The 10 Best Anorak Jackets to Protect You From the Elements
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The world is an unpredictable place. Weather, politics, markets, traffic: There’s not much we can do as individuals to control constant upheavals. What we can do is be as prepared as possible for the things life throws our way—like unexpected downpours or interest rate hikes. And really, it’s the comfort of preparation we’re aiming for, whether or not our actions ultimately affect the outcome. We do what makes us feel like we have some control over our environment. We’ll stock up on essentials (which could just mean keeping an extra few bottles of Cote du Rhone on reserve) and get the gear that’ll protect us from the elements. They’re there for peace of mind as much as utility. This is where the best anoraks come in.
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Have you ever heard a word that evokes the idea of preparedness more than “anorak”? Something about the embedded “or” (or what, exactly? The unknown!) and the final stolid “k” that makes it the gorp-iest of terms, not to mention the portability and impermeability of the garment itself. The best anoraks are the Eagle Scouts of jackets, ready to shield us from fickle outdoor conditions. They’re also supremely packable.
Essentially, the best anoraks are up for the proverbial job. With their pullover coverage and hoods, they’ll definitely make you feel ready.
The Anatomy of Anoraks:
Like many things, especially outerwear, the meaning of the term “anorak” has broadened considerably over time. Brands will apply it to almost any manner of jacket, weatherproof or not. But since we’re here to provide you with the best anoraks, we’ll narrow it down to the definitive characteristics. An anorak is a pullover jacket. It usually features a partial zip closure, not full, which reduces the opportunities for wind and moisture to slip through. If you’re a hardcore hiker or backpacker, the shorter zipper or lack of fasteners also shave grams from the base weight.
Anoraks, as they exist today, also have hoods. The whole idea here is protection from the elements, so the head covering is key. Fittingly, most anoraks worthy of the moniker are made from waterproof materials like Gore-Tex, nylons, or waxed cotton. Like almost every jacket style born out of utility, clever fashion designers have taken anoraks and luxed them up in all manner of sumptuous (definitely not weatherproof) materials. But these have their merits, too, when it comes to pulling off a great fit.
A Brief History of Anoraks:
Unlike many styles of outerwear, anoraks don’t have traceable military origins. In fact, the style has roots with indigenous people of the Arctic region who wore hooded coats made out of fur or animal skin—caribou hide walked so Gore-tex could run. The name “anorak” is derived from the Inuktitut word “annuraaq,” which was shortened into whatever the whalers that came by could pronounce.
While today’s best anoraks have the basic form and functions of the original outerwear garments, brands, as I mentioned, have taken quite a bit of creative license with materials and construction. We’ve rounded up the best anoraks that’ll keep you dry and shielded from the wind—and a couple that probably won’t, but still look fly as hell.
BEST WEATHERPROOF WOOL ANORAK JACKET
Mr P. + Houdini Logo-Embroidered Wool-Shell Anorak Jacket
The folks at Mr Porter are clever. After taking a few years to listen to its customers and curate just the right mix of products, it launched its in-house brand, Mr. P. Designed to be timeless, quality pieces, it’s a solid collection. But it also know when to team up with real heavyweights, experts in their fields. Take this anorak, for instance, produced with Swedish brand Houdini, who specializes in outdoor gear for climbing and ski touring. It has bonded seams to lock out wind and moisture, plus a generous hood and high-performing wool shell. That’s serious proficiency.
Material: Wool.
Date of Brand Origin: 2017 (Mr P.), 1993 (Houdini).
Colors Available: 1.
BEST PACKABLE ANORAK JACKET
Goldwin Ripstop Anorak Jacket
If you tell me a company supplies the performance uniforms for both the Swedish and British Olympic ski teams, I’m pretty sure they can be trusted with an everyday anorak. Of course, Goldwin’s ripstop anorak isn’t exactly run-of-the-mill. It’s made from lightweight yet high-density water-resistant ripstop and features an off-center zip. And it’ll ten-hut right into form straight from its crumpled corner in your duffle. They’ve been making this kind of exceptional gear for 70-plus years with the approval of some of the best athletes in the world, so you’ll know you’re covered for a little mist on the trail.
Material: Recycled polyester.
Date of Brand Origin: 1950.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST LONG ANORAK JACKET
Snow Peak Indigo C/N Anorak Jacket
There’s being prepared and there’s being elegantly prepared. Snow Peak engages in the latter. Yukio Yamai founded the company in the Niigata Prefecture of Japan, after returning to his hometown post-World War II and finding solace in climbing Mount Tanigawa. Ever since, Snow Peak has had a deep connection to nature and healing, producing the sort of streamlined outdoor gear that somehow emanates tranquility even in its ruggedness. Its lightweight, loosely fitting anorak features two enormous front pockets (you could almost forgo a pack on the trail with this style) and a longer shape than most, hitting just above the knee.
Materials: Cotton and nylon.
Date of Brand Origin: 1958.
