Jacket Reviews

This well-ventilated featherweight hardshell can handle race-pace running and snowshoeing.

This softshell provides waterproof protection that won’t soak you in sweat.

This softshell's rugged construction makes it tough enough for years of fierce weather.

This airy, breathable softshell keeps pace with high-intensity workouts.

Meet the most comfortable jacket of the year. Period.

This warm, ultralight softshell wicks sweat and repels wind during race-pace efforts.

This breathable, lightweight softshell is ideal for big climbs.

This versatile softshell is optimized for ice climbing, but adaptable to most cold-weather adventures.

The merino wool lining inside this hardshell speeds wicking and reduces the need for a bulky midlayer.

This streamlined shell is tough enough for week-long expeditions.

This durable hardshell is ski armor, built for 100-day seasons, year after year.

This jacket is one of the most affordable three-layer shells we’ve tested.

This versatile hardshell's supple fabric proved stout enough for winter storms but light enough for summer wear.

This ski jacket provides top breathability and good mobility in one lightweight package.

This full-featured jacket is built for plundering powder.

This hybrid jacket is a warm-yet-breathable technical layer that looks good enough for a night out.

This bargain puffy is a screaming deal.

This jacket is a fleece, but warmer. It’s a softshell, but more breathable. It’s one of the most versatile midlayers we’ve ever tested.

This 11-ounce jacket sets a new bar for shells: It’s light and protective enough to wear 12 months a year.

The warmest midlayer we tested kept us toasty on seven trips up Mt. Rainier.

This ultralight down jacket gives you maximum warmth with minimal weight and bulk.

This half-zip jacket is the lightest synthetic midlayer we’ve ever tried.

Get core warmth without bulk.

This softshell is good for hiking, biking, running, and climbing, and even works as a midlayer.

This rain gear gives you the soft, stretchy feel of a softshell with the rain protection of a hardshell.

This stretchy, minimalist softshell is ultracomfortable for all-day wear and allows for unrestricted motion.

A high protection-to-weight ratio makes this softshell hoodie a no-brainer for windy trail runs and fast-and-light summit pushes.

Backpackers who are willing to pay more for added features will find a lot to like in this softshell.

If you're an ultralight obsessives or a fastpacker who wants the absolute lightest shell, this softshell is the one for you.

This watertight hardshell with all the bells and whistles proved impenetrable in the gnarliest conditions.

One light and breathable jacket gets you four seasons’ worth of protection.

This jacket offers burly hardshell protection on the outside and a supple, cozy feel inside.

This bargain-priced hardshell performs better than some shells that cost three times as much.

One-piece construction with fewer seams delivers a hardshell with enhanced breathability and a streamlined aesthetic.

This hardshell is a souped-up version of the lightweight and breathable Essence, a 2014 Editors’ Choice Award-winner, with better coverage and durability.

We could trail run in this hardshell all day, even in mild weather.

This jacket packs a lot of warmth into a pint glass-size package.

The Black Diamond Access LT Hybrid Hoodie, a super-breathable, water-resistant puffy, ideal for high-exertion climbs, is now available in a women's version.

Better pick a color you like, because you’ll never take this jacket off.

Get warmth without looking like a marshmallow. We rounded up the 9 best best insulated jackets for winter.

Eight softshell jackets with performance perks.

A softshell with strategically placed waterproof zones.

It combines windproof chest protection (perfect for descents) with a breathable backpanel (ideal for climbing).

Stretchy, butter-soft fabric makes this lightweight jacket perfect for fast-paced tours.

A touch of breathable insulation keeps you from getting chilled—or overheating—in cold conditions.

Armored fabric and windproof construction provide cozy refuge from icy gusts.

The down/synthetic hybrid construction provides deep-freeze warmth without sacrificing breathability.

It takes the place of a windshirt, a soft-shell, and a light puffy.

Fluffy and full-cut, it’s like an upper-body sleeping bag, ideal for camp lounging.

It’s the toastiest synthetic belay jacket we’ve ever tested.

Highly breathable construction makes this light puffy ideal for working hard in cold conditions.

This ultralight, packable synthetic jacket has climber-approved freedom of movement.

This midweight softshell strikes a balance between weather protection and breathability, all for a great price.

The lightly insulated Ephus (and women’s Eldora) packs wind and weather protection into a lightweight, low-bulk design.

Rugged, water-resistant, and breathable, this wool jacket pairs backcountry performance with frontcountry looks.

A unique construction boosts insulation without adding ounces.

This thin fleece/wool jacket shined in the world’s toughest alpine conditions.

There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. These seven hardshells will bear the burden of anything Mother Nature offers.

Full side zips offer better ventilation than you typically get from shells this tough.

The Cham merges freeride styling with durable fabrics and ounce-shaving design.

A unique venting design and ultra-breathable fabric make this minimalist jacket ideal for hard-working hikers and skiers.

Most insulated jackets are so bulky, they’re only practical for lift-served skiing—but this toaster is trim and breathable enough for day tours in cold temperatures.

Snow-specific features and highly breathable Gore-Tex Active Shell make this three-layer jacket ideal for both ski-touring and ski-mountaineering.

Get top-shelf storm protection at half the cost of a top-shelf shell.

Cut full and long, this three-layer jacket features freeride styling that fits tall guys beautifully.

Can a shell that costs under $100 keep you dry in real rainfall?

A full-featured, 800-fill goose down puffy for $220.

If you've ever suffered through a storm with a shell that leaks or makes you wet from sweat, you know why a good jacket matters. Find yours here.

A puffy perfect for volatile alpine conditions.

A performance piece that feels like a sweatshirt.

A combination of double- and single- weave nylon makes this jacket extra breathable.

There's always room to pack this featherweight, bombproof shell.

A tester favorite for those all-day excursions.

If you're hard on jackets, this Mountain Hardwear is for you.

A versatile hard shell that's light too.

The lightest shell in our test.

A shell that is light, sleek, and minimalist.

A bargain jacket with full amenities.

A light and comfortable shell.

Put it in your pack and you can forget it's there...until you really need it.