Snowboarding is a great way to enjoy the winter season. You can get some fresh air and exercise all at the same time. To make your days on the mountain enjoyable, it’s important to dress appropriately, which means you need a good snowboard jacket! In this blog post we will discuss what makes for a good snowboard jacket and how you can find one that suits your needs.
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What are the Best Snowboard Jackets?
To decide on the absolute best snowboard jackets, we have examined dozens of jackets for snowboarders and reviews left by real users who bought and used them. Based on what they geniunely shared and experienced, we have shortlisted the top 6 snowboard jackets for you to consider, including their most important features, in order for you to make an informed decision.
On top of that, to make it easier for you, we have also compiled a list of critical things and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to consider before purchasing jackets for snowboarders. You can find later further down in the article. So without further ado, here’s introducing the best snowboard jackets.
1. Marmot Minimalist Lightweight Rain Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) |
See it in your local store:
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. Columbia Womens Arcadia II Jacket
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.8 Pounds (0.4 kg) Shell Material: 100% Nylon Lining Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket is a light windcoat made of nylon material with an inner polyester lining to keep you warm. The nylon shell features Omni-Tech with three functional layers. Its first layer is the Omni-Shield that makes it stain-resistant, while the second layer is a 100% waterproof membrane to prevent leaking. The third layer is breathable to reduce sweating underneath. However, some users have noted that it is not waterproof but water-resistant.
The Columbia Women’s Arcadia II Jacket has an adjustable drawcord hem and adjustable velcro cuffs to fit you well. There is a front zipper closure with flaps and two zippered side pockets to keep hands warm. The windbreaker is packable and available in a wide range of colors.
Pros
- Features Omni-Tech that is breathable and waterproof,
- It has velcro adjustable cuffs for secure fitting,
- Has an adjustable storm hood
Cons
- There is no mesh lining on the lower sleeves,
- The jacket is noisy,
- No way to stow away the hood
3. Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.2 Pounds (0.5 kg) |
See it in your local store:
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 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. Columbia Women’s Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.9 Pounds (0.4 kg) Material: 100% Polyester |
See it in your local store:
The Columbia Women’s Flash Forward Lined Windbreaker jacket is a lightweight windbreaker that is excellent for layering with other clothes. It has two zippered side pockets with fleece lining to keep small items and your hands warm.
The windbreaker features a polyester construction with a soft fleece inner lining to keep you warm during cold seasons. It comes with an adjustable hood with cords and elastic cuffs that allow for a perfect fit. The jacket has a front zipper closure which does not come with a zipper flap. However, it is water and wind-resistant.
Pros
- The inner fleece lining for cold seasons,
- Adjustable details for secure fitting,
- Available in various colors
Cons
- The sizing runs small,
- No zipper flap to prevent leaking
5. Mammut Casanna Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 1.6 Pounds (0.7 kg) |
See it in your local store:
The Casanna range is designed to be strong and robust against alpine conditions. Perfect for skiing and snowboarding as well as alpine hiking, they are ecologically designed to endure tough conditions.
Packed with 2 layers of breathable and waterproof DRYtechnology fabric and Ajungilak OTI Element insulation made of recycled materials, the jacket is complete with multiple features to ensure your comfort and warmth while spending an entire day on the mountain.
6. North Face Allproof Stretch Jacket
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Weight: 0.7 Pounds (0.3 kg) |
See it in your local store:
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.
Following all the comparisons, research and information we have gathered about these top snowboard jackets, we can confidently say that Marmot Minimalist Lightweight Rain Jacket is the best snowboard jackets out in the market.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the Columbia Womens Arcadia II Jacket as an affordable alternative.
Lastly, if you are going all the best features with high quality materials and would like to consider all the premium options out there, we will strongly recommend the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket. We look forward to hearing from you in the comments below what are some other models that you might have experienced that are even better!
What You Should Know Before Buying Snowboard Jackets
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.
Winter Jacket Material
Most winter jacket 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.
If you intend on using your winter jacket for outdoor excursions, I would recommend polyester as it is more breathable and lightweight.
Shell
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.
Layers
Winter 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.
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. Brands like Columbia uses technologies such as the Omni-Shield to ensure that the outer layers are waterproof and breathable.
skiers and snowboarders
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 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
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.
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.
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