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Do you need a little extra warmth on your next trip to fight the cold winter or cool spring weather? TFG readers recommend their favorite travel vest womens styles!
Travel Vests
Written By: Tae Haahr
Table Of Contents
A vest is an excellent addition to your travel wardrobe. They help keep you warm when you’re outdoors, easy to layer so you can adjust your temperature, and many of them are built to be packable—they can be folded up into a bag!
But there are a ton of vests out there on the market. Some are great for a chilly outdoor hike, others perfect for a night on safari. With so many options out there, we asked TFG readers to share their top picks so you can make your own choice!
What Are the Best Womens Vests for Travel?
Shop Sizes XS-XL: Quince
Quince Lightweight Travel Vest
The Quince Lightweight Down Vest is a huge fave in the TFG community. This light vest is a chic option that’s made to be worn everywhere!
It’s warm yet slim, with a stretchy hem and armholes for a comfy and extra warming fit, while side pockets and a zip closure add to the function. Plus, it’s incredibly light and packable, so it’s easy to take with you and pull out whenever needed.
This womens long vest is designed to be layered, so it’s great for everything from freezing winters to that awkward transition between seasons. And on those colder days, you can zip the neck up for some extra protection!
Shop Eddie Bauer: XS-XL Regular | XS-XL Petite | M-XXL Tall | 1X-3X Plus
Eddie Bauer Trekker Vest
The Eddie Bauer vest is perfect for warding off the cold while you’re out-and-about. Not only is it water repellent and wind resistant, it has multiple pockets so you can ditch your purse and keep your valuables close all day long.
One wearer shares, “Love having many pockets, including the interior pocket. This will be my stable piece for all my travels.” Another adds “I love the longer style of this vest and all the pockets. The material is nice and washes well. I now have 6 of these vests. I hope that they continue to offer this vest in many different shades.”
Shop Land’s End: Sizes XS-XL Regular | XS-XL Petite | S-XL Tall | 1X-3X Plus
Lands’ End Packable Light Vest
Lands’ End Ultralight Packable Down Vest is a warm and layerable piece of clothing for your next outdoor venture. This is a shorter vest that hits at the hips, it has a full zipper with an internal storm flap so you can wear it closed to be more cozy or open when the weather lets up.
One TFG reader shares, “Have a Lands’ End ultralight packable down vest. It’s warm enough, water-resistant and goes with anything dressy to casual. I can pack it into its own pocket. To pack it, the key is to just keep rolling and squeezing the air out.”
Lands End also offer this Feather Free alternative vest too!
Shop Sizes XS-3XL: Amazon | The North Face
The North Face Aconcagua Down Vest
TFG readers love this brand and this classic North Face puffer vest is a comfortable and nice-looking puffer and it’s equipped with lots of insulation, making it an ideal layer. One reviewer shares, “This vest is super lightweight and the material is very soft and flexible and this vest fits true to size. I’m so happy with this purchase!”
Shop Eddie Bauer: Regular XS-XXL | Petite XS-L | Tall M-XXL | Plus 1X-3X
Eddie Bauer Puffer Vests for Women
Eddie Bauer’s Microtherm 2.0 Down Vest is highly recommended by TFG readers due to its ability to easily pack down into its pocket. It’s water-repellent, has zip pockets, stand-up collar, and elasticized cuffs that will help you keep warm and dry in the cold weather.
One TFG reader shares, “I risked trying it again since I loved the first one so much. Was pleased to receive it and find that the quality had not changed. It’s the perfect weight and I love the interior pocket. I would highly recommend it.” This vest comes in several different colors.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Shop: Amazon | Columbia
Sizes: XXS-XXL Regular | XS-XL Petite | 1X-3X Plus
Columbia Benton (Plus Size Women’s Vests Available)
Columbia makes one of the best women’s vests for fall. It comes in a bunch of colors and is made of 100% polyester fleece. You can get the Columbia Women’s Benton Springs Vest in sizes XS-XL, petite XSP-XLP, and plus sizes 1X-3X. It features two zippered side pockets, a full zip closure, and a collared neck.
Readers say to add this to your list of women’s spring vests. One says “I wear my vest constantly.” Another reader adds, “I have a fleece vest and wear it all the time in the fall or early spring with a thin lining sleeve so I can push the sleeves up if needed.”
