Somewhere between a shirt and a jacket is amazing versatility.
Toad&Co Kodiak Quilted
Pull on the Kodiak and you feel like you’re wrapped in a supersoft blanket. The material makes you feel good in other ways, too: it blends recycled cotton with polyester from reclaimed plastic bottles, and the tag encourages buyers to “wear more, wash less, wear it out or pass it on.”
Price $130
Edgevale North Coast
This fleece-lined classic marries a stylish polyester-wool outer with soft-shell technology. Result? It buffers against wind and water, warms, and stretches while also being breathable and office appropriate. It’s the epitome of the utilitarian shacket.
Price $199
The North Face Lost Coast Thermoball
This is a high-performance midlayer disguised as bar wear. It weighs a feath-ery 13.5 ounces, mainly due to 100 percent nylon ripstop face fabric and airy (but still warm) synthetic fill. Since it stuffs down to the size of a softball, we keep it in our pack all season long in case of sudden storms or spur-of-the-moment meet-ups for sake bombs.
Price $149
Smartwool Anchor Line
Cozy, warm, and fashionable—the plush Anchor Line nails the holy trinity. But our favorite part is the soft 80 percent merino fabric. It feels like your favorite broken-in fleece, which means you can wear it without a base layer underneath. No itching here.
Price $180
Ibex Wool Aire
Wear the reversible Aire flannel side out and you’re barhopping in Breckenridge. Flip it so the shiny nylon shows and you’re hitting the galleries in Chelsea. Either way, thick wool insulation makes it one of the warmest breathable tops on this page.
Price $350
Filson Jac-Shirt Alaska Fit
Spend your winters hewing logs up north? This heavy-duty button-front is for you. Sewn from 100 percent wool, it’s a traditional workingman’s shirt, with a roomy cut designed to accommodate layers. The style is simple and the craftsmanship superb. Plus, it’s well-nigh indestructible. Pass it on to your kids after a few decades of use.
Price $230