Best 15 Winter Hiking Jackets Of 2024

It is important to stay dry and comfortable whenever you are hiking during the winter. One of the best ways to do this is to get a very good hiking winter jacket. A lot of people just use their ski jackets and snowboarding jackets for winter hiking. This is not a bad idea. However, it is better to have a jacket that is specifically made for hiking since they will often have features for hiking purposes. I have listed a few that winter jackets for hiking that you should take a look at. I am certain that they are some of the best that are available right now.

Best Winter Hiking Jackets – Quick Chart

How To Choose A Winter Jacket For Hiking

Types Of Winter Jackets

Technical Winter Jackets

These jackets are designed to be used for a certain type of activity. There are technical jackets that are specifically made for skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering, and so on. The jacket will have capabilities, and features that are specifically designed for the outdoor activity. The downside is that these jackets tend to be very expensive. These will have features and technology that other jackets will not have.

Casual Winter Jackets

Casual winter jackets are the jackets that people wear when they go out to work, hangout in the city and so on. These jackets are often designed to provide protection from the cold while keeping the price very low. So most of the time, these jackets are not made with the best materials possible. There are name brand jackets that are very stylish that cost a lot as well.

Multipurpose

Multipurpose jackets can be used in a lot of activities. These jackets can be used for hanging out and can be used for sports and other winter activities as well. These jackets can be two jackets that can be combined into one. This way, the jacket can be used in the Spring and Fall as well. These jackets are very versatile and can be used in a lot of ways.

Choosing The Insulation

Down

I love down filling because the warmth that this provides is amazing. There are lot of people who love down because this is warmer than synthetic. It is easy to see that this filing is very lightweight which makes the jackets very light as well. This material is very good and I love it but it is also cost a lot. Whenever down filling gets wet, it loses all of its warmth and insulating properties.

Synthetic

Items that have this will usually be very warm and cozy. This does not provide the same warmth and insulation when compared to down though. I love that this is very affordable or a lot more affordable than down. This can provide warmth even when it gets wet. Synthetic filling is a lot heavier when compared to down.

Fleece

Using this material to make fillings for jackets is a great idea. Fleece can repel water very easily without sacrificing any of its attributes. This material is very lightweight as well. This is very good at providing warmth and insulation but not as good as down or synthetic. Cleaning this material is very straight forward and very easy.

Choosing The Waterproofing Technology

Gore-Tex

Gore-Tex is very popular and lots of jackets, shoes and different types of clothes use Gore-Tex to create a waterproof outer layer. Gore-Tex membrane have tiny holes that prevent water molecules from getting in but at the same time, the holes are large enough for water vapor molecules. Gore-Tex allows sweat to evaporate but repels rain water from getting in.

Event

Some companies use eVent rather than Gore-Tex to waterproof their jackets. The eVent fabric will have billions of microscopic pores that will allow the sweat to evaporate. A lot of clothes, hiking gear, and sports related apparel use eVent.

Parts Of A Winter Jacket

Hoodie

Hoodies provide protection against the rain and snow. More importantly, hoodies provide warmth and insulation as well. Most winter jackets will have a hoodie. Most jackets will also allow the user to take it out or hide the hoodie if the user is not using it.

Pockets

Pockets are great. We can have a place to store gadgets, devices, money, wallets and more if the jacket has pockets. The downside with pockets is that the extra fabric adds weight. So the more pockets the jacket has, the more extra weight it will have also.

Closures

Closures prevent water from getting inside the jacket. There are wrist closures, hood closures, waist closures and more. These can be closed using a drawstring or Velcro. These do a great job at keeping the user dry but they also stop ventilation from getting to the body or skin.

Zippers

There are many ways to add zippers to a jacket. Zippers to close the jacket. Zippers to close the pockets. You can put zippers to attach or combine two jackets together. Companies can coat the zippers to be water repellent as well. However, this coating does disappear in time.

Things To Consider

Comfort

We have to make sure that the item we are going to get is very comfortable. There are lots of jackets that are not very comfortable to have. They are either too small, too big, some parts are too tight, your mobility decreases and so on. One of the main things we have to look for is how comfortable it is going to be.

