Wherever you are on the planet, you can make use of a vest during the colder months. Depending on the type of vest and where you are in the world, you can throw one over a t-shirt or button down to keep the chill off whilst you grab your lunch, or work it into a sandwich of layers if you live somewhere that gets crazy cold. They also happen to look fantastic and come in an array of styles, constructions, and price points. That’s where we come in.
Just like we did with another key piece of fall/winter outerwear, the overshirt, we’ve put together a thorough buying guide on the good ol’ vest. We’ve curated this guide in 3 sections. Insulated – i.e. filled with down or lined with fleece, uninsulated – for those of you who may live on the West Coast or somewhere else where the cold doesn’t bite as hard, and under $200, for the people looking to enter or update their vest game without breaking the bank. We’ve got it covered.
Insulated
The Real McCoy’s Alpaca Pile-Lined Vest
The Real McCoy’s Alpaca Pile-Lined Vest is the real deal. It’s a true military reproduction piece from one of the best-known Japanese brands doing heritage Americana today. You name the military garment from the past, they make it, and that includes this WW2 era pile-lined vest.
Worn by the US Navy as a layering piece for frigid climes, the Alpaca Lined vest featured some of the same materials and details from the iconic N-1 Deck Jacket and this is exhibited by McCoy’s’ meticulous reproduction. Cotton whipcord fabric, contrasting Alpaca wool lining throughout, dual D-Pockets to warm the hands (is there a better-contoured pocket for the hands?), Talon zip front with whipcord pull tab, locker loop at the neck — it’s all there.
Made in Japan and available for $404 from Lost & Found
Rocky Mountain Featherbed Christy Vest
When it gets cold ‘n’ crispy, draw for a Christy. Rocky Mountain Featherbed‘s Christy Vest was always going to be on this list. It’s a heritage classic, and if you spend your time corralling steer, or wanting to look like someone who does, this one’s for you. Comparisons to tough horse-riding types aside, this is a great vest for anyone to warm up in. It’s a versatile down vest with the right amount of heritage styling to elevate your fits through fall/winter.
Made in Japan, the Christy vest is built with a water-resistant 100% Nylon outer, packed with water-resistant 90/10 down-feather filling, lined with proprietary 70-denier Nylon fabric, and comes detailed with western style leather yokes, mother of pearl snap button placket, and dual hand pockets with velcro fasteners.
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Available for $595 from Clutch Cafe
Burgus Plus x Zanter Inner Down Vest
The Burgus Plus x Zanter Inner Down Vest is one of those pieces of outerwear that really reduces the need for many other layers. Wear it when it’s cold over your favorite sweater or loopwheeled sweatshirt, or wear it over a short sleeve tee when you’re waiting for high noon. It’s as versatile as can be, not to mention as sustainable as can be, ‘cos this one’s made from water-repellant 100% polyester from recycled water bottles.
Burgus Plus x Zanter’s unique and classy design includes a snap button front placket, dual hand warming pockets, and a slightly curved back hem.
Available for $206 from Hinoya
Engineered Garments Over Vest Dark Navy Polyester Fake Melton
The Engineered Garments Over Vest in Navy Polyester Fake Melton is a great example of a modern take on a classic military style. In contrast to the classic USN deck style vest, it’s reversible, it’s got more pockets, and a sense of simplicity that sets the EG rendition apart from all the rest. Nobody does a contemporary take on a military style quite like the New York-based brand, and while this vest (and most of their catalog) is just a touch over-engineered, nothing ever feels unnecessary.
Two hand warming patch pockets up front, two pockets that wrap around to the back, a button front placket, and navy 87/10/3 Polyester-Rayon-Spandex blend fabric in lieu of Melton Wool. Vegans – rejoice.
Available for $318 at Lost & Found
Crescent Down Works Down Italian Vest
Seattle-based brand Crescent Down Works doesn’t mess around when it comes to outerwear. They’re so revered in the down-world, that they were enlisted by the costume designers of Stranger Things to make character Hopper’s Down Parka. For a vest that will see you through fall, winter, and even the upside-down, the Down Italian Vest in ‘Streakfree Nylon’ is a shoo-in.
