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They're all about excess, but in the best possible way.
The best jackets for men let you stay out longer, create more memories, and raise your profile that much more. They are, in short, all about excess, but in the best possible way. Men’s jackets, whether they’re parkas, bombers, or puffers, are hardly new; these styles have been around for generations, and while the materials may become more refined (no one’s missing the days when whale fat was used to cure waxed canvas), their reliability and performance remains as dependable as ever.
When selecting a jacket, it’s important to understand its use. Our picks are going to last for years, so it’s best to decide now how you’ll be wearing them. But once the initial choice is made, it’s all about making its style yours. After all, you’re joining the grand procession of men over the centuries. It’s time to don your jacket and step into their ranks.
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From arctic exploration to The Hawk’s cold cutting down Chicago city streets, parkas are the nuclear option when it comes to the worst of winter weather. If you’re in for a long, cold one, it’s time to break out the big guns.
Read more: Best Parkas for Men
You don't have to fork over a fortune to score a quality parka. Take this performance jacket from Tommy Hilfiger, which comes with ribbed cuffs to insulate warmth, and a detachable faux trim hood to protect your head from the elements.
Specially designed for Antarctic exploration, this is by far one of the most robust, durable jackets on this list. Assembled in Canada and packed with duck down, it’s rated well below zero. It includes a removable real fur ruff.
The ultimate in luxury and excess, it’s easy to dismiss Moncler as hype. It’s far from it. The Aja’s exterior is crafted from water-resistant nylon most often found in the company’s rainwear, while the inside is packed with down fill. Faux-fir hood trim pays homage to the style’s roots. Warmth, water resistance, and a refined look—what more could you need?
The North Face comes clutch with durable jackets that look great, and this burnt orange parka, which is lined with a waterproof ThermoBall Eco technology that provides extra insulation, is no exception.
As the name suggests (and your repeated viewing of Top Gun confirms), bombers were the uniform of the day for generations of military pilots. It’s not a surprise, then, that their heroic images rubbed off on this classic style. It’s time you got your “Danger Zone” on.
Read more: Best Bomber Jackets for Men
While it’s got the classic bomber look, Eddie Bauer’s Skyliner was the first down jacket patented in the U.S., providing the best of both worlds. It fits slim, but it’s rated down to well below zero—and the diamond-stitched pattern is as American as apple pie.
This bomber has a collegiate aesthetic, featuring a crewneck collar with slash pockets reminiscent of varsity jackets. Its cool brown suede finish makes it mature enough to be worn by grown men.
A water-resistant shell stuffed with Canadian white duck down belies the playfulness of this jacket. I mean, just look at that pattern. But regardless of smirks and second glances, this jacket has the credentials to keep you both warm and dry this winter.
Your girlfriend’s favorite basics maker has released a hell of a men’s line, and that includes the Bomber. Understated, refined, clean; all are hallmarks of the company and reason enough for its staples’ popularity. A water-resistant polyester face fabric handles the wet stuff well, while magnetic-closure pockets are a nice modern upgrade.
One more menswear item that owes its origins to the military, the field jacket has been in existence throughout the 20th century, crossing over to the civilian world with servicemen as they returned to civilian life. But even if you haven’t served, they’re a functional way to capture some of this storied legacy.
Read more: Best Winter Coats for Men
Literally the original, Alpha Industries invented the style for the U.S. government, which issued it in 1965. It has a fuller cut, which was designed to accommodate both a removable liner for insulation and various war-making accouterments. For those who appreciate authenticity, there’s no other choice.
Garment-dyed for a broken-in look right from the start, J.Crew’s jacket slims down the original silhouette for a modern look. However, many details, including a two-way zipper and patch pockets, remain true to its inspiration. For the man with a foot in both the past and the present, this is an easy compromise.
Another amalgamation of classic styles. From its exterior, the Mt. Kelsey is just another field jacket. But notice the shearling popping from under the collar—lined with Thermore Ecodown, this jacket has a ton more insulation than what's usually found in the style. Beyond that, a packable hood also tucks into the collar.
Leave it to Lululemon to infuse the M65 with an athleisure aesthetic. For example, this field jacket is cut slim and has a waterproof, StretchSeal fabric which means you can wear it for a rainy hike, or brunch. We love a multitasking coat.
Borne from the open seas, peacoats were designed to keep the wearer warm and as dry as possible, especially in foul weather. Today, they recapture some of that adventurous spirit while insulating against the winter cold.
We’re fans of just about everything Buck Mason does, and it does a damn fine Peacoat. Trimming down the boxiness of the original naval piece, the company also provides a premium material upgrade, including smooth Melton wool, a brushed Japanese satin liner, and corduroy-lined pockets. Peep the anchor buttons, which stay true to the style's origins.
