Past Season Jackets Lists

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #20

Jacket: Helly Hansen Juniper 3.0

Score: 89.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular with articulated sleeves 

Starting off the list at #20 we have Helly Hansen's Juniper 3.0. 

The Juniper 3.0 offers plenty of waterproofing and breathability, as you would expect from a good shell jacket. It also has plenty of functionality to serve you well as a snowboard jacket. 

Score Breakdown for the Juniper 3.0

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #19

Jacket: Burton AK Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex

Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular Articulated Fit

Next up we have Burton's AK Velocity Gore-Tex Anorak. 

This is the first of many Gore-Tex options in this list - not surprisingly, given the waterproofing and breathability performance that Gore-Tex provides. 

If you prefer the idea of an anorak/pullover type jacket over a full zip option, this jacket is worth looking at. It's one of 3 anorak options in this list. 

Score Breakdown for the AK Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #18

Jacket: Oakley TC Earth

Score: 92/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

At #18 we have Oakley's TC Earth Jacket. 

New for 2023, the TC Earth boasts all the functionality you'll ever need from a snowboarding jacket - and has really decent waterproofing and breathabillity go along with all that functionality. 

Score Breakdown for the TC Earth

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #17

Jacket: Flylow Dante

Score: 93.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

In at #16, the Flylow Dante is the first of 3 Flylow jackets to make the list this year. 

The Dante provides quality in every area you need from a snowboard jacket, including great waterproofing, breathability and functionality. 

Score Breakdown for the Dante

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #16

Jacket: Flylow Quantum Pro

Score: 94.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The next entry from Flylow is the Quantum Pro. 

Score Breakdown for the Quantum Pro

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #15

Jacket: Flylow Malone

Score: 94.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

And the 3rd and final Flylow option this year, is the Malone. 

Score Breakdown for the Malone

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #14

Jacket: Oakley Evocative

Score: 94.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

Oakley's 2nd and final offering in this list is the Evocative. 

The Evoacative provides all the waterproofing and breathability most will ever need from their snowboard jacket - and all the funcionality most will ever need to. 

It's the lowest priced of the 3 jackets (this one and #15 and #16 above) that score 94.5/100. 

Score Breakdown for the Evocative

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #13

Jacket: Volcom L Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard Fit (relaxed but not loose)

The first of 4 Volcom jackets in this list, the Volcom L Gore-Tex, is the 3rd cheapest offering in this entire list. 

Not only does it provide the performance of Gore-Tex, it also has great functionality for use as a snowboarding jacket - all while doing less damage to the wallet than most on this list. 

Score Breakdown for the Volcom L

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #12

Jacket: Volcom DUA Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Relaxed

At #12 we have the Volcom Dua Gore-Tex. 

The Dua Gore-Tex is new for 2023 and offers great performance for the buck. It's the cheapest jacket in this list and a really reasonable price for Gore-Tex. 

Score Breakdown for the DUA Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #11

Jacket: 686 Hydrastash Sync Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated 

One of three 686 Jackets on this list, the Hydrastash Sync comes in at #11.

Apart from all of it's functionality and the benefits of gore-tex, the Hydrastash Sync has one other unique quality - it comes with a built in water bladder, that tucks away in the powder skirt - with tubing up through to the top of the jacket. So, if you're wanting a convenient way of carrying water with you on the mountain, without needing a backpack, this jacket is well worth considering. 

Score Breakdown for the Hydrastash Sync

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #10

Jacket: Volcom Longo Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The Volcom Longo comes with all the benefits of Gore-Tex (like a lot on this list!) and great functionality at a mid-range price. 

Score Breakdown for the Longo Gore-tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #9

Jacket: Volcom Melo Gore-Tex Pullover

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Relaxed

The last Volcom offering for this list, the Melo Gore-Tex Pullover is the second of 3 Anorak/Pullover options on this list. 

So, if you'd prefer this style to a full zip option but still want high-end waterproofing, breathability and functionality, this one is well worth considering. 

Score Breakdown for the Melo Gore-Tex Pullover

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #8

Jacket: 686 Gore-Tex GT

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated

The 686 Gore-Tex GT is 686’s 2nd of 3 jackets to make this list. The Gore-Tex GT comes in at a reasonable price for Gore-Tex and at around the average price for this list. It also has a loose, articulated fit, for lots of freedom of movement - and if you prefer that looser, baggier style. 

Score Breakdown for the 686 Gore-Tex GT

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #7

Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex Pillowline Anorak

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The final anorak option on this list, the Pillowline Gore-Tex Anorak is the lowest priced anorak option here and a really reasonable price for the performance and functionality that you get. 

Score Breakdown for the Pillowline Gore-Tex Anorak

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #6

Jacket: 686 Core Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

Whilst the 686 Core Gore-Tex did go up in price this year, it's still one of the cheaper Gore-Tex jackets going around and one of the cheapest options on this list. 

So, if you're looking to get the benefits of a highly waterproof and breathable shell, but don't have the funds for the majority of them, this is worth looking at. 

Score Breakdown for the Core Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #5

Jacket: Quiksilver Mission Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern

Quiksilver's Mission jackets come in a few varieties. This is the Gore-Tex version - a very important distinction from the rest of the Mission series. 

And as far as the price for Gore-Tex jackets go, this is one of the lowest priced going around - the 2nd cheapest on this list - and a good bit less than the average price.

