The best winter fishing jackets

Look the part on and off the bank this winter!

The best winter fishing jackets

by Mark Sawyer |
Updated on

As the cold weather sets in, being warm on the bank is vital to enjoy your days angling, the best winter fishing jackets will keep you comfortable and dry and make sure you can fish to the best of your ability. Whether you're a serious match angler, pleasure angler or an angler that still does nights in the colder months, remaining warm will make you more successful on the bank, your enthusiasm will remain far longer and may be the difference between you getting that all important bite or not.

Gone are the days of an old DPM camouflage jacket from an army surplus store being the only option for anglers. Advances in materials and clothing technology means that anglers have never had so many options when it comes to picking a new jacket. From fully insulated to electronically heated, there really is no excuse for being cold whilst fishing anymore and a quality winter fishing jacket could extend your season by a few months if you're an angler who hangs the rods up in the cold.

The best winter fishing jackets at a glance...

• Best Heated Fishing Jacket - Preston Themartec Softshell Heated Jacket - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

• Best Hybrid Fishing Jacket - Korda Hybrid Jacket - View offer on Fishing Tackle and Bait

• Best Pole Fishing Jacket - Halkon Hunt Pole Jacket - View offer on Halkon Hunt

• Best Lightweight Fishing Jacket - Fortis Marine Liner - View offer on Total Fishing Tackle

With so many different styles available, most jackets are stylish enough to be worn day to day and not just reserved solely for use on the bank. Just make sure you clean off any fish slime before you head to the pub in it! Here is our guide to some of the best winter fishing jackets available...

Best winter fishing jacket for warmth

Ali Hamidi’s favourite jacket was expertly created by a top fashion designer, the One More Cast Cubera Puffer Jacket features a unique camo splash design to perfectly compliment the jacket's forest green foundation.

It’s made using a water repellent Teflon with an outer coating and has a 650gr weight recycled polyester inner material, with the oversized design and insulated pockets helping to keep you toasty and warm in temperatures as low as minus 15 degrees.

If you like the look of this superb feature packed jacket, remember to order it a size larger than you normally wear.

Sizes: M-XXXL

Pros

  • Very stylish jacket.
  • Unique Camo pattern.

Cons

  • Might be a bit too bulky for some anglers.

Best fishing jacket for a variety of disciplines

The Daiwa D Vec Soft Shell Jacket is ideal for fishing even in the most wickedly cold of easterly winds, yet smart enough to be worn down the pub. The jacket is very streamlined, allowing you to manoeuvre yourself easily when wearing it, so it's great wether you're sat on a seatbox or very active when you are fishing.

The quilt fronted jacket has a functional yet modern design boasting a toasty warm soft-shell fleecy lining, including in the inner hood area. There is a full-length zip that closes all the way up to the top of the neck, long knitted cuffs, waist draw cord and two hand pockets.

Sizes: M-XXL

Pros

  • Great manoeuvrability.
  • Well designed hood/neck area.

Cons

  • The quilted front can snag.

Best heated fishing jacket

There's no excuse to ever be cold thanks to this new heated Preston Thermatech Heated Softshell Jacket. The jacket incorporates several heated elements which can be adjusted via the temperature control button.

Four settings enable the user to choose the correct temperature to match the conditions on the day, Low Blue– 8hrs, Medium Green – 7hrs, High Purple – 6hrs and Very high Red – 5hrs. Fitted with a USB-C connector to fit your own power bank. The jacket itself is well designed and comfortable, the sleeves are cuffed to ensure no cold air can intrude and the hand pockets are heated too, should your hands get cold during your session you can quickly warm them back up.

As a rough guide it will provide seven hours of heating on the low setting and around four hours on the highest setting.

Sizes: S-XXX

Pros

  • Electronically heated.
  • Softshell design is comfortable.

Cons

  • Doesn't come with the battery pack.

Best lightweight fishing jacket

The Fortis Marine Liner is a lightweight, hooded, packable jacket constructed with premium Primaloft® insulation to provide warmth to below freezing and year round protection. The liner is constructed from a windproof, ripstop polyester to ensure it is well insulated and durable. It can be worn as a stand alone jacket or combined with a layering system. 

This garment has been specifically tailored to be worn under the Fortis Marine Waterproof Shell for total protection in adverse weather. The Marine Liner Jacket is also reversible so you can choose to front the olive pattern or wear it on its camo side depending on your preference.

Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

  • Lightweight jacket, perfect for mobile anglers.
  • Reversible design.

Cons

  • Not fully waterproof.

Best styled fishing jacket

Definitely one of the most stylish jackets on the market, the Kumu Deception Puffa boasts ultra-thick insulated padding which offers superb warmth. The jacket also features an internal neck baffle to ensure no heat is lost in that area, which is one of the most common reasons why people get cold.

The renewably-sourced Teflon Ecolite outer coating repels water and protects against stains to make sure the jacket not only keeps you dry but it remains looking as good as new for as long as possible.

Available in Greyscale and Khaki versions.

Sizes: S-XXL

Pros

  • Lovely design.
  • Internal neck baffle to prevent heat loss.

Cons

  • Shoulder width can be tight, so buy a size larger than normal.

Best pole fishing jacket

The Halkon Hunt Pole Jacket is simply the best jacket available for any sort of angling. These jackets are all handmade to order in the UK and allow the angler to choose from various colours, styles and features. Halkon Hunt use GORE-TEX as the outer material, this is fully waterproof and super durable, it also cleans really well so it will last you years, even with heavy usage.

