Five Plus One is our weekly series of buyer’s guides. We pick a specific category and dig up five great options along with one that’s a little outside the norm.
Whether there’s wind, rain, or sleet in your morning, there is no better way to prepare than with lightweight, shell jacket. Perfect for layering under, these jackets offer sufficient wind and moisture resistance without adding warmth that would prevent them from being worn year round. While fall hasn’t fallen just yet, it is the perfect time to prepare for what’s to come.
1) And Wander: Raschel Ripstop Rain Jacket
If you’re looking for a mid-tier, lightweight shell with lots of great details then And Wander’s Raschel Ripstop Rain Jacket is a great piece to consider. Made from 100% polyester ripstop, this jacket is water repellent yet breathable, and features a drawstring hood, hand-warmer pockets, and YKK zippers.
Available for $295 from Blue Owl.
2) Uniqlo: Blocktech Parka
While Uniqlo may have dubbed this piece the Blocktech Parka, the lightweight nature of this jacket certainly makes it more of an outer shell. This jacket blocks both wind and water, and features a removable hood for when you need that little bit of extra layering but aren’t worried about the rain. Available in a wide range of colors, this piece is perfect for those who need a new shell or aren’t sure they’ll like the style.
Available for $80 from Uniqlo.
3) Mission Workshop: The Orion Waterproof Jacket
Mission Workshop might be most known for the bags but their jackets, such as The Orion Waterproof, are fantastic in their own right. This jacket is made from Japanese Toray Entrant fabric, which offers great durability in addition to both water and wind resistance. It features taped seams for added protection against the elements, hand-warmer pockets, and a removable hood, making this a great choice for year-round wear regardless of what weather you encounter.
Like this? Read these:
Available for $455 from Mission Workshop.
4) Moncler: Adour Hooded Shell Jacket
If you are looking for a lightweight shell that is a bit more stylized and less techwear-y than some of the others on this list, then Moncler’s Adour Hooded Shell Jacket might be right up your alley. This 100% polyester shell is designed for protecting against rainy and windy weather when things aren’t too cold, and even features reflective trim for great safety at night. With its large front pockets, full lining, and two-way zipper, this jacket is a no brainier if the style appeals to you and the price isn’t prohibitive.
Available for $845 from Mr. Porter.
5) Filson: Swiftwater Rain Jacket
Filson makes some great outerwear but their Swiftwater Rain Jacket stands out as being more on the tech side than most of their offerings. Made from nylon ripstop, this jacket has YKK AquaGuard zippers for great water resistance, a drawstring hood, and Velcro hem, making this a great choice for those blustery days. Best yet, this jacket is intended to be packable, making it a perfect travel companion regardless of where your life takes you.
Available for $195 from Filson.
Plus One – Nine Lives: Port d’Attache Coach Jacket
Nine Lives is known for their unique patterns and fantastic fabrics, both of which are accentuated in their Port d’Attache Coach Jacket. This piece is made of nylon twill and features a snapped front closure, detachable hood, and raglan sleeves, giving it a look unlike anything else on this list. While yes, zippers will help protect against the weather a tad more than snaps, the aesthetics of this jacket might be worth the slightly decreased weather resistance to some, and after looking this piece it’s hard to fault that.
Available for $445 from Rivet and Hide.
