The Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2023

The lightweight (LT) cousin of the popular Atom AR, the Atom LT Hoody ($259) is a time-tested classic for high-output adventures, and is one of our favorite active insulators on the market. How often you snag a jacket from the closet while running out the door for spontaneous adventures is a good indicator of how solid it is, and we grab this one pretty much every time.

As a hardworking midlayer or a standalone piece in milder temps, there are few jackets out there that have better mobility, are comfier, or boast greater warmth-to-weight ratios. The versatility of this thing is really where it shines.

While not quite as breathable as others, it scored high points in our book for its ability to be worn during intense activity in cold climates, while also packing a solid amount of heat into a sleek, stylish design. We love that you can take this jacket on fast, cold-weather excursions or climbs without having to compromise warmth and weather/wind resistance like a lot of other active insulators.

The gusseted underarms, stretchy sides, and athletic fit allow the jacket to move with you phenomenally, and the interior fabric is soft and comfortable. You’ll be wearing this thing all day. Couple this with thoughtful features such as fleece-lined pockets, an adjustable hood, and improved cuffs, and well, that’s why Arc’teryx is tough on the wallet.

For speedy adventures in the wild where solid breathability with maximum warmth is required, or for just trotting confidently through town, it’d be difficult to find a better jacket for the job. We think it’s the best synthetic insulated jacket on the market.

Rab has done it again! Ticking all the boxes of a solid active insulator, the Xenair Alpine Light Jacket ($215) is breathable yet warm, and crazy comfortable, per Rab’s long-standing reputation. For start-stop activities in mixed conditions where stellar breathability is needed, but warmth is also a concern, this jacket stands out as a quality layer for the dedicated outdoor athlete.

The jacket has thoughtful features, but retains a sleek, stylish look. Raised zippered handwarmer pockets accommodate backpack hipbelts, and an internal zippered pocket doubles as a stuff sack. Soft elastic cuffs and a single hem adjustment help maintain warmth and reduce cold spots.

The hood is elasticated on the front and back, ensuring a snug fit, but did give us some issues when worn under a climbing helmet (as it isn’t quite big enough to fit over one). When wearing it under a helmet, the elastic banding, flat front brim, and slippery fabric caused the hood to often cover our eyes and obscure our vision when looking up or side to side.

One of the most notable features of the Xenair is its breathability. It regulates temperature and deals with moisture buildup with ease. Rab has thrown a good deal of cutting-edge technology into this jacket, including two densities of PrimaLoft Gold Active+ synthetic insulation, some of the warmest, most breathable insulation on the market, combined with a weather-resistant, permeable Pertex Quantum Air outer fabric.

This allows for maximum warmth, while greatly reducing moisture and vapor buildup. Additionally, two weights of insulation are strategically mapped around the body, with lighter, more breathable insulation placed on areas of the body, such as the underarm and center back, that require more ventilation.

For the active mountain athlete looking for a lightweight, breathable midlayer for colder climates, or a standalone outer jacket for summer pursuits, the Rab Xenair Alpine Light Jacket may just be the perfect option.

Our Vision Hybrid Hoody ($295) has wound its way up endless mountain switchbacks, hung off small crimps thousands of feet in the air, traveled to Africa and battled around the savanna, fought thorns and briars while bushwhacking along rivers — it has essentially come with us everywhere we go.

For a couple of straight months, this technical active insulator was the first layer we grabbed for pretty much any adventure we found ourselves on. We love it for fast-paced hikes when our heart rate soars, long multi-pitch climbs in chilly temps, and as a quiver-of-one jacket for international travel. This is a definite contender for our top pick.

When a jacket employs technology used in literal space suits, it’s a good idea to give it a shot. 60g PrimaLoft Gold insulation is paired with Cross Core technology and NASA-developed Aerogel, which significantly boosts warmth while remaining extremely light and packable. Burly, 20 denier Liquid Crystal Polymer nylon is used in high-abrasion areas, while more breathable, stretchy fabric is placed on the underarms and back panels to increase mobility and moisture control.

This makes the Vision Hybrid a phenomenal jacket for high-output missions like rock climbing or mountaineering. It breathes well, but packs the heat when you need it to.

The design is undeniably well-engineered, and caters to the active athlete. It moves with you seamlessly as you contort your body on technical climbing moves, or vault over trees and boulders on trail. The elastic draft gasket seals in warmth in windy environments, but the breathable material around key areas prevents you from overheating while charging hard.