Named after the Southern designer’s New York locale, Billy Reid takes a classic and refines it. Slim and tailored in appearance, it’s further enhanced with leather trim and horn buttons. And the thick wool fabric can handle a cool winter day with ease.
It takes guts to riff on a classic, but Todd Snyder isn’t scared to take a few bars. The designer’s peacoat changes so much, it’s easy to overlook its traditional bones. But let us appreciate the differences: its four pockets instead of the traditional two, the added depth from the corduroy, and sleeve tabs so you can batten down the hatches in the worst weather.
Amazon Essentials offer some surprisingly stylish menswear staples that don't break the bank. Take their wool blend peacoat, which has received plenty of five-star reviews for its classic silhouette, cozy fit, and outstanding value.
Read more: Best Menswear Brands on Amazon
Here’s a truth: All leather used for jackets is a byproduct of the meat industry. Leather also lasts a hell of a long time, meaning you’ll need fewer jackets over the years. It’s a classic menswear staple, and unless you have ethical objections, you’re long overdue for a quality piece.
Read more: Best Leather Jackets for Men
You can almost feel the wind whipping past with this classic moto jacket. The timeless Euro-style includes the traditional collar, slim fit, and tapered sleeves for a refined look. It’s less switchblade and more espresso.
Literally the original motorcycle jacket, its timeless American style is often imitated but never duplicated. This jacket is heavy—it’s cut from three-ounce steerhide, so it’s not for the faint of heart. But its legendary look (Brando wore it, among many, many others) makes it a piece that will wear out well after you’re gone.
Replicating a classic military style, Overland brings this silhouette into 21st-century luxury with Spanish sheepskin and uber-warm shearling lining. Each coat is handmade in Turkey by some of the finest craftsmen in the world.
Sporting a slim fit, a quilted lining, and sleek stand collar, Cole Haan's budget-friendly jacket looks great on just about any one. And at this price point, you'll want to grab one in both colors.
Whether you’re ascending a peak or just looking to cut the cold on the way to work, there are few jackets more versatile than a puffer. On their own, their down baffles trap heat the way nature intended. Under a thin jacket, they add insulation while adding minimal bulk.
Read more: Best Puffer Jackets for Men
Everyone’s favorite B-corp must make a mint each year off its puffer coats, but then again, founder Yvon Chouinard has never seemed to care that much about money. With the new Nano Puff, the company sources recycled polyester insulation rather than down, as well as a recycled poly shell, for one of the greenest puffy jackets on the market.
So light you won’t believe it’s there, Uniqlo offers the one-two punch of performance and affordability. Its down insulation is plenty warm, while an anti-static lining ensures your hair won’t be on end when you take it off. It includes a storage pouch when not in use.
Our favorite Canadians know a thing or two about city aesthetics from their home in Vancouver. Everything about the Navigation suggests the straight lines of urban existence, but thanks to its stretch fabric, you have enough movement to wrestle a wolverine should you so choose. Water-resistant and packed with goose down, it can wear as a mid-layer or on its own.
While Fabletics is relatively new to men's activewear, they've been consistently churning out functional everyday pieces. We love this jacket's soft, water-resistant shell, and like the best puffers, this one is also easy to pack.
The world’s original waterproof fabric, waxed canvas was originally made to keep sailors dry. Once made with fat, today the canvas fabric is treated with oils or waxes, which allows repeated applications. Bonus: Because it’s a natural fiber, your unique wear pattern will imprint itself with every subsequent wear.
Read more: Best Jackets for Men on Amazon
Filson’s brand is nearly synonymous with waxed canvas, but we like that this piece’s cut as a shirtjac. Wear it over your normal attire in the shoulder seasons and enjoy its built-in waterproofing. Like all waxed canvas, it cleans easily and only gets better with age.
This Anorak (think: a better-fitting poncho) sources its shell from Fjallraven’s legendary Greenland fabric, which works in tandem with the company’s wax for water resistance in perpetuity. While the design is comfortable and encourages movement, it’s also a killer piece from a company that’s seen its gear tested in the most extreme climates and places.
Another product that spans categories, the Flint and Tinder jacket replaces the standard denim jacket with an 8.25-ounce Martexin shelter cloth. Inside, a flannel liner adds warmth with surprisingly little bulk. A Frankenstein piece? Maybe. But it totally works.
The more you wear this hunting coat, the more it conforms to your body, ensuring no two jackets ever look the same. While most waxed jackets have to be cleaned by hand, this one is machine washable, which is another incentive to keep wearing it over and over again.
About as blue-collar as you can get (and about as American as blue jeans themselves), trucker jackets look good on just about everyone. The trick to wearing them with denim, of course, is to vary the hues.
