There are two other jacket lists on this website (Top 20 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 2020-21.
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 75 points (in my jackets rating system) and have a recommended price less than $250.
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 I researched.
Of the 47 Jackets I looked at that were under $250:
O.K. let’s make a start with the top 10.
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #10
Jacket: Volcom Scortch
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 74.5/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Critically Taped
Starting off the list at #10, we have the Volcom Scortch.
Really good waterproofing and breathability for the price, let down a little by having critically taped seams as opposed to fully taped, but I would expect a higher price if it also had fully taped seams. It's the only Jacket on this list to not have fully taped seams, but it's also one of the best performing jackets outside of that factor.
That, plus it's the 3rd cheapest jacket on this list.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Scortch Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 2.5 | 10/20 |
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 | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 74.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #9
Jacket: Airblaster Trenchover
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 77/100
Insulation: shell
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up at #9, we have the Airblaster Trenchover.
Note that this jacket doesn't zip fully down - it's an over the head jacket - like an anorak style.
For the price there's really good waterproofing, including fully taped seams - and great functionality for use as a snowboarding jacket.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Trenchover Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 20/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 5.0 | 5/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 0.0 | 0/5 |
POCKETS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 77/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #8
Jacket: 686 GEO
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 77/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The GEO from 686 comes in at #8.
If you're looking for an insulated jacket at a great price, the GEO is a great option. It doesn't have insane waterproofing or breathability, which you wouldn't expect for the price, but it does have fully taped seams, and great functionality.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the GEO Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 18/30 |
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 | 77/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #7
Jacket: 686 Anthem
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 77/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The Anthem is the cheapest on this list, so if you're looking to go as low budget as you can, it's a great option.
You loose a little in terms of waterproofing and breathability vs some others on this list, but you do get fully taped seams to help that waterproofing. And for the price a very good option for low budgets.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Anthem Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 18/30 |
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 | 77/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #6
Jacket: Burton Frostner
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 78/100
Insulation: shell with lining
Waterproofing: 10,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up we have the Burton Frostner.
It won't blow you away with its specs, but for the price it's a bargain, with fully taped seams and great functionality.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Frostner Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 3.0 | 18/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
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 | 78/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #5
Jacket: Airblaster Grampy 3000
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 79/100
Insulation: 100g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Coming in at #5m we have the Airblaster Grampy 3000. If you like your jacket warm and toasty, but have a low budget, then this is a great option with plenty of insulation. That along with great waterproofing, this jacket should do a great job keeping you warm and dry, without breaking the bank.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Grampy 3000 Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
POWDER SKIRT | 5.0 | 5/5 |
VENTING | 5.0 | 5/5 |
HOOD | 5.0 | 5/5 |
JACKET TO PANTS CONNECTIONS | 0.0 | 0/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 79/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #4
Jacket: DC Defiant
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 83/100
Insulation: 40g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The Defiant steps things up a bit in terms of waterproofing. So if that's your main concern, this is great value for money. It also has some light insulation - great for those that want an insulated jacket, but not too much insulation.
At more than $80 cheaper than the average price of all the jackets that I looked at, and a slightly above the average score, this jacket is great for those on a lower budget, but still want good performance.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Defiant 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 #3
Jacket: DC Servo
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 83/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The Servo boasts similar performance to it's DC counterpart (the Defiant above) but it gives you a little more in terms of warmth, for those that like a little more insulation.
It's also $50 cheaper than the Defiant - and the second lowest priced jacket on this list. Not only is it way under the average price of all the jackets I looked at, it's also under the average price of the 47 I looked at that were under $250.
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 #2
Jacket: Thirty Two Lashed
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 83.5/100
Insulation: 80g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The Thirty Two Lashed, our #2 low priced jacket, boasts great waterproofing and breathability for the price. If you want to maximize those things for your dollar, this is worth a look.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Thirty Two Lashed Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
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 | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.5/100 |
BEST CHEAP SNOWBOARD JACKET #1
Jacket: Quiksilver Horizon
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Score: 84/100
Insulation: 40g
Waterproofing: 15,000mm
Breathability: 10,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
The Horizon features great performance for the price and offers light insulation for those who want just a bit, but not too much insulation.
It's over $80 cheaper than the average price of jackets, I looked at but boasts performance a good bit better than the average.
Check out the Score Breakdown For the Horizon Below
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
BREATHABILITY | 3.0 | 15/25 |
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 | 84/100 |
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.
Hey Nate! I just got the DC Palomar jacket. I usually wear a M on my snowboard jackets. I tried this one today and fits a bit big and it’s a M. I’m afraid if I exchange for a S it won’t fit me at all. This M has plenty of room to move about. Sleeves are long, is this normal?
Do DC jackets run bigger than other brands on market?
Thanks for feedback.
Fermin
Hi Fermin
Thanks for your message.
I don’t think DC jackets necessarily run bigger, but shell jackets often do feel that way – as they often allow for room to layer underneath. In my experience shell jackets tend to feel a little bigger than insulated jackets. But maybe you’ve had shell Ms in the past that are smaller than this one?
First off, Thank you for your help! Found this resource a few days ago and it really helped me rapidly get up to speed to make a educated Snowboard purchase along with some well needed gear.
My question – do you get any incentives from manufactures based on what items make the list? We all have different motivations and I am sure that you have to eat as well 🙂
Hi Adam
Thanks for your message.
No, no incentives from manufacturers. I do make a commission on sales when people click through my links and end up buying (which of course doesn’t add anything to your cost) but definitely no incentives from manufacturers. I do limit the number of brands that I look at – just because otherwise it would be too arduous to do all the brands, but I still try to get a good range in.
Cheap jackets going at 250 dollars? 🙂
Funny.
I know! But that’s snowboard jackets for you.
Relative to the average price of snowboard jackets (averaging close to $300 for the jackets I looked at and some well in excess of $600!), under $250 is pretty good, especially for something that’s got decent waterproofing/breathability and typical functionality for a snowboard jacket. But yeah, I get how $250 for a jacket can sound funny when it’s referred to as cheap!
Also $250 is the max here, there are plenty on this list that are less than that too.
Nate,
Although it’s technically not a snowboarding jacket (labeled as a ski jacket), the Elevation from Canadian company Eira is a fantastic jacket and a great value. I purchased mine for $150, but I’ve seen it as low as $75 on The Clymb. It features 20K waterproofing and 20K breathability, and all the bells and whistles like powder skirt, compression wrist cuffs, tons of pockets, fully-taped seams, etc.
Wow! That’s a great price for a jacket with those specs. You must have gotten a great deal on it. I haven’t had any experience with Eira but from quick research, the Elevation looks like a great jacket. It was $269 recommended price where I looked but down to $121 – always worth shopping around a few different stores to see if you can get the deals for things like this.
I guess when it comes to jackets there’s nothing really to distinguish ski and snowboard – in fact a lot of jackets are labelled as both.