The best outdoor jackets and pants should not only be stylish, but also keep you dry and warm.
Options for jackets and pants range from down fill to waterproof Gore-Tex, heavy-duty rain gear to lightweight and stretchy. We tested many options from a variety of brands to compile our favorites below.
These are the best outdoor jackets and pants for 2019
| Sherpa Preeti Jacket sherpaadventuregear.com This polyester/spandex blend hoody is comfortable and stylish. Our tester likes the zippered inner pocket for keys and ID. It’s a good layering piece, and offers nice protection from bugs and sun. They now have a flagship store in Seattle, WA. |
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| Grundéns Storm Rider Jacket and Bib grundens.com Our tester wore this set for five days on the Nushagak, four days in Yakutat and four days in Togiak and can say that it kept him warm, dry, and was easy to wear. The set has been subjected to slime from king salmon, big halibut and piles of coho, in addition to cured-egg goo, and the garments have proven easy to clean. It is made from heavy-duty, waterproof, breathable material that makes it easy to move, and that’s very handy in Alaska when you are battling strong, large, fast fish. Pockets are in smart locations, provide adequate storage and hand warmers in both jacket and bib. Recessed neoprene cuffs help keep water out when you are landing and releasing fish. |
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| Montbell Frost Smoke Parka Women’s montbell.us Our tester claims she made some people seriously jealous on a bear-viewing excursion to Redoubt Mountain Lodge this summer when she pulled out this 800-fill down parka and stayed toasty warm. This coat was tested from Ninilchik to the Nush. |
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| Patagonia Nano Puff Men’s Pants patagonia.com Patagonia says these packable, breathable, low-bulk, insulated pants are for layering under waders in cold conditions. They’re so comfortable and warm, even when wet, that you’ll still be wearing them long after your waders are hung up to dry. We couldn’t agree more. They’re made out of 100% recycled, polyester-shell fabric with a DWR finish, have an elastic back for fit and comfort, two front pockets, a button front, zippered fly, and reinforced seat with a zippered security pocket. Nano Puff pants are warm, light, comfortable, and have become our tester’s favorite under-wader mid-layer. Our tester said, “I’ve been wearing fleece pants under waders for as long as they’ve been around, but going forward, Nano Puff pants will be what I wear. They’re very warm while wading in cold water, yet they are also very comfortable back at camp or in the lodge. They are so light, it’s almost like you’re wearing nothing.” |
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| Marmot Featherless Hybrid Jacket marmot.com The jacket sports 3M Featherless insulation which is an alternative to down. It works when wet and has the warmth of 700-fill down. It’s very lightweight and not bulky, made from 3M Thinsulate. This is a great packable layer. It works perfectly as a layer under your wading coat or rain jacket. Our tester wore this a lot in 2018 and it was one of his favorite items. |
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| Marmot Eclipse Pants marmot.com These pants are truly hydrophobic and kept our tester dry in some nasty weather in 2018. They are comfortable as well, and breathable, which came in handy on several long hikes. We like the 3/4-length side zippers for venting heat and making it super easy to put on the pants while wearing boots. The pants are 100% seam-taped, and feature an elastic waist with snap closure and adjustable belt. |
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| Kuhl W Spyfire Down Parka kuhl.com Some really smart design elements make this parka stand out. Similar to the Spyfire Vest also awarded by our editors, this Spyfire Down Parka offers “thermal body mapping” to deliver warmth, extra protection or breathability where needed. What we love most about this long down parka is that it’s not bulky and it looks great. It’s ideal for a general Alaska winter. |
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| Sitka Gear Women’s Cloudburst Jacket and Pant sitkagear.com If you are an outdoor lady looking for that one high-performance rain suit you can wear both fishing and hunting then check out the Women’s Cloudburst by Sitka Gear. This set comes at a steep price tag but the idea is it’ll last you for a good long time and keep you bone dry in Alaska’s stormy weather. It’s lightweight and packable so it makes a great outer layer without adding bulk. |
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| The North Face Women’s Freedom Insulated Pants thenorthface.com Snow pants for ice fishing—these freedom pants are just that—freedom of movement kneeling down on the ice, freedom of movement hopping on and off the snow machine, and freedom to play outside all day because you’re warm. |
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| Mammut Convey Down Jacket for Women us.mammut.com Fit is the leading factor, along with quality of materials and a medium-weight versatility that makes this a top-choice down jacket. Mammut is a high-quality brand whose supporters know what they are getting with their purchase. |
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| Fjallraven Men’s Keb Eco-Shell Jacket fjallraven.com Our tester liked this stylish and comfortable jacket. The arm pocket and two chest pockets are easily accessible and well designed. The chest pockets have additional mesh pockets inside for a phone or other small devices. The side-vent zippers are a great design for breathability. This windproof, waterproof jacket is a favorite for the variety of elements encountered on an Alaskan outdoor adventure. |
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| Columbia Women’s Evolution Valley Jacket columbia.com Waterproof and breathable, with taped seams, are the first attributes we seek when gear testing a rain jacket. After that it comes down to fit, style, and added features. The Evolution Valley Jacket checked all the boxes and it looks great. |
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| Big Agnes Women’s Hole in the Wall Jacket bigagnes.com We became believers in Big Agnes down coats and jackets when we tested a kid’s jacket a couple years ago. The Hole in the Wall Jacket for women is made from their DownTek water-repellent down and is insulated with their Insotect Flow system where vertical channels keep insulation in place and reduce heat loss. This is vital to a tester like Melissa Norris, who reports, “I am always cold, but this 700-fill down jacket by Big Agnes is extremely warm.” |
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