Best Rated Snowboarding Jackets Reviews
In a Hurry? The Best Snowboard Jacket after 15 hrs of research!
Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket
Why is better?
- Gore Tex 3L fabric
- Made from high-quality materials
- Durable & Warm
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452
Reviews Considers
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Hours Research
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Products Evaluated
In a world overcrowded with snowboard jackets, certain models make the difference. Here are the best snowboarding jackets and a few basic specifications at a glance. Learn more about them and find out what to look for when about to make a purchase.
A snowboard jacket isn’t something that should help you look cool. It is something that should protect you from low temperatures, keep you warm and provide a decent amount of movement while snowboarding.
Not all jackets of this kind are made to meet all the expectations. In order to help you as much as possible, we will take a look at the factors and the main features you need to consider when looking for a new snowboard jacket.
Here are the Best Rated Jackets for Snowboarders
Material
70-denier nylon / 44% polyester/ 37% nylon/ 19% elastane
Waterproof Rating (mm)
28000
Breathability (g)
20000
Seam Sealing
Fully Taped
Hood
Yes – Fixed
Ventilation
Core Vents
Price Comparison
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Price Comparison
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Price Comparison
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Price Comparison
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IN DEPTH REVIEW 10
- Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket
- Arc’teryx Rush Jacket
- Thirtytwo Echelon Insulated Jacket
- Columbia Men’s Alpine Action Jacket
- Burton Men’s Covert Jacket Jacket
- Andorra Performance Insulated Jacket
- Patagonia Untracked Jacket
- Volcom Insulated Gore-tex Jacket
- Picture Organic Object Jacket
- Ride x Evo Hawthorne Jacket
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How to choose the best one
- Insulation
- Waterproofing and Breathability
- Conclusion
10 Best Jackets for Snowboarding
Outdoor Research Hemispheres
MATERIALS
98
BREATHABILITY
95
STYLE
90
Value
99
POCKETS
89
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Gore Tex 3L fabric
- Made from high-quality materialy
- Modern design
CONS:
- Shipping Limitations
Arc’teryx Rush
MATERIALS
96
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
90
Value
92
POCKETS
98
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- E3d technology
- Great zippers
- Interior pocket
- Softness and lightness
CONS:
- Some colors are not vivid
Thirtytwo Echelon Insulated
MATERIALS
90
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
85
Value
92
POCKETS
95
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Unique insulation
- 32 coating
- Media pocket
CONS:
- Limited choice of colors
Columbia Men’s Alpine Action
MATERIALS
88
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
88
Value
85
POCKETS
90
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Good insulation
- Many pockets
- Removable parts
CONS:
Burton Men’s Covert Jacket
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
95
STYLE
100
Value
94
POCKETS
85
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Great breathability features
- Multiple customization options
- Good insulation
CONS:
- Sizing is a bit off to allow room for layers
Andorra Men’s Performance Insulated
MATERIALS
92
BREATHABILITY
90
STYLE
85
Value
88
POCKETS
89
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Zip off hood
- Waterproof
- Pockets
- Elegant design
CONS:
- The lower level of insulation
Patagonia Untracked Jacket – Women’s
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
86
STYLE
90
Value
94
POCKETS
99
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Plenty of pockets
- Powder skirt
- Gore Tex 3 membrane
- Strong and durable
CONS:
- Isn’t very attractive
Volcom Men’s L Insulated Gore-tex
MATERIALS
85
BREATHABILITY
78
STYLE
85
Value
91
POCKETS
90
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Suitable for everyday wear
- Good insulation and shell
- Multiple pockets
CONS:
- Zippers do not seem extremely strong
Picture Organic Object
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
65
STYLE
80
Value
81
POCKETS
85
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- 80 g insulation
- Dry Play membrane
- Lightweight
- Strong and durable
CONS:
- Small sizes
Ride x evo Hawthorne Jacket
MATERIALS
80
BREATHABILITY
65
STYLE
80
Value
81
POCKETS
85
BEST OFFER FOR TODAY
PROS:
- Active Core Temperature System
- Strata technology
- Media pocket
- Tailored fit
CONS:
- No powder skirt
How to Choose The Best Snowboard Jackets
Pockets
Each snowboard jacket should come with as many pockets as possible. We like models that have specific pockets for a smartphone, maps, keys and additional storage. Think of them as mandatory pockets on a new snowboard jacket.
Don’t forget that interior chest pocket is more than just important. It is used for keeping your smartphones safe and dry at all times. It is also desirable as a place for storing cash and important documents.
Cuffs
Cuffs will add to the actual insulation. They will help you trap heat inside and prevent snow and moisture from going in around your waist. They are quite elastic. Some models come with thumb holes for stability.
Vents
Vents are also an essential part of a professional and high-end snowboard jacket. In this case scenario, you should target models that come with vents located under the arms and at the front. They should have small zippers which allow you to open or close the vents when needed. It is an excellent feature that has huge importance especially for those who tend to sweat a lot.
With advanced vents, you can control the temperature precisely as you want. When you are cold simply zip the vents and you will increase the temperature. In order to see how much this feature is important, we can add that some models offer more than 20 vents which is stunning and will be of greater help.
