Right now, jackets are probably very low on the list of clothing items you’re thinking about. And we get it, it’s summer. The days are long and hot, and the nights are warm. But hear us out. The only worse time to be thinking about jackets than summer is winter. If you’re shopping for a jacket in the dead of winter, it’s already too late. Plus, summer nights — even on the West Coast — get chilly at night, so an extra layer will always come in handy. So why procrastinate?
These jackets are capable of withstanding mountain temperatures, so they’ll be well suited to keeping you warm on those surprisingly chilly summer nights by the beach. These jackets are lightweight, durable, and classically-styled. They’re not designed for when it’s truly blisteringly cold, but they should be able to handle most other kinds of colder weather. In short, these are good jackets for any season or occasion.
1. Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain Full Zip
The normcore appeal of fleece has given the humble polyester fabric something of a renaissance. Columbia’s lightweight and warm full-zip fleece is made in the US. It features thoughtful details like zippered side pockets for secure storage and a drawstring on the bottom, which allows you to tighten or loosen the waist for optimal warmth and comfort.
Pros: Soft, lightweight fleece, made in the US.
Cons: Some users who purchased black found it was more of a dark gray.
2. Columbia Men’s Ascender Softshell Jacket
This jacket has a softshell exterior and a comfortable fleece interior. It’s wind and water-resistant and has three zippered outside pockets. For insulation, the sleeves have adjustable velcro and the hem has a drawstring.
Pros: Water-resistant softshell exterior, soft fleece interior.
Cons: Slimmer fit than earlier models, which some reviewers didn’t expect.
3. London Fog Men’s Auburn Zip-Front Golf Jacket
The simple design of this jacket makes it an ideal all-purpose jacket. It has a point collar and a traditional blouson fit. In red, it’s distinctly reminiscent of the iconic jacket that James Dean wore in Rebel Without A Cause. The sleeves are adjustable, and the hand pockets are zippered.
Pros: Versatile jacket, available in a variety of different colors.
Cons: Runs large.