If you spend as much time outdoors as I do, you know that having the right jacket can make or break your experience. Whether you're braving high-altitude winds, layering up for a winter backpacking trip, or just need a lightweight option for crisp camp mornings, the right insulation and weather protection are key. Here are my top five favorite outdoor jackets for women, tested on trails, at camp, and in unpredictable mountain conditions.

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1. Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket

If you follow me on Instagram, you know this is the jacket I regularly grab. A staple for cold-weather adventures, the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket is my go-to for high-elevation hikes and shoulder-season backpacking trips. With 700-fill recycled down, it offers serious warmth without the bulk. The Pertex Quantum outer fabric resists light moisture, making it a solid choice for variable weather. I love how easily it packs down into its own stuff sack, making it perfect for stuffing in my pack when I'm on the move. It also comes in so many great, classic colors—I have it in Saraha and I love how it pops against the landscape.

Best for: Alpine hikes, winter layering, and ultralight backpacking.
Price: $295 // Some styles currently on sale for $146.83

2. Patagonia Down Sweater

The Patagonia Down Sweater is a tried-and-true classic. Its 800-fill power goose down makes it incredibly warm while remaining lightweight and compressible. The DWR (durable water repellent) coating adds a little extra weather resistance, though it’s best layered under a shell in wet conditions. I love this jacket for casual wear too—it transitions seamlessly from the trail to everyday life. I have found it to be a bit more delicate than others—Shadow’s claws have managed to scratch it up, and it’s succumb to some campfire embers as well, but it' still makes it into my regular rotation.

Best for: All-around warmth, layering, and casual outdoor wear.
Price: $329 // Some style currently on sale for $229

3. Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Jacket

This jacket comes with me on every trip. I have it in multiple colors and I know it will not let me down. I love that it has a bit more of a structured, tapered fit that feels feminine and can be worn in town, but is super durable and rugged for trail. If I know I’ll be dealing with damp conditions, the Patagonia Nano Puff is my pick. Instead of down, it uses PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation, which retains heat even when wet. The lightweight, windproof shell makes it a great mid-layer for chilly hikes, and it packs into its own pocket for easy storage. I reach for this one when I need something that won’t lose its loft in misty or drizzly conditions.

Best for: Wet and unpredictable weather, ultralight backpacking, and layering.
Price: $239 // Some styles currently on sale for $149.93

4. Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie

The Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie is the newest hoodie I have added to my collection, and let me tell you, I get SO many compliments on this jacket. Outside of looking cute, it also combines ultralight warmth with enhanced durability. It features 800-fill hydrophobic down (which repels moisture better than untreated down) and a reinforced Pertex Diamond Fuse shell, making it more abrasion-resistant than most down jackets. This one just feels like it could withstand a bit more of a beating and never lets me down on frigid mornings at camp.

Best for: High-wind environments, ultralight backpacking, and climbing.
Price: $299

5. Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt

For those in-between days when I don’t need a full puffy, the Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt is a cozy and stylish alternative. It’s lightweight, synthetic-insulated, and offers just the right amount of warmth for mild-weather hikes or chilly mornings at camp. It has more of a “shacket” aesthetic, so it can be worn straight from the trail to the brewery and comes in lots of great colors. Plus, the snap-front design makes it easy to layer up or down throughout the day.

Best for: Shoulder-season hikes, casual layering, and campfire lounging.
Price: $189

Each of these jackets has earned its place in my outdoor kit for different reasons. Whether you need a high-performance alpine jacket or a versatile everyday piece, there's an option here for every type of adventure.

Do you have a favorite outdoor jacket that’s a staple in your gear closet? Drop it in the comments, I’m always looking for new favorites to test on the trail!