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Best Lightweight Jackets
One of the most versatile jackets you can own is the lightweight jackets. The lightweight jackets are perfect when the weather starts to get a bit warmer, but when the night hits, it can still be a bit chilly.
The lightweight jackets help to keep you fresh during the day when that warmer weather hits and is perfect for maintaining heat and keeping you protected when it is cooler at night.
As it is a must-have item for everyone's wardrobe, we made this guide on the top ten jackets. Read it to learn more on how to choose the right one for you.
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Style
Design is essential when you select your lightweight jackets because the way the coat is designed will affect its features, its style, and its durability. Many of these jackets come with either ripstop nylon or ripstop polyester.
Both of these materials are designed to be very strong and are tear and abrasion resistant. Also, make sure the jacket is seam-sealed or seamed with tape matters a lot because seams that are seamed will last longer and also keep out water and wind.
Some of these jackets also offer a wide variety of color choices, too, and if the style and appearance of the jacket are essential, then you might want to select one that offers lightweight jackets in a bevy of colors. If you are worried about fashion, and many people are, then this should be good news for you.
Remember, both ripstop nylon and ripstop polyester tend to be solid materials. So, jackets that use them for their contents are very long-lasting lightweight jackets.
Features
You want to make sure the jacket you select has all the right features for you to match your needs. Now, if you are shopping on a budget or you don’t want to overspend on your jacket since these lightweight jackets can be expensive, what you’ll need to do is select the features you need.
To do that, you need to factor in where you live, and what the weather is like. So, how often will you need a water-repellant or waterproof jacket? Do you need your jacket to be windproof?
That will depend on weather and whether or not you want to wear the jacket out when things get bad. If you don’t need these features, your jacket may cost less.
Also, think about the pocket options you need. Do you want a lot of pockets? If you move around a lot or plan to use the jacket when you are outdoors and doing sports, then having a zipper with your pockets will help you not lose your items while you keep your items organized.
So, the trick here is to figure out what features you need. If you can match a jacket to that and cut out some of the more expensive features, then you can save money. However, if you really need the features based on the climate where you live, then you should consider buying a jacket that meets your needs, even if it is expensive.
Durability
Durability is essential when you are selecting a jacket like this, and you’ll want to make sure since many of these jackets are costly and you only want to pay for what you need, that the lightweight jackets will last you a long time. If you have a long-lasting coat, you won’t need to replace it right away, and that can save you money in the long run.
The most durable materials you’ll find in these jackets are nylon ripstop fabrics and polyester ripstop fabrics. Those two materials make a jacket very strong because they reinforce the coat and make it tear resistant and abrasion resistant. So, even if the jacket is expensive, you can still use it for a long time.
Sealed and taped seams are also a significant plus on these lightweight jackets because they not only keep the water out but they reinforce the stitching on the coat. So, you won’t have to worry about the seams fraying, and that is an excellent concept.
Value
Value is always outstanding whenever you are planning on purchasing something, whether or not you are shopping on a budget. However, if you are concerned about getting something that is cost-effective, we did list a few products like those on your list. If you want a durable, long-lasting jacket, chances are you will pay a bit for it. While some jackets on our list cost less than others, they all are going to cost you a bit.
While the price is part of examining a jacket’s value, you also need to consider the overall durability of the lightweight jackets. If the coat is so durable it will last a lifetime; then you won’t need to worry about replacing it. That means you’ll save money in the long run.
You’ll also need to consider the features that come with the jacket, and figure out what you need there. Features can affect the value of the coat, and if you are trying to save money, figure out the features you need, then cut back on the others.
Top Ten Lightweight Jackets
1. Marmot Precip
Marmot’s Precip Jacket is comprised out of 100% nylon ripstop material, so it is made to be durable and long-lasting. You also get several options in colors with this fashionable jacket, and you’ll look stylish whenever you wear it. This jacket comes with an excellent design, and you can wear it to go hiking or even just around town, and you’ll still look great. While it is a bit expensive, it still offers you a lot of great features and long-lasting durability.
