The 20 Best Men’s Vests To Wear This Spring
As we turn another page on our calendars and step wholeheartedly into fall, it’s time to revamp your shopping list. In place of summer-friendly sneakers and chino shorts, perhaps there sits a crucial series of gear picks for fall and beyond, from rugged leather boots to a durable waxed trucker jacket and a restock of your fall and winter henleys. And you know what should sit right near the top of that list, too? It’s simple. A vest deserves a place of pride when it comes to your fall gear rotation, providing the kind of easy wearability and critical layering capacity that’s so crucial right now.
Why go for a vest when you’ve got an array of fall outerwear at your disposal? Well, actually having an array of outerwear up for grabs is as good a reason as any. Whether you want more mobility and range of motion for the trail, or you just want a more casual layer that allows you to more easily wear a thermal henley AND a flannel, a vest is precisely what the (gear) doctor ordered. They provide warmth and durability, yet cut away excess fabric and bulk.
At the same time, a vest will actually do as reliable a job keeping you warm as your waxed trucker jacket. If that’s not a great reason to buy a vest, then perhaps earning some serious style points will convince you? The best men’s vests listed below are all yours for consideration.
Relwen Windzip Vest
Looking for a base layer that you can wear with everything? The Relwen Windzip Vest is exactly what you want. It’s light, sleek, and supremely comfortable, but comes with a sixty-gram down alternative filling that will keep out the cold like a champ. However, it’s also incredibly breathable, thanks to the nylon exterior that lets excess heat out while keeping necessary warmth in.
Take it out into the rain or sleet without worry, because that water-resistant outer shell will keep the water off your back. And when the weather turns truly chilly, just flip up that tall stand-up collar and let the dual-layered insulation keep you warm all day long.
Price: $198
Mack Weldon WARMKNIT Fleece Vest
It’s reassuring to us when we know that we can turn toward one brand to build a casual, comfortable, head-to-toe style ensemble. Mack Weldon is one such brand, with everything from premium boxer briefs to functional sweatpants and cozy long-sleeve shirts. Add in Mack Weldon’s WARMKNIT technology as incorporated into products like this functional fleece vest, and it’s no wonder why we dig ‘em so much.
Price: $128
Stio Men’s Pinion Down Vest
The best thing about adding a vest to your outerwear rotation (and indeed, to your fall road trip packing list) is the ease with which you can style it with just about anything. Toss in this packable vest to your weekender bag in a versatile navy colorway, then team it with a white thermal henley and tan chore pants for unstoppable fall style.
Price: $189
Free Fly Bamboo Polar Fleece Vest
Don’t overdress for the cooler weather, but keep it simple with the Free Fly Bamboo Polar Fleece Vest. Made using a mix of polyester polar fleece and viscose from bamboo, this simple, lightweight vest is just what you need when the temperature starts dropping. It’s slim enough to wear beneath a light coat or jacket, but warm enough to be worn on its own all autumn long. With zip side pockets large enough to stuff your hands into, it’ll be your new best friend for those chilly days.
Price: $88
Patagonia Men’s Nano Puff Vest
You’re going to love the signature look of Patagonia’s Nano Puff Vest. Sure, it’s a bit puffier than you might be used to, but wait until that gust of cold wind hits it and you feel no chill at all. The lightweight vest offers both excellent insulation and water-resistance, and it’s even eco-friendly, made with post-consumer recycled polyester. Now that’s a vest you’ll be proud to own.
Price: $179
L.L. Bean Upcountry Waxed Cotton Down Vest
We’re big fans of brands that take a heritage-minded approach to an entire line of products designed to work in perfect harmony. What exactly do we mean by that? Well, if you’re just about ready to break out your L.L. Bean “Bean Boots,” you’ll be mighty pleased to know that this handsome waxed cotton vest is the perfect complementary layer up top for fall. Shop accordingly.
