The best vests for men

A trim, quiet vest that weighs 200 g: 850-fill goose down with synthetic Coreloft where moisture collects, a 15-denier recycled nylon face, an insulated collar and a stuff sack.

Why this one: Over the Patagonia Down Sweater: 850-fill down at 200 g against 252 g, and an inside pocket, for $61 more.

Limitation: Arc'teryx builds it as a layer for cold, dry conditions. Reddit owners split on it (10 for, 8 against by name): the 15-denier face snags and the zip is small for daily wear.

The vest most people picture: slim baffles of 800-fill RDS goose down in a 20-denier ripstop shell recycled from fishing nets, with two zip hand pockets and a hip length that layers cleanly.

Why this one: Over the Nuptse: a slimmer, lighter vest (252 g against about 485 g) that fits under a coat, for $21 less.

Limitation: No chest or inside pocket, and the thin shell is built for layering rather than snags. Read on Backcountry: patagonia.com was down for maintenance on 28 and 29 Oct.

The 1996 Nuptse in vest form: big shiny baffles of 700-fill goose down, a hood that packs into the collar, an exposed two-way Vislon zip and a boxy, hip-length cut.

Why this one: Over the Patagonia Down Sweater: bigger baffles, a stowable hood and the 1990s look, for $21 more.

Limitation: Bulky under a coat, and REI's reviewers say it fits slightly large. One long-time owner on REI says it holds less down than the 1990s original.

A 1990s-shaped puffer in durable ripstop nylon, with a zip front under snap closures and a contrast lining, in a vintage-inspired fit that Alex Mill says runs true to size.

Why this one: Over the Uniqlo PUFFTECH: the same synthetic idea in a 1990s shape with snap closures and a contrast lining, for about $155 more.

Limitation: Polyester fill with no warmth claim, and $225 is a lot for synthetic insulation.

A plain quilted puffer in black, olive, beige, yellow or navy: hollow-fibre PUFFTECH padding that Uniqlo says resists damp, a water-repellent nylon face, and it packs down. XS to 3XL.

Why this one: Over the Alex Mill: a packable synthetic puffer in sizes to 3XL, for about $155 less.

Limitation: Synthetic, not down. Reddit's favourite budget vest is Uniqlo's Ultra Light Down Vest (15 recommendations by name), which the US store does not sell for men this season.

Barbour's equestrian gilet: signature diamond quilting, a stand collar trimmed in soft microfibre, two stud-close patch pockets and a studded storm guard over a two-way zip. Polyester filled.

Why this one: Over the Barbour liner: a standalone gilet with a microfibre-trimmed stand collar and a storm guard, for $80 more.

Limitation: A light layer rather than a warm one. Barbour calls the fit tailored, and Reddit owners say it runs small.

A collarless diamond-quilted nylon waistcoat with an authentic tartan lining and big patch pockets. It zips into Barbour's interactive waxed jackets or is worn alone, and it machine washes.

Why this one: Over the Lowerdale: it zips into a Barbour waxed jacket as well as wearing alone, for $80 less.

Limitation: Sized like Barbour's jackets, by chest (32 to 52). Reddit owners say it makes the jacket slower to put on and is tight over a thick sweater.

A collarless snap-front vest with no outside quilting: PrimaLoft between two layers of stretch micro-ripstop nylon, a chest envelope pocket and two side pockets, cut close with the hem below the waist.

Why this one: Over the Barbour Lowerdale: stretch, PrimaLoft and a clean collarless front, for about $117 less on markdown.

Limitation: On final markdown from $179.95 ('last chance'), with sizes thinning: on 28 Oct, Ecru in M to XXL, the other colours in one size each.

The vest version of Patagonia's sweater-knit fleece: a sweater-knit face, a zip chest pocket and two zip hand pockets, in 100% recycled polyester from a Fair Trade Certified factory.

Why this one: Over the L.L.Bean: Fair Trade Certified and 100% recycled, in six colours, for about $49 more.

Limitation: No wind claim, and Reddit owners were mixed (5 for, 3 against by name): too light for real winter, and one owner found the medium small. Read on Backcountry while patagonia.com was down.

A sweater-knit fleece with a brushed inside, a wind flap behind the zip, jersey-bound collar and armholes, a droptail hem and three zip pockets.

Why this one: Over the Patagonia Better Sweater: the same three zip pockets plus a wind flap and droptail hem, for about $49 less.

Limitation: 100% polyester with no recycled content stated, in two colours, and Backcountry's review summary says it runs slightly large.

A neat sleeveless layer in knitted wool fleece with a softly felted surface: a two-way zip, half-rib neckline, angled patch pockets and jersey binding. Made to go over a shirt and under a jacket.

Why this one: Over the Patagonia Better Sweater: 65% wool instead of polyester, a two-way zip and a knitwear look, for $41 more.

Limitation: 65% wool and 35% recycled polyester, for a delicate wash or dry clean. The US price is the store's conversion from pounds.

A zip-front V-neck vest in voluminous Peruvian alpaca wool bouclé, with patch pockets at the waist and Japanese binding tape. Handmade in Italy.

Why this one: Over the Universal Works: alpaca bouclé handmade in Italy, for about $199 more.

Limitation: Sold in euros: $369 is €331.80 converted at the ECB rate on 28 Oct, before duties. No warmth claim.

The original Carhartt vest: 12-oz firm-hand cotton duck, water-repellent and wind-resistant, over a nylon lining quilted to arctic-weight polyester. A brass zip with an inside storm flap, relaxed cut, drop tail.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt WIP: arctic-weight quilting, heavier 12-oz duck and sizes to 5XL, for about $118 less.

Limitation: Stiff until it breaks in, and recent reviews on carhartt.com say the rib collar is thinner than it was. $99.99 in the bigger and tall sizes.

A button-front V-neck vest in 24-oz virgin Mackinaw wool, woven tight to block wind and warm even when wet, with handwarmer and chest pockets. Made in the USA, a Filson staple for fifty years.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt V01: wool that breathes and stays warm when wet, made in the USA, for about $259 more.

Limitation: Dry clean only, and the dearest vest here bar one. Owners say the regular cut is boxy; some size down for a trimmer fit.

Carhartt WIP's take on the duck vest: 11.3-oz Dearborn cotton canvas over a diamond-quilted nylon taffeta lining, with a rib-knit collar, two-way zip, kangaroo pocket and the Square Label.

Why this one: Over the Carhartt V01: a two-way zip, kangaroo pocket and the Square Label, for about $118 more.

Limitation: No insulation stated beyond the quilted lining, one kangaroo pocket, and sizes stop at XXL.

An unpadded field vest in matte two-layer PERTEX Unlimited nylon, windproof and water-repellent, lined in nanamica's house check, with a corduroy-lined collar, hem adjusters and a zip chest pocket.

Why this one: Over the Filson: windproof, water-repellent and light enough for spring, for $9 less.

Limitation: No insulation: it stops wind, not cold. At $340, in sizes 0 to XL and a slightly roomy cut.