The 8 Best Softshells of Fall 2022
Our testers weathered alpine gusts, freak downpours, and rough granite slabs to find the very best softshells. Eight jackets rose to the top.
Jacket Reviews
Jackets help to keep you insulated and dry while on the trail, and ensuring your jacket can hold up in the backcountry is vital. Our gear experts wear jackets through wind, rain, and snow on hiking and backpacking trips to test for durability, waterproofing, comfort and more. Take a closer look at which jackets are up to the task of keeping you covered while you are out on your next backcountry adventure with Backpacker’s expert gear reviews.
The Best Touring Jackets of 2023
We spent all winter testing 50+ outer layers in the backcountry. These ones came out on top.
Latest in Jacket Reviews
What We’re Testing Now: These Hardshells are Made for Winter Protection
These jackets will keep you dry and focused on your winter adventures.
The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking in Any Kind of Weather
These hardshells seal out weather so you can enjoy your hike in comfort.
Weekly Obsession: The North Face Thermoball Eco Hoodie Is Warm and Breathable, Even in Soggy Conditions
It’s made of 100 percent recycled material, too.
Weekly Obsession: Mountain Hardwear’s Stretchy Puffy is Finally Packable
The Stretchdown Light Pullover is warm, flexible, and stowable.
This Hardshell Will Keep You Dry No Matter How Nasty the Weather
The Patagonia Triolet jacket is a water-shrugging beast.
No Rainshell Can Do Everything—But This One Comes Close
There are always tradeoffs when you're picking a hardshell—but the Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Jacket masters more conditions than most.
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Jacket
Get ready for cooler hikes with a deal on one of our favorite puffies.
Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Hoody
The best UV-busting hoody of 2021.
Mountain Equipment Lumiko Hooded Jacket
The most versatile fleece of 2021.
Mammut Aconcagua Light ML Hooded Jacket
The best heat-trapping midlayer of 2021.
Beyond Clothing Women’s Veil Midweight K2 Pullover
The best budget-friendly hoody of 2021.
This Goldilocks Softshell Squashes Shoulder-Season Chill
The Marmot WarmCube Novus Hoody will keep you warm—but not too warm—on early spring hikes.
Black Diamond TreeLine
The best value shell of 2021.
The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT
The lightest shell of 2021.
First Lite Vapor Stormlight / Cascade Stormlight
the most versatile shell of 2021.
Direct Alpine Deamon
The most durable shell of 2021.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0
The most comfortable jacket of 2021
Maloja Beifuss/Birne
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie
The best windshell of 2021.
Odlo FLI 2.5L Waterproof Jacket
The best price-to-weight ratio shell of 2021.
Montane Featherlite Smock
The best bargain shell of 2021.
Columbia OutDry Ex Nanolite
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Norrøna Falketind
The shell with best features of 2021.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hooded Down Jacket
Barely any weight, but plenty of warmth: The Ghost Whisperer UL is in a class by itself.
Deal of the Week: The North Face ThermoBall Eco Insulated Jacket
Save your money—and the earth—with this markdown.
My Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody Survived 5 Years in the Mountains But You Can’t Tell by Looking At It
You'll never want to take this breathable puffy off.
Deal of the Week: REI Co-op Kids' Traildreamer Insulated Jacket
This puffy will keep your little one toasty on the trail this winter.
Arc’teryx Trino SL Hoody/Anorak
Most breathable softshell jacket
Maloja WangM / PunaM
Most versatile
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell
Most protective
Deep Dive: Waterproof/Breathable Membranes
Everything you need to know about keeping dry.
Marmot Keele Peak
Year-round pick
Rab Khroma Kinetic
Best mobility
Ortovox 3L Ortler Jacket
Most breathable
Outdoor Research Archangel
Best protection
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus
This rain shell set has you covered from top to bottom.
The 6 Best Insulated Hiking Jackets of Winter 2020
Stay warm and cozy with these perfect puffies and fleeces.
Mountain Equipment Xeros Jacket
Best-fitting women's insulated jacket
Sierra Designs Borrego Hybrid Jacket
Most breathable insulated jacket
Patagonia DAS Light Hoody
Best insulated jacket for weatherproofing
Montane Prism Ultra Pull-On
Lightest insulated jacket
Mammut Eigerjoch Pro IN Hooded Jacket
Warmest insulated jacket
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Save big on this breathable windbreaker.
The North Face Summit L3 50/50 Down Hoody
Editors' Choice Fall 2020 Winner: Breathable Puffy
What our Members are Testing Now: The North Face Sotara FUTURELIGHT Jacket
There's more than meets the eye with this comfy, waterproof shell.
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Super/DS Climb Down Hoody
Save on this warm, stretchy puffy.
The 6 Best Packable Puffies for Weightless Warmth
Banish worries about pack space and morning shivers on your next cool-weather trip with these lightweight insulated jackets.
Decathlon Trek 100 Down Hiking Jacket
Most affordable lightweight puffy
Black Diamond Approach Down
Most comfortable lightweight puffy
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody
Most versatile lightweight puffy
Mammut Broad Peak Light IN Jacket
Most packable puffy
Western Mountaineering QuickFlash Jacket
Most durable lightweight puffy
Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
Best all-around light insulated jacket
Mammut Kento Light HS
Lightest shell
What Our Members Are Testing Now: Dark Peak NESSH Lightweight Down Jacket
This puffy excelled as an insulating layer during winter on the Great Plains.
Montane Element Stretch Jacket
Cozy shell
What We’re Testing Now: Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
This breathable midlayer is a jacket for all seasons.
REI Co-op Westwinds GTX Jacket
Most durable shell
Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Jacket & Pant
Shell with the best protection
Black Diamond Highline Stretch
Most versatile shell
Arc’teryx Gamma SL Hoody
Best softshell
Mountain Equipment Impellor Shakedry
Best shell makeover
Flylow Davis Jacket
Best windshell
BlackYak Brava
Most breathable shell
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody
Save big on one of our favorite puffies.
Deal of the Week: REI Co-op Revelcloud II Jacket
$50 will buy you one of the best packable, do-anything puffies on the market.
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Save big on this light-yet-mighty windbreaker.
The North Face Summit L3 Down Hoodie
Heat-hoarding jacket
Deal of the Week: Sierra Designs Tuolumne Sweater
This versatile, comfortable jacket is on sale starting at 68% off.
Sierra Designs Cold Canyon Fleece
Best value insulated jacket
Ortovox Piz Palu
Most comfortable
Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
Lightest jacket
Dynafit FT Insulation Jacket
Best warmth-to-weight
Black Diamond Vision Parka
Most durable puffy jacket
Rab Verglas
Best weatherproofing
Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket
Most versatile jacket
Marmot West Rib Parka
Warmest jacket
The 11 Best Hiking Jackets of Winter 2019-2020
Wind, rain, snow: No matter the weather, these jackets are ready to help you get outside and hit the trail.