Price: $149
Barbour Lowerdale Vest
The Barbour outerwear game is the stuff of legend — trust us on that, we’ve tried the heritage company’s dependable and rugged jackets, and they’ve never quit. The Barbour Lowerdale Vest takes a similar approach, but loses any pesky excess fabric while retaining that classic Barbour quality and heritage via a quilted, midweight fabric design. This vest is ideal for layering or wearing on its own this fall.
Price: $180
Lululemon Down For It All Vest
Lululemon bridges the gap between serious technical performance and even better style with the aptly named, versatile Down For It All Vest. This vest takes function and form to the next level through water-repellent fabric, a slim fit, versatile color options, and raglan shoulder detailing for ease of movement. It’s assuredly one of the best vests for men out there.
Price: $148
Howler Brothers Merlin Vest
The guys at Howler Brothers know how to take care of business in terms of adventure-friendly gear that just so happens to look mighty great, too. The Merlin Vest is no exception, complete with warm insulation, a trim fit and contrasting shoulder yokes that add some contrast to the tactically-minded Blackout colorway. This is the perfect vest for fall adventures, with some subtle style points thrown in.
Price: $135 $81
Orvis Men’s Tech Softshell Vest
When the weather turns cold, that’s when it’s time to break out the Orvis Tech Softshell Vest. This bad boy is sleek and super lightweight, but the microfleece interior lining and ripstop nylon exterior shell combine to make for an amazingly warm outer layer. The hand pockets are lined with fleece to keep your hands warm and your devices protected. It’s windproof, water-resistant, and stylish to the max.
Price: $89
Arc’teryx Atom LT Insulated Vest
Winter has nothing on this beast. The Arc’teryx Atom LT Insulated Vest is intended to be worn in the coldest weather—ski slopes, winter hiking, even on the Arctic tundra, it can handle them all. The Coreloft insulation is lightweight but does an amazing job of trapping body heat close to your skin, making it an ideal base layer to wear beneath a parka or snow jacket. And, thanks to its DWR finish and denier nylon, it’s both moisture-repellent and tough enough to survive a fall on the ski slopes.
Price: $175
Helly Hansen Paramount Softshell Vest
Helly Hansen is a truly amazing brand for athletes and outdoorsmen looking for tough, weather-resistant clothing, and the Paramount Softshell Vest is exactly what you need for the winter season. It’s hyper-warm, breathable, but flexible enough to keep up with all your winter sports. Whether you’re snowshoeing, snowboarding, or winter running, this lightweight vest will offer both excellent insulation and a water-resistant outer layer to keep out the snow and rain.
Price: $110
Carhartt Relaxed Fit Firm Duck Insulated Rib Collar Vest
Carhartt’s brand motto is “Gear that’s engineered to outwork them all,” and the brand is famous for its hard-wearing work clothing. The Relaxed Fit Firm Duck Insulated Rib Collar Vest is just what you need to stay warm on the job site without worrying about your clothing being stained, ripped, or damaged by heavy-duty action. The cotton duck canvas is hyper-durable and repels both wind and water, and the quilted polyester insulation is suitable for arctic temperatures. Definitely the vest for a man’s man.
Price: $80 – $90
Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece Vest
Don’t bother bundling up with a heavy coat or jacket on the days when you know it’s going to warm up; just thrown on the Smartwool Hudson Trail Fleece Vest, and you’ll be ready for any weather. The vest is made with a combination of recycled wool, polyester, and nylon, just insulated enough that your torso will always stay warm while your arms are free to move. When the weather’s chilly, slide your hands into the two front welt pockets, and keep your critical items (ID, cash, credit cards) in the zippered chest pocket. But even when the day warms up, you’ll find the ultra-soft Merino wool fleece blend makes for an ultra-versatile and well-ventilated vest that will keep up with your daily activities.