An elasticated back keeps any drafts out even when leaning over or sitting in awkward positions, with the neoprene wrist cuffs preventing any cold air entering your sleeve. All areas that see the most punishment, such as elbows, are reinforced and all the pockets are zipped and covered to keep valuables safe and secure. If the weather is horrendous and you have nowhere to retreat to, these jackets will keep you dry and comfortable.

Pros

  • 100% waterproof, utilising GORE-TEX material.
  • Handmade in the UK, various colour patterns to choose from.

Cons

  • If you require a personalised design, lead times can be quite long.

Best hybrid fishing jacket

The Korda Hybrid Jacket is a very stylish jacket which fuses two of Korda's most popular selling jackets into one, combing the Polar Fleece and Puffer Jacket they have created a very comfortable and warm jacket indeed. The jacket remains very lightweight thanks to the hollow fibre insulation and allows the wearer to move without restriction, something that can happen in thicker, bulkier jackets.

If you're an angler that likes to stay mobile or busy during your sessions this is an ideal garment for you, as it will keep you warm but won't weigh you down. The sung fitting fleece hood keeps all the heat in your neck area, reducing the need for other items like snoods. You can purchase the jacket in an Olive Green or a Charcoal colour depending on what suits you best. Sizes range from small to XXXL, so there will be a jacket for you somewhere in the range.

Pros

  • Super comfortable.
  • A fusion of Korda's most popular jackets.

Cons

  • A Camo version would be a nice addition.

Best value Softshell jacket

If you want a stylish jacket that's comfortable to wear all year round then the Guru Polar Softshell Jacket is a really quality item that performs as good as it looks.

Lightweight in design the Softshell material is really comfortable to wear and wipes clean, allowing you to keep it looking good and remove any slime or bait from the jacket after use.

Whilst the jacket isn't waterproof, it will provide some resistance in light rain with the fleece lined interior keeping you nice and warm during your session. The hooded section zips up higher than a lot of jackets, providing protection around the neck and all the pockets are zipped, including a handy chest pocket for your phone. All the zips, including the main zip, are reinforced and top quality so they won't snap off after one use.

Pros

  • Stylish wipe clean design.
  • Nice and warm.

Cons

  • Not fully waterproof.

Best sea fishing jacket

You would be hard pressed to find a British shoreline and not see an Imax Expert Jacket being worn. These jackets have built a reputation for being extremely good to wear in the worst conditions possible and if we are being honest, sea fishing subjects anglers to some of the harshest environments there are, especially in winter.

An incredibly well insulated jacket that remains really light and easy to wear, it won't inhibit your casting or movement when fishing and with its 8000mm PVC coated external fabric, it will keep you dry too! The pockets of the jacket are fleece lined to help give your hands some respite from the cold and they quickly warm up when you put them inside, so much so you don't want to take them back out again.

This jacket isn't just for sea anglers, you can be assured if its good enough for winter sea angling it will excel in coarse fishing situations too!

Pros

  • Superb quality.
  • Built to withstand the rigours of winter sea angling.

Cons

  • The bright red colour might not be for everyone.

What to look for in a winter fishing jacket

When choosing a winter fishing jacket there are a few things to look for that will help decide which jacket is best for you. The type of angling you do will impact which garment would be the most suitable, if you fish overnight or remain relatively stationary during your sessions then a bulkier, much warmer fishing jacket would be the best for you as it will insulate you far better.

If you move around a lot, either walking the riverbank or fishing matches on a seatbox then a waterproof, lightweight jacket would be by far the best choice. The movement will keep you warmer and the lighter jackets are far easier to move around in, where a larger winter fishing jacket will restrict your movement and whilst it may keep you just as warm, it will become a hindrance.

If you seriously suffer from the cold and really don't want to go out fishing then a heated jacket may help you get out there and extend your season, possibly catching you that extra fish that may complete your year! They heat up in a matter of minutes and will generate their own heat to keep you warm, a great choice for anyone who suffers in the cold. Don't forget a good pair or trousers or fishing boots either!

Glossary

Jacket: An outer garment extending either to the waist or the hips, typically having sleeves and a fastening down the front.

Frequently asked questions on fishing jackets

What jacket should I look for when fishing in winter?

The main thing you need from a winter fishing jacket is that it is really well insulated, if it's not, it will not keep you warm and defeats the whole purpose of buying one. Depending on your angling it may benefit you to choose a jacket that is completely waterproof, if you sit out in the rain or go fishing in any weather with no refuge in a bivvy or under a brolly, a waterproof jacket will make your sessions far more enjoyable.

How do heated jackets work?

Heated jackets have heating elements located between the layers of the jacket that heat up when an electrical current is passed through them. The elements are generally located in the back area and sometimes chest to heat up the main areas of the body, simply attach a charging/battery pack to the USB-C cable and turn them on, they will heat up in minutes providing warmth when you need it most.

Is winter fishing worth it?

Whilst fishing in the winter is generally harder for most species, it can be a great time to catch some fantastic fish and you just never know, the next bite could be your biggest fish ever. The banks are usually quieter too, so you'll have more scope to move around and find the fish and as long as you have a good quality jacket and other clothing, you can stay warm and enthusiastic during your session.

Author Mark Sawyer holds the position of Tackle Editor at Angling Times, boasting more than thirty years of experience working within different fields of the angling industry.

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