Top 20 Snowboard Jackets 2019-20 (Past Season)

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 into the top 20

Jacket: Volcom BL Stretch Gore-Tex
Price: $420
Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard (relaxed but not loose)

The 1st of 3 Volcom jackets in this list, the BL Stretch 2 Layer Gore-Tex, offers all the advantages of Gore-Tex (great waterproofing and breathability) in a stretchy flexible material that allows more freedom of movement in a more fitting fit. 

Score Breakdown for the Volcom Stretch

Jacket: Volcom Stone Gore-Tex
Price: $400
Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard (relaxed but not loose)

The Stone, Volcom's second offering in this list, is a small step down in terms of price vs the BL Stretch, but also has great performance and functionality.

Score Breakdown for the Volcom Stone

Jacket: Volcom L Gore-Tex
Price: $270
Score: 95.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard Fit (relaxed but not loose)

The final of the Volcom jackets in this list, the Volcom L, is the 2nd cheapest Gore-Tex offering in this entire list (and 2nd cheapest overall).

And not only does it provide the performance of Gore-Tex, it also has great functionality for use as a snowboarding jacket - all without doing too much damage to the bank account. 

Score Breakdown for the Volcom L

Jacket: Quiksilver Black Alder 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $399
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern Fit (slimmer)

The Black Alder 2L, 1 of 5 Quiksilver Jackets in this list, is the mid-priced Gore-Tex offering from Quiksilver and features all the performance you would expect from Gore-Tex and all the functionality you would want from a snowboarding jacket.

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver Black Alder

Jacket: Patagonia Powder Bowl Gore-Tex
Price: $399
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell with lining
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

The Powder Bowl is 1 of 2 Patagonia jackets to make this list. Though, there would be a few others, if I didn’t put a $500 max on it. 

One difference that makes this jacket more affordable than some of Patagonia’s other options is that it’s heavier than their other shells (941g [33.6oz]) and has a slightly lower breathability rating – but the significant difference in price might make this the Patagonia option for most.

One of the reason’s that the Powder bowl is a little heavier is that it has a liner. No insulation but a liner – so it will be a little warmer than most in this list – but only by a little bit.

Score Breakdown for the Patagonia Powder Bowl

Jacket: 686 Hydrastash Sync Gore-Tex
Price: $399
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated 

One of two 686 Jackets on this list, the Hydrastash Sync is new for 2020.  

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

Jacket: Quiksilver TR Stretch
Price: $389
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 30,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern Fit (slimmer)

A rare non gore-tex option on this list (shock horror!), the TR Stretch still offers up excellent waterproofing and breathability. It’s a little above the average price – but not by much and for the performance and functionality you get with it, it’s money well spent, assuming it lives up to it’s ratings.

It is also constructed with (as the name suggests) flexible stretch fabric for greater range of motion in a slimmer design. 

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver TR Stretch

Jacket: Quiksilver Forever 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $349
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern Fit (slimmer)

The cheapest of Quiksilver’s options on this list, the Forever 2L has all the waterproofing and breathability that most will ever need – and for a really reasonable price for Gore-Tex – and less than the average price of jackets in this top 20. 

I liked this jacket so much I bought it! (the 2019 model) Not only does it provide great value for the performance, but I also really liked the style of it. 

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver Forever

Jacket: Patagonia Departer Gore-Tex
Price: $349
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The Patagonia Departer Gore-Tex is a little cheaper than the other Patagonia option in this list – and it’s also lighter at just 646 g (22.8 oz). So, if weight is important to you as well, this could be a great option for you. 

Score Breakdown for the Patagonia Departer Gore-Tex

Jacket: Dakine Smyth Pure 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $299
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard

The Dakine Smyth 2L is the cheapest of Dakine’s Gore-Tex jackets. And it’s really reasonably priced – less than the average price of all the jackets I looked at for this list – and well less than the average for a gore-tex jacket.

