Best Lightweight Fall Jackets

Caroline Morse Teel is the Managing Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

Caroline joined Boston-based SmarterTravel in 2011 after living in Ireland, London, and Manhattan. She's traveled to all seven continents, jumped out of planes, and bungeed off bridges in the pursuit of a good story. She loves exploring off-the-beaten path destinations, anything outdoorsy, and all things adventure.

Her stories have also appeared online at USA Today, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Yahoo, Boston.com, TripAdvisor, Buzzfeed, Jetsetter, Oyster, Airfarewatchdog, and others.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "Earplugs. A good pair has saved my sleep and sanity many times!"

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro.

Travel Motto: "Don't be boring."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle (when the first class private suite isn't available)."

E-mail her at cteel@smartertravel.com.

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We love idyllic fall days—those colorful leaf backdrops; crisp temperatures perfect for walking; and plenty of sunshine. What we hate is packing bulky jackets to prepare for the not-so-hot fall weather interludes (think: rain, clouds, cold nights). We’ve rounded up some lightweight jackets that pack easily and travel well to keep you warm and dry on all types of autumn days.

Eddie Bauer Voyager II Jacket

Need to look professional or polished, but still want to be comfortable (in case you’re not flying in business class)? The Eddie Bauer Voyager II (available for men and women is a hybrid between a jacket and a blazer. The button front and stand-up banded collar keeps it classy, while the two-way stretch and StormRepel DWR fabric keeps you comfortable and dry. It’s also got two secure zip hip pockets and two chest pockets so you can hang on to everything you need.

Showers Pass Elite 2.1 Jacket

Whether you’re commuting to work or taking a rental bike around a foreign city, the Elite 2.1 Jacket by Showers Pass will keep you (and your stuff—there are plenty of pockets, including one with an audio port) dry and protected from the wind. Working up a sweat? This jacket (available for men and women) has seven venting options to cool you down. And you’ll stay safe with the 3M reflective trim that keeps you visible from all angles.

North Face Apex Bionic Jacket

Headed out for a fall hike? The North Face Apex Bionic soft-shell jacket is your perfect outer layer. The ClimateBlock exterior shields against cold and wind, and the interior fleece backer keeps you cozy underneath. It’s also water-resistant in case of unexpected showers, and comes in tons of cute colors. (It comes in men’s as well, but not in as many fun options.)

Craghoppers National Geographic Oliver & Olivia Pro Series Jacket

If anyone knows travel clothing, it’s the people at National Geographic. They’ve partnered with Craghoppers to make adventure goods that will stand up to any destination. The Oliva Pro Series Jacket checks all the boxes for what we’re looking for in fall outerwear—lightweight, a zipped inner security pocket, waterproof outside pockets, and a non-restrictive stretch fabric.

TravelSmith Belted Trench

Whether it’s warm and rainy or uncomfortably cold, TravelSmith’s Belted Trench has you covered (literally). It packs down into an included travel pouch, is fully lined, and has two internal hidden zipper pockets for security. When temperatures drop, add in the quilted Thermolite liner (sold separately), which buttons in for warm insulation.

Toad & Co Double Bock Jacket

The Double Bock Jacket from Toad & Co is surprisingly warm for its light weight. That’s due to its high pile fleece lining and 60-gram fill insulation, that adds warmth without weight. Outside, there’s a drop-in phone pocket, adjustable snap cuffs, and split kangaroo hand pockets.

Adidas Outdoor 3in1 Insulated Wandertag Jacket

We like jackets that let you adjust based on the temperature, like the Adidas Outdoor 3in1 Wandertag jacket, available for women and men. It uses the patented Adidas Climaproof technology to keep you comfortable (it’s wind and waterproof) and it has an inner detachable jacket with padding that you can add as needed. The adjustable hood will fit any head and add protection from rain and cold.

Free Country Everglade 3-in-1 Systems Jacket

For a more affordable 3-in-1 jacket, try the Everglade from Free Country. Its polyfil inner jacket zips snugly into an insulated outer shell, both which can be worn on their own. The detachable hood lets you customize your jacket even further.

Patagonia Lined Maple Grove Canvas Jacket

Looking for something a little more durable to protect you on your travels? The Patagonia Maple Grove Canvas Jacket won’t let you down. This heavy-duty jacket is made from organic cotton canvas and lined with polyester fleece. The internal zippered left-chest pocket keeps your phone and keys secured.

Montane Fireball Verso Pull-On

The Montane Fireball Verso is a super packable option, as it stuffs down into its own softball sized bag. It weighs just 8.6 ounces, so you’ll barely notice it in your backpack or luggage. The jacket is reversible—one side is a puffy jacket and the other is a rain-resistant and windproof soft shell.

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Caroline Morse has way too many jackets for fall. Follow her fashionable journeys on Instagram @travelwithcaroline and on Twitter @CarolineMorse1 for travel tips and inspiration.

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We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.