Top 20 Men’s Snowboard Jackets 2015-16

The following jackets are what I consider to be the best snowboard jackets for men for the 2015-2016 season.

As per SnowboardingProfiles tradition each jacket is given a score out of 100 based on a number of different factors like waterproofing, breathability and functionality.

This list is for non-insulated jackets.  I will create a separate list for insulated jackets.

Prices have not been taken into account except where scores are equal the lowest price gets the better spot. Also any jacket over $500 has not been considered for this list.

Compared to other Snowboard Jackets

Below are the stats for all of the snowboard jackets that I researched so you can see how the top 20 here compare.

• The average score was 78.5/100
• The highest score was 100/100
• The lowest score was 14/100
• The average price was $279

O.k. let’s get into the top 20

#20: DC Clout Jacket

Jacket: DC Clout
Price: $219
Score: 90.5/100
Insulation: Lining

The first jacket on this list also happens to be the lowest priced jacket on the list. At a good $60 cheaper than the average price for a snowboard jacket the Clout is a great buy for the budget conscious who don’t want to compromise too much on performance.

With a 15,000mm fabric waterproof rating, fully taped seams and a 15,000g breathability rating, the Clouts are about as waterproof and breathable as you’ll need your jacket to be in 95% of conditions.

And with really good functionality too (only really missing the Jacket-to-Pants connection) this Jacket is super value-for-money.

#19: Volcom Lido Jacket

Jacket: Volcom Lido
Price: $260
Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Also coming in under the average price, is Volcom’s Lido.

It doesn’t quite have the breathability of the Clout’s above but have the same waterproof rating – and what they do have over the Clouts is Jacket-to-pants connections.

Another great buy for those with less to spend.

#18: Volcom Brighton Pullover Jacket

Jacket: Volcom Brighton Pullover
Price: $240
Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Lining

The next jacket on our list is very similar jacket to the Lido above, and made by the same company. The Brighton Pullover, however, has a different look and comes in at $20 cheaper based on recommended prices.

Of course, being a pullover, this one is pulled over your head unlike most snowboarding jackets which zip up.

#17: 686 Vector Jacket

Jacket: 686 Vector
Price: $220
Score: 91.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Coming in with the same score as the 2 Volcom’s above, 686’s Vector jacket is pretty similar again spec-wise but are that bit cheaper again.

At just $220 and the performance you get from this sucker, it’s super value-for-money – and in my opinion pretty stylish too.

#16: Ride Georgetown Jacket

Jacket: Ride Georgetown
Price: $249
Score: 92/100
Insulation: Lining

Ride’s Georgetown is next on the list and comes with a 15,000mm waterproof rating, fully seamed seals and 10,000g of breathability.

Plus you get every type of pocket you could ever need – and again this jacket is really reasonably priced for the performance you get.

#15: Lib Tech Wayne Jacket

Jacket: Lib Tech Wayne
Price: $299
Score: 93/100
Insulation: Lining

A little bit of a step up in price but also a bit of a step up in performance.

The Wayne boasts a fabric waterproof rating of 20,000mm, fully taped seams and a breathability rating of 15,000g. That’s going to keep you dry and comfortable in practically any conditions.

#14: DC Command DPM Jacket

Jacket: DC Command DPM
Price: $269
Score: 94.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Another step up in performance (20,000mm waterproof, 20,000g breathable, fully taped seams) but without any extra price added on (in fact they’re cheaper than the Wayne jacket above).

#13: Quiksilver That’s It 3L Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Quiksilver That’s It 3L Gore-Tex
Price: $499
Score: 95/100
Insulation: None

The first of the Gore-Tex jackets in this list naturally comes with a price hike (though there are cheaper Gore-Tex Options in this list). This is particularly pricey.

But you do get quality for your dollar with the That’s It jacket. Gore-Tex is super waterproof and super-breathable. And it’s 3L gore-tex for that extra bit of waterproofing.

And the That’s it comes with awesome functionality too.

The only thing stopping this jacket from a perfect score is that it’s lacking venting. Even though Gore-Tex is really breathable I’d still like to see venting in this jacket.

I personally wouldn’t pay the recommended price for this jacket – but if you can find it at a reduced price it would be a great buy if you are willing to invest in quality.

#12: Dakine Smyth Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Dakine Smyth Gore-Tex (2L)
Price: $320
Score: 95/100
Insulation: None

Dakine’s Smyth Jacket gives you all of the performance benefits of the That’s It jacket above – it will just cost you significantly less to get it.

The Smyth does have venting too – it just lacks in a jacket-to-pants connection system. But this is a great buy and a really good price for a Gore-Tex jacket.

