How to choose a hiking or trekking jacket

For your mountain outings, the hiking jacket is a 2nd or 3rd layer that protects against wind, rain, snow and cold. It is also used to protect against natural elements such as bushes, brambles or rubbing against stones etc.
There are two main types of hiking jackets: the softshell jacket and the waterproof jacket. All are designed for different purposes and do not offer the same protection. We share the details for each type of jacket in the rest of this article.

Ponchos have the advantage of being light, very compact and some let you protect your bag. Ponchos, however, are not very breathable.

Waterproof jackets are more effective in windy conditions than a poncho. However, it is necessary to add a rain cover to protect your hiking or trekking bag.

The poncho can also be worn over a hiking jacket in case of severe weather conditions during your mountain outings.

It is a warm protective jacket that protects you from the wind and a short downpour (about 30 mm) of light rain or snow.
The fabric used is an assembly of 3 materials: a breathable, windproof microporous membrane sandwiched between the water-repellent outer layer and the inner one made from warm, comfortable fleece.

Softshell jackets have the advantage of being compact, and can be easily packed into the bottom of the bag. They come in handy when the weather is variable, if the wind picks up during your hike, or when temperatures cool down at the end of the day, or in the evening in a bivouac.

Softshell jackets come with or without a hood to keep your head warm and dry. The latter can be useful if you have a waterproof jacket in your bag that you can take out if the weather changes. Similarly, in a bivouac, the hood is not always necessary.

Note: In case of heavy rain, a waterproof jacket should be used in addition to or instead of the softshell.

The ultra-light windproof jacket, as its name suggests, only protects against wind. It can be water-repellent but it is not waterproof. The main advantage of this type of jacket is its lightness. It is designed to provide wind protection during strenuous activity while still allowing good breathability.

If you are looking for a versatile hiking jacket for year-round hiking in all weather conditions, both cold and warm, the 3-in-1 jacket may be a good compromise.

The advantage of a 3-in-1 jacket is that you can wear either the jacket with the 2 layers together, the inner layer alone, or the jacket alone. This 3-in-1 jacket will be ideal in cold conditions, with good thermal insulation (for temperatures down to -25° for the most technical jacket). For the milder days of mid-season, you can leave the inner layer (fleece or down jacket) at home or folded in your bag and just wear the rain jacket. You can also wear the down jacket or inner fleece by itself as a mid-layer over a T-shirt and jumper. With a single jacket, you have 3 possibilities, either the 2 layers together, or the 1st layer alone, or the 2nd layer alone.

The pieces are easily assembled and separated with zips.

The final criteria to consider is the intensity of your hike. The higher the level of effort, the more likely you are to perspire and your hike may become uncomfortable. Technically, you should know that the more waterproof a jacket is, the less breathable it is. Indeed, the technologies used inside your jacket to manage waterproofing allow heat to be evacuated efficiently for moderate effort. Some windproof, softshell, waterproof hiking jackets are equipped with mechanical ventilation, allowing them to evacuate the maximum amount of heat in a very short time, regardless of the conditions, in periods of intense or very intense effort

Mechanical ventilation is when there's a ventilation zip. These are generally located under the arms, but some pockets also have mesh which helps with sweat wicking. For even better ventilation, wear breathable clothing underneath your jacket and remember to keep your sleeve cuffs and jacket bottoms open.

Just remember this: In order for a hiking jacket to provide you with the comfort you need, it is essential that it offers good breathability in order to avoid excessive perspiration that could cause discomfort. When selecting your jacket, don't forget to pay attention to this criterion.