Read moreDesign
Marmot’s Precip Jacket is designed from 100% nylon ripstop materials, making it very durable. Nylon ripstop can resist tears and abrasions, so you’ll get a lot of use out of this jacket. You’ll get a zip front that also offers an adjustable storm hood, and armpit zippers to help regulate temperature. This style of this jacket is very versatile; you can wear it to hike in the mountains, or on a night when you go out with friends and still look great.
Features
You’ll get a lot of great features with this reliable jacket, including waterproof material and a hood that you can customize to fit correctly. The jacket is also breathable, and the seams are taped so that you won’t need to worry about any water seeping in. This jacket also fits well over an insulating layer and comes with a moisture-wicking DriClime lined chin guard to help keep your face away from the zipper.
Durability
Marmot’s Precip Jacket will bring you durability and is manufactured to be very sturdy. You get 100% nylon rip stop material designed into this jacket, meaning you get a fabric that is abrasion resistant and tear resistant. Also, the jacket is waterproof and seam-sealed, so it is quite reliable and you’ll have it for a long time.
Value
This jacket offers a lot of great features, and we do like its durability, style, color choices, and weatherproofing capabilities. The manufacturer also gives you a lifetime warranty when you purchase this product. However, this jacket is a bit more expensive than some of the other product options on our list. But, if you want all of these features and durability, then this jacket is a worthwhile investment.
2. Montane Minimus
Montane’s Minimus Jacket brings you an affordable option in well-designed jackets and is made to be waterproof and breathable. With this jacket, you get micro-taped seams and a fully adjustable helmet compatible hood. The zippers on this jacket are YKK aquaguard zippers, and you also get a storm flap with this jacket. The nylon fabric that makes up this jacket means you’ll get a durable coat you can use for a long time.
Read moreDesign
Montane’s Minimus Jacket offers you a durable, stylish jacket that will make you look fashionable whether you are on a hike, or out with friends. This jacket is made out of 100% nylon material, which makes it a robust and reliable product, and it also has a lot of excellent ventilation. The seams are tape sealed to help make the jacket stronger.
Features
This jacket offers you a lot of great features that will keep you protected from the rain, and also keep you comfortable. You’ll get an excellent ventilation system with this jacket since it is very breathable, and a Pertex shield on the exterior of this jacket to keep the water out. Also, the micro-taped seams in this jacket offer a lot of durability and weather protection.
Durability
Montane’s Minimus Jacket features some excellent materials that help add to the life span of this jacket. Comprised out of 100% nylon materials, this jacket is tear resistant and abrasion resistant, meaning you get a robust and reliable design. Plus, it is also water resistant and comes with a Pertex shield that helps keep the rain out. You’ll get a lot of use out of this reliable jacket.
Value
If you are looking for affordability, you’ll get it with this jacket. Montane’s Minimus Jacket is a very cost-effective choice to pick for something lightweight, and it also offers a lot of weather protection as well. Plus, with the great features this jacket provides you, it is an excellent choice if you are shopping on a budget.
3. Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow
Patagonia’s Stretch Rainshadow Jacket is designed to be lightweight and offers a lot of built-in weather protection. It is waterproof and breathable, so you’ll get plenty of help when the weather turns bad. Comprised out of synthetic materials, it is very reliable and comes with a nice, stylish design. It has a helmet-computable hood as well, and the visor comes laminated.
Read moreDesign
Patagonia’s Stretch Rainshadow Jacket is comprised out of synthetic materials and is also very lightweight. This jacket is flexible, and it brings you a lot of weather protection since it is both waterproof and breathable. It is also very stylish and will look great on you wherever you decide to wear it.
Features
Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow Jacket has several features that you’ll love, including its dual-adjust drawcord hem, which helps keep the weather away from your head. You’ll also get a great hood that also has a laminated visor and an easy adjustment. This jacket also gives you two handwarmer pockets that include watertight zippers.
Durability
Comprised out of synthetic materials, this jacket is very durable because its fabric helps to make it abrasion resistant. It is also waterproof, lightweight, and breathable, so you’ll get a strong jacket that gives you a lot of extra features. The front zippers and venting pit zips are also waterproof, giving you a lot of protection.
