The very best ultralight and lightweight down jackets significantly outperform a standard issue puffy sweater, and upgrading will save weight in your pack and keep you warmer in the backcountry.

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pullover Jacket is an excellent choice for a light, warm, and weather resistant insulating jacket. It can do double duty as both a mid-layer and a in-camp or rest stop insulating jacket. Finally at this weight, compressibility, warmth & cost it makes a compelling argument that is the equal or better to many down jackets.

Avoid having to prematurely get into your sleeping bag to keep warm while backpacking. Checkout our picks for the warmest & lightest camp clothes on the market.

The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket and Pants may well be the best deal on the market. Their latest update features Pertex Diamond Fuse fabric, making them up to five times more tear-resistant and twice as abrasion-resistant! They blow most ultralight rain gear out of the water!

The Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket is an excellent choice for a light, warm, and weather resistant insulating jacket. It can do double duty as both a mid-layer and a in-camp or rest stop insulating jacket. Finally at this weight, compressibility, warmth & cost it makes a compelling argument that is the equal or better to many down jackets.