The Best Fall Jackets for Men

For light rain, waxed cotton is a good starting point: Barbour and Filson make jackets that shed water, though owners in the Reddit threads report water getting through in prolonged rain. For a consistently wet commute, choose a waterproof jacket with sealed seams.

For dry, cool days, a Harrington, lightweight bomber or denim jacket can work well. Owners put a Harrington’s comfortable range at roughly 40–60°F (4–16°C), depending on layers and how warm you run. A field jacket leaves room for a sweater, and some accept an insulated liner for colder weeks. Keep suede for dry weather. For down jackets, parkas and wool coats, see our winter coats guide.

Enough for the sweater you actually plan to wear. Leaving room for a layer is the most common fit advice in our research, mentioned by 117 owners. Try the jacket fastened over that layer: you should be able to reach forward without pulling across the shoulders or chest.

Don’t automatically size up, though. Alpha’s M-65 already has an oversized cut, while Baracuta describes the standard G9 as slim fitting and recommends sizing up for thicker layers or choosing the roomier G9 Archive. Owners describe the Barbour Bedale as short and boxy, with the Ashby offering a slimmer alternative. Start with the individual jacket’s cut and measurements.

Clean it gently and renew the wax when it needs it. Rewaxing is the most common care advice in our waxed-jacket research, mentioned by 159 owners. Barbour recommends annual rewaxing, depending on wear; owners with lightly worn jackets sometimes stretch that to two years. Use the wax recommended for your particular fabric and finish.

Traditional waxed cotton needs different care from ordinary cotton. Barbour advises cold water and a sponge, without soap or machine washing; Filson’s oil-finish Tin Cloth should be brushed or wiped clean. Wax and oil can transfer to other fabrics, especially when freshly applied, so be careful around light-coloured clothing and upholstery.

There are exceptions: Filson’s Dry Wax Short Cruiser is machine-washable. Follow the care label for the exact jacket.

Some are. Barbour continues to make waxed jackets in South Shields, but also manufactures through suppliers overseas. If English manufacture matters to you, ask the retailer to confirm the country-of-origin label on the jacket you’re buying. The model name alone isn’t enough to establish where that particular jacket was made.

Check the lining specification too. Owners flag differences between versions, and Barbour’s US listing for the standard Bedale includes a polyurethane membrane in the lining. Confirm the exact product code and construction rather than assuming every Bedale is identical.

Look for a clear description of the leather: the animal hide, finish and, where available, thickness. “Genuine leather” tells you very little about quality; it isn’t a formal quality grade. More specific material information helps you understand what you’re paying for.

Heavier leather generally feels more substantial and can take longer to break in, but it isn’t automatically better for everyday wear. Fit matters just as much: a jacket that softens with use won’t necessarily become the right size.

If value is the priority, start secondhand. Buying vintage or used is the strongest leather-jacket recommendation in our research, mentioned by 92 owners. Check the measurements, leather condition, lining and zips before buying. For care, follow the maker’s advice for that particular leather rather than applying conditioner on a fixed schedule.

The M-65 is a specific military field-jacket design introduced in 1965. Its defining features include four front pockets, a hood concealed in the collar and provision for an insulating liner. Alpha Industries’ version retains the original roomy fit. “Field jacket” is the broader category: modern versions can be shorter, slimmer or simpler, and won’t necessarily accept a liner.

In our Reddit research, 66 owners recommend getting a liner or buying a surplus M-65 with one included. If you want to wear yours into colder weather, check liner compatibility and whether it’s sold separately.

Some brands publish body-size charts rather than measurements of the finished jacket. A chart showing the chest size a jacket is intended to fit doesn’t tell you how wide the jacket itself is, so it can’t be compared directly with one you own.

We only include garment measurements we can verify. Where those aren’t available, use the brand’s body-size chart alongside our fit notes, or ask the retailer to measure the jacket. Sleeve measurements also vary: a measurement taken from the centre back includes the shoulder, so we don’t convert it into a shoulder-to-cuff measurement.