Read more: Best Denim Jackets for Men
Levi’s, at 150 years old, has plenty of originals, and while it owns the trucker jacket category, it has equal claim to sherpa. This option will get you deep into the winter with style while also nodding to a classic piece of Americana. Generations of men have worn it, and it’s long time you joined their ranks.
If you come at king Levi’s, you best not miss, and Taylor Stitch hits with its Long Haul Jacket. The 13-ounce selvedge denim has a heavy, robust feel, while slight tweaks to this classic design, including slanting chest pockets and a custom San Francisco topographical map liner on its inside, ensure its distinction. It’s hard to top an original, but this just might do it.
Gap first distinguished itself with denim, so a premium trucker makes perfect sense. Cut from a Kaihara Japanese selvedge denim and rope-dyed for rich, deep color, it’s classic and yet will last you well into the future, weathering and whiskering along the way.
Patagonia optimizes its trucker jacket for colder weather by lining it with an ultra plush fleece lining for extra insulation. Plus, it's Fair Trade Certified, which means workers who made this received a living wage.
Granted, not all of us will make it out to Vail this year, but even if you’re not hitting the slopes, you can still enjoy the unrivaled performance of a ski jacket. Designed to breathe, insulate, and shed water, they’re one of the best choices for terrible weather that you nevertheless must endure.
Read more: Best Ski Jackets for Men
Columbia’s latest tech throws the kitchen sink at cold, combining down. a reflective, metallic inner surface; and waterproof-breathable fabric. Even better, it’s a multi-piece system, allowing you to add or subtract components based on the severity of the weather.
This shell is designed to work in conjunction with your mid-layer of choice. Made from recycled synthetic material, it’s waterproof, windproof, breathable, and flexible. In short, it’s everything you want when weaving through trees or dropping into the terrain park.
Essentially the Apple of outerwear, Arc’teryx may come with a substantial price tag, but it’s the cutting edge of what’s out there. Its Gore-Tex shell breathes, repels water, and knocks down wind, covering ethically sourced goose down for warmth whether you’re moving or riding the lifts. It’s the perfect on-piste jacket for all conditions.
The Norwegian outerwear brand knows how to make ski jackets that can withstand even the toughest environments, thanks to its Helly Tech performance fabric. A snap-away powder-skirt, under-arm zippers and articulated sleeves will keep you nimble on the slopes.
Like others on this list, the workwear trend was born out of ubiquity. Your plumbers, electricians, and construction workers chose apparel based on durability, not aesthetics. And yet, that aesthetic has come to represent durability. The circle only has one side, and everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Read more: Best Spring Jackets for Men
The heritage workwear’s hypebeast division refines some of the brand’s classics for a modern look and feel. The 10-ounce corduroy is warm and creates a subtle distinction, while a diamond-quilted liner keeps you cozy. And of course, the trademark patch sits right on the breast.
Known as much for its overshirts as it is for its blankets, Pendleton’s Carson City comes from a long line of hard men doing hard jobs. A DWR-finished cotton shell protects the company’s legendary wool as a liner. Six exterior pockets ensure your everyday carry essentials are never far from reach.
Made from the textile castoffs from area mills, the Guatemalan-made New Work Jacket fits loose and wears comfortably from the start. Its color isn’t dyed; in fact, it uses markedly little water through its construction in sharp contrast to the rest of the industry. Horn buttons sourced locally hold it together.
A work jacket made for cooler temps, Wrangler's wardrobe staple is lined with fleece for extra warmth. High wear areas (like the arm pits and sleeves) are triple stitched, which means this work jacket is made to last.
When the wet stuff starts to fly, it’s nice to have a rain jacket on hand—and thankfully, they’re so small it’s easy to have one nearby. Many pack into themselves, but all will repel precipitation without adding bulk. These are sure to take you through multiple seasons.
Read more: Best Rain Jackets for Men
Try and find a stitch on this jacket—we’ll wait. Mack Weldon taped every seam to ensure there’s no way for water to leak in. It features a 10K waterproof rating that’s robust enough to keep you dry underwater.
Everyone’s favorite outfitter has launched its own line of outerwear over the past few years, and we can confidently report its performance capabilities, competent fits, and lower cost than competitors. While it has all the hallmarks of a dirtbag favorite, including an adjustable hem and tall collar, something about this seems equally at home on city streets.
Colorado must go hand in hand with color because Cotopaxi continues to dazzle us with its hues. A DWR finish protects the reversible taffeta face fabric and recycled polyester insulation.
Made with a windproof, waterproof, multi-layer shell, along with a 3-piece hood, REI Co-op's Rainier jacket is a must-have for your rainy day hikes.