Value
Patagonia’s Stretch Rainshadow Jacket doesn’t come cheap, but it gives you a durable, lightweight jacket that is built to last. It also will protect you from the weather with its waterproof layers, and it has waterproof zippers and an excellent hood. So, if you want an excellent lightweight jacket, this one is worth the effort because it will last you a long time.
4. Rab Kinetic Plus
Rab’s Kinetic Plus Jacket is comprised to be both stylish and durable, and you’ll get a reliable 100% polyester jacket that is flexible and breathable, This jacket is also water-resistant and comes with taped seams for extra protection from the weather. You’ll get a comfortable jacket that will last a long time. And, while this is a bit expensive, you’ll be able to use it for a long time.
Read moreDesign
Rab’s Kinetic Plus Jacket is comprised out of 100% polyester and has a PU Membrane over the top of it. It’s very water-resistant and also made to be flexible so that the jacket moves with you as you move. You’ll get a lot of excellent ventilation and style as well since this jacket is fashionable and comes in a wide variety of colors.
Features
Rab’s Kinetic Plus Jacket is made to be very flexible, so you’ll be able to move quickly if you wear this jacket and want to get active or play sports. It also features a beautiful stretch-on hood and a laminated peak. The zippers are YKK AquaGuard zippers, and the cuffs come adjustable. This jacket is also very breathable and made to be water-resistant so that it will protect you from the weather.
Durability
Rab’s Kinetic Plus Jacket comes with a very durable polyester material that is designed to be tear and abrasion resistant. You also get a PU Membrane over the top of the polyester, which makes the jacket water-resistant. You get a robust and reliable jacket that is built to last.
Value
With a lot of durabilities and excellent water protection packed into this jacket, it is a bit more expensive than some other choices. However, it is very durable and made to resist tears and abrasions so that you will have it for a long time. We also like how water-resistant it is, and all of the great features you get when you purchase this jacket.
5. FISOUL Raincoat
FISOUL Raincoat Jacket is made out of durable nylon materials that are both abrasion resistant and tear resistant. It also comes with a water-resistant shell. And, if you like bringing your items along with you, there are plenty of pockets to help you stay organized, and you’ll never have to worry about losing them. It is also machine washable and features a beautiful hood. With an affordable price, you’ll love this comfy jacket.
Read moreDesign
FISOUL Raincoat Jacket offers you a durable nylon jacket that is built to last. You get a beautiful water-resistant shell as well, and tons of zippered pockets. You get an adjustable waist and hood, and a lot of great features.
Features
FISOUL Raincoat Jacket offers you a lot of great features that you’ll love having. It comes machine washable, which is excellent because it will help you keep it clean easily. It is made out of cotton and nylon, and also has a zip closure. You’ll get an adjustable waist and hood as well that is easy to use.
Durability
With this jacket, you’ll get a lot of exceptional durability with its fantastic design. It is comprised out of cotton and nylon materials, which means it is built to last. The nylon in this jacket means it can resist tears and abrasions with ease. It is also made to be machine washable, and it offers you a lot of reliability.
Value
You’ll get a lot of reliable use if you purchase this jacket because it is made to be very durable. Its cotton and nylon materials combined mean that this jacket is tear resistant and abrasion resistant. So, you’ll get plenty of use out of the jacket as well as several great features. It doesn’t come cheap and has a higher price, but you’ll get a lot of durability with it.
6. The North Face Morph
The North Face’s Morph Down Jacket brings you a well-designed jacket that offers a lot of high-quality features. You get a very durable design that has 800-fill goose down for insulation and an outer shell made with a water-resistant DWR coating. This jacket is lightweight, but it is still made to be very light and durable. It is cozy and feels great when you wear, but it is expensive, so if you are shopping on a budget, this might not be the jacket for you
Read moreDesign
The North Face’s Morph Down Jacket brings you a well-designed jacket that has several high-quality materials in it. You get a coat that features DWR coating so that you get plenty of water-resistance. Also, the jacket comes with 800-fill goose down and several great pockets so you can keep your items organized. You’ll also get a secure-zip chest for extra warmth and protection, and pockets that are made to be easy to use with a harness or pack.
