secret workhorse and minimalist jacket
I personally used a Sleeka Elite Reversable jacket for several years as a super compact, lightweight jacket, traditionally stored in the bottom of my bag option for unexpected windy or chilly situations. I have been amazed at the ability of this jacket to be an active jacket for a run or a quick layer to bulk up for unexpected cold. This jacket is probably one of the most versatile jackets for a minimalistic cold weather/rain/sleet/snow scenario. It is extremely lightweight and folds into its own pocket (you read that right… you can stuff it into its own pocket for compact storage) and I often would keep a fleece beanie in the breast pocket.
5. NorthFace Men’s Antora Triclimate Jacket
Major brand, gray man
When it comes to The North Face brand, you get stylish-but-discreet functionality, that is especially true with the Men’s Antora Triclimate. As the name suggests, this jacket has a waterproof, breathable outer layer designed to keep you dry and a soft fleece inner layer for extra warmth and comfort. The Men’s Antora Triclimate® is an all-purpose, all-weather jacket perfect for just about any condition. You won’t stand out in a crowd, and you won’t carry unnecessary bulk for the colder months. Every North Face product I have owned over the years is durable and nearly indestructible. I would rate the Men’s Antora Triclimate jacket as my favorite, a serious contender for a lightweight jacket.