Come snow or shine (and everything in between), the best mountain climbing jackets do much more than just stand up to harsh climates.
From insulated options that are helmet-compatible and harness-friendly, to lightweight soft-shell jackets with reinforced forearms, adjustable cuffs and hems. The best climbing jackets are full of functionality, giving you freedom of movement on the wall and having your back as you trek through rocky routes and vertical alpine worlds.
As is the case with any outdoor adventure, be it skiing or hiking, layering is key to staying comfortable while you climb. So, as Conor Carter, a Columbia Ambassador highlights: “Ensure there is enough room for insulating layers underneath without being too bulky.”
Of course, what layers you pack for your mountaineering escapade will depend on a few things —like what time of year it is, where you’re going and what conditions you’ll be climbing through.
What design features should you look out for?
There are several design features to consider when mountain climbing. For starters:
To help you decide what outer layers you’ll need, we’ve compiled a list of the best mountain climbing jackets for men and women, with soft-shell and insulated options to choose from. So no matter whether you’re summiting Everest or Mount Kilimanjaro, there really is something for every climate and climber.
Best mountain climbing jackets for men at a glance:
Best mountain climbing jackets for women at a glance:
Best mountain climbing jackets for men
Columbia Men's Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket
Best: overall
Harsh mountainous climates are no match for Columbia’s Arctic Crest Down Hooded Jacket, which is specifically designed to protect against bitter outdoor elements. Taking inspiration from polar bears, who thrive in Arctic landscapes where temperatures can plummet to 40°, Columbia’s water-repellent and stain-repellent creation is fitted with clever trademarked Omni-Heat Arctictech.
Much like the largest bear in the world, this tech can absorb the heat from the sun’s rays and your body to ensure you’re kept at optimal temperatures. And when sunshine turns to showers or snow, the 700-fill goose down will help to keep you cosy. Hate feeling warm during your climb? No problem. Its packable design means you can stuff the jacket into its own pocket, leaving you to stay focused on the task at hand.
Buy now £300.00, Columbia
Norrøna Falketind down 750 Hood
Best for: ice climbing
Made for big wall climbing, mountaineering, trekking, ski touring and ice climbing, no mountaineering adventure would be complete without Norrøna’s Falketind down 750 Hood jacket. Coming with an impressive 750 fill power, this bright and beautiful inclusion — which is available in four different colourways, including this red option — is one of the best down jackets on the scene.
And it’s all thanks to the high amount of warmth it distributes to you where you need it the most. Plus, its sides, neck and lower arms have been fitted with recycled synthetic to prevent heat loss. Other features include a one-hand adjustable hood that’s suitable for a beanie, hand-warming pockets and elastic on the hem and cuffs.
Buy now £319.00, Norrøna
Mammut Taiss Pro IN Hooded Jacket Men
Best for: fill power
Bracing yourself for 4000-metre peaks? Gearing up for freezing temperatures? If you answered ‘yes’ to both of the above, you’ll never want to be without the Taiss Pro IN Hooded Jacket for men. No matter whether you’re up against freezing altitudes or touring through harsh mountainous conditions, this windproof jacket comes with a hefty 850 fill power from responsibly sourced hydrophobic down.
Meaning? It will absorb less water and dry out faster. But when the temperatures decide to let up, this compressional layer can be stowed inside itself until you need it next.
Buy now £425.00, Mammut
Mountain Equipment Mens Saltoro Jacket
Best for: waterproofing
Conquer the crag and mountaineer across alpine conditions with Mountain Equipment’s final layer of protection with the Saltoro Jacket. Lightweight, breathable and waterproof, this shell is specifically designed for mountain trekking and backpacking.
Crafted with two GORE-TEX fabrics including the lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite and the highly durable GORE-TEX 75 denier three-layer fabric, this shell is highly protective against the weather and the wind which puts you at a great advantage, no matter the forecast. Other notable features include its adjustable cuffs, hood, armpit zip and articulated elbows which allow for unrestricted movement.
