When the mercury plummets, there are essentially two ways to get bundled up: The single Big Ass Coat (BAC) or going onion-mode and layering up. And while the giant puffer may have its champions, for menswear enthusiasts, nothing beats layering when it comes to garments-per-fit. And at the heart of any conversation around layering is the humble liner (jacket).
Like so much of menswear, the liner jacket has its roots in military uniforms, and the embrace by regular folks of military surplus clothing after WWII ended. Specifically: When the United States Military started designing uniforms for cold climates during WWII, they understood that the best way to stay warm was to trap body heat in pockets of air created by numerous lightweight layers, with a tough outer layer to block wind. Enter the liner—made from a lightweight yet insulating material, cut with a wide front opening, and usually with the ability to be buttoned into a jacket.
These days, liner jackets are constantly being re-interpreted and re-styled. Plenty of guys even wear them as their main outer layer. But the elite ones remain light, technical, and a little loose. Below, the best liners on the market right now.
