The Best Snowboard Jackets of 2024

Trew Gear is back with a brand new PRIMO fabric for their best-selling classic jacket. With Trew’s highest level of waterproofing and breathability — a 20,000mm-rated membrane — this stylish jacket feels bomber from the resort to après and the backcountry. It’s hard to beat the Trew Gear Men’s Cosmic PRIMO Jacket ($479). In addition to the XS through XXL size run, the brand launched extended sizes in this jacket: 3XL through 5XL.

The fabric is not only a delight to wear but is a Bluesign-certified, GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, 100% recycled nylon fabric stacked into a 3-layer waterproof and breathable design. As an innovative textile, the material took several years to design alongside partner Toyota Textiles of Japan, working to reach a level that was both highly waterproof and sustainable in the brand’s 14th year.

Our testers found that the 100% recycled 3-layer fabric feels denser than other jackets in our guide, excelling at keeping wind and snow out. A roomy fit is perfect for adding layers beneath without restricting movement. The silhouette is long enough to cover your butt keeping you extra warm on the chairlift. The Cosmic PRIMO runs slightly larger throughout compared to the classic Cosmic, we found. 

On the skintrack, this jacket didn’t breathe as well as more backcountry-specific jackets but with 16-inch pit zips, the design dumped heat mighty fine. We liked the removable powder skirt, which does a great job of keeping powder out. An integral RECCO reflector is another nice touch for additional safety.

Inside, two mesh dump pockets are large enough to hold splitboard skins between laps — a big plus in our book. Outside, there’s a pass pocket and four large external zippered pockets, which we love for resort days. While we liked the tall collar for keeping wind and snow off our face, we were disappointed that the hood does not fully fit over a ski helmet. The coverage mostly fits but flies back with any wind, and the collar gets very tight around the neck with the hood up, restricting a head turn.

While these jackets might be a tad pricy or overbuilt for some riders, they balance the demands of Mother Nature with style points and a high-quality, long-lasting build, making the Trew Gear Men’s Cosmic PRIMO Jacket our top pick for a snowboard jacket. The PRIMO offers high durability, from bell-to-bell days at the resort in blizzard conditions to long days on the snowmobile and the skin track. This jacket handled everything our testers threw at the kit.

With a relaxed, lengthy style, the new Trew Gear Women’s Stella PRIMO Jacket ($479) is among Trew’s lead designs for ladies to date. The fit is dialed in addition to the brand’s completely new sustainable fabric, the Primo. We absolutely love this slightly hourglass fit and found that the fabric withstood heavy, wet snowfall with no dampening and dried very fast. Beyond the XS through XXL, Trew also debuted 1X through 4X extended sizes in this silhouette.

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Trew launched with drop-seat snow bibs in 2009. Fourteen years later, the brand developed a sustainable fabric after several years of production, which is strong enough to withstand even the coastal elements. Introducing the Primo Collection, the brand’s 100% recycled 3-layer woven nylon, a waterproof-breathable fabric that’s durable and offers dynamic stretch — which is the foundation of the Stella Primo.  

Pockets galore are in this jacket. We love the two exterior chest pockets and two exterior hand pockets, creating a large quadrant of four pockets on the entire face of the jacket. With stylish lines, those four zippers are covered by fabric, so it’s easiest to use the opposite hand to slide items into each chest pocket. We were cautious on the lift and in line to slide items into the lower two hand pockets, because the overlapping fabric is angled down — awareness is key, especially if your hands are in gloves and you can’t feel exactly where the zipper teeth are. That said, we never dropped anything. 

Another two dump pockets are inside for tossing gloves while going through the food or beverage line (those pouches are not the most spacious for skins). There’s a pass pocket on the lower forearm, meaning our card never gets in the way when bending that arm. Adding a zippered interior chest pocket would be a great bonus we’d like to see in the future — but we wouldn’t want that to come at the expense of the large exterior pockets.  

We also wish that the interior collar had a softer fabric for comfort and warmth against the chin and lower face. The hood has a reinforced brim and fits over a helmet but is snug and the brim doesn’t go to the very end of the helmet. There are three elastic adjustments (two in front and one in back) to snug up the hood when wind howls. The powder skirt is removable, and all of the zipper pulls decorating the jacket are easy to grab. 

