Whether at a ski area or out of bounds, you’ll need to be protected from a sphere of elements. That includes beaming sunshine, bitter wind, wet snowflakes, and slashing hail. Finding the best ski jacket will keep you warm, dry, and on the mountain longer.
To help you find the best fit and option for your needs, we created this guide with our favorite jackets for alpine skiing at the resort or heading into the backcountry. Many of these jackets also work well for other winter activities from sledding to snowboarding or winter hikes. These top picks suit all types of skiers whether you’re new or experienced, be it ripping down corduroy at the resort or adventuring off-piste.
If you’d like to learn more about the details of ski jackets, jump down to our buyer’s guide, FAQ, and comparison chart lower on the page. Otherwise, scroll through our top picks or jump to a category below:
The Best Ski Jackets of 2023
Best Overall Ski Jacket
-
Fit
Relaxed -
Insulation
None -
Shell
3-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
28,000 -
Breathability (g)
20,000 -
Weight
590 g (women’s size S); 700 g (men’s size M)
-
Enough room to layer up a fleece or micro puff jacket beneath the shell -
Extremely durable -
Slightly longer drop in the back for extra protection
Best Budget
-
Fit
Straight and boxy -
Insulation
Recycled thermal STD 60 g in the body and sleeves plus 40 g in the hood -
Shell
2-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
10,000 -
Breathability (g)
10,000 -
Weight
1,020 g; 1,240 g
-
Functional pockets -
Eco-friendly focus -
Holds a Global Recycle Standard certification
-
Not the lightest shell for warmer conditions -
Hood is a tad tight when pulled around a helmet
Best 3-in-1 Ski Jacket
-
Fit
Relaxed -
Insulation
Omni-Heat Reflective liner plus polyester Thermarator insulation -
Shell
2-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
Unavailable -
Breathability (g)
Unavailable -
Weight
1247 g (men’s); 1133 g (women’s)
-
Adaptable for variable conditions from spring to winter -
Lower-end price tag -
Fits well over base layers and extra midlayer
-
Interior material is a bit noisy
Warmest Insulated Ski Jacket
-
Fit
Athletic -
Insulation
50/50 PrimaLoft Black ThermoPlume and polyester insulation -
Waterproof rating (mm)
10,000 -
Breathability (g)
10,000 -
Weight
Unavailable for women’s jacket; 453 g (men’s size L)
-
Extremely warm -
Flexible fabric -
Streamlined fit
-
No underarm vents -
Too much insulation for warm spring days
Best of the Rest
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Fit
Regular -
Insulation
80g (40g in the sleeves) Thermgreen polyester -
Shell
2-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
20,000 -
Breathability (g)
Unavailable -
Weight
870 g (men’s); 764 g (women’s)
-
RECCO included -
Super comfortable to move in -
Underarm zippers are included
-
Perfect amount of warmth on a cold day but a bit toasty on super warm spring days
-
Fit
Relaxed -
Insulation
Not insulated -
Shell
2-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
Unavailable -
Breathability (g)
Unavailable -
Weight
706 g (women’s size S); 786 g (men’s size M)
-
Eco-friendly DWR treatment -
Underarm zippers are great for releasing heat -
Recycled polyester liner
-
Hood is roomy sans helmet -
Boxy fit might not be a top choice for some skiers and riders
-
Fit
Athletic -
Insulation
Not insulated -
Shell
3-layer -
Waterproof rating (mm)
Unavailable -
Breathability (g)
Unavailable -
Weight
Unavailable
-
Great layer for high-output activities or warmer conditions -
Pliable fabric for mobility -
Lower price
-
Curvy women might find the waist too fitted (opt for men’s jacket instead) -
Material can be a tad loud -
One-way zipper only
Ski Jackets Comparison Chart
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has tested ski jackets and published ski jacket guides for men and women for many winter seasons. Those test runs include input from expert, lifelong, backcountry, and avalanche-certified skiers as well as average and beginner skiers.
