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Best Snowboard Jackets 2023-2024

From park laps to backcountry missions, here are some of the best snowboard jackets for this winter

It’s important to put some time and effort into choosing your snowboard jacket. When all is said and done, it’s arguably as important as choosing the right snowboard, and the right pair of bindings to match. Whether you’re a keen backcountry explorer or an in-bounds rider, a certain amount of thought should go into picking the best outerwear for you. While this list focuses on the best jackets, most are available with a matching pair of pants to complete the set, similar in spec and tech to ensure you’ve got the same level of protection head to toe.

“What’s important to remember is that it’s all a balancing act between being waterproof and being breathable”

First of all, you need to consider where you will be doing most of your snowboarding, what kind of conditions you are likely to face, and how much time you will spend wearing your jacket. Once you’ve answered the basic questions about the kind of snowboarder you are, it’s time to look at the more technical aspects of your outerwear.

If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide to choosing your outerwear, take a look at our ‘how to choose the best snowboard jackets and pants’, but if you’re already clued up on this, scroll down for our shortlist.

Waterproofing and Breathability

What’s important to remember is that it’s all a balancing act between being waterproof and being breathable. If something’s extremely waterproof but doesn’t have that breathability, you begin to sweat. In turn, this means your sweat will have nowhere to go and you’ll be soaked after only a couple of laps.

PC: Ed Blomfield

The waterproof rating is measured in millimetres (mm). This refers to the depth of water that is required to penetrate the fabric (based on filling a one-inch diameter tube). The higher the rating, the more waterproof the outerwear.

Breathability is measured in grams. The ratings refer to the weight of water that can pass through a square metre of fabric in 24hours. Bear in mind though, that the testing protocols aren’t universal and can lack consistency between brands. Usually, you’ll find the breathability ratings to be somewhere between 5k and 20k – with the higher number being a more breathable option.

PC: Ed Blomfield

Shell / Insulation

Another two key factors when it comes to choosing your snowboard outerwear is the fabric and insulation. You can choose between a hard shell, soft shell or an insulated model.

The main benefits of a hardshell is its ability to resist the most extreme weather conditions you’re likely to face on the mountain. The jackets / pants are designed to provide shelter against rain and wind. They’re also designed to be extremely breathable and durable, hence the reason why they’re so often preferred by backcountry enthusiasts.

“You can choose between a hard shell, soft shell or an insulated model”

If you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable, a softshell jacket / pants combo might be more up your street. Softshells often allow for more mobility, whilst also offering a decent amount of waterproofing and breathability.

You can also choose to go with an insulated option. Head over to our best snowboard mid-layer to get the low down on the difference between down and synthetic insulation.

PC: Ed Blomfield

Sustainability and Durability

Choosing more sustainable options has become the norm these days. It’s also, we’re happy to report, something that’s become much popular within the snowboard industry. Brands are putting more effort into producing products sustainably, and this is clear when looking at this season’s outerwear.

When purchasing a new product, you should bear in mind that even though the manufacturing of products has become more sustainable – the key to sustainability lies in the durability of the product itself. It may, for example, be worth spending a bit more money on a jacket that can last you up to five years rather than a cheaper option that might only take you through one season and has to be replaced sooner.

In the end, it’s down to you what you choose to spend your money on. Just make sure that whatever you choose has the right fit, as it’d be a shame if you couldn’t fit an extra layer underneath or the jacket pops its zip after a big lunch down the slope.

The Best Snowboard Jackets For Winter 2023/24


686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €440
Price Pants: €396

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.

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

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 686 Gore-Tex Skyline Jacket and Willow Pant

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Beyond Medals Full Zip Orange Jacket and Zip Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €300
Price Pants: €240

Nearly a decade has passed since Kevin Backström and Tor Lundström started ‘Beyond Medals’. Since then, we’ve seen the crew grow and multiple sick edits drop, not to mention their clothing line that’s grown to be beyond successful in the last few years. From t-shirts and hoodies to high-quality snowboard outerwear, Beyond Medals is slowly but surely claiming their spot in the outerwear industry.