Recapping, this fabric is fairly soft and quiet. The feel is durable and dense but not insulated. Those underarm vents are 10 inches long (not the 16 inches that are advertised) and lack interior mesh fabric panels. There’s a wide, tapered shape to the wrist cuffs, which we really like and the velcro tabs are easy to grab. Ultimately, the Trew Gear Women’s Stella PRIMO Jacket is comfortable, fashion forward, and shielded very heavy, wet snowfall with no damp spots. Plus, the fabric dried quickly after full days on the slopes. This is one of our favorite all-around snowboard jackets, hands down.

Perfectly kitted out with pockets, a lower environmental impact, and overall style contribute to why the Burton Men’s Covert 2.0 Jacket ($270) is a great choice for resort shred days. Plus, the cost is reasonable for the package.

This 2-layer jacket offers moderate-level waterproofness and breathability, which works for riders in more mild and moderate climates. And the price tag is on the lower end of the spectrum.

There are ample pockets including one that’s insulated for a phone, two hand pockets, a ski pass pocket, an interior mesh dump pocket, and two spacious chest pockets. We also like the pit zips for venting, removable powder skirt, and the helmet-compatible, one-hand-adjustable hood. Those fleece liners in the hand pockets aren’t too shabby, either.

This was one of the warmest jackets we tested, and a few testers of different sizes and heights all liked the fit. An effort was also made with the sustainability of the Burton Men’s Covert 2.0 Jacket, using Bluesign-approved materials and PFC-free DWR.

This insulated design sits at an excellent price point for comfortable, functional snowboard outerwear. The 686 Women’s Athena Insulated Jacket ($200) offers synthetic insulation throughout the body, sleeves, and hood. That cozy fill serves to keep shredders warm during cold temps and potentially eliminates the need for a mid-layer purchase as well, which could be a bonus for those on a budget.

While the jacket doesn’t boast the highest waterproofness and the seams are not critically taped, the insulation is synthetic, so it can retain heat even when damp. But overall, this jacket will serve folks in cold, dry conditions rather than snowboarding all day in a snowstorm with PNW high water content.

The pockets are adequate with an internal goggle and lens stash, an external smartphone pocket with an outlet for an audio cord, and a pass pocket. There are two spacious zippered hand pockets. We also like that there’s a powder skirt and underarm ventilation in 686 Women’s Athena Insulated Jacket.

Dakine leveled up its sustainability efforts this winter. The result? A hard-working, stylish snowboard jacket with a face fabric that’s completely made from recycled materials, 100%, and is recyclable once retired. We welcome the Dakine Men’s Sender Stretch 3L Jacket and Dakine Women’s Sender Stretch 3L Jacket for guys and gals ($495). Called RE-PSYCHED, the brand’s 4-way stretch recycled polyester is pliable, comfortable, durable, and boasts a DWR treatment, which helped us stay dry on pow days and in snow storms.

One of our favorite features of this baggier-yet-technical design is the prolific collection of roomy pockets for ample fuel, soft water flasks, or keys. On the front, two spacious exterior chest pockets have zip closures. There are another two lower-level pockets with both a zip and snap-flap closure (the snaps are a bit shallow and not the easiest to close). Inside, there’s a zippered chest pocket and a dump pocket. The left arm has a pass pocket. There’s also an integrated RECCO detector.

The wide arm cuffs fit well and easily over gauntlet gloves, which are a must if your hands tend to get cold or you ride in a frigid, wind-chilled place. Those tapered velcro tabs are easy to grab and adjust.

As a non-insulated jacket, we quickly learned to utilize mid-layers on stormy lift days and comfortably moved uphill in this shell, which features to spacious underarm zips. We wish the zipper pulls were a tad larger and easier to grab but the zips never failed.

There is an attached powder skirt, though it tapers and doesn’t fully extend around the front, a drawback in our book on deep days. The jacket is free of wrist gaiters, which could be good or bad depending on the shredder.

Ultimately, this sustainable, well-constructed snowboard jacket for gals and dudes is one of our favorites that we’ve tested. The Dakine Men’s Sender Stretch 3L Jacket and Dakine Women’s Sender Stretch 3L Jacket is one of our favorite snowboard jackets, is built to withstand even the heavy moisture of the Pacific Northwest, and can also be worn as a kit with the Sender Pants. We dig.

The Flylow Roswell Jacket ($300) is lightly filled with 80 g of insulation — hood included — making this layer a solid contender for blustery conditions. Just pull it on over a base layer and light fleece or on warm spring days with short sleeves, depending on the rider and location.