To determine the best designs, our team wore these ski jackets in a spectrum of snowy environments including ski resorts, off-piste, while steering snowmobiles on backcountry tours, and in various weather conditions.
We’ve backcountry and alpine skied, snowmobiled, and skimo raced in Colorado’s Gunnison Valley, one of the coldest, snowiest destinations in the United States.
Throughout our field tests, we determined the best ski jackets based on a variety of metrics including performance, protection, quality, longevity, fit, functionality, features, size range, and value.
In addition to our personal experience, we also take into consideration the most novel, style-specific, popular, highly rated, and legacy products across a range of price points.
These men’s and women’s ski jackets serve a range of athletes, applications, and budgets.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Ski Jacket
Ski jackets work well for a range of activities outside of laps at your local ski hill or in the backcountry. These winter jackets are so functional that they also work well for shoveling the driveway, walking the dog, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and more.
If you’re on the browse for a jacket that’s more specific to snowboarding, check out our Best Snowboard Jackets of 2023 guide. The main difference is the fit and style as well as brand alliance.
Insulation
Some ski jackets offer no insulation, which is a versatile option to use across a variety of conditions. You can pull on this waterproof and breathable layer to stay dry and protected from the sun or snow burn if you slide out.
Designs without insulation typically have enough room to add a midlayer and base layer beneath for chilly or cold days. This type of jacket works well for warm spring turns at the resort or powder days when you typically accumulate heat carving turns.
To decide if a non-insulated jacket is right for you, consider the ambient temperatures where you usually ski if there is frequent windchill and your body temperature on the lift.
Other designs are insulated for warmth in cold or windy locations. You can wear an insulated jacket over a base layer without as much consideration for what midlayer to bring along.
Insulated ski jackets can be prime for freezing conditions, S-carves on groomers, and long lift rides with hair-raising gusts. They can also be a good idea for the backcountry to pull on at the top of sweaty climbs, which can often be wind-exposed. For some skiers, though, these jackets can pigeonhole them into donning too much warmth.
The type and warmth level of insulation varies across each jacket from flannel to down-filled panels or synthetic proprietary fabrics.
2-Layer vs. 3-Layer
A two-layer jacket has a face fabric — such as polyester or nylon — connected to an inner liner that protects the fabric, is breathable, and adds comfort. These jackets usually feel less hefty than a three-layer jacket.
Some have an insulation layer, and the outermost surface is usually treated for waterproofness. The price is generally more moderate compared to three-layer jackets.
Dialing up the durability, a three-layer jacket is a waterproof/breathable membrane — often made by GORE-TEX — sandwiched between a tough face fabric and liner. Sometimes the outer fabric is treated for waterproofness. These jackets offer more protection for fierce weather conditions and are pricier.
Broadly, you’ll want to scrutinize how robust you need your jacket to be for the conditions you’ll ski in.
Waterproofness
A waterproof jacket is ideal for skiing because weather can be flippant, and you don’t want to run the risk of getting wet from snow or rain. The top-tier standard for waterproofness is GORE-TEX, a membrane integrated into various jacket designs.
The material is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. Some brands have a proprietary version of waterproof/breathable fabrics.
Waterproofness is measured by the amount of water that can be placed atop a fabric before it leaks from 5,000 to 20,000 mm or greater. The latter end of the spectrum leads to a less breathable fabric.
- 0-5,000 mm: Resistant to light rain, dry snow
- 6,000-10,000 mm: Waterproof for light rain and dry, non-heavy snow
- 11,000-15,000 mm: Waterproof for moderate rain and dry, non-heavy snow
- 16,000-20,000 mm: Waterproof for heavy rain and wet snow
- 20,000 mm and greater: Waterproof for heavy rain and dense, wet, heavy snow
The most waterproof jacket on our list is the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Infinity Shell Jacket, which provides 30,000mm protection. Jackets at 10,000 mm are adequate for many skiers and riders, though it depends on the environment.
