Style, warmth, and price are usually the first factors most people consider when they choose a winter jacket. When searching for the best ski jacket, you’ll find many other features and options you’ll want to review before selecting the ideal outerwear for your next skiing trip.
The types and sizes of pockets, insulation, the brand, and how well your jacket fits with ski pants and gear are also essential in investing in the proper outerwear before you head to the resort.
How We Tested and Compared Different Ski Jackets
Ski jackets are available in many styles, colors, and fabrics. We found that the most durable and sustainable materials held up well when you wore them on the slopes. When we tested each jacket, we paid close attention to comfort, consistent warmth, and how well the ski wear stood up to cold, high winds, and plummeting temperatures.
Our top choices are heavily based on durability and how versatile these jackets function for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and outdoor research. Ideally, we aimed to find the best value and overall quality.
Best Relaxed-Fit Ski Jacket: Obermeyer Foundation Insulated Ski Jacket
Overview:
- Size options: Men’s/women’s, small to 3XL
- Color options: Red, green, dark blue, dark gray, black
- Materials: Hydroblack Pro fabric with waterproofing (synthetic and stretchable)
- Activities: Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing
- Other Features: Waterproof, lots of pocket storage
What We Like About It
Obermeyer’s relaxed-fit, insulated ski jacket is one of our favorite outerwear options on the slopes. It has a high waterproof rating and wind guard, and HydroBlock fabric provides everything you need to stay consistently warm and comfortable, even in extreme cold.
The most impressive feature was the storage pockets, which wasn’t what we expected, but a great option if you’re carrying a ski pass, goggles, a smartphone, and other accessories.
Related Reading: Find the best ski goggles for your next trip.
Aesthetically, this ski jacket is excellent, with a great selection of colors, styles, and details, such as a helmet-compatible hood, thumbholes in the cuffs, and mesh gussets.
What We Don’t Like
What’s there not to like about this jacket? We found Obermeyer’s ski jacket offers all the features you need, though the only minor drawback is that it’s not the most breathable jacket. Aside from this, the ski jacket performed well.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
Obermeyer is an excellent brand with stellar buyer reviews. It’s also an affordable, insulated ski jacket that provides all the features you need when spending long periods outdoors throughout the winter season.
Best Thermal Ski Jacket: The North Face ThermoBall Eco Jacket
Overview:
- Size options: Men’s/women’s, sizes small to 3XL
- Color options: Black, grey, blue, dark blue, dark red/burgundy, grey
- Materials: Synthetic, made with durable, recycled nylon
- Activities: Year-round use, especially winter
- Other Features: ThermalBall Insulation
What We Like About It
North Face is a well-established brand, and its thermal ski jacket is one of the top insulated jackets we found. It’s versatile, so you can handle freezing temperatures for a long time, whether downhill skiing or exploring a trail on snowshoes. It’s also a fantastic snowboard jacket with excellent warmth, even when it gets wet, and you can layer it easily for greater support.
It’s a high-quality ski coat that retains body heat well, with durable lining and an outer shell made with recycled nylon. One of the best surprises we liked about North Face’s insulated ski jacket is how easily it folds into a pocket so that you can store it with minimal space.
What We Don’t Like
The jacket doesn’t have a hood, which may be a drawback for people who prefer this feature. The sizing is great, but it may fit a bit slimmer for some people than others, which isn’t favorable if you prefer a looser, more relaxed fit.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
Generally, the overall response from buyers is positive. While there are some minor issues with a slimmer fit not being as accommodating for some sizes, the lightweight, insulated ski jacket is an excellent, cost-effective choice for winter sports.
Best Sustainable Ski Jacket: Cottonwoods GORE-TEX Jacket (Women’s Ski Jacket)
Overview:
- Size options: Women’s sizes X-small to XXL
- Color options: Black, light blue, light green, tan (caribou)
- Materials: Durable nylon with polyester lining
- Activities: All-mountain skiing and snowboarding
- Other Features: Ventilation, five zippered pockets
What We Like About It
This best-selling jacket is a great buy, even if it’s a bit pricier than our other recommendations. It’s reliable, with excellent waterproofing, and durable; it’s made from recycled materials and is ideal for local ski resorts or winter vacation trips. We found it fit comfortably, with a sturdy outer shell compatible with ski pants.
This kit offered many great features, including a powder skirt to prevent the build-up of snow flurries. The canvas texture boosts the jacket’s durability and water resistance, keeping you warm and cozy with the helmet-compatible hood. It’s also ideal for adding an extra layer or two to adjust to your comfort level.
What We Don’t Like
While the jacket is adjustable to provide the ideal fit, this may pose a challenge with layering, especially for individuals who require greater warmth.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
Some buyers found the material and sizing to be a bit stiff at times, but overall, the material quality, water resistance, and numerous features make up for it! It’s a fantastic snow jacket with generously-sized pockets and great color options.
Best Premium Ski Jacket: C2 Primaloft Liner 3L Jacket
Overview:
- Size options: Small to XL
- Color options: Gold and black/Grey and blue
- Materials: Recycled and bio-based polyester
- Activities: All skiing and snowboarding activities
- Other Features: Thermal lining
What We Like About It
Primaloft’s premium ski jacket held up to our high expectations. It’s one of the most versatile jackets we found, with the ability to support all types of winter activities, from backcountry skiing to snowboarding and hiking. We liked the breathable soft shell, which protects against wind and deep snow, with excellent moisture resistance and top-notch materials.
