Protect yourself from the elements in style.
The outdoor jacket is the Swiss Army knife of outerwear. A good jacket should be balanced in every way: it should shield you from inclement weather and provide warmth, but it should also be breathable and suitable for the situation at hand.
For those reasons, most guys can’t get away with having just one outdoor jacket. You’ll need a few different jackets to get you through the seasons so you can be ready for everything. We’re talking three or four jackets minimum (and more if you participate in outdoor activities like running and hiking).
Of course, you’ll need to research each type of jacket you want to buy, but it helps if you know some of the best brands making outdoor jackets today. Here are 20 outerwear heavyweights that run the gamut from lighter spring jackets to toasty fleece jackets.
The Best Outdoor Jacket Brands
There are a few big names in the outdoor jacket space that all deserve the accolades they get — Patagonia, The North Face, and Arc’teryx are the big ones — but there are plenty of other companies making fantastic jackets.
Here’s an alphabetical list of some of the best outdoor brands to shop for jackets:
and wander
One of the most interesting Japanese brands around right now is and wander. Founded by two ex-ISSEY MIYAKE designers, and wander takes a fashion-forward approach to outdoor clothing that’s unlike anything else on the market today.
And wander’s eye-catching take on conventional outdoor items like jackets, pants, vests, and packs elevates these items from the purely technical realm.
The silhouettes are less bulky, and the designs are more experimental (but still practical). Your best bet for getting your hands on some and wander is going through a US stockist like Blue Owl or SSENSE.
Arc’teryx
You can’t talk about excellent outdoor jackets without talking about Arc’teryx. The Canadian brand simply makes some of the best performance jackets in the world.
Arc’teryx’s jackets are ideal for guys who are highly active throughout the winter. The brand’s catalog ranges from extra-rugged hardshell jackets to insulated parkas, so Arc’teryx could very well be your one-stop jacket shop.
Ash & Erie
Although it’s not particularly famous for its outerwear, Ash & Erie deserves a shoutout for one reason: it offers stylish outerwear for short men.
As you might expect, fit is one area where Ash & Erie really excels. You won’t have to worry about these jackets hanging well below your waist or spending the time and money to take them to the tailor before you can even wear them.
(Quality is one area that’s slightly lacking — almost all the jackets have a huge percentage of polyester.)
Barbour
British company Barbour has been making handsome, hard-wearing jackets since 1894. The brand is chiefly known for its waxed cotton outerwear, including the ever-popular Bedale®, Ashby, and Beaufort® jackets.
These weatherproof jackets can be worn year-round in all types of conditions, making them perfect for spring and fall. You can purchase Barbour’s liners to boost the jackets’ warmth for cold days, but you’ll likely want a dedicated winter coat unless you live somewhere really mild.
Black Diamond Equipment
Like Arc’teryx, Black Diamond Equipment is a fantastic brand for technical outdoor jackets that can withstand just about anything. If you do any winter sport or activity involving rock, ice, or snow, you’ll benefit from a Black Diamond jacket.
These upgrade jackets have excellent construction and boast technologies like BD.dry™ and PrimaLoft® to keep the weather out and provide a comfortable wearing experience. In short, if you’re a climber or skier, you’ll like what Black Diamond has to offer.
Buck Mason
If you just need a good-looking jacket to wear around town, check out Buck Mason. The brand’s outerwear fuses modern and classic design sensibilities for pieces that feel timeless.
Drawing from traditional American menswear, Buck Mason’s jackets are rugged yet refined. The brand’s minimal takes on classic garments like the chore coat and field jacket will easily fit into most guys’ wardrobes.
And even though most of Buck Mason’s production has moved outside the US, the company is still putting out high-quality stuff.
Cortazu
Performance-oriented jackets almost always need to be made from synthetic materials for durability reasons, so it’s hard to find technical jackets that are also sustainable. Dutch B Corp Cortazu is out to change that with its lineup of hardy outerwear that relies on recycled synthetics.
Cortazu’s lineup includes everything from waterproof hardshells to breathable mid-layers. The designs are familiar but not boring, and you’ll find tons of useful features like vents, adjustable hoods, and keycords.
Everlane
If you’re a fan of minimal, functional town jackets, you probably already have Everlane bookmarked in your browser. Somehow, most of Everlane’s items manage to strike a nice balance of quality and price.
From classic bomber jackets to sleek parkas, Everlane’s outerwear collection has a bit of everything. The jackets are stylish by virtue of being simple — there are no bells or whistles, just great designs.
Filson
Filson makes the kind of outerwear that you might picture a Hemingway character wearing. These heritage-inspired jackets are about as burly as it gets, and they’re also extremely practical pieces that will last for decades to come.
