If you’re someone who enjoys outdoor pursuits, aerobic activities, or mountain adventures, then you probably need a warm and lightweight softshell jacket. Below, we review some of the top jacket options to keep you warm in chilly weather, including the Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody, which is widely regarded as one of the best softshell hoodies on the market.
When choosing a hooded jacket, there’s a wide range of factors to consider and look out for. This includes breathability, weather resistance and wind protection, price, stretch performance, and brand reputation.
Table of Contents
1. Best Overall Lightweight, Softshell Hoody: The Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody
The Arc’teryx Gamma LT Hoody Men’s Softshell Jacket is a versatile, breathable, and lightweight hoody that’s suitable for all types of outdoor adventures. The Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody is made using a wee burly double weave and uses nylon, polyester, and elastane to achieve its lightweight and air permeable texture. It’s abrasion-resistant and durable while also being very stretchy and minimalist in its design.
It’s easy to wash as well — you can put it in a washing machine as long as it’s washed with similarly dark colors. You can tumble dry or iron it on low heat too.
This Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody is also weather-resistant on the outer layers, which protects you from cold winds, cool weather, and light rain. It was designed by the Arc’teryx brand for people with an outdoor and active lifestyle with British Columbia’s weather and conditions in mind.
The Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody has a zipper down the front so you can choose to wear it open in warm weather or zipper it closed when it’s cooler. It’s also streamlined and has a StormHood that gives you protection and warmth while not obscuring your peripheral vision when you wear it. It comes with adjustable hood drawcords and a laminated brim.
Pros
- Good variety of colors to choose from: cobalt moon, black, arbor, cobalt sun, fluidity
- Good range of size options to choose from: X-small, medium, large, X-large, and XX-large
- Lightweight fabric that’s abrasion-resistant
- Excellent breathability
- Mechanical stretch textile fabric that gives you a full range of movement
- Laminated cuffs to keep your sleeves dry
- Wind resistant, moisture resistant
- Zipper with wind flap
- Pockets for storage: internal chest pocket plus two hand pockets with zippers
- Minimalist design with superior abrasion resistance
- Ski helmet-compatible storm hood
Cons
- Only wind and water-resistant, not fully windproof and waterproof
- Not as lightweight as other models
- Outer fabric isn’t made from the newer GORE-TEX material
2. Best Budget Softshell Hoody
The Svacuam Men’s Water Resistant Softshell Jacket is lightweight and made from polyester and spandex.
It has an adjustable hood, pockets, and a zipper, which makes it suitable for outdoor activities.
It’s also very affordably priced, which is why it’s our best budget softshell hoody.
Pros
- High-quality leather label
- Adjustable hem, hood, and cuff
- Breathable and lightweight fabric
- Available in 3 different colors and a range of different size options
- Affordably-priced
Cons
- Not weatherproof, windproof, or waterproof
- Not abrasion resistant
- No lamination on cuffs or hood
3. Best Runner-up Versatile Outdoor Jacket
The Arc’teryx Gamma LT Hoody Women’s softshell jacket is versatile and has weather-resistant middle and outer layers to keep you warm and dry. It’s made from breathable softshell material that is abrasion-resistant and lightweight.
This product is made using a wee Burly double weave and is 56% nylon, 34% polyester, and 10% elastane. It has gusseted underarms for ultimate mobility and comfort and a full-length no-slip zip down the front.
Pros
- Good range of size options to choose from: medium, large, X-large, and XX-large
- Lightweight fabric that’s abrasion-resistant
- Breathable fabric
- Mechanical stretchy textile fabric that gives you a full range of movement
- Laminated cuffs to keep your sleeves dry
- Wind resistant, moisture resistant
- Zipper with wind flap
- Pockets for storage: internal chest pocket plus two hand pockets with zippers
Cons
- Only one color option: black
- No extra small size option
- Only wind and water-resistant, not fully windproof and waterproof
- Not as lightweight as other models
- Outer fabric isn’t made from the newer GORE-TEX material
4. Best Under $100 Breathable Softshell Winter Jacket
The ReFire Gear Men’s Army Special Ops Military Tactical Jacket is a softshell hooded outdoor coat with a fleece inner layer to keep you warm in the winter. It has a tactical style design that’s 100% polyester, waterproof, and windproof and comes with multiple pockets. It has a large hood that can be rolled up and even comes with vent zippers under the arms to keep you cool. Plus, it has adjustable wrist cuffs and a drawstring waist.
Pros
- 14 pockets for storage
- Made in a variety of colors and sizes
- Fleece layer inside
- Waterproof and windproof
- Affordably-priced
Cons
- Material is not as breathable as other jackets
- Made from polyester, not from specially designed breathable and insulated textiles
- Not a minimalist design
5. Best Alternative Wind-resistant Jacket for Cold Weather
The SNOTEK Softshell Jacket for Men is both water-resistant and wind-resistant and comes with a hood. It’s made from 100% polyester, is lightweight, and is a good option for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or running. It has several zippered pockets, a paneled construction, and a reflective print to help ensure your safety in the dark. It also comes in a relaxed fit with a range of sizes and is machine washable.
Pros
- Good range of size options to choose from
- Lightweight, breathable fabric
- Wind resistant and water-resistant
- Pockets for storage
- High-quality zipper
Cons
- Only 2 color options and no extra small or XXL sizes
- Not abrasion resistant
- No lamination on cuffs or hood
Final Thoughts on the Best Cold Weather Jackets
A warm winter softshell jacket is completely necessary for enjoying your outdoor adventures in all types of weather.
From the jackets we reviewed above, the best overall lightweight, softshell hoody is the Arcteryx Gamma LT Hoody softshell jacket with the best runner-up outdoor jacket being the Arc’teryx Gamma LT Hoody Women’s softshell.