Weight

Hiking in the winter is tough. One of the reasons for that is because your winter clothes are going to be very heavy. Your survival depends on your clothes. So your clothes will be heavy. However, there are some jackets that are very lightweight and provide a lot of warmth. They are very expensive though. It is something to think about though. The less weight that you carry, the easier it is to hike.

Waterproof

Not all winter jackets are waterproof. Some are very warm but provide no protection against rain. It is important that you make sure that the item that you are getting is waterproof if it is going to be your outermost jacket. If water gets into the jacket, it is going to become heavy. It is really hard to walk when you are carrying a lot of weight.

Warmth

Make sure that the jacket is very warm. Hypothermia can kill you. It is one of the common things that kill hikers. They die due to hypothermia. Make sure that you are wearing the right gear. Weather can become very unpredictable at the higher elevations. Make sure that you come prepared and you are wearing items that will keep you warm.

Style

The last thing you want to think about is style. I like to look good but I’m not going to sacrifice warmth and protection from the weather from it. Having said that, stylish jackets are awesome. I love jackets so I always have lots of them that make me look good. They just make people look more handsome and look more professional. You can be a beginner and look professional just by the jacket that you are wearing.

Best Winter Hiking Jackets

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1. Arc’teryx Fission SV Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 1.32 pounds
Insulated: Synthetic Insulation
Waterproof: Air permeability and Weather resistance
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: N80p-X GORE-TEX, breathable insulation, weather resistant outer surface, efficient movement and protection in alpine environments

Short Review: This winter hiking jacket is among the finest that you can get. I love Arc’teryx  and their jackets are amazing. This one is very warm. The price is very high but very worth it. This is pretty useful to have if you love to go hiking in cold weather. It could literally save your life or prevent frostbite. This item is great. If you want to stay warm while doing a day hike then this is a great choice. It is very stylish also and can be used for climbing, backpacking, outdoor activities or just going out to a restaurant during winter.

2. SPYDER Men’s Leader Gore-Tex Snow Sport Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 1 lb
Insulated: 3M Thinsulate Insulation with Extra Warmth
Waterproof: Windproof, Waterproof, & Breathable
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Wool-Like 2L with GORE-TEX Laminate and PFCecFree DWR, 100% Polyester, fully seam taped, removable helmet

Short Review: I recommend at least taking a look at this outdoor jacket for the reason that this may be the one that you want. Spyder jackets are very popular and lots of skiers and snowboarders use them as well. This item really gets the job done. A great jacket that can be used for different types of outdoor activities. Made out of Gore-Tex laminate and has DWR coating. Excellent wind, water and weather protection. This is lighter than most winter jackets I have tried. Solidly built outdoor jacket that provides a lot of warmth and very useful.

3. The North Face Men’s Gotham Jacket III

Technical Specs
Weight: 49.6 oz
Insulated: 550 fill goose down
Waterproof: Yes
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Dryvent waterproof, breathable technology utilizes a polyurethane (PU) coating, snap-off, removable, faux-fur ruff

Short Review: This is an awesome winter jacket that you will discover in the Internet. Another great jacket from North Face. This looks fantastic and works great. I am grateful I bought it and will look for other similar items down the road. Multiple pockets are great because they can store additional items or hiking accessories. I love the lightweight material this is created out of which makes this ideal for the outdoors and hiking. Protects against the cold, weather and repels water as well.

4. Helly-Hansen 65551 Men’s Alpha 3.0 Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 15.87 Ounces
Insulated: Primaloft Gold Insulation
Waterproof: DWR Finish
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Fully seam sealed, durable water repellency treatment (dwr), fully insulated, primaloft gold insulation in body, primaloft black hi-loft 80g in sleeves and hood

Short Review: One important thing I love concerning this ski jacket is that it is very high-quality. This one is from Helly Hansen. I just love their jackets. The jackets that they have are so beautiful. I just look so amazing whenever I wear their jackets. I could fall in love with this brand just because they make me look good. This one is very warm also and can be used for skiing and other types of outdoor activities. It is meant for skiing but I use it for hiking as well. It is warm, feels good on the body and keeps the person very comfortable even when the weather is very cold on the outside.

