The 10 Best Spring Jackets for Men, According to Style Experts

Over the past couple years, I’ve tested more than 20 spring jackets, but Abercrombie’s leather trucker-style takes the cake. When the weather could be rainy, windy, or simply unpredictable, this one is always my go-to. The polyurethane fabric keeps me dry and warm in light showers or chilly temps. In terms of weight, it’s on the light-medium side, so it’s breathable for low 70-degree days, and also comfortable in colder 50-degree temps. There’s no need to put it away as the season changes because you wear it year-round.

It’s made from smooth vegan leather with a relaxed cut that lets me layer over a button-down, sweater, or tee without bunching. Also, the fabric doesn’t have that natural rigid feeling hide comes with, so when I stretch my arms out, I don’t feel any tightness. I can dress it up with trousers for dinner or keep it casual with jeans for a laid-back office day. The design has plenty of pockets across the exterior and interior, where I can put my keys, wallet and Airpods.

At $140, it’s a steal for a vegan jacket, and delivers more quality than other fast fashion brands. Its lifespan might not be as long as a real leather jacket, but this one will last up to five years, given its solid construction.

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Buy this if you need an affordable spring jacket you can wear pretty much every day. Uniqlo’s Harrington is not too casual like a track jacket and not as bulky as a puffer. The Japanese retailer’s offering is trim but not tight, so there’s room for a tee or light layer underneath. I’m 5 foot eight, and the cropped length—which most menswear brands don’t offer—hits right at my waist. Since the fit sits closer to the body, I found it looks sharp with barrel pants or wide-leg trousers—keeping the proportions looking sharp.

The beige color goes anything—I’ve worn it with a white-and-blue striped button-down and jeans for the office. And then for dinner with friends, I paired it with a sweater and trousers. It’s made with a lightweight cotton-polyester blend which keeps you comfortable in cool and mild temps. The fabric has a crisp, structured feel, but also develops natural wrinkles that add character, so it never feels too buttoned-up. Bonus: Compared to other spring jackets, Uniqlo offers an extensive range of sizing, from XXS to 3XL.

The Detroit Jacket from Carhartt is as classic workwear as it gets. It’s cut from the brand’s signature duck canvas, which is tough and structured, but softens up the more you wear it. The corduroy collar adds a nice contrast so it doesn’t feel too heavy, and the quilted nylon lining in the sleeves makes it easy to throw on and off when the temperature’s doing that spring swing thing. It’s got the utility details, like a chest pocket, and a fit that works especially well if you’ve got wider shoulders or a bigger upper body. This is your weekend jacket. Jeans, tee, boots—throw this on and you’re done.. The tradeoff is weight. It’s not your lightest spring layer, so once temps really climb, you’ll feel it.

This mock neck from Lululemon is made from a stretchy polyester-elastomultiester fabric that feels soft and structured. It’s ideal for guys with athletic builds—think broader shoulders, more defined chest, or just anyone who likes a closer, sportier fit without it feeling tight. It’s cut clean, but the stretch keeps it comfortable whether you’re running, commuting, or just out and about on a cool morning.

I’ve worn it on a 60-degree run through Central Park, and it hits that sweet spot where it keeps you warm at the start but doesn’t overheat once you’re moving. I also love that I can stash my phone and keys in the zippered pockets as I’m on the move. Just know the lane: it looks great in motion, but it doesn’t really work for dressy settings or nights out.

Barbour blew up in the past year, and this jacket shows the brand’s been a staple in British outerwear for decades. Its iconic waxed cotton exterior fends off rain like a champ , breaks in over time, and develops a worn-in patina over time. A contrasting corduroy collar softens the look, and a rain pull zipper that makes it easier to get in and out. The cut here is a bit more modern too—shorter in length and more tailored than traditional Barbour silhouettes, so it doesn’t feel overly bulky. Typically, the brand’s jackets run big, but this is true to size.

Fit-wise, it’s closer to my body than the workwear or chore coats, which gives it a more refined edge. It works just as well during the day as it does at night, especially if you want something that dresses up a simple outfit. Like the trench, it handles light rain and damp mornings without needing to be babied. The downside is price. It’s definitely the most premium option here, but you’re paying for durability, heritage, and something that only gets better the longer you own it.

