Layer Like a Pro With These 20 Stylish Winter Vests for Guys

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WINTER IS almost here, which means it's time to layer up. But unpredictable temps make for tricky outfit choices. Fortunately, the best winter vests are here to make your life easier, not to mention cozier. They are versatile, easy to throw on (and off) and great looking. Layer it over your dress shirt for warmth and style points at the office, or throw it over your hoodie during in-and-out errands for a casual look you won't be embarrassed to sport in public. Once temps really drop, layer it under your favorite winter coat for extra heat. No matter what climate you're dealing with, there is a great winter vest to keep you warm and stylish.

Beyond its utility, all of the best winter vests are easy to style with the clothes you already own. Try them with a plain or flannel button-down shirt and jeans or corduroys to keep your look casual, or with slacks and a dress shirt for the office. For a hike, wear a men's outdoor vest over a long-sleeve, sweat-wicking tee, plus some shorts over compression pants. Then, add a jacket, hat, and winter gloves, taking off any layers you don’t need along the way. Headed to the office? Lightweight winter vests will add warmth when layered under your blazer or suit jacket. There really is no type of winter outerwear that is easier to just throw on over your outfit. So we assembled the 20 best winter vests that are available right now.

Recycled Packable Vest

Tommy Hilfiger’s travel-ready vest comes through in the clutch in colder weather, thanks to faux down fill that keeps you warm without overheating. Wear it over a faded tee for a foolproof brunch look, and pair it with water-repellent cargo pants on rainy days.

Sussex Quilted Vest

Consider this the ideal throw-on-at-the-office vest. It’s ultra-lightweight (because who wants to look like a marshmallow at work) and super-stretchy so you stay comfortable. An ideal layer come spring when mornings are still chilly.

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Puffer Vest

Amazon's bestselling puffer vest has received loads of five-star reviews for its insulation, lightweight build, and durability. And at this price point, you'll want one in every color.

Read more: Best Puffer Jackets for Men

Men’s 1996 Retro Nuptse Vest

This winter vest has old-school charm that never goes out of style. Made of a ripstop fabric, it features a drawstring for a snug fit, and a snap placket to cover the front zipper, keeping cold air at bay.

Atom LT Vest Men's

This vest from Arc’teryx is classic and fashionable, but also puts in work. It’s filled with synthetic insulated midlayers to keep you warm on cold days and has a water-repellent finish.

Nano Puff Vest

Consider this the gold standard of hiking vests for men. It’s slim enough to fit under other layers when you need all the warm you can get, but also provides just the right amount of protection in that pesky in-between time when it’s starting to heat up, but sometimes deceivingly cold out, sometimes all in the span of a day. It’s windproof, moisture-shedding, and insulated, because getting out in nature is a must year-round.

Crofton Down Vest

Here's a luxurious alternative to the traditional puffer vest, emblazoned with Canada Goose's signature logo. Wear this over a black sweater for your office uniform.

Down for It All Vest

One of the best down vests out there, this version from Lululemon is nothing like the workout vests you’re used to. It features a 700-fill-power goose down insulation for warmth, coupled with two-way stretch so your outdoor runs aren’t weighed down with any extra bulk. Plus, the fabric is specially treated to be water-repellent and windproof.

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Lightweight Packable Puffer Vest

When you're traveling during the fall or winter, it is handy to have an easily accessible extra layer to throw on. Vineyard Vines designed this puffer vest with narrow panels that allow it to fold up tightly into a backpack, tote, or duffle bag. Though the lining is thin, it is still remarkably warm.

Nordic puffer vest with PrimaLoft®

Pulled straight from the archive, J.Crew's Nordic puffer vest is wonderfully retro. Channel your favorite '80s style icons like Marty McFly and Clark Griswold in this cozy winter outerwear. We suggest pairing it with a fairisle sweater for the holiday season.

Bean's Sherpa Vest

High pile fleece makes for a cozy feel and strong protection against the wind. It also does a better job of locking in your body heat than standard fleece. The Bean's Sherpa Vest has plenty of cargo space with three large pockets and snug high zip neck. Throw it over a sweater or sweaters, or layer it under your favorite shell jacket for extra warmth.

Fleece-Lined Softshell Vest

The key to finding the best fleece vest for men is to consider the conditions you’ll be facing this fall or winter. If rain or snow is likely in the forecast, consider a winter vest with a water-repellent outer, like this one from Trailside Supply Co., and a warm fleece inner lining. That way, you get all the benefits of a soft fleece layer while keeping dry on outdoor adventures.

Rounder Puffer Vest

Howler Brothers channel vintage western wear with modern adventure gear functionality. The Rounder Puffer Vest is built from a weather resistant ripstop fabric that is light and durable. It can handle a night out with the guys just as well as a long day on the mountain trails.

Stone Island Giubbotto Quilted Vest

Light enough to layer and warm enough to go on-top, this quilted vest from Stone Island is as versatile as it is stylish. The onion-shaped quilted pattern is based on vintage military liner jackets. Rock it with a crewneck sweatshirt and dark chinos for a casual weekend look.

