Clothing > Jackets

8 Best Men’s Lightweight Jackets for Spring

By Beau Hayhoe  |  Updated April 12, 2024

8 Best Men’s Lightweight Jackets for Spring
Courtesy of Taylor Stitch

Your menswear wardrobe requires some evaluation season after season. Sure, you’ve got tried-and-true essentials you reach for every year, but what about taking a slight detour off the path?

I’m talking about finding the right mix of form and function with the best lightweight spring jackets, each of which offer easygoing wearability, a touch of technical prowess and some serious style points.


WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
  • Rugged and ready for anything: Spring can bring breezy mornings, sunny afternoons and even a touch of rain or wind. The best lightweight spring jackets should be ready for all of those possibilities, just like you.
  • Look to the classics: It’s no coincidence that spring jackets of today often draw on the past, be it military inspiration or retro hiking gear, so find one that’s a bit of a throwback.
  • Don’t be afraid to mix it up: Spring is an excellent season for layering, just like fall, so look for variety in your rotation, be it the shirt jacket or the puffer jacket.

Think of the lightweight jacket as your daily driver – it’s not quite the jacket you’d wear on a mountain hike, and it’s got a bit more fashion thrown in the mix, too. It’s a difficult formula to nail, but I think these brands get it right.

Best Overall Light Jacket

Buck Mason Storm Stopper Traveler Shirt

Why did I choose it?

Buck Mason once again rises to the occasion, this time with a durable shirt jacket you can use as a blazer replacement atop an Oxford shirt, or as a travel jacket, thanks to its plentiful pockets and durable fabric. The design calls to mind classic military jackets, and features room for layering.


Best Lightweight Fleece Jacket
Vuori Idyllwild Sherpa Jacket

Best Inexpensive Lightweight Jacket
Dickies Unlined Eisenhower Jacket

Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

Best Trucker Jacket
Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket


Best Overall Light Jacket

Buck Mason Storm Stopper Traveler Shirt


$198
 

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.





Best Lightweight Fleece Jacket

Vuori Idyllwild Sherpa Jacket


$92
 

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 fleece 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.





Best Inexpensive Lightweight Jacket

Dickies Unlined Eisenhower Jacket


$60
 

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.





Best Lightweight Puffer Jacket

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket


$229
 

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.

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Best Trucker Jacket

Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket


$198
 

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.






Bonobos Tech Utility Jacket


$229
 

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.






Proof Moonweight Puffer Shirt Jacket


$89
 

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.






The North Face Apex Bionic Jacket


$150
 

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.





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