Jackets are essential for everyone, no matter what winter snowsport you like the best. Every snowboarder needs a good jacket. Without one, you’ll be left frozen and cold on the slopes for sure!
I’m a seasoned snowboarder who has been riding for decades. I’ve used and seen many jackets over the years, and I know what to look for in a quality option. I’m obviously not a guy, but I always talk to my male students to see what jacket they are rocking.
The Burton Covert is my pick for the best men’s snowboard jacket. This is a fantastic all-around coat with decent insulation, great waterproofing capabilities, and an approachable price.
I’ll show you a few other solid options in this post so you can make a good decision as to what jacket best meets your needs or preferences.
Button up, and let’s get on with it.
Contents
Who Should Get This
Any snowboarder who rides in cold or wet conditions should invest in a solid jacket. Even if it’s not snowing, a good jacket is your first line of defense against the wind and cold.
A good outer layer is crucial for all winter environments, but it especially comes in handy while you’re trying to navigate through blinding sleet or heavy snow.
If you use a low-quality jacket that doesn’t offer enough warmth or comfort, you can quickly ruin an otherwise incredible day in the snow.
Top Men’s Snowboard Jackets
Here are my top picks for the best men’s snowboard jackets.
1. Best Overall: Burton Covert
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Dryride Durashell, highly breathable, affordable, strong and durable face fabric, lots of pockets, waist gator
- Insulation: Thermolite 80G body/60G sleeves
- Waterproofing: 10k mm
- Cost: $$
The Burton Covert is my pick for the top overall men’s snowboard jacket. This will make a solid choice for all types of riders thanks to a range of quality features, and it also comes at a budget-friendly price.
You’ll stay warm and cozy all season long, thanks to ample insulation throughout the jacket. It uses synthetic Thermolite insulation that works well to keep your body heat in when the conditions get chilly.
A DryRide Durashell face fabric provides your first line of defense against the snow and cold. This high-quality material will hold up well over time and retain its waterproofing capabilities after multiple washes.
I also like the number of pockets that the Covert has. You get easily accessible chest pockets to store items like your phone or pass you might need to access when you ride. It also has strategically placed vents for good airflow and extra breathability.
The critically taped seams are another nice feature that adds to the solid protection from the elements and durability of the covert. This is a jacket you can use and abuse without worrying about ripping or tearing it easily.
The Covert does have somewhat of a tight fit. You might want to get a size up if you are a larger rider to give you room to wiggle.
==> You can also get it on DICK’S or Evo or Skis.
2. Best Shell: Burton AK Gore-Tex Cyclic
- Best for: Shell
- Key features: Lightweight, excellent waterproofing, solid construction, Living lining, articulated fit, no-snag pit vents, stretch waist gaiter
- Insulation: None/Shell
- Waterproofing: Gore-Tex 2L
- Cost: $$$$
If you just want a shell, they don’t get much better than the Burton AK Gore-Tex Cyclic (review). This is another awesome men’s snowboard jacket that will keep you reliably dry in the worst of conditions.
A 2-layer Gore-Tex 70D plain weave fabric gives you a fantastic first line of defense against the wind and snow. This is a tough and rugged material that will keep producing reliable waterproofing abilities season after season.
Another feature I like a lot is the Living lining. This is a liner that adapts to the changing weather conditions you encounter on the mountain. When it’s warmer, the pores will open up and become breathable. When it’s cold, they’ll close up to keep your body heat contained.
The Cyclic has an articulated fit that is designed to work well for all types of riding styles. It is sewn in a way that works with your body’s natural movement to increase flexibility and limit any tightness or restriction.
It also has no-snag pit vents that allow for extra airflow when you need to cool down a bit and zippered hand-warmer pockets to let you warm up your fingers if you need a little extra. The removable stretch waist gaiter is another nice touch.
This jacket doesn’t have built-in insulation, so you’ll want to layer up in the cold. It’s also very expensive.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Fun-sport-vision or Skis.
3. Best for the Backcountry: Outdoor Research Hemispheres
- Best for: Backcountry
- Key features: Extremely waterproof, strong and durable face fabric, flexible fit, TorsoFlo venting, helmet-compatible hood
- Insulation: None/Shell
- Waterproofing: Gore-Tex 3L
- Cost: $$$$
Backcountry riders know that you need to have gear that can live up to demanding and rapidly changing conditions. The Outdoor Research Hemispheres will have your back when you want to venture away from the resort.
It is a highly windproof and waterproof option thanks to a 3-layer Gore-Tex outer layer. This provides you with excellent protection from the elements and is rugged enough to last for seasons of regular backcountry use.
The Hemispheres also has an amazing fit that is comfortable and very flexible. It will work with you as you go uphill and never get in your way when you ride back down. Stretch technology is a sweet feature that is quickly noticeable.
A TorsoFlo venting system is another nice touch built with the backcountry in mind. There are well-placed vents that will allow you to cool down quickly if you work up a sweat during those long uphill ascents.
It also comes with a helmet-compatible hood that lets you cover up quickly when the weather gets nasty.
You’ll pay a pretty penny for this one, and it’s another very expensive jacket.
==> You can also get it on Outdoor Research, Moosejaw or Backcountry.
