Although we may all dream of travelling constantly in bright, warm sunshine just like in the movies, the reality is we’re more than likely to need a jacket at some point during our travels. Parts of Europe can get chilly at pretty much any time of year, while a short rain shower is possible almost anywhere at any time. And that’s before we’ve even mentioned destinations known for their cold climes like the Rockies or Russia in winter!
So you’re definitely going to need a travel jacket. But how do you go about finding the best travel jacket for you? Simple! Read on. We’ve done all the hard work for you, identifying the very best of travel jackets from some of the globe’s top brands, whatever your specific requirements!
Quick Summary: The Best Travel Jackets
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Overall best travel jacket
Baubax travel jacket
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Best travel jacket for men
Columbia Mighty Lite Hybrid
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Best travel jacket for women
Columbia Kruser Ridge
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Best travel jacket for Europe
Fjallraven Greenland
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Best men’s lightweight travel jacket
Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer
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Best women’s lightweight travel jacket
North Face Aconcagua
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Best cheap travel jacket
Columbia Pike Lake
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Best multipocket travel jacket
Columbia Bugaboo Interchange
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Best travel waterproof jacket
Arc’teryx Beta LT Hybrid
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Best travel jacket for winter
Patagonia Nano Puff
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#1 – Baubax travel jacket
Overall best travel jacket
Available in four different styles, for both men and women, the team behind the Baubax travel jacket have managed to incorporate a whole series of unique features that make it our overall recommendation of best travel jacket.
Forget having detachable hoods marked out as a huge leap forward (and available in the blazer and bomber jacket styles of the Baubax), this jacket is ergonomic and cleverly designed yet includes such innovative ideas as a built-in inflatable neck pillow that is perfect for frequent travelers.
There are also earphone holders, stretchy neoprene drinks pocket, another pocket for that fits a 10” tablet, eye-mask, gloves, and hand-warming pockets lined with a great feeling fleece!
Is the Baubax travel jacket for you?
This is the travel jacket every traveler has been waiting for. Now there’s no need to stuff the pockets of your current travel jacket with all you need while out and about – because the Baubax’s 15 unique and incorporated features mean they are already there!
Editor’s Note – Have you checked out our post about the most best rain pants?
#2 – Columbia Mighty Lite Hybrid
Best travel jacket for men
This men’s travel jacket by Columbia has a number of phenomenal advantages as a travel jacket. Like the North Face Thermoball, it is both lightweight and packs down to an almost unbelievable size, two factors that obviously can’t be overstated in importance when traveling.
But the Mighty Lite Hybrid also boasts omni-heat reflective thermal insulation that will bounce your body heat right back at you to keep you snug and warm.
The Mighty Lite Hybrid also has both outer and inner pockets, both sets of which are zippered for extra security and are large enough to fit a passport, cellphone and smaller valuables or other important items you don’t want to leave in baggage.
Is the Columbia Mighty Lite Hybrid for you?
A great all-round travel jacket, the Columbia Mighty Lite Hybrid ensures it will keep you warm with its reflective thermal insulation technology while still managing to be lightweight and packing down to a really small size. The zippered outer and inner pockets also mean small valuables will remain out of harm’s way throughout.
Editor’s Note – You can also check out our article about the best Travel Towels.
#3 – Columbia Kruser Ridge
Best travel jacket for women
The Kruser Ridge is a dedicated women’s travel jacket from Columbia, meaning you can be sure its been specifically designed with the female form and needs in mind. The svelte and slimline look is not only stylish enough to get you through a day’s travel without looking out of place, but it is also water and wind resistant.
What’s more, the Kruser Ridge contains stain repelling technology to make sure this jacket remains looking its best for as long as possible while on the road. Whether you’re traveling on a city break, or out into some of the world’s wilder places, you’ll be glad to have chosen the Columbia Kruser Ridge!
Is the Columbia Kruser Ridge for you?
If you’re a woman searching for a travel jacket with not just a fine look and style, but one that will also protect you from the wind and rain, then the Columbia Kruser Ridge is definitely the travel jacket for you. Specifically designed to the female form, this jacket will see you right wherever in the world you may find yourself.
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#4 – Fjallraven Greenland
Best travel jacket for Europe
The Swedish brand of Fjallraven (best known perhaps for their uber cool backpacks) is no stranger from the somewhat temperamental nature of European weather. As a result, the Greenland jacket has rightly become a classic!
