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The Best Snowboard Jacket For Every Boarder 

By  Emily Konatella

LAST UPDATED - December 11, 2023

Whether you're a first-timer or an every-weekender, a great snowboarding jacket is essential to a successful day in the snow. Sporting the right snowboarding gear ensures you stay warm and comfortable while you hit the slopes. Plus, it'll provide plenty of spots to keep your phone, keys, and other essentials safely within arms reach while you ride.

So to help you find a great performance winter coat for the upcoming season, we've rounded up the best snowboard jackets for women and men below. But first, let's highlight a few important design details to look for while you shop.

What to Look For in Snowboarding Jackets

The right snowboard jacket can make all the difference on the hill. It'll keep you warm, dry, and comfortable all day long, allowing you to focus on your run instead of your cold, soggy jacket. Here are a few key things to look for while you shop:

  • Waterproof Fabric— The most important thing to look for in a snowboard jacket is durable, waterproof fabric. Most jackets are made with GORE-TEX, an innovative performance fabric that's waterproof, breathable, and built to last.
  • Ample Pockets— You'll also want a jacket with plenty of pockets to hold your essentials while you're on the hill. Look for products with waterproof zippers with large zipper pulls that are easy to access with gloves on. Many styles come equipped with special pockets for your phone, lift pass, and spare lenses.
  • Powder Skirt— A powder skirt (sometimes called a waist gaiter) is an elasticized panel of waterproof fabric around the bottom hem of your ski jacket. The snug fit helps to keep out cold air and wet snow so you can stay warm and dry inside. Many snowboard jackets feature a removable powder skirt for more customizable coverage.
  • Ventilation Panels— If you're a spring snowboarder, you'll want a jacket with ventilation panels for better breathability and temperature control.
  • Weight— The right weight depends entirely on your weather conditions and personal preference. While some boarders prefer to layer under a lightweight, waterproof shell, others prefer a heavyweight, insulated jacket.
  • Waterproof Rating- Some jackets come with a waterproof rating. The higher the number, the more water-resistant the jacket is. If you plan to ride in a more wet climate like the Pacific Northwest, you must get a jacket with a high waterproof rating.

The 14 Best Snowboard Jackets For Men And Women

Men's

Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 3L PRO Hover Jacket

If you're serious about snowboarding, it's worth investing in a high-quality jacket you'll utilize for seasons and seasons to come. This versatile Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 3L PRO Hover Snowboard Jacket makes a great option for any snowboarder. The lightweight Gore-Tex shell layers well over hoodies, fleece zip-ups, and other warm inner layers. It is equipped with a StormForm attached hood, water-resistant zippers, and an array of conveniently-placed pockets. The stylish snowboarding jacket comes in your choice of basic black or an eye-catching red and orange combo.

Helly Hansen Rivaridge Infinity Jacket

Searching for the perfect black snowboard jacket? Look no further than this Rivaridge Infinity Jacket from Helly Hansen. The PrimaLoft-insulated jacket is made with 80% recycled polyester to help reduce your environmental impact. Six zippered pockets provide ample space to hold your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials while you carve down the hill. A snap-on snow skirt and helmet-compatible hood protect you from cold winter weather. Its sleek design and superior warmth make it a worthy addition to any snowboard bag.

Mammut Nordwand PRO Hooded Snowboarding Jacket

For true snow bums, there's Mammut's Nordwand PRO Hooded Snowboard Jacket. The versatile shell is ideal for backcountry hiking, mountaineering, snowboarding, ski touring, alpine climbing, and other outdoor winter activities. Ventilation zippers under each sleeve ensure ample airflow on warmer days, while elasticized cuffs and a removable powder skirt keep out moisture and freezing winds during colder ones. It's available in basic black or a bright blue and orange color combo that's guaranteed to stand out on the mountain.

The North Face Brigandine FUTURELIGHT Snowboard Jacket

The North Face Brigandine FUTURELIGHT Snowboard Jacket is fit for any trip to the mountain, whether it be for snowboarding, skiing, alpine climbing, or just sledding with the kids. No matter what activity you're enjoying, the bright orange color is guaranteed to stand out against the white snow. The versatile jacket is equipped with zippered underarm vents and AquaGuard collar zips for breathable temperature control. A helmet-compatible hood keeps out the elements while you stay nice and cozy inside. Plus, there's an array of waterproof pockets to keep your belongings close by and completely dry.

Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 3L Stretch Hover Jacket

Blaze your own trail in this Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 3L Stretch Hover Snowboard Jacket. It's lightweight and packable, making it the perfect choice for backcountry snowboarding. The GORE-TEX C-Knit fabric offers a bit of stretch for a full range of motion. Water-resistant zippers and seams ensure you stay dry underneath no matter the weather. To hold your phone, lift pass, and keys, there are oversized chest pockets, hip pockets, and a handy sleeve pocket too.

Volcom L Insulated GORE-TEX Snowboard Jacket

When it comes to snowboard jackets, this Volcom L Insulated GORE-TEX Snowboard Jacket is hard to beat. It's got all the design features you could ask for at a reasonable price, and it comes in four slick color options. The insulated GORE-TEX snowboard jacket boasts a range of pockets, including a cell phone-specific pocket with a headphone hole and a waterproof internal pocket to keep your wallet and keys safe. A soft suede chin guard prevents rubs when your jacket is fully zipped, and goggle clips attached to the hood keep your goggles firmly in place while you ride. Pocket access to the cinched bottom hem makes it easy to keep out cold air and wet powder.

Patagonia Powder Bowl

Patagonia Powder Bowl is one of the best snowboard jackets that is reliable and has all the features you need. The two-layer GORE-TEX offers waterproof, breathable protection. An adjustable powder skirt lets you bounce through powder without worry. Mesh lining wicks moisture to prevent you from soaking through layers of clothing. A media-compatible chest pocket makes for easy music listening. And underarm vents help you cool down when you bootpack to fresh lines.

Women's

Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 3L Kimmy Anorak

This eye-catching Burton [ak] GORE-TEX Kimmy Anorak was designed to the custom specifications of professional snowboarder Kimmy Fasani. It's designed specifically with bib pants in mind and coordinates perfectly with Burton's Kimmy Bib Pants. The breathable shell is cut without seams around the shoulders and neck to eliminate bulk and rubbing, especially with bib overalls or backpack straps. An extra-long front zipper lets you reach inside your bib pant's chest pocket with ease. The highly-waterproof GORE-TEX body, GORE-TEX seam tape, and water-resistant zippers are guaranteed to keep you dry.

Patagonia Powslayer Snowboard Jacket

This gorgeous red Patagonia Powslayer Snowboard Jacket is cut from eco-friendly, waterproof fabric made entirely from recycled materials. The Patagonia jacket boasts a breathable outer shell treated with a DWR finish for maximum waterproofing during heavy snowfall or slushy spring rain. A helmet-compatible hood offers added coverage during stormy conditions. Plus, the powder skirt attaches directly to any of Patagonia's compatible snow pants for a more secure fit.

Houdini Roller Coaster Jacket

Make the most of every ride with this Houdini Roller Coaster Jacket. It's equipped with Made-to-Move technology and an adjustable hem, cuffs, and hood to ensure a full range of motion while you tear up the terrain park. A convenient powder skirt and helmet-compatible hood keep out drafts and stray powder. Choose from two stylish color options: an earthy grey-green or a feminine light pink.

Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket

This Arc'teryx Beta SV Jacket was designed with cold-weather adventures in mind. The shell jacket is crafted with GORE-TEX Pro 3-layer fabric for superior protection from the elements. Watertight external zippers keep everything inside your pockets nice and dry. A helmet-compatible hood keeps you protected during in-climate weather, while underarm vents make it easy to regulate temperature on warmer days. The relaxed fit is great for layering and provides a full range of motion no matter the activity.

Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Snowboard Jacket

Helly Hansen's Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Snowboard Jacket was developed and field-tested in extreme weather conditions to ensure it's up for the task. The lightweight technical shell is made using an eco-friendly waterproofing finish for top-notch performance and superior breathability. A 3-way adjustable hood and detachable powder skirt offer customizable added protection from the elements. Underarm zippered ventilation panels ensure you won't overheat on warmer days. Extra-large front pockets make it easy to store your essentials while you're away from the lodge. Plus, it's fitted with a RECCO reflector in case of an avalanche.

Spyder Solitaire GTX Pro Shell Jacket

Perform your best (and look your best, too) in this Syder Solitaire GTX Pro Shell Jacket. It's cut with integrated stretch panels that move with you as you carve the slopes or hit the terrain park. Not to mention, the eye catching purple color combo is guaranteed to stand out on the hill. A drawcord bottom hem and powder skirt keep snow out and warmth in. And it comes fitted with a Recco avalanche rescue system to improve safety during emergencies. It's the perfect jacket for warm temperatures, cold temperatures, and everything in between.

Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 2L Embark Jacket

The Burton [ak] GORE-TEX 2L Embark Snowboard Jacket can withstand any weather conditions, any time during the season. Its roomy fit offers plenty of room for layers. The mid-weight GORE-TEX jacket has mesh-lined armpit vents for warmer days and zippered microfleece handwarmer pockets for colder ones. Water-resistant zippers, GORE-TEX seam tape, and an ergonomic micro-adjust hood keep you dry no matter the temperature. And with five color options to choose from, there's sure to be one that matches your gear.


About the author

Emily is a fashion consultant, designer and creative director with more than 15 years experience creating, designing and developing clothing & jewelry. From managing pageant shows to turning concepts into actual designs, she has experience with almost all fabric types and jewelry designs and is in touch with the latest fashion trends.