8 Best Fall Jackets for Men 2025: Iconic, Durable, Stylish, & More

If you like clothes, you love fall. Whether you’re a fashion dude or a regular dude, it just gives you more stuff to wear: everyone has a favorite pair of jeans or boots that they missed during shorts and sandals season. And perhaps above all, just about everyone has a favorite jacket.

And if you don’t, we’re here to introduce you to it.

This here is our list of the best lightweight fall jackets, and as we do everywhere on Stridewise, we’re prioritizing durable materials and classic, uncomplicated looks that never go out of style.

In fact, as we were putting together our list, it turned out that they’re all so widely beloved that they’ve been worn by dozens of pop culture icons as well.

Trust us, you’ll love these unique jackets — and you’ll probably already know of them.

Our Top Picks for Men’s Fall Jackets

• Best USA-Made Jacket: Flint and Tinder’s Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker
• Best Windbreaker: Baracuta’s G9 Harrington Jacket
• Best Denim Jacket: Levi’s Trucker Jacket
• Best Hunting Jacket: Barbour’s Beaufort
• Best Field Jacket: M-65 Field Jacket
• Best Chore Coat: Mont St Michel’s French Moleskin Work Jacket
• Best Leather Jacket: Schott NYC’s Perfecto
• Best Work Jacket: Carhartt’s Detroit Jacket

How We Chose These Fall Jackets

At Stridewise, we focus on casual, durable clothes with relatively minimalist, timeless looks — basically, we don’t want photos of ourselves in ten years time to look dated. In fact, we want the jacket to be durable enough that we’ll be able to wear the same one in ten years. Looking at an old photo. Like this guy did with his.

An eye toward durability and timeless appeal leads us to focus on heritage brands that produce high-end menswear made of durable materials. When you want looks that are casual and classic, it tends to be based on or inspired by apparel that people wore during or before mid-twentieth century — before everything became made with polyester.

But we don’t avoid synthetic fabrics when they make sense, nor do we dismiss newer brands — we have a mixture of both in this list, the first two picks being good examples of both. We’ve personally owned and tested every jacket on this list… one of them has even been in rotation for 10 years.

1. Best USA-Made Jacket: Flint and Tinder’s Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket

• Made from durable, water-resistant waxed canvas.
• Breaks in, looks, and fits better with wear.
• Flannel-lined for added warmth and comfort.
• Made in the USA with American materials
• Comes in 4 colors and 2 fits for every body.

Flint and Tinder’s Waxed Canvas Trucker Jacket exploded in popularity when Pedro Pascal wore it as Joel Miller in HBO’s The Last of Us. By the time it aired, I’d already been wearing mine for several years and knew why it was chosen for battling through a zombie apocalypse.

Canvas is very densely woven cotton and when it’s waxed canvas you’ve got an extra layer of water and wind resistance. A nice bonus: the wax creates a really cool dimension of texture, producing subtle variations in color that bring to mind a well worn pair of boots.

Flint and Tinder have released many variations on the jacket but this classic we’re highlighting is a trucker-style jacket that’s lined with flannel. That lining is handy not just because it keeps you warmer, but because unlined waxed canvas feels kind of clammy against your skin. Ironically, unlined waxed jackets feel stuffier than the lined kind.

The Field Tan is the most popular color (and it’s what Joel wore on TV, natch), but a bonus of this jacket’s insane popularity is that it’s always available in at least four colors and two fits. Any brand that releases multiple fits for different body types gets a big nod of approval.

It’s definitely casual, but it’s a great alternative to a denim jacket (plus it looks better with jeans) and with its classic look and rugged durability, many consider waxed canvas something of a cheaper alternative to a leather jacket.

Finally, this might sound crazy, but we’ve taken many hard looks at the market’s best waxed canvas jackets and trust us: for an American-made one that’s lined, the price tag of $298 is the best you’re going to find. I’ve worn mine so much, for so many years, that it’s been well worth the initial investment. (And I’ve worn off all the wax.)

What to consider:

• It’s very casual, hard to dress up past a denim or flannel button up.
• Some would prefer a non-synthetic lining over polyester
• Some prefer arm gussets for extra mobility

Best Windbreaker: Baracuta’s G9 Harrington Jacket

• Classic, smart casual, not faux-outdoorsy good looks
• Relatively water resistant due to polyester content and durable water repellent (DWR) treatment.
• Lightweight and easily packable
• Favorite of James Dean, Steve McQueen, Daniel Craig, and other style icons.
• Fits slim; consider sizing up if you prefer room for layering.

A British icon, the Baracuta G9 Harrington Jacket has been just as popular among American celebrities since it launched in the 1930s. A little like a fabric version of a leather flight jacket, it’s well known as a favorite of stars from James Dean, Elvis Presley, and Steve McQueen to Leonardo DiCaprio, Jason Statham, and Daniel Craig.