Colors Available: 2.
BEST HIGH-FASHION ANORAK JACKET
Prada Re-Nylon Pullover Anorak Jacket
Mrs. Prada and Raf Simons have yet another subversive hit on their hands. Of course, nylon has long been a staple in the Prada lexicon, so it’s not the biggest surprise to see an anorak rendered in the signature material. There’s something about the heft of Prada nylon that you can’t find anywhere else—they’ve elevated it to a luxury fabric. The brand’s Re-Nylon is created through the recycling and purification of plastic collected from oceans, fishing nets, landfills, and textile fiber waste, which means you can also feel a little better about getting a fire fit off with this jacket.
Material: Nylon.
Date of Brand Origin: 1913.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST WAXED COTTON ANORAK JACKET
Filson Ranger Anorak Jacket
C.C. Filson had that pioneering spirit Hollywood screenwriters salivate over. He moved to the small city of Seattle in the 1890s after roaming around the country as a railroad conductor. Things were still pretty rough-and-tumble, but it so happened that fortune hunters were looking to strike gold up north and they needed to be properly outfitted for the harsh Northwest conditions. Filson stepped up to the plate and has been producing hardy gear ever since. Its Ranger anorak takes inspiration from vintage Arctic gear, made from waxed cotton with a dry hand-feel. With pockets and adjustments everywhere you turn and a double-layer back, Filson has thought of everything with this one.
Material: Waxed cotton.
Date of Brand Origin: 1897.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST SKI ANORAK JACKET
The North Face Driftview Anorak Jacket
Hunting out some fresh powder? This is the anorak for you. A young climber named Doug Tompkins started the North Face in 1966, outfitting Yosemite climbers from his San Francisco shop, and the brand’s been a purveyor for the altitudinally inclined ever since. It’s flexing its mountain gear know-how here with a proper shell and all the bells and whistles you could ask for. Seam sealed? Yep. Helmet compatible? Sure is. Underarm ventilation? Yes, phew. Cinching at all the endpoints? The snow doesn’t stand a chance of getting through.
Material: Polyester.
Date of Brand Origin: 1966.
Colors Available: 1.
BEST HYPED-UP ANORAK JACKET
Salomon Transfer Anorak Jacket
You may be shod in your Salomons at this very moment. Salomon has become the hottest sneaker for gorpy fashion bros, but we’re turning to the French alpine brand’s deep history of conquering the slopes. In fact, Georges and his son Francois Salomon started out in 1947 with a patent for beveled ski edges. The brand innovated ski and snowboard gear for a few decades, but it wasn’t even until the late ’90s that it even touched a running shoe. All to say, I’d gladly don their Transfer anorak for shredding a mountain. And yeah, I’ll probably put my XT-6s on for après.
Material: Polyester.
Date of Brand Origin: 1947.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT ANORAK JACKET
Patagonia Isthmus Windbreaker Anorak Jacket
Like several of the other brands of anoraks here, Patagonia has climbing in its blood. Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s founder, has become a legend, both as an eccentric rock climber and a reluctant billionaire who’s funneling all of his profits to combating climate change. The man doesn’t do anything conventionally. Designers dug into the Patagonia archive for the Isthmus anorak, producing a throwback style made from nylon with a water-repellent finish. It’s also got an absolutely enormous pocket on the front (into which you can efficiently pack the whole thing), along with 40-plus UPF sun protection.
Materials: Nylon and spandex.
Date of Brand Origin: 1965.
Colors Available: 5.
BEST DOWN ANORAK JACKET
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Popover Jacket
There’s a fine line between “hoodie” and “anorak” when stretch and insulation come into the mix, but we’re putting Mountain Hardwear’s popover in the latter camp, mostly due to the nylon construction and the fact that it meets all the other criteria of an anorak. Given the label’s deep roots in pro-climbing gear (you’ll see its logo all over basecamps at the highest altitudes), this jawn has the soul of outerwear. With 700-fill down insulation and a little bit of stretch, it’ll keep you damn cozy, too—even if your big expedition is for a cortado down the street.
Materials: Nylon and elastane with down insulation.
Date of Brand Origin: 1993.
Colors Available: 3.
BEST OVERALL ANORAK JACKET
Stone Island Macro Ripstop Anorak Jacket
Along with bronze-cut pastas, sleek design, and impossibly fast cars, Italian passions lie with textiles. Generations of Italian families have dedicated their lives to fabric innovation, including the clan of Massimo Osti, the founder of Stone Island. Now under the helm of Carlo Rivetti, the company has enforced its commitment to garment dyeing, the process of coloring materials after they’ve been cut and sewn into finished pieces. It’s a brand signature, accompanying the ergonomic silhouettes and boundary-pushing fibers. All these features are on display with this anorak, made from thick ripstop that’s padded for a little extra substance and warmth.
Materials: Polyamide with polyester padding.
Date of Brand Origin: 1983.
Colors Available: 3.
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