With the snow season just around the corner, you might consider replacing your tired old gear with one of the best ski jackets on market, after all – you deserve it. But with so many styles and types of ski jackets on offer, it can be confusing and a struggle to get the right one for you. Here’s what you need to know.
Table of Contents
- Best Ski Jackets for Men
- 1. Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0
- 2. The North Face Thermoball Eco-Snow Triclimate
- 3. Spyder Vanqysh GTX Ski Jacket
- 4. Arc’teryx Sabre AR
- 5. Black Diamond BoundaryLine Insulated
- 6. Descente Allterrain Streamline Airy Hardshell Jacket
- 7. Columbia Bugaboo Fleece 3-in-1 Ski Jacket
- 8. Patagonia Powslayer Jacket
- 9. Bogner Kalel Ski Jacket
- 10. Salomon Powderstash
- 11. Macpac Powder Reflex
- 12. Moncler Grenoble Boden
- 13. Outdoor Research Hemispheres
- 14. Kathmandu Styper Snow 3-in-1 Jacket
- 15. Burton GORE-TEX Breach
- Types of Ski Jackets
- General FAQ
Best Ski Jackets for Men
So you can spend more time on the slopes and less time thinking about them, check out our list of the Best Ski Jackets for Men.
1. Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0
The Alpha 3.0 jacket is the latest and greatest from Helly Hansen. Some features of this upgraded ski jacket are the H2Flow technology, which keeps your body warm, dry and cool. Another cool feature is the Primaloft Insulation that evenly distributes the needed temperature across your body so you’ll not only look fly but you will be warm doing it. The jacket also features internal and external pockets for goggles and electronics as well as a yellow-coloured HI-VIS hood brim for additional visibility in mountain conditions. But one feature that has o be mentioned is the new Life pocket which is integrated into the chest pocket, it preserves the battery life span of your phone longer in a cold environment.
Price: $600
Category: Hardshell
2. The North Face Thermoball Eco-Snow Triclimate
Purchasing a 3-in-1 ski jacket can be a good option for those looking to save, it’s a no brainer 3 for the price of one. The North Face Thermoball Eco-Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 offers just that with a waterproof shell and insulating mid-layer features with DryVent 2L ski jacket. As well as a warm ThermoBall inner jacket for keeping your body warm. The jacket also offers decent exterior and interior storage as well as water-resistant zippers.
Price: $419
Category: 3-in-1
3. Spyder Vanqysh GTX Ski Jacket
Colorado-based ski gear shop Spyder was founded by David Jacobs. He is a member of the Canadian National Ski Team. The Spyder Vanqysh GTX Ski Jacket is made to not only compete in but to last whatever you throw at it. The Vanqysh Ski Jacket comes with every feature skier could dream of, from a deluxe four-way stretch gore-tex and a full-stretch inner chassis. As well as 100g primaloft gold eco insulation, a core ventilation system with watertight zippers and mesh padding at the back and shoulders for extra breathability and protection.
Price: $ 700
Category: Hardshell
4. Arc’teryx Sabre AR
Arc’teryx Sabre AR is made with a premium multi-layer Gore-Tex construction that offers phenomenal weather protection from wind, rain and snow, while a soft flannel backer adds a little extra warmth and comfort. The ski jacket features easy-to-use pit zips, an adjustable helmet-compatible hood as well as five smartly designed pockets. The Sabre AR is an extraordinarily well-rounded ski jacket and is abundant with innovative technologies and features that will make your skiing experience all that much better.
Price: $ 832
Category: Hardshell
5. Black Diamond BoundaryLine Insulated
Black Diamond BoundaryLine Insulated jacket is made with a super-warm Thermolite synthetic insulation and also features a protective layer made from laminated BD.dry shell fabric which is waterproof, breathable and allows you to move better with added stretch. These features allow you to conquer the snow and everything it can throw at you. Other great features are the underarm zippered vents, the easy to use ski helmet-compatible hood and dual drawcord hem and more.
Price: $ 349.99
Category: Hardshell
6. Descente Allterrain Streamline Airy Hardshell Jacket
Descente Allterrain Streamline Airy Hardshell Jacket is made with water-resistant Dermizax Floatech nylon satin. The Ski Jacket features a stowaway hood with Cohaesive cord-lock drawstring and concealed twin QuickBurst zip fastenings at stand collar. As well as a two-way zip closure at the front and zippered pockets at the front plus many more.
Price: $895
Category: Hardshell
7. Columbia Bugaboo Fleece 3-in-1 Ski Jacket
Columbia is a well-known brand, especially for its amazing ski Jackets and gear. The Columbia Bugaboo Fleece 3-in-1 Ski Jacket is no exception, featuring an Omni-tech waterproof and breathable technology for comfort and dryness. The jacket also features a zippered chest pocket, interior security pocket, media and goggle pocket, interchange system for three styles of jacket.
Price: $260
Category: 3-in-1
8. Patagonia Powslayer Jacket
Patagonia is known for its clothing and its stance on sustainability. This is reflected in its Powslayer Ski Jacket in which the face fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled nylon and is outfitted with Gore-Tex’s top of the line pro construction which will keep the strong wind and heavy snowfall at bay. The jacket also features a helmet-compatible two-way adjustable hood, watertight coated zippers and two chest pockets, one with a secure media pocket and two hand warmers.
