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Oct 18, 2024, 08:44am EDT
The best fall jackets for men are comfortable, versatile and stylish. They look equally great with a crisp button-down for work or your favorite jeans on the weekend. Since fall is a transitional season, the ideal jacket is one that you can layer over anything to stay (relatively) warm. Our top pick is J.Crew’s Harrington Jacket, which might strike you as too commonplace but is extremely well-designed with an excellent fit and stylish details. If you’re into bomber jackets, Bonobos’s The Boulevard is sleek, cool and lightweight.
The best fall jackets for men are lightweight, stylish and great for layering.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES/IMAGES: RETAILERS
To compile this guide, the Forbes Vetted fashion team tapped into our menswear expertise and researched the top sellers in the market that deserve a spot in your wardrobe. We spent more than eight hours evaluating each product’s fabric, style, size range, price and overall comfort before finalizing this guide. From rugged options that last forever to a sweat-wicking pick ideal for working out, here are the best fall jackets for men that we highly recommend.
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 5 total, including Burnished Khaki and Navy | Materials: 100% cotton
If you’re looking for a well-fitting, stylish, sporty-yet-refined jacket that comes in a nice range of colors, J.Crew’s Harrington Jacket is an excellent choice. It’s cut from durable, 10-ounce cotton that’s been washed to give it extra softness, and is finished with a sharp collar that looks professional yet cool. Elastic cuffs add comfort, and the lining provides extra warmth. As far as fall jackets go, this one is right for any occasion.
What the reviews say: “It fits amazing, tailored well to the body without looking boxy. A transitional piece to add to your wardrobe” says one J.Crew reviewer. “Not too long, not too tight, just right. This jacket is one of my favorite buys.”
Best Affordable Fall Jacket For Men
Comfortable And Casual
Quince
Quince Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket
Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 4 total, including Olive and Black | Materials: 97% organic cotton twill, 3% spandex
With its relaxed fit and multiple pockets, Quince’s Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket is an excellent transitional option for fall. It’s also well-priced, with a lightweight feel that can be layered under or over other garments.
What the reviews say: “I was very pleased with the size, fabric and color of this jacket,” says one Quince shopper. “It looks rustic but tailored at the same time. I still have room to wear a thicker layer underneath if need be. The color looks great with black, denim or olive green pants.”
Best Bomber Jacket For Men
Ultra-Cool Design And Timeless Style
Bonobos
Bonobos The Boulevard Bomber
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Maritime Blue | Materials: 60% cotton, 40% nylon
Bomber jackets are cuffed at the waistband, and are so named because they were originally worn by pilots in cold, open-air cockpits during World War I and II. Now, they’re a fall staple. Bonobos’s has the right mix of cool style and great materials, made from a cotton blend that has enough stretch to allow easy movement. It has a slim silhouette, so it’s best for a fitted look.
What the reviews say: “This is a versatile, lightweight jacket that is great for travel,” says a Bonobos reviewer. “It fits great and is well constructed. My new favorite jacket. Lovely fabric with a handsome sheen.”
Best Utility Jacket For Men
Versatile And Built For Tough Fall Weather
Amazon
Carhartt Washed Duck Sherpa-Lined Utility Jacket
Sizes: S to 5XL | Colors: 5 total, including Dark Brown and Moss | Materials: Cotton and nylon
When the weather’s tough, you need a jacket to match. Carhartt’s bestselling utility jacket is made from hefty cotton and lined with sherpa for added warmth, plus it has a reinforced sleeve hem and attachable hood. All that is to say, it’ll stand up to anything you throw its way.
What the reviews say: “Not too roomy in the chest or belly. It's plenty long in the sleeves. Covers the waist perfectly,” says one Amazon shopper. “All in all, it's a pretty badass jacket. Very warm. Rough but comfortable. Got it for hunting in Montana, and it should work well with layers.”
Best Waxed Jacket For Men
Guranted To Last, With A Lifetime Warranty
Orvis
Barbour Sapper Waxed Cotton Jacket
Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 2 total, including Black and Olive | Materials: 100% waxed cotton
Could you find a more affordable fall jacket? Sure, but it probably won’t last as long as this classic pick from Barbour. It’s made of weatherproof waxed cotton to keep you dry all day, and style-wise, it’s both refined with rugged with cargo snap pockets and a quilted lining that blocks out the wind and cold.