Who Are The Beyond Medals Full Zip Jacket and Zip Pants For?

This outfit is for the mellow cruiser who’s equally keen to ride through the resort as they are to take the occasional spin through some fresh backcountry pow. A clean-cut without all the extra faff, this unisex outfit provides just the right amount of tech and style for the ones riding ‘beyond medals’.

Buy the Beyond Medals Full Zip Jacket: £270 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Beyond Medals Full Zip Jacket: €300 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Beyond Medals Zip Pants: £215 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Beyond Medals Zip Pants: €240 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Beyond Medals Full Zip Orange Jacket and Zip Pant

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Burton AK Cyclic Snowboard Jacket and Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: £460 / €490
Price Pants: £300 / €330

Burton are the original snowboarder-owned brand, and by many measures, still the best. When it comes to investing in the sports’ grassroots, no other company comes close—from sponsoring dryslope contests in the UK to their commitment to running a genuinely open global contest series for many years, where no-name riders could qualify through the ranks to compete with top pros, Burton has arguably done more to grow the sport of snowboarding than anyone else.

Who Are The Burton AK Cyclic For?

Burton’s AK range, as the name suggests, is designed to tackle big mountains, like the kind their team riders Ben Ferguson or Zoi Sadowski-Synnott might encounter in Alaska. It’s high tech stuff aimed at freeriders and splitboarders—although the prices are not so ludicrous as to put them out of reach of those who spend the majority of their time ripping around resorts.

Buy the Burton AK Cyclic Jacket: £440 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Burton AK Cyclic Jacket: €490 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Burton AK Cyclic Pants: £465 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Burton AK Cyclic Pants: €520 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Burton AK Cyclic Snowboard Jacket and Pant

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Jones Shralpinist Stretch 3L Snowboard Jacket and Pant 2023-2024

Price: €600 / $600 (Jacket) and €500 / $500

Given that most of us would hope to get more than a couple winter’s use out of our snowboard jacket and pants, you’d be reasonable for wanting to give any brand a wide berth when they’re only a few seasons deep in producing their own resort and backcountry outerwear.

But this is Jones we’re talking about. After flying out the gates with a triple offering of backcountry, resort and spring touring outerwear, they’ve come up with an exciting addition for every gear nerd’s wardrobe— one that almost perfectly blurs the lines between all three categories: the Shralpinist Stretch 3-layer jacket and bib pants.

Who Are The Jones Shralpinist Stretch 3L Jacket and Bib Pants For?

Forget the resort vs. backcountry divide. These things have all the functionality and wearability to feel right at home on a 12,000 foot peak as much as a day spent in bounds, sniffing out powder stashes and lining up sidehits. Along with the swanky four-way stretch material, they’ll be especially popular with riders who want to feel completely unrestricted when hiking, tweaking or skinning their way through the mountains.

Buy the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket: £600 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket: €670 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bibs: £510 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bibs: €570 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Jones Shralpinist Stretch 3L Snowboard Jacket and Pant

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Oakley Sage Kotsenburg TC Earth Shell Snowboard Jacket and Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €400
Price Pants: €280

Developed in concert with Oakley’s roster of world-class athletes, the Team Collection represents the pursuit of athlete-influenced design, technology, and utility, on and off the mountain. Tech fabrics, athlete-inspired details, and purpose-built design combine to elevate performance and functionality, which is precisely what lies at the core of Sage Kotsenburg’s signature TC Earth Shell Jacket and Pants.

Who Are The Oakley Sage Kotsenburg TC Earth Shell Jacket and Pants For?

Purposely designed for playing in the snow, the TC Earth Shell outerwear doesn’t just give you great cover from the elements but has also been designed with respect to mother earth using Oakley’s biodegradable bio-earth construction. This is the ideal outfit for the environmentally conscious rider who loves cruising through a forest full of fresh snow.

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Oakley Sage Kotsenburg TC Earth Shell Snowboard Jacket and Pant

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Oakley TC Skull Reduct Jacket 2023-2024

Price: £392

Stale Sandbech – a man with so much style that even a blocky Lego figurine can’t help but look rad when aping him – recently hit the big 3-0. Whether or not that has anything to do with the fact that his signature Oakley outerwear has had a significant upgrade this year, we can’t say.

