Hiking in cold weather with temperatures well below freezing can be quite cold and you must protect yourself at all costs.
Therefore dressing appropriately when hiking in cold weather is a must if you want to enjoy the outdoors. It is possible to thrive with a perfect jacket.
Below is a list of the best hiking jackets for cold weather.
Best hiking jackets for cold weather
Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody
Insulation: Synthetic Insulation
Weight: Lightweight
Fabric: The fabric is made of DWR meaning it is water repellant and abrasion resistant.
Price: Expensive
Pockets: Two hand pockets
Hood: Hood is present
This is my best pick among the other hiking jackets for cold weather. The synthetic insulation is water repellant with a 20-denier nylon rating.
The fabric is breathable, durable, versatile, and aids mobility. Any hiker would love them seeing that they are featured with these qualities.
Columbia Whirlbird IV
Insulation: Thermarator Synthetic Insulation
Weight: Lightweight
Fabric: The fabric is water repellant
Price: Expensive
Pockets: Pockets present
Hood: Hood present
This is a versatile hiking jacket for cold weather with proper insulation that features a zip. The jacket has 3-in-1 functionality which means it is multi-layered.
Although it is a little bit expensive, it’s well worth it.
Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody
Insulation: Synthetic Insulation
Weight: Lightweight
Fabric: The fabric is Water repellant.
Price: Expensive
Pockets: Chest pocket available
Hood: Hood present
The material of the jacket is made with 93 nylon and 7 elastane. Although it is heavier than other review jackets, it is however lightweight.
It features PrimaLoft Silver insulation which makes the hiking jacket retain warmth due to the high thermal efficiency of this material.
Rab Neutrino Pro
Insulation: 800-fill-power down
Weight: Lightweight (1 lb. 5.5) but a little heavier
Fabric: The fabric is water repellant
Price: Expensive
Pockets: One inner pocket
Hood: hood present
This jacket provides warmth as it should because of its insulation type. It is quite resistant to different weather conditions.
Noteworthy is that it compresses down to portable size when not in use.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka
Insulation: 700-fill-power down
Weight: Lightweight (1 lb/ 8.7 oz.)
Fabric: The fabric is made of DWR meaning it is water repellant and abrasion resistant.
Price: Expensive
Pockets: No pockets
Hood: Hood present
This hiking jacket is not waterproof however it provides mobility based on its design, is compressible, and provides comfort, and durability.
I do not have much confidence in using them since I haven’t used one hence I prefer the first two hiking jackets above.
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What To Look For In a Hiking Jacket For Cold Weather
Insulation
Insulation is of three types; Down, Synthetic, and natural
Polyester fibers are often times used for the creation of great hiking jackets. It creates warmth and it’s soft to hold.
Weight
There’s a correlation between the quality of a jacket and the warmth it provides. This is generally because the more layered a hiking jacket for cold weather is, the heavier it becomes.
However, having a lightweight jacket is non-negotiable.
Fabric
A good fabric should be water repellant, especially the face fabric. Some insulated jackets possess a waterproof membrane for this reason.
The waterproof membrane is usually made of nylon and it is represented by a denier value.
Hood
A hiking jacket must not have a hood. However, a hood is an added advantage because it provides insulation to the head and neck in the absence of a head warmer.
This also means a hooded hiking jacket costs a little bit much than the regular one.
Pockets
A hiking jacket must not have pockets but it is worthy of consideration because the pocket would be an added advantage as it makes the storing and retrieving of items easier.
Price
The criterion shouldn’t be a big deal since hiking jackets are generally expensive. However, it is important if you have a budget.
What Next?
Choose one out of this list and enjoy.