Best hiking jackets of 2024: waterproof, insulated, and fleece

Updated back in 2023, the Makalu is the best all-rounder for waterproof jackets right now. It impressed us on all front: fit, features, value, performance, and earning praise for its reduced environmental impact and affordability.

It now uses Gore-Tex ePE, which eliminates harmful PFCs, while delivering durability and functionality you expect of Gore-Tex – truly, discernible differences between ePE and the old ePTFE membrane are negligible.

The Makalu is has a 3-layer construction with a 75D face fabric, which manages to be tough enough for use in winter mountain conditions, yet reasonably lightweight at 520g and comfortable for all-day use.

On test, we found the Makalu offers excellent protection thanks to extended sleeves with Velcro cuffs, and a versatile hood capable of accommodating a climbing helmet while ensuring a snug fit even without one. The hood's reinforced peak effectively repels rain, while integrated cordlocks minimise bulk around the face, enhancing practicality.

Ideal for all avid hikers, the Makalu delivers on performance without breaking the bank, earning it the esteemed 2024 Gear of the Year accolade.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Mountain Equipment Makalu Jacket review

To avert catastrophic climate change carbon emissions must be curtailed, which in part means a reduction in the production of carbon-intensive goods or finding ways to produce them with minimal carbon output, or ideally, none at all.

However, achieving this is no easy feat. The growing demand for new goods presents a challenge, as does manufacturing without carbon emissions. But a promising solution lies in harvesting and repurposing potential pollutants instead of releasing them into the atmosphere.

Surprisingly, a recent innovation emerged as a powerful tool in the outdoor industry's fight against emissions: the CO2 Renu Half Zip Fleece by Craghoppers. While the fleece jacket has long been celebrated as a staple in every hiker's wardrobe, this particular iteration stands out.

Apart from delivering the warmth and versatility characteristic of fleece jackets, it distinguishes itself by actively being partially made from fibres made from captured CO2 emissions. Despite being competitively priced among mid-layer options, it represents a significant step towards our road to net zero. Thus, it rightfully earned one of our Gear of the Year awards for 2024.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Craghoppers CO2 Renu Half Zip Fleece review

Softshells are excellent mid-layers and outer layers, sitting in between fleeces and hardshell jackets. Haglöfs' Roc Sight Softshell is one of the more technical softshell jackets around that show its credentials when used for more challenging hillwalking, scrambling and mountaineering routes in mixed weather.

We like the durable, protective feel, and how it has decent length in the arms and body. It has a two-layer construction, which offers stretch and impressive weatherproofing. This is boosted further by a hem drawcord, Velcro cuffs, and an adjustable hood. It cuts out wind completely and fends of moderate rain.

The flip side to all this durability and weatherproofing is that it's on the heavier side for softshells and can get pretty warm when you are working hard. But to help address this, there are big, zipped torso vents.

There are three pockets. Two big Napoleon-style chest pockets remain accessible if you’re wearing a rucksack or a climbing harness. There’s a zippered inner pocket too.

Check out the women's version here

We were taken aback by the Hengill during our testing. It's lightweight, soft - it feels more like an everyday hoody than a jacket. So we weren't ready for what it can do, even when it's windy and damp. Maybe we shouldn't have been surprised. Icelandic brand 66° North knows a thing or two about insulation and has applied some impressive know-how into this high-performing yet surprisingly lightweight jacket.

Constructed from slightly stretchy nylon, the primary fabric is cosy and results in a snug and comfortable fit that truly shines when you venture into the outdoors. The outer material effortlessly repels wind and keeps a fair amount of precipitation at bay.

We found the synthetic insulation offers a blend of breathability and moderate warmth, which is enhanced in no small part by the jacket's weather-resistant exterior. It's equally at home as an outer layer in cooler conditions or as a reliable mid-layer beneath a hardshell when tackling winter mountain excursions.

There three external pockets – two zipped handwarmer pockets, and a third on the chest. We liked the elasticated cuffs and extremely smooth one-way main zip.

When it comes to critiques, there's little to nitpick about the Hengill. While it does come with a relatively higher price tag, its versatility goes a long way in justifying the investment. What's more, 66° North stands by its gear, offering repair services, and is B Corp certified, highlighting their ethical business practices. However, if you're in the market for a more heavily insulated winter jacket, you may want to explore other alternatives.

Check out the women's version here

For the warmth and weather protection this technical mountain jacket offers, it is remarkable value compared to many of its rivals.

Mountain Equipment has managed this firstly by using synthetic rather than down insulation, and secondly by relying on its own materials rather than those from specialists like PrimaLoft.

This means the outer shell is Mountain Equipment's own 40D Drilite Loft nylon, which we found to be windproof and able to fend off light rain and snow. Then beneath is recycled 115gsm polyester insulation.
Weighing in at 600g, it's heavier than many winter down jackets, which offer better warmth-to-weight ratios. But that's not enough to derail this excellent jacket.

We liked the fit of the Shelterstone because of its long sleeves, dropped rear hem, and collar that zips all the way up to the nose. These give good coverage, and the hood can be fitted over a helmet but still cinches in without one thanks to three-way adjustment.

There's little to mark the Shelterstone down on. You can get more warmth for 600g, but expect to pay a lot more for it.

Check out the women's version here

Features for the sake of features can leave a garment suffering from the law of diminishing returns. The Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Jacket is one of the most feature-heavy insulated jackets we’ve tested so far with a price to match. It’s therefore easy to be sceptical. But it has wowed us by bearing features and tech that make a tangible difference in the field.

The most obvious of these is the hydrophobic down treatment. It’s Allied Down’s ExpeDRY treatment which uses FUZE technology. That’s some fancy lingo but in essence it’s a non-toxic, chemical-free means of making the down hydrophobic by – and this is genuinely true – bonding gold particles to the down, which boosts moisture evaporation. So, yes this jacket has gold in it, but we’ve found it works a treat.

Other clever touches to this jacket we like include the stretchy wool side panels, that aid comfort and breathability. The main fabric also has a novel DWR called EMPEL. Like the down treatment, it’s more eco-friendly and higher-performing than the industry standard. We got caught in some heavy rain in this jacket and the fabric kept water at bay for about 15 minutes, which is pretty decent for a non-waterproof jacket.

There’s so much to discuss with this jacket, but crucially, it boils down to a high-performing insulating layer for almost any scenario.

Check out the women's version here

Read our full Artilect Divide Fusion Stretch Jacket review

We found this long named Adidas rain jacket easy to like as a reliable, lightweight hiking jacket.

Because it uses a Gore-Tex membrane it has a very high level of waterproofing and can keep downpours at bay. But by using a 2.5-layer construction instead of the more durable 3-layer approach seen on a lot of higher end waterproof hiking jackets, the price is more attractive than most Gore-Tex waterproofs.

The Terrex Xperior Gore-Tex Paclite fits nicely as a regular fit. It's not especially flattering but is easy to layer with, which is what really matters. We also liked how the main zip puller and Velcro cuff tabs were quite chunky, making them quite durable and easy to use with gloves.

There are some features missing that you'd see on many competitors. For example, there are no underarm zipped vents, two-way main zip, or an especially good hood peak. The hand pockets can be obscured by a backpack's hipbelt, too.

Check out the women's version here