Features
This fashionable jacket has several great features that you’ll get to enjoy if you purchase it, which makes it an excellent option if you don’t mind spending the money. With this jacket, you’ll have internal elastic-bound cuffs and one zipped Napoleon pocket plus two zipped hand pockets. You also get inner elastic-bound cuffs and a coat that also comes with a DWR coating to make it water resistant. Plus, its 800 fill down is hot and lightweight.
Durability
While this jacket has an expensive price tag, you’ll get a lot of durability with it. It is made with micro-baffle construction, so you get a lightweight jacket that is also strong. Plus, it has 800 fill goose down for insulation, and the jacket also is water resistant with a DWR coating. So, you’ll get plenty of use out of it as long as you don’t mind the price.
Value
While we really like the excellent overall design of this jacket and also feel it offers a ton of great features, if you want something cost-effective, then this jacket might not be an excellent fit for you. It is costly and comes with an expensive price tag, but it is very durable, and you’ll be able to use it for a long time. If you want something that will last you a long time and you don’t mind the price because you’ll save money in the long run, this would be a significant investment.
7. Eddie Bauer MicroTherm
Eddie Bauer’s MicroTherm StormDown Jacket brings you an affordable choice in well-designed jackets, which should be great for you if you are shopping on a budget. This jacket comes with full windproof protection, and also offers you a water-repellent DWR coating. You get 800-fill storm down insulation as well, and that type of down is made to keep its loft in wet weather.
Read moreDesign
Eddie Bauer MicroTherm StormDown Jacket has a great design, and you’ll get a stylish look with this jacket that offers a lot of different color choices so you are sure to find a color you love. You’ll get microtherm construction as well, which gives you a streamlined jacket that also has a micro-channel design. That means you get a very warm, well-insulated jacket that you’ll love wearing.
Features
Eddie Bauer MicroTherm StormDown Jacket offers you an ultralight but also insulated and warm jacket that comes both windproof and water-resistant. You get a jacket that is comprised out of 100% polyester 20D ripstop fabric, and that means it is very durable. It is also designed to give you flexibility, which is a great addition to have.
Durability
Eddie Bauer MicroTherm StormDown Jacket is built to last, and you get a 20D polyester ripstop fabric on the exterior of the jacket. That material is made to be abrasion-resistant and tear-resistant, so you’ll get a lot of use out of this jacket. Plus, you also get great insulation and a jacket that is designed to be windproof and water-resistant.
Value
We like all the features and durability you’ll get with this jacket, which comes at an affordable price. So, this is a great option if you are shopping on a budget, and you will get a long-lasting jacket build with ripstop polyester so it can withstand a lot while you are on the go. Plus, it is also windproof and water-resistant, so it makes a great investment.
8. Outdoor Research Helium II
Outdoor Research’s Helium II Rain Jacket is made out of durable ripstop nylon fabric, giving you a long-lasting jacket. It is also totally waterproof and seam sealed, so you can use it even when it rains. This jacket is also designed to be very breathable, and it also compresses well. It is a bit expensive, but it gives you a lot of reliability.
Read moreDesign
Outdoor Research’s Helium II Rain Jacket has a durable design since the jacket is comprised out of durable ripstop nylon material and comes both windproof and waterproof. It is fully seam sealed and has a reflective hood, making you more visible at night. The look of the jacket is very stylish, and it comes in a wide variety of colors.
Features
Outdoor Research’s Helium II Rain Jacket offers you a lot of great features, including an adjustable hood with reflective trim so you can be seen when you are out at night. You’ll get a drawcord hem and elastic cuffs as well that helps keep the weather away from you. You also get a zippered chest pocket; you can use as a stuff sack, too when you are on the go.
Durability
Outdoor Research’s Helium II Rain Jacket is built to last, so you’ll get a very reliable jacket that will last you a long time. This jacket is made with nylon ripstop materials, and that material makes the jacket both abrasion resistant and tear resistant. Also, this jacket comes fully waterproofed and seam sealed, so you’ll get plenty of use out of it.
