Close
CART (0)
Insight · Fall Layering
How to Wear a Vest
The short answer
A vest keeps your core warm and leaves your arms free. Wear it over a flannel, a henley, or a shirt jac, fitted close enough to zip without pulling and loose enough for one layer underneath. Most men should size up if they plan to wear anything heavier than a shirt under it.
Pick the type by the weather. A waxed canvas or wool vest for cool mornings, a quilted or sherpa-lined leather vest for the 40s and 50s, and a down vest when it drops into the 30s.
The vest is the most useful piece a man can own in the fall, and the most overlooked. It does the one thing a jacket can't: it keeps the heat where your body needs it and leaves your arms free to work, cast, drive, or split wood. Put one on over a flannel in October and you will wonder why you waited. This guide covers the types of vests, how warm each one is, how to wear one, how it should fit, and how our own vests compare.
The five types of men's vests
Most outdoor vests fall into five families. They differ in warmth, weight, and how dressed up they can go.
| Type | Warmth | Weight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down vest | Highest for its weight | Light | Cold mornings, travel, layering under a coat |
| Quilted leather vest | Moderate | Mid | Town, the office, dinner, cool evenings |
| Sherpa-lined vest | High | Mid to heavy | The ranch, the truck, the fire pit |
| Shearling vest | Highest overall | Heavy | Real cold, and a piece to keep for decades |
| Waxed canvas or wool vest | Light to moderate | Light | Work, early fall, wind and light rain (canvas) |
Down
Down traps the most heat for the least weight. Our Bridger Leather Down Vest pairs a lambskin leather shell with 80/20 down insulation at 530 fill power. The leather blocks wind that would cut through a nylon puffer. If fill power is new to you, read what down fill power means. The Teton Leather Light Down Vest is the lighter version, with a slimmer fill for milder days.
Quilted leather
A quilted leather vest is the dressiest of the group. The Highlands Quilted Leather Vest is full grain lambskin in a diamond-stitched pattern with a quilted navy lining, a corduroy-trimmed high collar, and a zipper with a snap overlay. It looks right over a sweater at dinner and over a flannel on a Saturday.
Sherpa-lined
Sherpa is a soft, fleecy synthetic that feels like sheepskin and holds a lot of warmth. The Jackson Leather Sherpa Vest is 1.2 oz full grain lambskin with a vintage distressed finish, lined in sherpa with a sherpa collar. The Jackson Vest with Sherpa Collar gives you the same look in canvas and corduroy at a lower price.
Shearling
Shearling is real sheepskin with the wool left on. It is the warmest material in the lineup and the one that ages best. The Jackson Leather Shearling Vest is Turkish sheepskin shearling in two-tone brown, with adjustable snaps at the waist. For the difference between the two, see shearling vs. sherpa.
Waxed canvas and wool
The Laramie Waxed Canvas Vest is 11 oz waxed cotton canvas with a plaid lining. It sheds wind and light rain and takes a beating, which makes it the working vest of the bunch. The Ashton Wool Herringbone Vest is the town version, soft and warm without bulk.
How warm is a vest? A temperature guide
A vest keeps your core warm, but your arms are only as warm as the sleeve underneath. Here is the rule of thumb we use.
| Temperature | What to wear | From our lineup |
|---|---|---|
| 55 to 65°F | A light vest over a long-sleeve shirt or henley. | Laramie Waxed Canvas, Ashton Wool |
| 45 to 55°F | A leather or sherpa vest over a flannel. | Highlands, Jackson Sherpa, Teton |
| 35 to 45°F | A down or shearling vest over a flannel or shirt jac. | Bridger Leather Down, Jackson Shearling |
| Below 35°F | A down vest as a mid layer under a coat. | Bridger, under a shell or heavy jacket |
Real owners back this up. Pat L. rides a motorcycle and wrote that "on 50 degree days a long sleeve shirt and this vest work very well." That's the Bridger, doing its job with only a shirt underneath.
How to wear a vest
Over a flannel
The classic. A leather or down vest over a plaid flannel with jeans and boots is the uniform of fall for good reason. Pair a solid vest with a patterned shirt so the two don't fight.
Over a shirt jac or sweater
When it gets colder, add a middle layer. A vest over a wool shirt jac or a crewneck sweater handles the 30s without a coat. If you plan to wear it this way, size up.
Under a coat
A thin down vest like the Teton or Bridger fits under a heavier jacket and adds a lot of warmth to the core. It's the easiest way to stretch one coat across the whole winter.
Dressed up
A quilted leather or wool herringbone vest over an oxford shirt and dark chinos works for the office, a nice dinner, or a wedding in the country. Keep the vest zipped and the collar of the shirt out.
On its own, early in the season
On a cool September morning, a waxed canvas vest over a tee or henley is all you need. It gives you pockets and a little warmth without the weight of a jacket.
How a vest should fit
- Chest: it should zip closed over your usual layer without pulling at the zipper.
- Armholes: roomy enough that a flannel sleeve does not bunch, but not so open that cold air rushes in.
- Length: the hem should cover your belt, so no shirt shows at the waist when you reach up.
- Shoulders: the edge should sit at or just inside your natural shoulder line.
