Low temperatures are no obstacle for hiking if you dress well so that you are warm and comfortable. An insulated jacket is one of the most important pieces of winter hiking clothing because it reduces your body heat loss by trapping the body-warmed air within its insulation. Insulated jackets also offer some basic protection against rain, snow and wind – depending on face fabric and the insulation material (down or synthetic). Below we selected the best winter hiking jackets with synthetic insulation. Jackets with synthetic insulation differ from down jackets by providing good warmth even if they get exposed to moisture (rain, snow, high humidity etc.) – which makes them more versatile. They also dry faster and are less expensive than down jackets. However, down jackets offer a better weight-to-warmth ratio and pack smaller.

In this selection we only listed lightweight and warm winter hiking jackets. If you are planning to mostly hike in cold but dry conditions, we recommend that you instead check out our selection of the Best Down Jackets. For those who are looking for an insulation layer for more moderate temperatures we have also made a side-by-side review of the Best Fleece Jackets.

1. Our Picks of The Best Winter Hiking Jackets

1. Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody
2. Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket
3. Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody
4. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
5. Montane Icarus Jacket

2. Comparison of Winter Hiking Jackets

Feature/Product	Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody	Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket	Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody	Patagonia Nano Puff	Montane Icarus
Average Weight	12.7 oz.	20.1 oz.	16.7 oz.	11.9 oz.	15 – 19 oz. (depending on the model)
Average Weight (Metric)	360 g	569 g	475 g	337 g	430 - 540 g (depending on the model)
Insulation	Coreloft	VerticalX	PrimaLoft Silver	PrimaLoft Gold	PrimaLoft ThermoPlume
Insulation Weight	60 g/m2	60 g/m2	60 g/m2	60 g/m2	40-80 g/m2
Outer Layer Material	20D Nylon	20D – 30D Polyester	Schoeller	22D Nylon	Pertex Quantum Eco
Pockets	3	3	3	3	3
Hood	Yes	Yes	Yes	No (hooded model is available)	Yes

3. The Selection

1. Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Everyday use

The Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody is a warm and highly functional winter jacket. It has a face fabric made of DWR- treated 20-denier nylon which offers good weather protection and abrasion-resistance. The jacket has panels made of Polartec Power Stretch material on the sides for increased breathability and mobility. The insulation layer (60 g/m2) uses Coreloft polyester fibers of different sizes for the best performance. The Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody is also equipped with a fully adjustable and helmet-compatible hood (drawcord at the back) for increased protection in bad weather. Additionally, the jacket features two hand pockets, an internal chest pocket, adjustable hem and articulated elbows which allow great freedom of movement. As the jacket is not bulky, it can be worn under a shell layer. For easy storage the jacket can also be stowed into its own pocket. The Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody is a great insulated jacket as it offers good versatility. Therefore, it is highly appreciated among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Women's Version: Available - Arcteryx Women's Atom LT Hoody

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

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2. Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Everyday use

The Outdoor Research Refuge jacket is heavier than the Arcteryx Atom LT Hoody jacket above, but also warmer. The jacket has a face fabric made of 20 and 30-denier polyester which is windproof, water-resistant and very durable. Between the face fabric and the lining is the VerticalX insulation (60 g/m2). The VerticalX high-performance insulation is developed by Outdoor Research and features different types of yarns to ensure loft (warmth) and good breathability. The jacket also features ActiveTemp lining which keeps you dry and comfortable. It is equipped with a fully adjustable hood, elastic cuffs, adjustable hem, two zippered hand pockets and a zippered chest pocket. It can be compressed inside its own pocket for easier storage. The Outdoor Research Refuge jacket is a great choice for mountaineers and hikers who need a versatile insulation garment for their adventures in cold conditions.

Women's Version: Available - Outdoor Research Women's Refuge Jacket

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

3. Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Everyday use

Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is slightly heavier than the jackets reviewed above but it is also warmer. The jacket features face fabric made of the well-known Schoeller softshell material (93% nylon, 7% elastane) which is not only super lightweight but also provides great tear-resistance and weather protection. The face fabric is DWR-treated which additionally increases the protection against rain. The Black Diamond jacket uses PrimaLoft Silver insulation (60 g/m2) which is constructed with two different sizes of fibers for great loft and high thermal efficiency. The PrimaLoft Silver insulation is also known for retaining up to 85% of its original warmth when exposed to water due to the hydrophobic nature of its fibers. Additionally, the jacket has a fully-adjustable and helmet-compatible hood, underarm gussets and two zippered hand pockets. The jacket can be packed into the internal chest pocket for easy transportation in your backpack. All in all, the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is a great choice for hiking and mountaineering in very cold weather.

Women's Version: Available - Black Diamond Women's First Light Stretch Hoody

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

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4. Patagonia Nano Puff

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Everyday use

The Patagonia Nano Puff is a super lightweight (it weighs merely 12 ounces) jacket for hiking, mountaineering and other outdoor activities. The jacket features PrimaLoft Gold insulation which is highly compressible and has a down-like touch. However, unlike down, the PrimaLoft Gold insulation retains warmth even if it gets exposed to moisture or rain. The insulation is covered by 22-denier nylon face fabric which is treated with DWR. Therefore, the jacket also offers protection against rain and wind. As this fabric is very stretchy the jacket provides great freedom of movement and comfort. The Patagonia Nano Puff is also equipped with elastic cuffs, an adjustable hem, two zippered hand pockets and an internal zippered chest pocket. The internal zippered chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack. The Patagonia Nano Puff is best for those who need comfortable insulation wear that offers great freedom of movement.