Filson takes inspiration from both outdoor sports and workwear to create garments that could easily be mistaken for deadstock pieces. And while these aren’t high-performance jackets, they do hold up well in inclement weather.
Forét
Danish brand Forét is a fantastic display of Scandinavian minimalism in action. The company offers a design-centric combination of tradition and innovation, which results in some really unique pieces.
Forét’s refreshing designs — many of which highlight the brand’s tasteful approach to color blocking — stand out without being too loud. This is a company that should be on the radar of anyone who likes refined workwear.
Haglöfs
Of all the outdoor clothing brands on this list, Haglöfs is probably the least recognizable. That’s a shame because the Swedish brand makes some amazing outerwear that offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Designed for mountain activities, Haglöfs’s outerwear is cleanly designed and commendably durable. Boasting trusty materials like Polartec® fleece and Gore-Tex, the brand’s jackets are built to last, and they’re worth a look if you’re after resilient outdoor clothing.
Knowledge Cotton Apparel
Knowledge Cotton Apparel is a seriously underrated brand for outdoor jackets. As its name suggests, Knowledge Cotton Apparel uses lots of cotton (specifically organic cotton) to make its jackets, but it also uses recycled synthetics for extra durability.
Knowledge offers a more curated selection of jackets, but it’s definitely a case of quality over quantity. I’ve owned one of the brand’s Arctic Canvas jackets for a few years, and it’s been my go-to for teeth-chattering winter days.
Lands’ End
If you’re after affordable outdoor jackets and don’t need maximum performance, check out Lands’ End. The popular brand makes tons of budget-friendly outerwear options that range from shirt jackets to parkas.
While it’s not as high-tech of a brand as some others on this list, Lands’ End is a solid label to shop for outdoor jackets you can wear around town when the temperatures dip.
Mammut
Swiss outdoor brand Mammut has been around since 1862, so it’s safe to say the brand knows a thing or two about making sturdy jackets. Mammut’s high-tech jackets are built for mountaineers, and the specs reflect that.
With features like climbing harness integration and helmet-compatible hoods, Mammut’s jackets are prepared for some serious action. After all, Mammut hails from Switzerland, so the brand really knows what it takes to make mountain-optimized outerwear.
Mountain Hardwear
Outdoor gear brand Mountain Hardwear makes exactly that: hard-wearing clothing designed for mountaineering. You’ll find plenty of down-insulated jackets that are ideal for alpine and backcountry activities.
Mountain Hardwear is a great brand to shop if you’re a climber, hiker, or camper looking for high-quality garments that can survive rigorous activity. The brand offers everything from ultralight full zips and breathable vests to snowstorm-ready shells and ripstop parkas.
Norrøna
The way in which Norway-based Norrøna combines performance and design is unlike any other brand out there. Norrøna’s jackets are surprisingly stylish for being so technical, and that’s not something you can say about most performance outerwear brands.
These premium jackets are engineered to handle advanced mountaineering with ease — and they’re priced accordingly. They’re absolutely overkill for daily use, but Norrøna’s jackets are some of the absolute best outerwear for intense outdoor activity.
Outdoor Research
Outdoor Research truly lives up to its name. It’s immediately obvious that the company’s selection of robust outerwear has been designed specifically for the great outdoors.
Outdoor Research has a jacket for virtually every outdoor activity you can think of. This outerwear shines in settings where performance is critical, and some lighter pieces can easily double as daily drivers for commuting in less than ideal weather.
Patagonia
It’s downright impossible to talk about outdoor jacket brands without bringing up Patagonia. The brand’s jackets are well rounded, long lasting, and reasonably priced.
Whether you go for a classic like the Better Sweater fleece or a more offbeat choice like the Hemp Denim Chore Coat, you’re guaranteed to get a durable garment. It’s also a huge plus that Patagonia is one of the more sustainable mainstream brands on the market today.
Save the Duck
Shopping for warm winter jackets can be difficult if you’re looking for animal-free options. That’s where Save The Duck comes in. The brand’s completely vegan outerwear provides the kind of insulation you get with normal down — but without a single feather.
Instead of using animal-derived materials like down, leather, and fur, Save The Duck uses sustainable performance synthetics to keep you dry and warm. And importantly, these jackets go toe-to-toe with some of the top outerwear options on the market.
Under 5’10
Another brand exclusively targeting shorter guys is Under 5’10. The company’s curated offering of outerwear is worth a look if you don’t want a jacket that goes down to your mid-thigh.
It’s worth noting that Under 5’10 suggests buying a few different sizes to get a feel for its sizing system, so you might want to consider that if you’re buying from this company for the first time.
Need even more outdoor jackets to choose from? Check out our guide to the best fleece jackets for men.
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