What Is an Anorak Jacket?
Simply put, an anorak is a type of jacket or coat that bears a hood and partial-length zipper, requiring the wearer to pull the jacket over their head and other layers. To aid the sometimes awkward task of pulling on an anorak, it’s not uncommon for an anorak to feature one or two side zippers that widen its entry point.
The term “smock” is sometimes used interchangeably with anorak, though a smock doesn’t necessarily need to include a hood nor any type of mid-length opening at the chest. An emphasis on weather-proof fabrics is also an important distinction: a hooded pullover fleece jacket, even with a mid-length zip front and cozy deep-pile sherpa fuzz, is not an anorak, though many other winter coats and jackets might be.
Why Is it Called an Anorak Jacket?
The name “anorak” has roots with the native dress of Inuit people—it was whalers visiting Greenland’s coasts who took the Inuktitut word annuraaq, referring to hooded pullover coats traditionally made from fur and sealskin, and phonetically transformed it into the word anorak.
What Are the Benefits of an Anorak Jacket?
An anorak's primary benefit is the lack of a full-length zipper or fasteners of any sort, which reduces opportunities for wind and weather to enter the jacket. Many anorak rain jackets are made from waterproof materials like Gore-Tex or waxed cotton, further enhancing their inherent weather resistance. Another benefit for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers, is that a partial zipper shaves grams from a base weight item that may only see use in extreme weather conditions or emergencies.
Field Mag's Top Picks
- Best Lightweight Anorak: Houdini Shelter Anorak
- Best Year-round Anorak: Patagonia Isthmus Anorak
- Best Classic Style: Battenwear Scout Anorak
- Best Budget Anorak: L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Anorak
- Best Anorak Upgrade: Aether x Mackintosh Field Anorak
- Best Weatherproof Anorak: Amundsen Peak Anorak
- Best Insulated Anorak: The North Face Circaloft Pullover
- Best Down Anorak: Montbell EX Light Down Anorak
- Best Waxed Cotton Anorak: Filson Ranger Anorak
- Best Wool Layering Anorak: Ibex Indie Hoodie
- Best Softshell Anorak: Klättermusen Lodur Cutan Anorak
- Best Anorak for Skiing & Snowboarding: Jones MTN Surf Anorak
- Best Anorak for Mountain Biking: 7Mesh Cache Anorak
The 13 Best Anorak Jackets of 2024
Best Lightweight Anorak: Houdini Shelter Anorak
The Scandinavian eco-sportswear brand made this pullover rain jacket with recycled polyester and PFAS-free DWR. Along with Houdini's proprietary Atmos waterproof membrane, the Shelter achieves a 20k/20k waterproof/breathability rating. But it also has built-in two-way stretch that makes it easy to wear and move around in. A big chest pocket, snap collar, and sleek looks make this a rain jacket that'll put your umbrella out of a job.
Women's Option: YES
Size Range: S - L
Material: Polyester hardshell
Price: $500
Best Year-round Anorak: Patagonia Isthmus Anorak
This anorak from Patagonia helps continue to prove our point: anoraks aren’t just for winter wear. The NetPlus fabric is a 100% post-consumer recycled nylon sourced from recycled fishing nets and provides sun protection rated at UPF 50+, the highest level of UV radiation protection recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. The anorak’s central cargo pocket is a handy spot for snacks, and you can stuff it all inside for space-saving gains inside your pack, too.
Women's Option: No
Size Range: XS - XXL
Material: Nylon & Spandex
Price: $149
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Best Classic Style: Battenwear Scout Anorak
Bi-coastal outdoorsy casual wear brand Battenwear put this anorak into their catalogs years ago, and it’s remained virtually unchanged since. A water resistant nylon face fabric drapes in a fashionably oversized fit, with a single tall central pocket receiving a fleece lining to cozy up frosty hands. Around back, a hunting-inspired game pocket stores handy cargo like a rolled-up newspaper or even fresh game.
Women’s Option: No
Size Range: S - XL
Material: Nylon
Price: $500
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Best Budget Anorak: L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Anorak
Just because L.L.Bean's Mountain Classic Anorak is affordable doesn’t mean it’s not worth considering. Consider the Mountain Classic Anorak less like a heavyweight raincoat and more like a hooded windbreaker. Its light nylon fabric is best suited for spring and summer days outside and wind-exposed activities, such as, perhaps, sailing along the coast of Maine.Features include a zippered pouch pocket and a drawstring hood. An expanded size offering covers plus sizes, from small to XXXL in both regular and tall lengths.
Women's Option: Yes
Size Range: S - 3XL
Material: Nylon
Price: $59
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Best Anorak Upgrade: Aether x Mackintosh Field Anorak
Classic British trench coat brand Mackintosh lends its fabled waterproof bonded cotton fabric to the sleek and minimal design sensibilities of Aether for this extremely luxe rainy day anorak. Roomy front and rear cargo pockets store your current paperback or valuables, while branded zippers up front and at both side-seams aid changing temperatures and weather conditions.
