The 12 Best Men’s Lightweight Jackets For Fall

With the right fall jacket, there’s no telling where you can go or how you can style it — we mean that sincerely. Our list of the best men’s lightweight jackets for fall check all the right boxes, and ideally round out your fall outerwear collection with style and functionality. What does that entail, exactly? Well, a lightweight jacket is designed to move with you, not against (think easy layering potential).

They’re also pleasingly rugged and classic in nature — not overly flashy or ostentatious. And you’ll find that the best jackets for the best season in menswear are often made to be worn to the office, on your commute or on the weekend — that’s that versatility we called out earlier. Wear it with a henley and tough chore pants, or pair up any one of these jackets with a chambray shirt and expertly faded denim — there’s no wrong way to go, that much is true.

You’ll also find that these jackets come from classic brands you know and love, from Filson to Flint and Tinder. With sustainability and style in mind, plus valuable layering potential and serious style points, you’ve just found at least one of your new favorite fall jackets.

Relwen Windzip Jacket

HERITAGE QUALITY

When those autumn days turn gusty and blustery, the Relwen Windzip Jacket will be just the thing to keep out the chill. Crafted using a tough synthetic fabric that’s both water- and wind-resistant, it’ll keep you dry in those fall rain showers, and the sixty-gram down-alternative filling offers great insulation against the cold.

The addition of spandex into the fabric gives it plenty of flexibility so you can use it for sport, outdoor adventure, and casual use. The stand-up, double-layer quilted collar is the perfect added protection against the cold, and the hand pockets have a brushed tricot lining that’s both soft on your skin and highly effective at warming chilly fingers. Thanks to the Lycra-finished cuffs and hem, the jacket will hug your wrists and waists to ward off the cold and wind even more effectively.

Price: $268

Vuori Sunday Element Jacket

MOISTURE-WICKING

For those rainy and wet fall days, you’ll want this Vuori jacket close at hand. The Sunday Element Jacket is made using a performance-friendly stretch fabric that flexes and moves with you as you run and play, but the addition of a durable nylon shell gives it just enough water-resistance and warming that you’ll never worry when storm clouds loom.

The fabric is moisture-wicking and breathable so it will keep you cool no matter how active you are. You’ll love how roomy the zip pockets are; there’s more than enough space for your phone, keys, wallet, and EDC items. Run and train with full confidence that you’ll be shielded from the elements in this lightweight jacket.

Price: $118

KUHL The One Jacket

TEMPERATURE-REGULATING

This jacket is designed to be your “one and only” this autumn, and once you try it on, you’ll agree that it’s built for versatility and durability. The shell is windproof and warm, but breathable to prevent you from overheating on your next hike, run, or bike ride. It’s beautifully lightweight, too, and you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing a jacket except when the wind is blowing chilly.

Thanks to its integrated AeroKnit technology and MIKRO AIR fabric, you’ll stay cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool. Be warned, though: the size is “athletic” and slim, so anyone who needs a bit more room in the sleeves, chest, shoulders, or midsection would do well to size up.

Price: $159

Flint and Tinder Moleskin Bomber Jacket

VINTAGE-INSPIRED

The Flint and Tinder Moleskin Bomber Jacket looks and wears like a jacket, but is soft and comfy as a sweater. Made with a soft cotton moleskin fabric derived from one of Italy’s finest mills, it’ll feel smooth and sleek against your skin, great for wearing either with just a tee or over a long-sleeved shirt.

It’s cut in the classic bomber jacket style that grew so popular following WWII, with that vintage look that accentuates your masculine shoulders while covering up any extra you might be carrying around the waistline. Details like the leather zipper pull tab, ribbed collar, cuffs, and waist, and well-sized front welt pockets make it a tough, reliable, and good-looking jacket you’ll love wearing all autumn long—and maybe even into winter.

Price: $248

Peter Millar Norfolk Bomber Jacket

TAILORED FIT

Looking for something that’ll both look good and keep you warm? This Bomber Jacket by Peter Millar is just the ticket. The Norfolk features “light” insulation that will shrug off the fall chills, great for windy days, but it’s not so thick it’ll get stuffy or sweaty during the warmer hours.

The jacket’s shell is made from recycled polyester that is eco-friendly as well as windproof and water-resistant. The dual chest pockets give you extra storage space for cash, keys, or small items you don’t want to carry around in the two front welt pockets. Pair it with a nice pair of chinos or light-colored jeans and your favorite Chelsea boots for a truly stylish combination.

Price: $265

Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket

LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABLE

Half jacket, half sweater, all performance. Patagonia built its Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket to be your most versatile top layer for the cooler months before winter’s chill sets in fully. It’s built with a sweater-like feel and hang, but it’s got a light jacket-like structure and look that pairs nicely with everything from hiking pants to your favorite weekend athleisure wear.

