The Best Snowboard Jackets for Men: My Top 20

Comments

1. Qaesar Elhaj says

   July 16, 2020 at 12:26 pm

   Hi Nate, nice article! I really enjoyed reading it.

   Based on your top pick, I managed to get the new DC operative jacket on ebay for a steal (hasn’t been released yet) and yes it is much more breathable than the Volvom stone GORETEX I replaced. I haven’t had a chance to test the 45K waterproof rating yet.

   Have you had a chance to try the new North face futurelight series( the A-cad )
   They claim insane breathability… I’m curious if it would make your list.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     July 17, 2020 at 10:15 am

     Hi Qaesar

     Thanks for your message. Great insight into the DC Operative, thanks for sharing that. I haven’t seen the new North Face futurelight series yet, but sounds interesting.

     Reply

2. Beau says

   November 25, 2019 at 1:03 am

   Aloha Alex,

   First, I really appreciate your website and the advice you give your followers. It seems like you’re really passionate and professional, which is awesome. I’m in a conundrum: I am having a lot of trouble picking a new jacket. I grew up snowboarding on the east coast and even did some of my undergraduate studies in Vermont, but surfing was always my passion. For this reason, I ended up in Hawaii for over a decade now. We do one snowboard trip a year (Colorado, Utah, and this year, Whistler). I’ve been using a Burton Covert Jacket, but I get SUPER COLD, even with layering. I guess years of warm weather really does seem to thin your blood. Also, there are obviously no snowboard gear shops on the island, so it’s impossible to try stuff on. So I’m looking for an insulated jacket (perhaps down?) that, above all, is going to be warm. Also, I’m pretty committed to Burton and Volcom products, as I’ve had both and trust both companies. My budget is $500. Do you have any recommendations? I really appreciate any advice.

   Mahalo,

   Reply

   • Nate says

     November 25, 2019 at 2:03 pm

     Aloha Beau

     Thanks for your message.

     If you wanted to go for the max warmth and go for something down, then the Burton Frostner Down jacket is worth looking at. It’s not ultimate in terms of waterprooding/breathability, but it’s still really decent there (15,000mm waterproofing/10,000g breathability) and better in that respect than the Covert and massively warmer! So yeah, you would still improve your waterproofing/breathability whilst increasing your warmth.

     The only jacket from Volcom that I can see that’s down is the Volcom TDS INF Gore-tex – which would give you that ultimate in warmth and also in waterproofing/breathability, but it’s a good bit over $500.

     There’s also the Burton AK LZ Down Gore-Tex which would give both the warmth of down and the waterproofing and breathability of gore-tex, but again it’s over $500.

     If you could find one of those in a 2019 model you would likely get it for less than $500, but otherwise probably out of your price range.

     Is your covert jacket the Covert “Shell” or Cover “Insulated” do you know? I think they only do an insulated Covert now, but they used to do a shell and an insulated version. Would be useful to know, just because, if you have just the shell, then some of the lesser insulated options might be enough, especially with layers. But if you already have the insulated version, then it sounds like you’ll be looking for something with a good bit more insulation.

     So yeah, the Burton Frostner Down sounds like a good option for you, and within budget. But if you wanted more options, might need to look into other brands, unless you are currently wearing a shell and think something with some insulation but not as much as down, would do it, then there are certainly a good number of Burton and Volcom that would fit the bill.

     Hope this helps with your decision

     Reply

     • Beau says

       November 26, 2019 at 10:28 pm

       It’s an insulated Covert from 2016, so it’s also pretty old at this point. I was looking at the Burton Frostner so this is really really helpful. Great website, brother, and thanks so much for the help. Sharing your expertise shows a lot of Aloha and it is really appreciated. I’ll be sure to pass on your information to anyone I come across who might need help making decisions about snowboarding products. Thanks again.

       Reply

       • Nate says

         November 27, 2019 at 3:30 pm

         You’re very welcome Beau, and thanks for the kind words. Hope you have an awesome time in Whistler!

         Reply

3. Alex says

   October 17, 2019 at 3:13 pm

   Hello Nate,

   Thanks for the list and I need your help 🙂
   I own 5 years old 686 jacket and really happy with it but it’s time to choose another one because it is torn in few places and not that waterproof anymore.
   I don’t have a big budget so can not buy one of those fancy GORE-Tex jackets.
   Here are few options that I have stopped with:
   1. VOLCOM VCO INFERNO INS JKT
   2. 686 GEO
   3. 686 Icon Insulated Jacket
   I know quality of 686 jackets and incredibly happy about that but Volcom also seems to be a good company.
   I am leaning towards 1st option due to few reasons:
   – it is 15,000/15,000 compare to both 686 jackets
   – it has Zip technology and it looks really promising (I am looking for new pants too)
   – I can buy it for $30-$40 cheaper than 686 jackets.

