The Best Ski Jackets of 2025

How We Tested the Best Ski Jackets

Our Expert Testers

Contributor Justin Park skis more than 100 days each season, split evenly between backcountry and resort days. From sub-zero January pow days to slushy June touring missions, he puts dozens of jackets, skis, boots, and pants through its paces at high elevations.

GearJunkie Senior Editor Morgan Tilton specializes in snowsports and has lived in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains for more than three decades, where she grew up, learned to ski at her home mountain of Telluride Ski Resort, and lives today in Crested Butte. She’s been an outdoor industry journalist covering snow sports for over a decade.

Albert Kim, one of our lead GearJunkie testers, is in southern Utah. He cut his teeth in the snowsports industry working as a ski builder for Wagner Custom Skis in Telluride, Colorado.

Since 2021, additional contributors have included Steve Graepel, Ryan Wilchens, Eric Phillips, Sarah Stubbe, Kaylee Walden, Sean McCoy, Austin Beck-Doss, and GearJunkie Editor Will Brendza.

Our Testing Grounds

In addition to managing two dozen gear testers, Tilton field tests from Crested Butte Mountain Resort to Wyoming, Montana, and British Columbia. So far in 2025, Tilton has tested ski jackets for over 165 hours, 700 miles, 195,000 vertical feet, and 44 days of winter adventures. In 2024, she tested apparel for 216 hours throughout 62 days of recreation from ski areas to the backcountry. In 2023, she tested gear for 114 hours across 35 days. Those days exclude the countless hours of shoveling.

Based in Breckenridge, Colo., Park tests ski gear more than 100 days each season. Despite the desert environment of southern Utah, Kim regularly skis at Brian Head Resort and the surrounding backcountry near an elevation of 10,000 feet. Constantly changing conditions have Kim putting his outerwear through its paces, which demands top-tier protection and durability.

The GearJunkie team has met for annual on-snow test weeks to grind out turns and swap notes, including two gatherings at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, which is known for its expert terrain.

Our Testing Process

Throughout the field tests, we note various metrics, including performance, protection, quality, longevity, fit, functionality, features, size range, and value.

In addition to our experience, we consider the most novel, style-specific, popular, highly rated, and legacy products across various price points. This collection of ski jackets serves a range of athletes and applications.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Ski Jacket

Ski jackets are useful for activities other than laps at your local ski hill or in the backcountry. These winter jackets are so functional that they can also be used for shoveling the driveway, walking the dog, snowmobiling, snowboarding, and more.

If you’re looking for a jacket specific to snowboarding, check out our Best Snowboard Jackets buyer’s guide. The main differences are the fit, style, and brand alliance.

Ski Jacket 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.

Each manufacturer has its size charts for ski jackets. Make sure to take your measurements and match them with the size charts.

Many companies deliver more size inclusivity with broader offerings for men’s and women’s apparel, including TREW Gear, Columbia, Obermeyer, and L.L.Bean. While there are, unfortunately, no men’s ski jackets with extended sizes on our list, the Stio Men’s Environ Jacket offers the broadest size range of XS to XXXL. The Eddie Bauer Chair Six Jacket for Women has plus sizes 1X-3X and XS-XXL, petite, and tall options. We’d like more size options for our favorite men’s ski jackets.

Everyone’s body is unique, so check the exchange and return policy before you buy.

Insulated vs. Non-Insulated Ski Jackets

Some ski jackets offer no insulation, which is a versatile option for use across various conditions. This waterproof, breathable layer helps you stay dry and protected from the sun, wind, or abrasion, like from a tree branch or snow burn if you slide out. There’s typically 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. A range of weights and densities exists so that you might prefer a heavier hand feel if you ski where there’s frequent wind chill.

Other ski jackets, like the Patagonia Insulated Powder Town, are insulated for additional warmth in cold, windy locations. For some skiers, especially those going into the backcountry, these jackets can pigeonhole them into donning too much warmth. 

Insulated jackets also tend to be overkill on warm spring days or in milder winter locations. The type and warmth of insulation vary across each jacket, ranging 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. One of our favorites is the Patagonia Insulated Powder Town, which combines a layer of insulation with an outer fabric treated for waterproof protection. The price is generally more moderate compared to three-layer jackets.

Regarding 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 coat to be for your ski conditions.

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-A waterproof jacket is ideal for skiing because the weather can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to risk getting wet from snow or rain. The top-tier waterproofing standard 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.

Manufacturers rate waterproofing by how much water a fabric withstands before leaking, typically from 5,000 mm to 20,000 mm or higher. 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 we’ve tested provided 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 & Air Permeability

For high-output skiing on powder days, aim for a jacket with 10,000-15,000 g of breathability. Backcountry skiers and uphill athletes should look for even more breathability — 20,000 g or more.

The breathability of a ski jacket is constantly in a constant balance or pull game with its waterproofness. Generally, the more waterproof an outer layer is, the more difficult it is for the fabric to be fully breathable. On the far end of that spectrum, imagine your favorite workout t-shirt you pull on for a hike or the gym: It’s not waterproof, but it allows your sweat to exit.

A few jackets, such as the Strafe Nomad Jacket, are air-permeable. These jackets use a different waterproof/breathable construction than the standard set by GORE-TEX. While GORE-TEX membranes allow moisture to escape in the form of vapor, air-permeable fabrics let air pass through, so you don’t have to start sweating to activate the jacket’s breathability. Fabrics with air permeability include the Strafe Nomad’s eVent, Flylow’s The Perm, and the BD.dry fabric used in the Black Diamond Recon LT Shell.

