Shoulder season. It’s cold, but it’s not that cold. You don’t need a full puffy, just an extra layer. Enter the “shacket”: part shirt, part jacket, it bridges the gap between short sleeves and full-on winter parka. We picked five of our favorite shackets for shoulder season. They’re warm, they’re stylish, and they’ll have you covered until winter sets in for real. Check out our women’s roundup here.
Duluth Trading Company Warden ($130)
puts a game hunter’s aesthetic (notice the multiple front pockets) into a waxed canvas outer lined with flannel. The waxed canvas is a blend of cotton and polyester, so it sheds water and resists abrasions. The inner flannel wicks so you’re never feeling too stuffy. You get ten pockets in total, including two expandable hip pockets.
Filson Mackinaw ($275)
Filson has been using since the company’s inception during the Alaska gold rush. It’s still as warm and worthy today, providing breathable, naturally rain-repellant protection that can handle any weather you throw at it. The interior is lined with flannel, as are the hand-warmer pockets on the sides.
Kuhl Joyrider ($120)
has the street cred of a workwear staple but the supple feel of your go-to flannel. Soft fleece lines the inside of this jacket while an outer layer of cotton and polyester blend fights the elements. This is the most shirtlike of the jackets on this list, but it can hold its own in serious cold.
Outerknown Highland Blanket Shirt Jacket ($195)
OK, we’re drawn to because of its ’60s surfer stripe pattern, but we were won over by the wool, nylon, and organic cotton, which come together for a warm layer that’s built to handle the worst shoulder-season situations.
The North Face Reyes Thermoball ($90)
gives you a thin layer of Thermoball insulation inside a ripstop nylon shell, offering a surprising amount of warmth for such a thin garment. A DWR finish helps shed a light rain, and the chest pocket is sufficient for your phone. It’s practical enough to act as a midlayer on most adventures but good-looking enough to stand alone when you’re hitting the town.