Best hiking jacket buy

This guide tells you what to look for when buying a hiking jacket, what different types are available, and how best to care for them.

Different types of hiking jackets

Whether you are an experienced hiker or a novice on the trails, the right hiking jacket is an essential part of your equipment. It protects you from the elements, keeps you warm and dry, and – like your hiking boots – can make the difference between an enjoyable day in nature and an unpleasant experience. There are a variety of hiking jackets available that are suitable for different weather conditions and activities. TIP: Always close all zippers and wash inside out. This protects surface coatings, colors, zippers, Velcro fasteners, and snaps.

Buy the best hiking jacket — © Cam Poetry

The most common types of hiking jackets:

Features: Waterproof, windproof, breathable
Material: Usually made from GORE-TEX or similar materials
Suitable for: Rain, snow, stormy weather
Advantages: Reliable protection against wet and windy conditions, good for extreme conditions
Disadvantages: Often less breathable, can be uncomfortable in warmer temperatures, quite expensive
Care: Use special detergent for waterproof clothing and rinse thoroughly. Do not use fabric softener. A hardshell jacket is best dried in the air or in a dryer at a low temperature.

Features: Water-repellent, windproof, highly breathable
Material: Stretch fabrics, often with fleece lining
Suitable for: Cool, dry days, light drizzle
Advantages: Comfortable, flexible, good freedom of movement, cheaper than hardshell jackets
Disadvantages: Not completely waterproof, less suitable for heavy rain
Care: Use special detergent without fabric softener. Dry at low temperature and treat occasionally with a water-repellent spray.

Features: Warm, lightweight, breathable
Material: Synthetic fibers (polyester)
Suitable for: Cool, dry conditions or as a midlayer
Advantages: Good insulation, can be worn under other jackets
Disadvantages: Not windproof or waterproof
Care: Wash with normal detergent, but do not use fabric softener. Air dry or tumble dry at low temperature.

Features: Excellent thermal insulation, lightweight, compressible
Material: Filled with goose or duck down
Suitable for: Cold, dry conditions
Advantages: Very warm, easy to store
Disadvantages: Loss of insulation properties when wet, requires careful maintenance
Care: Down jackets require special care. Use down detergent and wash the jacket on a gentle cycle. Dry it in the dryer with tennis balls to fluff up the down clusters. Do not air dry, otherwise the down will clump together and lose its warming properties.

Features: Combination of hardshell and inner jacket (usually fleece or down)
Material: Variable, depending on combination and quality
Suitable for: Various weather conditions, all year round
Advantages: Versatile, customizable
Disadvantages: Somewhat heavier and bulkier, often very expensive
Care: Care for the individual layers according to their respective materials (hardshell, fleece, or down).

Features: Combination of different materials, often softshell with insulated areas
Material: Variable, usually a blend of water-repellent and breathable fabrics
Suitable for: Active hiking in changing weather conditions
Advantages: Flexible, provides warmth and breathability where it is most needed
Disadvantages: May be less effective than specialized jackets in extreme weather conditions
Care: Care for the jacket according to its most delicate component – hardshell, fleece, or down – using a suitable detergent without fabric softener. Dry at a low temperature or in the air (except down) and refresh water-repellent surfaces with waterproofing spray as needed.

Which jacket for which weather conditions

Hardshell jacket. It keeps you dry and protects you from the wind, whether you're out in a summer rain shower or a winter storm. The hardshell jacket is ideal as an outer layer in bad weather. Depending on the temperature, you can wear a fleece or down jacket underneath.

Softshell jacket / fleece jacket. They provide warmth and breathability without making you sweat. In rain and wind, a thin hardshell jacket can help, and in wind alone, a pure windstopper made of ultra-thin material can do the trick. Just slip it on.

Down jacket. It keeps you warm even in low temperatures. If it snows or rains, you can put on a hardshell jacket and enjoy the warmth of the down jacket combined with the wind and water protection of the hardshell jacket.

3-in-1 jacket. It offers flexibility, as you can adjust the layers depending on the weather conditions.

The best hiking jacket to always have with you?

A lightweight hardshell jacket is the all-rounder you should always have with you. It protects you from sudden changes in weather and can be worn over other layers to provide additional protection.

These tips will give you a basic idea of which hiking jacket is suitable for which purpose. We definitely recommend seeking advice from a specialist retailer to find the right hiking jacket for your adventures and to care for it properly. For some wellness after your hike, we recommend a cozy hotel bathrobe. Have fun hiking and enjoying some wellness!