I raised an eyebrow when I learned it was equal parts cotton and polyester, but after wearing it for a week I was convinced. The polyester means it takes up very little room, it’s easy to stuff into a bag when traveling, it’s barely wrinkled when you unscrunch it, and it functions as a solid windbreaker.

Indeed, Baracuta’s use of synthetics make this border on a technical garment: in addition to the aforementioned benefits, it’s treated with a durable water resistant (DWR) finish and the lining has Coolmax Technology, designed to wick moisture away from your skin and keep you cool on warm days. All my other Coolmax garments are workout apparel!

It’s not the warmest jacket, but of course, this is a list of fall outerwear. I like it for traveling because it’s so easy to scrunch up in a bag and doesn’t take up much room in your airline seat, plus the internal and external button closure pockets are nice, pickpocket-resistant places to stash your passport and valuables.

Lastly, it closes with a two-way zipper, so you can loosen up the bottom when you sit or drive.

The G9 retails at $429. If taken care of, this jacket will last the rest of your life.

What to consider:

• Pricy for synthetic fabric
• Getting the sizing right is difficult (it’s slim)
• Better for modern, fitted outfits than vintage or workwear looks
• Not waterproof, just water-resistant
• The zipper can stick

Best Denim Jacket: Levi’s Type 3 Trucker

• Affordable and stylish jacket
• Tons of variations, colors, and materials
• The Type 3 is the most modern cut for a denim jacket

Levi’s denim jackets have been around in one form or another for over a hundred years, originally called the Triple Pleat Blouse. It was marketed to miners, cowboys, loggers, farmers, and mechanics as a piece of rugged workwear. (Denim’s practical toughness is easy to forget in an age where every banker and soccer mom wears jeans on the weekend, but don’t forget everyone else wears denim too!)

We had to go with Levi’s because it’s an instance where a brand’s reputation lives up to scrutiny: they literally invented jeans when they patented rivets on denim pants in the 19th century.

While their bestselling trucker comes in a million colors and washes, this medium wash version is currently the bestseller. We’re always partial to buying a jacket raw and beating it up yourself, but we’re not one to judge pre distressed denim.

Note that when there are two pockets on the chest like this, it’s also called a Type 3 denim jacket, which dates back to the early 1960s. The other two types are shorter and boxier (among other differences), so it’s a no brainer that the Type 3’s flattering design is by far the most popular.

The two best features are the range of colors/washes you can get it in and the pockets: a lot of “traditionalist” denim brands eschew all but the chest pockets, but Levi’s smartly includes two hand warmers and two huge “bucket” pockets on the interior.

Oh, and it’s the cheapest fall jacket on this list at $89.50.

What to consider:

• The short fit isn’t for all body types
• It’s unlined and not insulated
• You might risk dye transfer; read the label very closely!

Best Hunting Style Jacket: Barbour’s Beaufort

• Water and wind-resistant waxed canvas
• A favorite of British aristocracy
• Loads of pockets; very functional
• Corduroy collar keeps the clammy wax off your neck

Barbour’s Beaufort Jacket needs no introduction — at least, not to the Brits. With origins in hunting and horseriding, their jackets have a long history, a devoted fanbase, and are perhaps best known as the country jacket of choice for various members of the royal family.

Barbour sells a few similar jackets with tiny differences, but the best known, if-it-ain’t-broke-don’t-fix-it model is the Beaufort. With capacious pockets and a fit that’s at once roomy and cozy, it’s simply the British jacket — and in the cooler months, Barbour is positively ubiquitous in both Manhattan and New England as well.

It comes in two different kinds of waxed canvas: Thornproof and Sylkoil. Both are 6-ounce waxed cotton, but Sylkoil has a dry finish while Thornproof has a heavier, waxier feel.

This is another excellent three season jacket, and if you purchase a wool liner, that will take you well into a cooler British winter.

This is a very functional jacket with simple and repairable velcro wrist cuffs to keep wind and rain out of the interior, and we love the oversized corduroy collar when we pop it up and secure it there with the throat latch to protect our cheeks from the wind.

The coat costs $435. Keep in mind that whese are heirloom jackets, often passed down through the generations. Our contributor Timothy Steiner once put his under the tire of his Jeep so that it would regain traction. He took it home after, hosed it off, and it was none worse for wear.

What to consider:

• Pricy
• Distinctly old fashioned, old money look
• Loose fit, not trim and modern

Best Field Jacket: Cockpit USA’s M-65

• Water-resistant sateen fabric that’s tough as nails
• A timeless piece of American military history
• Ultra functional: endless pockets, a concealed hood, and an adjustable drawstring waist
• Made in USA

The M-65 from Cockpit USA is the real deal. The M-65 is the best-known model of field jacket and was cemented into US pop culture when returning Vietnam war veterans carried it into civilian life — and when it adorned the stars of Taxi Driver, First Blood, and Serpico.

