Want to go on a hike during the stormy season? Go ahead! As long as you dress well, nothing can stop you! Get the best jacket for winter hiking, and make sure you’re well-insulated. Keep yourself toasty, even in freezing temperatures. The best jacket for hiking in the winter will help trap the hot air around your body while protecting you from the elements.
But with so many models available out there, choosing one can be overwhelming. Luckily for you, we have a handy guide on selecting the best jacket for cold weather hiking for yourself. We’ll present you with a short explanation of what to consider before you make any purchase. But before we get to that, let’s check out our reviews first!
Table of contents
- Arc’teryx Atom LT
- Outdoor Research Refuge
- Black Diamond First Light
- Montane Icarus Jacket
- Outdoor Research Shadow
- Rab Infinity Alpine
- Magcomsen Tactical Jacket
- Helly Hansen 65551
- ScentLok Morphic 3-in-1 Jacket
- Columbia Men’s Buck Butte
- Columbia Voodoo Falls
- PureMSX Winter Jacket
- Gemyse Mountain Jacket
- How to Choose The Best Jacket for Winter Hiking
- What to Wear While Hiking in the Winter?
- What Shoes to Wear for Hiking in Winter?
- Are Jeans OK for Hiking?
Arc’teryx Atom LT
13
When we talk about the best jacket for winter hiking, it’s hard not to mention the Arc’teryx Atom LT in the discussion. This nylon jacket boasts a DWR coating to protect you from moisture. It’s also abrasion-resistant, providing you with complete protection against the elements. As for better breathability, Arc’teryx utilizes the impressive Polartec Power Stretch material.
This versatile jacket features two hand pockets and an internal pocket for storing your essentials. We also like the fact that it doesn’t come bulky. This way, you can put in some extra layers if you don’t feel toasty enough.
- What We Love:
- Boasts a DWR coating to protect you from moisture. It is also resistant to abrasion.
- Pros:
- Imported
- Zipper closure
- Versatile
- High performance
- Cons:
- Not washing machine friendly
Outdoor Research Refuge
12
Those looking for a super lightweight hiking jacket will be disappointed to learn that the Outdoor Research Refuge is significantly heavier than the Arc’teryx Atom LT. But on the brighter side, this 30D polyester jacket is a lot warmer. It’s also durable, windproof, and water-resistant. Apart from that, Outdoor Research buried their unique VerticalX insulation. It’s claimed to be able to provide high performance and optimal breathability.
As for other details, this best jacket for hiking in the winter features an adjustable hood, two zippered hand pockets, an internal chest pocket, and elastic cuffs. It’s also packable, allowing for more accessible transport. Outdoor Research even includes a dedicated pocket for the jacket.
Safety should be your primary concern when it comes to jackets, no matter where you go. Therefore, you might want to take a little time to check out our best life jackets for adults.
- What We Love:
- A durable, windproof, and water-resistant 30D polyester jacket
- Pros:
- 100 percent polyester
- Imported
- Zipper closure
- Wind-resistant
- Cons:
- Some find that the sleeves are too tight
Black Diamond First Light
11
Much like the Outdoor Research Refuge, the Black Diamond First Light is by no means a lightweight jacket. But in exchange, you’ll get more intense heat. This best jacket for cold weather hiking carries PrimaLoft Silver insulation. It’s composed of two fibers of different sizes, which provide 85 percent better thermal efficiency than similar insulation.
Meanwhile, the Schoeller softshell material will protect you from some of the harshest weather. Furthermore, its DWR coating will ensure your body stays dry if there are some light showers out there. And for your convenience, the hood is fully adjustable. There are also two zippered hand pockets to put your smartphone, wallet, or other essentials.
- What We Love:
- Promises more intense heat. It utilizes PrimaLoft Silver technology for insulation.
- Pros:
- PrimaLoft Silver Insulation
- Lightweight Schoeller face fabric
- Breathable
- Insulated wind flap
- Cons:
- It’s a bit pricey
Montane Icarus Jacket
10
Super warm and easy to pack, it’s no wonder the Montane Icarus is often dubbed by many as the best jacket for winter hiking. This durable hoody boasts PrimaLoft ThermoPlume technology as insulation. It’s claimed to be one of the best for warmth to weight ratio. Meanwhile, the outer layer uses Pertex Quantum ECO fabric, which is claimed to have impressive breathability and takes less time to dry.
Get quick access to your essentials, as the Montane Icarus features a large internal chest pocket and two zippered hand pockets. Enjoy some extra warmth through its adjustable hood. Depending on your needs, you can choose between the lite model or the micro model, which is slightly lighter since it doesn’t come with a hood.
- What We Love:
- Boasts PrimaLoft ThermoPlume insulation for an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio
- Pros:
- 100 percent recycled PEAQ Synthetic ECO
- Windproof
- Water-resistant
- Micro baffle construction
- Cons:
- It doesn’t get too many reviews
Outdoor Research Shadow
9
Only have 200 bucks to spend? No problem. Go with Outdoor Research Shadow for a memorable hiking experience. Seriously, this insulated hoody is both breathable and warm. It’s crafted from Sonora, a unique material combining polyester and a corn-based fabric. Pair the jacket with a lightweight base layer, and you should have no problem climbing in sub-zero temperatures.