On sizing, our reviews say the same thing again and again: if you plan to wear a heavy flannel or sweater underneath, size up. Many Bridger owners mention the fit running snug or exchanging for a larger size. Karen S. bought an XL for her husband, who is 5'9" and 180 lbs, and wrote that it "fits great and not tight under his arms or around his chest." Our product pages for the Bridger, Highlands, and Teton all say the same: if you are between sizes, size up.
The Bridger, color by color
The Bridger Leather Down Vest is our most-reviewed vest, with a 4.7 rating on the Light Brown alone across 117 reviews. It comes in four colors. Same lambskin shell, same down fill, same $379.95.
Buffalo Jackson vests compared
| Vest | Shell | Warmth | Fit advice | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridger Leather Down | Lambskin, 80/20 down, 530 fill power | High | Between sizes, size up | $379.95 |
| Teton Leather Light Down | Lambskin, light down fill | Moderate | Between sizes, size up | $349.95 |
| Highlands Quilted Leather | Full grain lambskin, quilted lining | Moderate | True to size; between sizes, size up | $299.95 to $349.95 |
| Jackson Leather Sherpa | Full grain lambskin, sherpa lining | High | True to size; owners say size up to layer | $349.95 |
| Jackson Leather Shearling | Turkish sheepskin shearling | Highest | Adjustable waist snaps | $549.95 |
| Jackson Vest w/ Sherpa Collar | Canvas and corduroy, sherpa collar | Moderate | True fit; between sizes, size up | $219.95 |
| Ashton Wool Herringbone | Wool herringbone | Light to moderate | Between sizes, size up | $144.95 |
| Laramie Waxed Canvas | 11 oz waxed cotton canvas, plaid lining | Light | True to size | $99.95 |
Shop Vests
Leather down, quilted leather, sherpa, shearling, wool, and waxed canvas vests.
From $99.95
Shop All VestsWhat owners say
"I ride a motorcycle and on 50 degree days a long sleeve shirt and this vest work very well."
Pat L., Bridger Leather Down Vest"He would never buy it for himself. The quality is excellent the fit is great. It is very warm."
Sandra M., Bridger Leather Down Vest"Beautiful rich buttery leather quality is amazing!"
William P., Jackson Leather Sherpa VestThe honest note from the reviews is the one above: these vests run close to the body. One Jackson Sherpa owner put it simply: "Runs small so size up."
How to care for a leather vest
- Wipe it down with a dry or barely damp cloth after a dirty day.
- Condition it once or twice a season with a leather conditioner to keep it supple.
- Let it dry naturally if it gets wet. Keep it away from heaters and direct sun.
- Hang it on a wide hanger so the shoulders keep their shape. Never store leather in plastic.
- Down vests: store them loose, not compressed, so the down keeps its loft.
More tips in our leather care collection.
Frequently asked questions
How should a men's vest fit?
A vest should zip closed over your usual layer without pulling, cover your belt at the hem, and sit at or just inside your natural shoulder line. The armholes should be roomy enough for a flannel sleeve but not so open that cold air gets in.
Should I size up in a leather vest?
If you plan to wear a flannel, shirt jac, or sweater underneath, yes. Our leather vests are cut close to the body, and our product pages recommend sizing up if you are between sizes.
How warm is a down vest?
A good down vest keeps your core comfortable into the 30s when worn over a flannel or shirt jac. Your arms are only as warm as the sleeve underneath, so below about 35°F wear the vest under a coat instead.
What do you wear under a vest?
A flannel shirt is the classic choice. A henley or long-sleeve tee works in early fall, and a wool shirt jac or crewneck sweater works when it gets colder. For a dressier look, wear an oxford shirt underneath.
Can you wear a vest under a jacket?
Yes. A slim down vest like the Bridger or Teton fits under most coats and adds a lot of warmth to the core. Bulky sherpa and shearling vests are better worn as the outer layer.
Leather vest or down vest: which is better?
It depends on the job. A down vest is warmer for its weight. A quilted or sherpa-lined leather vest is dressier and more wind resistant. The Bridger Leather Down Vest combines both, with a lambskin shell over down insulation.
What is the difference between a sherpa vest and a shearling vest?
Shearling is real sheepskin with the wool still attached. Sherpa is a synthetic fleece made to look and feel like it. Shearling is warmer and ages better. Sherpa is lighter, easier to care for, and costs less.
Are men's vests in style?
Yes. The outdoor vest has been a fall staple for decades, and leather, down, and waxed canvas vests are as common in town as they are on the ranch. A well-made vest in a natural color does not go out of style.
How do you care for a leather vest?
Wipe it clean after use, condition the leather once or twice a season, let it air dry away from heat if it gets wet, and store it on a wide hanger. Never store leather in plastic. Store down vests loose so the fill keeps its loft.
What is the warmest vest?
A real sheepskin shearling vest is the warmest, followed by a down vest. In our lineup, the Jackson Leather Shearling Vest is the warmest, and the Bridger Leather Down Vest gives the most warmth for its weight.
Xan Hood founded Buffalo Jackson Trading Co. in 2009. He designs our vests, outerwear, and leather goods in Matthews, North Carolina.