Best technical shell
Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket
$550.00
High performance GORE-TEX®, fully loaded with features: helmet-compatible hood, pit zips and more.
Buyer’s Guide: Men’s Outdoor Clothing
Build your ultimate layering system with the best hiking pants, technical jackets and toasty (but not too toasty) mid-layers.
Our team of staff experts – including Alex, Julia and Ana, who get to decide what clothing and brands show up at MEC – share their picks for the best apparel out there. See what made the cut, from best value to performance picks.
Best men’s jackets of 2023
After a season of adventures, your shell jacket might need a little TLC to keep it shedding water. It’s easy to do with wash-in or spray-on products, and it makes your jacket last longer.
Most versatile
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket
$225.00
3-layer construction with a stowable hood to hike, camp or get across town while staying dry.
Best packable windbreaker
Patagonia Houdini Jacket
$135.00
So lightweight you’ll always bring it with you – and it’s made with recycled ripstop fabric too.
Best value
MEC Aquanator Rain Jacket
$129.95
You genuinely can't beat this price for a 2.5-layer jacket with fully taped seams.
More favourite jackets
Best men’s mid-layers of 2023
Insulating mid-layers are key for changing weather. They keep you warm, stow away nicely if you get too hot, and move moisture through your layering system.
Best down puffy
MEC Boundary Light Down Jacket
$229.95
Toasty 700 fill-power-down, packs up small and layers incredibly well under a shell.
Best synthetic puffy
Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody
$320.00
The iconic puffer of mountain towns everywhere. Coreloft™ insulation retains warmth when wet.
Best technical mid-layer
Patagonia R1 CrossStrata Pullover
$189.00
Blocks wind, sheds light rain, breathes well, harness-friendly pocket – you’ll use this tons.
Best value
MEC Northern Light Hoodie
$219.95
A staff favourite and contender for “most versatile.” We also keep the price extra-nice.
More favourite mid-layers
Best men’s hiking pants of 2023
Once you discover the brilliance of hiking pants, you’ll never hike in basic tights again. Think: pockets for snacks and maps, adjustability to wade through creeks, and tough fabric that stands up to bushwacking.
Best convertible pants
MEC Mochilero Stretch Convertible Pants
$99.95
Absolute classics. Lots of pockets and colour-coded zippers to quickly switch from shorts to pants mode.
Most durable
Patagonia Venga Rock Pants
$135.00
Robust organic cotton blend with stretch to handle being scraped against rocks and high stepping over logs.
Most versatile
Patagonia Quandary Pants
$109.00
Technical hiking and scrambling pants that clean up nice for everyday wear too.
Best value
MEC Ridgewalk Pants
$89.95
Stretchy, durable, and more sustainable fabrics at a sweet price (since we make ‘em ourselves).
More favourite hiking pants
More Buyer’s Guides
Top tents. Best waterproof jackets. Toughest gear for trails. It’s all here.
More Buyer’s Guides
Top tents. Best waterproof jackets. Toughest gear for trails. It’s all here.