Price: $ 999.99
Category: Hardshell
9. Bogner Kalel Ski Jacket
Bogner Kalel Ski Jacket features a watertight coating at the back of the fabric, which protects against even the most persistent rain. Also featuring a technical four-way stretch that allows freedom of movement all while the breathable lining underlines the high level of comfort. The ski jacket also comes in many different colour variations and with many features some being cuffs with touch-fastening tabs with elasticated thumb loops and two inner zipper pockets with one slash pocket.
Price: $ 989
Category: Hardshell
10. Salomon Powderstash
Salomon is a French-based sports company it has cemented itself as one of the European leaders in outdoor sports equipment. The Salomon Powderstash is made with a 10k/10k membrane that is waterproof and breathable, while the 100g insulation provides warmth on the slopes. The ski jacket also features adjustable cuffs, hem, as well as a hood to keep out chilly weather plus generous storage options.
Price: $ 449.99
Category: Hardshell
11. Macpac Powder Reflex
Macpac Powder Reflex ski jacket is made with a Reflex™ polyester outer shell and a Reflex membrane which are waterproof and breathable. This ski jacket is built for performance in cold mountain conditions with features like a fully seam-sealed underarm venting, a helmet-compatible hood as well a water-resistant YKK AquaGuard main zipper. The Jacket also features a Jacket-to-pant connector system for those who have the Macpac ski pants.
Price: $399.99
Category: Hardshell
12. Moncler Grenoble Boden
Moncler Grenoble Boden High-Performance ski jacket is crafted with a water repellent 2-layer stretch nylon that is bonded with a resistant and breathable technical membrane. The jacket is also equipped with a waterproof zipper, an avalanche safety RECCO reflector on the sleeve, interior utility pockets and even jersey wrist gaiters with thumb-loops. Not only will you look like the coolest guy on the slopes in this Italian made ski jacket but you’ll be warm and well protected too.
Price: $2,030
13. Outdoor Research Hemispheres
Outdoor Research’s Hemispheres ski jacket is made with GORE-TEX Fabric with Stretch Technology that uses alternating waterproof stretch panels that enhance movement, unlike any other hardshell ski jacket. The Hemispheres Jacket is loaded with weather and backcountry specific features, like a helmet-compatible hood, harness-compatible pocket placement, and waterproof zippers as well as their renowned hem-to-pit TorsoFlo venting.
Price: $599
Category: Hardshell
14. Kathmandu Styper Snow 3-in-1 Jacket
Kathmandu Styper Snow 3-in-1 Jacket is ready for anything, the outer jacket is made with a waterproof, windproof and breathable ngx2 fabric that’s fully seam-sealed and lined. While the inner jacket is made with Bluesign core polypropylene insulation. This jacket features the best of both worlds with many features like two-way front zip as well as two cargo double-entry pockets, an inner mesh pocket as well as a chest pocket with a cord port and a lift pass pocket on your sleeve.
Price: $549.98
Category: 3-in-1
15. Burton GORE-TEX Breach
Burton GORE-TEX Breach made with a fully taped, two-layer design that keeps you dry while 80g THERMOLITE Insulation keeps the torso warm and comfortable. The ski jacket also features plenty of pockets with YKK Water Resistant Zippers designed for your pass, media player, goggles, and other goods. The Burton GORE-TEX Breach also has a 2-way centre front zipper as well as zippered microfleece handwarmer pockets.
Price: $350
Related: 10 Best Ski and Snowboard Shops in Melbourne
Types of Ski Jackets
Put simply, there are three main types of ski jackets. Knowing the difference between the three variations and how best to utilise them comes down to your terrain. Have a think about the conditions you are likely to encounter. If you are heading to a cozy, man-made slope, chances are you’ll only need the bare essentials. This way, you can go for something with a bit more stretch and mobility. If you plan on going off the beaten track, preparing for all weather conditions is essential for your comfort and safety. Here are the three main types of ski jackets.
- Hardshell – A popular option, hardshell jackets are waterproof and wind-resistant and are designed to stand up to pretty much anything.
- Softshell – These jackets feature a versatile layer that can be worn as either a mid-layer or as an outer layer but they aren’t waterproof.
- Hybrid or 3-in-1 – These tend to feature an outer shell for waterproofing as well as a layer of insulation beneath it giving you the best of both worlds.
General FAQ
Both Ski jackets and snowboard jackets are waterproof and windproof. Both are designed to keep you warm and dry while on the slopes. So it's up to you what you wear but you could wear a snowboarding jacket while skiing and vice versa.
It is up to preference, some people may want more than one while others only want one. We say if you have a good Hardshell or 3-in-1 ski jacket you should be covered for whatever the slopes throw at you.
Gore-Tex is a waterproof, breathable fabric membrane that can repel liquid water while allowing water vapour to pass through and is designed to be a lightweight, waterproof fabric for all-weather use.
There are many warm ski jackets available. But if you're looking for the warmest you can't go wrong with the Alpha 3.0 jacket, The Spyder Vanqysh GTX Ski Jacket or even the North Face Thermoball Eco-Snow Triclimate.
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