There’s nothing quite like waking up early and watching the sun rise in autumn.
The chill in the air, red morning light, dew on the ground.
It’s great if you have a cup of coffee warming your hands. Even better if you’re wearing your old faithful favorite field jacket.
What’s that? You don’t have an old faithful favorite field jacket? We have to fix that.
Here are our favorite field jackets, from budget to spendy, and rugged to trendy.
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5 Best Field Jackets for Men
1. Tom Beckbe Tensaw
Tom Beckbe is an Alabama based sportsmans brand with a legacy of hunting, angling, and enjoying all things outdoors.
We tried out their flagship Tensaw field jacket and love it. The heavy 8oz waxed shelter cloth is rugged enough to pass through southern pines without ripping and warm enough when the dew on the ground turns to frost.
As a nice little bonus, a hidden Napoleon pocket in the front flap offers a gentlemanly place to store a little flask of bourbon for warming up when the hunt is over.
What I Like
The 8oz waxed shelter cloth patinas beautifully over time and can stand up to practical use.
It’s relatively lightweight for how warm it keeps you.
If anything on your jacket breaks, Tom Beckbe will first try to repair it, and if it can’t be repaired, they’ll replace it.
What I Don’t Like
It’s a bit roomy through the torso.
What Other Reviewers Say
The Tensaw has scored a 4.9-star average with over 150 reviews on the Tom Beckbe site. Many reviewers compared the Tensaw favorably to the Barbour coat (which is the industry standard waxed jacket). Reviewers who’ve tried both say they prefer the fit of the Tensaw.
The Verdict
The Tom Beckbe Tensaw heads our list because of its quality. Consider this an heirloom jacket—the thick, waxed shelter cloth looks and feels rich, and it offers plenty of protection from the cold and any brush you’re walking by.
Made with 8oz waxed shelter cloth and a lining reminiscent of Alabama red clay, the Tensaw field coat is Tom Beckbe's flagship product. And based on the quality, it can be an heirloom, too.
2. Alpha Industries M-65 Defender
Alpha Industries was commissioned in 1958 to make jackets for the US military, so if anyone knows how to make an army field jacket, it’s them.
The M-65 Defender is no-frills and high-quality. With four front pockets and two pockets in the lining of the jacket, this offers a vintage military style with a dose of practicality.
Alpha Industries makes a standard M-65 jacket, and the M-65 Defender. We prefer the Defender version because of its slimmer fit. It still has plenty of room in the torso, but it fits more fashion-forward and not so much like a government issue jacket.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
3. Rothco M-65
The Rothco M-65 is an affordable field jacket that has the same look and feel of a standard issue army coat.
It comes with a button-in quilted nylon liner which helps add extra protection from the elements when things get chilly.
This field jacket has extra room in the sleeves and torso so it fits comfortably under and over other layers.
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
The Verdict
4. 7 For All Mankind “A Pocket” Field Jacket
7 For All Mankind is a bit spendy, and by far the most style-focused brand on our list. This piece takes the title “field jacket” with a hefty dose of creative license.
The result is a slim-fitting jacket made with deluxe Japanese indigo-dyed cotton. This isn’t the kind of jacket you actually take out into the field for a hike or a hunt—it’s better suited to a chill day at the cafe.
What I Like
The slim fit is style-forward, sharp, and contemporary.
The Japanese indigo-dyed cotton is exquisite.
7 For All Mankind offers free shipping and returns for this jacket.
What I Don’t Like
As a fashion piece, it’s not as practical as the other offerings on this list. But it definitely looks cool.
What Other Reviewers Say
There aren’t any online reviews for this specific jacket, but 7 For All Mankind gets a lot of love for their denim. Reviewers tout the quality over and over, so if you’re in the market for a flattering jacket, you’re getting what you pay for here.
The Verdict
If you want field jacket vibes without all the bulk of an army or hunting coat, check out 7 For All Mankind’s Field Jacket.
Decked out with top quality Japanese cotton with intricate stitching patterns along the pocket, this coat looks rich, and has a contemporary slim fit that will help you look sharp when you’re out on the town.
This ain't your grandpas old military jacket. The 7 For All Mankind "A Pocket" Field Jacket is more upscale, more trendy, and has a flattering slim fit. Just don't expect it to hold up to hard days trudging through the forest.
5. J.Crew Insulated Field Mechanic Coat
J.Crew for field coats? You better believe it.
The fashion brand took inspiration from old military mechanic jackets and rolled it into a hefty, insulated workhorse.
Made with a standing corduroy collar (and a hidden hood) and a quilted liner, this jacket is an excellent piece for late fall and winter. It has a little extra room for layering, but it’s still fairly trim for the style-focused among us.
What I Like
The PrimaLoft insulation makes this warm enough to wear all winter.
Garment-dyed fabric means this jacket will look better the more you wear it.
It has a sturdy build and solid hardware.
What I Don’t Like
It’s just a personal preference, but we’re not fans of the arm pocket—not a deal breaker, but we prefer truly functional pockets only.
What Other Reviewers Say
There are only a few reviews for this jacket on the J.Crew website, but all three praised this jacket in cold weather. The only star to get knocked off was because the reviewer claimed this jacket actually comes in a more olive/khaki color instead of the true khaki pictured on site.
Another reviewer gave this jacket a coat of wax, which is good to note for those who want a little more weather resistance.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a heavyweight field jacket that can make it out in the snow, take a peek at the J.Crew Insulated Field Mechanic Coat. Made with sturdy garment-dyed cotton, quilted lining, and PrimaLoft insulation, this bad boy will keep you warm all winter long.
The J.Crew Mechanic Coat has a few key benefits that come in handy when the temperature takes a sharp turn south. First, it's insulated and can keep you warm in sub freezing cold. The corduroy collar and flannel lining are welcome fuzzy additions when it seems like the world just wants you to be uncomfortable.
Into the Field
If you’re ready to dive into the world of field jackets and pick up an heirloom quality piece, check out the Tom Beckbe Tensaw. The waxed 8oz shelter cloth can take a beating, so it’s perfect if you need a functional piece to keep you protected.
Made with 8oz waxed shelter cloth and a lining reminiscent of Alabama red clay, the Tensaw field coat is Tom Beckbe's flagship product. And based on the quality, it can be an heirloom, too.
If you’re looking for a more military aesthetic, Alpha Industries and Rothco deliver with their own versions of the classic M-65.
For the fashion-focused, 7 For All Mankind’s Field Jacket is impressive for its indigo-dyed Japanese cotton and meticulous slim fit.
And for anyone looking to pick up a heavier winter jacket at a reasonable price, the J.Crew Insulated Field Mechanic Coat is the go.
So which field jacket will it be for you?
FAQs
Are field jackets warm?
Not all field jackets are created equal. Look for lined field jackets like the Tom Beckbe Tensaw if you want something to keep you warm in winter.
Is it ok to wear military jackets?
Wearing military inspired clothes like a field jacket is still stylish in 2022. Field jackets have been popular since the 60s, and are considered a classic menswear piece because of their ability to layer and protect from the rain.
How do you style an army jacket?
Our favorite way to rock an army jacket is with raw denim and a pair of American heritage boots like the Red Wing Iron Ranger. The key to looking sharp in an army jacket is the fit—because army jackets usually fit a touch large, you can always take yours to a tailor and add darts in the back to slim it down.