The recycled polyester fabric incorporates just enough stretch you can move, run, and train in the jacket, with a breathable membrane to let out excess body heat and a DWR water-repellent coating that’ll shrug off everything short of a heavy downpour. The 40g FullRange insulation adds a bit of extra warmth and weather-resistance without compromising your freedom of movement or making the jacket excessively stuffy and the knit-fleece panels in the sides, lower back, and arms is moisture-wicking and quick-drying.

At just over ten ounces, it’s a wonderfully lightweight jacket you’ll have no trouble packing for your next cool-weather trip.

Price: $249

Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell Warm Hoody

TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Durability meets performance in this amazing fall jacket by Mountain Hardwear. The Kor Airshell Warm Hoody combines a water-repellent, abrasion-resistant outer shell (made from a blend of recycled polyester and nylon) with an interior lining to add warmth and odor-resistance.

The adjustable hood offers protection for your head in case you get caught in the rain, and the elastic binding on the cuffs will both seal in body heat and keep out the worst of the wet. It’s warm but breathable, sturdy but versatile. Take this jacket hiking, backpacking, camping, or rock climbing and you’ll be ready for any weather.

Price: $200

Nathan Stealth Jacket 2.0

NOISE-FREE RUNNING

What makes the Nathan Stealth Jacket such a great pick for me is that I never have to worry about that annoying “plastic” sound of synthetic fabric rubbing against itself. You know what I’m talking about: it’s like crinkling plastic, and can get really annoying over a 5-mile daily run or 10K race.

But the Stealth Jacket is designed to be as silent as possible, none of that “swishing” getting in the way of enjoying the sounds of nature or irritating people in the gym around you. Add to that the fact that it’s wonderfully lightweight, easily packable, and windproof and water-resistance, and it’s a winner in my book.

Price: $100

Howler Brothers Merlin Jacket

PRIMALOFT GOLD INSULATION

Where I (Andy) live in Western Canada, the cold starts to hit hard during the autumn months, but it’s still just too warm to break out our winter coats. This is where the Howler Brothers Merlin Puffer Jacket is the ideal choice. It’s a “light puffer” coat that has just enough PrimaLoft Gold insulation to keep me warm throughout the autumn and even through the first snows (which can be as early as November).

It’s actually so well insulated I really only need to switch it out for a heavy-duty winter coat when the temperatures drop well below freezing. And because it’s lightweight and water-resistant, I can take it late-season camping, hiking, to work, and around town without worrying about it getting wet or damaged. It’s a coat I’ve been using for three years now and expect to wear for many more.

Price: $199

Mack Weldon Atlas Full-Zip Jacket

RECYCLED POLYESTER

If it’s not properly cold where you are, you’ll find this is the perfect choice for you. Mack Weldon designed the Atlas Full-Zip Jacket using lightweight recycled materials that are as resistant to water as to wrinkles. Really, it tends to feel more like your favorite sweater than a proper jacket, and it serves as a top layer on chilly days and mid-layer when the weather really turns cold.

The interior pocket gives you additional storage space for your EDC essentials, and the front pockets are large enough for guys with extra-big hands. Best of all, the fabric is naturally soft and moisture-wicking, so it’ll keep you cool, comfy, and dry all day long.

Price: $128 $89

TenTree Nimbus Rain Jacket

100% WEATHERPROOF

No matter how stormy or rainy the fall gets, you can trust that you’re bundled up safe and dry in this TenTree rain jacket. The Nimbus is fully water-repellent, thanks to its DWR coating, airtight pockets, and taped seams. Heck, even the YKK Aqua Guard zippers help to keep off the rain.

The exterior polyester shell will also block out the wind while the interior recycled yarn lining keeps you warm. But you’ll love how breathable it is, preventing you from overheating while running errands or zipping around town. Lightweight, flexible, and designed for an active lifestyle, it’s just what you need to stay warm all autumn long.

Price: $218

Ibex Shak Jacket

100% MERINO WOOL

I have yet to find a lightweight fall jacket as soft, warm, and comfortable as the Ibex Shak Jacket. It’s made using pure Merino wool which feels wonderful against my skin, but does an excellent job of providing insulation against the cold. The fabric has a natural resilience that makes it tough enough to stand up to hardcore daily use, and will stretch and flex with my movements as I hike, climb, cycle, or commute to and from work.

It’s warm enough I can wear it even when the snow starts to fall but lightweight enough that it won’t make me overheat on the warmer autumn nights. But my favorite feature? It’s wrinkle-resistant, so I can pack, wash, and wear it without it ever looking crumpled or rumpled.

Price: $260

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