Ski & Snowboard Jackets - The Features You Need To Know

What do you look for in a ski or snowboard jacket? We all tend to first look at the design. Do we like the colour? What about the shape or fit? Then the next question is budget. Does the jacket fit our price range? But there are more things that we can look at to decide if this is the ski jacket or snowboard jacket we’ve been looking for and many of these features determine where on the price scale a jacket will sit.

Outer Fabric

The outer fabric of a jacket is one of the most important features and any area with lots of options. Looking at the basics there are a few main elements you will see advertised on a ski or snowboard jacket. The first thing you will see will be the waterproof and breathability rating. This is a big topic we’ll dive into in another article, but put simply, the higher the numbers are a better rating. For Australia conditions we would recommend a jacket with at least 10,000/10,000 or 10k/10k. Sometimes you may see Gore-Tex or like products advertised. These are particular fabrics which are specialised for waterproofing and breathability and come with high ratings. Next you may see a DWR rating. This refers to the water repellent treatment added to the fabric. As ski and snowboard jackets use fabrics that withstand water, and DWR of 80/10 or 80/20 is perfect. Other features you may see advertised include 4-way stretch fabrics which allow for greater ease of movement and eco-friendly fabrics which are made from recycled materials.

Insulation

Insulation is the part that will help you stay nice and warm even in wild weather on the hill. Jackets have varying levels depending on the style/purpose of the jacket and price. A ‘shell’ is a jacket which has low to no filling in the jacket. Normally extremely waterproof and breathable, these jackets are made to be worn in any condition doing a range of activity levels with maximum movement in the jacket. If you chose a shell style jacket, your insulation will come from your choice of mid-layers underneath. In a more traditional snow jacket, the insulation will be thicker. This is another big topic for another day but once again, the higher the number the higher the rating. There is no set level we would recommended across the board as everyone is very different when it comes to our warmth and activity levels on snow. You may also see some brands advertised recycled insulation materials which reduce on wastage and CO² emissions.

Lining

The inner lining of a jacket is all about comfort. While men’s jackets usually have a mesh style liner, many women’s jackets will have pretty or fluffy designs. This is for you to enjoy and show off at après ski time.

Powder Skirts

Powder skirts are the extra fabric flap inside in a jacket that buttons up around your waist/hips. Its job is to stop snow from getting inside your jacket and creeping up to your core. While Australia may not be known for its powder days, in some international resorts, this ‘skirt’ is an essential part of your jacket. Most powder skirts will include press stud buckles to fasten ad some jackets will offer a removeable powder skirt. Removable powder skirts can be taken on or off, usually with a zip.

Pockets

If you’ve ever counted the number of pockets o a ski or snowboard jacket you may have noticed that there’s quite a few. Between internal and external pockets there can be upwards of six pockets. Some of the specialised pockets you may find that aren’t in your standard jacket include goggle pockets and media pockets. Goggle pockets are mesh pockets found on the inside of your jacket. The soft mesh allows for ay size goggle to be easily tucked away and kept safe when not in use. Media pockets are often located on the zip line of the jacket or on the internal chest area. Lined to keep your media devices safe and warm, they often include a rubber cord feeder which allows for headphones to be pass through into the pocket without the risk of your phone falling out half way down the slopes.

Ski Pass Pocket

Just like its name suggests, this is a pocket specifically designed to hold your ski pass. Located on the lower arm, this small zipped pocket is perfect for storing your ski pass and tapping through the gates at the lifts. No more trying to get your pass out of your pockets with bulky gloves. This small feature will make lift access a breeze.Zips

The zips on your jacket are extremely important They need to be reliable and prevent water leaks through to your mid layers. YKK Zips are the most commonly used high quality zips used in ski and snowboard clothing. The second important feature of zips is their covering. Jacket designs use various techniques to boost protection of zips including storm flaps secured by Velcro, studs or magnetic closures.

Vent Zips

One zip you may be expecting to find is a zip located in the underarm area of the jacket. This mesh lined zip is known as a vent zip or ‘pit zip’. Open up these zips on a sunny day to allow your body heat to easily escape, reducing sweat, body odour and discomfort.

Jacket Hoods

Your snow jacket hood serves the same purpose as a hood on any other jacket, keeping your head and face dry. Some jackets will offer removable hoods. These are attached using a zip and/or stud buckles allowing the hood to be removed on fair weather days. Hoods with fur lining will sometimes also include an option to remove the fur, a great feature when there’s a little too much moisture in the air. You may notice that the hood on your snow jacket seems a bit big for your head. This is totally normal and done purposely. Snow jackets hoods are made to be helmet compatible so that you can use your hood while staying safe.

Cuffs

Just as important as the jacket itself is the way it joins in with your next waterproof item. The cuffs at the end of your sleeves needs to connect well with your gloves to keep snow out. Your jacket may use adjustable cuffs with stud closures, elastic or a combination of the two. Either way, your jacket sleeves should be long enough to go over the end of your gloves and create a comfortably snug fit.

Need some more information? Get in contact with our team or visit us in Bright for specialised advice in your next purchase.