Travel Products Style Apparel Outerwear The 12 Best Packable Jackets for Women and Men of 2023 Athleta’s Mendocino Coat and Aether’s Eco Space Hoodie are our top picks. By Alesandra Dubin Alesandra Dubin Instagram Twitter Website Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 21, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Tips for Buying FAQ Why Trust T+L We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan If you’ve ever gotten off the plane in a cold climate and immediately regretted your packing choices, you probably know that a packable jacket is a travel essential for women and men. An ideal choice should pack small and light, and emerge from its cramped quarters wrinkle free and ready for prime time. Our favorite packable jacket for women is the Atheta’s Mendocino Coat for its go-anywhere chicness and warmth, and our top pick for men is Aether’s Eco Space Hoodie, which is refined and versatile. But whether you’re prioritizing weight, style, warmth, or price point, our list includes picks for every wish list. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Athleta Mendocino Coat at Gap.com Jump to Review Best Budget: Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant Jacket at Amazon Jump to Review Best Puffer: Girlfriend Collective Packable Puffer at Girlfriend.com Jump to Review Best Sustainable: Patagonia Lost Canyon Jacket at Christysports.com Jump to Review Most Versatile: Orvis Pack-and-go Jacket at Amazon Jump to Review Best Lightweight : Outerknown Phoenix Puffer at Shopwearwell.com Jump to Review Best Overall for Men: Aether Eco Space Hoodie at Aetherapparel.com Jump to Review Best Lightweight for Men: AKHG Packable Insulated Shirt Jac at Duluthtrading.com Jump to Review Best Budget for Men: Champion Men’s Jacket at Zappos Jump to Review Best Puffer for Men: Rab Alpine Down Jacket at REI Jump to Review Our Top Picks for Women: Best Overall Athleta Mendocino Coat Athleta View On Gap.com Why We Love It Packable, sustainable, size inclusive, machine washable, warm, and just plain cute, this jacket does at all. What to Consider Some buyers found the shape too boxy, with too much material. Consider sizing down. This jacket has all the desirable qualities in one: it’s warm, packable, water repellent, and it looks super cute to boot. Made of a synthetic alternative to down insulation called Primaloft Eco, it has a water-resistant fabric finish to repel water. This jacket is a looker, and comes in versatile black or chic white. It has an internal drawcord that sits above the natural waist so you can cinch for definition — even in a cold-weather coat. It also features side zip pockets to keep your essentials secure in bustling traveling situations. Made with high-performance recycled nylon, it’s a sustainable choice. And the pièce de résistance: it’s machine washable and dryable, too. Price at time of publish: $229 The Details: XXS-3XL in tall, regular, or petite | Recycled nylon, Premaloft Eco insulation Best Budget Amazon Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant Jacket Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It This value-priced jacket has a faux-shearling lining for extra coziness. Plus, it comes in five colorways, and it’s fully machine washable. What to Consider The sizing on this coat runs small, so consider sizing up. Amazon Essentials does it again with this highly serviceable option at a budget price point. Made of 100 percent nylon with a zipper closure, this lightweight puffer jacket comes in four solid colors (black, camel, olive, and navy) along with a floral print option. Faux-shearling-lined hand warmer front pockets make this one extra cozy. And it’s machine washable for ease. Price at time of publish: $65 The Details: XS-XXL | Nylon Best Puffer Girlfriend Collective Packable Puffer Girlfriend Collective View On Girlfriend.com Why We Love It Lightweight, versatile, and sustainably made, this jacket literally packs into its own built-in bag. What to Consider While lightweight and highly packable, this jacket doesn’t provide the warmth of some bulkier puffer jackets. This puffer jacket isn’t just packable by virtue of being lightweight — it actually packs up into a built-in bag in the inner pocket. With an outer shell and filling made of 100 percent recycled plastic bottles (RPET), this jacket is sustainable as well as warm, water repellent, and wind-resistant. The fit is relaxed, with a cut that hits at low-hip length. Cinch the adjustable bungee at the bottom hem to keep cold air out so you stay warmer. Two side pockets and an outer chest pocket all have zipper closures for security while traveling. It also comes in six neutral hues. The Details: XS-XXL | Recycled plastic bottles The 14 Best Down Jackets of 2023 Best Sustainable Patagonia Lost Canyon Women’s Jacket Patagonia View On Christysports.com View On Patagonia.com Why We Love It Fair-trade certified and made with sustainable materials, this stylish jacket weighs just 16 ounces. What to Consider The pockets don’t zip, and there’s no hood. This