4. Best for the Money: Quicksilver Mission
- Best for: The Money
- Key features: Affordable, good waterproofing, breathable, ample insulation, modern fit, plenty of pockets, wrist gaiters
- Insulation: WarmFlight Eco 80G body/60G sleeves and hood
- Waterproofing: 10K mm DryFlight
- Cost: $$
You don’t always need to spend a lot of money to get a good snowboard jacket, and the Quicksilver Mission is the best option you’ll find for the money.
This affordable jacket will still give you plenty of cold weather protection and enough waterproofing to make you feel comfortable in any type of storm or season.
Quicksilver DryFlight Tech provides 10K mm of waterproofing built right into the membrane. This is an effective material that helps water bead off without soaking into the inner layers to keep you comfortable and dry.
WarmFlight insulation is a high-loft synthetic yarn that is made from recyclable materials. It will keep you warm and is also better for the environment. The lining also features a strategic body mapping design that fits and feels excellent.
Additional features include handwarmer pockets, a jacket-to-pants attachment system to keep out deep snow, and critically taped seams for added strength and extra protection against the elements.
This isn’t the most durable option on the list, but it should still hold up pretty well even under heavy use for at least a few seasons.
==> You can also get it on Quiksilver or Backcountry or DICK’S.
5. Best Waterproofing: Dakine Sawtooth 3L
- Best for: Waterproofing
- Key features: Extremely waterproof, breathable, zip chest vents, adjustable hood, powder skirt, fully taped seams
- Insulation: None/Shell
- Waterproofing: 3-layer Gore-Tex
- Cost: $$$$
The Dakin Sawtooth 3L is for riders who never want to get wet. This jacket will keep you dry at all times and has the best waterproofing capabilities I’ve seen in a while.
A 3-layer Gore-Tex membrane is key to creating an effective barrier against moisture and snow. This material on its own would be effective for a jacket. But Dakine also uses a polyester plain weave face fabric with a DWR finish for even more waterproofing. Impressive.
The Sawtooth is also quite breathable despite nearly eliminating the chance of you getting wet. Gore-Tex has natural breathable factors that are nice when the temps or your body heat up.
Zippered chest vents allow you to get in some airflow when you need it, and a 2-way adjustable hood means you can batten down the hatches when the flakes start to fall.
Other features of the Sawtooth include an attached powder skirt for those deep snow days and fully taped seams to add strength, durability, and extra weather protection.
It’s expensive but can be worth it if you demand top-notch waterproofing capabilities.
6. Best for Comfort: Flylow Roswell
- Best for: Comfort
- Key features: Intuitive 2-layer stretch fabric, DWR coating, comfortable, fully taped seams, ample pockets
- Insulation: Spacelow synthetic down 80G
- Waterproofing: 10K mm DWR
- Cost: $$$
If you’re like me, comfort is king when you are riding. The Flylow Roswell is one of the most comfortable snowboard jackets around while still providing a lot of high-quality performance features as well.
The Intuitive 2-layer stretch fabric design is at the heart of what makes this one so dang comfy. The material will stretch and flow in any direction you need it to. No matter if you are cruising groomers or flipping tricks in the park, this jacket won’t hold you back.
The exterior shell is highly waterproof, thanks to a DWR coating that will retain 80% effectiveness after 20 washes. That’s a good number for any jacket.
It also comes with 80 grams of Spaceloft synthetic insulation. This will keep you warm and comfortable in any type of weather. It will also retain its insulating properties if you get a little wet.
Fully taped seams add durability and strength, and there are plenty of pockets to stash all the gear you want to bring along for the ride.
The Roswell is a little expensive, and it has a subtle style that won’t hit the mark for any rider who likes to look flashy.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry or Moosejaw.
How to Choose Men’s Snowboard Jackets
Here are some critical things to keep in mind when you are shopping for a snowboard jacket.
Insulation
All jackets should provide you with warmth. You want to get a model that comes with excellent insulation, and the type of insulation you choose also matters.
Snowboarding jackets typically use either synthetic fill or down insulation. Synthetic fill, which utilizes materials like Primaloft or Thinsulate, is better for extreme cold or wet conditions. In contrast, down jackets are best for dry regions.
Accessories
Most of the time, a snowboarding jacket is much more than a jacket. While you can get a model that only serves to keep you warm, there are many additional accessories that you should keep an eye out for.
Pockets are a great way to store snacks or other small items, hoods give you extra warmth, and 3-in-1 models help you freely adjust your clothing to the environment.
You don’t always need these, but they can come in handy in the long run.
Additional Tips
Even a good jacket is no good if it doesn’t fit properly. You always need to make sure your jacket comfortably sits on your body. The tips outlined in this video will help make that happen.
A jacket, while necessary, is just one part of your ensemble. You need to put together several layers when snowboarding to ensure you stay comfortable and warm. If you are new to snowboarding and want to learn about layering, check out this article.
My Verdict
The Burton Covert is my pick for the best men’s snowboard jacket. This is a great garment in many ways and will offer you serious protection from the cold and snow. It’s also extremely comfortable and more affordable than many comparable high-end options.
Few things are more important than staying warm out on the mountain. Though you can get away with cutting out layers, you absolutely need a good jacket if you plan on heading out into harsh conditions.
Every option you’ll find on this list is a good jacket. They might have their own features and style, but they will have you covered when you want to dive into deep snow for the ride of your life.
About Lorraine