If you want a more breathable ski jacket, pay attention to that metric and whether there are underarm vents. Of course, if breathability is a priority, you’ll also likely want a jacket that is not insulated.

Ventilation

Ski jackets often offer ventilation through 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.

One innovative ventilation design we’ve seen is a front-facing, closable mesh vent that parallels the front zipper. In terms of quality, YKK zippers are the toughest.

Overall Weight

A jacket’s overall weight is important for backcountry skiers who often need to stash a jacket in a pack and can’t sacrifice space for bulk.

Similarly, some uphill athletes want 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 a jacket as the conditions warm.

The lightest jackets in our top picks are 450-550 g, like the Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Shell. Heavier jackets are closer to 900-1,000 g.

Ultimately, you shouldn’t compromise a jacket’s safety or comfort details and adequate warmth to lose weight.

Collar & Hood

An ergonomic collar and hood protect the face, head, and neck 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, 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. Some jackets feature removable hoods, while others have fixed ones.

One of our favorite hoods is on the Patagonia Men’s SnowDrifter Jacket. It offers a great shape that fits over a range of helmet sizes and doesn’t catch a draft. Plus, it has plenty of flexibility to swivel our heads while skiing downhill or sitting on the lift.

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 ski jackets, like the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Jacket for Men, feature fixed powder skirts you can’t remove. Others have a zipper or attachment points to connect to your ski jacket.

Sleeve cuffs generally have a Velcro closure, though they vary in width, length, and pliability. Some designs have additional snaps. Many cuffs have an inner wrist gaiter or storm cuff (a cuff within a cuff). It’s usually made of stretchy fabric and adds warmth while blocking wind. Sometimes, it 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 high to accommodate a backpack belt or harness for ski mountaineering. Other exterior pockets can include small pouches on the arm or 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 carrying a credit card or ID.

Deep, wide interior pockets can be essential for holding backcountry skins, especially if the temperature is crisp and you must prevent the glue from freezing over between uses. Occasionally, a pocket is insulated to help extend your smartphone’s battery life.

Examine what you’ll need to carry, the adequate pocket size, and if the pockets are in the most comfortable place. For resort skiing, one of our favorite jackets for the pocket design is the Stio Men’s Figment Jacket, which has two chest pockets and two large hand pockets on the front.

Sustainability

Outdoor brands such as Patagonia and outdoor retailers such as the REI Co-op have been pushing sustainability for years. Today, most outdoor brands have made at least minor moves in this direction: incorporating recycled fabrics, using less intensive production methods, and offering end-of-life options for old apparel.

Legislation at state and federal levels is getting into the fight, as well, with the EPA declaring several PFAS chemicals officially hazardous. California and New York both have PFAS bans for apparel, instated in 2025, so outdoor brands have been hard at work getting product lineups into compliance by eliminating these forever chemicals from garments.

Many brands now incorporate the GORE-TEX ePE fabric and membrane, which eliminates long-lasting perfluorinated chemicals from the fabric, membrane, and topical treatments.

How To Wash & Dry Your Ski Jacket

Many brands now incorporate GORE-TEX ePE fabric, which is PFAS-free, into ski jacket designs. Washing your PFAS-free fabric reactivates the DWR and removes the oil and grime that decreases the waterproofness and breathability. Also, ePE fabrics are more susceptible to oil-based stains, whether that’s oil from your breakfast burrito or a greasy chairlift.

“PFAS-free DWR coatings require more frequent wash and care to maintain water repellency on face fabrics,” explained GORE-TEX expert Marshall Balick at an outdoor industry presentation Senior Editor Morgan Tilton attended in Nelson, British Columbia. 

According to Balick’s presentation, technical wash detergent is ideal because it does not contain additives. If one isn’t available, choose a conventional product that is scent-free and does not contain fabric softener, like Seventh Generation.

That said, if you only have a detergent with a scent and fabric softener, such as Tide, then it’s still better to wash your garment than not. But be sure to double-rinse. Later, it’d be best to wash your garment with a technical detergent, which will remove the additives from the fabric.

How frequently do you need to wash your ski jacket? It’s time to clean when your garment wets out and water no longer beads on the surface. You’ll hang the outer layer to dry. Then, you must put it in the dryer for 20 minutes on medium heat to fully reactivate the DWR. 

If that process hits a roadblock and no longer rejuvenates the face fabric (to enable droplets to bead), you must reapply an after-market product like Nikwax.

Price & Value

Like most ski gear, purpose-built ski jackets from name brands aren’t cheap, and you can expect to spend a couple of hundred dollars even for the lower-tier options. Ski jackets that are the most robust, weatherproof, and built with the highest quality fit and materials can rack up a bill in the $700 range. 

Budget: Basic Protection in a Ski Jacket

The cheapest option in our top picks is the Eddie Bauer Chair Six Jacket ($249), which delivers 20K/20K performance that’s more than adequate for most ski days while keeping the price very reasonable. 

Mid-Tier: Articulated, Athletic Designs

For a bit more, the Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Shell ($400) delivers lighter-weight performance in a jacket that’s equally at home on the skintrack as on the chairlift.

Premium: High-Quality Construction & Fabric

High-end shells can cost as much as $700, and while it’s not necessary to spend that much to get a competent ski jacket, these high-end options usually pair a high-performing waterproof and breathable membrane such as GORE-TEX Pro.

To illustrate, the Rab Khroma Latok Jacket ($680) is highly waterproof at 28K, supremely breathable, and reinforced with 80D and 40D Recycled GORE-TEX Pro fabric. The jacket only weighs 611 g, too.

Premium fabrics deliver on performance and usually have better durability, allowing you to spread the jacket’s cost out over many seasons of hard use.

Frequently Asked Questions