There are many different kinds of hiking jackets to choose from, all of which have various positives and negatives associated with them. Soft shell jackets often make ideal hiking jackets for women and men, for example. They are often water resistant, and also breathable, which is a great combination to have for hiking in. Many also come with a hood, which gives you the ability to trap all that body heat that escapes from the head, and make yourself a lot warmer as a result.
Hiking Jackets for Women
Things you want to look at when shopping for hiking jackets for women.- Material – As alluded to above, there are a couple of different material choices when it comes to picking out a hiking jacket. A soft shell material is great, for instance, but you might prefer something like fleece, or even wool, both of which breath well and are naturally water resistant.
- Waterproof – Depending on the kinds of conditions that you find yourself needing a hiking jacket for, you may or may not want a waterproof hiking jacket. If you do elect to get a waterproof jacket, just be sure to get a jacket that also has good ventilation, so you don’t end up getting wet from sweat.
Best Hiking Jackets for Women
A few of the very best hiking jackets for women on the market.- Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket - If you want the best in jackets, Arc'teryx is a good brand to go to. This particular jacket uses the high end Gore Tex 3L Pro fabric, which is what you want to be wearing when it really starts pouring rain. This jacket is hip length, to give you a bit of extra protection from the rain. Pit zips keep you ventilated, and little touches, like a as few seams as possible, so that there are fewer places for water to get in, make this a very desirable hiking jacket.
- Marmot Minimalist Jacket - If you want a quality Gore Tex jacket, but don't want to spend a whole lot, then the Minimalist is a good compromise. It uses Gore Tex's 2.5 layer fabric, called Paclite, and while it has all the standard features, like hand pockets and pit zips, this jacket lives up to its name by having a minimal amount of extras. It's a simple jacket that does the job of keeping you dry. The Paclite fabric will also pack down small, so a good option for stuffing in to a backpack.
- GoLite Tumalo Pertex Storm Jacket - If you really want lightweight and breathable, the Tumalo is a good choice. It's a nylon shell, so it will breath extremely well, while keeping you dry. And like the Minimalist, it has just the basics, like pit zips and a couple of zippered hand pockets. But with GoLite products the focus is always on small and lightweight, and this is an ideal hiking jacket to put in your backpack and forget about until you need it.
