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.

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Best Packable Jackets for Women and Men of 2023

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 for Women:

Best Overall

Athleta Mendocino Coat

Athleta Mendocino Coat

Athleta

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 Essentials Lightweight Water-Resistant Jacket

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 Packable Puffer

Girlfriend Collective

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

Best Sustainable

Patagonia Lost Canyon Women’s Jacket

Patagonia Lost Canyon Womens Jacket

Patagonia

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

Orvis Pack-and-go Jacket

Amazon

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

Outerknown Phoenix Puffer

Wearwell

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 Eco Space Hoodie

Aether

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

AKHG Men's Livengood Packable Insulated Shirt Jac

Duluth Trading

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

Best Budget for Men

Champion Men’s Jacket

Champion Men’s Jacket

Academy

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

Rab Microlite Alpine Down Jacket

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

Eddie Bauer Men's CirrusLite Down Jacket

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 Men’s Insulator Jacket

Moosejaw

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.

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