Finding the right outdoor jacket can be one of the toughest decisions for a hiker to make, particularly for hikers who love to travel to different locations. Some jackets might come in perfect for the winter season but might be a hindrance to your hiking activities when the weather or terrain changes.
For most people, picking up the right jacket has to do with how versatile the jacket is. The ideal jacket for your hiking endeavours should offer a good balance between protection from outdoor elements without being too bulky. In this guide, we will be covering some of the best hiking jackets.
So, let’s get on with it.
The 10 Best Hiking Jacket and Their Features In 2022
Your hiking jacket should be able to prepare you for your hiking adventures no matter what the weather condition is. We will therefore be reviewing ten of the best hiking jackets that will help you tackle any terrain or weather condition. We will also consider some of their outstanding features.
So, let’s dive in.
1. Columbia Men’s Ascender Softshell Jacket
If you are seeking outdoor wear that is tough, cozy, and water-resistant, then this Columbia Men’s Ascender jacket is worth a look. This jacket can function as a standalone outer or a mid-layer depending on your preferences.
This Ascender jacket is made with 100% polyester and it is stretchier than most jackets that are available. It comes with impressive wind resistance and it should have your back during light and short-lived showers as you go about hiking.
This jacket comes with great warmth and comfort too. It delivers enough insulation that will be needed during shoulder-season hikes or even the more intense and high-output winter hikes. It comes in quite soft as it won’t be harsh on your skin.
This Ascender jacket also features a trio of zippered pockets, adjustable alpine cuffs, and adjustable hems. These features come in handy for you to have a comfortable fit in this jacket. This jacket comes in quite affordable.
Highlighted Features:
- It is made with a stretchy fabric.
- It can function as a standalone jacket or a mid-layer.
- Wind and water resistance.
- Zippered pockets, alpine cuffs, and adjustable hems.
2. Rab Kinetic Plus Jacket
The British brand Rab has earned a reputation for itself in producing high-quality garments for hikers and mountain climbers. This Kinetic Plus jacket is no exception as it features excellent waterproofing qualities.
This Kinetic Plus jacket is made with Rab’s unique PROFLEX fabric. This fabric is a polyester blend that makes the jacket offer exceptional mobility and comfort for your skin. You can trust that you won’t have skin irritations from this jacket.
Even though this jacket comes in as a softshell, it features a flexible waterproof membrane with a good hydrostatic head rating. This makes this jacket as waterproof as most hard shells out there and just as breathable.
The Kinetic Plus fabric has enough stretch such that the jacket does not need underarm gussets. The jacket also features a pit zip, stretch-on hood with laminated and stiffened peak, adjustable cuffs, and three pockets.
Highlighted Features:
- It is made of a stretchy fabric for mobility and comfort.
- Adjustable, breathable, and waterproof.
- Stretch-on hood.
- Pit zip and pockets.
3. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket
The Torrentshell jacket features a three-layer construction that makes it quite comfortable and durable. It comes in lightweight, highly breathable, and waterproof enough to protect you from moderate and sustained rain showers.
This jacket features a burly outer layer that comes in to protect against wear and tear. So, you can be certain that this jacket will be in good shape for a long time. It also comes with a soft lining that ensures you have a cozy feel.
This jacket comes with a two-way adjustable hood which means that you can adjust the hood to your preference from both ends. It also has a microfleece-lined neck, pit zips, hook-and-loop cuff closures, and handwarmer pockets to keep your arms warm.
With the Torrentshell jacket, affordability, comfortability, and reliability are some of the numerous benefits that you stand to gain. It can come in as an emergency kit just in case the rain starts pouring as you are hiking.
Highlighted Features:
- Well-designed hood with a two-way adjustable feature.
- Microfleece-lined neck.
- Burly outer layer for durability.
- Soft lining for a cozy feel.
4. Marmot Precip Eco Hardshell Jacket
This jacket has been one of Marmot’s most popular outdoor jackets for some years. When you consider its price and some of its exceptional features, it’s hard not to see why it has amassed such a level of popularity.
This jacket has been designed to take on whatever the wind or rain can come up with. For the price of this jacket, you might not find an alternative that offers the same level of protection and still come with a good level of freedom.
It features the Precip Eco hardshell that comes with a NanoPro Eco material. This NanoPro material is a coating that ensures that you are well protected against the outdoor elements. It still comes with a breathable fit for physically draining activities.
This Marmot jacket features a comfortable fit, an adjustable hood that can be stowed away, and ventilation zippers. You can work with the ventilation zippers when you need to cool off after long hiking adventures.
Highlighted Features:
- Offers a good level of freedom.
- NanoPro Eco material for protection against outdoor elements.
- Ventilation zippers to cool off.
- Breathable and comfortable.
5. Haglofs Grym Evo Jacket
This weather-beating three-layer jacket has been designed with the environment in mind. The outer of the three layers have been constructed with recycled materials for a tough fit. So, this jacket should not fail you in an expected storm.
The shell of this jacket is robust which means that it can handle anything the environment throws at it as you go about your hiking adventures. This jacket features a DWR coating that is more environmentally friendly than other materials.
