Best lightweight insulated jackets for 2023: warmth without bulk

Whether worn as a mid-layer underneath a hardshell on harsh winter days, or as a standalone outer layer in milder climes, a lightweight insulated jacket is a versatile piece of kit.

Photos of hikers wearing lightweight insulated jackets

by Chris Williams |
Updated on

The hiking jacket category is a very broad one. Within it is a variety ranging from waterproof jackets to fleeces. It's therefore easy to get bogged down when trying to choose one for your outdoor escapades. Lightweight insulated jackets are great winter mid layers and outer layers for chilly days throughout the year.

We've been testing a collection of lightweight insulated jackets to find the best. The ones we've recommended here vary quite a bit from each other, so there's something for everyone.

Lightweight insulated jackets are a category that has proliferated in the twenty first century. Advances in lightweight fabrics have made this possible. Down feathers still lead the insulation pack in terms of insulating efficiency, but class-leading synthetic insulation is very impressive these days, while outperforming down in damp conditions, and certainly beating it on price.

Hiker scrambling up a waterfall wearing a lightweight insulated jacket
Lightweight insulated jackets are highly versatile layers ©Live For The Outdoors

Best lightweight insulated jackets at a glance:

Best in Test: Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch - View on artilect.studio

Best Value: Kathmandu Heli Thermore - View on kathmandu.co.uk

Best warmth to weight ratio: Rab Mythic G - View on cotswoldoutdoor.com

Best for breathability: Montane Fireball Lite Hooded - View on montane.com

In this guide, we have included a range of down and synthetic insulated jackets that excelled during our tests, albeit for different reasons. In this way, we can suggest a variety of jackets to suit a wide variety of needs and budgets.

Best lightweight insulated jackets in detail:

Best in Test

Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Jacket being worn by a hikerLive For The Outdoors

Description

It’s only when a jacket like this comes along that you realise the outdoor industry’s innovation

Pros

  • Innovative approach to water-repellency
  • Versatile
  • Sustainable
  • Highly functional yet stylish

Cons

  • Not worth it for casual hikers

Best Value

Hiker wearing Kathmandu Heli Thermore jacketLive For The Outdoors

Description

Northern Hemisphere dwellers will likely never have heard of this brand. But far away in the

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Still reasonably sustainable
  • Good for layering
  • Performs in damp conditions

Cons

  • You might want a more athletic fit
  • Quite light on features

Best value lightweight down jacket

Female hiker wearing blue Alpkit Halogen jacketLive For The Outdoors
Price: £189.99

alpkit.com

Description

Those with a desire for a lightweight down jacket but neither the want nor need for the top end

Pros

  • Athletic, tailored fit
  • Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio
  • Lightweight
  • Stylish

Cons

  • DownTek treatment isn’t PFC-free
  • One zip pocket,
  • Doesn’t fit stuff pocket

Best for climbing and scrambling

Hiker wearing Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody Live For The Outdoors

Description

The Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody employs cutting-edge materials and thoughtful design

Pros

  • Impressive weatherproofing
  • PFC-free DWR
  • Comfortable 'athletic' fit
  • Excellent breathability

Cons

  • Only works as 'active' insulation

Best warmth-to-weight ratio

Rab Mythic G

Description

Seeing jackets and sleeping bags with 800 fill-power ratings is impressive. It denotes very high

Pros

  • Remarkable warmth-to-weight ratio
  • Quite sustainable
  • Ideal for mountain use
  • Allows for good freedom of movement
  • Heat-reflective lining

Cons

  • Too niche for most
  • Outer fabric might prove too delicate for those harsh on their gear

Best for breathability

Female hiker wearing Montane Fireball Lite Hooded Live For The Outdoors
Price: £200.00

montane.com

Description

Designed primarily for hiking, climbing and fastpacking, the Montane Fireball Lite Hooded

Pros

  • Lightweight and breathable layer
  • Effective active insulation
  • Performs in damp conditions
  • Montane a Fair Wear Foundation member

Cons

  • Not super warm
  • Arguably overpriced

Best for peak-to-pub

Female hiker wearing Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket Live For The Outdoors

Description

For those after a lightweight insulating layer for casual hillwalks and hikes, it’s always nice to

Pros

  • Reversible
  • Comfortable
  • Sustainable
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Not suitable for demanding or technical outings

Best lightweight insulated vest/gilet

Female hiker wearing Patagonia Nano Air Light VestLive For The Outdoors

Description

The ultimate put on-keep on insulating layer is the vest (or gilet if you insist on using the

Pros

  • Very breathable
  • All-day comfort
  • Sustainable
  • Ideal for high-octane outings

Cons

  • Not that warm when you're idle in cold conditions

What to look for in a lightweight insulated jacket

What is warmth-to-weight ratio?

