The 20 best lightweight jackets for men that fit your fall weather forecast

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A solid lightweight jacket eases the transition from summer to fall. Something rugged-yet-refined takes the guesswork out of dressing for unpredictable forecasts, and keeps you comfortably dry, cool, and collected. 

You'll find tons of variety among the best lightweight jackets for men, no matter your style or climate. We're shining the spotlight on a bit of everything, from a personal favorite — the organic cotton field jacket by ASKET, great for cool late-summer nights. My own field jacket of choice is a sturdy yet breezy light wash denim jacket by Todd Snyder. 

We've also curated a few waterproof jackets for the rainy season, as well as packable ones for travel. Find your new favorite lightweight jacket via some of our top selections below.

ASKET Khaki Green Field Jacket

The field jacket is a certified menswear classic straight out of the history books. ASKET makes its handsome, minimalist interpretation out of sustainable organic cotton, then outfits it with four large snap pockets for your everyday carry. The fit is tailored, but with plenty of room to layer. It's also finished with a water-repellent coating for added durability.

Todd Snyder Selvedge Denim Jacket

The first thing I noticed about Todd Snyder's selvedge denim jacket is the fabric itself. It's soft and strong, supple yet durable, and ultra-premium. It even includes classic selvedge fabric detailing, a surefire mark of quality. It keeps things minimal with two front-button chest pockets for a clean look, which I appreciate. Helpfully, it's also the right weight to wear on either cool summer days or during balmy September mornings with a lightweight cotton tee.

Quince 100% Suede Bomber Jacket

Rich suede is an ideal material for a shoulder season jacket – it's got depth and a luxe appeal, and it's a perfect option before frigid temperatures arrive. The stretch cotton collar, cuffs and hem also add visual interest and a snug, comfortable fit. 

It's lined in poly satin for a smooth finish that makes it easy to slide on and off over an Oxford shirt, for instance. What's even better is that it's about 70% less expensive than similar suede jackets from comparable retailers. 

Read more in our full Quince review.

Ministry of Supply Kinetic Corduroy Chore Coat

Rethink what you thought you knew about corduroy. The once-stuffy fabric is now more lightweight and streamlined, thanks to technical innovation by the menswear specialists from Ministry of Supply. They've engineered this chore coat to be abrasion-resistant, yet soft and stretchy. The warp-knit fabric looks polished while moving with you, not against you, and the look itself is classy enough to double as a blazer replacement in a pinch. Two chest pockets deliver plenty of helpful EDC utility.

Flint and Tinder Unlined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Among the best lightweight jackets for men, it's tough to top the hard-working appeal of the trucker jacket. Designed to hit above the hip, Huckberry's Flint and Tinder line takes the traditional denim trucker jacket and amps things up with rugged yet lightweight Martexin sailcloth waxed canvas. The waxed finish repels water and shields you from the wind, and the jacket itself will develop a handsome patina over time. And unlike Flint and Tinder's popular lined trucker jacket, this piece forgoes the lining for wearability in slightly warmer temperatures.

Vuori Sunday Element Jacket

The best lightweight jacket for men should be able to shift seamlessly from pursuit to pursuit, be that a weekend training session or a casual Sunday stroll. Vuori makes gear that can do a bit of everything, and the Sunday Element Jacket fits the bill quite nicely. It's mostly made from the brand's stretchy knit fabric, but the top half is reinforced with nylon for durability, plus wind and rain protection. The hood should come in handy rain or shine, and this jacket is comfortable enough to wear on a run or a weekend coffee outing.

Taylor Stitch Workhorse Jacket

Taylor Stitch's Workhorse Jacket fully lives up to its name. The organic cotton selvedge denim is complimented by an organic cotton blanket stripe lining for structure and warmth. And the jacket pays homage to iconic workwear styles with a corduroy collar for a distinctive touch. It's also designed with a bi-swing action back, so you can haul brush and tackle yard work without a bulky jacket slowing you down. 

