My short opinion is this: I think these jackets are terrific. But not everything on your list is an apples-to-apples comparison. The Serendipity ($250) is indeed one of the new-generation “soft-shell” ...

Morning frost creeps in, budgets tighten, and Brits reach for layers that don’t weigh heavy on shoulders or wallets. Aldi has put a soft-shell jacket on shelves that targets exactly that moment.

As nights draw in and bills bite, families reach for clever layers that cut windchill without weighing them down. Shoppers are hunting practical pieces that bridge the gap between summer hoodies and ...