Women’s Option: No
Size Range: S - L
Material: Bonded cotton
Price: $1,450
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Best Weatherproof Anorak: Amundsen Peak Anorak
This anorak from Norway’s expedition-wear brand is well suited to any cold weather outing you can throw at it. Its design includes waterproof zippers, sealed seams, side-entry zippers, and all the technical features one could ever need out of an anorak jacket. Though somewhat low-tech in practice, the hood can accommodate an optional coyote fur—no faux fur from Amundsen—for protecting one’s face against strong winds, just like a classic explorer's parka coat.
Women's Option: Yes
Size Range: S - XXL
Material: Nylon
Price: $549
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Best Insulated Anorak: The North Face Circaloft ¼-Zip Pullover
All-around outdoor staple brand TNF graces us with this synthetic-fill puffer with a quarter-zip front zip to qualify it for this list of ours. A single chest and side hand pockets stores valuables and cradles free hands, but what we’re really digging here is a pleasing selection of solid colors to choose from, in addition to a single camo print.
Women’s Option: Yes
Size Range: XS - XXXL
Material: Polyester
Price: $220
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Best Down Anorak for Ultralight Insulation: Montbell EX Light Down Anorak
A puffy jacket (or puffer jacket, if you prefer) stuffed with quilted down insulation is the way to go when optimal warmth-to-weight ratio is critical, as in any carefully weighed layering system. Montbell's ultralight down anorak coat weighs only 215 grams (7.6 ounces) and packs down nicely into its own stuff sack for storage. A chest-length zipper helps dump excess heat if things get too warm, and a single zipperless pocket at its side provides access to layers beneath it, and whatever snacks you have stashed in their pockets.
Women's Option: Unisex sizing
Size Range: S - XL
Material: Nylon ripstop
Price: $329
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Best Waxed Cotton Anorak: Filson Ranger Anorak
The most rugged brand in the Pacific Northwest opts for tried-and-true waxed cotton on their water resistant anorak, patterned in a fit friendly to layering a warm sweater and movement through soggy, moss-covered forests. A modest flap pocket rests above an open kangaroo pocket, with a simple woven drawstring providing an adjustable hem.
Women’s Option: No
Size Range: XS - 3XL
Material: Waxed cotton
Price: $275
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Best Wool Layering Anorak: Ibex Indie Hoodie
We’ve got nothing against technical materials for outerwear, but natural merino wool really shines as the wonder-fiber for active layering. Wool apparel savants Ibex takes a familiar quarter-zip hoodie and swaps out the typical cotton for 100% merino wool, providing a breathable and moisture-wicking layer for active bodies. Features like raglan sleeves, thumb loops, and a fitted, helmet-friendly scuba hood ensure it earns our pick as the best wool anorak for layering or solo wear during milder temps.
Women’s Option: Yes
Size Range: S - XXL
Material: Merino wool
Price: $170
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Best Softshell Anorak: Klättermusen Lodur Cutan Anorak
The Lodur Cutan softshell utility jacket’s central triangle panel hides openings for zippered hand pockets along its seams, where they're angled well out of the way of backpack straps. Zippers along the jacket’s sides zip all the way up into armpits, not only for ventilation and easier on/off, but also to allow you to get the entire back panel out of the way by rolling it up and securing it with a toggle–a useful feature for backpack-friendly wear.
Women's Option: No
Size Range: XS - XXL
Material: Nylon & recycled polyester
Price: $479
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Best Anorak for Skiing & Snowboarding: Jones MTN Surf Anorak
Pro snowboarder and climate activist Jeremey Jones managed to add an entire line of outerwear to his eponymous snowboard company. The MTN Surf Anorak is a standout in the lineup. Made with recycled fabrics, the shell jacket high on the waterproof/breathability scale for storm-friendly wear. Other features include pit zips, an oversized front pocket, and adjustable hood, hem, and cuffs, and it comes in classic colorblock styles (including a little bit of camo).
Women's Option: Yes
Size Range: XS - XL
Material: Polyester
Price: $440 $264
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Best Anorak for Mountain Biking: 7Mesh Cache Anorak
Stylish single-trackers’ needs are heard in Canadian cycling apparel brand’s next-level packable anorak, made with alternating 2-layer and 3-layer panels to provide weather resistance while maintaining breathability. A relaxed, articulated fit won’t hold you back from roosting berms or layering up, plus it’ll still look good off-trail and in-town. When it’s not needed, the lightweight anorak packs into its own hand pocket for compact storage in a pack.
Women’s Option: Yes Size Range: XS - XXL Material: Polyester & Spandex Price: $330 SHOP NOW