Cockpit USA has a well-earned reputation for their exacting replications of jackets used by the US Armed Forces across history, and they still supply apparel to the military today — helped, no doubt, by the fact their garments are still made in the United States.

Designed to 1965 military specs (hence M-65), this jacket is made with a lightweight and water resistant cotton/nylon sateen fabric, an adjustable drawstring waist, and even a packable hood that you can stuff into the collar for a cleaner look. Given its military application, it’s no surprise that the M-65 is built to last.

A million and one brands have made their versions of the M-65, whether it’s an exact replica or something they tweaked to their tastes. But while it might be too ostentatious for some, I can’t not recommend the real deal from Cockpit USA to protect you from the elements or any ornery Hope, Washington-based sheriffs you might encounter.

What to consider:

• This isn’t a subtle jacket.
• Some guys feel conflicted about the connotations of military-style jackets.

Best Chore Coat: Mont Saint Michel

• Moleskin fabric is both very durable and very soft
• Authentic model from a French brand that pioneered the style
• Versatile, sometimes worn as a blazer
• Available in a wide range of colors

The Chore Coat has origins in 19th-century French workwear and is traditionally made with one of two kinds of 100% cotton twill: drill or (more commonly) moleskin, a brushed fabric that’s both nice and soft (think flannel) and incredibly hardwearing.

My chore coat is arguably the most authentic; the title is fought between Mont St Michel and Le Laboureur, but with countless publications (including GQ) naming the former the greatest chore coat on Earth, I’m very happy with my cozy Mont St Michel.

Moleskin feels soft and perhaps delicate but it’s ultra hard-wearing, originally created for laborers in Medieval Europe. Whether you work in the fields or from the comfort of your laptop, you’ll get a ton of mileage out of this humble jacket.

Although my ‘Forest’ color is very popular, I should note that the classic French chore coat color is a bright blue; some even claim that this model of the work jacket is the very origin of the term “blue collar.”

It’s an unassuming and incredibly versatile piece that’s as functional as it is fashionable. (Those big old pockets, originally designed to carry large tools, are great for that oversized phones.) While unlined and unstructured, many guys pick up a wool chore coat and wear it business casual like a blazer.

But honestly, we don’t get enough opportunities to wear moleskin.

What to consider:

• Some find chore coats too boxy in the body
• They also tend to be quite slim in the arms

Best Leather Jacket: Schott NYC’s Perfecto

• Thick, durable 3-3.5 ounce leather
• Made in America with American materials
• Iconic design made famous by Marlon Brando and James Dean
• Bi-swing back gives extra mobility
• Available in wide array of leathers and colors

In the 1950s, the Perfecto was the leather jacket for Hollywood rebels like James Dean and Marlon.

This asymmetrical icon features zip-up closures, snap lapels, and epaulets. If this style seems familiar, it’s because every leather jacket company has released their own “take” (clone) of this style, but nothing beats the original.

Naturally, a jacket this influential is available in an absolute ton of different colors, leathers, and styles, and while there’s something to be said for the hallowed horsehide Perfecto, the cowhide 618 is the most popular and the ideal balance of tough and soft.

If you want a form-fitting, modern-looking jacket that’s made in America, packed with history, and dripping with cool, the Perfecto is for you.

What to consider:

• We wouldn’t call this lightweight; it’s a meaty piece
• There’s no good leather jacket that’s cheap; this jacket’s over $900
• It’s a loud style; you might prefer our favorite leather jacket, the Cafe Racer

Best Work Jacket: Carhartt’s Detroit Jacket

• Dense, tough canvas should last for decades
• Built a reputation for toughness with workers across America
• Short hem ideal for tool belts, versatile for different activities
• Blanket lined body for warmth
• Bi-swing back gives extra mobility
• Two fits available

Even before it was featured in Interstellar, the Carhartt Detroit Jacket was one of the few workwear items embraced by both the more style-focused crowd and blue-collar workers.

Introduced in 1954, it was originally called the “zipper jacket” and built a reputation for toughness among warehouse workers, farmhands, and ranchers across America.

There have been numerous versions over the years that have included lined and unlined, nylon, stretch canvas and a quilted version. The brand also released a lighter version called the Icons Re-Engineered Capsule Collection.

The short hem makes it pair well with a tool belt, it’s light enough for a spring day, warm enough for fall, and easy to layer with.

What to consider:

• Very casual
• Some would prefer cotton lining over synthetic polyester

Wrapping Up

I’m certain there’s a favorite fall jacket on this list for just about any guy who’s into durable materials and classic design. We only talked about jackets for fall here — no burly blizzard wear just yet — but these options have carried me throughout many a fall season, and I’m always looking forward to the opportunity to wear them again.