What the reviews say: “I have looked at Barbour jackets for years, but due to cost, I never bought one. Well, I finally decided to make the investment, and I do not regret it,” says a Orvis customer. “It’s a very solid jacket, and I think it looks great. This is a classic for good reason. I highly recommend Barbour.”
Best Leather Jacket For Men
A Splurge That's Perfectly Broken-In
Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder Italian Burnished Leather Dylan Jacket
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: Black | Materials: 100% calf leather
A leather jacket isn’t so much an impulse purchase as an investment in the future—it’s a jacket you’ll keep forever. Todd Snyder’s has a vintage trucker design, made in Italy from soft, broken-in calf leather, and looks fantastic over everything from a pair of jeans to dress pants. Obviously, it costs a pretty penny, but it’s worth it.
What the reviews say: “I’ve been buying TS products for years, and this might be my favorite piece yet,” says a Todd Snyder reviewer. “The initial quality is on another level—the color looks incredible in person, and the leather seems durable yet light and malleable in a way that just feels right. This will be my go-to leather jacket for the foreseeable future.”
Best Nylon Jacket For Men
Lightweight, Weather-Resistant Shell
Dickie's
Dickies Snap Front Nylon Jacket
Sizes: S to 4XL | Colors: 2 total, including Dark Navy and Black | Materials: 100% polyester
For top-of-the-line performance in inclement weather, you’ll want a nylon jacket like this one from Dickies. It has an easy windbreaker body with a simple snap-front and a drawstring waistband to adjust to your comfort. And because it’s 100% nylon, it’ll easily keep out rain or sleet. Don’t skip having one of these handy in your closet for unpredictable fall weather. Note, though, that it runs a little large.
What the reviews say: “This is made of quality material…and has a flannel lining,” says an Amazon shopper. “This jacket is windproof and lightly lined. It's perfect for mornings and evenings when worn over a short-sleeved shirt. The sleeve lining allows slipping it on over a long sleeve shirt or a sweater.”
Best Golf Jacket For Men
Style And Performance
Peter Millar
Peter Millar Shield Half-Zip Rain Shell
Sizes: S to 3XL | Colors: Navy | Materials: 100% nylon with PU Laminate rain shell
If golf is part of your fall plans, then you need this lightweight Peter Millar jacket, which provides just enough warmth and has a stretchy performance fabric so you can move freely on the links. It’s also windproof and water-resistant to keep you looking great out there. What’s more, it folds down into a separate pouch for storage in a backpack or weekender bag.
What the reviews say: “Great product! I wore it recently during a rainy and cold trip to Belgium and the Netherlands over a PM Cashmere Quarter Zip, and both kept me warm and dry,” says a Peter Millar customer.
Best Jean Jacket For Men
Classic Trucker Jacket Lined In Fleece
MOST POPULAR
Amazon
Levi's Sherpa Trucker Jacket
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 4 total, including Television Sherpa and Juniper Rinse | Materials: 100% cotton
A jean jacket is a classic fall style for guys. Levi’s iconic jacket with a trucker body is lined with cozy shearling for added warmth, plus it has two chest pockets and plenty of color options for any sort of outfit. If you only get one jean jacket, go for this one.
What the reviews say: “This Sherpa Denim Jacket is absolutely perfect,” one Levi’s customer notes. “It fits exactly as expected. It was a bit heavier than anticipated, but it’s definitely a keeper. Great quality for the price. It’s my new personal favorite denim jacket to wear.”
Best Hooded Jacket For Men
Keeps You Warm Head To Toe
Patagonia
Patagonia Men's Box Quilted Hoody
Sizes: XXS to 3XL | Colors: 6 total, including New Navy and Basin Green | Materials: 100% recycled polyester taffeta with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish
Hoodies should, well, cover your head. But a great hooded jacket for men does a whole lot more. This style from Patagonia is fit for adventure: It’s adjustable—you can probably envelop your entire head in it—and has elasticized cuffs and hem to prevent warmth from escaping. The insulation is constructed from 100-g Thermogreen 100% recycled polyester so that you can wear this jacket into winter, too.
