The Best Sherpa Jackets for Men to Stay Extra Warm (2024)

Seeing as fall is here, it’s clear the temperature has been steadily dropping for a while now (or will start to soon near you). That probably means, especially if you spend any time outside, you’ve done away with your shorts andt-shirtsin favor of thicker, warmer clothing. However, if you’re in need of a stylish and new winter-ready jacket, you might want to consider picking up a classic Sherpa jacket to keep you warm and cozy.

The history of sherpa

While the term “Sherpa” does originate from the indigenous Himalayan people, the modern definition comes from thefashion world— describing a thick, deep-pile polyester fleece that serves as a lightweight yet toasty alternative to sheep’s wool. That said, when you account for its enigmatic history, it’s hard to overlook the prominence of Levi’s sherpa-lined Type 3 Jacket that hit the scene in the late ‘60s. Ultimately, it became a quintessential element in winter-ready outerwear, especially here in the U S of A. Typical wear for blue-collar workers, this material has also found renewed popularity in the style world — sometimes found as a liner on denim jackets and other times used as the primary internal and/or external fabric of a coat. However, the term “sherpa” itself has been fading in the fashion world recently, and last year, in 2022, The North Face announced that it would rename its sherpa fleece jackets to “pile” jackets, and other brands have followed suit. The term refers to an ethnic group in the eastern Himaylas (probably most famous for Mount Everest), and to avoid any confusion and possible appropriation, companies are starting to change their verbiage.

Sherpa vs. Shearling

The only genuine difference between shearling and sherpa is, well, genuineness. Syntheticshearling fur, often made from a blend of polyester fleece, cotton, and acrylic, is traditionally referred to as sherpa. While the popular, far more obtainable textile tends to have more of a shine than legitimate shearling lamb or sheep skin, it is obviously not as soft as the latter. Still, it serves as an eco-cognizant and (somewhat) wallet-friendly alternative to genuine material, and it’s been keeping people warm since its popularization in the early ’60s. Whether you want something timeless and versatile or more modern and outdoorsy, you’ll find the perfect pick in our collection of the best sherpa jackets.

What to Look For

Material: For our guide, we’re sticking to sherpa-lined jackets – if you’re interested in jackets made entirely of sherpa (or fleece), then check out our guide to fleece jackets. Besides the sherpa lining, you want an outer shell made of something like cotton canvas or denim for both style and durability.

Collar: Sherpa jackets will usually come with a collar made out of the same lining material, but sometimes, they’ll deviate a bit with something like corduroy to shake up the style. For that classic ’70s style, go for a jacket with a sherpa (or pile, pile fleece, etc.) collar.

Fit: There aren’t any rules when it comes to the fit of a sherpa jacket, but for the best look, you’ll want one that fits a bit like a trucker or bomber jacket (where it falls just at the hip, and has a more slim fit).

Lining: The lining will usually be made of polyester or some other synthetic (unless it’s real Sherpa wool).

Wrangler Sherpa Lined Shirt Jacket

Best Shirt Jacket: For those that are in the know, it’s probably not even a remote shock to discover that the craftsmen at Wrangler, one of our favoriteoutdoor appareland gear brands, just happen to have built one of the best sherpa-lined shirt jackets available. Simultaneously both classic in its appearance and marked by a number of modern touches, this jacket is actually reversible — making it a good deal more stylistically versatile than any of the others on our list. And that’s going to be enough for some to set their sights squarely on this option.

Material:100% cotton
Lining: Sherpa
Fit: Relaxed

Levi’s Men’s Sherpa Lined Trucker Jacket

Best Classic Jacket: Levi’s is a veritable shoo-in when it comes to the best sherpa jackets — as evidenced by their Sherpa-Lined Trucker Jacket you see before you. It might come as a surprise, but this jacket is actually made from 100% polyester — meaning it doesn’t have a denim exterior. What that does mean, besides the obvious warmth provided by the sherpa lining, is that the exterior is both durable and sleek, it’s completely machine-washable, and it’s a touch more unique than much of its competition — after all, the texture of suede is hard to ignore, whether it’s genuine or not.