Score Breakdown for the Mission 2L Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #4

Jacket: Burton AK Cyclic Gore-Tex

Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The AK Cyclic is Burton's mid-priced Gore-Tex shell option. It's priced higher than the average price for this list, but you do get a high quality option for that price.    

It features, as you'd expect, great waterproofing and breathability and also has great functionality for snowboarding. 

Score Breakdown for the Burton AK Cyclic

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #3

Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex Powline

Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 4th of 5 Burton offerings on this list, the Gore-Tex Powline provides all the functionality, waterproofing and breathability you're ever likely to need in a snowboard jacket - and all for a reasonable price - well under the average price for this list and only 3 jackets on this list are cheaper. 

Score Breakdown for the Gore-Tex Powline

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #2

Jacket: DC Command

Score: 99/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 45,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular 

In at #2, we have DC's Command Jacket. 

No those waterproofing and breathability numbers aren't a typo. This is what DC claims them to be. I have no way of verifying that, but if it's true then this is one of the most waterproof and breathable jackets going around. 

It’s also a good bit cheaper than the average price of all the jackets that I looked at.

If you’re looking for the tried and trusted of Gore-Tex, then this may not be an option – but if you’re willing to take a chance on it, it will save you a few bucks (versus most but not all Gore-Tex jackets on this list), and if it lives up to its billing, then you’ll pick up a super-performer at a super-price.

Score Breakdown for the DC Command

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #1

Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline

Score: 100/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

And finally, the #1 jacket on this list.

The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline is new for 2022 and is the only 3 layer Gore-Tex jackets on this list!

The main reason for this is that typically 3L jackets come in at a price outside the $500 limit for this list - and outside most people's budget. But the Treeline, for a 3L is much more reasonably priced. In fact it's the cheapest 3L Gore-Tex that I've seen this year (from all the brands that I look at). 

So, if you're looking to try to get the extra waterproofing and breathability from 3L, but don't want to spend $500+, then the Treeline is definitely worth looking at.  

Score Breakdown for the Gore-Tex 3L Treeline

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #20

Jacket: Dakine Barrier 2L Gore-Tex

Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard

Starting off the list at #20 is the Dakine Barrier 2L Gore-Tex. 

The Barrier offers great waterproofing and breathability, courtesy of its Gore-Tex fabric - and otherwise has most of the functionality you want from a snowboarding jacket. 

Score Breakdown for the Dakine Barrier

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #19

Jacket: Armada Haydon 3L Gore-Tex

Score: 93/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular 

The Armada Haydon is one of 3 3L jackets in this list. Most 3L jackets fall outside the price maximum I set for this, but the Hardon just sneaks under it, offering the superior waterproofing and breathability that 3L Gore-Tex provides. 

Score Breakdown for the Haydon 3L Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #18

Jacket: Dakine Stoker Gore-Tex 3L

Score: 94/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

Next up we have another Dakine offering - the Dakine Stoker 3L Gore-Tex.

Speaking of 3L jackets that sneak under the price limit - the Stoker is the 2nd of those. 

Score Breakdown for the Dakine Stoker 3L Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #17

Jacket: Volcom Stone Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard (relaxed but not loose)

The Volcom Stone is Volcom's first of 5 offerings on this list. 

It's got all the benefits of Gore-Tex and a lot of functionality. Not the cheapest on this list, but it's not much over the average price. 

Score Breakdown for the Volcom Stone

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #16

Jacket: Volcom Ten Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 2nd Volcom option, the Ten, also has great waterproofing, breathability and functionality, but comes in at a good price drop from the Stone. 

Score Breakdown for Ten

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #15

Jacket: Volcom BL Stretch Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard (relaxed but not loose)

Volcom's BL Stretch 2 Layer Gore-Tex, offers all the advantages of Gore-Tex (great waterproofing and breathability) in a stretchy flexible material that allows more freedom of movement in a more fitting fit. 

Score Breakdown for the Volcom BL Stretch

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #14

Jacket: 686 Hydrastash Sync Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated 

One of three 686 Jackets on this list, the Hydrastash Sync comes in at #14.

Apart from all of it's functionality and the benefits of gore-tex, the Hydrastash Sync has one other unique quality - it comes with a built in water bladder, that tucks away in the powder skirt - with tubing up through to the top of the jacket. So, if you're wanting a convenient way of carrying water with you on the mountain, without needing a backpack, this jacket is well worth considering. 

Score Breakdown for the Hydrastash Sync

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #13

Jacket: Patagonia Powder Bowl Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

The Powder Bowl is the only Patagonia jacket to make this list. Though, there would be others, if I didn’t put a $500 max in place. 

One difference that makes this jacket more affordable than some of Patagonia’s other options is that it’s heavier than their other shells (941g [33.6oz]) and has a slightly lower breathability rating – but the significant difference in price might make this the Patagonia option for most.

Score Breakdown for the Patagonia Powder Bowl

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #12

Jacket: Quiksilver Black Alder 2L Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern Fit (slimmer)

The Black Alder 2L, 1 of 4 Quiksilver Jackets in this list, is a mid-priced Gore-Tex offering from Quiksilver and features all the performance you would expect from Gore-Tex and all the functionality you would want from a snowboarding jacket.

It has a more modern, slimmer fit for those looking for something not too baggy. 

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver Black Alder

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #11

Jacket: Volcom Longo Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The Volcom Longo comes with all the benefits of Gore-Tex (like most on this list!) and great functionality at a mid-range price. 

Score Breakdown for the Longo Gore-tex