Skiing is a very popular winter sport that many people enjoy. If you’re new to skiing or just looking for some new gear, it can be difficult to know what clothes and equipment will best suit your needs. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about ski jackets and how they’ll make your time on the slopes more enjoyable. Skiing is a fun activity enjoyed by millions of people all around the world, but it can also be challenging if you don’t have the right clothing and equipment. A great way to get started with skiing is doing research into ski jackets so that when you go out onto the slopes, you’re prepared with proper attire.
What are the Best Men Ski Jackets?
Below you’ll find the list of the top 6 Best Men Ski Jackets. We compiled this list from men ski jackets we have used, asked others about, and researched further to give you the best possible roundup. With many years of experience with ski jackets for men you can be assured that this article will give you what you’re looking for.
We also wrote a buying guide and answered some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) at the end of this article.
1. Marmot Minimalist Lightweight Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.81 pounds (0.37 kg) |
The Minimalist Lightweight Marmot Rain Jacket is a light, fully waterproof outer layer that is perfect for hiking, cycling, and climbing approaches. The combination of Gore-Tex material and taped seams ensure thorough waterproofing and weatherproofing. Even the zip is water-resistant, despite being already protected by a storm flap. There are built-in Pitzips for heat regulation which increase the airflow around your arms. The hood can be adjusted for maximum facial coverage. Furthermore, arm mobility is unhindered due to Marmot’s Angel-Wing Movement design.
2. North Face Allproof Stretch Jacket
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.73 pounds (0.33 kg) |
The North Face Allproof Stretch Jacket, like the Inlux Jacket, is also constructed using North Face’s patented DryVent material. It is designed to ensure mobility throughout numerous outdoor activities by being lightweight and stretchy, so it doesn’t weigh you down and moves with you. While not particularly insulating, it is fully windproof and waterproof and functions as an excellent outer shell. It works as a standalone garment in warm and wet weather, and pairs excellently with insulating layers, stretching over the top of thicker garments.
The Allproof Stretch Jacket is another budget-friendly, yet functional garment, comparable to the Arc’teryx Beta AR. While not as streamlined and protective, it will certainly keep you dry in wet weather.
3. Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.16 pounds (0.46 kg) |
The Arc’teryx Beta AR jacket has been one of their leading and most popular products since 2000, designed to be a versatile, high performance hard shell jacket that can protect the wearer in almost any situation. It is constructed with a Goretex membrane to ensure that it is both waterproof and windproof while maintaining breathability. It is also incredibly lightweight and durable. The product has been designed to move with you, with gusseted underarms and articulated elbows to allow mobility. The jacket is fully adjustable to ensure a comfortable and closed fit around accessories such as gloves and helmets.
As a waterproof outer shell, this Arc’teryx rain jacket is a fantastic choice. The only real downside to the product is the price, as many people are not willing to fork out such a large amount for a waterproof Goretex jacket. That being said, an investment in this premium product will guarantee you years of unbeatable weather protection.
4. Mammut Kento Hooded Hardshell Jacket
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.3 pounds (0.43 kg) |
The Mammut Kento Jacket is a reasonably priced, climbing friendly, waterproof shell. It features two front pockets designed to work while wearing a climbing harness and an adjustable hood that fits comfortably around a climbing helmet, the shield of which has been reinforced to maximize your field of vision while protecting you from bad weather.
The yips of the jacket are made by YKK Vislon and are water repellent. The garment is made from Polyamide and Polyurethane to ensure waterproofing. It is lightweight, compressible, and therefore extremely packable, functioning as an excellent extra layer for a day of hiking or climbing.
5. Mammut Aenergy Pro Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.1 pounds (0.5 kg) |
Optimized for skiing and mountaineering, the Mammut Aernergy is a flexible and breathable softshell jacket that works as an excellent mid-layer in bad conditions and a functional outer layer when it’s not raining too hard. It is made of durable elasticized material to not impede your mobility and is fully adjustable at the hems to fit around accessories like gloves and to comfortably fit the user.
Like the Kento, the Aernergy also comes with harness-friendly pockets to stash your gear in. Its breathability is particularly noteworthy, ensuring excellent air circulation while keeping you warm and dry.
While not completely waterproof due to the softshell design, the jacket is very windproof and can be paired with a waterproof outer shell in a layering system. The Aernergy will protect you from gentle rainfall or snowfall.
6. Arc’teryx Beta AR Goretex Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.1 pounds (0.49 kg) |
Comparable to the Mammut Kento Jacket, the Arc’teryx Beta jacket is a waterproof outer shell constructed from strong GoreTex Pro material. The jacket is completely waterproof and windproof, lightweight, packable and breathable, as you would expect from GoreTex technology.