If the conditions call, riders can pull the hood over their helmet. There’s a powder skirt, and we appreciate the wrist gaiters with thumbholes.

While the waterproofness is on the lower end, the face fabric is treated with DWR, which enhances the protection so moisture beads right off. The jacket’s seams are also fully taped, and there’s a YKK waterproof zipper. Those underarm zips are a generous 13 inches.

And we can’t overlook that there are pockets galore: four exterior pockets for stashing goods, a pass pocket, one interior pocket for gloves, and a media pocket.

With 120-denier 2-layer fabric, the material is not the most robust but does the trick for weekly trips to the resort. All considered, we love pulling on the Flylow Roswell Jacket for resort laps in all conditions.

Launched in the winter of 22/23, the Jones Snowboards Women’s MTN Surf Recycled Jacket ($500) for ladies is among the newest offerings from Jones and the design doesn’t disappoint. Super buttery, boxy, and hip, this cloak is fresh, functional, and offers warmth with a bit of insulation — but not too much. For 23/24, there are minor stitching and velcro updates but nothing significant. 

First off, the design reps top-notch sustainability with bluesign-certified 100% recycled polyester textiles (inside and out) and PrimaLoft Bio, a biodegradable synthetic insulation created from recycled materials. The DWR treatment is PFC-free. There are recycled YKK Natulon zips, zip pulls, and recycled polyester cords. Topped with the OEKO-Tex Standard 100 standard, we’re not sure what else could be done to ramp up eco-friendliness. 

We especially appreciate all of the pockets in this insulated jacket. The two triangular hand pockets are massive: 12 inches tall and at the widest point, 9 inches side to side. A small pocket on the left forearm is for your ski pass, and an exterior upper left chest pocket is comfortably placed, which includes a mesh, minimalist pocket for a phone (note: requires two hands to slip a device in). Inside the jacket, there’s an upper left zippered chest pocket and two lower dump pockets. 

Zero-degree day? No problem. The fit is excellent for layering whatever you need beneath and moving freely on the slopes with no hang-ups or tight spots. An abrasion-resistant ripstop fabric is used on the hood and arms while a four-way stretch material is used for the torso. The hood and collar have a great shape and work well — offering plenty of protection and space to move while in use and pulled up. 

While the length of the arms might be a bit shorter than other jackets, they work. The velcro cuffs are medium width, easy to use, and meet the day’s demands. There’s a fixed powder skirt and three lockable hood adjustment cords.

We dig the “5 Red Flags” avalanche education infographic on the forearm: New Snow, Recent Avalanches, Collapsing Cracking, Rise in Temp, Strong Winds. There’s a second sweet infographic inside the right chest, above the dump pocket detailing “Avalanche Rescue Tips” with comprehensive yet quickly digestible guidelines. While we typically opt for a non-insulated jacket for tours, for more versatility, it’s helpful to constantly study backcountry safety.

Included in the package is RECCO, fully taped seams, and generous pit zips. The Jones Women’s MTN Surf Recycled Jacket is among our favorite jackets to grab when heading up to the resort from morning to afternoon laps whether it’s a bluebird day or stormy and freezing cold.

Jones Snowboards continues to set a high bar for sustainable, high-performing snowboard jackets only a few seasons into building apparel. We can’t say we’re surprised but their designers are really pushing the boundaries of sustainability. Despite a noticeable malleable hand feel, they’re stalwart, too. The Jones Snowboards Men’s Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket ($600) is a premium snowboard jacket made for dawn-to-dusk days on the skin track, extreme weather conditions, or bell-to-bell laps at the resort.

What sets this jacket apart is the fabric. This lightweight, soft, and stretchy textile is matched with incredible durability and performance, which boasts 30,000 mm of waterproofness and breathability. While we did find the fabric durable, the face of the lighter colored option shows dirt very easily. Regardless, we appreciate the natural yet bright tone for helping us pop against a white slope. 

One of our other favorite features of this jacket is its plethora of pockets — 9 total! We loved the oversized outer chest pockets. The chest pockets were large enough for phones, cameras, snacks, and more. Those two are accessible with a hip belt on. There are four other zippered pockets: Two outer hand pockets, a large interior zippered chest pocket, and a small forearm pass pocket. Inside are two large chest pockets that are perfect for splitboard skins, and a minimalist phone keeper. 

