Here at Carryology, we’re gear nerds. All gear. And one of the most important bits of gear you can spend your money on is a jacket. A trusty jacket is a necessity in anyone’s wardrobe, whether you’re looking for a stylish urban-friendly piece that protects against wind and showers or a rugged expedition jacket that can handle demanding outdoor use. With this in mind, we’ve been out testing some of the best jackets for men in 2024 to suit a variety of settings, needs, and budgets. Check them out!
Insulated Jackets
These jackets are for when the mercury plummets and you need some extra heat and weather protection, from Parkas to sleeker city options, these should have you covered, whatever your climate.
Alchemy Equipment AEM308 Performance Wool Down Coat (US$245 Alchemy Club price)
Carryology Credential: If you need a jacket that can do a bit of everything, while still looking sharp and sleek, this is it!
Alchemy Equipment are favourites of ours, and when it comes to jackets they know a thing or two! The AEM308 Performance Wool Down Coat is the epitome of Alchemy’s design language, providing the perfect balance of style and function. This is a jacket destined for urban exploration with it’s understated wool shell and PrimaLoft Black Down Blend insulation. Not only that, it’s weatherproofing is enhanced by sealed seams. I found this to be a high performing jacket for travel as it covers multiple bases. It’s smart enough to go out to dinner, warm enough for the colder months, and weatherproof enough for the drizzly days.
Storage wise it’s simple yet effective with two zippered hand pockets, and a zippered interior chest pocket. While this isn’t the warmest jacket for deep winter exploration in extreme cold, it kept me comfortably warm (and dry) into 20ºF/-5ºC.
Between the exceptional fabric choices (you’d be hard pressed to tell this is wool at a glance), the clean styling, and the functional performance, this is the definition of value for money. I’ve tested jackets that have been nowhere near as complete and cost plenty more. Alchemy Equipment balance the scales of form and function like no other, so check it out. If you’re looking for an all-rounder, I don’t think they get much better than this.
Mission Workshop D21 Recycled Down Jacket (US$425)
Carryology Credential: This lightweight down jacket is a stylish number that provides all the warmth you need without looking like you’re about to summit Mt. Everest.
Mission Workshop’s D21 jacket is a top-tier option for everyday and travel wear. The jacket features a bluesign® approved 100% nylon mini-ripstop Pertex® shell, paired with a 750 fill recycled down for warm insulation. Not only does it have the requisite materials to be an excellent insulating jacket, it’s also one of the the few that I’ve tested that doesn’t scream “I’M GOING OUTSIDE FOR A LONG TIME.” Now that might not be critical to some, but it is certainly a welcome change of pace in a market full of shiny and bright jackets.
I found it to work well as a stand alone in mild 30º-40ºF temperatures and also as a midlayer under a shell or heavier jacket far below that. Four exterior zippered pockets, including chest pockets that comfortable fit an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and an interior mesh pocket provide plenty of options for storing gear, while the packable design stores in its front pocket for easy stashing in a day bag or luggage. This is a versatile jacket that brings some elegance and fashion points to the puffy space.
Rab Mythic G Down Jacket (US$525)
Carryology Credential: The best warmth to weight ratio we’ve tested. Period. Exceptional comfort with innovative insulation and temperature regulation.
Some jackets just knock your socks off. That’s the only way for me to describe the Rab Mythic G Down Jacket. I’ve tested dozens and dozens of ‘puffy’ jackets over the years, and I consider myself pretty well versed in them. Rab have been favourites of mine for some time, but the Mythic G is a near perfect insulated jacket for anyone serious about adventuring. Featherweight, impossibly warm, and with blanket like comfort, this is the gold standard of puffy jackets. When the cold weather really hits hard, the ultralight build features 1000 fill power goose down, while the heat-reflective, body-mapped TILT lining reduces radiant heat loss by up to 30%. This proved invaluable while testing in Montana, with windchill whipping around in the teens, I barely noticed the cold.
The articulated sleeves provide easy movement and the part-elasticated hood and cuffs protect against the wind on those blustery days. The warmth to weight is genuinely astounding, and I found myself comparing my comfort to much heavier down jackets rather than lightweight puffys! A DWR finish, two zippered hand pockets, and a stuff sack for convenient compact storage round out an exceptional product that will live in my bag for a long time to come. The 7D nylon could be considered a little fragile, so if you’re really getting after it with your gear, pair it with a shell for that extra protection.
Triple F.A.T. Goose Staden Down Parka (US$750)
Carryology Credential: Need waterproof warmth for soggy cold days? This beast of a parka features recycled materials throughout and has a 3L waterproof membrane and is packed full of luxurious recycled down.