   At the same time I love 686 and don’t know what to do.
   Can you please give me your opinion cause I value it a lot (bought Yes. Standard based on your review :))

   Thanks in advance.
   P.S. I am looking to wear the jacket only during snowboarding and buying it for 4-5 years so just let me know if I should better increase my budget.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     October 18, 2019 at 12:38 pm

     Hi Alex

     Thanks for your message.

     I would personally go for the Volcom VCO Inferno just because it has that better waterproofing – which is the main thing I think about when going for a snowboarding jacket. Both Volcom and 686 make good quality jackets at reasonable prices, IMO, so if you’re looking for low cost, both brands are good options. You can also check out the following list, which I made specifically for low cost jackets.

     >>Top 10 Cheap Snowboard Jackets

     If you wanted to stick with what you know in 686, the 686 S-86 and 686 Peacekeeper might be worth checking out.

     Hope this helps

     Reply

4. Matt says

   October 3, 2019 at 10:58 am

   I’ve got the DC Command! The “sympatex” alternative is supposedly more eco friendly than Gore-Tex and it worked super good for me this last season! I never got wet through it once. The command is a fairly long jacket too so it gives you good protection from the snow when you repeatedly are sitting in it as a snowboarder.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     October 3, 2019 at 12:18 pm

     Hi Matt

     Thanks for your input. Always good to hear other’s opinions/experiences with gear.

     Reply

5. Ryan says

   May 24, 2019 at 9:56 am

   Nate,
   Do you know the difference between the waterproof/breathability of the different types of 3Layer Gore Tex products? It looks like Gore Pro is the most breathable and durable, but don’t see numbers online. Then looks like C-Knit Gore is next on breathability then 3L laminate Gore which I believe is just called 3Layer Gore Tex is slightly lower? I see your waterproof ratings are showing even 2L Gore with the same breathability as 3L (which I know EVO has listed), but Gore says certain 3L are more breathable. So confusing Thanks!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     May 24, 2019 at 11:44 am

     Hi Ryan

     Yeah it all gets pretty confusing, for sure.

     3L has a bit more breathability, as far as I know, but in reality not sure how noticeable it is – since even 2 layer is very close, IMO, I’ve kind of capped it, ratings-wise. The other thing with 3 layer – is that it’s supposed to be more durable. Durability isn’t something I typically comment on, since it’s not something that can be easily tested for.

     Gore-Tex Pro is a boost in breathability as far as I can tell – and is supposed to be lighter too. But I haven’t really seen anything in snowboarding jackets that uses this, within the price range that I’m looking at. I capped this list at a maximum of $500. Since any more than that is out of reach for a majority of people. There are certainly jackets that would add even more performance (and often the case that extra cost is added for lighter jackets too) but they are in a price range that I choose to ignore. It’s not a price range that I would consider personally, just because, there are other products that do close to as good a job (and certainly as good a job as a vast majority really need), that are in a more reasonable price category.

     Hope this makes sense/helps to answer your question

     Reply

     • Ryan says

       May 24, 2019 at 1:46 pm

       Thanks! Ya, my current pants and jacket are about 7 years old and this was the first season I noticed the pants wetting out. My pants were supposedly 3Layer at the time I got them but not Gore Tex. My jacket is Gore tex, same year as the pants and water is still beading up like the first few years I got it. It is however beat to hell (scraping tree branches and stuff in my snowboard bag, so likely need to get a new one. With the sales going on this time of year it’s tough not to take advantage so just started researching if the extra $ for the 3rd layer made sense, since it’s all on discount anyway.

       Reply

       • Nate says

         May 25, 2019 at 11:14 am

         Hi Ryan

         Yeah I found that jackets/pants I’ve had in the past that weren’t gore-tex always eventually lost their waterproofing. But I have found gore-tex to be more reliable over a longer time. But I’m happy with 2L for the conditions I see. 3L will probably last even longer, but by that time, it’s sometimes nice to get something new anyway, to change up the style a bit. If you can get a good deal on 3L certainly not a bad thing, but I’m personally happy with 2L.

         Reply

         • Ryan says

           May 25, 2019 at 1:44 pm

           Makes sense. That 3rd layer is on the inside anyway and any 2L is going to have an inside layer so likely not that different then the 3L. Also, like I mentioned my 3L Gore jacket from 7 years ago is so beat up and the style outdated it’s time for an upgrade anyway. Thanks for the advice!

         • Nate says

           May 27, 2019 at 10:57 am

           You’re very welcome Ryan. Thanks for visiting the site.

6. Alex says

   February 3, 2019 at 12:33 pm

   Hi. I would like to ask your opinion about L1 Alpha Jacket which is also 20K and I was thinking of buying it because I can find it in the half of its price .

