And, at a mere $150, your wallet will love you much more than some other choices you’ll find on the market. With a sustainably durable build, reversible design, and just enough spunk for light adventuring, the loud and proud Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket easily snagged a spot on this roundup. Few companies have pulled off the funky, flashy aesthetic as smoothly as Cotopaxi has, across a broad spectrum of outdoor gear. It’s common knowledge - if you wanna stand out, you need to snag a Cotopaxi jacket. We think it’s just about the best synthetic insulated jacket on the market. 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.įor 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. The gusseted underarms, stretchy sides, and athletic fit allow the jacket to move with you phenomenally, and the interior fabric is soft and comfortable. 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. While not quite as breathable as others, the Atom 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. The versatility of this thing is really where it shines. 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.Īs 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 lightweight cousin of the popular Atom AR, the Atom Hoody($300) is a time-tested classic for high-output adventures, and is one of our favorite active insulators on the market. Best Active Insulation Synthetic Jacket: B lack Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody.Lightest Synthetic Jacket: Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket.Warmest Synthetic Jacket: Patagonia DAS Park a.Runner Up Best Synthetic Jacket: Black Diamond Vision Hybrid Hoody.Best Budget Synthetic Jacket: Cotopaxi Teca Cálido Hooded Jacket.Best Overall Synthetic Jacket: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody.The Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2023 And if you have some questions, take a look at our list of frequently asked questions.Įditor’s Note: We refreshed this article on August 31, 2023, adding information regarding breathability, and slotting one more product into the lineup. At the end of our list, be sure to check out our comprehensive buyer’s guide, as well as our comparison chart. While there isn’t a single jacket for everyone, we’ve highlighted useful features of each of our recommendations to help you find the best jacket for your needs. Breathability, pack size, and overall value were also important considerations in our testing process. We then evaluated each jacket based on fit, comfort, and durability. We tested synthetic jackets while climbing, hiking, and running errands around town. Synthetic jackets designed for active use are more breathable and better at regulating temperature. Puffy synthetic midlayer jackets prioritize maximum warmth over breathability.Īnother type, active insulation jackets, offer more breathability for high-output pursuits such as backcountry skiing, jogging, and climbing. The synthetic midlayers stress thermal efficiency for lower-output activities such as walking, belaying, fishing, and so on. Many synthetic insulated jackets now rank among the best insulative clothing on the market.Įach jacket on this list falls into two distinct categories: synthetic midlayers and active insulation jackets. However, as new insulation innovations hit the market with each passing season, the marginal differences between down and synthetic are quickly disintegrating. The benefits of synthetic insulation remain tempered by a few significant drawbacks, though - synthetic materials are often heavier and less warm than down, and they’re not quite as compressible. When caught unaware by stormy weather, synthetic insulation will not lose its loft, as opposed to down, which will clump up and lose a lot of its insulating properties.Īdditionally, synthetic insulation is significantly cheaper than down, is vegan-friendly, and tends to be more breathable. Synthetic insulation avoids the main weakness of down insulation by remaining functional and warm when wet.
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