Value
Outdoor Research’s Helium II Rain Jacket doesn’t come cheap compared to some of our other options, but it is very durable. Since it is made out of ripstop nylon material, it can resist tears and abrasions, so you’ll have it for a very long time. With its waterproofing and excellent features, it is a jacket that will give you a lot of use.
9. Arc'teryx Thorium AR
Arc'teryx’s Thorium AR Down Jacket offers you a durable fabric that feels great against your skin and can resist abrasions and tears. You’ll also get a water-resistant jacket that can protect you from the elements when you are outside. The insulation in this jacket is made out of down composite, but this jacket is still made to be lightweight. This jacket isn’t cheap, but it does offer you a lot of great benefits for the price.
Read moreDesign
Arc'teryx’s Thorium AR Down Jacket is comprised out of a sturdy material, Arato 40 face fabric, which feels soft to the touch but is also very durable and makes the jacket long-lasting. On the exterior of the jacket, you get a DWR finish that will help protect you from the weather and repel water. You’ll also get some down composite, which is features with synthetic insulation as well to keep you warm.
Features
Arc'teryx’s Thorium AR Down Jacket brings you a lot of great features, including an excellent, athletic fit that is also very flexible, so you never need to worry about the jacket restricting your movements. The collar is also packed with synthetic insulation, so your neck stays warm. You get excellent down insulation as well. Also, the jacket is treated with DWR so that it is water-resistant.
Durability
Arc'teryx’s Thorium AR Down Jacket gives you a long-lasting and well-designed jacket that brings you many great features. It is comprised out of a fabric that is both tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant. It also has a DWR water-resistant coat that helps protect you from the weather. Also, while this product is lightweight, it features insulation for extra warmth. It is a bit expensive, but it will give you a lot for the money.
Value
You won’t get this jacket cheap, and it is a bit higher in price than some of our other options. However, it is very long-lasting with its strong Arato 40 face fabric, which is both tear resistant and abrasion resistant. You get nice insulation as well, and a lot of great features too.
10. Rab Microlight
Rab’s Microlight Down Jacket is well-designed and offers you a lot of high-quality materials. The exterior area of the jacket is made with Pertex Endurance outer fabric. You also get excellent insulation with this jacket, which is comes with 750FB European Goose Down. It is made out of ripstop nylon so this jacket is very reliable and long-lasting, and you get a DWR waterproof coating as well. While this is not a cheap jacket and you’ll have to spend some money on it, it will last a long time and protect you well.
Read moreDesign
Rab’s Microlight Down Jacket comes with a durable design since it is comprised out of ripstop nylon fabric, which is durable and made to resist tears and abrasions. You also get Pertex Endurance outer fabric and a jacket that has DWR coating on the outside to make it wet-resistant. Also, while the coat is warm and has 750 FP European Goose down, it is lightweight. It is an expensive jacket, but it is also well worth the money.
Durability
Rab’s Microlight Down Jacket comes with a lot of excellent features that combine into one very durable and reliable jacket. The jacket is made with Pertex Endurance outer fabric, which is very durable and long-lasting. You also get a nylon ripstop lining which is designed to be tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant. The interior of the jacket includes long-lasting 750 FB European Goose Down, which is very strong but will also keep you warm.
Value
We really like all of the great features that this jacket can bring you. First, it is very durable, and this jacket can withstand a lot of abuse of mishaps without tearing or losing its attractive style. It also comes with Pertex Endurance outer fabric, which is built to last, and a DWR treatment on the outer jacket area to resist water. The lining of the jacket is made of nylon ripstop material. However, this jacket is quite expensive, so if you need to buy something affordable, this might not be the jacket for you.
Sources
- , Gear Guide: Best Lightweight Down Jackets, Informational Consumer Website
- , These are 10 of the best lightweight jackets you can wear this fall, Informational Consumer Website
- , Best Backpacking Jackets of 2018, Informational Consumer Website