As well as this, the jacket has embedded RECCO reflectors, which help you to be seen should you need to be rescued from an emergency. The jacket is also adjustable to ensure the seams stay close to your body, minimizing opportunities for wind and water to get in, and it allows you to adjust the hood over your climbing helmet.
While at home as an outer layer in harsh alpine conditions, the jacket is designed to perform across a multitude of outdoor activities and is a strong, all-around waterproof layer.
Verdict
Based on all of our experience with ski jackets for men, we found that Marmot Minimalist Lightweight Rain Jacket is the best men ski jacket available today.
Our Premium Option is Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket with all the best features and high-quality materials, but that’s only if you have more money to spend.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the North Face Allproof Stretch Jacket as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying men ski jackets
Winter Jacket Material
Most Columbia winter coats outer shells are made of either Polyester or Nylon. Both materials have their pros and cons, which you may need to consider depending on how you intend to use the jacket.
Polyester is a highly breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying material that is ideal for outdoor activities. In comparison, Nylon is more durable due to its elastic nature and weather-resistant. It is also warmer because it is more insulated. However, Nylon also tends to be more expensive than polyester. Columbia Sportswear combines the materials with technologies such as Omni Heat to increase insulation and features like zipper closures and vents that increase breathability.
If you intend on using your Columbia winter jacket for outdoor excursions, I would recommend polyester as it is more breathable and lightweight.
Warmth
Columbia Sportswear produces jackets that are suitable for different climates. In an effort to make jackets for cold climates, warm fleece linings and synthetic down such as you would find on the Columbia Women’s Heavenly Long Hooded Jacket are used to ensure you get the warmth you need. In comparison, the Columbia Men’s Watertight II Rain Jacket features a Polyester lining which makes it lighter than the Heavenly jacket.
Ventilation and Breathability
Breathability refers to the jacket’s capacity to prevent moisture from building up underneath while keeping you warm. Some jackets also have slits or vents on the back, underarms, or chest areas. These vents are convenient as they are easy to open to improve air circulation.
Layers
Columbia jackets feature different layers, which gives you variety to choose from for any occasion and climate. Single-layer jackets tend to be lighter and ideal for cool conditions as they are not very warm. They feature one material that works as both the outer shell and inner lining.
2-layer jackets feature an inner and outer fabric. The outer fabric is often weather-resistant or treated with chemicals such as DWR to make it water-resistant. The inner lining is for insulation, so they utilize warm and breathable material such as fleece or mesh. These are ideal for outdoor activities in cold weather. For 3-layer jackets, the third layer is laminated between the inner lining and outer shell. A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membrane is used to make the jackets suitable for harsh conditions of heavy rain and snow. These jackets are ideal for use as outer layers when one is layering for winter weather.
Shell
Columbia winter jackets are divided into two main categories; softshell and hardshell. Both types protect from the cold, but hard shells are more suitable for extreme weather. Softshells can be used as mid-layers while hard shells are ideal as the outer layer. Softshells are excellent for excursions like hiking as they are lightweight and breathable. You can check out my review on the best softshell jackets for women here. A hybrid shell is the third option available for consideration. These are a combination of soft and hard shells and they grant the benefits of both.
Waterproofing vs Water-resistance
The ideal jacket should provide some level of protection from the rain. Waterproof jackets protect from heavy rain which makes them ideal for camping and hiking trips where it might rain. On the other hand, water-resistant jackets will keep you dry in light rain or drizzle. Columbia Sportswear uses technologies such as the Omni-Shield to ensure that the outer layers are waterproof and breathable.
Durability
To make both your wallet and the environment happy, you should consider buying a durable jacket. Going through user reviews helps you learn of their experiences with the jacket, and it is a great way to ensure that you buy a jacket that stays in your closet for a long while.
Weight
Usually, the warmest jackets are heavier because of the down filling used to increase warmth. That does not mean that lightweight jackets are not insulated. I recommend lightweight jackets as it is easier to carry out activities without being dragged down by the weight.
Size
To fully enjoy your Columbia winter jacket, it has to be the correct size which is not too tight or too oversized. A loose size will allow enough room to layer on cold days without restricting your movements.
Features
Columbia incorporates some features which improve your experience with the product. These include;
Pockets: Some jackets come with pockets and with the Columbia brand, most of these are zippered. This feature allows you to safely store small items such as keys and your phone. They are also useful for keeping your hands warm. Drawstrings: Allow you to achieve a good fit with adjustments. They also come in handy on cold days as they can be useful in avoiding cold air penetrating the jacket while also increasing breathability. Zipper closure: This is a fairly common feature that provides warmth and comfort as one does not have to always wear the jacket by putting it over one’s head. Opening the zipper will allow for increased airflow, which is good for breathability. Hood: A hood is a great feature found on some jackets. Not only is it stylish, but it also protects the ears in cold and windy temperatures. For individuals that engage in a lot of outdoor activities, I would recommend going for a hood.
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