Buy now £270.00, Snow + Rock
Arc'teryx Beta Jackets Men’s
Best for: technical mountain activities
Often sold out in various colourways, the Arc'teryx Beta Jacket for men is a shell well worth adding to your next mountainous adventure — that’s if you can get your hands on one! This GORE-TEX shell won’t be right for every mountaineering adventure, but if you expect to come up against several weather conditions, this waterproof and windproof dream will offer top-notch shelter against Mother Nature itself.
Features include its low profile trademarked StormHood and its durable water-repellent finish, to its single pull adjuster that won’t limit your field of view. Finished with two zipped pockets andRECCO® reflector aids, you can stay safe during every climb.
Buy now £350.00, Arc'teryx
Best mountain climbing jackets for women
Columbia Women's Platinum Peak II 3L Waterproof Ski Shell
Best for: skiing
Hitting the slopes? Then Columbia’s Platinum Peak II 3L Waterproof Ski Shell will help to guard against the elements. As its name suggests, this is a shell jacket which is essentially an outer layer that protects you from the rain, wind and snow without insulation. This allows you to layer up and down with the season.
The things we love about this design? There are many. But of note: it has underarm venting, a helmet-compatible hood so you can have a clear field of vision as you move through the mountains, and dedicated pockets for just about everything. So you’ll never panic about having misplaced your ski pass, goggles or phone again.
Buy now £360.00, Columbia
Patagonia Women's M10 Storm Jacket
Best for: alpine environments
Putting your movement first, Patagonia’s Women's M10 Storm Jacket is a three-layer alpine shell specifically crafted for having your back, while you move mountains (or just climb them!). Get your base and middle layers right, and this outer layer will protect against wind, rain and snow.
Patagonia’s design comes with a 7-denier knit backer that will feel soft and comfortable next to your skin. It also includes an Alpine helmet-compatible hood, adjustable cuffs and hems to keep your sleeves in place, and pockets for all your essentials like gloves. Weighing just under 300g, this shell is ideal for taking with you on climbs for those ‘just in case’ moments.
Buy now £360.00, Alpine Trek
Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket Stormhood Women
Best for: premium design
Quality is at the heart of this durable, protective and pretty premium Beta AR Jacket Storm Hood from Arc'teryx. We say this because it’s waterproof, windproof and breathable thanks to being powered with GORE-TEX Pro and Most Rugged Technology — a next-generation material that puts durability at the forefront of every climb.
So whether you’re summiting a mountain in the snow, sleet or sun, this shell is up to the task. Looking for a more statement-making option? Then you’ll be pleased to know this comes in bright pink, a rose colourway and a navy hue too. Believe us when we say there is nothing this jacket can’t do. The only downside? Its £550 price tag.
Buy now £550.00, Arc'teryx
Decathlon Women's Mountaineering Down Jacket MAKALU
Best for: budget
Whether you’re new to Alpine climbing or a seasoned vet, you won’t have to stump up a small fortune to ensure you stay warm thanks to this Women's Mountaineering Down Jacket from Simond. Coming with a high fill power of 800, the duck-down jacket has been tested in a climatic chamber and can stand up to extreme temperatures right down to -29 °C.
Other features include a helmet-compatible hood, reinforced forearms and the ability to compress the jacket into a pocket. Talking of pockets, there are two hand-warming compartments, two outer chest pockets and two inner mesh pockets — because you can never have too many!
Buy now £169.99, Decathlon
The North Face Women's Summit Breithorn Down Jacket
Best for: extreme weather conditions
Mountaineering isn’t always easy, but half the job is finding the right gear to protect you against extreme weather conditions. That’s why we’ve listed The North Face’s Summit Breithorn Down Jacket, which offers up warmth and style.
Named after The Breithorn, a mountain range in the Pennine Alps, this last layer packs a hefty 800-fill of trademarked ProDown insulation, so it will keep freezing weather conditions at bay. Did we also mention it has stretch-knit cuffs, two internal pockets and it stows quickly and neatly away in the left-hand pocket? Consider your next mountain climbing jacket sorted!
Buy now £310.00, The North Face
