Jacket Reviews

The Kimtah offers excellent weather protection and breathability at a bargain price.

The Compounder's design helps you stay completely dry and comfortable in the most wet conditions.

This shell is great for the fast-and-light climbing crowd offering excellent breathability and low weight.

If it's breathability you want, it's the Trojan/Athena that you need.

Maximum protection and great breathability help make this shell a force against the toughest conditions.

Reliable weather protection in a light-weight package.

This shell can handle any kind of weather and is both protective and comfortable.

From a pack that accommodates curves to two sports bras that go the distance, we've rounded up our favorite women's gear of the year.

A light, packable, and good-looking softshell

BRR Nick, who is also a physical therapist, found lots of back- and budget-friendly gear on Day 3.

Plus, winter boots from Teva that fold as small as regular shoes!

Day 2 had this reporter looking for comfort - gloves, hats, travel pillows, and undies.

Warning: Wearing this jacket will encourage complete strangers to pet you.

Get serious warmth for the weight

Protect yourself from the worst of nature in these hardshell jackets.

Eight softshell jackets from super breathable to warm and cozy.

Stay warm with these puffys, fleece, and wool layers.

A 650-fill down jacket that's super warm and packs to the size of a pineapple.

An ideal down midlayer made with 750-fill down and a Pertex Microlight shell.

For those days when a baselayer is not enough and a puffy jacket too much.

An 850-fill jacket that packs down tiny!

A top pick for its combination of warmth, weather resistance, fit, and packability.

A weather-resistant softshell that has strong moisture and odor control.

A softshell jackets that's not too heavy, warm, bulky, or expensive

A softshell with a hood that's ready for any weather condition

A softshell that's weather resistant and super breathable.

The ideal jacket for high-effort pursuits in wet snow and drizzle

This bargain jacket costs less than $100--and it was worthy of an AT thru-hike.

Warmth where you need it most; mobility and breathability where it counts.

A super durable jacket for the multisporter

A super breathable jacket for those foggy, humid hikes

A streamlined shell that achieves a low weight-to-performance ratio without scrimping on features.

Winner of our 2011 Editors' Choice Snow Award

A jacket that combines packablity, breathability, and durability, all at a great price.

This hardcore shell has everything you need to weather a monster blow without weighing you down

A convertible jacket that doesn't compromise

A jacket made for a mountaineer

Don’t muck up the performance of your pants by wearing cotton undies underneath.

Four companies made bold claims about cutting-edge waterproof technology in 2011. So we gathered a dozen rain jackets with the new fabrics and put them to the test in a head-to-head challenge. Verdict: We've never worn a more breathable crop of shells.

Made with Columbia Omni-Dry this full-featured jacket is $40 less than its nearest competitor.

Made with a PTFE membrane made by General Electric this shell was great in heavy rain.

Made with Polartec NeoShell, this versatile jacket is durable and breathable.

Made with Gore-Tex Active Shell this breathable jacket was wearable in a wide range of temperatures.

Windproof jackets for every type of hiker.

A wisp of a rain jacket at a great price

An extremely lightweight and tough jacket that's only $70.

This hoodless Patagonia jacket is extremely breathable.

A windproof jacket with a warm, brushed tricot lining.

This waterproof, windproof jacket loves crappy weather.

A great jacket for trail runners at only five ounces.

Throw the 800-fill Sierra Designs Gnar Hoody for a cozy extra layer.

Maximum warmth for minimum weight

An eco-friendly jacket that performs and won't break the bank

A stretchy, three-season jacket

A ridiculously light shell that also blocks wind and rain.

Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.

The perfect three-season jacket.

PrimaLoft, DWR-treated Pertex Quantum, and recycled polyester make this a warm and eco-friendly puffy jacket.

A hooded, 800-fill down puffy.

A hooded, seam-taped, DWR-treated rain jacket for kids.

A primo softshell jacket...for your dog.

Get total weather protection for half the gas.

Get a softshell that's so light and versatile, you won't leave it behind on multiday treks.

Low weight, high warmth, and modest price make this jacket a perfect fit.

Ever wish to stitch additional insulation onto the front of your favorite mid-layer? Your wish is granted.

A light, warm, synthetic layering piece ideal for damp conditions and active pursuits.

An extremely light and extremely packable windshell.

A packable puffy with a sleek, athletic fit.

Our official test team logged more than 2,337 miles and 263 nights in the backcountry to find the best gear for every type of hiker.

For weeklong trips that range above treeline, you want gear that's light, protective, and built for abuse.

Dawn-to-dusk adventure ahead? Prepare for anything with this versatile system.

It's a stretchy winter softshell completely coated in high loft, fuzzy lining. Need we say more?

Has 24 pockets to keep all your gadgets in place

This puffy has high-end weatherproofing and an insulated, versatile hood

A stretchy softshell jacket that is perfect for dayhikes

Stay connected, warm and well fed, with these staple gift ideas.

Light on the wallet and on the back...and perfect for hunting salamanders.

A perennial favorite of BACKPACKER editors, the Nano Puff is a no-brainer layer that your gift-ee will use 12 months a year.

This 14-ounce shell is equally at home on the trail or around town, thanks to its reliable weatherproofing, performance features, and plush niceties.

Repel rain, cold, and snow with these hardshell jackets.