Best 10 Hiking Vests Of 2024

Hiking vests are very stylish, have lots of pockets for different items and they provide more mobility than a jacket. There are lots of times when I would prefer a vest over a jacket especially when the weather is very hot or sunny. A vest provides adequate protection against the weather and offer a lot of pockets for small gadgets and accessories. I have listed a few amazing outdoor vests that I know of, and hopefully, one of these vests will be suitable for your needs.

Best Hiking Vests – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Hiking Vest

Types Of Outdoor Vests

Summer Hiking Vests

Hiking vests that is made for the summer are often very thin. There isn’t a lot of padding and the vests does not provide a lot of protection from the elements. These provide UPF protection to the upper body and these will also often have lots of pockets for hiking gear and devices.

Cold Weather Hiking Vests

Cold weather hiking vests are often thick and bulky because these provide some sort of insulation to the user. These vests are very warm but they do not have protection for the arms. These are often used underneath a jacket.

Hunting Vets

Hunting vests will often have a camouflage color most likely different shades of brown, black and green. These vests are often very lightweight and very thin. These are very similar to hiking vests but will have pockets meant to carry weapons, knives and other hunting gear.

Fishing Vests

Fishing vests are very thin vests that are very quick drying. These vests will have pockets for sinkers, nylon lines, floaters, and plastic baits. These vests are meant to carry fishing equipment while also protecting the user from the harmful rays of the sun.

Photography Vests

Photography vests tend to have a lot of pockets. A lot of the pockets are also very big and very deep. These pockets are designed to carry photography equipment like lens, batteries, cameras and more.

Choosing The Material

Fleece

It is easy to see that there are a lot of very good hiking vests that are made out of this material. I love fleece because I do not have to put a lot of effort into cleaning items made from this. During the winter season, it is easy to see that fleece provides a lot of warmth and insulation. Water repelling materials such as this are often very useful. I know a lot of hiking vests that are made from fleece to be very light and very beautiful.

Polyester

Using this material to make hiking vests is a great idea. Polyester can repel water very easily without sacrificing any of its attributes. One of the things I like about this material is that this is very affordable. It is true that polyester is very light in weight and easy to carry. There are a lot of companies who make hiking gear and hiking clothes out of polyester because of its durability.

Nylon

Outdoor vests that are made out of nylon tend to be amazing. I love that items that are made from this are very light in weight. Most people love nylon because this is very affordable or that this does not cost a lot. This material is very durable and this tends to lasts for a very long time. Nylon is amazing at repelling water as well.

Fillings – Down Vs Synthetic

Down

The warmth that this material brings is amazing. People would often pick down filling because the insulation and warmth it provides is better than the other fillings. Items made out of down filling tend to be very lightweight. I love down filling and a lot of people do also but this material is somewhat expensive. The problem with down filling is when this material gets wet, it will no longer provide any insulation and warmth.

Synthetic

This provides a lot of warmth and this feels good on the skin also. A lot of people do not like that this does not provide the same warmth as down but this offers a lot of benefits while being very affordable. This can provide warmth even when it gets wet. This filling tends to be bulky and this is heavier than down.

Things To Think About

Style

Whenever you are picking a piece of clothing, make sure that you will look good wearing them. Vests actually look great and wonderful on people. They don’t provide the same protection as a jacket but they still work well against elements and they make people look good. It is important to get the vest that looks great on you.

Weight

If you are using the vest for hiking, you will have to take a look at how much weight it has. You have to budget the total amount of weight that you are carrying. The more weight that you are carrying while hiking, the more fatigue and tired you are going to get. It is best to get items that are very lightweight while providing protection.

Pockets

People often get vests with lots of pockets these days. This is great so that you have a place to put your devices, cameras, emergency supplies, headlamps, and so on. However, if you are just using the vest to create another layer of warmth and comfort then you do not need pockets. It is best that you get something very comfortable and warm.

Comfort

The more comfortable you feel, the better it is. A good vest can provide lots of comfort and warmth also. They provide more mobility that a jacket. If you are thinking of getting a vest, make sure that you are getting a very comfortable one. There are even vests that are waterproof that can protect your main body from the weather.

Size

Get a vest that is a good size for you. They need to fit you well and perfectly. The vests that fit you well will provide you with lots of comfort and you will look great with it. If the vest is too large or too small, your mobility will suffer. Mobility is what I like about vests. They provide more mobility than a jacket or sweater or most clothes out there.

Should You Wear A Jacket Or Hiking Vest

There is a growing demand for a hiking vest over a hiking jacket. Still one of the best and more flexible ways to protect ourselves against the weather is a jacket. However, a vest has its own advantages. It is more specific or can only be used in certain types of weather but it will surpass the jacket in those areas. A hiking vest would definitely be a good addition to your hiking gear but at the same time you can still get by using a hiking jacket. Here are a few advantages of using a hiking vest and a hiking jacket to further give you information on which one you would rather have.

