Best Mountaineering Jackets of 2025

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND MOUNTAINEERING ADVENTURES

Whether you are looking for a jacket that will protect you from the elements or a jacket that is super durable for whatever mountain mischief you are looking to get into, the Arc’teryx Beta AR will not disappoint. The hood easily fits over your helmet, but has plenty of space to keep your face well protected from the weather with the four points of adjustment on it. And the collar is actually a separate piece of material from the hood, so you’re able to wrap and seal your neck so you stay warm and don’t have to worry about any water running down your front. 

Although the collar is tall, it will not cut into your chin and bother you constantly. With an athletic cut, this jacket leaves plenty of room for wearing other warm layers underneath. While not the lightest jacket out there, and although it may make some crackling noise due to the Gore-tex material that makes it a more traditional hardshell, it is worth investing in this jacket to ensure you  don’t have a wet and miserable time outside. 

BEST FOR: MOUNTAINEERING ON A BUDGET

If you are looking for a durable hardshell on a budget, you still have an excellent option thanks to the Rab Firewall. In addition to being able to withstand the mountain elements, you’ll also have excellent ventilation when wearing this lightweight jacket. Pit zips are not the only ventilating feature -the Firewall also has full-length arm vents to keep you cool and dry. 

The hood is compatible with a helmet and offers enough protection for water to flow off, although the collar is a bit wide, so make sure you get it as secure as you can to prevent water from running down your front. A really unique feature of this jacket is the velcro tab at the back of the neck, so when you are not using your hood, you can roll it up and secure it to keep it from flap-slapping you.  The inside of this jacket has two low-profile buttons on tabs that can attach to your pant belt loops so you don’t have to worry about the jacket riding up with whatever activity you are doing. And hey, it may keep your pants up too!

BEST FOR: MOBILITY

Almost unparalleled in mobility, Rab has put forth the Kinetic Plus alpine jacket. The Proflex membrane not only offers dryness, but is also what makes this jacket stretchy, giving you freedom of movement. The low profile wrist cuff not only keeps the fit snug and prevents water from leaking down your arms, but also prevents you from snagging on anything out in the alpine. 

Although the hood on this jacket is not helmet compatible, it does offer a unique design, with two layers. The first, outer layer is a hood with a brim, while the inner layer wraps around your head like a gaiter or buff, reinforced with an elastic band. A single velcro tab on the back of the hood can be used to tighten the entire thing. 

Designed with a slim fit, this mountaineering jacket is intended for athletic feats, but there is still room for a fleece or other base layer underneath. Two hand pockets are incorporated, so you’ll still be able to carry all the necessities with you. And this jacket includes a stuff sack, where it packs down to the size of  a Nalogene bottle, so it’s definitely up for any mountain adventure!

BEST FOR: ICE CLIMBING

If you’re not a fan of super wet weather, and just want a lightweight, breathable jacket for your aerobic ice climbs, Outdoor Research once again has you covered with the Interstellar. Weighing in at only 11.5 oz, you won’t have a lot of extra weight to carry in addition to all your ice gear and this jacket is thin enough to fit easily under your harness. 

A basic design of three pockets – two hand warmer and one chest pocket – allows you to store energy bars or a phone for some optimal summit photos. While the hood does cover your helmet, it tends to come up a bit short. But the brim of the hood can be molded around your head/helmet to help water run off of it rather than down your front. 

Similar to other Outdoor Research jackets, the Interstellar is made with stretchy  ripstop material, so you have plenty of freedom to move your arms, which is a crucial component in ice climbing. And if things really heat up, this jacket folds up small and tight into its own pocket, so you can quickly throw it in your pack or attach it to your harness in case you catch a chill.

BEST FOR: VENTILATION

When you are out in the backcountry, you need to keep moving without worrying about taking a break to de-layer.Mountain Hardwear knows this and designed the well ventilated and lightweight Cloudseeker jacket exactly for the purpose of mountaineering. 

While there are no pit zips for ventilation, there are flow-through vents on the back of the upper arms to give you a cross breeze and prevent moisture from building up and making you wet and chilled. Additionally, the two large front chest pockets are backed with mesh, so they can be unzipped and act as two other ventilation systems. 

And if that wasn’t enough, the two-way front zipper allows you to unzip the jacket from the bottom or the top, to get airflow whatever direction you need it at the time. And if you are looking to listen to some tunes or a podcast while you’re scrambling up the side of the mountain, there are two different pockets with a port to allow your phone and headphones to connect.