Being the best jacket for hiking in the winter, the Outdoor Research Shadow boasts a 20D polyester fabric and spandex shell to ensure zero moisture penetration. If you want to say goodbye to those sweaty hiking sessions, then this is the winter jacket you’ve been looking for.
- What We Love:
- Crafted from Sonora, a unique fabric that is a combination of polyester and a corn-based material
- Pros:
- Lightweight
- Wind and water-resistant
- Movement-mirroring stretch
- Adjustable insulated hood
- Cons:
- The hood isn’t helmet-compatible
Rab Infinity Alpine
8
The Rab Infinity Alpine is a tough jacket built for serious hikes. It features impressive specs, including Gore-Tex Infinium wind-stop material, switch-back seams, and a water-resistant DWR coating. As you would expect from the best jacket for cold weather hiking, the Infinity Alpine is constructed of durable 30D nylon.
Included in the package is a sack carrier. Meanwhile, the double zip on the front of the jacket makes the Infinity Alpine a breeze to use with a harness. As for your essentials, there are two hand pockets and a standard internal chest pocket available.
- What We Love:
- Comes with impressive specifications, including Gore-Tex Infinium wind-stop material
- Pros:
- Windproof
- Extra protection
- Zippered pockets
- Harness-compatible
- Cons:
- It’s a little bulky
Magcomsen Tactical Jacket
7
The Magcomsen Men’s Jacket is simply stunning. This insulated jacket is crafted from premium polar fleece and comes in gorgeous blue, pink, and purple colors. Apart from being beautiful, this snow jacket gives you excellent protection against some of the harshest weather. There’s a detachable hood for your convenience. Apart from that, this jacket is also 100 percent waterproof, allowing you to stay active even when it’s raining.
Just as you’d expect from the best jacket for winter hiking, the Magcomsen Men’s Jacket features no less than two zipped pockets and a large back pocket for storage. For optimal airflow, there’s a full-vent with 100 percent coverage. If you want to stay toasty while looking stylish, this is the best jacket for hiking in the winter you’ve been looking for.
Before moving to the next one, check out our best hunting jackets. They’re great when you want to make yourself comfortable while sneaking around your game!
- What We Love:
- An insulated jacket that comes in awesome blue, pink, and purple colors. 100 percent waterproof and promotes optimal airflow.
- Pros:
- Fleece
- Drawstring closures
- Special design
- Versatile softshell
- Cons:
- Some customers complain about the delivery process
Helly Hansen 65551
6
Next on our list is the Helly Hansen 65551 Alpha Jacket. Claimed to be one of the best insulating jackets around, this water-resistant garment is 100 percent stretchable and crafted from the highest quality fabrics. It may cost you almost 500 bucks, but you get what you pay for!
One of the great things about the Helly Hansen 65551 Alpha Jacket is that it can prevent your fingers from freezing. There are zippered hand pockets for some extra warmth. As for storage, there are additional pockets available. With its detachable hood, the Alpha Jacket is easily the best jacket for cold weather hiking worth considering.
- What We Love:
- 100 percent waterproof, made of high-quality fabric and provides pockets for some extra storage
- Pros:
- Imported
- Zipper closure
- Helly tech profesional
- 2 ply fabric construction
- Cons:
- There are some color inaccuracies
ScentLok Morphic 3-in-1 Jacket
5
The Scentlok Morphic 3-in-1 Jacket will be perfect for those looking for something in the middle. This camouflage garment is available at around 250 bucks and is often dubbed the best jacket for winter hiking. It comes with decent insulation and some other excellent features. There’s a scent lock technology, which makes this jacket great for hunting trips. Apart from that, the outer fabric is completely windproof and waterproof.
One user on Amazon said he had worn this jacket at 25F and felt comfortably warm. Available in five different sizes, this jacket is perfect when you want a hiking jacket that doubles as hunting gear. It’s lightweight and should be able to protect you from freezing temperatures.
- What We Love:
- A 3-in-1 jacket with a decent insulation system
- Pros:
- Windproof
- Durable
- Versatile
- ScentLok
- Cons:
- We’re still working on that!
Columbia Men’s Buck Butte
4
Columbia Men’s Buck Butte will be great when you don’t want to spend a lot on your best jacket for cold weather hiking. For only around 270 bucks, you can own a durable jacket from one of America’s most iconic outdoor gear brands. Choose between blue, black, or brown, depending on your personal preference. This hooded jacket is a must when you want to go on a hiking trip.
Crafted from synthetic fabric fibers, the Buck Butte is one of the lightest jackets. Most shoppers on Amazon say that it works best for trekking since the material is breathable and offers nothing but comfort. Apart from that, this jacket is relatively easy to maintain. You can toss it in the washing machine and call it a day.
