Looking for the best jackets for travel? Here are our favorites!
We love our versatile clothes. Not only does it help us pack light, but since we like a mix of urban and outdoor adventures, it prepares us for any activity. Since we’ve lived in all types of climates over the years, we’ve had the chance to test out different jackets, and here are our favorites.
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Last Updated: January 12, 2026
TLDR
❓ Why is a Versatile Travel Jacket a Must – A versatile travel jacket is essential for any avid traveler. You want something that adapts to different climates, activites, and situations while keeping you comfortable and stylish. Rather than packing multiple jackets, a well-designed one can handle various conditions so you can travel lighter. Look for versatility, performance, material, packability, and comfort.
🧥 Our Fave Jackets – Patagonia 3-in-1 Parka (For Cold Weather), Nomatic Outset (Best Packable), Patagonia Better Sweater (Best Fleece), Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoodie (Best Puffy), Protected Species Waterproof Jacket (Best Raincoat)
The Best Travel Jackets for Women and Men 2025
In this post, we check out highly rated and recommended travel jackets and include our favorites.
1. Patagonia 3-in-1 Parka – Best for Cold Weather Destinations ($699) →
Fabric: 100% Recycled Polyester, 100% Recycled Down
For: Winter activities, Urban exploration, Outdoors
Wearing: XS in Black
We wouldn’t have survived winter in NYC without these jackets. We’ve had them for six years and wear them when traveling to cold destinations (I was hot wearing this parka in Antarctica). It’s a 3-in-1, and you can wear it five different ways since you can detach the hood and the insulated layer from the shell layer. Plus, they have a clean design. Even though we’re not in NYC anymore, we often use it as separate layers.
You can get the Vosque (synthetic) or Tres 3-in-1 parka (100% recycled down). They’re both comparable in function. We have the Tres, which is slightly warmer and bulkier.
Pros
- Five ways to wear the jacket
- 100% recycled materials
- Water-proof shell
- Removable hood to look dressier.
- Handwarmer pockets
- Longer jacket to keep more of you warm
- Can be dressed up but also handle outdoor adventures
- 1% for the Planet
Cons
- Pricey, but you’re getting 3-in-1.
- Bulky to pack.
- Limited color options
- The men’s version is not as long.
See More: How to Survive Winter in New York + How to Dress for a New York Winter
2. Duer Jackets – Best Versatile Day-to-Day ($139-149) →
Fabric: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane for LuxTwill | 70% Cotton, 28% Polyester, 2% Lycra
For: Urban exploration, Outdoors
Wearing: XS
We love our Duer Performance Jeans and have a few pairs each. Naturally, they take their tech and make jackets, too. Their collection changes each season, but we currently wear the Stay Dry Denim (men’s) and LuxTwill Trucker Jacket (women’s) with matching pants.
Pros
- Performance denim
- Can be dressed up or down
- Comfortable, stretchy fabric
- Antimicrobial treatment for extended wears between washes (LuxTwill)
- DWR water-repellent finish (Stay Dry)
- Reflective detailing for increased visibility (Stay Dry)
Cons
- I don’t love having buttons (vs. a zipper), but I’ll mostly wear it open.
3. Patagonia Nano Puff – Best Overall ($229) →
This is one of the best overall jackets for both warmth and packability. It’s extremely light and comes in many different colors. The jacket also doubled as a pillow on the plane for me since you can stuff it into the pocket.
Pros
- Packs into its own pocket
- Bluesign approved fabric
- Extremely light
- Comes in a bunch of colors
- Water-repellent design and windproof
- Uses the most thermally efficient synthetic insulation
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Very outdoorsy look
- Doesn’t have a hood
4. Nomatic Outset Jacket ($199.99) – Best Packable Jacket →
Fabric: 100% Polyester
For: Urban Exploration & Outdoors
Wearing: S in Black
We have a few different Nomatic backpacks and suitcases, so we were excited to hear that they have ventured into apparel. Their outset jacket packs into itself so you can use it as a travel pillow too. Plus it’s one of the softest performance jackets I have. I love all the little details and organization it has without being bulky.
They don’t have a women’s version yet, but it can be worn by either. Jacob wears a small, so hopefully they release a XS so I can get one too!