With all that performance packed into the fabric, there’s no tradeoff in terms of sustainability. The face fabric is a 100% recycled 70-denier polyester giving a four-way stretch that was unmatched on the skin track. The 20-denier polyester backer is 100% recycled, too. A dot-laminated hydrophilic membrane is sandwiched inside, making a 3-layer waterproof design.

The outer fabric is also treated with a PFC-free DWR, helping to keep moisture out without the use of toxic chemicals. The entire jacket meets the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and is Bluesign-certified meaning you can trust the materials are safe for the environment. The jacket also boasts recycled polyester zip pulls and adjuster cords, as well as YKK Natulon recycled zips, which is a step up from most brands.  

Jones specifically designed this jacket with sidecountry and backcountry riders in mind, integrating emergency avalanche rescue tools and education. That includes RECCO detectors and an integrated infographic called “5 Red Flags” with signs related to avalanche instability that splitboarders should consistently review. Inside the jacket is a second durable, laminated infographic, which covers the Avalanche Rescue Steps.

Overall, we loved the Jones Snowboards Men’s Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket for all types of snowboarding. It really shines on the skin track with its breathability and stretch but was a stout companion for long, blizzardy resort days, too. With such high breathability, we did get cold more easily than other heavier weight jackets while taking chilly lift rides at the resort, so make sure to layer appropriately underneath. Want to go fast, light, and packable? If splitboard mountaineering while looking good and feeling good about your environmental impact is the goal, then look no further than the Shralpinist.

Nuances matter. We’re not sure how Jones achieved improving an already steadfast and eco-friendly ladies’ three-layer shell, but they did. The Jones Snowboards Women’s Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket ($550) is an ideal design for both resort rips and backcountry missions. Updated for 23/24, the yarn size was hiked from 50-denier to 75-denier tenacity with a higher thread count and fabric weight, making the layer even burlier. The weight increase is negligible, especially compared to the durability perks. 

Off the bat, the face fabric is noticeably supple and quiet, with no noisy nature disturbance on splitboard tours. This jacket is a stout yet breathable partner for big days in the elements with fully taped seams, RECCO, 100% recycled and four-way stretch material, 100% recycled backer, and PFC-free DWR. The recycled zippers, pull cords, and adjuster cords send the jacket over the top with a sustainable touch. You also might have noticed that 30K/30K waterproofness and breathability grade — the highest mark in the books. Even in a downpour of snow, this jacket hasn’t soaked through, keeping us dry and nicely blocking the wind.

We love the prolific pockets: Two huge 14-by-8-inch chest pockets fit whatever you want, even skins or a large phone or beacon, which are accessible with a hip belt on. (Remember, keep transceivers at least 16 to 20 inches away from other electronics — so don’t put your beacon and phone side-by-side in those spacious chest cavities.) On the left side is a mesh hammock for a phone (though, a large device doesn’t slide in well). A pass pocket on the left forearm, two internal mesh dump pockets, and an internal chest pocket with a zip closure round out the pouches. Our favorite spot to throw skins between laps is those interior stretchy purses.

To invite a breeze on the up-track are two spacious pit zips, 14 inches long. A sweeping hood and tall, comfortable chin guard offer protection against ripping weather. The fleece liner inside the collar is a bit lean — only 4 inches long by 6/8 inches wide — and we wish it were more expansive. Jones continues to support avalanche education and backcountry safety with two infographics on the arm and interior chest: “5 Red Flags” and “Avalanche Rescue Tips.” Both are rad additions, especially for a jacket primed for out-of-bounds travel. 

For garnish, the Jones Snowboards Women’s Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket has a fixed pow skirt, a hanging loop on the interior collar, sturdy brim on the hood, Bluesign’s stamp of approval, and wide Velcro wrist straps. After testing the jacket through a couple of seasons, we have yet to have a zipper or patch of textile break — or even visually wear out — despite carrying a heavy load, muscling an off-trail sled, and managing a large trailer for backcountry access. Hands down, this is the jacket we reach for on backcountry adventures midseason and splitboard mountaineering come spring.

Read the full GearJunkie review of the jacket’s first iteration.

Our best shell and backcountry-performance jacket for shredders is the Outdoor Research Men’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($399), which is also offered for ladies with the Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($399). Launched back in 2021, the Skytour is made with Outdoor Research’s AscentShell technology and has been a servant on backcountry missions.