Advantages Of A Hiking Vest

I. Less Expensive, Lighter And Easily Pack In A Backpack

One of the best things about a hiking vest is that it is usually less expensive. Not a lot of people buy a hiking vest because a jacket is more popular since there are different types of jackets out there for almost all types of environments. Hiking vest is also lighter and easier to pack. This means less weight to carry around. Less weight equals more fun in hiking. So if you want to carry less and know that the weather will not be windy or too cold then a hiking vest would be ideal.

II. Insulates Body’s Core And Allows Air Flow

A vest can only insulate the core of the body. This is by design. It allows comfort of the body while also allowing air flow. One of the best ways to keep the body comfortable is by keeping it cool while also protecting the body from wind or keeping it warm. We want our bodies to be able to easily cool itself and easily warm itself also. This is why a good hiking vest is a necessity or better than a jacket.

III. I Can Put A Jacket On Top Of It Or Layers Under It

One of the best advantages of a hiking vest is that we can put layers on top of it or under it. If the weather is colder than anticipated, we can easily put a jacket over the vest or more shirts under it. If it is hotter than anticipated then we can take out shirts easily. A hiking vest is used in a more specific type of weather. We can take advantage of such weather by using a vest instead of a jacket.

IV. More Mobility

Since our arms are not covered, hiking vests gives more mobility than a jacket. The sleeves of a jacket just prevents movement. This is where hiking vests excels. You will have an easier time climbing and rock scrambling with a very good hiking vests.

V. Less Overheating, More Breathable

There are many times when we overwork ourselves and sweat a lot. A hiking jacket will trap a lot of this moisture inside. Even the most breathable jackets cannot evaporate heat and sweat fast enough. A hiking vest is very breathable and will likely provide more comfort to the hiker.

Advantage Of A Jacket

I. Gives Total Upper Body Protection

There is a reason why a jacket is very popular. It can protect the whole upper body easily. It provides warmth and wind protection easily. A jacket provides more protection when it comes to unpredictable weather. It provides more warmth and protection than a vest.

II. Can Be Used For Rain, Snow And Multiple Types Of Weather

One of the best things about a jacket is that it can be used in a variety of weather. Weather such as rain and snow are very standard. A jacket is often used for to protect a hiker from them. In fact, jackets are a standard when it comes to a variety of weather.

III. Does Not Need Lots Of Layers

A jacket is very warm and provides lots of protection. Because of this protection, we do not need to wear a lot of layers underneath. We do not have to wear multiple tshirts or sweaters to keep ourselves warm. If the jacket is very thick, we can just wear a simple shirt underneath.

IV. Useful All Year Long

A hiking jacket is useful all year long. In the winter, fall, spring, and even in the summer. How can a jacket be useful in hot weather? You need to keep in mind that we hike on top of mountains all the time. It is very cold and windy on the top of a summit. It is for this reason that a hiking jacket is very useful.

V. Popular Which Makes It Versatile

The design of the jacket is total upper body protection. It can come with a hood, thicker, different materials, thinner and so on. Each manufacturer creates their own style and usefulness. With so many different designs, we can pick one that is very suitable for our hiking needs easily.

Best Hiking Vests

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1. Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge II Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.58 Ounces
Material: Ripstop 100% nylon
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Offers core warmth against mountain chill, sweat-moisture wicking for quick drying and absorption, multiple zippered hand pockets, zip-closed security pockets, omni-shade

Short Review: I really like this hiking vest from Columbia. Columbia is an amazing company that makes a lot of clothes and gear for hiking and other outdoor activities. This vest is pretty good as it is very lightweight and can protect the body very well. It offers insulation to keep the body warm and has enough pockets to store or protect your valuable items like phones, credit cards, car keys, money, wallet and so on. The vest has moisture wicking capabilities which should be enough to wick away sweat and prevent odor from accumulating. A great item for hiking and backpacking purposes.

2. Columbia Men’s Cathedral Peak Front-Zip Fleece Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: 100% Polyester
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Simple but looks amazing, Zip-front fleece vest with foldover collar and on-seam zippered pockets, contrast logo embroidery at chest, popular classic 250 G fleece vest keeps your core warm in cold conditions

Short Review: This another outdoor vest from Columbia that is very satisfactory. I love that this is extremely high quality and a lot of people really like using this. This is a lot less bulky than the first one and provides warmth as well. Give your upper body protection from the cold while allowing your arms to be very mobile. This has a lot of customer reviews as well that are very positive. This is very durable and light which is why I whole heartedly recommend this to others.

3. Arc’teryx Atom LT Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.2 lbs
Material: Polartec Power Stretch, Coreloft insulation
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary:  Sleeveless core-heater hugs the body with efficient Coreloft insulation, synthetic insulated mid layers with a high degree of weather resistance, high performance, minimalist design that is durable for its weight

Short Review: If you’d like something good then this vest for hiking is best for you. Ideal item to have for the outdoors. I love Arc’teryx as a company since their outdoor gear is amazing. This vest amazing also. It is very high quality and very well constructed but the drawback is that it is pretty expensive. It looks amazing also so people can use it for casually going out for drinks or for eating out. If you are planning on using a vest all the time for hiking, casual or for any outdoor activity then this is a good choice. But if you are not going to use a vest all the time, I recommend something cheaper.