Arctic-Quilt Lined Duck Vest

Try a men’s outdoor vest from Carhartt to see what all the fuss is about. Legions of duck-vest devotees aren’t wrong when they say it’s one of the hardiest items you’ll ever own. Known to last for decades, the rugged warm style is perfect for heavy-duty winter yard work.

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Epic Quilted Fleece Vest

An attractive quilting pattern means this hiking vest can double as an outer layer to wear on nights out when it’s still cold, but not enough for a full-on jacket. The streamlined design is minimal enough to pair with your loudest flannel. Also makes for a great gift.

Read more: Best Gifts for Men

Quilted Waxed Vest

This rugged design takes its inspiration from traditional, hardy workwear. It’s waxed to ward off snow and rain, and insulated to add a layer of warmth to your outdoor fit. Large outer pockets hold all your gear.

Frost-Free Water-Resistant Zip-Front Puffer Vest

This puffer vest's mock-neck collar helps protect your face from the elements, while its series of zippered pockets keep your gadgets warm and secure.

WARMKNIT Fleece Vest

Consider this the best fleece-vest for all your day-to-day activities in colder months. A sleek design means this easily layers over your button-downs and under your winter jackets on the coldest days. Let it take you from the office to the gym to the bar. That’s true versatility.

Mountain Sweater Fleece Vest

Take it back to the basics with the best fleece vest for that morning sanity-saving hike, a midday kayak break, or evening drinks by the fireside. It’s made of a knit fabric with a micro-fleece interior in a classic not-too-tight and not-too-baggy silhouette.

Read more: Best Fleece Jackets for Men

Men’s Polar Fleece Vest

A fantastic budget buy, snap up a couple of these fleece vests if you’re low on layers. It’s ideal for wearing over a sweat-wicking long-sleeve tee on long walks outdoors. A stand-up collar keeps your neck from being exposed to cool temps.

CB Sports Soleil Vest

In collaboration with ski brand CB Sports, Faherty customized an archive piece with a bold sunset motif. The front of the vest is a classic navy blue puffer with double two-way pockets featuring side hand warmers and top opening snap closures. The back a showstopper, featuring a quilted design made from individual panels, you'll be easy to spot on the mountain.

Lowerdale Gilet

Mountain man, but make it chic. Heavy-duty materials make this vest a solid investment to hold up for all the in-between seasons in years to come. It’s fashionable enough for cool weather date nights, too.

Seawool Bubble Vest

Made from recycled plastic bottles and oysters shells, this nautical puffer vest is perfect for any adventure.

Mountain Classic Puffer Vest

A classic vest like this offers a quick warm up for a morning or evening on the water. It won’t inhibit all the arm movement associated with fishing and it’s even water resistant, should things get splashy or it starts to rain. The pockets are a great refuge for cold river hands.

What to Look for in Winter Vests

Fabric: The best winter vests should act like a little layer between you and the elements, when it isn’t quite cold enough for a full jacket, but you still need an extra layer. So look for weather-resistant fabrics like nylon, waxed cotton, high pile fleece, or heavy canvas.

Color: There are two ways to go with your vest color. You can stick to dark neutral colors that will match everything, like navy, black, charcoal, and brown. This is what you want if you plan on wearing your vest as transitional outerwear through the fall, winter, and spring. The other option is to go bold with a bright yellow, orange, or red. You won’t get as much use out of these, vests but they will be fun standout accessories.

Insulation: If you live in a colder climate, you should go with an insulated vest. Either a puffer or quilted vest will help lock in your body heat around your neck and torso. Known as your core, keeping this area of your body warm has the remarkable ability to make the rest of your body feel warmer because that is where all your blood circulates from.

Pockets: Pretty much all vests have a set of hand pockets. Lighter weight vests that are used for layering or warmer climates usually don’t have anything more. If you live somewhere a little colder and plan on wearing your vest as a primary outerwear option, we recommend getting one with more cargo space. One or two breast pockets, ideally with a zipper or snap closure, will always come in handy for things like sunglasses, keys, and hats.

How to Style Winter Vests

The best winter vests are strong stand-alone outerwear options that can also complete your outfit. When it isn’t quite cold enough for a winter jacket, you want a sleeveless option that will show off whatever shirt you wear underneath. The best tops to rock underneath a winter vest are sweaters, hoodies, and button-down shirts.

For sweaters, you can go high end with a cashmere crewneck or rugged with a wool cable knit sweater. If you’re going to wear a button down, it should be something a little heavier like a strong oxford cloth or denim shirt.

When going out sans jacket, we also recommend having a warm beanie and winter gloves handy incase it gets colder than expected. If your vest has a breast pocket, you can always tuck the hat or gloves into there like a pocket square.

How We Selected the Best Winter Vests

For the past two years, Men's Health fashion editors and writers have been trying and testing hundreds of pairs of men's winter vests. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated vests based on their durability, comfort, warmth, style, and value. We also considered winter vests that had at least 1,000 five-star ratings on e-commerce sites we trust.

Shop More of Our Favorite Winter Outerwear

Winter Jackets | Topcoats | Camel Coats | Waxed Canvas Jackets | Liner Jackets | Packable Down Jackets | Ski Jackets | Shearling Jackets | Peacoats | Parkas

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