Of all the waterproof hardshells we tested, this one was of top-notch breathability and air permeability, so we can avoid getting clammy or too hot while ascending the route. Our other favorite detail is the stretch, which is a necessity while dialing back the shoulder straps and hip belt on a heavy pack. Malleable material is also key for snowmobiling to the base of a climb, or bending over to transition our gear or adjust our bindings at the top of the drop.

This jacket performs super well in the backcountry. The fit and sizing are accurate for the purpose. While it’s not insulated or roomy, you can use this shell at the resort, too.

All around, the design is equipped with pit zips and quality pockets both in terms of size and placement. There are both interior and dual exterior chest pockets, two hand pockets, an interior mesh stash, and a forearm pass pocket.

If we had to pick only a few favorite things to brag on about Outdoor Research Men’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket for men and Outdoor Research Women’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket, it’d be the combo comfort and durability of the shell, the adjustable hood with a wire brim, and the softly lined chin guard. All in all, if you haven’t upgraded your splitboarding shell in a while, the OR Skytour AscentShell should definitely go on your list.

It’s hard to recall a snowboard jacket we’ve tested that’s received more compliments than the Stio Women’s Figment Jacket ($499) while shredding at the ski hill or hopping on the bus, board in hand. With a movement-focused freeride cut, plus aesthetic pockets and lines, the Stio Men’s Figment Jacket looks just as good, especially paired with the complimentary Stio Women’s Figment Bib or Stio Men’s Figment Bib. Both kits launched for the 23/24 season, setting a fresh twist on the brand’s typically athletic-paired style.

A baggier silhouette all but eliminates restriction, so we can take deep carves, stomp the bootpack, drop steeps, tuck cliffs, whip around moguls, and meet whatever else the day delivers. Even the hood is fully compatible with a helmet, allowing a noggin swivel on descents in dicey terrain. A looser fit also supports one of the premiere details of this design: Seemingly endless pockets.

There are two wide, tall exterior chest pockets, a perfect spot to quickly slide a phone. Inside one of those is a buttery lens wipe attached via a fixed cord, so you can’t drop it, which is perfect for a goggle, phone, or camera lens. Inside the other is a small stretchy pocket for slender cards or a key fob. Below the chest pockets are two large hand pockets with a top entrance, protected by a zipper flap. A wrist has a pass pocket. Inside the jacket are two mesh dump pockets, which are sizable for accessories like a goggle lens or extra gloves, plus a zippered, stretchy chest pocket.

With attention to the details, Stio added a soft tricot liner where the jacket’s interior rests against your face, and the chinguard’s size is generous: a 5.5 x 5.5-inch and 4.5 x 5.5-inch patch. There’s also an 8-inch by 1.5-inch strip of buttery fabric against the neck, like an integrated scarf. Bless you, Stio. We’ve also never seen this: A small loop that’s integrated into the interior hem of the jacket, where inbounds riders can attach a ski pass, for scanning, if they’d like.

Certainly, this blend of textiles and touchpoints can withstand a beating, but the ingredients are sustainable, too. This 3-layer shell fabric, called PeakProof, is 100% recycled. For an uptick of waterproofness, the face is treated with 80/20 PFC-free DWR: that point system means the performance remains optimal for 20 washes, which is an excellent bar. As a dense shell, this jacket is very protective against the elements — heavy or wet snow and wind — and is super durable, and comfortable.

The fabric’s waterproof rating reaches 20,000 mm, which is high performance, and the breathability is moderate, at 10,000 g/m²/24hrs, which is great for resort days. What’s sacrificed is breathability on the skin track. If you prefer to wear a shell while you’re traveling beneath dense, snow-covered trees, for instance, this isn’t our first choice — the exception being extremely cold days well below freezing, like in the Jackson Hole zone, where the brand is based. However, the amount of fabric is also a factor to consider for tours, and we found this to be a bit much.

Nonetheless, this stylish, dependable jacket is an ideal pick for riding the resort without a second thought for comfort or carry, whether you’re packing snacks or sunnies or a GoPro. Guys and gals alike, our snowboarders raved about the Stio Men’s Figment Jacket and Stio Women’s Figment Jacket. Despite a full season on these kits, we’ve hardly seen any wear and tear other than a few dirt and oil smudges.