If you’re into the idea of channeling the heyday of technical outerwear, this silhouette is the definition of a classic. The Down Italian Vest is filled with 5 oz. 700+ Goose right down to the collar, torso, and hand pockets. See what I mean when I said CDW doesn’t mess around?
Available from $364 at Crescent Down Works
Filson Workshop Shearling Vest
Filson‘s Workshop Shearling Vest isn’t just for the rugged outdoorsman. Sure, you could resign this beautiful sheepskin shearling, fully lined with 100% sheepskin shearling piece to the times spent out on the water while fishing. Or, wear it whenever it’s cold and you want to look like you know how to dress.
Filson may have outsourced a lot of their production to areas of Europe but this jawn is made in Canada, and features two patch pockets up front, reinforced front yoke and back panels, zip front closure, and 100% wool side gussets. If you want a borderline bombproof vest that you’ll be passing down the generations, this one should fit the bill.
Available for $695 from Filson
Uninsulated
The Worker’s Club x Division Road Reversibly Utility Gilet
Division Road is all about the exclusives, and their collab with The Workers Club on this Reversible Utility Gilet 12oz. Brisbane Moss® Brushed Twill is as special of a vest as you can find on this compilation of great vests. It’s simple in style, channeling hard-wearing workwear silhouettes, but it’s refined enough that no one would bat an eye if you wore it over an Oxford Shirt to the office.
Made from the aforementioned British-milled Brisbane Moss® Brushed Twill, a soft and tightly woven 100% cotton fabric, and contrasting olive 12oz. Brisbane Moss® 8 wale Corduroy fabric on the other side, this a sexy vest that evokes images of the British countryside. Made in the UK by Mackintosh, construction details include a ribbed collar, dual pockets on the twill-side, brass RIRI® zip front, locker loops, and the ability to zip into exclusive TWC x DR Shell and Field Jackets.
Available for $325 exclusively from Division Road
Ginew Wax Vest
This list wouldn’t be complete without a waxed cotton option, and the Ginew Wax Vest is a truly solid option for those looking for a durable vest that patinas in the way that only a waxed canvas piece can. If you haven’t had any element-resistant waxed canvas in your life, this is a great opportunity to try it out, and who better to endorse than America’s only Native-owned workwear brand, Ginew?
Made holistically from USA-sourced materials like the 10 oz. duck waxed canvas in two different colors, the Wax Vest is finished with Ojibwe-Oneida Ginew branded snaps, brass zipper, and a branded neck label.
Available for $305 at Ginew
Iron Heart Japanese 17 oz. Duck Modified Type III Vest
Iron Heart makes one of the toughest Type III jackets out there, and when you chop off the sleeves — like on this 17oz. Duck Modified Type III Vest in Brown — you end up with one of the toughest vests we’ve ever seen.
Meticulously constructed in Japan from heavy-weight, patina-ready duck canvas, this biker-friendly vest is finsihed with IH branded hardware, welted handwarmer pockets, dual chest pockets, and roomy interior pockets.
Available for $325 at Iron Heart
Andersen-Andersen Skipper Vest
The Andersen-Andersen Skipper Vest in Navy is the knit vest on this list that’s sure to be a go-to vest when it’s properly cold outside and you don’t want to be constricted by any pesky knitted sleeves getting in your way while raking the yard. This is the most Ernest Hemingway of the vests on this list, so cozy up by the fire with your vices and your writing utensils, folks.
Andersen-Andersen is known for its quality knitwear, making cold-proof sweaters and knits worthy of nordic climates, and this vest is a must-have for the knit-obsessed. Made in Italy, with a 7-Gauge Knit 100% New Merino Wool fabric constructed with welted side pockets, ribbing on the collar and hem, and buffalo horn buttons on the button-front placket.
Available at Division Road for $345
Gamine Workwear Hope Vest
We got your need for Beach Cloth covered with Gamine Workwear‘s Hope Vest. That’s not just any Beach Cloth, that’s an original Beach Cloth-inspired fabric that Gamine had made wholly in America from scratch, it’s inception is one worth reading about. In the end, what you need to know, is that this is a very special vest made to endure almost any situation you can throw at it – looking smart all the while.