Face fabric treatments, which can be eco-friendly formulas or chemicals toxic to the environment, can also make a jacket waterproof. And some jackets have sealed seams to block moisture.
Breathability
For high-output skiing on powder days, aim for a jacket with breathability of 10,000 to 15,000 g. Backcountry skiers and uphill athletes should look for even more breathability — 20,000 g or more.
Ventilation
Often ski jackets offer ventilation by way of underarm zippers, which help regulate body temperature. This feature is great for warm-blooded folks or those who ski in warm conditions and for powder days when your body works hard to make turns.
Some underarm zippers are longer than others. The most generous design in our guide is offered in the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket, which stretches from the hem past the entire armpit and to the underside of the arm.
One innovative ventilation design is in the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell, which has a front-facing and closable mesh vent that parallels the front zipper. In terms of quality, YKK zippers are the toughest.
Collar & Hood
An ergonomic collar and hood are significant features for face, head, and neck protection against sun, snow, sleet, hail, wind, or rain. Pulling up a hood can help the body retain heat in chilly conditions.
Jacket collars vary in height and ideally have an interior chin guard that feels snug against the face — a key component on a gusty chair lift.
Hoods can be helmet-compatible, which is a priority if you need extra protection and warmth around your face and neck while riding a lift or skiing during a snowstorm. Some hoods are adjustable via elastic pulls. And others have an integrated visor so they don’t collapse beneath moisture. A handful of hoods are removable, while others are fixed.
Sleeve Cuffs & Powder Skirt
Powder skirts can be a great addition to a jacket to prevent fluffy flakes from flying up and soaking your base layers or lower back. Some powder skirts are removable, and some have attachment points to connect to your ski pants.
Sleeve cuffs generally have a Velcro closure, though some designs have additional snaps that vary in width. Many cuffs have an inner wrist gaiter — a stretchy fabric for warmth that sometimes has thumbholes to help secure the fabric over the top of the hand.
Pockets
Most ski jackets include two exterior hand pockets with zip closures, which can be low or placed higher for compatibility with a backpack belt or harness for ski mountaineering. Other exterior pockets can include small pouches on the arm or on the chest. Deep, wide, higher-placed exterior pockets can be nice for stowing a smartphone or notebook in the backcountry.
Interior pockets often have a zip closure, ports for headphones, or a mesh construction with an elastic band at the top. These can be great for chambering a credit card or ID.
Deep, wide interior pockets can be essential for holding backcountry skins, especially if the temperature is crisp and you need to prevent the glue from freezing over between use. Occasionally, a pocket is insulated to help extend the battery life of your smartphone.
Examine what you’ll need to carry, the adequate pocket size, and if the pockets are located in the most comfortable place for you.
Fit
Generally, ski jacket designs land in two camps — trimmer with a more streamlined, athletic fit or roomier and boxier with a more relaxed silhouette. Both can be comfortable. If you’re wearing a backpack in the backcountry, it can be better to wear a well-fitted jacket so the fabric doesn’t get pinched up.
Size-wise, each manufacturer has its own size charts for male and female models. Be sure to take your personal measurements and match them up with the size charts, which can differ across brands.
A handful of companies deliver more size inclusivity with broader offerings in the men’s and women’s categories including Columbia, Obermeyer, and L.L.Bean.
Everyone’s body is unique, so check the exchange and return policy before you buy.
Weight
A jacket’s weight can become an important factor for backcountry skiers who often need to stash their jackets in a pack and can’t sacrifice space for bulk.
Similarly, some uphill athletes want to wear a jacket for weather protection but only need a light layer. And occasional resort skiers take laps with a backpack on and might need to store their jackets as the conditions warm.
The lightest jackets in our top picks are 450 to 550 g: the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell, and Helly Hansen Odin Infinity 3L Shell Jacket. Heavier jackets are closer to 900 to 1,000 g.
Ultimately, you shouldn’t compromise a jacket’s safety or comfort features and adequate warmth to drop a little weight.
