The 12 best women's travel jackets that aren't too bulky

After seeing this quilted jacket from Free People all over my For You Page, I was excited to give it a test run, right as the seasons change from winter to spring. The Pippa puffer is made a with vegan-friendly down alternative fill, and comes in a whopping 21 colors (with each one prettier than the next, so it was really hard to choose). I picked "Sage Stone," which looked light brown in the photos but was more of a true sage green in person. In my experience, Free People clothing tends to run large, so I sized down in this jacket, and I'm glad I did. The fit was still substantially oversized.

The best part of this jacket is how cute and cozy it is. It has a boho aesthetic with a loose silhouette, quilted pattern, and a curved hem that's shorter on the sides. The fabric is soft and flexible — I could comfortably nap in it. I love the stripe down the arms and that the cuffs unsnap so the sleeves can be rolled up. I wore this jacket over a long-sleeved turtleneck on a 50-degree day, and it kept me warm. The loose bodice let some wind in, so tucking my shirt into my jeans helped minimize the airflow. There was a light drizzle, and the water-resistant outer fabric kept me dry during short trips from the car to the front door. I wouldn't recommend wearing it in heavy or prolonged rain, though.

The puffer has a built-in stuff pocket that allows you to pack it into itself. I'll admit the packing process took some figuring out. I tried to replicate the neat fold from the video on Free People's website and failed miserably. The only way I could manage it was to shove the jacket haphazardly into the pocket from the outside in. Overall, it's still a cool feature, but I wish the fold method had been better explained in the video. When I'm wearing the jacket, I like to keep my wallet secure in the interior stuff pocket, so I appreciate the versatility. I noticed some snagging on the zipper, which is not ideal, given the jacket's higher price.

"This lightweight, packable windbreaker from Quince is derivative of lululemon's Always Effortless jacket ($148). I wore it on a day that New York City experienced its largest 1-hour temperature drop in recorded history. I was in the park basking in the sunlight, it was a balmy 79 degrees, and I was convinced spring had sprung. But by the time I'd walked home, it was cloudy and 53 degrees.

I was so glad I had packed this jacket in my tote bag — it takes up almost no space, and it has stowable hood in case of rain. This hood packs into the tall stand collar, and it's wide enough to actually fit over my hair. I usually wear a size S, but I sized up to an M and it was the right call, since this jacket's a bit cropped. One detail I loved is that the color of its zippers perfectly match the water-repellent fabric (made of recycled nylon), so it has a true monochromatic look.

It has more structure than your typical windbreaker, but you can also wear this jacket to exercise, since it's lined with a soft mesh and it has a vent in the rear to circulate air. Or, use it as a stylish, sporty top layer on those days with hard-to-predict forecasts." — Gabrielle Chase, Senior Associate Style Editor, Insider Reviews

Read more in our full Quince review.

"I'm a huge fan of UK- based brand Lucy & Yak, which is probably best known for its colorful dungarees. As a plus-size person, its commitment to sustainability and size inclusivity makes it one of of my favorite sources for quality, one-of-a-kind pieces.

The Jai jacket is a lightweight, organic cotton jacket with a relaxed hood and four roomy pockets. It comes in two colors — an earthy green and a classic black — in sizes XS to 4XL. I chose my typical size, a 3XL, though I recommend sizing up if you prefer an oversized fit. I personally loved the cropped look with a true-to-size jacket.

I tend to run hot, so heavier fabrics like fleece make me sweaty, even on cool, breezy days. Instead, this jacket's lightweight material protected me from the wind without causing me to overheat. I adored its two open pockets and two velcro cargo-style pockets — they kept my phone secure but within reach as I shopped around downtown. I have broad shoulders, so I did notice that the sleeves were a little too short for me. The elastic also had a habit of creeping up my arms, so I had to pull the sleeves down frequently. That said, it's been my go-to jacket for spring." — Kinsley Searles, Home & Sleep Fellow, Insider Reviews

My two most recent international trips involved traveling to Chile and South Africa during shoulder seasons. This water-resistant bomber jacket was the best thing I packed on both trips. It barely took up any luggage space, looked sharp with all my outfits, and prepared me for frequently fluctuating weather conditions. I wore it as an outer layer on all four plane rides, and the super-soft fabric was comfy enough to nap in. I love that a secret hood can be rolled away and tucked into the collar.

The polyester fabric (made from recycled plastic bottles) has lots of ruching, which expertly disguised any wrinkles from haphazardly stuffing it in my suitcase. This ensured the sporty jacket still appeared sharp in all my vacation photos. Zippers on either side change the look when opened and closed. The beige colorway sustained some dust marks during a three-day safari, but I just popped it in the washing machine and dryer when I returned home, and now it looks like new again.

"The Fjällräven Expedition Lätt Hoodie packs a lot of warmth into just 420 grams (just shy of 1 pound). I've worn this jacket dozens and dozens of times this winter in temperatures ranging 5 to 40 degrees. It's insulated with 100% recycled polyester with stitch-through channels; it has a loft-like down, making it cozy, but moreover, it's downright warm. The elastic edging around the wrists, hood, and bottom help to keep heat in.

"This jacket is part of the brand's Expedition Series, so it's made to be very reliable against the elements and built to last. The design here is simple, but in my opinion, the Expedition Lätt Hoodie is the perfect basic puffer, considering it's only $215. I found the light weight on this jacket made it incredibly comfortable to wear as an everyday puffer running out to the store, perfect for travel or winter hiking, and a light, mobile mid-layer on seriously cold ski days under a shell." — Rachael Schultz, freelance reporter

"The Dovetail Pac Jac packs down into its chest pocket to be slightly bigger than your hand, so it's never a tough decision if you should bring your rain jacket when traveling or heading outside. But more than the feather-light weight, this jacket is built to hold up against the elements for years.