Is this the perfect jacket? Well, we like most things about it, but did find ourselves wanting a bit more wind resistance, a snugger hood while not wearing a helmet, and a lighter weight overall. The athletic fit also makes it a tad difficult to add layers underneath.

These qualms aside, we feel that the Vision Hybrid is one of the best synthetic jackets money can buy right now. With a sleek design, stellar breathability, surprising warmth, and notable mobility, don’t think twice about adding this to your arsenal.

Patagonia’s warmest synthetic jacket, the DAS Parka ($449) has been a staple with alpinists and outdoor enthusiasts for years. From freezing belays to snowy mountaintop ascents, it has kept adventurers warm and protected since its debut in 1992, with its newest model carrying on the torch, offering even greater warmth and packability.

“DAS” stands for “Dead Air Space,” referring to the way in which the jacket traps air in two different densities of PrimaLoft Gold Insulation (top-notch stuff), which has been fused with aerogel technology to boost softness and warmth. Its 133g insulation runs throughout the jacket, with an extra layer of 40g insulation placed along areas that require more warmth.

We immediately noticed, and appreciated, the DAS Parka’s stellar weather resistance in light precipitation and heavy winds. Its 10-denier Pertex Quantum Pro shell is treated with a polyurethane dry coating and a hefty DWR finish. It’s not a rain jacket by any means, but moisture beads up and runs off the jacket well, and you feel kind of invincible in wild gusts of wind.

Negatives? It’s quite heavy, at 19.6 ounces, and doesn’t pack as small as we would like into the large included stuff sack. One of our tester’s friends thought it was actually their sleeping bag while unpacking from a particular trip.

We also found the front pockets to be somewhat annoying. They are quite shallow and don’t extend to the bottom of the jacket like the internal dump pockets do. This could be for easier use while wearing a harness, but we thought it was harder than usual to warm our hands in them when the temps plummeted, or store a bunch of stuff while on the go.

All in all, this is still one of the best synthetic insulated jackets you can buy for epics in the alpine, or nippy winter temps around the campfire. It’s a legacy piece from a quality brand that just keeps delivering.

Here it is — the gold standard of lightweight warmth, and what seems like every ultralight thru-hiker’s jacket of choice for their pilgrimage on long trails. The Torrid Jacket ($185) is a king in the world of synthetic insulation. Starting at just 6 ounces, most elements of the Torrid are customizable and can be altered to fit each person’s unique style and goal.

Who would have thought that down jackets would slowly be knocked off the backpacking pedestal by a synthetic piece from a small (though not so much anymore) company in Minnesota? Made with premium CLIMASHIELD APEX insulation, the jacket is almost see-through but somehow traps heat like a beast. No sewn-through seams eliminate cold spots, and a shock cord adjustment at the hem and elastic cuffs seal in warmth.

One of the authors of this guide wore a single Torrid for the duration of an 8-month thru-hike of the CDT and AT, and it retained its loft, warmth, and stitching the entire time. While it’s designed as a three-season layer, it was put through its paces in freezing whiteouts in the San Juans, and winter squalls through the Smoky Mountains.

Often paired with a fleece midlayer or rain shell, it kept him plenty toasty. Since it’s synthetic, it also retained its warmth during weeks of dreary rain when nothing stayed dry.

Can there be cons to such a jacket? Well, the 8.2-ounce weight (7-denier outer and inner fabric with hood) of the Torrid we tested comes with a pretty steep cut in durability. You don’t want to battle off-trail with this thing. It also isn’t form-fitting at all (designed to be layered underneath), with a basic, boxy design. It’s not the stylish Arc’teryx jacket you love wearing around town.

Regardless, if you are looking to minimize base weight without sacrificing warmth for an epic journey across the country, or occasional fast and light forays in the woods, it’s one of the best synthetic insulated jackets you’ll find.

Black Diamond has been churning out lots of high-quality jackets in the past few years. The stretchy, durable, and breathable First Light ($285) is no different. In the brand’s own words, this jacket is the ideal “start-stop” piece. While ski touring or multi-pitch climbing, the First Light provides warmth when you need it, and airy breathability when you don’t.