FAQ
Ski jackets are specifically constructed to be waterproof/breathable and windproof to protect your health and safety while playing outside in the snow all day.
These designs are also comfortable and ergonomic for the sport’s big movements, like bending over to adjust boots and bindings, planting a pole, or shifting your shoulder orientation while riding moguls.
Overall, it’s a good idea to invest in a ski jacket that will help you stay warm and dry in the conditions where you most often ski.
Study the average temperatures and weather conditions where and when you most often ski. Choose a jacket that will keep you comfortable and dry in your given environment, according to how much body heat you’ll build up during your activity.
Backcountry-centric ski jackets are typically more substantial and slender with specific features for off-piste travel. They’re often more expensive.
If you want a ski jacket that works well for other heat-inducing applications, like shoveling the driveway, look for a noninsulated jacket. You can also choose a jacket that you can add layers beneath.
Alternatively, if you want a cozy jacket for cold-weather walks, low-output commutes, mellow groomer skiing in icebox conditions, or alpine skiing with cold lift rides, choose an insulated jacket.
You’ll also want to mull over your preferred features including adequate pockets and other garnishes like thumbholes in the wrist gaiters and a fixed or removable hood.
Usually, both athletic and relaxed ski jackets are a bit roomy so you can fit a base layer and midlayer beneath if needed.
Each manufacturer has its own size charts for male or female categories. Match up your personal measurements to the size charts and check the return or exchange policy before purchase.
Next to your skin, wear a long-sleeve synthetic base layer. On super-warm spring days, you might even be more comfortable in a synthetic T-shirt.
On colder days and with noninsulated jackets, skiers often opt to add a midlayer — usually a fleece jacket or synthetic jacket.
To learn more about fleece midlayers, read our Best Fleece Jackets for Women and Best Fleece Jackets for men and women guides.
Sure! If the day-to-day outdoor conditions where you live are a match for the jacket’s insulation, waterproofness, and breathability, you could be comfortable wearing that ski jacket as a daily winter driver.
However, a ski jacket can get dirty with time, so it might not be ideal for certain occasions or you might need to wash it more frequently. The wash instructions are unique for each jacket and are located on the interior label.
Also, you might not want to increase the jacket’s wear and tear through daily use. Often, skiers prefer to wear a different cozier, longer, more insulated, more fashion-forward, and quieter style of jacket for everyday use.
Ski jackets are a long-term investment and worth the money for the protection and comfort they provide in a winter environment.
The most economic options usually range from $200 to $300, and the average cost is $300 to $400. The most robust designs, which can be best for long days in variable conditions, can reach up to $750.
You don’t want a ski jacket to fit tight because skiing requires a lot of freedom of movement. Plus, it’s nice to have room for a comfortable, wicking synthetic long-sleeve beneath the jacket and a fleece midlayer if the temperatures are low or a micro-puffy if the temps plummet.
Hoods offer protection and warmth around your face, head, and neck for chair lift rides and skiing during a snow or wind storm. An ergonomic hood shields the elements, including sun, snow, sleet, hail, wind, and rain.
Pulling up a hood can help the body retain heat in chilly conditions. It’s important to look for a ski jacket with a helmet-compatible hood. Some hoods are removable while others are fixed.
A ski jacket can break down for a multitude of reasons, including exposure to sunshine, rain, and snow. The materials wear due to the rub points of a heavy pack, brushes against equipment, and even contact with human skin.
Frequency of use, the roughness of the activity, and overall user care are factors that can dissolve a jacket, too. If you use your ski jacket for everyday activity, anticipate the jacket will deteriorate faster. Be sure to follow the care instructions, which are unique for each jacket.
You can clean your ski jacket and then reapply the DWR coating to help extend the use.
With so many variables, you can’t predict the exact lifespan of each ski jacket. We typically find ourselves using our favorite well-constructed ski jackets for 5-6 years, but that number is often lower for backcountry gear.
If you ski inbounds a couple of weeks each season and take good care of your jacket, you can easily assume the product life will be longer — even a decade.
