f*ck Après Ski, and f*ck all the uptight resorts that tried (and still try) to kill snowboarding. Alright, the ski-snowboard feud isn't really like that anymore, but we did feel the need to write about snowboarding jackets separate from ski jackets. Not because they're that different functionally, but culturally. Snowboarders have different ideas of what's cool when slipping on gear to keep you protected outdoors. To a snowboarder, an Arc'teryx shell is going to be a lot cooler than one from a big fashion house. We're not loading up our pack to go on runs in the Italian Alps. We're chasing powder out West, or we're making due with the slush on the East Coast. And, we're looking for some damn-good snowboarding jackets to help us do it.
My fellow winter sports lovers know how important a great jacket is. Beyond the goggles that protect your eyes (and maybe the helmet protecting your brain) it's the most important thing you slip on. So, we put a bunch of the most popular models to the test. We got into the nitty gritty of fabrics and fills, and we came out on the other side with this list of the seven best snowboarding jackets you can spend your money on. From affordable all-in-ones to high-level shells, these are the jackets we love the most.
Best Looking Jacket
686 Renewal Insulated Anorak Jacket
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Best Budget Jacket
Burton Covert 2.0 2L Jacket
Best Budget Jacket
Burton Covert 2.0 2L Jacket
Pros
- Good amount of insulation—not too little, not too much
- Decent price
- Tough jacket, will last for years
Cons
- Not full waterproof
- Can be a bit too hot on warm days
Burton is as recognizable a name as you'll find in the snowboarding world. Its classic jacket, the Covert, remains the best starter jacket in the game.
There's a little bit of synthetic insulation in the jacket, which makes it great for those transitional climates—no mid-layer on normal days, add a mid-layer on cold days. It's not quite an all-in-one jacket, but it's not far off. Plus, Burton's styles and color schemes will always appeal to snowboarders.
Best 3-in-1 Jacket
Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Jacket
Best 3-in-1 Jacket
Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Jacket
Pros
- Incredible functionality
- Three jacket design makes the price more reasonable
- Great waterproofing
Cons
- Higher price tag
- The look isn't exactly the coolest
If you're one of those people that's all about modularity and efficiency, this is the jacket for you. The 3-in-1 of Patagonia's Powder Town jacket comes with a shell and detachable down mid-layer. (The third jacket is the shell-plus-liner, like a classic ski jacket.)
Sure, it's not the coolest jacket to be snowboarding in—vibe is more VC Guy takes his family to Tahoe—but you can't beat the functionality of it. On the coldest days, you'll be warm on the lift. Then, shed the down layer on top of the mountain, and get shredding.
Best High-Level Shell
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket
Best High-Level Shell
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket
Pros
- The best waterproof and windproof shell out there
- GORE-TEX Pro shell
- Good pocket and side zip placements
Cons
- Just a shell, requires your own layers for warmth
- Top-of-the-line price
Maybe you want the best of the best, a jacket that'll last you for season after season. In that case, I've got to nudge you towards an Arc'teryx jacket. The Rush is the brand's top line shell.
The GORE-TEX Pro shell is the most waterproof you'll find, and it's also great at blocking wind. Arc'teryx, well known for its climbing gear, makes one of the best helmet-compatible hoods in the biz. And, the shell comes in some nice hi-vis colors for even more safety for those that chase powder.
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The Arc'teryx All-In-One
Arc'teryx Sabre Insulated Jacket
The Arc'teryx All-In-One
Arc'teryx Sabre Insulated Jacket
Pros
- Pro-level shell plus insulation
- Great if you find yourself getting cold
- Top-of-the-line waterproofing
Cons
- Insulated means you can't shed layers—easier to get hot
- Again, the price
If you still want to go Arc'teryx, but prefer something with the insulation sewn in, the Sabre is your bet.
This jacket—which has a nice long tail and synch cord—is windproof, waterproof, and plenty warm to wear standalone. The 80G CoreLoft insulation will keep you warm, but it won't lose its functionality when it's a bit dewy out. On top of that, you still get a GORE-TEX shell and plenty of functional pockets and side zips. This is a jacket that'll grow with you as you get more serious about hitting the slopes.
Most Practical Jacket
Stio Figment Jacket
Pros
- Great touches—pockets, colors, etc.
- Just an all-around amazing shell
- Two way zippers are incredibly useful
Cons
- Pretty pricey
When we talk about pro-level jackets, it's all about considering what you're going to need on the mountain and designing accordingly. Stio does that design as good as anyone.
First, you've got this nice hi-vis orange. You've got a long body on the jacket to keep snow out. You've got plenty of pockets, two-way YKK zippers, and nice stormproofing all around. Add Stio's proprietary waterproofing, and you've got a jacket that'll handle any trek—be it on the slopes or in the backcountry.
Another Great GORE-TEX Shell
REI Co-op First Chair GTX ePE Jacket
Pros
- Wearing just a shell gives you flexibility on the mountain
- Ton of pockets, all incredibly useful
- Good length on the skirt
Cons
- No included insulation
- Bit pricey, unless it's on sale
As far as shells go, REI actually makes a great one in house. It's not as pro-level as that Arc'teryx Rush, but it'll pretty much do the same job. The jacket keeps the wind off you, and the GORE-TEX laminate keeps you dry. It's got all the exterior and interior pockets you could need.
The colors aren't as hi-vis as you might find on other jackets of this caliber, which is a good indicator that it's not really meant for those who are chasing the perfect run. That said, I'd encourage anyone to stick to the professional standard of building a snowboarding outfit: true shell, mid-layer, and base layer. It just makes changing your setup easier on the mountain.
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Best Looking Jacket
686 Renewal Insulated Anorak Jacket
Best Looking Jacket
686 Renewal Insulated Anorak Jacket
Pros
- Sick shape, good colors
- Warm and practical when you're on the slopes
Cons
- Anorak is a bit less practical than full zip
- Tough to take off and shed layers
Of course, we can't forget that half of snowboarding—like it's warm weather cousin, skateboarding—is about looking sick. Anoraks and mittens in funky colors typically get that done on the slopes, and no one hits the formula better than 686.
Insulated Jackets vs Shells
If you've made it this far, you've probably realized, there's a big debate throughout: Should you get an insulated or non-insulated snowboarding jacket.
There's no single answer, it's generally preference. My preference is waterproof shell over other insulating layers, but here is an argument for both options.
Insulated Jackets - They're much easier. Your jacket is your shell and insulation all in one. You can wear a t-shirt underneath and be OK on the mountain. The downside is that you have less control over your temperature, since the only way to cool down is unzipping your jacket.
Shell Jackets - You wear a waterproof shell on top of other insulating layers. This is my preferred method, because you have more control over your temperature. Shed a mid-layer when it gets hot, add one when you're on the lift. Only issue is that this is a more expensive way to go about things.