Hood
A hood on any snowboard jacket is an important addition. We say addition because not all units come with a hood. Obviously, you will wear a helmet while snowboarding but when the temperature is extremely low or you are, wear a hood can be of extreme importance. For some, it is the most important addition while some users don’t prefer having a hood on their jackets.
To get the best of both worlds you should consider jackets with detachable hoods. They are the most effective and the most desirable. You can have it when needed or remove it when you don’t need.
Powder Skirt
A powder skirt isn’t a mandatory part of the jacket but a desirable one. It is a piece of material that goes around your waist to keep you warm. It should be detachable so you can easily remove it when it isn’t needed. Another purpose of this addition is to prevent snow from getting inside the jacket from the front and the rear. Modern models do an excellent job with this and their powder skirts are superb.
When you are feeling too warm, all you have to do is to unzip or unbuckle the powder skirt and you will allow for the heat to escape. It is an excellent symbiosis of practicality and protection.
Size
Size should be carefully chosen. You should feel comfortable in the any snowboard jacket and you should be able to move your arms freely without any effort. Too big jacket will slow you down while snowboarding and won’t keep you as warm as needed. Too small jacket won’t be usable either.
Take your time and measure your chest diameter and the arms if you are purchasing online. Luckily most manufacturers offer jackets in all possible sizes so you won’t have a hard time finding the one that is suitable for your body size.
Snowboard Jacket Layer Types
Insulation is essential if you snowboard in incredibly cold conditions or you are the cold type. There are more types of insulation for snowboard jacket out there and just like you have probably guessed already, each of them has its own unique characteristics.
Synthetic
Insulation is made commonly made of polyester. It may not be as compressible as other alternatives, but it can resist water for long periods of time – extremely reliable. It dries quickly too, while maintenance is a breeze. As a general rule of thumb, 100g or more of insulation will make a good choice for cold winter conditions.
Down
Down represents a warmer alternative to synthetic insulation. It is lightweight and comes from geese and ducks. It is not a good option for vegans though. However, in terms of efficiency, it is the right option for dry and cold conditions. If the weather is wet, polyester is much better. When wet, down becomes completely worthless. It may not even get back to its original state, not to mention taking around a day to dry.
Shell
A shell means no insulation. Hard shells represent a versatile alternative to classic insulation. These are the most efficient options in terms of water and wind resistance for a jacket. However, breathability will always be a problem. A soft shell jacket may not be as efficient in wind and water resistance, but it is not like you go swimming with it. It will provide a good protection while also allowing breathability.
Snowboard Jacket Waterproofing and Breathability
Both waterproofing and breathability are mandatory when hunting the best snowboard jackets. You are about to spend hours in a wet environment, so you want to stay comfortable and safe with the optimal jacket. But then, these standards are given in numbers. What do they actually mean?
Waterproofing
A waterproof rating under 5,000mm is suitable for light rain and dry snow only. When it goes up to 10,000mm, it means it can take light rain and average snow, while a rating of 15,000mm will protect you in moderate rain and average snow. Some units go to 20,000mm – heavy rain, wet snow and even some pressure. Any snowboarding jacket with over 20,000mm will take the harshest winter conditions.
Breathability
Breathability is one of the main and most important factors. It should be taken into consideration. What this means is that you need a snowboard jacket that won’t let water penetrate but it will allow for your body to breathe and remove excess heat. If your jacket doesn’t allow the skin to breathe you will sweat, a lot and you will feel uncomfortable. It is also common to catch a cold precisely due to this issue.
Measuring the best breathability is actually very simple. It is measured in grams and you can see rating ranging between 2000 grams and 20000 grams. Obviously, 20.000 grams is the best rating and desired to those who need excellent performance. For instance, professional snowboarders prefer this rating. However, if you are ordinary snowboarder you can get above the average performance with a jacket with 10.000 grams breathability. Lower than that is fine and definitely very affordable but isn’t suitable for demanding users.
We manually selected the top jacket for snowboarding , you need to check out that article if you want to buy a quality jacket with a good breathability !
Seams
Each jacket is made from many different parts. They are connected to each other using seams. There are three main types of seams you can see on snowboard jackets and each one is different.
Fully seam sealed
Fully seam sealed or fully tapped is one of the best options. It means that the seams are specifically made not to let any water get in. High-end models have this type of seams and we can see them as an excellent combination of quality and value.
Critically taped
Critically taped seams are not ideal. They refer to the models where only the most important seams around your chest, for instance, are completely waterproof. Other seams may let water in so these models are low-end jackets used by beginners and those on a tight budget.
Welded Seams
Welded seams are the most desirable outcome. They are reserved for the best snowboard jackets and they can resist any level of stress or water you expose your jacket to. These seams are obtained using glue or sonic welding.
Conclusion
As a short final conclusion, the best snowboarding jackets are relatively similar in specifications and standards, with small features making the difference, as well as the overall design and appearance.
For more snowboards recommendations , you can check these popular ElanSnowboard gear reviews : Snowboard Pants , Snowboard Sock , Snowboard Gloves , Snowboard Mittens.