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What are the best jackets for men, exactly? We're glad you asked. When it comes to building a proper wardrobe, there is perhaps no more essential task than assembling a strong and stylish lineup of outerwear. Choosing the best jackets for you is a little like playing Street Fighter: You've got a couple dozen characters—each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and personalities—and the fighter you choose says a little something about how you like to roll. The only difference is that there are no black eyes or losers—everybody wins when you've got a killer jacket on.
The Best Jackets Shopping Guide
- The Trucker Jacket: Levi's Trucker Jacket, $90
- The Chore Coat: Alex Mill Garment Dyed Work Jacket, $195
- The Golf Jacket: Baracuta G9 Modern Classic Jacket, $312
- The Work Jacket: Dickie's Insulated "Eisenhower" Front-Zip Jacket, $68
- The Parka: Rains Waterproof Fishtail Parka, $155
- The Track Jacket: Adidas Essentials Warm-Up 3-Stripes Track Pop,
$55$35 - The Windbreaker: Nike Sportswear Windrunner Jacket, $100
- The Rain Jacket: Patagonia Slate Sky Jacket, $199
- The Waxed Jacket: Barbour Classic Bedale Wax Jacket, $385
- The Anorak: Battenwear Packable Anorak,
$295$177 - The Trench Coat: Burberry “The Kensington” Mid Cotton Gabardine Trench Coat, $2590
- The Leather Jacket: Schott Waxed Natural Pebbled Cowhide Cafe Leather Jacket, $975
- The Fleece Jacket: Patagonia Classic Retro-X Windproof Fleece Jacket, $229
- The Bomber Jacket: Alpha Industries CWU 45/P Flight Jacket, $200
- The Puffer Jacket: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket, $330
- The Topcoat: Todd Snyder Italian Donegal Wool Balmacaan, $1398
The world of jackets runs wide and deep, full of permutations and offshoots and minor genus, so we decided to break things down as broadly and simply as possible for you. Here are the coats and jackets you really, truly need to know. The verified classics, the timeless icons, the always-in-style fit saviors. Whether you're in need of a light layer that'll get you through a brisk morning walk to the cafe or you're in dire straits, searching high and low for an indestructible coat to slice through bomb cyclones, we've pounded the digital pavement to lay it all out for you. They're the best jackets for men, come winter or spring, rain or shine, weeknight hang or black tie ball. Get familiar.
The Trucker Jacket
Trucker jackets are about as flattering and versatile as outerwear gets. They're cut trim and short, which not only gives a good range of motion, but also visually lengthens your legs. And like all great garments, they only get better with age. Denim trucker jackets are the standard bearers, but the silhouette works wonders in everything from suede and canvas to nylon and corduroy. Like a pair of classic blue jeans, the trucker jacket goes with, well, everything: throw one over a button up and chinos for a relaxed take on prep, pull it on with a sweatsuit to bring some texture to your weekend kit, or go full Canadian tux like Martin Sheen in Badlands. Hell, you can even pull off a trucker jacket off with an actual tux if you're daring enough.
See more of the best trucker jackets here
The Chore Coat
Chore coats have just the right amount of pockets, enough room to layer, are usually made with a durable, mid-weight fabric, and aren't so overly-designed—a true all-season jacket that's pretty close to a perfect piece of outerwear. The chore coat isn't as flashy as other jackets, so it's less of a star and more of a supporting character. It can add depth to a hoodie or ease-up a button-up shirt. You can look to the OGs like Le Mont Michel and Vetra for authentic Bill Cunningham vibes, but every brand from Ralph Lauren to Comme Des Garçons offer a take on the classic, so there's bound to be one with your name on it.
See more of the best chore coats here
The Golf Jacket
Looking for something lightweight and slightly preppy? Try a golf jacket. You might know them as a Harrington jacket or a Drizzler jacket, but the concept is the same: a lightweight poplin or twill shell with a short body, elastic waist, and a collar that you can button up to cover your neck on chillier occasions. (Think of it as a variation on the work jacket.) You'll often find them with a tartan lining which calls back to their British roots, but this staple of the green was made popular in the States in the ‘60s and into the ’70s thanks to menswear icons like Elvis, James Dean, and, of course Steve McQueen. It looks at home over a polo or button-down shirt and pressed slacks, though it's equally dashing with a pair of jeans and boots.
See more golf and Harrington jackets here
The Work Jacket
Work jackets range from the barebones to the over-engineered, but are all designed to take on tough tasks. Usually, they're cut with a roomy silhouette and a hip-length for range of motion (great for high-waisted, wide-legged pants). Like trucker jackets, these jackets earn their beauty through hard work and wear. Carhartt's Detroit jacket is a perennial fave, beloved for its simplicity and patina potential.
See more of the best work jackets here
The Parka
Parkas are similar to anoraks in that they both have a hood. The key difference between the two comes down to functionality. Parkas usually have some kind of placket entry (as opposed to a pullover design) and are longer (about thigh or knee length). While parkas can be made with insulation to battle the harshest winters, they're often made in lighter, unlined fabrics geared toward spring and fall weather.
The Track Jacket
Hell-bent on building an unstoppable force to sprint their way to State Championships, the high school track coach also had a penchant for style, whether or not they knew it. The key to their unwitting swag? The track jacket. The full-zip mock neck jacket was usually made of a bouncy knit fabric made of some kind of synthetic material and often included ribbed hems to keep the wind out.— great for brisk mornings and mild spring weather. These days, the iconic piece of sportswear has ascended from the track to fashion trend to certified classic thanks to an ongoing obsession with sports uniforms which brought soccer gear to the runway. Brands like Needles and Wales Bonner leaned into the aesthetic and made it the hot piece of kit of many a fashion bro.