4. Carhartt Men’s Gilliam Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 11.2 Ounces
Material: 100% Nylon
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Looks great aesthetically, durable and dependably water repellent, lightweight yet warm, very durable and made to last, 1.75-ounce, 100 percent nylon cord

Short Review: This vest is one of the very best that you can purchase. The price tag of this item is among its best qualities. I know that this is high quality and it has always surpassed my expectations. This provides a lot of insulation in the chest area or around the upper body. Pretty good vest that protects the body from the wind, rainwater and other bad types of bad weather. The price is also pretty decent, not too cheap and not too expensive. A good vest that can be used in a variety of ways.

5. Amazon Essentials Puffer Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 8 Ounces
Material: Nylon And Polyster
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Comfortable, quality clothing, versatile water-resistant lightweight puffer vest, very warm, durable material, great for the outdoors

Short Review: A very warm hiking vest made by Amazon. This item is good to have because this provides a lot of heat and insulation to the body. It is very affordable also. Comes in multiple colors and sizes to choose from. You can have one that fits your needs. A very good vest that provides pretty decent insulation. Not the best but good enough for a lot of different types of weather. Overall, a very good outdoor gear to have.

6. Little Donkey Andy Men’s Lightweight Softshell Vest

Technical Specs
Weight:
Material: 95% Polyester / 5% Spandex
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Surface fabric is treated to repel water; water-repellent, breathable, quick-dry, stretchy and windproof, Mid-layer is a breathable and waterproof TPU membrane; Interior is made of polyester synthetic material

Short Review: The way I see it is that this hiking vest is a very good deal. This has a lot of features that you would need for an outdoor vest. It is water repellent which is great so that your body can be dry even on a rainy day. This is windproof as well and provides warmth. The vest is super lightweight and packs easily which makes it very ideal for hiking, backpacking and other outdoor adventures. The price is also pretty decent and somewhat reasonable. A good vest that is very durable and should lasts for quite some time.

7. Columbia Men’s Powder Lite Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 13.05 Ounces
Material: 100% Polyester
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: High quality material made this amazing, patented heat reflective garments are the ultimate body heat management, water resistant fabric, insulated, and takes advantage of our thermal reflective lining

Short Review: If you would like something amazing then this hiking vest might be the one you are looking for. Columbia is one of the best companies that I know of that makes outdoor gear.  This vest is very good and very stylish. The fabric of this item is water resistant which will keep the person’s body somewhat dry and protected. This is great at providing warmth as well while letting the arms have a lot of mobility. A pretty good vest for the outdoors.

8. Gihuo Men’s Summer Leisure Outdoor Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lbs
Material: 35% cotton, 65% polyester
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Well made, lightweight and breathable fabric,  mesh style has mild waterproof and quick dry performance, fishing vests, photo vests, hunting vests, travel vests, and more

Short Review: There are a great deal of men and women that love this vest for the outdoors. This wonderful item will provide a great deal of usefulness to a whole lot of people. The vest has very mild waterproof capabilities but it is quick drying though. So even if it gets wet, it will dry up rather quickly. It offers a lot of pockets that have big capacities so if you need a vest that can store items then this is a good choice. This has a lovely design and a very affordable price plus this is very stylish.

9. Marmot Men’s Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.56 Ounces
Material: 100% Polyester
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Ultra lightweight men’s down vest, great additional layer for cold-weather hikes, chilly camping trips, everyday casual wear, ultralight, water-resistant ripstop fabric

Short Review: If you get hold of this outdoor vest, you’ll be amazed at how exceptional this is. This is a pretty good item for the outdoors. Marmot has always been an amazing company that makes very durable and very effective outdoor items. This has been a good treat. It is a good additional layer for cold weather hiking, great for fall season weather as well. This has 700 fill power down keeps you warm in wet conditions. The price is a little bit expensive but the jacket works well so I have no complaints.

10. Eddie Bauer Men’s CirrusLite Down Vest

Technical Specs
Weight: 8.43 Ounces
Material: 100% Nylon
Wind Resistant: Yes
Provides Warmth: Yes
Feature Summary: Modern style, ultralight packable men’s down vest, 100% nylon construction and StormRepel DWR water-resistant finish, down insulation

Short Review: This outdoor vest is fantastic and this looks beautiful. It is incredibly essential that the item that you obtain is extremely sturdy. It is for that reason that I recommend this. Eddie Bauer clothes are usually expensive but I found this to be very affordable. This has a DWR finish which allows it to repel water. The water or moisture tends to form a bead and roll off rather than soaking into the fabric. It is machine washable which is a good thing and has down insulation which provides a lot of heat during colder months of the year. A very good vest that works well for hiking and other outdoor activities.