Our readers share their top picks for lightweight packable rain jackets, perfect for your next trip!
Shop Athleta: Regular XXS-XL | Tall S-XL
Athleta Aire Women’s Puffer Vest
If you’re looking for a more fashionable style, then look no further than this Athleta Water Repellent Aire Vest. It’s a quilted vest that is semi-fitted and skims easily over the body to give a neat silhouette. This is a warm gilet that you’ll turn to from spring, right through to fall, then when not needed it simply packs down into itself for easy carrying.
Shop: Amazon | Columbia
Sizes: XS-XXL Regular | 1X-3X Plus
Columbia Puffy Vests for Women
The Columbia Women’s Heavenly Vest is one of the best puffer vests for women on the market. It’s great to layer while you’re out on the trail. And it’s lightweight and thin so you can stick it under your heavier jacket.
TFG readers love these women’s winter vests because they’re quite warm. One reader shares, “Love Columbia with Omni Heat on the inside. I hate being cold!” The heat technology is a brilliant addition to colder weather travel, especially if you’re spending a lot of time outside.
Shop Sizes S-XL: SCOTTeVEST
SCOTTeVEST Womens Vests with RFID
SCOTTeVEST’s Best Travel Vest for Women comes highly recommended by TFG readers for to its 24 different pockets (yes, you read that right!). Features like an RFID blocking pocket, glasses/screen cleaning chamois, easy access pockets, water- and stain-repellent fabric make this vest the perfect companion for any adventure.
One reader comments that this vest was invaluable on her summer trip to Scotland because they appreciated “the freedom of not needing a purse.” While another reader does warn that “it’s heavy even without much in it. But having a vest with pockets is great.”
Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Amazon
BALEAF Women’s Lightweight Vest with Hidden Pockets
The BALEAF softshell vest has an internal pocket to hide your favorite valuable items. Made from wind proof and water resistance fabric, this women’s vest jacket can effectively keep you dry all-day. Plus, the added high collar helps block the wind and keeps you warmer longer.
TFG readers adore this piece, with one sharing, “Love my BALEAF vest. Super comfy and keeps me warm without getting too hot.” You can get it in 6 colors too so there is a style for everyone.
Shop Sizes XS-XXL: Amazon
32 Degrees Ultra-Lightweight Packable Down Vest
If you’re looking for a cozy vest for those cool-weather outings, then the 32 Degrees Vest is a great choice. It comes in several different colors to match your ideal look. It is “perfect for layering and very packable.”
TFG readers love this vest, with one saying, “I love these packable vests—I wear them at work in the winter for layering. Took one to Europe and wore it in Ireland… had one in my bag in NYC and put it on when it suddenly got chilly under my denim jacket. Such a great item.”
32 Degrees also offer this non-down alternative vest too!
Shop Sizes 0-14: Lululemon
Lululemon Pack It Down Vest
The Lululemon Down for It All Vest is a great addition to your travel wardrobe. It is a water-resistant model using Glyde fabric. It has an easy-access pocket, plus a secret hidden one, so you can hide your credit cards and such while traveling. And it packs into a handy sack.
One TFG reader shares, “Can’t go wrong with Lululemon.” It comes in three cute colors, including lunar rock, chianti, and black, so you can truly make your personal style shine.
Compass Rose Carryon Size Packing Cubes: Slim Size Cubes | Medium Size Cubes
How to Pack Your Vests
Many of our readers use packing cubes to roll up and organize their clothes. Compass Rose packing cubes allow you to do so by number and color so you know where you packed everything, even when you use the cubes to separate outfits. Learn more in the video below.
The Compass Rose Packing Cubes are offered in two sizes: slim and medium. The slim size cubes measure 13” x 5” x 2.8”, and the medium size cubes measure 2.8” x 13” x 8.5”. Both fit an international carry-on suitcase. Users say the medium size is great for bulkier items!
Learn about our hacks with packing cubes in this video!
We also put together a five-part YouTube series showing the different methods of using packing cubes for travel. If you use this specific packing strategy, packing cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
What’s your favorite travel vest? Share and comment below!
For more travel jackets, please read:
- Best Winter Parkas
- Classic Trench Jackets
- Cozy Women’s Wool Coats
- Most Recommended Waterproof Jackets for Every Adventure
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