Named for Rhode Island’s state motto, the Hope Vest is detailed with a proprietary wool-cotton blend fabric, snap button closure, roomy hand pockets, and fully taped seams.
Available for $500 from Gamine Workwear
Under $200
Universal Works Wool Fleece Lined Waistcoat
The Universal Works Wool Fleece Zip Waistcoat in Stone is an elevated take on your standard zip sweater vest. In this light-in-hue Stone colorway, it’s going to contrast perfectly with your indigo-drenched wardrobe, making for a subtle statement piece. And in this lightweight brushed wool fleece, it’s going to do the job of keeping you warm through the winter, too, if you layer it up correctly.
With cotton trims, ribbed varsity style collar, two pockets up front, and 2-way zip front with a cotton pull tab, this Uni-Works number packs a valuable punch in the under $200 category.
Available from Stag Provisions for $149
Taion x Gramicci Inner Down Vest
Looking to GORP-ify your vest game? The Taion x Gramicci Inner Down Vest in Olive should be considered. It’s the kind of vest that’s made to do the job of keeping you extra insulated while you’re out on the trail or the job of making you look like you’re about to hit the trail when the truth is you wouldn’t know trail mix if someone poured it down the back of your sweatshirt. But who are we to judge? Throw on your Gore-Tex sneakers, joggers, and technical 5-panel hat with this one before strolling to the coffee shop, if that’s what’s comfortable and looks good (it does).
Cut from a 100% Nylon fabric, filled with a 95/5 800FLP rated down/feather blend, 100% poly-lining, snap front, hidden zippered side pockets, and two interior pockets — this vest does everything you need it to and nothing more, and it’s available at an accessible price point.
Available for $109 from Calculus
Sugar Cane 13 oz. Duck Canvas Work Vest
The Sugar Cane 13oz. Brown Duck Work Vest is the old-world workwear style that’s a refreshing change from your modern silhouettes and works for those craving a durable, interesting piece to layer up with.
Toyo Enterprise poster-boys, Sugar Cane, deal with Americana reproductions, made quality with a mix of modern and historic tools, and ironclad craftsmanship. With proper care, you can be sure that this vest will last you as long as any item in your Japanese-made collection, SC is well-trusted and has been for years.
Made from 13 oz. duck brown canvas, this vest is packed with details including a welted chest pocket, welted hip pockets, contrasting bar tack reinforcements on the pockets, a key hold for your pocket watch on the button placket, and a back cinch to help you dial in the fit.
Available for $136 from Hinoya
Patagonia Nano Puff® Down Vest
Techwear professionals Patagonia‘s Nano Puff® Vest is the modern classic technical vest that’s immensely popular among lovers of the outdoors and tech-workers alike. You really can’t go wrong with any Nano Puff® piece if you’re looking for warmth and functionality, they’re as simple, useful, and unpretentious as can be.
Available in a slew of colors, they’re all outfitted with a water-repellant 100% recycled poly ripstop fabric and filled with 60g PrimaLoft® insulation. Each Nano Puff® vest is constructed with a zip front closure, two hand warming pockets on the front, zippered interior pocket, a locking elastic hem drawcord, and textured with Patagonia’s unique brick quilted patterning.
Available for $179 from Patagonia
Filson Oil tin Cloth Vest
Filson‘s Oil Tin Cloth Vest was made for the outdoors. The Seattle-based brand’s proprietary durable and oiled fabric has been put to the test over decades in all kinds of inclement weather situations. Whether or not you’ll be donning this Vest in PNW rainfalls or not, it’s nice to have clothes ready for any situation you can throw at it, even if that’s just a walk through the neighborhood where you need a functional layer to throw on.
Made with details you want, and none you don’t, the Filson Oil Tin Cloth Vest some with streamlined hand pockets paneled with a snap closure pocket and pen pockets above, and a buttoning front placket.
Available for $160 from Filson.