Uniqlo Overshirt Jacket

Styling the best lightweight jackets for men shouldn't be all that complicated. Make things easy on yourself by snagging this grab-and-go shirt jacket from the affordable style purveyors at Uniqlo. It's made from a soft, stretchy blend of polyester and rayon, making it the perfect minimal layer to wear atop a lightweight tee or a crewneck sweatshirt for added fall warmth. It features a simple square chest pocket to round out the shirt jacket look. The earthy color is also a nice style move that works with everything from tan chinos to blue jeans.

Everlane Bomber Jacket

The best lightweight jackets for men are, above all, versatile. Throw this Everlane bomber jacket on with stretch chinos, gray jeans or with corduroy pants – and your outfit is set. Their bomber jacket is part of the brand's Uniform Collection, which is a series of staples meant to be mixed and matched like a daily uniform. This option is made from a lightweight, water-resistant cotton-poly blend with helpful side hip pockets.

Mack Weldon Stormchaser Jacket

Minimal style and utility in spades is precisely what you're getting with this streamlined Mack Weldon jacket. It boasts a 10K waterproof rating for maximum protection in wind and rain, while the fully seam-sealed interior also keeps out excess moisture. Even its pockets are bonded, so your EDC stays dry, and you can dial in the fit even further with micro-Velcro wrist cuffs for more coverage. The laser-cut placket is also an innovative, breathable design detail.

Eddie Bauer Super Sevens Wind Jacket

This highly technical Eddie Bauer jacket features the famed outdoor brand's proprietary DWR coating for weather-ready performance. Beyond that, it can be packed into itself for easy transport as you load up for your next outdoor adventure. It's wind-resistant throughout, with elastic cuffs providing an additional layer of defense in inclement weather. You can even mix and match with the Super Sevens Rain Jacket for plenty of additional utility on or off the trail.

L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Anorak

If you're going for a signature look from L.L.Bean, you can't go wrong with this pullover anorak jacket. It features, bold colorblocking, vintage L.L.Bean branding, and drawstrings inspired by boot laces. It also packs into its own pocket. 

Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody

As Patagonia's best warmth-for-weight jacket, the Micro Puff Hoody is an amazing feat of clothing engineering. It's lightweight, packs into its own pocket, and warmer than some jackets twice its size.

Read my full Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody review here.

Levi's Sherpa Trucker Jacket

The Sherpa Trucker Jacket is one of Levi's most popular jacket styles, and it happens to be perfect for spring. While traditional denim jackets might leave you a bit cold in nippy weather, the insulated body and sherpa collar adds welcomed warmth.

The North Face Retro 1986 Futurelight Mountain Jacket

The 1986 Mountain Light Jacket was one of The North Face's most iconic lightweight designs and now it's been reimagined with a breathable material called Futurelight. Now dubbed the Futurelight Moutain Jacket, you'll get the classic style of the original jacket with the benefits of a fabric engineered with an "ultra-thin nanomembrane" that allows air to escape while keeping moisture out.

The North Face Antora Jacket

Inspired by the original Mountain Light Jacket, the Antora Jacket is a simpler version that's great for street style and milder conditions. It's made from 100% recycled material and serves as a water-resistant and windproof shell.

Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket

As the name suggests, this jacket is built for the long haul. It's crafted from high-quality selvage denim that uses 13-ounce, 100% organic cotton and has custom antique copper buttons and rivets.

Alpha Industries MA-1 Bomber Jacket

Following a long tradition of former military suppliers that turned into street-style brands, Alpha Industries' Heritage MA-1 Bomber mimics the original jackets that were once supplied to air-force members. While they're heavy enough for crisp fall weather, they're just as good for early spring when temperatures can drop pretty low at night. 

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket

Sometimes spring weather calls for a heavy-duty rain jacket and Patagonia's Torrentshell 3L is one of the best options out there. It's made from a three-layer waterproof and breathable H2No material and features venting pit zips and hand-warmer pockets.

L.L.Bean Mountain Classic Jacket

Inspired by L.L.Bean's iconic Anorak Pullovers, the Mountain Classic Jacket features the same heritage color blocking and logo, but utilizes a full-zip construction for more functionality.

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