Spring is finally here – and while 50° days and light rain are more than welcome after several months of snow and bone-freezing temperatures, spring also brings with it some famously unpredictable weather.
It’s finally warm enough to put away that heavy winter coat you’ve been wearing for 4 months, but not quite nice enough to head out without any jacket at all.
And even when it is nice and sunny out, the weather has a reputation for changing drastically within minutes, and this can make gauging exactly what to wear difficult.
Go outside with a jacket on a warm sunny day, and you may find yourself sweating within minutes.
Head out without a jacket, however, and you’ll probably regret it when the temp falls or those April storm clouds come rolling in.
If you’re all too familiar with this, it may be time to start looking for a new spring or quilted jacket.
A light spring jacket is essential to any man’s wardrobe; it helps break a cold breeze or cut the chill as night falls, but without all the bulk of a heavy winter coat.
Most spring jackets will also be heavily breathable, many with mesh liners (depending on the style) to keep you cool and wick moisture and sweat away.
That’s another reason a light spring jacket is great to have – a jacket too heavy causes you to sweat, which in turn often causes you to become colder.
By sticking with a lighter jacket in warmer months, you’ll stay comfortable and cool all day.
So don’t deprive yourself of some cool comfort this spring.
There’s a seemingly endless supply of different spring jackets to choose from out there, from utilitarian rain shells to stylish jackets based on classic staples of menswear – and no one jacket is going to fit every man’s style needs (or wants).
Whether you’re looking for something casual to wear out with friends, something appropriate for slightly more formal occasions, or a light jacket meant for exercise and the outdoors, you’re bound to find one that suits your style.
To give you a hand, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite, most stylish spring jackets of different styles on the market today.
Any of these will help you keep the rain off and the chill out while still looking your best.
The Best Spring Jackets For Men
1. Levi’s Men’s Trucker Jacket
While the Cotopaxi Tikal is geared up for high-stakes adventure and travel, this Levi’s denim Trucker jacket takes a cooler, more laid-back approach.
It’s a classic denim trucker jacket, made from 100% cotton and available in a wide variety of colors, from the classic light-wash Danica to the eye-popping Sauterne.
It has dual-front denim pockets, as well as an adjustable button waistband and cuffs.
The denim jacket is a classic piece of menswear, and wearing this trucker lends you an air of cool, roguish style. It is best suited as a light layer for warmer weather and goes well with dark jeans or chinos.
It won’t keep you very warm, but it’s cut trim enough that you can still layer another jacket over it if it gets too cold out.
What customers are saying: There is a mix of opinions on this jacket, with many praising its quality, fit, and style, while others have concerns about the button quality and sizing.
2. Wantdo Cotton Jacket
Like Levi’s trucker jacket, this vintage-inspired cotton jacket by Wantdo is a trim-fitting piece of classic men’s style.
Fashioned after the rugged field jackets of old, it comes in blue and khaki with a slimmer and modern cut at home with any casual or semi-casual get-up.
It has a 100% cotton exterior and polyester inner liner and is finished with a stiff, stand-up collar with vintage styling and details, as well as adjustable cuffs and hem. It is also machine-washable for easy cleaning.
It’s heavy enough to keep you warm on chilly days or as the sun goes down, but light enough that you won’t break a sweat should the sun come out. Pair it with jeans or dark chinos for a look that is both rugged and refined.
What customers are saying: This spring jacket has received mixed reviews, with some customers mentioning it’s lightweight, nice-looking, and has a good fit, while others noted issues with the color being off and sizing being larger than expected.
3. Canada Goose Nanaimo
Canada Goose jackets are renowned for their high-quality and ruggedly attractive outerwear, and this waterproof shell jacket is no exception.
The Nanaimo is made from Canada Goose’s Tri-Durance shell, a lightweight, 3-layer nylon ripstop fabric with a waterproof and windproof coating. It manages to keep the water out while still letting you breathe freely, which makes it a perfect layer for the light spring rain.
It packs down into its own hood, to be stowed in your bag, ready to go when you need it. Like all Canada Goose products, it is a sleek, attractive jacket that doesn’t sacrifice performance.
It’s the most expensive jacket on our list, but in the case of the Nanaimo, you get what you pay for: a high-end, durable piece of outerwear that will keep you dry in both light rain and downpours.
4. Barbour Classic Bedale
Nothing says timeless like Barbour, and this waxed cotton jacket is the epitome of vintage men’s style.
The waxed cotton adds a layer of waterproofing that keeps water out, while still staying true to the heritage of traditional English moto jackets.
Two flap pockets with snap closures add storage space, while the storm placket, snap cuffs, and collar tab adds some traditional flair.
The Barbour Duke is a premium jacket that excels at keeping the elements out – but in a much more classic package.
It’s an excellent outer layer for mild and wet spring days and adds some vintage edge to both dressy and casual outfits. Motorcycle not included.
What customers are saying: The spring jacket receives praises for being true to size, allowing room for layering, and having high-quality construction. However, finding the correct size may be difficult for some, and restocking fees are a concern.
5. North Face Venture
The North Face Venture is a lightweight, breathable rain shell similar to the Cotopaxi Tikal – suitable for all sorts of outdoor adventures, but without out of place around town.
It’s made from North Face’s 100% nylon HyVent 2.5l material. HyVent material is highly breathable, and the jacket comes with pit-zip vents to allow maximum breathability. Like some of the other rain shells we mentioned, it also packs down into its own pocket for easy storage and accessibility.
While other jackets we mentioned were more attractive, the Venture provides a simple, practical, and clean look that is ready to go anywhere and do anything. It may not provide much in the way of warmth, but it’s perfect for stopping the wind and keeping out the rain on misty spring days.
At just under a sub-$100 price tag, it’s also very reasonably priced.
What customers are saying: This spring jacket is well-received for its great fit, stylish appearance, and quality material. However, some customers mention issues with the hood design, material stiffness, and sizing discrepancies for larger sizes.
6. Barbour Akenside
Like the Duke, Barbour’s waxed cotton moto jacket, the Barbour Akenside is inspired by classic pieces of men’s style – in this case, the rustic farmer’s work jackets.
It’s probably one of the classiest light jackets you’ll find, and with its diamond-pattern quilting, corduroy-lined collar, and slim, low-profile cut, it’s suitable for layering and for any casual occasion on the town.
It comes in both black and blue, meaning that it pairs well with just anything in your closet.
The quilting helps the Akenside provide just enough warmth to keep you comfortable without feeling like you’re in a toaster as the season goes along.
7. Tiro Windbreaker
Like the modern track jacket above, this colorful and confident windbreaker from Adidas takes its cues from retro track outfits, but without looking like it’s 1995.
It keeps the wind out without letting you overheat; the polyester weave uses breathable mesh lining on the inside to wick moisture away and lets heat escape while staying thick enough to block the wind.
It uses a polyester plain weave for durable quality and style.
The Tiro Windbreaker features a hood and elasticized cuffs, while its front zip pockets keep your essentials stored safely. The Tiro, with a bold color block pattern in either black and white or bright teal and black, is meant for running and an athletic look – but you could probably pull it off with anything if you were so inclined.
What customers are saying: Most buyers find the jacket stylish and fitting well, but some mention sizing issues like running too big or being too long. One complaint was about an unexpected soccer patch on the chest.