The 15 Best Windbreakers for Men
Windbreakers are an “in-between” outerwear. Falling somewhere between your average hoodie and more robust winter coats, these thin, lightweight finishing pieces aren’t precisely meant to be cozy—they’re intended to keep certain elements at bay.
The materials and construction of a windbreaker are designed to resist the chill winds of spring and fall without necessarily adding to your body heat. Many also feature a level of water resistance—although it’s rarely full waterproofing.
In other words, windbreakers have a very specific set of skills, skills that make them a nightmare for weather like wind and rain, and versatile enough to wear most of the year during inclement weather.
Still, windbreakers are also handy to have on your side when the weather is just right. Here are the 15 best windbreakers for men that are sure to suit your blustery weather needs.
Vuori Daybreak Windbreaker
Made from 100 percent recycled polyester, Vuori’s Daybreak performance material keeps cutting winds at bay and features durable water repellent (DWR) coating to repel light rain. As a nice bonus, the coating offers UPF 50+ sun protection for those days that just can’t seem to decide whether they want to rain or shine.
The loose fit leaves room for layering and the zipper goes to the chin to keep the elements from sneaking in around the vulnerable neck opening. Simple washing instructions (machine wash cold, tumble dry low) make it easier to clean than most raincoats.
KUHL M’s ParaJax Anorak
If you think pullovers are cool, then Kuhl has the windbreaker for you. The ParaJax Anorak is made from the company’s exclusive AIRBLOK, anti-rip fabric, which is ultra-lightweight and features a water-resistant finish.
The KONCEALER™ (yes, they use Ks like the Kardashians) Mesh Jersey lining is comfortable and breathable. Available in handsome hues of blue, green, and gray, this jacket offers UPF 50+ sun protection, in addition to blocking wind and rain.
Details like grosgrain ribbon over seams and cord adjustments for the hood and hem set this anorak apart from the pack.
Lululemon Fast and Free Windbreaker
Lululemon may be a bit pricier than competitors, but their products do tend to offer innovative solutions that other brands lack. Case in point: the stretchy, SpeedWeave fabric featured in their Fast and Free Windbreaker.
Both windproof and water-repellant, this jacket is not the immovable sheath you might expect. Instead, it stretches with your body as you move to make hiking, biking, running, and other outdoor activities more comfortable. 360-degree ventilation contributes to temp control, even when you’re working up a sweat. It’s a slim fit, FYI, so size accordingly.
Smartwool Men’s Merino Sport Ultra Light Jacket
You may know Smartwool more for their amazing socks than their outerwear, but the Sport Ultra Light jacket is surprisingly sporty and well-designed. Made from recycled nylon, the shell is incredibly light with a non-PFC DWR finish for wind, water, and sun protection.
More interesting, however, is the gender-specific, body-mapped mesh to increase ventilation right where it’s needed most. There are even reflective elements to keep you visible in low-light conditions. All in all, it’s a good choice for those who like to hit the pavement on wet, windy nights.
Patagonia Men’s Steel Forge Windbreaker Jacket
If the name is any indication, Patagonia’s Steel Forge jacket should protect you from world-ending weather phenomena. In truth, it pretty much just keeps wind and rain away, thanks to its lightweight, Pertex Quantum fabric (which sounds like it was sourced on Krypton).
The fabric is actually 94 percent nylon and 6 percent polyester ripstop, which makes for an abrasion-resistant shell. The DWR finish ups the ante on weather-resistant properties. Tactical pockets, oversized zipper pulls (for use with gloved hands), elastic wrist cuffs, and other smart features make this a truly utilitarian addition to your wardrobe.
Under Armour Men’s UA Legacy Windbreaker Jacket
Known for the sweat-wicking, keep-you-cool shirts that launched their brand, Under Armour has come a long way in nearly three decades of innovation in athletic wear. It should come as no surprise, then, that their outerwear is equally appealing.
The ripstop fabric used for the UA Legacy Windbreaker is both lightweight and resilient, offering protection from wind and rain without sacrificing breathability. Ribbed cuffs, an extended brim on the hood, and a dropped, shaped hem all add to coverage and wind-blocking properties.
United By Blue Men’s Packable Windbreaker
Day hikes in drizzly weather are made far more comfortable with the right windbreaker, but you don’t necessarily want to tote it around when the weather turns sunny and warm. United By Blue’s portable design solves the problem neatly, thanks to the addition of a matching fanny pack that allows you to roll and stow your jacket when it’s not in use.