Who Are The Oakley TC Skull Reduct Jacket?

This definitely has the chops to handle extended trips to the backcountry, yet still won’t look out of place in the park. With sizing from XXS to XXL, this is an option for pretty much anyone.

Buy the Oakley TC Skull Reduct Jacket: £360 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Oakley TC Skull Reduct Jacket: €400 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Oakley TC Skull Reduct Jacket

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Patagonia Powder Town Snowboard Jacket and Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €350
Price Pants: €320

Patagonia has a solid reputation in the industry as a top quality and high-tech brand who produce some of the finest gear for skiing and snowboarding. And while over the last few years they’ve been adopted by the fashionable youth as a trendy lifestyle brand, Patagonia will first and foremost always be for outdoor enthusiasts, those who crave adventure and care for the planet.

Who Is The Patagonia Powder Town For?

We’d put this set more in the all-mountain category, so you’ll probably spend most of your time in bounds. That’s not to say you can’t go for a sidecountry session, but on the whole you’ll be riding resort and looking damn good doing it.

Buy the Patagonia Powder Town Jacket: £315 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Patagonia Powder Town Jacket: €350 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Patagonia Powder Town Pants: £285 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Patagonia Powder Town Pants: €320 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Patagonia Powder Town Snowboard Jacket and Pant

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Patagonia Untracked Snowboard Jacket and Bib Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: £630 / €700
Price Pants: £580 / €650

For more than 30 years, Patagonia has been one of the best outerwear makers in the business. ‘Best’ not just because of the quality of their jackets and pants, which are second to none, but also because of their mantra of doing “no unnecessary harm” to the planet. This drove them to pioneer more environmentally-friendly materials and lower-impact production processes years before Greta Thunberg was born.

Who Are The Patagonia Untracked For?

Patagonia snowboard kit tends to skew towards powder-loving backcountry riders, and the top of the range Untracked Jacket and Bib Pants are more backcountry-friendly than most. If — like our tester — you’re planning on going splitboarding, or spending a lot of time off piste, you’ll appreciate the high tech fabric and features here.

MORE INFO:
PATAGONIA.COM

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Patagonia Untracked Snowboard Jacket and Bib Pant

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Picture Organic Clothing U88 Jacket and U66 Bib Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: £320 / €335
Price Pants: £290 / €300

Founded by childhood friends Julien Durant, Jérémy Rochette, and Vincent André in 2008, Picture Organic Clothing’s mission has been the same from day dot: to make eye-catching, fashionable clobber, in the most sustainable way possible, and sell it at a reasonable price—one that most ordinary snowboarders can afford.

Who Are The Picture Organic Clothing U88 Jacket and U66 Bib Pant For?

These are designed for freeriders. People who need high levels of waterproofing and breathability but also appreciate the little bit of extra warmth granted by the insulation when they’re sitting on early-morning chairlifts, en route to that first run of the day. Our tester wore the jacket through some serious cold spells in the Dolomites last winter, and appreciated the extra warmth.

From tackling Niseko treelines in heavy snow, to screaming down the run outs of high alpine couloirs, if you’re the kind of rider who prioritises powder over pistes, but mostly rides within resort boundaries, then these are for you.

Buy the Picture Organic Clothing U66 Bib Pant: €300 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Picture Organic Clothing U88 Jacket and U66 Bib Pant

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Quiksilver Steeze Jacket and Snow Down Pants 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €260
Price Pants: €220

Austen Sweetin and Miles Fallon’s signature line is all about the youthfulness and fun of snowboarding, hence why the High Altitude embodies the baggy fits and playful prints with designs inspired by the early 90s combined with a modern twist.

Who Are The Quiksilver Steeze Jacket and Snow Down Pants For?