The fully updated versions on the market today are treated with long-lasting repellants to keep rain and wind at bay while being made with recycled, ethically-sourced cotton and polyester.
There’s a hood that stows neatly into the collar for when it rains, and a flat over the main zipper to stop heating escaping from this point. The Greenland also includes four popper closing exterior pockets and an internal pocket – more than enough room for most travelers.
Is the Fjallraven Greenland for you?
The Greenland by Fjallraven offers a great blend of practically and style for anyone in need of a travel jacket for Europe. A brand ever-conscious of its global footprint, the materials in this jacket are ethically sourced and recycled wherever possible, but this doesn’t take away from its classic looks. The four large front pockets are also a really useful feature for anyone traveling to Europe.
Editor’s Note – You can also check out our article about the best Travel Strollers.
#5 – Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer
Best men’s lightweight travel jacket
Claiming to be the lightest fully featured down jacket in the world, how could we not opt for Mountain Hardware’s Ghost Whisperer as our best men’s lightweight travel jacket? With a look that reminds us of motorcycle leathers, it has a useful high neck to keep the wind and rain out.
Despite being incredibly lightweight, the Ghost Whisperer is still waterproof and windproof, and even manages to pack down into its own zippered pocket! Another feature that makes this the best men’s lightweight travel jacket is the addition of a loop so it can be attached to a bag super easily when not required.
Is the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer for you?
Why wouldn’t this fine choice for a lightweight men’s travel jacket be for you? It has everything we think you need to stay warm and dry when traveling, but at just a little over 7 oz in weight. The ability to pack the jacket into its own zippered pocket is a very helpful feature, as is the loop that allows for simple attachment to backpacks, daypacks, or belts.
Recommended Article – have you checked out our article about the incredible Travel Money Belts?
We are obsessed with backpacks – we’ve tried them all! And our favourite carry on backpack in the WORLD is the Nomatic Travel Backpack. This backpack has revolutionized the backpack industry and will change the way you travel forever :) Check it out here!
#6 – North Face Aconcagua
Best women’s lightweight travel jacket
Needless to say given the category, the North Face Aconcagua is a very lightweight travel jacket that we think women will really appreciate. Like the Mountain Hardware’s Ghost Whisperer, the Aconcagua has a nice high neck to prevent water and cold air from entering the protective shield of warmth the jacket creates despite its minimal weight.
But the Aconcagua also includes elasticated sleeve cuffs to prevent the same thing happening via your arms. The pockets are zippered, making sure what kit or valuables you need to carry on your person are as snug as you are.
Is the North Face Aconcagua for you?
The North Face’s Aconcagua is a great lightweight women’s travel jacket, and there’s nothing that would stop us buying this jacket ourselves! Not only does the high neck protect from wind and rain, but the arms are protected in a similar way thanks to elasticated cuffs, while zippered pockets clinch the deal.
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#7 – Columbia Pike Lake
Best cheap travel jacket
The Columbia Pike Lake jacket manages to combine great functionality and decent looks with an affordable and budget-friendly pricing. This is no half-hearted travel jacket since it’s construction not only includes the protection of a polyester shell, but also a Microtex Light lining, and a panel aimed at reinforcing the shoulder area for extra strength.
It has the ability to be used as an extra layering of clothing even at altitude thanks to its wide sections full of synthetic insulation and a thermally-reflective lining.
Is the Columbia Pike Lake for you?
With versions for both men and women, the Columbia Pike Lake jacket is a very good option at the lower end of the market. However, the Pike Lake will suit more than just those people with a limited budget to hand, and would be a great first or replacement travel jacket given its heat insulating properties and well thought out design!
Editor’s Recommendation – You should definitely check out our guide on the most awesome Packing Cubes!
#8 – Columbia Bugaboo Interchange
Best multipocket travel jacket
It may be another travel jacket from the team at Columbia, but we’re just loving what they’re creating at the moment! The Bugaboo is not just a multipocket travel jacket, it’s a 3-in-1 multipocket travel jacket. What does this mean? The Bugaboo is made up of three different layers that can be used in combination or separately depending on weather conditions.