Pros
- Insulated but breathable
- Coating to repel water and prevent stains
- 4-way stretch
- Wrinkle resistant
- Insulated mid layer
Cons
- Still looks more outdoorsy
- Only two colors right now
See More: 25 Best Travel Backpacks You Need To Check Out
5. Anatomie Kenya Safari Jacket – Best Style ($398) →
Fabric: 55% Cotton, 37% Polyamide, 4% Elastane
For: Urban exploration
Wearing: XS in White
This is one of the best jackets for travel if you’re looking for a mid-weight jacket. It works well dressed up or down while keeping me warm.
Both Kim (our million-mile writer) and I have this jacket and love it for all our trips that aren’t focused on hiking or climbing.
Pros
- Flattering fit around the waist.
- Lightweight (except white is heavier and thicker to avoid transparency)
- 50+ UPF protection
- Wrinkle resistant
- Moisture-wicking/quick-drying
- Plenty of pockets (top slash pockets and bottom zip pockets)
- Offered in four neutral colors
- Durable with a lifetime guarantee.
Cons
- Not waterproof
- It’s not as stretchy as other jackets on this list, but it does have a slight stretch.
- No hood, for when it rains, but hoods also tend to negate a sleeker look.
- Priciest mid-weight jacket on this list
6. Protected Species Waterproof Jacket – Best Raincoat ($332) →
Fabric: 100% Polyester
For: Urban exploration, Outdoors
Wearing: Size 1 in Blue Mist
I love that my Waterproof Mac performs like my other outdoorsy shells without looking outdoorsy. It doesn’t have the plasticky feel of typical rain gear. I also get compliments about it all the time!
Pros
- Flattering Fit + Four-way Stretch
- Luxuriously Soft + Lightweight
- Fully waterproof with each seam sealed
- Wind resistant
- Wrinkle resistant
- Breathable
- Durable with a 2-year guarantee on waterproof performance (as long as care instructions are followed)
- Made from recycled yarns
Cons
- Pricier than many other jackets on this list
7. Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket – Best Fleece ($159) →
Fabric: 100% recycled polyester fleece
For: Outdoors, Urban exploration
Wearing: XS in Birch White
This is our go-to mild-weather travel jacket. It’s warm enough for cool evenings and small enough to pack away in a backpack when we don’t need it. We’ve also worn it as a mid-layer on outdoor adventures.
Pros
- Wind-resistant and fleece-lined
- Stretchy but slim fit
- The collar can be zipped all the way up for extra warmth.
- Lightweight and packable
- Wrinkle-resistant
- 100% recycled
- Fairtrade certified, Bluesign approved.
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Can’t be dressed up
8. Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoodie – Best Puffy (On sale $281) →
Fabric: 80% Recycled Polyester, Recycled Nylon, RDS-certified European Goose Down
For: Outdoors
Wearing: XS in Cardinal
This jacket has a hoodie and non-hoodie version and is the warmest jacket I own (besides the 3-in-1 above, but I think of that as two jackets). Since I always run colder than Jacob, I decided to get one, and it’s extremely warm. I’ve had this jacket for over six years and continue to wear it often. It also packs down small, although not as small as the Patagonia Nano Puff.
Pros
- 850-fill-power down – certified Responsible Down Standard
- The warmest single-layer jacket we own
- Breathable and wind-resistant
- Water repellent fabric
- Bluesign approved, responsible down standard.
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Can’t be dressed up
- Pricey
9. Gamma Graphene Jacket – Best Rechargeable Heated Jacket ($299) →
Graphene is the most formidable and lightest material on earth. Infusing this material into a jacket and adding many features helps the Gamma Jacket earn a spot on the list. The best feature is the built-in heating option. All you have to do is plug in a power bank, and the jacket is heated!
We just picked up their Heta Hand Warming Power Bank, too! It’s the perfect companion that will support maximum heat output from the jacket, but it also can be used separately as a hand warmer and power bank.
Wear Graphene Coupon Code: Use code LOCALADVENTURER10 for 10% off sitewide.
Pros
- Made with tough and light material
- It is a heated jacket
- 10-pocket system for organization
- Antimicrobial and anti-order material
- Breathable and moisture-wicking
- Waterproof
- Zippers are water-resistant
Cons
- Need to carry a power bank around to use the heat feature
- For extreme weather, you still need a separate insulation layer.
- Has the plasticky feel of most waterproof shells.
10. Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoodie ($240) →
This jacket has a hoodie and non-hoodie version and is one we prefer since it has a cleaner look than the waffle knit design. We have the hoodie version but might pick up a non-hoodie version, too, since we wear them all the time, especially when we’re out climbing. We wear it in mild conditions and have used it as a mid-layer for colder conditions.
Pros
- Warm and lightweight
- Clean look
- Side panels help with stretch, performance, and breathability
- Low profile hood for wind and light rain
- Works on its own or for layering
- Made to last. We’ve worn these for several years.
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Has an outdoorsy look – although less so if you get one without a hood and in a neutral color
11. 66ºNorth OK – Best for Hikers ($395) →
This is Jacob’s favorite right now for cold weather. It combines warm down with Polartec stretch panels, giving you the insulation you need without sacrificing movement. He pairs it with his Snaefell from 66ºNorth when it rains.
Pros
- Responsible Down Standard (90% Duck Down, 10 % Feather)
- Polartec Powerstreatch Panels
- Breathable stretch panels
- It can be used as mid-layer or outer layer
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Can’t be dressed up
- Limited Colors
12. Baerskin Tactical Hoodie Fleece (On Sale for $99.95) →
If you’re looking for a heavy weight fleece jacket packed with features, check out the BAERskin Tactical Hoodie. It’s made with 340gsm bonded BAERSkin MicroFleece that’s 20% lighter and 50% warmer than your standard 270gsm fleeces. Also it has a ton of pockets, 10 of them!, with 5 on the outside and 5 on the inside.
We also have their Fleece Beanie that we’re excited to use as the weather cools down.
Pros
- Tailored fit for women
- 20% lighter than standard 270gsm fleece
- 50% warmer than standard 270gsm fleece
- has a rainjacket addition
- 10 pockets – 7 with zippers and 3 without
- elastic waist, adjustable hood, velcro cuffs
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Can’t be dressed up
- Doesn’t pack down small
13. Graphene X Nomade Jacket – Best Packable Rain Jacket (On Sale for $149) →
This ultralight waterproof jacket packs really small into itself and even has a carrying strap. I love that the hood also tucks into the collar, so you can leave it in there if you don’t need it. The graphene-printed membrane makes it durable and breathable.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Graphene-printed membrane
- Extremely lightweight
- Self-packable
- Reflective pattern
- Windproof
- Packable hood
Cons
- If it’s really cold, you’ll need an additional layer
Graphene X Coupon Code: Use coupon code LOCALADVENTURER for 10% off.
Previously on the List
- Baubax Travel Bomber Jacket (On Sale $179) – This Bomber jacket was built for traveling with every feature imaginable, but they have been sold out for the longest time. I’ve checked their site every month over the past five years, and they are never in stock.
- Duer Performance (Best Reversible Jacket) – Discontinued
- Nike Windrunner – Best Packable Lightweight Jacket for Men – Discontinued
- Prana Bomber Jacket – Discontinued
- Nike Sportswear Tech Pack Reversible Jacket – Discontinued
More Highly Rated Travel Jackets
- Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket – Best for Rain
- Columbia Watertight II Jacket
- SCOTTeVEST – We ordered the original ScotteVest because we heard such great things about it but returned them because they didn’t fit our body types. We will check out some of their other styles in the future.
- Uniqlo Ultra Light Down – Best Budget
Things to Look for in Travel Jackets
- Versatility – Most of our trips will take us from outdoor activities during the day to fine dining in the evening. Ideally, our jackets can transition between outdoor and urban environments.
- Performance – Jackets have different features, and we have a handful of them to help us fit those needs. We consider breathability, waterproofing, windproofing, quick-dry, and more. It’s important to know what your jacket can handle. Overall, we look at if it’s waterproof or just water-resistant.
- Water-resistant is good if you are getting wet, but not for an extended period of time.
- Waterproofing is necessary if you’ll be outside in the rain a lot. It costs more and is generally less breathable.
- Down Material – Most jackets will use synthetic or goose down. Generally, goose is warmer and more compressible but less breathable and less water-resistant.
- Packable – We’re always looking for light and easy-to-pack jackets, although, that isn’t always possible with larger winter coats, so prioritize what you need for each trip.
- Comfort – Since we’ll be wearing it a lot, we want jackets that are comfy.
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Download these helpful language apps.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Are there any others we should check out that belong on our list of best jackets for travel? What’s your go-to travel jacket?
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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.