Now that fall is officially underway, temperatures are going to begin to plummet during the next few weeks. One of my favorite fall transitional pieces is a foldable puffer or parka. Here are five reasons why you should get one too, from someone who passionately tells their friends to invest in one.

It’s light and packable

Let’s start with the obvious — having a foldable piece of outerwear is beyond convenient. It doesn’t take up a lot of space in your bag and it doesn’t weigh a ton, so you can carry it around campus. Most foldable jackets come with their own bag to stuff them into or fold into themselves. 

It’s perfect for erratic weather

Berkeley weather can sometimes play on the extremes — in the afternoon it’s sunny and hot, and then when the sun sets, you’re suddenly shivering. This is the main reason why I love foldable puffers and parkas. You can bring them out when it’s chilly and easily store them when it gets warmer.

It doesn’t take up a ton of closet space

In the summer, I like to store away my outerwear pieces to clear my clothing rack of things I won’t really reach for based on the season. My typical, nonfoldable jackets usually take up a ton of closet space, and I have to buy vacuum bags to store them. But with the foldable kind, I simply store them in the tiny bag they come in.  

It can be left anywhere

Once it’s folded to its compact version, you can store it practically everywhere — in your car, emergency supply kit or designated travel bag. They’re perfect for on the go. You don’t have to remember to bring a jacket everywhere. In case you forget, you can rely on your emergency stash. 

It will do the job as well as the traditional ones

The foldable jackets I have usually keep me as warm as the thick, heavy ones do — without the inconvenience of being heavy and bulky. I have a water-resistant version that doubles as a raincoat as well. This being said, the pocketable feature is only a plus and doesn’t take away from the performance of typical outerwear pieces.

There are a ton of pocketable jackets available on the market right now and at different price points too! You can easily find more affordable versions on Amazon or investment pieces from popular brands, such as The North Face or Patagonia. Whatever you choose, packable outerwear is a great capsule piece for the fall and winter.