Top 20 Snowboard Jackets 2020-21 (Past Season)

Jacket: Dakine Smyth Pure 2L Gore-Tex

Price: $299

Score: 91.5/100
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 – a good bit 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: Dakine Sawtooth 3L Gore-Tex

Price: $449

Score: 94/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Tailored

Next up we have another Dakine offering - the Dakine Sawtooth 3L Gore-Tex.

This is the only 3 layer gore-tex jacket to make this list - 3L options typically cost more than $500 (which was the upper limit I set for this list), 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: Thirty Two TM 

Price: $269

Score: 94.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular 

The Thirty Two TM snowboard jacket is one of only 4 in this list that isn't gore-tex. But that's not necessarily a bad thing in this case, with the TM boasting great waterproofing and breathability. 

That plus all the functionality you need from a snowboard jacket, makes this a very appealing option, particularly if you're on a budget but still want really good waterproofing/breathability - it's the second lowest priced jacket on this list. 

Score Breakdown for the TM

Jacket: Volcom Stone 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 Volcom Stone is Volcom's first of 4 offerings on this list. It's is a small step down in terms of price vs the BL Stretch (see #15 below), 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 second of 4 Volcom jackets in this list, the Volcom L, is the 2nd cheapest Gore-Tex offering in this entire list (and 3rd cheapest overall for this list).

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: Volcom BL Stretch Gore-Tex

Price: $440

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Standard (relaxed but not loose)

Volcom's 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 BL Stretch

Jacket: 686 Hydrastash Sync Gore-Tex

Price: $439

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Articulated 

One of three 686 Jackets on this list, the Hydrastash Sync was new for 2020 and now also has a 2021 model.  

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: 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 the only Patagonia jacket to make this list. Though, there would be a few others, if I didn’t put a $500 max in place. 

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: 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 3 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.

It has a more modern, slimmer fit for those looking for something not too baggy. 

Score Breakdown for the Quiksilver Black Alder

Jacket: Volcom Longo Gore-Tex

Price: $350

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

New for 2021, the Volcom Longo comes with all the benefits of gore-tex and great functionality at a mid-range price. 

Score Breakdown for the Longo Gore-tex

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 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 I rated for this list. 

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: 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: 686 Core Gore-Tex

Price: $279

Score: 96.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 686 Core Gore-Tex jacket is new for 2021 and is one of the cheaper gore-tex jackets going around. It's the third cheapest gore-tex jacket on this list and the 4th lowest price. 

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

Score Breakdown for the Core 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 1st of 3 Burton jackets on this list, the AK Cyclic is Burton's mid-priced gore-tex shell option. Pretty much at 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: Burton Vagabond

Price: $349

Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

The 2nd of the 3 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: $349

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 3rd and final 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: Thirty Two TM3

Price: $309

Score: 97.5/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 30,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

New for 2021, replacing last years Mullair, the TM3 (not to be confused with the boots of the same name!) are 1 of just 4 non-gore-tex options on this list, but boast really good performance and at a price that your bank account might just be able to stomach. 

Score Breakdown for TM3

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. It's the cheapest gore-tex option and the cheapest overall on this list too.  

Score Breakdown for the Doppler Gore-Tex

Jacket: DC Command

Price: $299

Score: 99/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 30,000mm
Breathability: 25,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular 

In at #2, we have DC's Command Jacket. 

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

Jacket: DC Operative

Price: $419

Score: 100/100
Insulation: Shell
Waterproof Rating: 45,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped
Fit: Regular

And finally, the #1 jacket on this list.

The DC Operative boasts incredible waterproofing and breathability performance. If the numbers are to be believed, it's one of the most waterproof and breathable jackets going around. 

And on top of all that, it has all the functionality you'll ever need (and might just make you look like a ninja!)

Score Breakdown for the Operative