A denim jacket solves that in-between-weather problem without being too casual or heavy. That’s why I love this trucker-style from Madewell that I layer for the office, errands, or museum visits. The 12 oz denim lands right in that midweight tier, so it’s substantial enough to hold its shape, but not so thick that it feels like armor. I wore it on a chilly 60-degree weather and didn’t shiver, but it never felt too heavy once the sun came out.

It’s made from Regeneragi cotton, which means the fabric comes from farms that are working in a way that’s better for the soil over time, instead of stripping it. You still get that classic, sturdy denim feel in a regular fit that gives you enough room to layer without looking too boxy.

Yes, it starts off a little crisp, but it breaks in quickly. By the third wear, it already felt like it had started molding to my body. Style-wise, I’ve thrown it over a sweater with chinos to clean it up, then gone full Canadian Tuxedo with blue jeans on the weekend. $168 may seem steep, but it’s durable denim that will last for seasons to come.

The cotton jersey bomber from Cos is a more relaxed take on the classic flight jacket. It’s cut with a regular fit and a straight, belly button-length crop, so it sits right at the belt line and looks great with high-waisted pants. The soft cotton jersey feels more like a heavyweight tee than a stiff jacket. There’s still structure, but it’s way more comfortable than a nylon bomber. The collar has that Harrington-style shape, but instead of standing up, it lays flat for a clean finish. Compared to something like the Uniqlo version, this one is noticeably thicker. You get zipper pockets for securing your belongings, but overall it’s pretty stripped back. My only gripe with this option is that it’s not built for harsh weather. It’s more of a “cool morning, mild day” kind of layer than anything protective.

When you want a medium ground between a t-shirt and a jacket, consider an overshirt like this one from Banana Republic. It’s heavier than a button-down, but way lighter than a real jacket, so you can wear it either way depending on how the day’s going. This cotton twill version (aka a shacket), has that garment dye finish that gives it a slightly broken-in, vintage vibe. It comes in wearable colors like saddle brown so chances are, one of those will work with whatever’s in your closet, whether that's denim, chinos or just a simple tee.

Fit-wise, it’s straight cut and drapes neatly over a plain tee, but I’ll look stuffed if I try to fit it over a chunky knit. It’s best in the low-60, 70-degree weather, but once the temps dip too much, you’ll want to grab something warmer. It’s strictly a shoulder-season piece. However, the shacket works across a lot of everyday situations: heading out for coffee, into the office, or just layering up for a stroll.

The chore coat from Alex Mill is one of those spring jackets that quietly becomes a workhorse. It’s garment-dyed cotton, so it already has that soft, broken-in feel like you’ve owned it for years. The fit is relaxed, which is a big win if you’ve got a broader chest or wider shoulders. It gives you space to layer without pulling across the chest or feeling tight in the arms. I’ve gotten away with wearing a t-shirt and button-down underneath and still felt comfortable. And because it’s cut in that classic chore coat shape, it still looks put-together—versus oversized or sloppy.

It’s pockets galore across the body, which makes it useful for day-to-day stuff when you don’t want to carry a bag. The only real downside is price—rolling in at $225. It’s not the most expensive option here, but not the cheapest either. That said, it works across seasons in a way that helps justify it—you’ll wear it in spring, fall, and even cool summer nights. It comes in a bunch of colors, but tangerine is the standout if you want something with personality.

This trench coat from Mango is made from a water-repellent fabric, so unlike most lightweight layers, it can actually handle light showers and not get messed up.

Design-wise, you get the full trench setup: a double-breasted front closure (meaning two overlapping rows of buttons), which gives it that slightly formal look, plus a removable belt so you can wear it cinched for shape or loose for a relaxed feel. The shoulder epaulettes nods to its military-inspired roots. The vibe is a bit dressier than casual. I’ve worn it over my office clothes, but can also sharpen up a pair of jeans and a tee.

The tradeoff is that it’s not the most “everyday throw-on” piece. You wouldn’t wear this with your sweat set, but that’s also what makes it work when you want to level up your casual and business casual fits.