If you’re planning to head away sometime soon on any kind of adventure, then there’s no time to waste getting the gear you’ll need to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Great adventuring gear needs to be lightweight and packable so you’ll easily be able to take it with you wherever the trails take you.
Below, we cover the travel jackets that we think hit the sweet spot for adventuring.
After that, we touch on three key features that you should look for in a travel jacket suitable for helping you make the most of your journey.
Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket
Patagonia is renowned for producing some of the highest quality adventure clothing globally and the Torrentshell jacket is one of their most popular items.
This jacket packs into its own pocket for ease of transportation and has a carabiner clip to make sure it doesn’t get lost.
The pocket is designed to help warm the hands while the entire jacket is treated with a Durable Water Resistant sealant to keep you dry and comfortable.
When the weather turns foul you can pull down the visor and pull up the front zipper to create a zipper-garage chin guard.
PROS
- Durable Water Resistant Sealed
- Packs into its own pocket for easy storage
- Roll down visor
- Hand Warming Pocket
- Waterproof and Breathable
CONS
- Hood not removable
- May be tricky to pack into pocket
Kathmandu Federate Men’s Rain Coat
If you’re looking for a high quality, versatile jacket that will serve you well in a wide range of travel and urban environments, then the Federate Rain Coat from Kathmandu could be just the ticket.
Not only does it look great with a parka inspired design, it’s packed with features that you are sure to appreciate on your travels.
It has a removable, adjustable hood along with six outer and two inner pockets, great for storing valuables in busy airports and cities.
It’s also fully waterproof, windproof and breathable and comes in two colours.
PROS
- Internal and external pockets for travel
- Good warmth
- Lightweight
- Waterproof
- Windproof
- Breathable
CONS
- More expensive than other options
Arrowood Triclimate Women’s Jacket
This women’s jacket is perfectly suited for travelling in varying climates and unpredictable weather.
It can be worn in one of three ways, just the waterproof shell, the fleece inner jacket, or combined for the ultimate in warmth and comfort.
The wrists feature tabs that can be sealed for further weather protection, while the pockets zip to protect the contents from nasty weather. No matter where the road takes you, this jacket will keep you warm and dry.
PROS
- Waterproof Outer Shell
- 200-weight fleece inner jacket
- Compatible with other The North Face zip-in garments
- Cinch-cord hem
- Versatile for rough climates
- Velcro Cuff Tabs
CONS
- No way to pack down
- Only available in one colour
Vigilante Chillsome Women’s Softshell Jacket
When you know the day ahead is going to be cold and blustery this jacket is one of the best options for women that we’ve found.
Three layers provide a way to ward off the wind, stay dry in the rain, and keep you warm during the cooler days of your excursion.
While some jackets lack in convenient storage space this jacket comes in a multi-pocket design, including interior hidden pockets for glasses and mobile devices.
PROS
- Drawcord Hem is adjustable for comfort
- Built-in Lens Cleaner
- Mobile device pocket
- Glasses Pocket
- Detachable Hood
CONS
- Limited colour selection
- Only in one size
Mountain Designs Men’s Resurge 700 Down Vest Black
This armless jacket protects against rain and wind while keeping you warm with goose-down insulation.
Lightweight and easy to pack it still retains a remarkable degree of protection from unsavoury weather.
A classic horizontal baffle design makes the piece timeless while the funnel collar, tricot fabric, and down ensures its warm and comfortable.
This whole piece is packable into its own internal chest hidden pocket to complement its lightweight design.
PROS
- Funnel collar keeps the neck warm
- Adjustable hem for a perfect fit
- Internal chest pocket provides secure storage
- Goose down ensures warmth in any weather
- Zip guard
CONS
- No sleeves
- Only available in one colour
Travel Jacket Buyer’s Guide
Easily Packable
When you start thinking about packing for your trip you’ve probably got visions of a loaded suitcase or pack and are trying to figure out how much you can fit inside. When you’re thinking about travel jackets, however, you’ll often find that less is more.
A packable jacket is key if you’re out and about and the weather starts to shift.
Whether it started out sunny and turned foul, or you left when it was drizzly and cool and it’s warming up, your jacket should have the versatility to adapt and be convenient to carry in your daypack.
RELATED: The Best Softshell Jacket
Lightweight
Regardless of what weather your jacket is rated for you want to make sure that it’s as light-weight as possible. Airlines have maximum weight limits on baggage and will charge you extra if you go over that limit.
Your jacket also tends to be a major piece of your wardrobe that you’ll keep with you when you go out, and when there’s no convenient place to strip it off it can become cumbersome no matter how light it is.
Lightweight jackets are more comfortable to wear, and to carry, for long periods of time.
Convenient
More than any other piece of clothing, jackets tend to serve as an additional storage space for incidentals like cameras, chapstick, sunscreen, and sunglasses. This is why it’s essential to have jackets that have a multi-pocket design.
If you can find one with a hidden pocket so much the better! Hidden pockets in jackets are great ways to store your passport and wallet where they won’t get lost, and it’s much harder to pick a pocket you don’t know is there.
RELATED: The Best Rain Jacket
Verdict
These five pieces represent some of the best travel jackets in Australia and will be the perfect addition to the luggage you’re packing for Europe, Asia, or anywhere else your travels take you.
The Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket stands out as our top pick from this list. Its design, versatility, and ability to be packed away in its own pocket makes it the perfect lightweight adventurer’s gear.
