The 10 jackets below are what I consider to be the best insulated snowboard jackets for men for 2022-23.
As per Snowboarding Profiles tradition each jacket will receive a score out of 100.
Price hasn’t been taken into account in this list except that all the Jackets are less than 500 dollars.
The level of insulation hasn’t been scored, because everyone likes different levels of warmth – but the level of insulation has been noted for each jacket.
Compared to Other Jackets
Check out the stats below for the 56 insulated snowboard jackets that I considered when making this list.
Note: that this list is based on specs only and not by personal experience with these jackets. So this is only going by taking the given specs at their face-value. Style, fit durability and weight haven’t been taken into account.
O.k. let’s get going with the top 10!
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #10
Jacket: Flylow Albert
- CA
Score: 92/100
Insulation: 60g
Insulation Type: Primaloft
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Starting off the list at #10, we have Flylow’s Albert jacket.
The Albert has a fairly mild-level of insulation for those who want just that little bit more warmth than a shell but nothing too major.
They also feature great waterproofing and breathability - and great functionality as a snowboard jacket in it's features.
Score Breakdown for the Albert
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 4.5 | 27/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
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 | 92/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #9
Jacket: Volcom TDS 2L Gore-Tex
- CA
Score: 93/100
Insulation: 40g
Insulation Type: Quilted Low-Loft Insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up we have Volcom's TDS Gore-Tex.
The TDS Gore-Tex provides light weight insulation with a highly waterproof and breathable shell to help keep you dry and warm on those colder days on the hill.
Score Breakdown for the TDS Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #8
Jacket: Oakley Sub Temp RC Gore-Tex
- CA
Score: 93/100
Insulation: 80g
Insulation Type: Synthetic
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
At #8 is the Oakley Sub Temp RC Gore-Tex.
The Sub Temp RC Gore-Tex provides plenty of warmth for those cold days when even layering doesn't cut it - or used as your one layer on top of your baselayer on those moderately cold days.
Like most on this list it also features Gore-Tex, giving you all the waterproofing and breathability most will ever need.
Score Breakdown for the Sub Temp RC Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #7
Jacket: Armada x evo Romer Gore-Tex 2L
- CA
Score: 93/100
Insulation: 40g
Insulation Type: 90% Recycled Polyfill Insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up, we have Armada's Rome Gore-Tex jacket.
A great option for those looking for just a bit of insulation in their jacket, but not too much. Like 8/10 jackets in this list, it also features Gore-Tex.
Score Breakdown for the Romer Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #6
Jacket: Volcom DUA Insulated Gore-Tex
- CA
Score: 93/100
Insulation: 80g body | 60g sleeve
Insulation Type: Synthetic Low-Loft
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
New for 2023, Volcom have brought out the Dua - which comes in both a shell and an insulated version. The insulated version here gives you 80g of insulation in the body of the jacket and 60g in the sleeves, giving you a mid-level amount of insulation to keep you warm for all but the very coldest days.
The Dua is the least expensive jacket in this list and really reasonably priced for a Gore-Tex jacket. In fact, it's less than the average price of all 56 jackets that I rated, yet scores better than all but 5 of them.
Score Breakdown for the DUA Insulated Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #5
Jacket: 686 Hydra Down Thermagraph Gore-Tex
- CA
Score: 94/100
Insulation: 600 Fill power with 686s Thermagraph® Body Mapping Insulation System
Insulation Type: 100% Responsible Down
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up at #5 we have 686's Hydra Down Thermagraph jacket.
This is the only down option in this list, the Hydra Down is great for those who need high levels of insulation - those who are riding in really cold temperatures and/or run super cold.
Most down options that also offer good waterproofing come in at higher than the $500 limit set for this list, so this is a great way to get a highly waterproof down jacket, great functionality for snowboarding, for sub500.
Score Breakdown for the Hydra Down Thermagraph Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 94/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #4
Jacket: 686 Gore-Tex Core Insulated
- CA
Score: 94/100
Insulation: 60g
Insulation Type: 85% Recycled Synthetic
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Coming in at #4, the Core Insulated Gore-Tex gives you plenty of warmth but at the same time is really waterproof and breathable. And on top of that gives you all the features you would expect from a snowboard jacket. The Core also comes in a shell version, for those that don't want the extra insulation.
Another lower price option, being the 2nd lowest priced option in this list.
Score Breakdown for the Gore-Tex Core Insulated
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 94/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #3
Jacket: Burton AK Swash 2L Gore-Tex
- CA
- UK/EU
Score: 95/100
Insulation: 60g Body
Insulation Type: Primaloft Silver Insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
With a mid-level of insulation, Burton’s first of two offerings in this list, makes use of a 2 layer Gore-Tex construction for a high level of waterproofing and breathability.
It's the priciest of the two Burton Jackets on this list, and most expensive overall of the top 10, but a great option if you've got the budget for it/like the style (like most jackets in this list it comes in several different colorways).
Score Breakdown for the AK Swash 2L Gore-Tex
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
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 | 95/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #2
Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex 2L Pillowline
- CA
- UK/EU
Score: 95/100
Insulation: 80g
Insulation Type: ThermacoreECO insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Next up we have the Burton Gore-Tex Pillowline.
This 2L Gore-Tex jacket features a mid-level amount of insulation and all the waterproofing and breathability you would expect from Gore-Tex.
It's also really affordable, coming in at a less than average price for those in the top 10 (still a little more than the average of all 56 jackets that I looked at, but for the performance you get, really reasonably priced) and is the 4th lowest priced in this list.
