The 9 Best Men’s Lightweight Jackets for Spring 2023

With the rugged cool of a field jacket and the hybrid style of a shirt jacket, Buck Mason manages to once again deliver a highly versatile piece you’ll have for years.

The cotton/poly weather cloth should prove able to withstand spring breezes even when layered over only a soft, simple tee, but it can also pull double duty as a more rugged office jacket if need be.

Zippered chest pockets and a chest patch pocket provide critical EDC storage space, but it’s also just as suited for days at home by a late night spring bonfire.

Spring layering can be as casual and cool as you want it to be, or as technically minded as you prefer, but the best lightweight spring jackets can assuredly do both.

Vuori might be your go-to gym and athleisure brand (they certainly make some of the best workout shorts), but this sherpa jacket is a bit more suited for adventures off trail – or at least, a trek to your favorite brewery.

The stretch sherpa is soft, comfortable and easy to wear, while the recycled fabric resists pilling. You can feel good about wearing this one consistently this spring, no doubt about it.

It’s hard to top a classic, a jacket that calls to mind an era when getting the job done was the only option.

The Eisenhower Jacket is among Dickies’ most popular styles, and it keeps things simple when it needs to be.

The turn-down collar is crucial for weather-ready protection, while the cotton/poly twill construction is hardy and weather-ready.

It’s an ideal work jacket, but also functions well with casual picks like a henley and blue jeans. Plus, General Dwight D. Eisenhower himself approved of its utility.

There are certain days when spring weather calls for something a little more savvy, a little more in tune with the elements. If you favor day hikes or camping trips, and yet want a jacket that works well back in town, Patagonia has long had you covered.

The best part is, the Nano Puff Jacket boasts a useful stand-up collar, a drawstring waist for a snug fit, and super-lightweight PrimaLoft recycled insulation. It does all this for a fairly agreeable price considering its helpful tech features, and plenty of colors should suit every taste.

Looking for a perfectly simple yet stylish and useful layer to throw on over a T-shirt or a henley?

The shirt jacket is your new best friend and one of the best lightweight spring jackets, especially one built with remarkably innovative construction from Proof.

The key is the use of nylon infused with graphene, a fiber that offers durability and yet helps this jacket live up to its Moonweight moniker. It’s also finished with water-resistant DWR coating for maximum weather-ready potential.

Taylor Stitch offers up its take on the trucker jacket, a fan favorite style that they’ve made unique to the San Francisco brand’s heritage.

That means zig-zag front placket and back collar stitching, rounded chest flap pockets, a fit offered up in useful chest sizes, and of course, the use of spring-friendly, soft organic cotton cord fabric.

That’s right: Your new spring jacket boasts traditionally fall-minded corduroy fabric, the kind that gets better with age.

Even more traditionally rugged pieces like the shirt jacket get a refined upgrade via famed Alabama designer Billy Reid.

If you’re a fan of his denim shirts, then this shirt jacket is another essential spring layer.

It’s made from tough-as-nails yet supple, water-repellant Halley Stevensons fabric, which will develop a handsome patina over time.

Beyond that, the cotton lining offers a touch of warmth on blustery days, while the chest pocket is modeled after workwear match pockets to hold some EDC essentials. Wear it over a Billy Reid tee for the complete look.

There’s more than meets the eye with the best lightweight spring jackets, like with this subtle Bonobos number.

The stand-up collar and four front patch flap pockets call to mind the iconic field jacket, as does the drab olive color. The real kicker, though, is the modern blend of cotton and nylon, which enhances durability and gives it a hint of stretch. It’s a polished travel jacket that should look simply excellent with your favorite pair of chinos.

If you seek a touch of spring adventure combined with urban exploration, consider The North Face your best bet.

You might trust the famed outdoor brand to outfit you for winter storms, but you’ve got the option to lighten things up with this stretchy, water-repellant and wind-resistant jacket in a simple, subtle design.

Use the cinch cord to customize your fit, and pair up the black colorway with just about any other shades in your wardrobe – on the trail or back home.