The Airblaster Women’s Sassy Beast Jacket ($320) has detail-oriented features, from the unique powder skirt to the spacious pockets and a highly waterproof, breathable fabric. With compressible 100% recycled PrimaLoft insulation integrated into the jacket, the design aims to keep riders both warm and dry.

The two-layer fabric is Eco-Vortex with an outer layer that’s likewise 100% recycled. A PFC-free DWR finish adds even more protection against heavy snowfall. And the waterproof YKK zippers down the center front and on the chest pocket block moisture.

Overall, the smooth fabric isn’t loud or crunchy. And it barricades biting cold wind and repels moisture super well. Those seams are fully sealed, too.

Some of the most unique features of this jacket are the two huge chest pockets. The opening is a whopping 12 inches, and the interior length is closer to 18 inches in total. The pocket is shaped like a triangle that tapers toward the top, so the width varies but is nearly 9 inches at its widest point. These two gargantuan pockets are a tradeoff for not having traditional hand pockets.

At the end of the day, the Airblaster Women’s Sassy Beast Jacket is what we grab for cold, deep, and playful days at the resort for all around comfortable and style.

To learn more, check out our full GearJunkie review of the jacket. Also read the review on the Airblaster Sassy Hot Bib, which rounds out the kit.

Picture Organic continues to push the boundaries of sustainability in snowboard jackets — and these just set a new benchmark. In a complete makeover from former iterations of these jackets, the Picture Organic Men’s Object Jacket and Picture Organic Women’s Seen Jacket ($353) are made with the brand’s new Circular Polyester, which is 100% upcycled fabric from factory scraps and used jackets. Picture determined that a closed-loop or circular process utilizes fewer resources than recycling while further reducing emissions.

The two-layer fabric maintains a 20,000 mm waterproofness rating and is topped with a PFC-free DWR treatment called Teflon Ecoelite, a bio-based and non-fluorinated stain-repellent technology that dually repels water and water-based stains. All of those sustainability efforts are crowned with the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Global Recycled Standard certifications, which determine that the textile is both recycled and free of harmful substances.

In addition to the sustainable outer, both jackets are made with recycled synthetic insulation with 60 g throughout the body and sleeves topped off with 40 g in the hood. As an insulated piece, our testers felt warm on the slopes, but the jacket does feel heavy compared to other shell jackets and would be too warm for the skintrack or sun-spiced spring resort laps. 

Both jackets have fully taped seams, functional underarm vents, powder skirts, wrist gaiters, and a designated pass pocket. The Women’s Seen has only one chest pocket compared to the Object’s two chest pockets. 

Most differences are only in terms of style and color. Both jackets have a straight, boxier fit, and come in a stylish-looking kit. Overall, the Picture Organic Men’s Object Jacket and Picture Organic Women’s Seen Jacket are best for riders wanting a warm resort jacket that stands out on crowded slopes and helps keep fabric scraps out of the landfill — which we all know is essential.

The Dakine A-1 Jacket ($290) is by far the most uniquely styled jacket in our guide. Dakine wanted to make a 90s-style throwback jacket that inspired nostalgia from the early days of snowboard culture and we think they nailed it perfectly. 

The A1 comes with all the modern features one could want while staying in a retro look. A low-profile powder skirt and adjustable cuffs help to keep snow out and warmth in. Zippered pit vents let out that heat when you’re hiking the park or shoveling snow for a street rail.  

That fabric boasts a 10,000 waterproofing/10,000 breathability rating, which will work great for most ski resorts across the country. The material comes with Dakine’s durable fabric package: a 1-year warranty, meaning this jacket should hold up to years of abuse and hard landings.

While we were not a fan of the lack of a hood, we respect the nostalgic style this jacket was aiming to reach. If you’re looking for an old-school snowboarding jacket that can hold up in today’s conditions, the Dakine A-1 Jacket is the one for you.

The Volcom Women’s V.CO Aris GORE-TEX Jacket ($310) is a well-fitting (but not tight), flattering, well-equipped jacket we found perfect for snowboarding.

The Aris uses maybe the most popular fabric out there — a two-layer GORE-TEX shell with a PFC-free DWR. The fabric is super durable and isn’t crunchy or loud.

And this jacket won us over with all the other little details: YKK AquaGuard zippers, a jacket-to-pant interface, long pit zips, a taffeta-lined interior and brushed tricot-lined pockets, and a hood adjustable in two places. The super soft suede chin guard is one of our favorites we’ve ever used and keeps our face protected during stormy days and lift rides. There’s a unique tiny whistle integrated into the front zipper pull, too.

