Vests

Recent Vest Reviews

Patagonia Men's Retro Pile Vest

A versatile insulator. From cutting the chill on a spring day to augmenting core warmth on really cold ones, this soft, comfortable fleece does the job. Don't expect it to stop any wind, as even a mild breeze runs right through this, unless you wear it under a shell. Brand new, it sheds until you wash or tumble dry it, and durability/pilling could be a longer-term issue. OVERVIEW I had been eyeing the Retro Pile Jacket when I received this as a gift. Mine is size XL and weighs 14.4 ounces on an… Full review

The North Face Men's Nuptse Vest

So many different sizes, very confusing. When I ordered this vest I did some research for size. The US, the European, and Asia sizes all are different. I didn’t mind to invest in a good vest, but wanted a good fit. I take XL size T shirt which is XXL Asia. Finally I chose the North Face chart for decision, here I was between size « L » and «  XL « Scared to be tight in L size, I chose XL. Bit anxious. Got my vest today and quickly try for size. First impression, nice and light. The fit is… Full review

Arc'teryx Men's Atom LT Vest

Warm, durable, packs down small, layers well, looks great with everything. I love this vest! I wear it all the time. It's a great layer for keeping my core warm when I need just that extra something, and it fits under most jackets very well.  The material on the sides and front are different, but both are very durable and soft. The zipper is nice and stout and the pockets are nice and deep so I can get my whole hand covered and tucked out of the cold.  Full review

Celitas Design Alpaca Vest

Inca approved and tested! For 8 ounces in XL, and only fifteen bucks...to me this is a great value. Search "Celitas Design Alpaca Vest Pullover V Neck alpaca blend made in Peru grey" Updated from original as of today (29 DEC 2017) Very basic, and very good at temperature regulation. I've been using this as a layering piece in the winter and fall and in the spring and summer while temperatures teeter-totter in cold offices or on wet/cold evenings out running errands or at home relaxing. The hollow… Full review

Eddie Bauer Men's IgniteLite Hybrid Vest

Constructed for maximum movement. Primaloft insulation to keep you warm even when wet. Stretch back for a close fit and maximum breathability. Fleece lined collar for comfort. The Eddie Bauer Ignitelite Hybrid Vest is unique in that the front of the vest is fully insulated and the back is completely breathable. Constructed in this manner for activities such as running, hiking, and biking where you want to be warm without sweating. The front of the vest features 110 grams of Primaloft Silver insulation… Full review

Eddie Bauer Men's Downlight StormDown Vest

A good 800 fill goose down vest with DriDown DWR treatment. I first bought an Eddie Bauer First Ascent light down jacket five years ago and have been very happy with it. I've used it for hunting, skiing (a lot), and winter backcountry hiking as well as around town (see my avatar). I decided I needed a vest that would be warmer than my 300 weight fleece vest so I bought the EB First Ascent mainly because I wanted DWR on all my down garments going forward and I trust First Ascent quality. This vest… Full review

REI Men's Down Vest

The is a good quality down vest that is available at a very reasonable price that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone looking to pick up a down vest to put in their pack. I have been very focused on reducing the base weight of my pack and one area that I made a lot of changes to was what insulating layers I would bring for my summer hikes in the Sierras. My upper layer of clothes now consists of a base wicking shirt, a pullover lightweight fleece, a wind shirt, a down vest (the subject of… Full review

Arc'teryx Men's Atom LT Vest

This is the perfect vest! Make sure you try it on store to get the right fit, but it works as a perfect mid layer and an outer layer in slightly warmer weather. I've used it to hike, bike, backpack, sleep, and I even wear it to work as it's a pretty neutral and stylish vest. Overall 5/5. Full review

Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Vest

The Better Sweater Vest is a slimmer fleece-like vest that functions well for both outdoor and casual pursuits. Conditions: In January 2015, I put a call out for recommendations (link to thread) to the Trailspace community for good-quality vests that could pull double duty; warm enough for cold season layering, stylish enough for occasional wear in business casual situations. After looking at many suggestions and weighing prices, I settled on the Patagonia Better Sweater Vest. Fortunately, I found… Full review