soft and warm packable jacket weighs just 16 ounces and is made from 98 percent recycled materials. The polyester shell has a four-way stretch and a water-repellent coating, with Thermogreen recycled polyester lining. It zips all the way up (with a zip-through collar) and has a classic look in box quilting. Two front welted pockets have brushed tricot lining to keep hands cozy and warm (and valuables protected). A shortened length and boxy fit keep the look fresh, and make this one ideal for layering. It’s also fair-trade certified sewn. Price at time of publish: $199 The Details: XS-XXL | Polyester Most Versatile Orvis Pack-and-go Jacket Amazon View On Amazon View On Orvis.com Why We Love It This tailored jacket has a stow-away hood that rolls into the collar when you don’t need it, plus it packs down tiny into its own stuff sack. What to Consider Plan to use this jacket as a layering piece if you’ll be in especially cold weather. This smart-looking packable jacket goes just about anywhere with ease. Made of wind-resistant recycled polyester, it has a water-resistant coating inside and out as an additional barrier to keep moisture out. An interior sunglasses pocket comes complete with attached cleaner (genius). A stowaway hood is available when you need it, or rolls right into the collar when you don’t. Cinch the waist for a customized fit and tailored style. This jacked packs down small into a stuff sack, and comes in four versatile solid colors as well as a ripple-inspired print. Price at time of publish: $155 The Details: XS-XL | Recycled polyester Best Lightweight Outerknown Phoenix Puffer Wearwell View On Shopwearwell.com Why We Love It This compact jacket packs easily without bulk; it’s light as a feather and so easy to wear. What to Consider This jacket is lightweight but not warm enough for very cold climates, and it does not have a hood. This puffer is so lightweight, you’ll hardly know you're wearing it — no unpleasant bulk here! With a design inspired by vintage military jacket liners, this puffer has generously sized front patch pockets. The boxy fit slides easily over a hoodie. And this sustainable brand, accredited by the Fair Labor Association, uses almost entirely organic, recycled, or regenerated materials. Price at time of publish: $198 The Details: XS-XL | Recycled polyester Our Top Picks for Men: Best Overall for Men Aether Eco Space Hoodie Aether View On Aetherapparel.com Why We Love It This lightweight, sustainably-made piece has the comfort of a hoodie with the performance of a jacket. Not sure about shelling out for the splurge price point? It also comes with a lifetime guarantee. What to Consider While this jacket stands on its own in temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees, you’ll want an additional top layer for cooler conditions. This super lightweight and versatile jacket is an update to Aether’s original Space Hoodie (the signature piece that launched the brand). This piece is insulated with PrimaLoft Bio made from 100 percent recycled, biodegradable fibers. And there are tons of other sustainable details in the construction, too: even the zipper tape is made from recycled bottles, and the thread from recycled fibers. Think of this piece like a hoodie — comfy and easily wearable — but with a water- and wind-resistant surface that gives it a sleek, polished look. It comes in three goes-with-everything shades: black, white, and hunter green. This is meant to be a standalone jacket, but it can also serve as a high-performance midlayer in seriously cold environments. Price at time of publish: $350 The Details: XS-XXL | Recycled polyester ripstop fabric Best Lightweight for Men AKHG Men's Livengood Packable Insulated Shirt Jac Duluth Trading View On Duluthtrading.com Why We Love It This cool-looking jacket is ultra lightweight and even packs into its own internal pocket. What to Consider While sizing runs up to 3XL, the smallest available size is medium. This cool jacket is super lightweight and perfectly packable — in fact, it packs right into its own internal pocket. Made with ripstop fabric and Thermore insulation, this jacket is also coated with a finish that repels moisture. Gussets under the arms allow for easy movement, and added stretch keeps this one comfortable. And it’s highly functional for travel, with four internal pockets — two that snap closed at the chest and two hidden side-seam pockets for extra security. Choose from gray or red clay hues. Price at time of publish: $110 The Details: M-3XL | Thermore insulation, ripstop fabric The Best 16 Jean Jackets of 2023 Best Budget for Men Champion Men’s Jacket Academy View On Zappos View On Academy.com View On Champion.com Why We Love It This affordable and lightweight jacket packs into its own pocket, which even has a wrist strap for easy carrying. What to Consider This jacket is great for layering but it’s thin on its own with no insulation; you’ll need extra layers for real warmth. This affordable jacket is lightweight and easy on the wallet, and it’s packed with