The 12 best men's vests for transitional spring weather

Aether gear has always been about blending city-ready style with outdoor-minded function, and this vest, made from sustainable materials, drives home that point handily. It's built with recycled Japanese ripstop polyester for durability, and it's even stitched using thread made from recycled fibers.

Down jackets are something of a specialty for Japanese mega-retailer Uniqlo, with affordability the name of the game. It's tough to find one of the best vests for men on a budget, particularly for under $50, but with its 750-fill power down filling, this one packs a serious punch from Uniqlo in terms of warmth and utility.

The North Face carries with it plenty of streetwear pedigree as well as real-world utility. Its Nuptse Vest is an all-time classic, with a bold color-blocked design that layers easily (and stylishly) over quarter-zip sweaters, shirting, and more. It's also packable when not in use, and features a functional hood for added utility.

The best men's vests need to be able to do it all: Provide warmth, resist blustery weather and, if you're lucky, pack up easily when needed. This budget-friendly Amazon vest does all of that, and then some, in a minimal design made from sturdy nylon taffeta.

There's much to love about Patagonia's take on one of the best vests for men, including the use of soft and sustainable recycled polyester. Zip pockets provide utility to store your everyday carry, while the stand-up collar and streamlined fit fight back against winter weather handily.

Plenty of bells and whistles go into making one of the best vests for men, like this era-accurate, vintage-minded vest from a new collaboration between Buck Mason and legendary winter outerwear purveyors Rocky Mountain Featherbed. The two companies used mil-spec fabrication and plenty of heritage Western-inspired detailing, like a shearling collar, a suede back yoke, and pearl snap buttons. Channel quilting adds a rugged, warming touch, for good measure.

Plaid remains one of the most classic cold-weather outerwear patterns, with a timeless heritage. It's found in many of the best winter jackets, but this vest gives you more mobility without sacrificing warmth or layering potential — the sherpa lining is a perfect touch on frosty days.

L.L. Bean is one of the few outdoor brands that consistently delivers stylish pieces, and the Double L Waxed Cotton Vest is an example of that. The vest features waterproof waxed cotton that repels wind and rain, while accents of bright orange provide utility and flare, depending on whether you're wearing it for hunting or casually.

Levi's has crafted a world unto itself when it comes to the best denim jackets on the market, and its version of the Sherpa trucker jacket is an all-time classic. What do you get when you take that same approach, but in vest form? An outer layer with style points, warmth, and a dash of classically cool, devil-may-care energy, in the best way possible.

Stormy Kromer's Michigan workwear roots shine through with this durable vest, which uses a double-sided, flannel-esque woven fabric and USA-made construction for the ultimate in-field-ready warmth. Pair it with a waxed cotton cap from the same company, and consider yourself set for frigid winter mornings aplenty.

Y. Chroma Apparel is all about finding tasteful ways to blend bold style and functionality. To meet your needs in any situation, this vest can be worn in four ways — without the hood for business casual looks, with the hood for more casual warmth, transformed into a lightweight puffer with the included sleeves zipped on, or as an added layer of warm zipped into Y. Chroma's heavier jackets. Plus, the diamond quilting and cognac silk finish are impossibly stylish, elevated touches — form meets function in expert fashion.

Eddie Bauer's down jackets are the stuff of legend — the company paved the way with the first patent for a down-filled jacket back in the 1930s, after all. That heritage takes center stage in a recently released lineup of modern outerwear based on classic styles, this handsome vest very much included. Details like the wool collar nod to OG Eddie Bauer jackets, while 650-fill power down provides extreme warmth.