   Reply

   • Nate says

     February 4, 2019 at 3:25 pm

     Hi Alex

     Thanks for your message.

     It looks like it has the functionailty you want from a snowboard jacket, and has good waterproofing (20K and fully taped seams) and breathability specs. If you can get it at a good price I can’t see any reason why not.

     Hope this helps

     Reply

     • Alex says

       April 17, 2019 at 4:04 pm

       Hi again 🙂 Thank you a lot for your previous answer.

       I would like also to ask your opinion about Dakine Vapor 2L . I am asking because you have other Dakine’s jackets on the list and not the Vapor. Do you think that it is not a good option in comparison with the others of the same brand? And something last . Why the material of Dakine’s 2L goretex is very soft in comparison with other goretex jackets ?

       Thank you in advance 🙂

       Reply

       • Nate says

         April 18, 2019 at 11:49 am

         Hi Alex

         The Vapor seems to be a jacket that I missed. But based on the specs it looks like a good option and would likely have made this list had I seen it. One thing to note is that it’s a “long and trim” fitting jacket. If that’s what you’re looking for, then it looks like a good jacket based on the specs. Not sure why the material would feel softer than with other brands? Though it does say in the specs of the jacket that it has “Polyester Soft Plain Weave bluesign® approved material” which might be the reason. In terms of whether it will last or not, this is something I can comment on, having not owned the jacket myself.

         Hope this helps

         Reply

         • Alex says

           April 18, 2019 at 1:57 pm

           Thank you Nate. Yes I was looking for a long jacket as I am 1.90 m. But I dont say no on a better jacket. As for the material , yes its softer but maybe its the reason you expained me. Also the other Dakine’s jackets that you have on this list have the same material so I hope this is not a bad thing. For example the volcom stone jacket has a sharper Goretex material. I am between these two jackets (Dakine Vapor and Volcom Stone). Both of them are in a good price with the Volcom stone to be 30 euros more expensive. What do you think? What is the best one ?

         • Nate says

           April 20, 2019 at 6:21 pm

           Hi Alex

           Between those two, there’s nothing in it in terms of performance, so I would choose based on which you like the fit of more, and the style of more. If you can’t decide from those two things, then the cheapest is probably the smart call.

7. Dave says

   November 7, 2018 at 10:55 am

   Looks like Volcom are making good jackets from this list. Im on the lookout for a top value jacket from the 17/18 season and would like to ask if you have tested any Horsefeathers jackets as there seems to be some choice in these at reasonable prices. With a starting price of about £150 I dont think I will be buying a new season jacket, but you never know.
   Thoughts greatly appreciated.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     November 7, 2018 at 11:42 am

     Hi Dave

     I’m not familiar with Horsefeathers jackets, unfortunately. But if you’re looking for good value, you could also check out the following.

     >>Top 10 Men’s Cheap Snowboard Jackets

     Reply

8. Marcin says

   April 16, 2018 at 4:21 pm

   Hey, I wonder which jackets might be zipped with Volcom pants? My old Burton jacket might be zipped with old Volcom pants (I did it 😉 but I dont know if any Burton jacket has zip to pants in powder skirt. I have heard Ride jackets also could be zipped. Do you know anything about it? Thank you

   Reply

   • Nate says

     April 17, 2018 at 10:50 am

     Hi Marcin

     Thanks for your message.

     As far as I know, but I’m happy to be proven wrong here, all Burton jackets that I’ve seen just have the dome clip jacket to pant interface thing (see image). But potentially older ones had zippered connections.

     

     I believe at least some of Ride’s jackets have a zippered jacket to pants connection, but I’m not sure whether they’re compatible with Volcom or not.

     Of course there’s always a Volcom Jacket (to state the obvious :-))

     Reply

9. Dave says

   January 4, 2018 at 12:30 am

   This phrase “non insulated” concerns me. Does this mean you will need a mid layer as well (except on sunny spring days and would you need more insulation if it was really cold, say -20 c. Also although a good jacket will last for years – Im still using my old Bonfire jacket and thats over 10 years old- price will be most peoples overriding factor. We would all like a Goretex jacket with the latest bells and whistles, but most of us are on some kind of budget.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     January 4, 2018 at 9:56 am

     Hi Dave

     Yeah for non-insulated jackets (shells) like these you will need to layer up for colder days. If you prefer having insulation in the jacket, there are plenty of good insulated options too (getting on to updating my insulated list soon!).

     And definitely price is a big factor for most – I’m also looking to update my Affordable Snowboard Jackets list soon as well. This list doesn’t take price into account – except that I didn’t include anything over $600 – but that affordable list does.

     Reply