Outdoor jackets
A good jacket is your first line of defense against adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, wind, or cold. Whether you need a simple fleece pullover or a waterproof and breathable down-insulated coat, your jacket makes a huge difference in outdoor comfort and safety.
Outer materials to keep you dry
The lowest-cost rain jackets and ponchos may be completely waterproof with plasticized materials, but they don’t “breathe” by allowing moisture from perspiration to vent outward. Good rain jackets are made of waterproof and breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex.
For protection from light rain, snow, and wind, consider a softshell jacket. Softshells are extremely breathable, which makes them an ideal choice for cardio-intense activities like trail running or cross-country skiing, but they’re not fully waterproof.
Inner options to keep you toasty
If you’re buying a jacket for warmth, you’ll need to consider its fill materials. Jackets made from single materials like fleece provide moderate warmth, but for winter conditions you’ll need some kind of internal insulation.
The best insulation for a jacket is goose down, which is incredibly warm and lightweight. The higher its “fill-power” number, the better the jacket. For winter warmth, don’t go lower than 550 fill power. Down is extremely warm, but it loses its insulating abilities when wet or even damp.
Synthetic insulation can keep you warm even when wet, and is much more affordable than down. However, it’s usually much bulkier, so it provides less warmth for its weight.
Extra outdoor jacket features to consider
As you shop for your next jacket, here are some important things to keep in mind:
- Hoods are essential for protection from rain and snow, but not always necessary for warmth.
- If you plan on extreme physical exertion, armpit vents can keep you a bit drier on the inside.
- Pockets come in handy. Look for both external pockets for storing things like gloves, and internal pockets for protecting valuables like phones.