Triple F.A.T. Goose’s flagship down parka returns with a revised responsible construction featuring a 3-layer recycled waterproof exterior paired with cozy 750 fill power recycled down. This Parka is a blend of urban style and serious performance. It’s unusual to see a fully waterproof it is but a welcome surprise. This jacket is perfect for people who live in those wet and cold climates. During my testing on the east coast, the 3L recycled membrane has saved my bacon on some moisture filled days and prevented the dreaded “wet out” that you can experience with a non waterproof down. A magnetic storm flap, stretch storm cuffs, and a hood visor are also great performance features that increase Stadens versatility. Not only does it perform well, it also looks fantastic.
The 3L membrane has a wonderful matte finish and texture that isn’t shiny and doesn’t swish like other shell materials. The removable hood converts this into a city jacket in a heartbeat, and the 8 pockets provide a mix of sizes from cavernous storage to useful safe keeping, they’re also all fleece lined. The Staden is a big step forward for Triple F.A.T. Goose, particularly from a sustainability standpoint, without compromising on their traditionally excellent performance.
Arc’teryx Sabre Insulated Jacket (US$850)
Carryology Credential: Great on the slopes and off them, this synthetic insulated jacket from Arc’Teryx is the perfect winter sports jacket for most. A mix of clean lines and exceptional function, it’ll be the only jacket you need to bring with you on your next slope-side adventure.
The Sabre Insulated jacket is an evolution of Arc’teryx design. The Sabre series has been excellent for a long time, and this insulated iteration might be their best yet. It’s designed to keep you warm and protected from the elements while you’re hitting the backcountry slopes, but it equally works just as well cruising town for Apres Ski. This is the type of jacket that slims down the need for multiples on a trip. The fit has returned to a true to size regular fit, meaning that at 6ft tall and 225lbs, the Large was like a glove.
The windproof and waterproof (but breathable) GORE-TEX 2L exterior is combined with 100% recycled Coreloft Compact insulation that’ll keep you toasty through differing outputs. I’ve had no trouble at all in temperatures as low as 10ºF with minimal layering. The shift to a 2L makes a big difference in wearability as the jacket becomes a lot more comfortable and pliable than heavier 3L membranes. Ski specific features include an integrated powder skirt, mesh lined pit zips, and the Slide N Loc system if you want to connect your jacket to a matching pair of pants in deep powder. The pocketing is Goldilocks-esque–just right, with five spread around the jacket. This is a spendy jacket without doubt, but I’ve found it to be a true chameleon for winter sports adventures.
There is also a non insulated version, the Sabre SV which is longer in the body and built with GORE-TEX PRO and a durable 100% recycled N100D face fabric, meaning it’s burly as they come!
ThruDark End of Days Parka (US$1600)
Carryology Credential: As the name suggests, the ultimate performance parka. Warm, tough, packed full of features and premium materials at every turn. It’s spendy, but you get what you pay for with a buy it for life jacket like this!
If you need to be ready for the apocalypse somewhere a bit chilly, this is the jacket for you. There are no expenses spared with that jacket, every single material chosen for construction is top of the line. From the Polartec® lined hood and pockets to the Dyneema® reinforcements, this is ready for it all.
Built with burly construction for demanding expeditions, the ThruDark End of Days Parka features a waterproof (20’000mm Hydrostatic Head) but breathable eVent® 3L Fabric reinforced with a Dyneema® and Cordura® blend in critical high-stress areas. The moment you pop this jacket on, you feel somewhat invincible and secure. The warmth is instant, and there are no shortage of pockets for items you might need with you at any given moment. Not only are the materials premium, the construction is flawless and the design features are thoughtful. For example, the back of neck grab handle is one of the simplest yet most functional designs I’ve ever seen on a Parka – it makes grabbing this burly jacket at a moments notice easier than ever before. While it might not be a groundbreaking advancement in technology it is a really considered and well executed addition.
The d-rings on the front of the jacket are useful for lights, ID’s, or for clipping your gloves. It is clear that ThruDark thought about every single way this could be used, and how to improve it. Perhaps not surprising coming from a team with a Special Forces foundation. I haven’t taken this down the navigated -40ºC, but I have seen it well into the -20º’s and not had any concerns. If you’re tough on your gear, and you need your gear to be tough for you, this is an investment you won’t regret. Oh, did I mention it looks great too?
Veilance Monitor Down Coat (US$1600)
Carryology Credential: The epitome of minimalist style, the lines and patterning on this jacket feel like a Formula One car. But don’t be fooled, this doesn’t just look good, it has the performance chops to back it up. Street wear aficionados, this might be for you!
I’m convinced that Veilance is from the future. Their lines, their designs, and their performance impress me with almost every piece that I have the fortune of testing. The Monitor is one of their most iconic silhouettes, and now there is a luxurious goose down filled version. Veilance’s signature super-clean aesthetics and high performance are delivered in a premium coat that keeps bulk to a minimum. The Monitor Down features a tough GORE-TEX PRO exterior for dependable waterproof protection, along with 850 fill power European goose down for cozy warmth. The articulated patterning of this jacket is something magical, as despite all of that insulation and robust construction, from the outside the jacket is as sleek and slender as one can expect and moves with you effortlessly.
