I'm one of those unfortunate people who always seems to be cold. My sleeping bag is never too hot, I always wear a hat to bed, and I'm never caught without an extra layer of puffy warm stuff in my pack. But the type of insulation I pack depends on the weather forecast and the time of year. Here's a rundown of the types of jackets available, the situations they're best suited for and what features you should look for in each. Most every outdoor lover has a fleece jacket, and with good reason.
Synthetic fleece is warm, lightweight, fairly compact and supremely versatile.
Plus, it dries quickly, retains some warmth even when wet, and is relatively inexpensive. You can opt for either a pullover style, which tends to cost and weigh less, or a zippered jacket, which offers you better ventilation capability. Or, for the milder seasons, a fleece vest may be all you need to keep your torso warm. Fleece comes in a variety of thicknesses. If you go with a windproof fleece, you may want to opt for armpit and full-length front zippers to gain the most ventilation possibilities.