It does have 2L Gore-Tex vs the That’s It’s 3L Gore-Tex – the difference being the 3L offers slightly more waterproofing and sacrifices a little with breathability – but in my experience there isn’t a huge amount of difference.

#11: Burton AK 2L Cyclic Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Burton AK 2L Cyclic Gore-Tex
Price: $389
Score: 98.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Now we get into the near perfect scoring jackets (in my scoring system anyway) – the first of which, Burton’s AK 2L Cyclic jacket has all the benefits of Gore-Tex (as mentioned above) and a heap of functionality.

#10: Burton AK 2L Boom Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Burton AK 2L Boom Gore-Tex
Price: $339
Score: 98.5/100
Insulation: Lining

A very similar jacket to #11 above but $50 cheaper. Personally I’d choose the cheaper option but check out the prices at the links at the bottom of this post, you may be able to find them on sale.

#9: Burton AK 2L Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Burton AK 2L Velocity Anorak Gore-Tex
Price: $339
Score: 99/100
Insulation: Lining

Again, very similar to the #10 and #11 above – but with some better pocketing – and different styling.

#8: Quiksilver Forever 2L Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Quiksilver Forever 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $299
Score: 99/100
Insulation: Lining

Quiksilver’s Forever jacket has awesome performance and is extremely well priced for a Gore-Tex jacket.

#7: Quiksilver TR Exhibition 2L Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Quiksilver TR Exhibition 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $459
Score: 99.5/100
Insulation: Lining

And in at #7 is the TR Exhibition jacket from Quiksilver. The second Quiksilver offering in the top 10 and with all the functionality and features you could ever want in a snowboarding jacket – but it’s a bit more pricey than it’s brother at #8.

#6: Burton Vagabond Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Burton Vagabond Gore-Tex
Price: $439
Score: 99.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Not much more to say except that you get exceptional performance in terms of features, waterproofing and breathability. You do pay for it – but if you’ve got the money to invest it could be well worth the investment.

#5: Volcom Stretch Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Volcom Stretch Gore-Tex
Price: $420
Score: 99.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Again pricey – but with super-performance. If you can find one of these bad boys on sale then it’s a great investment.

#4: Volcom Stone Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Volcom Stone Gore-Tex
Price: $360
Score: 99.5/100
Insulation: Lining

Very much like it’s Volcom partner in crime at #5 above – but with a better price-tag.

#3: Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Volcom L Gore-Tex
Price: $290
Score: 99.5/100
Insulation: Lining

The #3 jacket on this list, Volcom’s L Gore-Tex, comes in at an awesome price for this kind of performance and features.

Just 290 for a Gore-Tex jacket with all these features is a steal!

#2: Burton 3L Arsenal Jacket

Jacket: Burton 3L Arsenal
Price: $329
Score: 100/100
Insulation: Lining

For the #2 jacket on the list, the Burton 3L Arsenal, we have the only non-gore-tex option since #14.

But you get a 20,000 mm fabric waterproof rating, fully sealed seams and a 20,000g breathability rating. It’s not Gore-Tex but in my opinion will be able to handle 99% of conditions that most riders would face.

And if for any reason, you don’t want Gore-Tex but still want a high performing jacket then this is a great option – and it isn’t even that pricey considering the performance you get.

#1: Burton 3L Particle Gore-Tex Jacket

Jacket: Burton 3L Particle Gore-Tex
Price: $499
Score: 100/100
Insulation: Lining

And finally the #1 Jacket on this list. Not for the budget conscious – but if you’ve got the money to invest then you get pretty much the perfect snowboard jacket money can buy (for under $500 – I didn’t include anything in this list that was over 500).

The 3L Particle Gore-Tex jacket features 3L Gore-Tex.

3L Gore-Tex gives you a bit more waterproofing but sacrifices a bit of breathability – so if you ride in wet conditions often then it might be worth the extra investment (3L Gore-Tex tends to be more expensive).

Plus it has all the other functionality you’d want in a snowboard jacket – powder skirt, venting, adjustable hood, jacket-to-pants interface and plenty of pocketing (including hand pockets, chest pockets, media pocket, goggle pocket and pass pocket).

Where to Buy and More Info

For more info and where to find any of the jackets above check out the links below.

• Men’s Snowboard Jackets at backcountry.com

• Men’s Snowboard Jackets at the-house.com

• Men’s Snowboard Jackets at evo.com

Thanks for Reading

I hope this post has helped you to find the best non-insulated snowboard jacket for you.

Check out the link below for the latest season’s Top 20 non-insulated snowboarding jackets.

>>My Top 20 Non-Insulated Snowboard Jackets