Ideally with insulated jackets, you want the maximum possible warmth from as little insulation as possible. This keeps weight down, mobility and breathability up. A high warmth-to-weight ratio is achieved through high quality insulation. With down, a higher fill power means a higher warmth-to-weight ratio. Synthetic is a bit trickier but technologies like PrimaLoft ThermoPlume work to mimic down.

What is fill power?

With down insulated product you’ll see fill power ratings (700-fill, for example). The higher the value, the more loft the down has – i.e., the ‘fluffier’ it is and the better it is at insulating. High fill power is great for lightweight insulated jackets because it requires less down than lower fill power down to provide greater warmth.

Does an insulated jacket need water repellency?

Many of us like the security of water repellent jackets. With down jackets, this can be useful if it’s being worn as an outer layer, but it’s not a necessity. You’ll probably have a hardshell waterproof with you on the hill anyway, and synthetic insulated jackets are good performers in damp conditions anyway.

The best lightweight insulated jackets reviewed
Lightweight insulation is best for intensive activities

How should a lightweight insulated jacket it?

A lot of lightweight insulated jackets will have a leaner, more athletic fit than thicker jackets. This is because lightweight ones are usually designed for fast-paced outings where the wearer wants something where comfort and mobility are of equal importance to warmth.

Are lightweight insulated jackets durable?

Lightweight insulated jackets will usually be made from lightweight materials – go figure. This is great for breathability, comfort, and other important things, but durability can take a hit. All the lightweight jackets we’ve recommended here have the potential to last a very long time. But it does require the wearer to avoid being too rough.

What features should I look for in a lightweight insulated jacket?

Heat reflecting: A clever and useful feature to keep an eye out for with lightweight insulated jackets is heat reflective technology. This is where the inner fabric or lining has a finish that reflects body heat. It’s a great way to improve a jacket’s warmth-to-weight ratio.

Hood: It falls to your personal preferences as to whether you want a hood or not. Your head and neck are sensitive to cold (and heat), so a hood is a great help in that regard. But don’t forget about your beanie, and a hoodless insulated jacket is often easier to layer with.

Pockets: Beyond storage, zipped pockets with a mesh-lining can also be opened to improve ventilation. Make sure that pockets are still accessible even when wearing a rucksack with a hipbelt – many users like chest pockets for this reason.

Hem and cuffs: Look for elasticated hem and cuffs to ensure a closer fit, which helps to prevent heat loss and stops chilly draughts from creeping up your back or arms.

Hiker walking wearing a lightweight insulated jacket
Today, there is a wide range of down and synthetic insulated jackets ©Live For The Outdoors

How to clean an insulated jacket

You can and should keep your insulated jackets clean by washing them as needed. Doing so keeps the fabrics and insulation free of dirt and sweat, which inhibit their ability to insulate.

You can wash insulated jackets either by hand or in the washing machine. But avoid using laundry detergent because it leaves behind residue that is detrimental to the jacket’s performance. Instead, use Grangers Down Wash (down or synthetic), or Nikwax Tech Wash if synthetic or Nikwax Down Wash.Direct if down. These clean effectively while rejuvenating breathability and water repellency.

Best down wash

Grangers Down Wash

Rrp: £7.25

Price: £6.5

Description

This specialist down wash is eco friendly and effectively cleans down-insulated gear while also

Best down wash

Nikwax Down Wash.Direct
Price: £3.99

Description

Nikwax Down Wash.Direct is very similar to Grangers' product. You can't go wrong with either. This

How to repair an insulated jacket

A wide range of brands and retailers offer repair services for gear. For insulated jackets this covers most things, from tears to zips to Velcro cuff replacements. Make use of these services, you can invariably book these online. It’s great value for you and a very important aspect to sustainability.

How we test

Our testing process involves not just thorough real-world trialling, but also a deeper dive into how it's made.

So yes, we find out how our test jackets perform, fit, and how comfortable they are. But we are also interested in whether it is durable and produced in a responsible, sustainable manner.

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Chris Williams is a Digital Content Writer for Live For The Outdoors. He trained as a journalist in New Zealand and has been working on Live For The Outdoors since 2021.

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