Best Snowboard Jackets 2023-2024

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SNOWBOARD JACKET #10

SNOWBOARD JACKET #9

SNOWBOARD JACKET #8

SNOWBOARD JACKET #7

SNOWBOARD JACKET #6

SNOWBOARD JACKET #5

SNOWBOARD JACKET #4

SNOWBOARD JACKET #3

SNOWBOARD JACKET #2

SNOWBOARD JACKET #1

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #10

Jacket: Thirtytwo TM 

Score: 94/100 (see score breakdown below)

Insulation: Shell (no insulation)

Starting off the list at #10, we have thirtytwo's TM snowboard jacket. 

The TM features a high level of waterproofing and breathability, helping you to stay as dry as possible form both the inside (sweat) and outside (rain/wet snow).

And based on the functionality of this jacket, it's obvious that thirtytwo, as a snowboard boot company, first and foremost, understand snowboarding and the functional aspects that rider's need out of their snowboarding jacket.   

It has a relaxed fit, which is great for a shell, as it gives you the opportunity to layer underneath for colder days and helps with range of motion. 

The TM is also the 3rd lowest priced jacket in this list. 

Score Breakdown for the TM

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #9

Jacket: L1 Alpha

Score: 94.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: RELAXED

Next up we have L1's Alpha snowboard jacket. 

Like every jacket that rated well enough to make this list, the Alpha features great waterproofing and breathability (being the 2 most important factors in a shell jacket, IMO) and has a ton of features that help make this one of the better snowboard jackets going around. 

They offer a relaxed fit to allow you to layer plenty underneath for those colder days - or wear it own it's own with a single base layer for warmer days.

It is the most pricey on this list, and just made it under the $500 threshold. But it is a 3 layer jacket, stretchy fabric (with 13% spandex), to add even more to its mobility and is made from recycled materials.  

Score Breakdown for the Alpha

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #8

Jacket: 686 Hydrastash Sync Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm (Gore-tex)

Breathability: 20,000g (GORE-TEX)

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: REGULAR (with articulation) 

One of two 686 Jackets on this list, the Hydrastash Sync comes in at #8.

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 #7

Jacket: Volcom DUA Gore-Tex

Score: 95.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: Relaxed (Volcom's "91 FIT" - described as relaxed but not loose with a larger chest, shoulder and a bit shorter than normal length-wise)

At #7 we have Volcom's Dua Gore-Tex. 

The Dua Gore-Tex offers great performance for the buck. It's the cheapest equal jacket in this list (along with #6 below) and a really reasonable price for Gore-Tex and this level of performance. 

Score Breakdown for the DUA Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #6

Jacket: DC Basis 30k

Score: 95.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 30,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: REGULAR

Next up we have the DC Basis 30K. 

Offering waterproofing of 30,000mm and great breathability too, this jacket is great value for money, coming in equal cheapest in this list (along with #7 above). 

Note that there's also a DC Basis (as opposed to DC Basis 30K) which is cheaper, but also not as waterproof or breathable - it's 10,000mm/5,000g, so quite a bit different).

Score Breakdown for the Basis

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #5

Jacket: Burton AK Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: Regular (with articualtion)

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

This is one of six 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 the only Anorak option in this list (though the Burton Pillowline (see #2 below) does come in an anorak version as well.  

Score Breakdown for the AK Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #4

Jacket: Volcom L Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: regular

The 2nd Volcom jacket in this list, the Volcom L Gore-Tex, comes in at a really reasonable price, for it's performance. 

Not only does it provide the waterproofing and breathability of Gore-Tex, it also has great functionality for use as a snowboarding jacket - all while being a little more friendly on your wallet. 

Another option, with the same performance specs/score, for the factors that we rate, is the Volcom Longo. It's a pricier jacket than the L, but comes with a couple of extra features, a more durable fabric and features a slightly different fit (Volcom's "91 Fit" - see #7 above for more on the "91 Fit").

Score Breakdown for the Volcom L

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #3

Jacket: 686 Core Gore-Tex

Score: 96.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: Regular (with articulation)

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 (4th= cheapest). 

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

Another 686 option, with the same score based on our rating system, is the 686 GT Gore-Tex. The GT is a little more pricey than the core, but not by a whole lot.  It has a couple of extra features, but nothing crazy different. You may prefer the style or one of the colorways of one or the other though. 

Score Breakdown for the Core Gore-Tex

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #2

Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex Powline

Score: 97.5/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm

Breathability: 20,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: Regular

The 2nd Burton offering 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 - under the average price for this list and only 4 jackets on this list are cheaper. 

There are a couple of other similar Burton offerings, that scored the same in our rating system. Again, we are showing the lowest priced option here, but you could also check out: 

1. Burton Gore-Tex Pillowline: The Pillowline is a little more expensive than the Powline, which is likely mainly due to the polyester used which is 150D vs 75D on the Powline. The D (Denier) essentially measures the strength, so the main advantage of the Pillowline over the Powline is that it's stronger so less likely to rip and likely last longer. 

2. Burton Gore-Tex Pillowline Anorak: (like the Pillowline but in a pullover version, if you prefer that style).

3. Burton AK Cyclic Gore-Tex: AK Cyclic from has a few extra features and has slightly stronger material again vs the Powline and Pillowline - and another jump in price to go with it, naturally.

Score Breakdown for the Gore-Tex Powline

BEST SNOWBOARD JACKET #1

Jacket: DC Command 45K

Score: 99/100

Insulation: Shell

Waterproof Rating: 45,000mm

Breathability: 30,000g

Seams: Fully Taped

Fit: Regular

And finally, in at #1, we have DC's Command Jacket. 

No, those waterproofing and breathability numbers aren't a typo. This is what DC claims them to be. We don't have a test yet to verify that, but assuming it's accurate, then this is one of the most waterproof and breathable jackets going around. 

It’s also cheaper than the average price of all the jackets that I looked at and only 3 jackets on this list are cheaper. 

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