10 Best Hiking Jackets For Women (2024)

If you are going to purchase one single jacket for hiking, this is the one. The Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody is incredibly versatile, lightweight, and breathable. It’s form-fitting and thin enough to comfortably serve as a mid-layer, but warm enough to keep you cozy in brisk conditions. 

The full front zipper, hood, and minimalist zippered pockets make this my go-to for hiking, backpacking, and camping. It isn’t particularly wind resistant, as it doesn’t have the added weight of a shell. However, the lightweight design lets me easily pack this piece of gear into my daypack without weighing down the rest of my hike.

For hiking in cold weather, you’ll find yourself hard pressed to find a more versatile option than a down hiking jacket. The Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket is built for the absolute depths of winter. 

It is both wind and water resistant, with zippered hand pockets and an adjustable hood for extra protection. Plus, it is filled with some of the loftiest, most insulating goose down there is, while performing with the breathability of a thinner jacket.  

Despite running slightly narrow in the hips, this packable jacket was designed with mountaineers in mind. It’s made to move, so feel free to dance and frolic while you bag an alpine peak or forge through blizzard conditions.

Marmot is queen of making reasonably priced, effective rain jackets. Plus, they always have a funky array of color options. Their PreCip Eco Rain Jacket deserves all the hype. This wet weather jacket features breathable, waterproof fabric, under-the-arm zippers, and eco-friendly materials. 

Weighing only nine ounces and fully packable into its own pocket, mine has made the cut for long backpacking trips where every ounce counts. Not only did it make its way into my pack, but it also made appearances during impromptu thunderstorms, keeping me desert-dry from neck to waist.

The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket weighs in at 5.6 ounces, making it the most lightweight option I reviewed. Don’t be fooled by its lack of weight, however. It’s still impressively durable. 

Although its feathery weight sacrifices pit zippers, this full-featured jacket still has an adjustable hood and chest pocket. This means easy access to your keys, phone, or most importantly, snacks.

Despite being fully rainproof, windproof, and seam-taped, it packs down to fit into one of the zippered pockets. You’ll have no trouble stowing it in your daypack after it weathers the storm — just don’t lose it in there.

With three layers of waterproofing protection, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket is equipped to ward off any drop of moisture that comes your way. The special handwarmer pockets will keep your fingers toasty, and once the storm passes, the jacket will pack right into the left pocket. 

Although the zippers themselves are not waterproof, they are rigged with storm flaps to keep out moisture. Put to the test of even the most torrential downpours, the Patagonia Torrentshell’s durable fabric and adjustable hood will keep you protected.

If a jacket can somehow be both super warm and as lightweight as the shadow of a ghost, this is it. The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Shadow Hoody uses recycled, synthetic insulation for warmth. It's a packable jacket that stuffs nicely into one of its zippered hand pockets.

Its extended length offers extra warmth and makes it comfortable to wear with the hip belt of a backpack. Although the hood isn’t adjustable, its form-fitting style offers excellent coverage and warmth. Mountain Hardwear prides itself on this one, assuring it’s made to both withstand and conserve Mother Nature.

The North Face Apex Bionic is ideal for moderate hiking in moderate weather. I’m a huge fan of its wind resistance, and it’ll keep you dry during a light rain. Despite being a heavier jacket, it retains a comfortable level of breathability.

On top of being ultra cute, this casual, softshell jacket is super durable. With its less technical features, it transitions seamlessly from a hiking jacket to a sporty, post-hike lunch jacket.

The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is the ultimate versatile down hiking jacket. It has a rather impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, and it’s both moisture and wind resistant. I enjoy it as a weather resistant outer layer, but it’s form-fitting enough to rock as a toasty mid-layer as well.

In addition to the two zippered hand pockets, this jacket has an internal zippered pocket perfect for stashing valuables. Some find that it feels slightly snug in the chest, but the added underarm gussets prevent a feeling of restriction.  

After the bite of the early morning temperatures subsides, the Cerium packs up into a small stuff sack. At only 10.2 ounces, you can toss it in your pack without any concern of it weighing down the rest of your hike.

The Topo Designs Mountain Fleece Pullover is a casual, cozy fleece pullover with a zippered chest pocket. The seller on this one for me is the front half zip — I love a good pullover, but my head is just a little too big to slide in and out of a quarter zip comfortably. This one goes on and off with ease.

Although it’s a bit shorter than other fleece jackets, the cinch cord at the bottom will keep out drafty breezes. The collar, elbows, and forearms are reinforced with DWR nylon, and the cuffs on the sleeves keep them from limiting your dexterity. Slide into this outdoorsy fleece for a casual Sunday hike on a misty morning or a crisp afternoon.

If you’re looking for warmth on a budget, the Columbia Heavenly Hooded Jacket has you covered. It has a fleece-lined hood, a water resistant outer layer, and a thermal reflective internal layer.

This highly insulated jacket boasts zippered internal and hand pockets. Fitted cuffs with thumb holes will keep snow out and your wrists warm. What it lacks in breathability and technical features, it makes up for in warmth and affordability. Once you grab this affordable hoody, frigid temperatures won’t stop you from summiting alpine peaks or wandering through snowy forests.