Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Hybrid Softshell
Best protection
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.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Grid Hooded
Killer deal
Eddie Bauer BC Freshline 2.0/BC Fineline 2.0
Best protection
Amundsen Sports Peak Anorak
Best features
Direct Alpine Revolt
Most versatile
Adidas Outdoors Primeknit Climaproof Jacket
Best mobility
Montane Pac Plus
Best value
Dynafit Speed 3L Reflective Jacket
Best for fast-and-light touring
The North Face Summit L5 LT Jacket
Most breathable
GoLite Ready Set Go
Lightest
Deal of the Week: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
Get ready for fall adventures with a deal on this versatile insulating layer
Mammut Kento HS Hooded Jacket
Do-it-all shell
What We're Testing Now: Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
One of our favorite puffies gets a durability upgrade.
The 5 Best Windshells for Hikers
These featherweight windshells ensure that the weather doesn’t blow your plans away.
Arc’teryx Incendo SL/Cita SL
Lightest windshell
Patagonia Houdini Air
Warmest windshell
Ortovox Merino Windbreaker
Most comfortable
Montane Lite-Speed
Best protection
10 Must-Have Items in Our Ski Touring Kit
From eye protection to bibs to energy chews, we reach for these products again and again.
Mammut Macun SO
Warmest softshell
The North Face North Dome Stretch Wind Jacket
Best value softshell
Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Most breathable windshell
Black Diamond Deploy Wind Shell
Lightest windshell
Rab Kinetic Alpine
Most comfortable
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign
Best protection
Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow
Most versatile
Marmot PreCip Active
Best value
Eddie Bauer BC Uplift
Killer deal
SITKA Vapor Shakedry Jacket
Most breathable
Helly Hansen Odin Minimalist 2.0
Best features
Sneak Peak: Marmot West Rib Parka
We thought we had seen every possible way to package down. This coat proved us wrong.
8 Gear Deals to Grab from REI's January Clearance Sale
Get boots, jackets, and more on the cheap—but hurry.
Gear of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Super/DS Stretchdown Hooded Jacket
Abrasion-resistance, moisture management and natural stretch carries this puffy to a top level.
Outdoor Research Skyward II
Editors’ Choice update
Gear of the Week: KÜHL Jetstream
This weight-saving shell will keep you dry in any weather.
Fjällräven Greenland Wind Jacket
Versatile shell
The 8 Best Gear Deals from Backcountry's Cyber Monday Sale
Jackets, packs, puffies: Let us be your guide.
Marmot Eclipse Jacket
This shell ditches PFCs for a weatherproof, eco-friendly coat.
Marmot PreCip
There’s nothing cheap about this shell’s performance.
Gear of the Week: Outdoor Research Optimizer
Fend off moisture both inside and out with this uber-breathable shell.
The Best Softshell Jackets for Backpackers
With a perfect mix of breathability and protection, these shells are reliable trail buddies.
This Year’s Most Innovative Gear
The future is now. These 10 gear picks set new standards in their respective categories.
Flylow Lab Coat
This shell boasts the perfect balance of breathability and durability for backcountry skiing.
Sierra Designs Tuolumne
Best value
686 GLCR Gore-Tex Paclite Multi Shell Jacket
Best for quick changes
Rab Sharp Edge Shell Jacket
Most breathable
Mountain Standard Terrain N’ Rain Shell
Best value
Patagonia Pluma Shell Jacket
Eco-friendly
Montane Ajax Shell Jacket
Most versatile
Dynafit Radical GTX Shell Jacket
Full-featured
Arc’teryx Beta LT Shell Jacket
Lightest
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown DS Hooded Jacket
Most comfortable
Outdoor Research Alpenice Hooded Jacket
Most versatile
Helly Hansen Odin Veor Jacket
Best ventilation
Arc’teryx Alpha IS Jacket
Best for winter sieges
Patagonia Hyper Puff Hoody
Loftiest synthetic
Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Jacket
Ultrabreathable softshell
Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka
Check out Roger "Greg from Wild" Carpenter's author page.
Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite
Check out Clint "Lint" Bunting's author page.
Uniqlo Ultralight Down Jacket
Check out Liz "Snorkel" Thomas's author page.
Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer
Check out Amanda "Zuul" Jameson's author page.
Arc’teryx Atom SL Softshell
In cool conditions, ditch separate insulation and windshell pieces in favor of this light and warm softshell.
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol LT Softshell
This tough, breathable softshell will carry you from summer alpine hikes to winter ski tours.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Wind Jacket
You won’t find more comfortable protection for 4 ounces than this ultralight women's windshell.
Sherpa Adventure Gear Tufan Softshell
A fleecy pattern on the inside gives this lightweight softshell a supple feel.
Eddie Bauer Sandstone Shield Hooded Jacket
Superior weatherproofing and durability boost the all-purpose performance of this hybrid jacket.
Montane Minimus 777 Hardshell
This ultralight hardshell is the lightest three-layer waterproof/breathable shell we’ve seen.
Ortovox Civetta Hardshell
This comfy, ultralight hardshell strikes the perfect balance between weight, features, and comfort.
High Sierra Isle Hardshell
This bargain hardshell gives you features and performance rarely seen at this price.
Salomon Bonatti WP Hardshell Jacket
This ultralight, stripped-down hardshell will be a hit with the fast-and-light crowd looking for simple, effective weather protection at a sweet price.
Outdoor Research Realm Hardshell
This climbing-oriented hardshell has details everyone will love.
Ultimate Direction Ultra Hardshell Jacket
Save big on a weight-saving backpacking hardshell.
Marmot Red Star and Starfire Hardshells
Breathability, durability, and design combine for year-round protection in this versatile hardshell.
REI Rhyolite Hardshell
This value hardshell gives you the breathability of shells that cost $100 more.
Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket
You can put this insulated jacket on in the morning and wear it all day long.
Arc'teryx Norvan Jacket
This well-ventilated featherweight hardshell can handle race-pace running and snowshoeing.
Mountain Hardwear Straight Chuter Jacket
This softshell provides waterproof protection that won’t soak you in sweat.