Women's Version: Available - Patagonia Women's Nano Puff

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

5. Montane Icarus Jacket

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Everyday use

The Montane Icarus jacket is very popular among hikers and mountaineers because it is very warm, packs small and provides great durability. The jacket uses the PrimaLoft ThermoPlume insulation which has a great warmth-to-weight ratio. The Pertex Quantum ECO outer fabric is windproof, quick-drying and water-repellant. The lining is made of the PEAQ synthetic fabric which provides good breathability and dries exceptionally fast. The Montane Icarus jacket also features two large hand pockets, a large zippered chest pocket, elastic cuffs and an adjustable hem. The hood is fully adjustable and helmet compatible. The Montane Icarus jacket is a great option for hikers, mountaineers, backpackers and all other outdoor enthusiasts. It is available in four different models: Icarus, Icarus Stretch, Icarus Lite and Icarus Micro. The Stretch model has stretchy fleece fabric on the sides while the Lite model weighs only 15 ounces. The Micro model does not have a hood.

Women's Version: Available - Montane Phoenix Women's Jacket

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

4. Buying a Winter Hiking Jacket with Synthetic Insulation – What is important?

Insulation

Synthetic insulation is in most cases made of fluffy polyester fibers which mimic the structure of down clusters. The polyester fibers are of different sizes to create loft so that the body-warmed air can be efficiently trapped into small air pockets between them. As polyester absorbs very little moisture (maximum 0.4 % of its own weight), polyester-based synthetic insulation retains its loft (and thus warmth) even if it gets exposed to rain/moisture. Some manufacturers develop their own synthetic insulations – for example Arcteryx (Coreloft) and Mountain Hardwear (Thermal.Q) while others use high-quality insulations from brands such as PrimaLoft, G-Loft, Polartec and Climashield.  Normally a high-quality synthetic insulation can provide similar warmth to a 600 fill-power goose down. For more information about insulation materials, check out our article Comparison of Mid-Layer Materials. If you are not sure whether to buy a jacket with synthetic insulation or down jacket, check out our article Down vs Synthetic Jackets.

Face Fabric

The face fabric of an insulated jacket should provide good abrasion-resistance as well as basic protection against the rain and wind. Therefore, the face fabric is usually made of nylon which is treated with DWR (Durable Water Repellant) so that it repels the water instead of absorbing it. Nylon can have different denier values – the higher the number, the heavier and more durable the fabric. Some insulated jackets also utilize a wind-blocking or waterproof/breathable membrane in their face fabrics for increased weather protection. Read our article Comparison of Shell Materials for more information about face fabrics. To learn how to properly layer your clothes for hiking check out our Hiking Clothing Guide.

Warmth

Warmth is the most important factor of a winter hiking jacket. The warmth of a jacket depends on the material (loft and amount of insulation), fit and design. The more insulation the jacket has, the warmer it is. Loft also increases warmth because high loft materials trap more body-warmed air. Slim jackets with long hemlines are more thermally efficient than loose fit jackets. However, it’s important to note that warmer is not always better. You should buy a jacket that provides the right warmth for conditions you expect to encounter. It makes no sense to buy a too warm or a too cold jacket.

Water Resistance

Winter jackets are not waterproof, but they do provide a certain level of water resistance. The face fabric is usually treated with DWR and so is the insulation. Due to DWR treatment, the jacket doesn’t absorb water but repels it. That means that the jacket will take longer to get soaked than other garments. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that a winter jacket is not a great garment for hiking in rainy water. In rainy weather it’s better to wear a rain jacket over the winter jacket.

Weight

The weight of an insulated jacket greatly depends on the quality of the insulation (warmth-to-weight ratio) – if the insulation is of low quality, more of it is required to provide good warmth. Here we only listed jackets with a good warmth-to-weight ratio as lightweight clothing and equipment allow you to hike faster and more efficiently. Learn more about this in our article Why hike lightweight.

Compressibility

Winter hiking jackets are often too warm to be worn during strenuous activities. They are often worn only during pauses and when the intensity decreases. For example, when you are descending from a mountain. That means your winter jacket will spend a lot of time in your backpack. Compressible jackets are easier to carry. It’s also a great benefit if a jacket has a (integrated) stuff sack.

Hood

When it comes to choosing between an insulated jacket with or without a hood, you need to consider how much you would actually use the hood. A hood offers additional insulation and does not increase the weight of the garment significantly. However, hooded versions are usually slightly more expensive.  This review of the best winter hiking jackets includes four hooded jackets and one jacket which is available with or without a hood.

Pockets

A winter hiking jacket should be equipped with well-placed pockets for storing essential items. Pockets should allow easy access even when wearing a backpack or a climbing harness.

5. Questions and Answers