8 Best Cold Weather Jackets

by Sara Cardoza + · Published September 29, 2015 · Updated September 28, 2015

cold weather jackets With summer winding down and fall around the corner, preparation for cooler weather is in the works. Here are eight jackets that’ll keep you toasty on your next outdoor adventure.

Rab Xenon XHigh-quality synthetic insulation, top warmth-to-weight ratio and packability into its own pocket make the Rab Xenon X a winning lighter-weight option for multi-pitch endeavors and cold-weather treks. Its Pertex Quantum fabric is water- and wind-resistant, and is a great weight for use as a mid or outer layer. Some complaints have included issues with breathability, but it’s otherwise well reviewed for its comfort features.

Arc’teryx Atom AR HoodyBuilt with Coreloft insulation, the Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoody was designed with thermal efficiency in mind. The helmet-compatible hood, athletic fit and DWR-coated shell make this ideal for skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts. Reviewers praised its light weight and non-bulky fit, and mentioned that the blend between the Atom AR’s warmth and weight made it comfortable enough to sleep in overnight.

The North Face ThermoBall JacketAlthough it warms, compresses and looks like down, the Primaloft ThermoBall insulation is synthetic, which means it’ll keep you as toasty as a 600-fill down jacket, and will continue to keep you just as warm even if it gets wet. The ThermoBall comes with a nylon shell and cinch cords to maintain heat and structure around the body, and also stuffs into its own pocket for streamline transport.

Patagonia Nano Air HoodyThis brand didn’t earn the nickname “Pata-gucci” for nothing. These jackets are high-quality and designed to fit well, even in motion. The Nano Air Hoody is no different, built with nylon ripstop fabric along with Patagonia’s trademark FullRange stretch insulation for slim-fitting, comfortable wear. Its shell is DWR treated to repel moisture and includes two hand and one chest zipper pockets. It’s a versatile option as a mid or outer layer for hiking, winter sports or summit ascents.

La Sportiva HaloThis three-layer, water repellent softshell was made to both layer and work as a protective outer skin for active use. The helmet compatible Halo has an adjustable, Microfleece-lined hood and laminated visor and comes with a two-way, full-length YKK front zip, adjustable cord waist and bonded inner phone pocket with headphone access port. Throw on a thermal, pull on the La Sportiva Halo, and you’re ready for a sunny day on the slopes.

Eddie Bauer Ignitelite ReversibleThe Ignitelite Reversible pullover from Eddie Bauer is an easily compressible, “pocket-pack” jacket that reverses from dark, low-profile colors to bright colors for high visibility. The Ignitelite was built to fit over midweight layers using Eddie Bauer’s StormRepel DWR insulation to repel wetness. The 60G PrimaLoft Gold Insulation keeps wearers warm with a low activity rating of 45 degrees F and a moderate activity rating of -5 degrees F. However, if you like jackets with a lot of pockets, this may not be the one for you—the “bright face” was designed without hand pockets in order to reduce bulk.

Outdoor Research TrickshotPertex Shield softshell fabric makes the Trickshot an ultra-comfortable, super-breathable jacket while its waterproof technology, fully-taped seams and polyester grid fleece backing keeps everything dry and insulated. Other features include helmet-compatible hood, zip-out powder skirt, temperature regulation technology and Recco reflector, which makes this a seriously stacked softshell for skiing, snowboarding and backcountry exploration.

Mountain Hardwear TorsunThis is the jacket you’ll want to have in your arsenal of bad-weather gear. The Torsun from Mountain Hardwear is designed with a three-layer Dry.Q Elite Instant waterproof “membrane” that’s breathable as soon as it’s put on, so there’s minimal to none of that suffocation feeling. The 40D nylon face fabric lets you scramble mountainside without worrying about rips while the articulated elbows allow for a good range of motion. It also comes with two park- and harness-compatible hand pockets with waterproof zippers—an alpine winner.