This jacket comes in three colors. Most hikers that love to stand out as they go through the trails particularly love the desert yellow color. It is almost noticeable from wherever you might be standing.
Highlighted Features:
- Constructed with recycled materials for a tough fit.
- DWR coating that is environmentally friendly.
- Available in three colors.
- Durable and waterproof.
6. Outdoor Research Aspire Jacket
This Outdoor Aspire Jacket has become a favorite among several hikers all around. It comes in as an all-rounder shell that delivers on multiple fronts. It comes with a high level of waterproofing and protection against outdoor elements.
This jacket also features an impressive lightweight and compact design. It comes with a soft feel that wouldn’t cause any issues on your skin. The fit of this jacket makes it as useful on the peaks as it does on daily commutes.
This jacket features a Gore-Tex build to reinforce its waterproofing abilities. It combines some other smart features to make it an able protector against wet weather conditions. So, it features sealed seams, water-resistant zippers, and an adjustable hood.
When you don’t need the jacket, you can easily store it in its pocket and place it in your backpack. This jacket has featured different elements to ensure you have a high level of breathability such as the pit vents.
Highlighted Features:
- Gore-Tex builds for waterproofing abilities.
- Pit vents for breathability.
- Lightweight and compact.
- Soft feel that won’t irritate your skin.
7. Berghaus Deluge Pro Jacket
This Deluge Pro jacket will come in as a great fit if you are looking for optimal protection against the weather without adding unnecessary weight to your backpack. This two-layer hydro shell fabric can withstand the toughest weather condition.
This jacket comes in lightweight so you can easily stow it away when you are not using it. It comes with a hood and hem that you can readily adjust to get a snug fit when the weather is unfavourable.
This Deluge Pro jacket comes with two zippered pockets in the front that you can use in storing your essentials. This jacket does a great job of balancing performance with comfort. It also comes with a comfortable fit offering enough room underneath.
The lightweight design of this jacket makes it a great fit for hikes where the weather changes easily. It also comes in handy for hiking adventures in mountainous regions where the high altitudes demand the addition of an extra layer.
Highlighted Features:
- Two-layer hydro shell fabric for a tough fit.
- Lightweight and comfortable fit.
- Zippered pockets for storing your essentials.
- Adjustable hood and hem for a snug fit.
8. Ortovox Swisswool Piz Bial Jacket
This Piz Bial jacket comes with a sheer style that stands it out against the competition. It is also an impressive kit for outdoor folks when you look beneath the hood. This jacket alongside its numerous features comes in lightweight.
This jacket features a Pertex Quantum material that offers a mixed blend of protection against external wind and water elements. It comes with a wool construction that is responsible for the warm and cozy feel of this jacket.
This jacket comes in with an all-rounder fit as it is primarily designed for ski-touring. This means that it can take on the toughest hiking condition without issues. This jacket comes with two different color options to pick from.
The jacket comes with Merino mesh inserts in the front pockets that ensure your hands stay warm. There is also a big breast pocket that you can use for storing your accessories. This Piz Bial jacket offers a high level of breathability.
Highlighted Features:
- Lightweight and breathable.
- Pertex Quantum material for wind and water resistance.
- Wool construction for a warm and cozy feel.
- Merion inserts to keep you warm.
9. Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody Jacket
This is a great lightweight option that comes in handy to serve as a standalone jacket or a wet mid-layer in wet weather conditions. This jacket has risen in popularity as a result of its versatility across different conditions.
The fabric of this hoody jacket combines a Tyono 20 denier shell and a DWR treatment to make a hardwearing and durable jacket. The jacket also features Coreloft synthetic insulation so it comes in very lightweight.
The fit of this jacket is on the snug side. However, it comes with breathable Polartec Power stretch panels on either side to ensure that you do not have issues with mobility. So, this jacket can be used for hiking adventures where mobility is necessary.
Highlighted Features:
- Tyono 20 denier shell
- DWR treatment for hardwear and durability.
- Coreloft synthetic insulation.
- Breathable Polartec power stretch panels for mobility.
10. North Face Thermoball Eco Jacket
When you are looking for a warm jacket without the bulk weight that comes with most insulated jackets, then this Thermoball Eco jacket should be a top consideration. It features a lean design that you can match with a waterproof top layer in wet conditions.
This jacket comes with Thermoball insulation that ensures that you stay warm even when it is wet. It comes with an elasticated cinch cord around the hem of the jacket alongside elastic-bound cuffs to ensure that heat does not escape.
This Thermoball Eco jacket is also quite versatile. On tough hikes with bad conditions, you can readily use the jacket as part of a layering system. For daily use in the winter, its slim design and modern style will have your back always.
Highlighted Features:
- Warm and lightweight.
- Thermoball insulation to keep you warm.
- Elasticated cinch-cord.
- Elastic-bound cuffs.
Conclusion
There are different factors to consider before settling on an ideal jacket for your hiking adventures. This could be based on the adventure you have planned, the weather, and the environment amongst others. We have highlighted some of the best hiking jackets in 2022.
You will definitely find your preference when you look through it.