This is one of those jackets that’s designed so well it feels familiar from the first day you put it on. There are also the adjustable cuffs, hem, and hood to applaud.

Whether you aim for a more urban-style jacket or a more modern-style jacket, the Volcom Women’s V.CO Aris GORE-TEX Jacket caters to both. Let’s face it — most of us do want a jacket that feels and looks good. That combo makes it one of the best snowboard jackets you can buy.

Launched in 2022 by Jones Snowboards is an outerwear collection that includes the Jones Snowboards MTN Surf Recycled Jacket ($500), an everyday jacket that works as well on bluebird park days as it does on a skin track. This baby is supremely accommodating in all conditions, comfortable, and versatile.

Lined with 100% recycled PrimaLoft Bio insulation — which is biodegradable and made from recycled materials — the predominant characteristic of the MTN Surf Jacket is warmth, but not at the sacrifice of movement or breathability. Its tough body-mapped shell features two types of PFC-free fabric: a two-layer, waterproof ripstop recycled polyester in the hood and shoulders, and a more breathable, two-layer, four-way-stretch recycled polyester around the torso.

This pairing means protection where you get wet and breathability where you sweat, enhanced by zippered pit vents that make dumping heat a breeze. We generally keep them open for the downhill and zipped for the lift. Those seams are fully sealed and there’s an integrated RECCO reflector, too.

For other sustainability features, the jacket has YKK Natulon recycled zippers as well as YKK VISLON Aquaguard zippers with recycled zipper pulls and adjuster cords. A PFC-free DWR treatment keeps moisture beaded on top. Inside, the 100% recycled polyester lining boosts the cozy factor.

The jacket is WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified, meets the Oeko-Tex standard 100, and includes Bluesign-approved materials — verifying the sustainable, ethical processes and materials used to make the jacket.

For storage, each of the nine pockets in the Jones Snowboards MTN Surf Recycled Jacket are designed for a different use, with a pass pocket in the left forearm and a cellphone stash tucked into the chest where it stays warm and holds battery life longer.

Read our full GearJunkie review of this jacket’s first iteration.

If you’re looking for a quality GORE-TEX jacket with a longer length designed for snowboarders, 686 Men’s GORE-TEX Core Shell Jacket ($330) and 686 Women’s GORE-TEX Willow Insulated Jacket ($360) are fantastic options.

Some of the best and only longer-coverage GORE-TEX jackets on this list, the men’s Core and women’s Willow both feature a two-layer, Bluesign-approved GORE-TEX poly fabric with a DWR treatment and fully taped GORE-TEX seams.

Both men’s and women’s styles have helmet-compatible hoods, attached powder skirts, Lycra wrist gaiters, and adjustable cuffs. There are five total pockets (two hand pockets, one pass pocket, one goggle pocket, and one media access zippered pocket). And best of all, both include a lifetime warranty.

The only big difference between the men’s and women’s styles is the 686 Women’s GORE-TEX Willow Insulated Jacket has an added 40 g of 85% recycled infiLOFT insulation. We found it provides nice warmth while not being so much that you can’t use this jacket on warm spring days, especially with the pit zips and chest vent zipper to help air out.

For close to $350, the 686 Men’s GORE-TEX Core Shell Jacket and Willow Insulated Jacket add up to a great deal for shredders.

Another staff favorite that didn’t quite make our awarded list but remains among top picks is the Volcom Men’s L GORE-TEX Jacket ($340). This layer shares similarities with the Volcom Aris — it’s a relaxed fit, two-layer GORE-TEX shell with design details that’ll help make this jacket last the long haul.

It’s waterproof and windproof with fully taped seams and works great for snowboarding. There are many pockets with good placement, including two softly-lined hand pockets, a zippered pass pocket on the sleeve, a device pocket on the chest with an external zipper and media port, and a mesh goggle hammock inside.

The design also has fully taped seams, hood adjustment cinch, mesh-backed pit zips, and a full suede chin guard.

To help keep snow out on deep powder days, there’s also a zipper interface for the jacket to zip into your Volcom snow pants, which works seamlessly — we give it a big thumbs-up. Top it off with an eco-friendly PFC-free DWR coating, and the Volcom Men’s L GORE-TEX Jacket is ready for a storm or sunny bootpack.