While this jacket stood up to some of the coldest temperatures we’ve experienced amid winter, it also proved to be a great early spring jacket, with removal layers to accommodate your enjoyment of the outdoors beyond winter.
What We Don’t Like
It’s expensive! We recommend this jacket to experienced skiers or serious snowboarders willing to invest more in ski wear.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
If you purchase one of the top ski jackets available, Primaloft is an excellent option. While it’s not the most common choice for many people, you’re essentially getting an outstanding product for the price you pay, as it’s durable, comfortable, offers the most adaptability, and is an ideal option from late autumn to early spring.
Best Shell Ski Jacket: 686 GTX Skyline Shell Jacket
Overview:
- Size options: Women’s small to extensive
- Color options: Keylime green and orchid
- Materials: Nylon and polyester
- Activities: All skiing and snowboarding activities
- Other Features: Gore-Tex, waterproof
What We Like About It
This stylish jacket offers excellent protection from the elements, with ventilation, Gore-Tex support, an adjustable hood that adjusts to the size of your helmet, and a sturdy outer shell. We found some great perks with this ski jacket, including a phone heater pocket, a hood link system, headphone loops, and an extra layer of support around the collar featuring merino wool, which is soft and warm.
Plenty of pocket storage was a major plus, with enough room to accommodate goggles, extra lenses, and other small accessories. We also found the inner thumb grip and adjustable welded cuffs ideal, along with the wrist gaiters and ski pass pocket. The powder skirt is adjustable, and you can easily attach snow pants for greater coverage. Overall, it’s an impressive ski coat that will keep you cozy on the slopes.
What We Don’t Like
The price tag is a little high, but you’ll also find it’s of great value. The sizing options are a bit limiting, ranging from small to large, making it a challenge if you need a much smaller or larger one.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
The GTX Skyline shell jacket is popular with buyers and is perfect for long days on the trail or slopes. It’s a versatile ski jacket with an innovative design, lots of pocket room, and a stylish, long-lasting coat that will last.
Ready to book your next vacation? Here is everything you need to know when planning mountain family vacations.
How to Choose the Best Ski Jackets: Buying Guide
A high-quality ski jacket will protect you from the harsh elements of wind, snow, and debris so you can hit trails or slopes with excellent comfort and warmth. While these are essential attributes to consider when you choose outerwear, you’ll also need to ensure a good fit, flexible options for the helmet and hood, adequate storage pockets, and protective features that keep you dry, warm, and cozy.
Ski Jacket Materials and Insulation
Most ski jackets are insulated, which is essential if you spend significant time outdoors. The level and type of insulation depend on how the jacket is made and the materials used. While most ski jackets have synthetic insulation, which is often sustainable and easy to maintain, you also have the option to purchase down-filled jackets, which provide lots of warmth but not the same amount of waterproofing.
Down Ski Jackets Versus Synthetic Insulation Ski Jackets
While down jackets are typically warm and lightweight, they don’t work well in damp or frigid temperatures, where they quickly lose their insulating ability. If you slip or fall onto snow or a wet, icy surface, you’ll experience a temperature drop, impacting your comfort.
Ideally, synthetically insulated ski jackets are far better for winter activities, as they perform consistently well, even in wet and cold conditions, while down jackets are best reserved for lighter outdoor activities after a day of snowshoeing or skiing.
Essential Features to Consider
Pocket size and shape, adjustable hoods for helmets, snow skirts, and other features are important to consider based on the type of terrain you ski and whether you prefer downhill backcountry or snowboarding. Ideally, you’ll want all the features that keep you warm, free of snow bu-up, and flexible e to maneuver easily without any constraints or discomfort.
Waterproof or Water-resistant?
Do you want a jacket that’s water-resistant or waterproof? Waterproofing materials coat the fabric so that it can withstand a certain amount of water before it soaks through, whereas water-resistant jackets offer durability that allows rain and melted snow to run off the fabric so that it’s not absorbed.
When a ski jacket is considered waterproof, it must be coated in a membrane that’s applied onto the surface, along with taped seams that prevent water from seeping in while allowing it to dry quickly and keep you warm.
Final Thoughts
Our top choices for ski jackets are high-quality, durable, and guaranteed to keep you warm and dry throughout the skiing season. While there are some variations on how well each jacket’s design provides comfort and warmth over a period of hours or days, they all offer quality that’s worth the price, whether you’re looking for an affordable coat for a few hours at the resort, or a more rugged jacket for backcountry skiing and longer outdoor activities.
FAQs
What are wrist gaiters?
Wrist gaiters prevent snow from getting inside jacket sleeves so that you can easily wear gloves without any gaps due to a comfortable fit.
Why is underarm venting?
Since the underarm area is where a build-up of moisture can happen, a mesh lining in jackets can keep this section ventilated while maintaining a comfortable temperature.
Can ski jackets be used for snowshoeing and snowboarding?
Generally, yes, especially if they are designed for long-term use outdoors so that you remain warm, comfortable, and well-ventilated.