5. Wantdo Men’s Mountain Waterproof Ski Jacket Windproof Rain Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: Not Available
Insulated: Super soft and warm fleece lining
Waterproof: Yes
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Professional water repellent coated, fuzzy lining and durable fabric with 2400 polyester fiber

Short Review: I have been testing plenty of winter hiking jackets, and this is is pretty good. I like that this is pretty resilient. This is very inexpensive as well and people can choose different kinds of colors to suit their needs or style. There are a large amount of men and women that really like this jacket and I wanted to recommend a cheap one that is also very good in quality. If I take into consideration the functionality, price and durability of this item, then I can safely say it is really good.

6. TSLA Men’s Winter Ski Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.44 Pounds
Insulated: Soft-Touch Fuzzy Lining
Waterproof: Yes
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Multi-layer construction is a combination of anti-static fabric, insulation padding, and duratex ripstop, detachable hoodie with velcro and pullcord is for easy fasten and quick adjustability

Short Review: This is an amazing winter hiking jacket that you will find over the Internet. This is a very warm jacket that can be used for skiing, snowboarding, casual wear and for other outdoor activities. The inner layer is very warm and provides a lot of insulation which will keep the user warm even if the weather is very cold. This outdoor item is good to have and this works well also. This is an exceptionally stylish item with extraordinary performance for the price. The jacket is very beautiful and it is very stylish. For the price, it is definitely a discount.

7. Eddie Bauer Men’s EverTherm Down Hooded Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 12.64 oz
Insulated: Yes
Waterproof: StormRepel Duper DWR
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Thindown technology provides maximum warmth, minimum loft with no down leakage, StormRepel Super DWR

Short Review: One thing I realize for certain is that this outdoor jacket is incredibly good. Eddie Bauer is a great brand or company but the jackets they have are also pretty expensive. This jacket is very high quality and fits very nice as well. This is very warm and provides a lot of comfort during the winter. A very good hiking winter jacket that will lasts for years to come. Coated with DWR as well which repels water very well.

8. Marmot mens Fordham Jacket 73870

Technical Specs
Weight: 2lbs 11.8oz
Insulated: 700 fill poer down insulation
Waterproof: Not Available
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Membrain 100% polyester herringbone twill fabric, 700 fill power down insulation with down defender

Short Review: I am loving this exceptional hiking jacket. This has a great deal of positive customer reviews which is a good indication that this jacket is amazing. This is very warm like warmer than a lot of jackets I have. The simple fact that this is really high quality should give men and women plenty of peace of mind that they are acquiring a very good item. Marmot has a lot of other outdoor and hiking jackets as well but I think this one is the best. It is not the most stylish but it is very effective or works well for outdoor activities.

9. Columbia Men’s Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.71 lbs
Insulated: Omni-Heat
Waterproof: Omni-Tech
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: waterproof-breathable outer shell and multiple handy features, best winter-essential technology, this jacket aims to protect and keep you ultra-warm: our signature thermal reflective liner features breathable material with little silver dots that reflect body heat

Short Review: This winter jacket is one of the greatest that you can get. This is very affordable and pretty warm as well. This item works well for the winter months and feels very good on the skin. You get two pieces or two jackets that you combine together. One is an outer shell for rainy weather and the other is the inner layer to provide insulation. This is meant to be very comfortable and people love the soft material this is made out of. This is an extremely amazing item with a really great price. The only drawback is that I really like older version of this. I think the older version is a little bit better.

10. Helly-Hansen Mens SOGN Shell 2.0 Waterproof Ski Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.45 lbs
Insulated: LIFALOFT insulation
Waterproof: Water Repellency treatment
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Extremely waterproof and breathable designs and constructions, for highly aerobic, extremely wet or unusually long-lasting activities in extremely harsh conditions, matte shell fabric, life pocket, Hi-vis hood brim, RECCO, Fusion modular system jacket

Short Review: You should check out this outdoor winter jacket simply because it might be the jacket that you are looking for. This item is terrific because of its exquisite design and it can provide warmth and protection in the winter months. Helly Hansen is an amazing company that creates amazing jackets. The jackets that they  create are very beautiful. It is the same for this one. This one makes me look so good. I look so cool with this jacket. It is very comfortable also and very warm. A great jacket to have for hiking and backpacking in the winter months.

