70 Degree Jacket Guide: What It Really Means for Irish Weather

When you see a jacket labeled for 70 degree jacket, a term often used in marketing to suggest comfort in mild conditions. Also known as lightweight outerwear, it’s meant for temperatures around 70°F (21°C)—but that’s not how Irish weather works. In Ireland, 70°F is a rare summer day. Most of the year, you’re dealing with 40s and 50s Fahrenheit, wind that cuts through thin layers, and rain that doesn’t stop just because the sun peeked out. So a jacket rated for 70 degrees? It’s not going to cut it.

What you actually need is a jacket built for Irish weather clothing, layers that handle moisture, wind, and sudden temperature drops. Think waterproof shells, insulated mid-layers, and fabrics that breathe but don’t soak up rain. Brands like Berghaus, Columbia, and even local Irish labels focus on this—not on marketing numbers like "70 degrees." The real metric? Can it survive a walk from Galway to the coast in April? Can it go from a drizzle to a gale without you shivering? That’s what matters.

Temperature ratings on jackets are often misleading. They’re tested in dry, still labs—not on the Wild Atlantic Way. What you care about is cold weather layers, the system of garments that work together to keep you warm and dry. A base layer wicks sweat. A mid-layer traps heat. An outer shell blocks wind and rain. That’s the Irish way. And no single number on a tag replaces that system.

Don’t get fooled by labels. Look for features: sealed seams, adjustable hoods, wind-flaps over zippers, and materials like GORE-TEX or Polartec. Check reviews from people who actually live here—not tourists who only wore it for a weekend in Spain. If a jacket’s been tested in Dublin rain, Donegal wind, or Kerry fog, it’s got a shot. If it’s just got a number and a pretty color? Skip it.

The truth? There’s no such thing as a perfect "70 degree jacket" for Ireland. There’s only smart layering, real durability, and gear that’s been worn through actual Irish seasons. Below, you’ll find real advice from Irish women and men who’ve figured out what works—no marketing fluff, no fake temps, just what keeps you dry, warm, and moving when the weather turns.