performance features. It’s made of water- and wind-resistant material to keep you dry and warm. Best of all, the whole jacket packs into a hidden pocket so you can toss it in your bag in case the weather changes. Stash essentials in the kangaroo pocket and a three-piece scuba hood has adjustable shock cords to keep out the elements. Price at time of publish: $30 The Details: S-2XL | Polyester micro poplin fabric Best Puffer for Men Rab Microlite Alpine Down Jacket REI View On REI Why We Love It This jacket is super lightweight, sustainably made, warm, and feature-rich. What to Consider Sizing runs small, so you’ll want to size up. This slim-fitting packable jacket is sustainably made and built for performance. It’s made with 100 percent recycled fabrics, including recycled down insulation. Water-repellent treatment allows moisture to bead up, not permeate, the surface. Two zippered hand pockets as well as a large zippered chest pocket allow convenient access for storage. The ripstop nylon fabric is both soft and highly packable, with a stuff sack included; it weighs in at just over a pound. It’s available in seven colors from neutral black or navy to standout red or green. Price at time of publish: $280 The Details: S-XXL | Recycled down, recycled nylon Best Versatile for Men Eddie Bauer Men's CirrusLite Down Jacket Amazon View On Amazon Why We Love It Versatile, packable, and warm, this jacket is also an excellent value and comes in 17 solid colors. What to Consider The down lining may shed feathers. This smart-looking packable jacket comes in 17 solid colors, so there’s an option for every wardrobe. It’s super light and highly packable, but still dependably warm with down filling and a higher neckline that keeps the heat in. The shell has a water-resistant finish that causes moisture to bead up and fall away, and zip pockets that keep small essentials secure. Price at time of publish: $70 The Details: S-3XL, regular and tall | Recycled nylon, recycled polyester Best Sustainable for Men Moosejaw Men’s Insulator Jacket Moosejaw View On Walmart View On Moosejaw.com Why We Love It Warm, cozy, and budget friendly, this jacket is made from 100 percent recycled material. What to Consider This well-insulated jacket has plenty of warmth, but is lacking a hood. This puffer jacket for cold weather has an outer shell and lining both made with 100 percent recycled polyester. The warm and cozy duck down is responsibly sourced. The water-repellent coating protects against the elements, and wind resistance keeps the cold out and warmth in, while stretchy wrist openings fit snugly to trap heat inside. Zipped hand pockets are lined for even more warmth, and an interior chest pocket zips closed to keep essentials secure. Choose from navy, black, brown, or gray. Price at time of publish: $85 The Details: S-3XL (regular), M-2XL (tall) | Recycled polyester Tips for Buying the Best Packable Jackets Choose something lightweight Especially at a time when luggage mishandling and loss is rampant — and the cost of checking additional bags can approximate the cost of an airline ticket — it’s important to pick a packable jacket that is lightweight and compact, so it won’t add much additional bulk or weight to your luggage or carry-on. This can become even more essential if you’re, say, camping or hiking, and planning to carry your gear on your back. Consider a wrinkle-resistant fabric Cramming a jacket into a small suitcase can cause serious wrinkles, resulting in a garment that doesn’t look its best — and therefore can’t help you look your best — when you get to your destination. And steaming, ironing, or otherwise caring for your jacket may require time, tools, and inclination you just don’t have. That’s why looking for wrinkle-resistant fabrics is key to shopping for packable jackets. It’s never fun to break out the iron as soon as you get to your hotel room. Since there’s a good chance you’ll end up wearing your jacket while in transit, you should still arrive at your destination looking fresh if you choose a wrinkle-resistant fabric like polyester, wool, or rayon. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best way to pack a jacket? Pack a jacket by first zipping it all the way up. Then tuck the sleeves back, fold in half, and roll up. You might also carry your jacket hanging on a garment bag if you’re traveling with one. Are packable jackets warm? While some of the warmest jackets come with a lot of weight and bulk, and therefore aren’t ideal for packing, packable jackets can also be warm. Look for performance-minded insulation, and details such as hoods, lining, pockets, and even tailoring like elasticized cuffs that can help retain heat. Why Trust Travel + Leisure For this article, T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin used her experience as a travel and lifestyle writer and professional product reviewer, as well as research, to determine the best packable jackets. The 16 Best Lightweight Jackets for Women and Men Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit