There are two other jacket lists on this website (Top 10 shell (non-insulated) and Top 10 insulated) – but price isn’t a factor in those lists. For this post I want to present what I think are the best cheap snowboard jackets for men.
This list has been updated for 2023-2024.
The Jacket’s in this list aren’t necessarily the cheapest you can get – but they will be value-for-money in terms of the performance you get, for a relatively low price.
In my opinion snowboarding jackets below a certain level of waterproofing are a waste of time and money, so there was a minimum quality level needed to make the list. To make this list each jacket had to score at least 70 points (in my jackets rating system), at least 10,000mm of waterproofing and 10,000g of breathability and have a recommended price less than $280.
I have included both insulated and non-insulated jackets so you can find one to suit your preferences.
Compared to Other Jackets
As a means of comparison here are the stats from all of the jackets that we rated.
Of the 34 Jackets we looked at that were under $280:
O.K. let’s make a start with the top 10.
Quick Navigation
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #10 (Insulated)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #9 (Shell)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #8 (Insulated)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #7 (Shell)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #6 (Shell)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #5 (Shell)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #4 (Shell)
CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #3 (Insulated)
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #10
Jacket: L1 Ventura
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CA
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UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 82/100
Insulation: 40g
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Critically Taped
Starting off the list at #10, we have the L1 Ventura snowboard jacket.
While the seams are only critically taped, this jacket still scores well due to its highly waterproof and breathable fabric. For this price getting 20K/20K is pretty rare (though becoming more common as you'll see later down this list).
And for the price, the functionality is pretty incredible too, including a removable powder skirt, jacket-to-pants connections and a whole host of pockets.
This is one of 3 insulated options in this list (see also #8 and #3).
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Ventura Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 2.5 | 10/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 5.0 | 5/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 82/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #9
Jacket: Volcom Nightbreaker
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 82/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up we have Volcom's Nightbreaker.
It might have the same waterproofing in terms of its fabric as the Ventura above (see #10), but it features fully taped seams to help boost its overall waterproofness.
And it also has a host of features, making it a functional for all your needs when ripping the mountain.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Nightbreaker Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 82/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #8
Jacket: DC Servo
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CA
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UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 83/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
In at #8 is the DC Servo snowboard jacket.
The Servo is the 2nd of 3 insulated jackets in this list (see also #10 and #3). It features 80g of insulation in addition to really decent waterproofing, assisted by its fully taped seams.
That, plus all it's functionality make this jacket really good value for money - with the 2nd to lowest price in this list - and
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Servo Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #7
Jacket: Volcom V.CO OP
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 83.5/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Critically Taped
Volcom's V.CO Op features great breathability and waterproofing for its price and has a host of functionality features including a host of functional pockets and jacket to pants connections that actually zips together their jackets to their pants (which they call "zip tech").
Check out the Score Breakdown For the V.CO OP Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 2.5 | 10/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #6
Jacket: 686 Dojo
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CA
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UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 83.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
And in at #6, we have 686's Dojo.
With this level of waterproofing, including fully taped seams, and breathability, you'd expect the price on the Dojo to be higher than it is.
It features a relaxed but not super loose fit that allows you to layer underneath and helps with range of motion.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Dojo Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 3.0 | 3/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 0.0 | 0/5 |
POCKETS | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #5
Jacket: thirtytwo Gateway
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 86.5/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up, in the #5 spot we have thirtytwo's Gateway snowboard jacket (note that the #1 jacket above is also called the Gateway, but it's from 686).
The Gateway has everything you need in a snowboard jacket at a scarcely believable price point. I had to triple check the price on this thing to make sure I was seeing it right. A great option for those on a particularly small budget but still wanting decent specs.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Gateway Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #4
Jacket: L1 Diffuse
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 87.5/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
To get 20K/20K plus fully taped seams on a jacket of this price, is truly the definition of value-for-money. That's what L1's Diffuse provides, making it one of the best value snowboard jackets going around, in my opinion.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Diffuse Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.5 | 22.5/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 0.0 | 0/5 |
POCKETS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #3
Jacket: thirtytwo Lashed Insulated
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 88/100
Insulation: 120g Body | 100g sleeve
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The last of 3 insulated jackets in our list (see #10 and #8 for the other 2), thirtytwo's Lashed Insulated provides plenty of waterproofing and breathability along with a pretty high level of synthetic down fill insulation.
This makes it one of the best options for someone on a budget looking for a highly insulated jacket - for those run really cold or tend to ride in cold conditions often.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Lashed Insulated Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #2
Jacket: thirtytwo Grasser
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CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 88/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The third thirtytwo jacket to make this list, the Grasser, comes in at #2.
As well as the waterproofing and breathability of a typically much higher priced jacket, the Grasser also shows in its functionality that thirtytwo (more known for their snowboard boots) know their snowboarding.
If you prefer a shell, so you can wear this on warmer days, and then layer underneath when it gets colder, the Grasser makes a great option at a reasonable price, given the specs you get with it.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Grasser Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 4.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #1
Jacket: 686 Gateway
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CA
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UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Score: 88.5/100
Insulation: SHELL
Waterproofing: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
And finally, in at #1, we have 686's Gateway snowboard jacket.
The Gateway, naturally to make the top of this list, features really good waterproofing and a whole host of functionality. If you really need that extra waterproofness but don't have the cash to splash on more expensive jackets, the Gateway should be high on your shortlist.
It's also the third lowest priced jacket on this list.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Gateway Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.5/100 |
Thanks for Reading
I hope this post has helped you to find a reasonably priced jacket suitable for you.
If you know of any other jackets at a reasonable price that you think deserve to be in this list feel free to mention it in the comments below.