11. Outdoor Research Men’s Tungsten Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 28.0 oz
Insulated: Yes
Waterproof: Waterproof
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Tungsten GORE-TEX Jacket and Pants for when snow, ice, and wind are guaranteed to send the less prepared home, GORE-TEX waterproof protection, and durable VerticalX insulation ensure no temperature can get in the way between you and the mountain.

Short Review: This is among the best winter hiking jackets. The insulation is amazing which makes this ideal for very cold weather. If you are planning on hiking in the winter then this is a good choice. It is very warm so it cannot be used for Fall weather. The weight is very light while providing a lot of warmth. Outdoor research has a lot of jackets that I like. A lot of them are not affordable though. This one is very warm and breathable also which allows sweat to evaporate. This fantastic company consistently create awesome items like this one.

12. Columbia Mens Lhotse III Interchange Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.65 Pounds
Insulated: Omni-Heat
Waterproof: Omni-Tech
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: patented Heat Reflective garments are the ultimate body heat management system for outdoor performance, proprietary technology provides air-permeable protection that’s waterproof and breathable

Short Review: There are tons of people who like this outdoor jacket. This is a jacket from Columbia. Columbia is one of the first jackets that I have ever worn. The jacket has two parts. One inner layer for insulation and an outer layer for rainy weather. The jacket can be combined together or used separately depending on the weather. A very good item to have if you love the outdoors and this provides a lot of warmth as well. It looks cool and stylish so it works well for casual wear also.

13. Spyder Men’s Whistler GTX

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.38 Pounds
Insulated: 3M Thinsulate Insulation
Waterproof: GoreTex
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Whistler is a locked-and-loaded option for those seeking a ski jacket that balances freeride progression with clean sophistication, 3M thinsulate insulation and highly visible colors make it pop, inside and out

Short Review: I like this winter jacket. This is another amazing jacket from Spyder. This is rather durable and it can provide warmth and protection in the winter months plus this looks amazing also. Spyder jackets look amazing as long as they don’t get dirty which is impossible. This jacket just screams very high quality or that it is very expensive. This is very comfortable and I can move freely while wearing it. Can be used for outdoor activities or can be used at home also or for hanging out. This has a functional design and that’s why a large amount of people gave this item a wonderful review.

14. CAMEL CROWN Ski Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 10.4 oz
Insulated:
Waterproof: DWR coating
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: waterproof level is 10000mm/H2O, breathability is 3000 g, and all the zippers are in waterproof design, shell is made of strong textile fiber fabric material, which can reduce the risk of accidental injury

Short Review: If you are searching for an outstanding cold weather jacket then you’ll need to look at this. This feels good on the skin and this is very comfortable which is why and I know lots of people are satisfied with this item as well. This comes in various colors and has a very affordable price. This is coated with DWR which repels water rather easily. It has a hood, and protects the neck also. Beautiful and exquisite jacket to have that is also very durable. If you are going to obtain something that can provide warmth and protection in the winter months and has an affordable price tag, then you must look at this.

15. FREE SOLDIER Men’s Waterproof Ski Snow Jacket

Technical Specs
Weight: 2.07 Pounds
Insulated: Inner fuzzy fleece lining
Waterproof: Durable Water-Repellent (DWR)
Windproof: Yes
Feature Summary: Wear resisting soft shell is highly wind resistant and warmth, waterproof winter jacket will keep you dry and comfortable when you are outside, protects you from rain, snow and misty weather

Short Review: This is another amazing winter hiking jacket that I really like. Durable and waterproof, which are both great combinations when choosing clothing gear for hiking. This is very popular and one of the major reasons is due to the fact this has a good amount of positive consumer feedback. The fact that this is very warm and feels good on the body are some of the major reasons why a lot of people like this. This comes in various designs but I really like the camouflage one better. It looks great for skiing, snowboarding and for casually going out also. A very good jacket that works well for lots of outdoor activities.