Jackets

Recent Jacket Reviews

Pacific Trail Men's Pac Tech Terrain Jacket

The best rain jacket I've ever owned. Better than anything I can find nowadays. Like many other reviewers I've found that this is the best rain jacket I've ever owned. I bought it many years ago for around $70 which seemed expensive at the time... I'd pay double now without thinking twice if they made them again. Mine is no longer waterproof and the zipper broke.  :-(   Columbia Sportswear bought Pacific Trail and I've emailed them but don't hold out much hope. I just can't bring myself to buy… Full review

U.S. Military ECWCS Gen II Brown Bear Jacket

I bought one of these a couple of years ago, not pretty but I did not buy it for that. I use it on the range by itself or under a shell. Brilliant. I am very much a layer person and this fits right in. Just recently got a Gen II ECWCS shell parka for $60, who could complain at a price like that for Goretex etc, as compared to other shell products at a couple of hundred more. It is winter here, sitting in my office and what am I wearing but this bear jacket. Great product, not pretty, but who cares. Full review

Mountain Equipment Men's K7 Jacket

This is a serious winter parka that’s very well-made. With about 3/4 lb. of extremely high quality/high fill power goose down, it’ll keep you warm. After suffering a couple of weeks last winter with many minus 15° to 20°F days, I researched, bought, and evaluated most of the leading down jackets and parkas available. Budget limit was around $500. With few American exceptions, eg: Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends, I quickly found that most of the best stuff comes from England. Mountain… Full review

Rab Men's Nexus Pull-On

The Rab Nexus Pull-On fleece jacket is a comfortable, light, and warm mid-layer that breathes well and has an adjustable deep chest zip. Minor complaints include some pilling after 18 months of use, and a little floppiness in the collar. Rab is not as prevalent in the U.S. but I found this in a large coop online shop when searching for a lighter mid-layer. Previous fleece options for me were too bulky to pack along with a puffy, but now I can take both on cold weather trips as the Rab Nexus Pull-on… Full review

L.L.Bean Women's Weather Challenger 3-in-1 Jacket

This is a versatile jacket that will keep you dry and warm and has the flexibility for those who need extra room for kayaking or fishing. I purchased this jacket to replace an older neoprene jacket. I wanted something that was fairly waterproof and had enough shoulder room for kayaking and fly fishing. I loved the options it had for my busy travel schedule and that it was packable.   I hadn't really tested the waterproof options of this jacket until I was in Scotland this last week where I had… Full review

Outdoor Research Men's Transcendent Down Jacket

So many features! Highly recommended. So many features! Pockets all over the place and still a great weight. I love the colour and it packs very small. This is the only down jacket I tried where the sleeves can be pushed past my elbows for added temperature regulation. Full review

Canada Goose Camp Hoody

Awesome color, bad insulation. For $525, you'd expect to be warm in 30-degree weather. You can pay significantly less and get a 15-degree warmer jacket. Full review

Helly Hansen Men's Verglas Light Jacket

The Helly Hansen Verglas Light Jacket is a hybrid soft shell (double weave) and down insulated (800 fill goose down) midlayer meant to bridge the gap between changing weather fronts during high output activities like hiking, trekking, ski touring, and mountaineering. Initially, my main concerns with this jacket resulted from an overly large fit which limited versatility and restricted its uses to an emergency or ultralight top layer in warmer conditions. I highly recommend sizing down, as I ended… Full review

Outdoor Research Men's Illuminate Down Hoody

SO light and SO compressible! I wish it weren't quite SO drafty. Down is great. 800 fill down is next-level great. I bring down into the mountains nearly every time I go. It's light, breathable, compacts to nothing, insulates better than anything, and lasts decades.   When it comes to down, 800 fill down is some of the best in terms of loft, compressibility, and warmth. Outdoor Research also makes sure that its down is responsibly sourced, something that really makes a difference when you learn… Full review