The StormHood is also fully insulated (a nice touch I wish more jacket makers would add too) and provides great weather coverage and comfortable field of view. The two zippered exterior pockets are not only weather resistant, they are covered by their own individual storm flaps made from the same hard wearing GORETEX PRO. It’s this attention to detail from Veilance that often sets them apart. There is no doubt that the Veilance Monitor is an expensive investment designed for a particular style of minimalist streetwear, however, if that is your style, it’ll be hard to find fault. It’s stylish, performs exceptionally well, and will last you a lifetime.
Non-Insulated
For the days when you aren’t at the end of the world, these jackets will help you look sharp and feel even better.
Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket (US$288)
Carryology Credential: Lightweight, stylish, and hardy? What more can you ask for from a day to day jacket?
Relwen’s military-inspired clothing keep cropping up at Carry HQ, and this reimagined field jacket is another noteworthy member of their line up. This daily driver offers wind and water resistance in a lightweight build, adapting to a variety of settings and conditions without weighing you down. It is surprisingly warm for such a featherweight item, and that’s thanks to the paper thin but incredibly tough sailcloth shell that is a 68/32 cotton nylon mix. It is durable and comfortable, and feels broken in from the first wear. There is a whole range of snap and zippered pockets store your EDC items comfortably. The understated design moves easily between urban and outdoor settings, making this a versatile piece for everyday, outdoor, and travel use.
Prometheus Design Werx Aegis LT (US$429)
Carryology Credential: The Aegis LT is an exceptional shell that hits the sweetspot of midweight performance. A trustworthy companion for any outdoor adventures!
Designed as an all-season hard-shell, the Aegis LT offers excellent performance features while keeping you agile on the go. Fully seam sealed, the jacket offers custom StormTek waterproof and breathable ePTFE technology for dependable protection from the elements. The 40D nylon mini-ripstop shell provides a great balance of durability and light weight, while five zippered pockets provide convenient storage for small items. You can check out Piotr‘s epic winter testing of the Aegis LT!
Mission Workshop Eiger WX (US$785)
Carryology Credential: The Eiger WX is the 21st Century update to waxed jackets of old. If you like old world style, but new world performance, this jacket was made with you in mind.
When I think of Waxed Canvas jackets, I think of Barbours in Europe, and Filson in North America. I grew up around Barbours, and have some old ones that will stay with me until the end of time. However, as magnificent as they are, they aren’t flawless. They’re heavy, they have a certain “farm chic” look about them, and the zippers jangle no end! Now I don’t mind any of those traits, but there are times when I want the performance/look of Waxed Canvas, but in a sleeker style. Enter Mission Workshop. When I first saw The Eiger WX, I was drooling, could this be what I was looking for? It offers an appealing blend of timeless style and long-lasting durability, featuring a classic M65 silhouette and a burly waxed cotton canvas from Halley Stevensons.
Add in an adjustable hood and YKK AquaGuard zippers for extra weather weather protection, while a choice of eight pockets ensures you can keep small essentials close at all times. In use this is a delightful jacket to wear. The cotton lining is comfortable, the minimalist styling is often complemented and the multitude of fleece lined pockets almost eliminate the need for a backpack without disrupting the drape. Everything about the Eiger WX is heirloom worthy from the custom hardware to the gorgeous Halley Stevenson’s Canvas. The Eiger WX signals a new age in the Waxed Canvas jacket world, and they’ve hit the ground running.
Tracksmith Nor’Easter Jacket ($300)
Carryology Credential: While designed for those active folk who pound the pavement every day, this slender merino lined bomber is a travel expert too.
Sometimes, there are products that just surprise you. When I first held the Nor’Easter from Tracksmith, I was pleasantly taken aback by the hand feel of the garment. I’ve been a long time fan of their merino baselayers, and their exceptionally comfortable sweaters and sweatpants, but I’ve not tried much of thier outerwear until recently. I dutifully popped on the Nor’Easter and wore it for a few rucks and to the gym, after all it’s an active jacket right? However, within a few days I started to find myself reaching for it for my daily errands too, and then before I knew it, it had become one of my most worn jackets. As always with Tracksmith clothing, there isn’t a single stitch out of place, the branding is subtle, and the performance is exceptional.
This is designed for the active runner, and the Schoeller Dryskin Shell is water repellent, while the bonded Merino wool lining is naturally wicking and thermoregulating. This makes it a phenomenal performance piece, but also provides supreme comfort for the daily wearer. Plus, it resists odors so you can rewear this jacket over and over without washing. It has a two-way zipper (pretty much my jacket non-negotiable!) While zippered pockets provide ample storage for all your EDC, and subtle reflective details on the side seams keep you safe on the roads whatever the hour. This has become a firm favourite of mine, particularly to travel in, as it provides just enough warmth for most climates, while being effortlessly sleek and comfortable. Don’t sleep on Tracksmith, the brand from New England are doing exciting things.