Price: $100
Orvis Pro Insulated Vest
Fishermen, rejoice: you now have the perfect insulated vest for any and all fishing trips you’re planning, no matter the weather. The Orvis Pro Insulated Vest is made with a super-tough ripstop nylon that is coated to improve both wind and water-resistance, and the PrimaLoft Gold active insulation is perfect for warm- and cold-weather use. The stretch insulation is actually body-mapped to ensure you have total freedom of movement while casting out or hauling in your lines. If your hands get cold, you’ll love how quickly they warm up when stuffed in the fleece-lined pockets. And, best of all, the vest can be turned inside out and stuffed into its own internal security pocket to fold it down beautifully small when you want to pack it in your suitcase.
Price: $169
Vineyard Vines New 17 Mile Vest
Golfers, try this vest on for size, and you’ll fall instantly in love. The Vineyard Vines New 17 Mile Vest is designed specifically for you, pairing a water-resistant outer shell with just enough stretch fabric incorporated into the synthetic blend that you’ll never compromise your swing. The vest will shield you from the damp if it starts raining (or you’re unlucky enough to end up in a water hazard) and keep you warm without being too bulky or confining. Keep your cellphone and wallet in the zippered side pocket, always close at hand but protected against the rain.
Price: $168 $84
On Weather Vest
Take this On Weather Vest on your next run, and not even the wind will slow you down. It’s designed to be a windproof, water-resistant shell that keeps you dry in the rain, but it weighs so little that you’ll forget you’re wearing it. The waist cinch makes it easy to adapt the fit to your unique physiology so you’ll always look your best when out for a run. Thanks to the performance fabric, you’ll stay cool no matter how hard you sweat.
Price: $140
Kuhl The One Vest
Kuhl has crafted the perfect camping vest, a blend of advanced synthetic fabrics and insulation that will keep you warm, dry, and comfortable in any weather. The One Vest is designed specifically to regulate your body heat, allowing heat to escape without letting in any cold air, so you’ll stay warm on cold days but won’t overheat when the sun shines bright and hot. The stretch fabric will flex and bend with your movements, and you’ll love how breathable the vest is thanks to the underarm gussets. It’s the trekking, hiking, climbing, and camping vest you’ll always want to pack for any outdoors trip.
Price: $119
Duluth Trading AKHG Blackburn Vest
For those who want to wear a truly versatile mid-layer during the dead of even the coldest winter, consider the Duluth Trading AKHG Blackburn Vest. This vest is designed to be the perfect protection for your torso, but lightweight and slim enough to wear under any jacket, coat, or parka. Not only does the polyester fabric move easily and conserve body heat, but it’s also moisture-wicking and sweat-evaporating to keep you comfortable and dry after a day on the slopes or snowshoeing backcountry trails. It’s even got odor-fighting properties that guarantees you’ll always smell fresh as a daisy no matter how active you are.
Price: $80
REI Co-op Swiftland Running Vest
For those early spring and late autumn runs when it’s too cold to wear just a T-shirt but too warm to throw on a proper coat, you’re going to love the Swiftland Running Vest. REI Co-op delivers true quality in the form of a recycled nylon vest made using recycled materials, all made in Fair Trade Certified factories. The recycled nylon front is rated for winds up to thirty miles per hour and is finished off with a DWR coating that shrugs off light rain effortlessly. The back is made using a combination of spandex and nylon that is beautifully breathable and versatile enough to keep up with your jog, run, or sprint training session with ease.
Price: $70 $49
L.L. Bean Sweater Fleece Vest
The L.L. Bean Sweater Fleece Vest is “dad style” at its very finest. It’s the perfect blend of warmth and comfort, made with an ultra-soft premium polyester fleece that traps heat close to your body. The droptail hem keeps wind from seeping up your lower back, while the jersey binding at the collar and arms offers both extra warmth and reinforcement. The sweater-knit exterior is smooth enough that you can wear it under any jacket or coat without tugging or binding, making it an excellent mid-layer for those chilly winter months. However, it’s also warm and sturdy enough to wear as a top layer during the spring and autumn cool seasons before the weather.
Price: $70
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