Make Fall Layering a Breeze With 13 Lightweight Jackets Under $100

You can get an awful lot for a single Benjamin

September 23, 2022 12:24 pm
a collage of lightweight jackets on a multi-colored background
Lightweight jackets may be a fall necessity, but the best are a statement, too.
Getty Images

Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.

Is that a chill in the air? Did I just catch a whiff of…pumpkin spice? Yup, it’s confirmed — fall, aka the best season, is officially here. Dropping temps and unpredictable weather unlock the door for a variety of banging outerwear options, the best lightweight jackets chief among them.

Lightweight jackets are perfect for keeping you warm and comfortable during the erratic highs and lows of autumnal weather patterns and questionably air-conditioned offices. Designed to be worn over tees and button-downs alike, the best lightweight jackets keep you snug without weighing you down.

Because the time of year when they’re really useful, it can be difficult to justify dropping a big chunk of change on a lightweight jacket, but there are tons of amazing options under $100 — a reasonable price to spend in our books. There are a variety of styles, from the tough-as-nails trucker to the modern athletic zip to the tried-and-true chore coat, and an even bigger pool of brands, with everyone from lululemon to Gap to Universal Works throwing their proverbial hat in the lightweight jacket ring.

To help you separate the wheat from the chaff, we’ve researched, tested and procured a variety of lightweight styles all under $100, for your seasonal wardrobe. Below, the best lightweight jackets under $100 to wear this fall.

The Best Lightweight Jacket Under $100:

a model wearing a brown tie-dye zip jacket on a grey background
lululemon

Lululemon Expeditionist Jacket

The nylon-blend Expeditionist Jacket is a perfect example of what lululemon does best — taking key performance-based features, like underarm vents for added breathability and secure zipper pockets across the chest and front, and incorporating them into a handsome lifestyle piece that you’ll want to take everywhere.

a brow corduroy jacket from J.crew on a grey background
J.Crew

J.Crew Stretch Corduroy Trucker Jacket

Move over, James Dean. There’s a new rebel in town.

a model in a grey zip jacket from Dickies on a grey background
Amazon

Dickies Insulated Eisenhower Front Zip Jacket

Contrary to popular belief, Dickies isn’t just for the 50-year-old workmen and 20-something skaters. The Eisenhower Jacket is sartorial proof — with a casual fit and retro oversized collar, it’ll look great on literally anyone.

a red windbreaker from Vuori on a grey background
Vuori

Vuori Daybreak Windbreaker

Vuori’s recycled layer is so light that you’ll barely know it’s there — until the surprise drizzle leaves your buddies soaked and you glad you copped up.

a grey lightweight jacket from Gap on a grey background
Gap

Gap Utility Jacket

We don’t know what’s better — the savings on this Utility Jacket from Gap, or all the stuff that you’ll be able to fit in its copious amount of pockets.

a model in a blue denim jacket from wrangler on a grey background
Wrangler

Wrangler Blanket Lined Solid Denim Jacket

Yeehaw! You might know Levi’s as the official denim jacket, but Wrangler’s Blanket style is just as (if not more) solid, with crispy lined denim and an OG cowboy cut that sits high and wide across the chest.

a off-white down jacket from Uniqlo on a grey background
Uniqlo

Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket

Packable, 3D cut and stuffed with ultra light, Responsible Down Standard certified filling, Uniqlo’s Down Jacket is the layering rendering of having your cake and eating it too.

a green bomber jacket from Todd Snyder on a grey background
Todd Synder

Todd Synder x Converse Jack Purcell Varsity Jacket

The bomber jacket typically skews one of two ways: the style either lean into its military origins or bounces across the continuum for a streetwear-inspired look. Todd Synder and Convers have somehow managed to capture both in one lightweight jacket.

a grey and black lightweight jacket from Outdoor Research on a grey background
Nordstrom

Outdoor Research Apollo Rain Jacket

For $100, you won’t find a better rain jacket than the Apollo.

a model wearing a liner lightweight jacket from Everlane on a grey background
Everlane

Everlane The ReNew Quilted Liner Jacket

Everlane’s ReNew filling is quite an innovative material, utilizing 100% recycled material for a snug and cozy fit.

a brown corduroy lightweight jacket from Rhythm on a grey background
Rhythm Mechanic Cord Jacket
Bespoke Post

Rhythm Mechanic Cord Jacket

We’re gonna need a bigger boat (for all that corduroy).

a green lightweight jacket from Universal Works on a grey background
End Clothing

Universal Works Bakers Jacket

Universal Works’ modern menswear is a cut above, especially when it comes to their transitional outerwear. The chore-esque Bakers Jacket is one of the finest layers we’ve seen, on account of it’s authentic horn buttons and perfectly placed pockets.

a black fleece jacket from The North Face on a grey background
The North Face

The North Face Gordon Lyons Full Zip Jacket

We might not trust that a heavyweight, sweater-knit fleece jacket under 100 bucks was legit if it was from another brand — the prospect seems too good to be true — but this is The North Face we’re talking about.

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.