Made from 39 percent recycled nylon, 55 percent nylon, and 6 percent spandex with a DWR finish, this pullover is water-resistant and ready to go. The stand-up collar and half-zip closure protect your neck, while elastic wrist cuffs keep cold air from whistling up your sleeves.
Adidas Adicolor Essential Trefoil Windbreaker
“Sporty” is what Adidas does best, and their Adicolor Essential Trefoil windbreaker, positioned as a timeless addition to your athletic wardrobe, does look like it could have come from any number of past decades, thanks to the streamlined, minimalist design.
A straight, loose fit, full zip with hood, and elastic cuffs and hem are classic and utilitarian, while the 100 percent recycled nylon fabric serves modern sensibilities. As with early Ford models, you can get it in any color…so long as it’s black.
The North Face Class V Fanorak Windbreaker
The North Face keeps it casual with their hoodie-like, pullover Fanorak windbreaker, which features a weird front pocket with a very cool purpose. While the front patch pocket has a top opening to store your stuff, the backside is a pouch pocket you can stick your hands in to keep them warm.
Even better, the zippered side pocket serves as a tiny tote when you stuff the bulk of the jacket into it. Active wearers are sure to appreciate the stretch, relaxed fit, raglan sleeves for increased mobility, and recycled nylon composition with non-PFC DWR finish for wind, rain, and sun (UPF 50) protection.
Columbia Men’s Point Park Windbreaker
Color blocking in a range of hues makes Columbia’s Point Park windbreaker a bit more eye-catching than the average, solid-color competitor—the red quartz, flame orange, and shark (dark gray) combo is particularly riveting with crossing guard appeal.
As for performance, the 100 percent polyester fabric offers water-resistance and Omni-Shade UPF 40 sun protection. Other features include a stow-away hood, elastic cuffs, and the option to pack the whole kit-and-caboodle into a zippered hand pocket.
Aether Apparel Nevada Jacket
Ather’s sleek jacket offers both modern and timeless style with a straight silhouette, a standing collar with a concealed (packable) hood, hidden welt zippers at the collar and cuffs, flat-felled construction at seams, in-seam hand pockets with hidden snaps, chest-flap patch pockets, and more.
Overall, the look is streamlined and the features are discreet, making the Nevada Jacket one of the most attractive options on the list. Of course, it’s also made from water-resistant, woven, 100 percent polyester fabric, giving an extremely dignified middle finger to inclement weather.
Outerknown Viento Breaker
With a fusion of sport and military styling, you can bet Outerknown’s windbreaker is designed with utility in mind. It’s crafted with 100 percent polyester, featuring panels in 100 percent organic cotton to deliver wind-resistant performance with comfy, lived-in appeal.
The two-way zipper is a nice touch, as is the drawcord at the hem, ensuring you have as much or as little ventilation around the bottom edge as you like. Mesh-lined zip pockets offer additional opportunities to increase air flow, as needed.
Stio Men’s Millibar WINDSTOPPER Hooded Jacket
The alpine design of Stio’s Millibar Windstopper jacket is incredibly simple and streamlined at first glance, but the classic look belies a bevy of fantastic features. Let’s start with the GORE-TEX INFINIUM technology, which not only sheds wind and water like a duck’s back, but also offers liberal stretch to move with your body.
Add in underarm stretch panels for breathability and full range of motion, a halo adjust hood with a bonded brim, an adjustable hem, YKK water-repellent zippers, and other desirable features, and this jacket has the fashion and function every dapper outdoor enthusiast is looking for.
L.L. Bean Men’s Waterproof Windbreaker Jacket
Since 1912, this outdoorsy company has pushed products that protect against the elements, but with an upscale, New England sense of style. This waterproof windbreaker in 100 percent recycled, ripstop polyester is no exception, featuring a straight, slightly fitted silhouette that is lightweight and soft, rather than stiff.
Hooded and abrasion-resistant, the Waterproof Windbreaker jacket stands up to the elements. A front storm flap and elastic cuffs help to block any entry of wind or water. The included pouch even offers stow-and-go capability.
Chrome Industries Wind Cobra 2.0. Packable Jacket
Chrome Industries Wind Cobra is a slim-fit jacket that provides streamlined appeal, with clean lines, 100 percent polyester material in black, and a contrasting zipper placket in white. DWR coating enhances wind and water resistance, while a two-way front zipper and upper back yoke provide ventilation.
Designed for all-season use, the lightweight appeal of this jacket makes it perfect for cool-weather hiking or cycling. “Tough as nails” construction means it will stand up to plenty of use and abuse. Best of all, it packs in the rear back pocket for easy stowing.
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