See more track jackets (and track suits) here
The Windbreaker
Windbreakers come in a variety of silhouettes, but the one commonality between them is the fabric. They're usually made of a lightweight fabric like nylon or a swishy sort of polyester that can block the wind. Sometimes, windbreakers are also packable which makes them great for stashing in your bag on standby for when the weather takes a gusty turn.
The Rain Jacket
If you're hardcore anti-umbrella but still very much pro-being dry, you need to have a rain jacket in your wardrobe. From old-school rubber joints to tech'd out Gore-Tex numbers, and of course, the effortlessly elegant trench coat, there's a rain jacket that will fit any vibe. There are even packable ones that will fit into your tote bag (you know, like an umbrella). Remember, if you're not wearing water-proof pants, you'll want to opt for a longer rain jacket that reaches at least thigh level.
See more of the best rain jackets here
The Waxed Jacket
For a more rustic and water-resistant feel, grab a waxed jacket. Yes, it falls under the umbrella of rain jackets, but it really deserves its own callout. It's the kind of kit you'll see on a swaggy old Briton, walking his Airedale terrier around the countryside, i.e. it looks great with a pair of corduroy pants and hardy boots. The fabric is usually a durable cotton canvas that's slathered with wax or oil to help slough rain, and comes with various pockets originally geared toward hunting. That heavy-duty fabric is also helpful in the brush and can protect you from sharp branches and thorns. Barbour is the most famous here, but there are handfuls of other brands that wax their own poetic.
See more of the best waxed jackets here
The Anorak
Prefer your outerwear with a hood? Anoraks and parkas are defined by their hooded attachments, saving you in a pinch when you've forgotten a beanie or an umbrella. Most versions are either designed to fit a military aesthetic or an outdoors vibe, which should slot neatly into almost every closet. Often, anoraks are great for windy and wet weather conditions, so look out for one made with a water-proof details such as a membrane shell like Gore-Tex or E-vent, as well as seam-sealed reinforcements.
The Trench Coat
If rain coats are a group of friends, the trench coat is the chic one from Paris. It's always dashing, no matter if it's paired with brogues or sneakers (maybe even more dashing!). It's certainly the most elegant in the rain, too. A classic tan trench coat never misses, but you can always opt for a hip black version or even a patterned joint for even more flare. Whichever way you take it, the trench is the most compelling case against umbrellas. Most trenches will come in some kind of dense, water-resistant fabric, but there are also lighter versions coated with special chemicals to make them waterproof. Some really great options are designed with a removable liner so that you can even wear the trench through the coldest months.
See more of the best trench coats here
The Leather Jacket
When you want to feel hot, you reach for a leather jacket. How do you think Neo demolished Agent Smith in The Matrix? A leather jacket. (Also, shoutout to the real leather daddy, Nicolas Cage.) There are plenty of flavors of leather jackets out there, from road-ready moto jackets to club-ready leather dusters to luscious suede bombers and more. You might not think of yourself as a leather jacket guy, but there is definitely a leather jacket that's right for you.
See more of the best leather jackets here
The Fleece Jacket
If your basis for purchasing a jacket is its proximity to a sweater, a fleece jacket is your jam. Have you ever looked at a sheep and thought, "that sheep looks mad uncomfortable"? Exactly. The fleece jacket is good for mild climes, great for fall and spring, and perfect for bringing out the gorp side of you. Fleece jackets can range in style, of course, but so can the fleece itself. Fluffier fleeces with deep piles have a ton of texture and warmth, but you may want to opt for a shallower fleece to cut down on bulk while keeping warm.
See more of the best fleece jackets here
The Bomber Jacket
The bomber jacket was originally made for high-altitude missions during World War II, but has enjoyed relevance on the ground ever since. (Thanks, James Bond!) Like the trucker jacket, a bomber jacket does wonders for your legs due to its cropped length. Tack on a pair of well-heeled boots and you can't help but feel like your on Cloud 9. Unlike most truckers, though, bomber jackets generally have a roomier silhouette, which is great if you want to pile on a thick sweater underneath. Often, bombers are made with tough nylon or a mix of wool and leather (basically a varsity jacket), but they can also come in some warm-weather friendly fabrics like cotton and linen.
See more of the best bomber jackets here
The Puffer Jacket
It's hard not to think of New York City when you think of a puffer jacket. Yes, there's that one Seinfeld episode, but there's also Frank Ocean in this immense orange joint, A$AP Rocky cruisin' through the streets in the infamous Gucci x The North Face puffer, and New York Nico in winter (also those Baby Yerrda memes). Despite its Big Apple attachments, the puffer jacket has range. You can obviously go full gorp from head to toe, all goth in a wild Rick Owens x Moncler ensemble, or just keep it regular in a pair of perfectly faded blue jeans a la Jennifer Aniston. However you puff, just make sure your jacket has enough room to layer underneath to keep the cold weather at bay—it is a winter jacket, after all.
See more of the best puffer jackets here
The Topcoat
Topcoats just make you feel luxe whether or not they come with a lofty price tag. That's because the extra length gives an outfit motion and drape, something you won't get with a shorter jacket. The added fabric also means there's a lot of real estate to make it a big statement piece, whether it's with texture or a pattern. Like the name suggests, it's supposed to go over other layers, so they're also cut generously which only adds to the ensemble. Like we said before, topcoats have a lot of different names. Whatever you call it, the sound is just as sweet.