Firstly, there’s the polyester fleece liner and then a nylon liner, which provides warmth while still being breathable. These are then followed by the weather-proof nylon shell. There are not only zippered hand pockets but exterior chest pockets too, as well as an interior pocket for valuables and a media pocket, making it really easy for you to stay connected despite traveling.
Is the Columbia Bugaboo Interchange for you?
With its separable three-layer design, the Columbia Bugaboo Interchange is just about the only travel jacket you’ll ever need. And with more pockets than most other travel jackets out there on the market, covering both the external and internal face of the jacket, there are plenty of options for those who like to have smaller items of kit and valuables close to hand.
Recommended Article – Take a look at our AMAZING guide to the best Baby Carriers for Hiking
#9 – Arc’teryx Beta LT Hybrid
Best travel waterproof jacket
Like the majority of travel jackets on our list, the Arc’teryx Beta LT Hybrid is available in models for both men and women. Not only is the shaped classic styling attractive to look at, but the Beta LT Hybrid also boasts a shell that is not just water resistant, but waterproof, keeping you dry whatever the weather!
The attached hood keeps your head dry without reducing visibility, while velcro cuff straps help you keep water from running up your sleeve whatever activity you’re undertaking. Flexible enough so that it doesn’t inhibit movement, the Beta LT Hybrid is also breathable, windproof, and will last and last.
Is the Arc’teryx Beta LT Hybrid for you?
If you’re looking for a travel jacket that is the best in its field at keeping you warm and dry, you should look no further than the Arc’teryx Beta LT Hybrid. Amazingly breathable and flexible enough that there’s little movement constraint, it is also waterproof and windproof, with an integrated hood that won’t stop you seeing what’s up ahead.
Editor’s Note – You can also check out our article about the best Travel Hammocks.
#10 – Patagonia Nano Puff
Best travel jacket for winter
The small insulated sections that build to form the Patagonia Nano Puff are great at keeping heat in, and the cold weather out, making it an ideal choice as a winter travel jacket. The high neck keeps wind, rain, and cold temperatures from slipping in and heat from leaking out, while the waist also includes a hem which is adjustable for the same purpose.
Heavy duty zippers on the pockets and opening stop the loss of heat by this means, while the whole jacket comes in at a very impressive 12 oz, so if the winter weather does turn unusually warm you’re not left lugging a heavy jacket around with you! Luckily, we’ve compiled this guide of the best Travel Daypacks to help you before traveling!
Is the Patagonia Nano Puff for you?
If you’re after a solid and trustworthy travel jacket for winter that isn’t going to weigh you down the Patagonia Nano Puff is definitely for you. The high neck, zippers, and adjustable waist all ensure you’re as protected from the winter cold as possible, thereby maintaining that snug feeling brought about by the insulation for as long as possible.
Recommended Article – Take a look at our AMAZING guide to the best Hiking sandals
#11 – Outdoor Research Helium II
Best of the rest
If weight is an important prerequisite in choosing a travel jacket than the Outdoor Research Helium II is another worthy contender. Weighing under six and a half ounces, it is incredibly light and capable of being packed down to smaller than a paperback book inside its own pouch/internal pocket.
It has a layered laminate form with seam-taped joins to ensure its as waterproof as can be. Its zippers are also specifically included for their resistivity to water, making the Helium II additionally watertight.
Is the Outdoor Research Helium II for you?
Those seeking a lightweight travel jacket that packs down really small will really appreciate the existence of the Helium II! Small enough inside its own pouch to fit into a trouser pocket or be forgotten about in a daypack until it’s called upon, this jacket will keep you dry in even the heaviest of downpours.
Recommended Article – have you checked out our article about the Best Carry on Backpacks?
Final thoughts!
It’s pretty much guaranteed that wherever in the world your future travels take you, within state boundaries or halfway across the globe, in all likelihood you’re going to need a travel jacket.
With so much to consider – weight, insulation, water resistivity and so on – its extremely important to have a good understanding of what each travel jacket can and can’t do. Here we’ve set out that information for you in a (hopefully!) simple and easy to understand way, so that you can purchase the travel jacket that’s perfect for you and your needs both now and in the future!
Editor’s Note – No matter where you are traveling, you NEED to have great travel insurance. We have personally tested TONS of travel insurance companies, and can say without a doubt that World Nomads is the absolute best (and most affordable!). Fill out the form below to get a quote.
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