What the reviews say: “Warm, lightweight and stylish. I like the elastic waist and cuffs because it keeps the wind out,” says one Patagonia shopper. “It slides on easily over long-sleeved shirts and fleece. The pockets are big enough to tuck in gloves and a hat. The hood does a great job of blocking wind and keeping my head warm.”
Best Warm-Up Jacket For Men
For Cooler Runs In The Park And More
Lululemon
Lululemon Sojourn Jacket
Sizes: XS to 5XL | Colors: 2 total, including Black and True Navy | Materials: Elastomultiester, recycled polyester, elastane
When it’s too hot for a heavy jacket but not quite t-shirt weather, reach for this easy track jacket. It’s designed with lightweight performance in mind: sweat-wicking fabric with four-way stretch, plenty of interior pockets for your things, and a slightly roomier fit that’ll let you move around with ease.
What the reviews say: “This jacket is sleek. When I first tried it on, I knew I had to get one,” says a Lululemon customer. “Great fit, quality and functional. It’s also light and can be folded thinly to fit in carry-on baggage.”
Best Casual Jacket For Men
Lightweight Yet Insulated
Buck Mason
Buck Mason Shell Cloth Insulated Explorer Jacket
Sizes: XS to XXL | Colors: 2 total, including Ranger Green and Dress Navy | Materials: Nylon shell with DWR coating; PrimeLoft fill insulation
Ideal for everyday wear, Buck Mason’s Shell Cloth Insulated Explorer Jacket is worth adding to your wardrobe. It’s cut from lightweight nylon with a water-repellent coating and has classic chore jacket styling with functional buttons and large patch pockets. Plus, the PrimaLoft fill ensures it can be worn during the colder months.
Best Work Jacket For Men
Rugged Yet Refined With Extra Durability
Orvis
Orvis Classic Barn Coat
Sizes: S to XXL | Colors: 3 total, including Dark Pine and Field Khaki | Materials: Cotton, corduroy trim, recycled polyester
Orvis’s Barn Coat is cut from durable, 7.8-ounce cotton canvas so it can stand up to tough conditions and has a broken-in feel. The body is garment washed for softness and the interior is lined in yarn-dyed flannel for warmth. The design is rounded out with two lower patch pockets (with side entry) and two internal pockets to store essentials.
What the reviews say: “This is a great jacket. It has classic looks and is functional for outdoor activities,” notes an Orvis shopper. “Plenty of pockets for storage and strong cotton fabric that will likely last years…keeps me warm in late spring and is roomy enough to layer underneath for colder temps.”
This article was co-written by deputy editor (and in-house style expert) Kari Molvar, who holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion.
Molvar spent more than eight hours researching the best options on the market before narrowing the list down to 13 winners across various styles and prices. More than 20 different garments were considered for this guide.
To find the best fall jackets for men, we considered several factors, such as fabric, style, size range, comfort, versatility and price.
Our fashion editorial team focused on top-rated brands and retailers such as J.Crew, Quince, Bonobos and more.
We read through hundreds of customer reviews for standout product traits and essential details and only featured brands with straightforward return and exchange policies, should you need to make any returns or exchanges.
The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and careful vetting by the editorial team.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When shopping for a fall jacket, focus on warm and durable materials like cotton, wool or leather. Polyester and nylon are common synthetic fabrics that may be blended with natural fibers to increase a garment’s durability. If you live in a climate that gets a lot of rain, look for a jacket with a water-resistant or waterproof coating and a hood.
Also, think about how you intend to use the jacket. If you primarily need it for working outside or hiking, look for a utility jacket with details like reinforced seams, a lined hood, several pockets and a storm flap. If you want an option to wear out to dinner or a more formal event, consider a sleek bomber jacket or leather jacket.
Classic styles—like bomber jackets, chore coats, barn jackets and half-zips—continue to be popular choices for men. Trends come and go, so we recommend choosing a coat based on your lifestyle, climate and individual needs.
All of the brands we highlighted in our guide manufacture high-quality jackets. We particularly appreciate the selection at J.Crew, Quince, Bonobos, Todd Synder and Buck Mason.
In the October 2024 update, lifestyle commerce editor Katherine Louie price-checked all products on this list and re-evaluated each option. She also added four new jackets, three frequently asked questions and more information on how our team chose the final winners for this guide.