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Outerwear

686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant 2022-2023 Review

Tested and selected for our top 100 snowboard products of the year: the 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant

  • Price Jacket: £329 / €370 / $370
  • Price Pants: £265 / €299 / $300
  • Waterproof / Breathability: Gore-Tex
  • Category: Backcountry / Resort
  • Sizes: XS, S, M, L (XL for Jacket)

Why We Chose The 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant: Perfect construction and comfort for backcountry missions as well as for mellow everyday riding.

Owned and run by a snowboarder, Michael Akira West, it is no wonder that 686 has become one of the most appreciated brands in our industry. By constantly pushing boundaries, and adapting to the industry needs, 686 has always made sure to embrace the needs of all types of snowboarders. From baggy looks to backcountry-specific outerwear, 686 has something for everyone and it’s no wonder ladies like Mia Brookes and Hana Beaman are seen wearing their stuff.

“The 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant were born in collaboration with hard-core backcountry enthusiast and Natural Selection Tour star, Hana Beaman”

Who Are The Skyline Jacket and Willow Pants For?

The 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant were born in collaboration with hard-core backcountry enthusiast and Natural Selection Tour star, Hana Beaman. With this in mind, the outerwear is ideal for women who are seeking for something to keep them dry in the most demanding conditions. The high-waisted pants are also insulated, thus providing extra warmth that might come in handy if you’re living somewhere where the temperatures have the tendency to drop below zero.

MORE INFO:
686.COM

 

Materials and Construction

Both the Willow pants and the Skyline jacket are made with Gore-Tex, thus delivering both comfort and protection. The 2L Gore-Tex membrane is waterproof, windproof and breathable, so not only does the outerwear keep water and wind from getting in but also allows for sweat particles to evaporate through and keep you dry on the inside. Additionally, Gore-Tex goes hand in hand with quality, so even if the slightly high price might feel intimidating, this outerwear is designed to stand with you for years to come. And the longer it lasts, the more sustainable of a choice it becomes too.

The jacket is designed as a shell, meaning you’ll want to layer up underneath when it gets cold outside. However, a shell jacket packs up much easier and weighs a lot less than an insulated one, making it a good choice if you’re looking for something to use for your splitboarding missions.

On the other hand, the high-waisted pants come with a 60G 85% recycled insulation, making them the ideal companion for the non-insulated shell jacket. The snow-resistant high waistband on the pants also offers increased flexibility, making them comfortable to spend a whole day in.

“The 2L Gore-Tex membrane is waterproof, windproof and breathable, so not only does the outerwear keep water and wind from getting in but also allows for sweat particles to evaporate through and keep you dry on the inside”

Fit and Features

Designed with a longer fit, the skyline jacket doesn’t just give you ultimate protection but also a nice fashionable well-fitted look that allows you to layer up underneath. Paired up with the high-waisted pants, designed with a fitted-but-not-too-tight cut, you’ve got yourself a comfortable fitted outfit.

Stacked with a bunch of cool features, 686 has certainly gone the extra mile when it comes to adding on all the essentials. The jacket comes with an adjustable helmet-compatible hood, a merino wool inner collar, 686’s new phone heater pocket (which can be an absolute lifesaver), headphone loops, an internal goggle + lens pocket, a zippered sleeve pass pocket with key clip, an adjustable hem, underarm vents and plenty more.

Not falling short on features either, the Willow pants feature inner leg vents, ribbed neoprene side panels, a merino wool blend inner waistband, boot gussets with snap closure, a lift ticket eyelet, and completed with a BOA® Compatible Boot System in the gaiter to match your boots of choice.

“Perfect for comfortable everyday riding as well as for backcountry missions, the 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant cater for a versatile audience”

Roundup

Perfect for comfortable everyday riding as well as for backcountry missions, the 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant cater for a versatile audience. And with Hana Beaman’s seal of approval, this jacket won’t fall short of delivering what it is designed for.

Pros:

  • For a backcountry-specific outfit the cut is slightly bigger and baggier – a nice touch if you ask us
  • The tail of the jacket is longer and covers the bum area nicely whilst we really appreciate the comfortable elastic high waist on the pants

Cons:

  • Just like the jacket, the pants too should be offered in XL size
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Tester’s Verdict 2022/23

Coming soon…

Trade Secrets

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