This jacket has a softshell outer material that is relatively snag-resistant and impressively hardy. Though the First Light isn’t the lightest, or warmest, option on this list, it comes with a few clutch features including plentiful mobility, a large chest pocket, and a performance-oriented hood.

If you’re looking for a jacket that offers the greatest weather resistance, and warmest insulation, this isn’t the one for you. For extended stop-and-go pursuits that require breathability while on the move, and comfort while resting, however, the First Light would be a perfect fit.

If you’re looking for even more breathability, be sure to check out the First Light Hybrid, which features merino insulation on its backside.

An absolute classic, the Patagonia Nano Puff ($229) is probably the most recognizable synthetic jacket on the market. As one of the first jackets to offer premium synthetic insulation with a lightweight but durable design, it has a heritage unlike many in its category.

It features a stylish design that looks good around town, yet boasts surprising warmth and durability, making it a reliable layer for the backcountry. The versatility of this piece contributes to its reputation, and the newest model definitely stays true to its legacy.

The Nano Puff delivered middle-of-the-road results and proves to be a solid do-it-all jacket despite not being the lightest, warmest, or most breathable option out there. It has a pretty competitive warmth-to-weight ratio, though if you need a super warm puffy for winter pursuits, this isn’t the one for you.

This model performs well in shoulder season adventures, or as part of your layering system for colder forays in the mountains. The PrimaLoft Gold Eco insulation used in the current model does deliver impressive warmth for how thin it feels and does a great job of retaining its insulating properties when wet.

The Nano Puff is somewhat breathable given the amount of stitching it has, but the solid sheet lining limits airflow, and feels pretty clammy when sweat builds up. This reduces ventilation, but does help with wind resistance when temps start to drop. Its slim design and premium insulation make it one of the more compressible synthetic jackets out there, which is one of the areas it shines the most.

If you need maximum warmth for chilly adventures or lightweight breathability for fast and light missions, this probably isn’t the jacket you want. However, as a functional yet stylish crossover layer for use around town, or deep in the mountains, the Nano Puff remains one of the best synthetic insulated jackets out there.

We had subdued impressions when we received the Bight Gear Swelter jacket ($329). It has understated looks, felt bulky, and was in the middle of the road as far as weight is concerned, coming in at a verified 1 pound 2 ounces for a men’s medium.

However, after a few weeks, we found ourselves regularly reaching for this insulated layer for moderate-output activity with temperatures near freezing. Originally, the Swelter felt almost overfilled, with 100% post-consumer recycled Polartec Power Fill. But it soon broke in, softened, and shrunk down considerably.

The fit is generous and allows plenty of layering room. And the articulated sleeves are just long enough to keep the wrists covered in all positions.

The Swelter Jacket has a long torso, which keeps the gap between pants and base layer covered. The front collar is high enough to cover the nose when fully zipped. Breathability is adequate for hiking near the freezing point, and the Swelter packs down to about the size of a volleyball.

The 20-denier ripstop nylon shell fabric’s DWR coating beaded light precipitation for the duration of the test, which included several wash cycles.

The most useful and impressive feature is the sleeve design at the wrists. A large patch of Polartec Power Stretch Pro at the openings keeps them sealed around wrists of all sizes. But a quick push gets the sleeves out of the way for stove operation and camp chores. The generous elasticity allows the sleeves to go all the way to the elbow if desired.

The Swelter’s feature list also includes an elastic drawcord hem, brushed tricot-lined handwarmer pockets in the low position, a mesh interior stash pocket, a zipped mesh chest pocket, an exterior zipped chest pocket, and an adjustable helmet-compatible hood.

If minimal pack size and lightweight pursuits are your main objective, this may not be the best layer for you, but if durability, warmth, and comfort are on your checklist, the Swelter definitely fits the bill.

Patagonia’s Micro Puff Hoodie ($329) has drawn accolades and awards from users and media since its release in September 2017. Though the price point is on the higher end, the Micro Puff Hoodie is the perfect just-in-case insulating layer that’s barely noticeable in the pack.

The 10-ounce Micro Puff Hoodie kept us warm during moderate-level activities down into the 30s with just a base layer, and it was surprisingly wind-resistant for such a light garment. Consequently, though, breathability is on the lower side.

The DWR treatment is exceptional and continues to bead water after a few wash cycles. The fit is snug, and the sleeves keep our wrists covered — except when our 34.5-inch arms are overhead.

