The Bedale Waxed Jacketcame out on top during our search for the best waxed jackets. It is, however, considered a midweight jacket, but like most hardwearing waxed jackets, it’s a little hefty. While the extra bulk is great for heavy-duty layering, you’ll probably want something a bit lighter for spring. Fortunately, Babour just released a spring-forward version of its best-selling jacket this year, and it’s already one of my favorites.

It’s made with a lightweight blend (45% cotton, 38% polyester, 17% polyamide) that’s breathable and generally just easier to wear in 60-degree weather. The jacket also takes a more casual approach with a cotton tartan back yoke and a cord-trimmed collar. It doesn’t lose points from a functionality standpoint either; its deep snap-button pockets, interior pockets, and extra zippered pocket provide ample storage space for tools and other paraphernalia. It’s a 10/10 for me.

We covered the Dry Wax Short Field Jacket launch last spring, and it sold out pretty quickly. It’s now available in a few new colorways, which doubles as a much-needed restock. The dry wax finish is slightly different than Filson’s traditional oil finish, which gives it less of an oily feel and makes it less susceptible to evaporation over time. Reviews Editor Danny Perez spoke glowingly of the jacket’s ability to hold up as a lightweight waxed jacket.

“I like the lining because it makes the jacket feel less flimsy than other light waxed jackets I've tried,” Perez explained. “The polyester taffeta in the sleeves lets me pull shirt or sweater sleeves through easily, and the 6-ounce cotton on the body is comfortable and offers some warmth.”

L.L. Bean’s Field Coat is probably its most timeless piece aside from its iconic Duck Boots. You can get away wearing it in the spring weather, but it’s a true workhorse, and a little heavy for warmer temperatures. The brand debuted its second hugely popular Japan Edition crossover drop in March, and a highlight was the Japan Edition Prospect Harbor Field Coat.

It takes more of a style-forward approach with an oversized fit, but it’s a little lighter and softer. The shell is made with a 100% polyester canvas, and while the boxy fit is a bit of a departure from the standard jacket, it doesn’t lack L.L. Bean’s timeless, rugged aesthetic. Ample storage and a durable weather shell make it just as functional as it is stylish. Versatility is the name of the game here.

If you’re looking for a more traditional field jacket for the spring, Madewell’s is, well, made well. It’s made out of a hardwearing, garment-dyed canvas and fully lined. I found it to be a great transitional piece during my testing; you can get away with wearing it in the early spring and warmer temps. The corduroy collar adds a nice style touch, and its deep, cargo-style pockets and welt pockets near the chest add a much-appreciated layer of functionality.

It’s a little heavier than the L.L. Bean Japan edition, but its breathable cotton construction and pseudo-pastel colorway make it one of the breeziest field jackets I’ve tested thus far.

I’m not a huge denim jacket guy, but that was before I discovered Tecovas. They’ve expanded their denim line quite a bit in recent years, and the Denim Trucker caught my eye. I love their jeans, so I figured I’d give the full Canadian Tuxedo a spin. It’s a lot less stiff out of the packaging than other denim jackets I’ve worn, and the acid wash looked great out of the gate.

The short lining also gives it a few extra style points, and its lived-in feel solidified it as the most comfortable jean jacket I’ve owned to date. In fact, it’s probably the only one I’ve been able to wear over short sleeves without any complaints. The 100$ cotton denim also gives it some extra breathability. I’ll be rocking this throughout the spring, rodeos or not.

A good bomber generally makes for a good mix of fashion and function. Alpha Industries takes it to another level, though, and I’m a huge fan of its MA-1 Bomber Jacket, which is essentially the quintessential flight jacket and about as timeless as it gets. Its flagship bomber is more of a midweight jacket, though. It’s generally fine for early spring/transitional weather, but it’s a little too thick for warmer temperatures.

The brand now offers a lightweight version of its classic bomber, the L-2B Skymaster. It’s considerably lighter, but it doesn’t depart much from the original aesthetically. The jacket features a breezy, yet durable nylon construction and ample storage, highlighted by a zip sleeve utility pocket. I went with the mist colorway for a sleek, spring-oriented look, which was a departure from the classic black, but you could still rock it as a Top Gun extra and nobody would blink twice.

We’ve covered Huckberry’s Last of Us Jacket at length, and the Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker remains one of our favorite waxed jackets for workwear and beyond. The classic flannel-lined version is one of the coziest waxed jackets I’ve tested, and it’s light enough to get away with a transitional piece. Huckberry, though, just went all-in on a spring version with the Dry Wax Trucker Jacket.

I haven’t tested this one out yet, but the specs check out. It’s made with a similar dry wax finish as the Filson Short Field, but it’s a little less expensive and essentially a 1:1 remake of the OG Waxed Trucker. Like some of the other spring-oriented waxed jackets we listed, it’s made with a similar British Millerain Ranger 6 dry-wax cloth for a lightweight, yet rugged feel. Unlike the original Last of Us Jacket, this version comes unlined, but early reports indicate the sturdy canvas material doesn’t sacrifice much in comfort.

CAT is one of the premier names in workwear, but it’s become a rugged style icon of sorts. They recently went all in on the combination through its collaboration with Avery Ranch. Ryan Gosling has been seen rocking CAT gear over the years, and the brand contacted his longtime stylist, Mark Avery, for a collaboration. The highlight of the collab is undoubtedly the Corduroy Bomber Jacket. It’s smooth on the skin, impossibly soft, and an ideal blend of form and function.

I’m a huge fan of the jacket’s stretchy corduroy base, and the ribbed cuffs and waist-high hem make for a relaxed fit that’s neither bulky nor baggy. Corduroy generally softens and fades over time for a lived-in, retro look, and this jacket feels built for the long haul. The best workwear jackets get better over time, and this bomber fits the bill. It also helps that it’s under $200. This is definitely one of my favorite new releases of the spring, and CAT keeps adding to the collection. Again, no complaints here.

Carhartt is a workwear staple, and if you didn’t think it would make an appearance on this list, then shame on you. Kidding aside, we dubbed its heftier older cousin, the Duck Sierra Jacket, the most durable workwear jacket we found, and the lightweight Duck Detroit Jacket offers a similar experience in a lightweight design.

The Detroit trades in the insulated sherpa lining of the Sierra for a more breathable quilted nylon lining. It also includes what appears to be a common theme of these spring releases: a corduroy collar. For those working outside, it still features under-collar snaps for an optional hood and snap-adjustable cuffs for a truly customizable fit. It should be noted that it does run a little big, so you might want to size down if you’re prioritizing fashion over function.

Speaking of fashion over function, Wrangler’s latest collab with Avirex takes the classic Wrangler Denim Jacket and gives it a unique, style-forward spin. It’s essentially a modernized take on the rugged staple. The jacket features an array of patches that blend Western heritage with New York’s street-born style. As a native New Yorker, this one hit home.

It’s a great lightweight layering option with some legit workwear chops. It doesn’t feature the same broken-in feeling as the Tecova denim, but I’d like to think that gives it some staying power. You’ll have to break this one in yourself, and it’s a little rigid out of the gate. But it’s lightweight, made out of 100% cotton denim, and a sleek departure from most of the denim jackets you’ll find in the wild.