"The Pac Jack is crafted from super-strong ripstop Cordura nylon that is UPF 50 in sun protection and treated with a PFAS-free, plant-based water repellency. The fabric feels light but durable, and it let zero water in during our drench test. This rain jacket was also designed for women on the move: armpit gussets for a wider range of motion, reinforced elbows for tough work, a wide hip circumferences, and a longer tail to keep your butt dry." — Rachael Schultz, freelance reporter

You probably recognize this popular jacket's eye-catching striped design. It's gained a strong following for good reason. Crafted from high-quality, 800-loft down, the sporty jacket still allows for a full range of motion. It can be worn on its own during the spring and fall or layered under a warmer coat for extra coziness in the winter. Large zippered pockets, a waist cinch, and a hood cinch help adjust the warmth.

Despite its warmth, the 14-ounce jacket is compact and great for travel. It's easily compressible and comes with a stuff sack for efficient packing. Plus, the ripstop nylon outer is water-resistant.

For years, our men's style editor Amir Ismael has sworn by the Patagonia Micro Puff as one of his favorite lightweight, warm packable jackets. Luckily, it comes in women's sizes, too. The hood is very close-fitting, so it may not work for you if you're trying to preserve your hairstyle, but it's excellent if you're traveling to a place where bikes are the main mode of transportation and you need a hood that fits under a helmet.

It'll keep you warm if you're in a drafty plane cabin, and if need be, you can use it as a pillow in its packed-down form. "Even when I'm not carrying a backpack, it's easy to tote around. The packed jacket has a loop, so I can attach it to my fanny pack or even a belt loop when I want to be hands-free," Amir says.

It's lightweight construction matches its light environmental impact. "Instead of using thick materials stuffed with down or other insulation, the Micro Puff uses an ultralight, water-resistant nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum shell and is filled with PlumaFill, a sustainable alternative to down."

The humble chore jacket is thought to have originated in 19th-century France, when every garment was an investment piece. Chore jackets, also known as barn jackets, were crafted from durable fabrics that could resist the dirt and grime of working life. Recently, chore jackets have experienced a resurgence, and celebrities have been wearing the functional, pocket-rich toppers over everything from jeans to miniskirts.

Tna's version, made from 100% cotton canvas, is available in four neutral hues, from light birch to dark olive, and each has a stylish corduroy collar. Designed to fall at the low hip, the softly structured jacket is versatile for travel and can pair with various outfits, casual and dressy. Its roomy silhouette leaves plenty of space underneath for a chunky sweater. The unlined jacket is machine-washable, so don't be afraid to use it for its original intention.

Fleece jackets aren't always the most packable since they tend to be bulkier. Instead, L.L. Bean's aptly monikered full-zip fleece is featherlight compared to similar styles, making it unusually compact. Zippered hand pockets and its mock neck add style and warmth to this topper, which is perfect for outdoor adventures like hiking or camping.

The 100% recycled jacket has a slightly fitted silhouette. It falls at the lower hip and has a curved hem that's a touch longer in the back for a flattering fit. There are nine colors to choose from, and it comes in regular, petite, and plus sizes.

Rag & Bone's viral "sweatpants jeans" are our favorite travel pants, thanks to their realistic denim design that feels much more comfortable than it looks. This faux denim jacket is crafted from the same comfy cotton terry fabric. With digitally-printed denim accents and functional dagger buttons, this ultra-soft jacket is virtually indistinguishable from more rigid denim. Still, the cushy fabric makes it much easier to pack down for travel.

Like any denim jacket, its versatile design pairs well with casual outfits or summery dresses. Its cropped silhouette might not make it the warmest choice on our list, but it's undoubtedly among the most stylish.

A reversible jacket is great for travel since it gives you two looks in the same packing space. Lululemon's reversible bomber can be worn with the quilted side out or the smooth side visible — either way, it's a stylish, water-repellent topper. The smooth side also has ribbed shoulder details that elevate the look.

The insulated outer layer is perfect for shoulder seasons. Happy customers report it's neither too hot nor too cold for spring and fall wear. Another neat feature: Both hand pockets are equipped with hidden phone sleeves.

When shopping for a lightweight, packable jacket, the focus should be on what makes it functional, comfortable, and easy to carry. You'll want some combination of the following features:

Packability. Ensure the jacket can fold into a compact size and sustain minimal to no wrinkling even when stuffed in your carry-on. Jackets with a built-in sack make packing even more manageable. Choose lightweight yet durable fabrics, such as nylon, polyester, or ripstop material.

Fit. Adjustable cuffs, hems, and hoods allow a customizable, comfortable fit. Looser fits are breezier but easier to layer over clothing, while closer fits add warmth. Mobility is also essential, especially if you plan on using your jacket for outdoor activities like hiking.

Durability. Ripstop fabrics, strong zippers, and abrasion-resistant materials help ensure longevity.

Water resistance. Features like DWR coating or waterproof membranes can protect against rain. If you're traveling to a stormy climate, see our guide to the best women's rain jackets .

Breathability. Ventilation or moisture-wicking fabrics prevent overheating and keep your outer layer versatile during shoulder seasons.

Warmth. Windproof fabrics block gusts and keep you warm. Hand pockets, hoods, and high collars with chin guards add better protection from cool breezes.