The Five Best Insulated Jackets for Winter Hiking

When things get "brisk" up on those trails and high passes, you'll be thankful for an insulated jacket. It can be a bit shocking to feel just how brutal those cold temps can get if you're not accustomed to the shift. That's why picking out a reliable, high-performance insulated jacket is so important for hikers and explorers. Let's make the vetting process a little easier by zeroing in on the five best insulated jackets for winter hiking to consider.

1. Arc'teryx Cerium SV

If finding a lightweight jacket is a priority, this down design from Arc'teryx is a top pick. This 850-fill down jacket is versatile because it can be used as a middle layer or standalone. You're getting a great warmth-to-weight ratio with this highly streamlined design. In fact, the aerodynamic configuration of this jacket is meant to make it easy to move during a wide variety of activities in a wide variety of conditions.

2. Patagonia Jackson Glacier

This is a 700-fill down jacket that comes with some feel-good vibes courtesy of the fact that it's made from recycled materials. Its fill is composed of duck and goose down sourced from reclaimed down products. In addition to a two-layer design consisting of a shell and down warmth, this jacket also offers an insulated hood. This is a waterproof and windproof jacket with a two-way center zipper and adjustable drawcord hem.

3. Arc'teryx Dually Belay Parka

A synthetic design, this parka is a champion when it comes to insulation. The big benefit of going with an option that uses synthetic insulation is that you're getting very quick dry times. This parka also performs impeccably when it comes to staying warm when damp. The real beauty of this parka is that it's designed to allow your body to engage in efficient movements when you're in climbing environments that demand high-precision maneuverability.

4. Mountain Equipment Lightline Down Jacket

Using 700-fill down, this windproof and water-resistant jacket insulates masterfully. The large stitched-through baffles on this design create that "puffing" effect that so famously traps warmth. This design also has nice touches like adjustable cuffs, insulated flaps over hand-warmer pockets and a hem drawcord. There's also an adjustable zip-off hood feature.

5. REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie 2.0

This jacket offer 850-fill down insulation in one of the most compact designs available. You're really kicking your warmth-to-weight ratio into high gear with help from a Pertex® ripstop shell that's part of a very packable design. In fact, the entire jacket can be packed into its own left-side pocket! The goose down used in this jacket is given a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment for quick drying. There's also some beautiful work done for enhanced aerodynamics throughout the jacket's design. First, the shoulder seams on this jacket are rolled forward to stop any chafing that might happen under pack straps. Next, the underarm gussets are tightly quilted to help you maintain a good range of motion. You're also getting an assurance of sealed-in warmth by way of elastic cuffs and a drawcord hem. There's also a down-filled hood. What makes this jacket a real wonder for warmth is the use of variable baffles that map out insulation throughout the body based on where you need to strategically apply bulk.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Best Insulated Jacket for Your Winter Hiking

This list of five of the best insulated jackets is a great starting point for finding the perfect option for your winter trail climbs and expeditions. However, you're probably going to want to dig in to do more research based on the specific scenarios you're going to be walking into during your journeys. Temp ratings are nothing to simply guess about if you're going to be heading into some extreme conditions. Make sure you check the temperature ratings of insulated jackets when shopping around.