Material: 100% polyester
Lining: 100% polyester
Fit: Relaxed

Roark Hebrides Jacket

Best Cotton Twill Jacket: Available in a handful of colors, Roark’s Hebrides Jacket has the right option for any way you’re dressing. The sturdy shirt jacket has a bevy of pockets and a set of reinforced elbow panels for maximum sturdiness. And while those elements are bound to come in handy, thecotton twillconstruction and fuzzy sherpa lining are light enough to rock all year long, allowing you to achieve this fall-ready style once spring and summer breezes roll around.

Material: 52% Cotton, 41% Polyester, 7% Nylon
Lining: High pile fleece
Fit: Classic overshirt

Howler Brothers Corduroy Depot Sherpa Jacket

Best Corduroy Jacket: Adept at crafting virtually any piece of Western and classic American outerwear, it’s no surprise to see Howler Brothers design a great jacket in this category. Moreover, the brand’s Corduroy Depot SherpaJacket is the perfect retro pick. The corduroy construction is made of cotton and a hint of spandex to deliver just the right amount of stretchiness. At the same time, its cozy lining is serviced from a polyester construction that ensures it’ll hold up longer than the average option. Round that out with a trio of pockets to hold your gear, and you have a jacket built to last across the board.

Material: 98% cotton, 2% spandex corduroy
Lining: 100% polyester
Fit: Regular

Carhartt Relaxed Fit Washed Duck Sherpa-Lined Utility Jacket

Best Work Jacket: It should come as no surprise that Filson, one of the USA’s all-time best heritage workwear brands, has crafted one of the most exceptional sherpa jackets in their aptly named Utility Jacket. It’s crafted usingring-spun washed cotton duck and lined with sherpa fleece for an utterly warm, incredibly versatile style essential that also happens to be handily machine-washable. Whether you need a warm and soft internal layer for a long day out on the ranch or you just need something to keep you toasty while you go grab something out of your car, you can’t go wrong with this Carhartt offering.

Material: 100% ring-spun washed cotton duck
Lining: Sherpa fleece
Fit: Relaxed

Patagonia Pile-Lined Trucker Jacket

Best Trucker Jacket: In contrast to many of the trucker-inspired silhouettes you’ll find on our guide, this trail-ready piece from Patagonia is equipped with two hand warmer pockets to protect your valuables from whatever Mother Nature throws their way (and keep your hands warm). This jacket features 14-wale corduroy, a hip-length fit, and snapped cuffs for a secure fit. Best of all, the jacket is made of partially recycled materials, which shouldn’t come as a surprise, accounting for Patagonia’s endless strive towards sustainability.

Material: 100% organic cotton 14-wale corduroy
Lining: 100% recycled polyester
Fit: Regular

A.P.C. New Ben Jacket

Best Aviator-Syle Jacket: A.P.C’s New Ben Jacket is definitely too expensive to be considered anything other than a holy grail of sorts, but the investment will be well worth it to those who understand the value they’re getting out of this pilot-style jacket. It boasts top-level Parisian craftsmanship that we’ve become accustomed to seeing from the premier clothier. To no surprise, it’s constructed using exceptional materials, includinggenuine wool, polyester, and more, and a high-fashion appearance, unlike all its more wallet-friendly peers. If you’re the type who only accepts the best of the best, this is it.

Material: 72% wool, 25% nylon, 3% cashmere
Fit: Regular

RRL Hitching Fleece-Denim Ranch Jacket

Best Ranch Jacket: While the previousworkwearpick from Carhartt serves as a significant upgrade to Levi’s traditional trucker jacket, this voguish piece from RRL outdoes it by a tad. The brand’s ranch jacket silhouette is by far one of its most stylish designs, and it’s made with sanforized denim on the outside, leather accents, and a warm sherpa lining. In addition to its undeniable warmth, a bevy of functional pockets, and true-to-size fit, the sherpa-lined ranch jacket is dyed with true indigio and inspired the 1940s ranch jackets.

Material: 100% cotton
Lining: 70% polyester, 30% acrylic
Fit: Not listed