A lack of stretch and the just-to-the waist torso length allows a little gapping during long reaches. The jacket is very compact, and the slick outer surface makes it ideal for layering underneath shells or heavier layers.

Stuffing down to about the size of a cantaloupe, the Micro Puff Hoodie fits into a handwarmer pocket with a clipping point. This ability, combined with the best-in-class warmth-to-weight ratio of Patagonia’s PlumaFill, makes it a great insulator we are always throwing in our packs.

The Pertex Quantum GL face fabric proved durable during the test period but does require care, as the wispy fabric is prone to tearing on sharp objects. This shell may not hold up well to brutal bushwhacking or scrambling over sharp rocks in the alpine compared to some of the others.

However, the lightweight, wind-resistant versatility of the Micro Puff makes it ideal for adventurers who need reliable warmth without sacrificing space or weight in their pack. It’s one of the best synthetic insulated jackets out there.

For more, check out our full Patagonia Micro Puff review.

The Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoody ($299) has been a favorite of ours for higher-elevation rock climbing for many years. With every new mission, it proves to be a reliable synthetic middle and outer layer.

When the winter mountain forecast is just short of arctic, the one-pound (men’s medium) Atom AR (All Round) goes into the pack, and — surprisingly for Arc’teryx — the pricing is competitive. Given its stellar warmth-to-weight ratio, durability, and value, we’ve awarded this layer the best overall jacket for low-output activities.

While testing this jacket, we found the fit to be comfortably close, which makes it layer well under shells while still allowing layers underneath. The articulated sleeves, underarm gussets, and elastic-paneled cuffs keep our wrists covered in all arm positions and reaches. The torso length is on the shorter side, however, which makes the lower hem rise above our waist during reaches overhead.

The cuff dimensions are on the smaller side, which seals tiny wrists well, with just enough stretch to be pushed a few inches up the forearms. The front of the collar zips up to cover the mouth, and the single-adjust hood is just big enough for a climbing helmet. This jacket serves well as a belay jacket, but we would like at least one internal dump pocket to dry gloves.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating has proven extremely durable over the seasons and continues to bead water long after some of its competitors’ coatings. The Atom AR compresses to about the size of a volleyball and is exceptionally warm given how breathable it is.

While it’s not the lightest nor the most breathable jacket we tested, if you’re looking for a great do-it-all layer to throw into the pack where functionality and warmth are a primary concern, look no further than the Arc’teryx Atom AR Hoody. We think it’s still one of the best synthetic insulated jackets on the market.

The Rime Light IN Flex ($249) has a very snug fit when still, but class-leading elasticity allows free movement. The sleeves and lower hem are a tad short for overhead reaches, but the fit around the shoulders feels ample regardless of arm movements.

The Rime Flex is on the warmer and bulkier side of the active insulation category. The Pertex Quantum Air shell and OTI Stretch insulation provide breathability and warmth that works well for loaded hiking down to the upper 20s.

It keeps you warm during breaks, even in moderate winds. The jacket still performed well into the 30s as long as the main zip was vented. We found it excellent for lounging into the lower 50s.

The Rime Flex has two handwarmer pockets in the high position, an adjustable lower hem, dual-zipper pulls, and an insulated helmet-compatible hood.

For the space-conscious hiker focused on an ultralight setup, this may not be the best choice, but if you are looking for maximum warmth without sacrificing breathability, the Rime Flex is a solid pick.

The Ortles Hybrid Tirolwool Jacket ($220) has a contoured, body-hugging fit with a long torso and long sleeves for coverage in all body positions. Elastic underarm gussets and stretchy softshell sleeves enhance mobility. This jacket was one of the thinner and less-bulky active insulation pieces we tested, making it layer well under heavier garments.

The wool-and-polyester hybrid insulation provides warmth for the core during higher-output activities down to freezing, and the nylon front and back panels block wind. The softshell sleeves and sides vented well.

But this hybrid construction makes the arms and sides feel much colder than the rest of the body while not moving, or in windy conditions. The Ortles Hybrid Tirolwool Jacket was the most comfortable in shoulder season conditions for moderate-intensity pursuits when the core versus arms insulating contrast wasn’t as dramatic.

Maximum breathability does come with its downfalls. While this jacket is a great choice for those involved in high-intensity activities, it may have to be paired with another layer to give you the warmth you need in super-cold conditions or inclement weather.