Score Breakdown for the Pillowline
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SEAM SEALING | 5.0 | 20/20 |
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 | 95/100 |
BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #1
Jacket: DC Recon
- CA
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: 40g Body
Insulation Type: Primaloft
Waterproof Rating: 45,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
And finally at #1 we have the DC Recon jacket.
With a list dominated by Gore-Tex jackets, we finish off with a non Gore-Tex option. But it’s still super waterproof and breathable (assuming you take their ratings at face value) and offers a light level of insulation for those that want a bit of warmth but not too much.
Score Breakdown for the DC Recon
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
WATERPROOFING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
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 | 5.0 | 5/5 |
POCKETS | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 96.5/100 |
Thanks for Reading
Thanks for checking out my top 10 insulated snowboard jackets for 2022-23. I hope this post has given you some options and helped with your decision.
If you want to check out my top 10 cheap men’s jackets or my top 20 non-insulated jackets check out the link below.
>>MY TOP 20 NON-INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKETS
>>MY TOP 10 CHEAP SNOWBOARDING JACKETS (includes both insulated and non-insulated jackets with an MRSP less than $270)
I just wish these companies made real canadian type winter snowboard coats. Its all just shells now adays. Most days that we ride in Alberta its -30 to -15. Had many coats and layring just doesn’t cut it. Thrse jackets are only good for March weater at best. Thats the problem when everything is made in china or the states. Canada goose needs to make snowboard coats. I usually use my fluffy true winter coat. However it does not have a snow guard or sleves. But you need it to stay warm with the wind chill of you want to go out riding.
Hi Myles
Thanks for your message.
These jackets have insulation and not just shells. There are a lot of jackets that are purely just shells like in the following:
>>Top 20 Non-Insulated Jackets
However, I do get how shell with layering and even jackets with some insulation may not cut it in -30. I typically only ride a few days a year in anything colder than -15. However, there are down jackets, that are specific to snowboarding/skiing that you can get. It’s often the case that down jackets, even those that are snowboarding/skiing specific, don’t have that good a waterproofing, which is why not a lot of them make this list. But if you are in that cold a conditions most of the time, you probably don’t see a lot of rain, and that waterproofing isn’t as necessary in snow as it is in rain, so a down jacket probably works well for you, in that case.
There is one down jacket in this list, in case you missed it, which also has great waterproofing – the 686 Hydra Down Thermagraph Gore-Tex (see #5 on the list). Another with great waterproofing which is also 600 fill down is the Burton AK LZ Down Gore-Tex – only reason that didn’t make this list is because it’s higher than the maximum price limit I put in when making this list – it’s nearly $600 US.
Some other down options include the Volcom TDS INF GORE-TEX. Also a rather expensive option and I don’t think they made a 2021 model – but if you can find a 2020 model in your size, you should be able to get it cheaper.
Note also that this is just from brands that I cover. I’m sure there are other brands out there that make down snowboard jackets too.
Hope this helps
Wish you had some more suggestions for real insulation besides the 686 thermagraph. Anything less than 100g just won’t cut it on winter runs in the Northeast or Midwest. Lots of days below 30 and something warm with vents can keep you on the hill when everyone else is in the lodge warming up.
Hi Tennessee Jed
Thanks for your message.
Personally I prefer to layer underneath for extra warmth on colder days, but admittedly, I seldom see days less than -15. The Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl is 100g (#6). A lot of the jackets that I looked at that were more insulated had poor waterproofing, which is what I rated as the most important factor. Or poor functionality as a snowboard jacket. But certainly if you’re in colder conditions, and potentially less wet conditions, then insulation probably becomes more important, particularly if you’re not layering.
I’m looking at grabbing an [ak] Helitack (GORE-TEX, 120/100grms Stretch Lightweight 20 Denier Down-Proof Lining) for next year in Hokkaido. Have been using a Quiksilver Impact (GORE-TEX, 60/40grm Primaloft Silver) with just [ak] powergrid inners in the past which has been pretty damn solid. But with a generally consistent -10C to -15C with some -37C windchill extremes I think the Helitack will definitely come to the party 🙂
Helitac vs patagonia #6 on the list ? … i m looking for a snowboarding insulated coat to handle canada back mountains -5 to -30 average -15 ? Also just going around in the city
Hi Apellon
The Helitac has a little more insulation, but the Powder Bowl is well insulated too, so I think either would treat you well. If you’re worried then Helitac might be the way to go. Typically you don’t see many with more than that (at least not the jackets I was looking at that) unless you go with Down. But probably wouldn’t need that, if you’ve got good base layers too, for the colder days. But it also depends no how hot or cold you run.
Craig64, did you get the Helitac in the end? Any insights?
Volcom inf goretex – seems even better
Hi Apellon
Yeah, if you’re looking to go for the ultimate in terms of warmth, that’s a good option (it’s a down jacket)
Tryin to decide on the top snowboarding jacket for someone on a budget. Need waterproof, light and breathable. Insulation optional, I can layer if needed. Focused on the DC Command VS. Burton Radial, both similar price right now. Can you offer an opinion? Thanks!!
Hi Ron
The Burton Radial also comes in a non-insluated version. So, if you’re looking for light and breathable, then I would be weighing up between the non-insulated Radial and the DC Command. Honestly, both would suit your purposes really well, IMO. Not much in it between those 2 jackets.
If you’re a fan of Gore-Tex and really want Gore-Tex, then the Radial (DC Command isn’t Gore-Tex). Only other thing to consider is that the DC Command has slightly more pockets, if that’s a deal breaker. Otherwise, go with the one that you like the look of the most, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks! Oddly enough the Radial with Insulation is $25 cheaper than the non-insulated Radial, so I’m thinking of getting the one with insulation. It’s also $10 cheaper than the DC Command.