- What We Love:
- The best jacket for cold weather hiking with lightweight synthetic fibers and breathable lining
- Pros:
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Durable
- Easy to wash
- Cons:
- The size is too big
Columbia Voodoo Falls
3
Here comes another fantastic offer from Columbia’s catalog of products on our list. The Columbia Men’s Voodoo Falls 590 TurboDown is the smartly designed, best jacket for winter hiking. It’s made to protect you from freezing temperatures and is available at a bargain price.
Most customers at Amazon love the fact that Voodoo Falls 590 is easy to put on and strong enough to protect against the elements. It’s also available in various colors, which is excellent when adding some style to your hiking jacket. If you’re not amused by the idea of spending over 500 bucks on a down jacket, this 100 percent polyester garment should be your go-to.
Want to do some skiing this weekend? Check out our best men’s insulated ski jackets for some of the most recommended high-performance insulated garments around.
- What We Love:
- One of the fantastic deals from Columbia’s product catalog. Made of 100 percent polyester.
- Pros:
- 100 percent polyester
- Zipper closure
- Adjustable
- Versatile fit
- Cons:
- Only available in small size
PureMSX Winter Jacket
2
While most of you may not have heard of the PureMSX Men’s Winter Jacket before, this snow hoodie is often considered by many as the best jacket for hiking in the winter. It’s made to support various outdoor recreational activities, including climbing and trekking. This stylish polyester jacket has a front zipper and is perfect for your next big adventure.
Being one of the lightest hiking jackets around, the PureMSX Men’s Winter Jacket offers plenty of ventilation. It boasts just the right number of air holes to help you stay fresh during the climb. And just as you’d expect, this fur hooded jacket is also windproof and 100 percent water-resistant.
- What We Love:
- Made to support a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Boasts more than enough ventilation holes.
- Pros:
- Polyester
- Double thickened shell
- Fur hood
- Windproof
- Cons:
- Some may find that the hood is too big
Gemyse Mountain Jacket
1
Let’s end this list with something special. The Gemyse Mountain Jacket is one of the top choices for the best jacket for cold weather hiking. It’s available in various colors to satisfy your fashion sense. Apart from that, the jacket is super versatile. You can wear it for hiking, trekking, or mountaineering, and it’ll work just as well.
Available at around 70 bucks, the Gemyse Mountain Jacket is one budget-friendly option worth considering. It provides maximum coverage and has a water resistance rating of 10,000mm. There’s a built-in heat comforter to help keep you toasty and moisture- and snow-resistant fabric outer. If there’s one thing we’d like to improve on, it’s the hood. Sometimes it’s challenging to wear, especially during windy days.
- What We Love:
- A super versatile hiking jacket. Boasts 10,000mm of water resistance and comes with a built-in heat comforter
- Pros:
- Zipper closure
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
- Durable
- Cons:
- The hood is sometimes difficult to fix
How to Choose The Best Jacket for Winter Hiking
As we said earlier, getting the best jacket for winter hiking is a must when you want to explore the backcountry during those colder days. It’ll give you some insulation, which generates some heat to keep you toasty in freezing temperatures. Apart from that, the best jacket for hiking in the winter should be able to protect you from wind, moisture, and debris. With all that in mind, here are three crucial factors you need to consider when choosing the best jacket for cold weather hiking.
Insulation
The best jacket for winter hiking generally comes with synthetic insulation. It’s made of polyester fiber, which is crafted in such a way to resemble goose down. This kind of insulation can keep you toasty at 30F. It also absorbs very little moisture, allowing you to stay dry and active, even during those freezing days.
And while we’re on the topic of jackets, why don’t you check out our best women’s packable down jackets? They’re great when you need some extra warmth during your winter vacation but don’t have much room for extra clothes.
Weight
The next thing to consider in choosing the best jacket for hiking in the winter is weight. This will depend entirely on what kind of insulation the jacket is using. For example, lower-quality insulation will require more filling to keep you warm, resulting in a heavier jacket. On the other hand, premium insulation doesn’t need that much to work properly. This allows you to get a good ratio between warmth and weight.
Hood
Hood or no hood, it’ll all depend on your personal preference. When it comes to the best jacket for cold weather hiking, think about how often you’ll wear the hood? Are you going to need it where you are going? Also, jackets with hoods are generally more expensive than regular ones.
What to Wear While Hiking in the Winter?
First and foremost, wear layers. Start with a base layer, continue with an insulating middle layer, and then finish with a shell layer with some moisture protection. This way, you should go on a winter hike without any problems.
What Shoes to Wear for Hiking in Winter?
Most climbers prefer insulated shoes with thick soles and rubber or leather uppers. However, you can opt for leather hiking shoes if you want. And don’t forget to wear high-absorbent socks for extra comfort.
Before you move on to the next entry, check out our best men’s packable down jackets. We’ve rounded up some of the best warm jacket alternatives that won’t take up much space in your suitcase or trunk.
Are Jeans OK for Hiking?
Yes, absolutely. There are plenty of people out there already hiking in their favorite denim. However, make sure that you only wear light jeans with synthetic fabrics. This will significantly reduce the weight around your feet and increase comfort.