The Quiksilver Steeze Jacket and Snow Down Pants are about bold colours, comfort, and steeze, while offered at a reasonable price. If you’re looking for an eye-catching shell to lap the park in, or to cruise through the resort in, then this is for you. And, for this year, Quiksilver is inviting the female riders to join the fun by introducing a unisex fit, making the jacket and pants a great choice for all genders.

Buy the Quiksilver Steeze Jacket: £235 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Quiksilver Steeze Jacket: €260 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Quiksilver Snow Down Pants: £200 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Quiksilver Snow Down Pants: €220 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Quiksilver Steeze Jacket and Snow Down Pants

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The North Face Pumori GTX Pro Snowboard Jacket and Bib Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: £720 / €800
Price Pants: £585 / €650

Founded by California climber Doug Tompkins in 1966, The North Face has a long and proud history of producing high-end gear for high-alpine activities. In recent years, the brand’s clothes—in particular their down jackets—have also been adopted by urban fashionistas and London-based grime artists, adding an extra element to their public image.

Who Are The The North Face Pumori GTX Pro For?

The North Face make a vast range of outdoor gear, including dozens of different snowboard-specific jackets. Their Summit Series clothing, designed in collaboration with their athletes, sits at the very top of the range.

This winter’s Summit Series includes the Verbier jacket and pants, designed for freeriders, and the Pumori jacket and bib pants, named for a peak in the Mahalangur Himalayas, which is aimed even more specifically at spiltboarders and ski mountaineers. If you’re likely to be spending more time off-piste than on, or if your backpack standardly includes an ice axe and crampons, the Summit Series Pumori is for you.

MORE INFO:
THENORTHFACE.COM

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 The North Face Pumori GTX Pro Snowboard Jacket and Bib Pant

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Volcom Arthur Longo Pullover Snowboard Jacket and Pant 2023-2024

Price Jacket: €250
Price Pants: €195

With his effortless style, precise board control, and ability to tackle side hits, Arthur Longo has made resort riding look more fun than we could have ever imagined. Whilst we may not possess the gracefulness that Arthur does when it comes to manoeuvring the slopes, thanks to Volcom we’ve got the chance to match his look and hope that might just up our style points on the slopes.

Who Are The Volcom Longo Pullover Jacket and Arthur Pants For?

The subtle retro look is just enough for you to get compliments on your look, yet not too much to brighten up the whole resort. The Volcom Longo Pullover Jacket and Arthur Pants are perfect for the mellow resort cruiser who just wants to feel comfortable and have a good time without having to worry about their outerwear giving up on them when the conditions take a turn for the worse.

Buy the Volcom Longo Pullover Jacket: £225 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Volcom Longo Pullover Jacket: €250 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Buy the Volcom Arthur Pants: £175 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Volcom Arthur Pants: €195 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Volcom Arthur Longo Pullover Snowboard Jacket and Pant

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Volcom Iguchi Slack Vest Snowboard Jacket 2023-2024

Price: €350

Listen, backpacks are great. We all have ‘em and we all use ‘em. Also, for the vast majority of riders out there, they’ll do the job just fine. But “fine” never won itself a spot in our Whitelines 100. When Bryan Iguchi sat down with Volcom a few years back, the goal was to rethink and redesign the way in which riders could carry essential gear in the backcountry, while making it feel as natural and unintrusive to ride in as possible. The end result is this: the ultra-utilitarian, meticulously engineered Iguchi Slack Vest.

Who Is The Volcom Iguchi Slack Vest For?

The target market of the Iguchi Slack Vest can be split into two, distinct categories: those venturing into the fictional Central American banana republic of Val Verde to engage in deadly combat with a biologically and technologically superior enemy, and those venturing into the backcountry on their snowboard.

That said, the backcountry is a pretty broad church these days, and the Slack Vest is primarily aimed at those looking for fast and short bursts of time out of bounds, be that on foot, on the skin track, on a sled, or (for the lucky few) in a heli. 

Buy the Volcom Iguchi Slack Vest: £315 at Blue Tomato UK

Buy the Volcom Iguchi Slack Vest: €350 at Blue Tomato EU

 

Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2023-2024 Volcom Iguchi Slack Vest Snowboard Jacket

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