Score Breakdown for the Dakine Smyth

Jacket: Quiksilver Mission 2L Gore-Tex
Price: $289
Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern

Quiksilver's Mission jackets come in a few varieties. This is the gore-tex version. Whilst it's more costly than the other Mission options, it also offers a lot more in terms of waterproofing and breathability, so well worth the extra, if that's important to you. 

And as far as price for gore-tex jackets go, this is one of the lowest priced going around - and a good bit less than the average price on this list. 

Score Breakdown for the Mission 2L Gore-Tex

Jacket: Burton Frostner 3L Gore-tex
Price: $449
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

New for 2020, the Burton Frostner 3L Gore-Tex may isn't the cheapest going around, so you'll want a good budget for it. However, it is one of the only 3 layer jackets to fit under the $500 threshold.

So if you're after the best protection, but still want a somewhat doable price, then the Frostner is worth looking at. 

Score Breakdown for the Frostner 3L Gore-tex

Jacket: Burton AK Cyclic Gore-Tex
Price: $399
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 2nd of 4 Burton jackets on this list, the AK Cyclic is Burton's mid-priced gore-tex option. Slightly above the average price for this list, but not by much. 

It also has great functionality for snowboarding. 

Score Breakdown for the Burton AK Cyclic

Jacket: The North Face Powderflo
Price: $349
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard

The Powderflo is The North Face’s most affordable non-insulated Gore-Tex option. It has you covered for keeping you dry as well as offering lots of functionality for snowboarding.  

Score Breakdown for The North Face Powderflo

Jacket: Burton Vagabond
Price: $349
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 3rd of 4 Burton options in this list, the Vagabond comes in a little cheaper than the Cyclic, but offers the same great performance and functionality. 

Score Breakdown for the Vagabond

Jacket: 686 Gore-Tex GT
Price: $339
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated

The 686 Gore-Tex GT is 686’s 2nd jacket to make this list. The Gore-Tex GT comes in at a really reasonable price for Gore-Tex and under the average price for this list. It also has a loose, articulated fit, for lots of freedom of movement. 

Score Breakdown for the 686 Gore-Tex GT

Jacket: Burton Doppler
Price: $259
Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The final Burton offering on this list, the Doppler is the cheapest Gore-Tex snowboarding jacket I've seen full stop. So, if you're sold on gore-tex, but don't have a massive budget, then this is an option well worth checking out. 

Score Breakdown for the Doppler Gore-Tex

Jacket: Dakine Sawtooth 3L Gore-Tex
Price: $449
Score: 98/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Tailored

In at #3 we have the Dakine Sawtooth 3L Gore-Tex.

This is one of only 3, 3 layer gore-tex jackets to make this list - there are more over $500, but this one was one of the only options to sneak in under that limit. 

It's the 2nd of the Dakine options on this list. It boasts a 3 layer gore-tex construction for superior waterproofing and great breathability. 

Score Breakdown for the Dakine Sawtooth 3L Gore-Tex

Jacket: Quiksilver Mamatus 3L Gore-Tex
Price: $469
Score: 99/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Modern

The final Quiksilver option on this list and one of just three 3 layer gore-tex options for this list, the Mamatus just scrapes under the price threshold. But the performance it boasts and the style (though that's of course in the eye of the beholder) make it a tempting option, if your wallet can manage it.   

Also available in black if the bright orange isn't your thing.

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver Mamatus

Jacket: DC Command
Price: $299
Score: 100/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 30,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular 

And finally, the #1 jacket on this list. This jacket used to have waterproof/breathability ratings of 20,000/20,000 (a couple of seasons back) and the upped ratings have only brought the price up by $20. So if you believe these ratings to be true then this is one heck of a jacket for one heck of a price.

It’s a good bit cheaper than the average price of all the jackets that I looked at, and yes, this jacket isn’t Gore-Tex either. So, 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, 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