Outerwear — it doesn’t matter which part of the country you live in; this wardrobe staple is something we can utilize while navigating all of the seasons. That includes the start of fall, as crucial a time as any to make sure your outerwear situation is up to snuff. From durable waxed jackets to easy-to-layer denim jackets, the best men’s jackets work just as well atop a T-shirt as they do on your commute with a trusty chambray shirt. And when it’s time to hit the road on a seasonal getaway, your new favorite jacket will surely get the job done.
And that’s what we had in mind when creating this line-up. Don them on your morning walks with the dog or at those Friday night baseball games (COVID test permitting). From your light wash denim to your sleek, squeaky nylon, there are picks in here everyone can get behind.
Best Waxed Jacket: Belstaff Fieldmaster Jacket
Belstaff’s reputation precedes itself as far as investment-worthy jackets are concerned. Tough waxed cotton is exactly the kind of material you need to take on inclement weather, too.
Best Sherpa Jacket: Levi’s Sherpa Trucker Jacket
The classic minds behind the classic denim and jackets at Levi’s have come up with an upgraded way to wear your favorite denim jacket this season. They’ve added warming sherpa in a timeless silhouette. Wear this as often as you can on brisk days.
Best Puffer Jacket: L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Puffer Jacket
Think of this puffer jacket kind of like the outerwear version of your beloved “Bean Boots” from the venerable Northeast retailer. Pair them together for standout style and warmth in the cold.
Best Chore Coat: Buck Mason Felted Chore Coat
Leave it to Buck Mason to upgrade your outerwear rotation in a way that’s suitably rugged and Americana-inspired. This durable chore coat wears especially well with the brand’s iconic denim and a soft cotton T-shirt.
Best Field Jacket: Madewell Slim-Fit Field Jacket
A field jacket is practically built for any situation you can think of, and that goes for matters of form as well as function. Simply put, it looks great, can handle your everyday carry, and mixes both classic and modern style.
Best Lightweight Layer: Without Walls Textured Linen Overshirt
Without Walls makes a solid linen overshirt that’s perfect for those breezy summer nights. A tan colorway makes it incredibly easy to layer and will complement any casual fit. We can call this a cool, calm, and collected jacket.
Best Rain Jacket: Filson Swiftwater Rain Jacket
Brace yourselves, rain is coming. This Filson Swiftwater jacket has you covered though. Packable and weighing a noticeable 13.4 ounces, you’ll be able to get this bad boy out before the second droplet from the sky hits your shoulder.
Most Versatile: Patagonia Houdini Jacket
This Patagonia Houdini jacket reminds us of the jacket you should keep in the backseat of your car at all times. It’s supremely light — made with 100% recycled nylon — and dons moisture-wicking repellent. Use it to combat stubborn wind and random rain showers.
More Great Jackets We Love
Amazon Essentials Flannel-Lined Work Jacket
The colder months are as much a time for work as for play, and when your to-do list beckons, get a durable work jacket lined in warm flannel. This is Amazon’s take on the classic workwear jacket, available at a nice price.
Taylor Stitch HBT Jacket in Washed Navy
Is this a shirt, or a jacket, or both? It’s a bit of everything, which is exactly how San Francisco-based Taylor Stitch does things. It’s both rugged and yet easy to wear to the office in place of a blazer atop your favorite Oxford shirt.
Billy Reid Flight Bomber
There’s something about Billy Reid jackets that are absolutely perfect for brisk temperatures. This jacket, with its dry wax cotton construction and a slimmed-down silhouette for modern times, is about as good as it gets.
Todd Snyder x Legent Bourbon Selvedge Denim Jacket
With a rich color inspired by bourbon, this collaboration denim jacket is the ultimate in rugged-yet-versatile style for autumn and well beyond. Team it with blue selvedge denim for an exceptionally cool fall ensemble.
Tracksmith Boston Billy Jacket
Tracksmith is one of the best at tapping into collegiate prep styling. Why? Well, because they were doing it back when it was new to start with! They’ve stuck with their timeless silhouettes over the decades, and the Boston Billy is an excellent example of garments that will never go out of style. This nylon jacket is perfect for running and for wearing to dinner.
Dickies Eisenhower Jacket
The Eisenhower jacket is a workwear staple for a reason. Tough, water-resistant, and breathable, you can complement almost any outfit with this legacy jacket. Don’t believe us? Ask Kanye. Oh, and it’s forever affordable.
Simms Flyweight Shell Fishing Jacket
Recent trends suggest fishing has some pretty cool apparel to tap into. Simms is one of the brands representing the new attention. Their Flyweight Shell is great for a morning walk as much as it is for zooming around on your Uncle’s John Boat.
