Quilted jackets are ideal to wear on their own to keep the chill off, or underneath a thicker coat for warming layering. Or you can opt for a quilted gilet to wear over a sweater or shirt and again under a coat when it’s chilly. (Read our tips on how keen Shots stay warm on a bitter day in the field. )
Goose or duck down jackets are fantastically warm, thanks to their ‘loft’ which traps warm air and retains heat. However they tend to be pricey and take longer to dry out if they get wet.
Thankfully modern technology has created superb synthetic fillings which make quilted jackets easy to clean, durable and of course warm.
When you’re picking out your jacket think about when you will wear it. Do you need a jacket that will dry off quickly or be waterproof? Should it be lightweight and packable? Will you need to wash it often? Will you wear it on its own over a shirt and sweater, under a shooting coat or as part of your thermal layers?
We’ve picked out a selection of the best quilted jackets to keep you warm and comfortable whether you’re out walking the dog, fishing, strolling by the sea, out in the field or just meeting friends at the pub. (You might like to take a look at our list of best wellies too.
A jacket you can snuggle into on a cold day, thanks to its Primaloft® insulation which is water-resistant and breathable. The high back collar will keep the wind out and there are two roomy bellow pockets with a stud fastening and a zip front covered by a storm-guard closure.
With all the qualities of the men’s jacket shown above, but designed for the female form, this jacket will keep the damp out and the warmth in.
Seeland Hawker Quilt jacket
This lightweight quilted jacket gives versatile warmth even when wet. Designed as either an outer or mid-layer, it is packable and comfortable to wear all year round. It is waterproof, windproof and comes with a detachable and adjustable hood. The jacket fabric designed to be low-noise.
This down-filled jacket offers warmth without weight and two zipped pockets with handwarmer pocket bags. It has a soft poly suede trim detail and a sturdy zip. A delight to wear in the great outdoors whatever you are doing.
This chic jacket is both practical and feminine, with a fitted cut. It has a two-way zip fastening, flap and chin guard to guard against cold winds and suede panels on the shoulder and inner collar.
A waistcoat that can keep you warm at the touch of a button. Genius. Sitting on top of a tower on a cold day or out on the foreshore will never be as bitter again. The Härkila Heat Waistcoat is made from a lined, lightweight fabric with stretch membranes in the sides with a heat-reflecting lining. Internal heating membranes can be set to the desired temperature with the smartphone app.
A lightweight shooting vest with faux suede shoulder panels for classic country styles. Inner and outer pockets will store your bits and pieces safely and keep your hands warm if necessary. Perfect to wear under a shooting coat. (See our list of best shooting jackets here.)
Stay warm and cosy on freezing days with this gilet which you can layer under a jacket or wear over a warm sweater. The 70% down and 30% feather mix will keep the chill out and individual baffle bags prevent the down mix from dropping. There are also two fleece-lined zipped handwarmer pockets and an internal zipped pocket.
A women’s quilted jacket that will look right at home on rural walks, out with the dog or visiting a country pub. It ha a cord collar, a floral lining, zip and popper fastening. With the colour choices on offer, it had to have a place on our list of quilted jackets.
Couldn’t get to the British Shooting Show? Ed Jackson rounds up some of the high points, to suit all kinds of shooters and budgets
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