High-End Performance at a Mid-Tier Price: REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket Review

Sometimes I raise an eyebrow at “house brand” goods. Like the nondescript canned tuna in the grocery store, you wonder if the quality drop is worth saving a little scratch. Thankfully, REI Co-op has a long history of making affordable outdoor goods that compete with the big names without sacrificing details or quality.

The REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket is no exception, offering an understated resort ski shell that delivers two-layer GORE-TEX weather protection, expected ski jacket attributes, and a mid-tier price. 

Like most ski shells, there’s no insulation inside the First Chair, making it a season-long option that you can layer up or down to adjust to conditions. The standard ski jacket accents, such as powder skirt, are there, but it’s the size and variety of pockets that help it stand out from the crowd.

If you’re looking for more weather protection via a three-layer GORE-TEX, there are plenty of ski shells with the tech to be had for $500, and you can read about them in detail in our guide to the Best Ski Jackets.

In short: The REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket ($319) is a high-quality GORE-TEX ski shell at a great price. It’s layerable for all-season wear, packed with pocket options, and because it’s from REI, you’re backed by a respected lifetime warranty and a generous 1-year return policy for Co-op members.

Read our full review below, or our GearJunkie Best Ski Jackets Buyer’s Guide to see how the First Chair compares to our other favorites.

REI Co-op First Chair Ski Jacket Review

When you see the price tag on the REI Co-op First Chair Ski Jacket, which is $200 less than most ski shells from big names such as Arc’teryx and Patagonia, you rightly might wonder what you’re giving up. The primary difference between the First Chair and other models is that it utilizes a two-layer GORE-TEX construction, as opposed to the more robust three-layer construction.

On the two-layer jackets, such as the First Chair, the waterproof-breathable membrane (the actual GORE-TEX part) floats separately from the face fabric. On three-layer jackets, the membrane is sandwiched between a face fabric on the outside and a light backer on the inside, and glued all together.

Performance: Excellent for Mild Winter Conditions

The technical construction details don’t matter to most skiers and snowboarders. What does matter to you if you’re weighing the cost savings of the First Chair against a higher-end three-layer option is performance. In general, a two-layer jacket won’t perform as well in extreme conditions, such as heavy rain, and they historically aren’t as durable as three-layer options.

I tested the First Chair Jacket over 10 days of early-season resort skiing at Breckenridge Ski Area, experiencing a range of temperatures and layering configurations. While I was able to ski in the jacket on a cold, stormy day, there was no rain or wet snow to test its performance against.

While this could be viewed as a shortcoming of testing, it also points to a reality for many skiers and snowboarders. If you aren’t skiing in a coastal climate, the extreme ends of performance on ski jackets often aren’t worth the extra spend.

I field-tested the First Chair ski jacket back-to-back with a much more expensive Norrona ski shell featuring a three-layer GORE-TEX during my testing, and there was no difference in comfort in terms of weather protection and warmth.

The two-layer First Chair GTX did what it needed to do, which was block wind and repel the snow. For fairweather skiers and riders on a budget, this is likely all the jacket you’ll ever need. Think about it: if it’s raining hard, are you going to endure the discomfort, visibility issues on your goggles, and terrible snow conditions, or are you going to pack it in for the day?

Comfort and Style

One of the best aspects of this jacket is its appearance. Some cheaper two-layer jackets have a windbreaker look that makes them obviously not a high-end shell, but upon unboxing the First Chair, I initially assumed it was a standard three-layer GORE-TEX product based on its appearance.

All ski shells have become less stiff with the shift to ePE constructions, but two-layer jackets have traditionally been much more flexible than its three-layer counterparts. While the First Chair definitely has a softer face fabric than many shells, it has enough structure to give you the comforting “armor” feel you want in ski outerwear. I chalk this up to the substantial pockets on the front as well as the choice of face fabric.

Style-wise, the First Chair is refreshingly unremarkable. There’s one small REI logo to the side under the chest pocket, where it mostly goes unseen. Unlike some house brand outerwear (Backcountry, for one) and many name brands, you don’t feel like a walking advertisement wearing the First Chair. This is a great feature, considering that most people buying an REI ski jacket are doing so for the brand name cachet.

Fit

The First Chair offers a comfy, standard freeride fit that’ll feel familiar to North American skiers. There’s plenty of room inside for thick puffies, but it doesn’t feel ridiculous when worn with just a T-shirt on warmer days.

The cut hangs just below the belt line in the front and extends a little further in the back for a helpful “tail” that you can sit on while on the chairlift, which also helps keep snow out of your waistline. There’s also the obligatory powder skirt installed if you use those things, but it also snaps up and out of the way if, like me, you don’t.

Pockets and Features

Pockets are another highlight of this ski jacket. While some prefer a streamlined jacket with few, low-profile pockets, I’m a big fan of the oversized cargo pockets on the First Chair jacket’s front, which remind me of The North Face Dragline kit I also reviewed here. The biggest difference is that the First Chair is $200 cheaper.

Those front cargo pockets feature easy-to-operate hook-and-loop closures for gloved hands, but there are also easily accessible zippered pockets directly behind them for more secure storage of high-value items, such as your phone and favorite lip balm.

Two more matching zippered pockets sit at hip height, which are less-used when skiing, but I find them handy away from the slopes. There’s a pass pocket on the left wrist and a mesh storage pocket inside the chest for temporary items, such as gloves, for a total of eight pockets, none of which are frustratingly small.

One feature worth mentioning, as it’s visually obvious, is the D-loop that hangs from the right chest pocket. I never really found a use for it personally, but I could imagine someone clipping ski gloves to it or hanging a day pass that needs to be scanned.

REI Co-op First Chair Jacket: Who Should Buy It?

The First Chair is a great resort ski shell if you mostly ride in cold, dry weather. If you aren’t in need of the extreme weather protection offered by pricier shells, this is a good choice. The shell costs less but looks the part of a capable ski shell. Plus, the subdued branding is great for minimalist skiers and snowboarders.

I also dig the powder skirt that snaps up out of the way. And I love the plethora of storage options, including oversized cargo pockets on the front. To find out how the First Chair compares to our other favorite ski jackets, check out our GearJunkie Ski Jacket Buyer’s Guide.