Outerwear
Buyer's Guide

You don't want to be cold and wet on the mountain. This is where you outerwear comes in. The right snowboard jacket and pants keep snow, wind and wet out. Learn about waterproofing, breathability and other features.

Chapter 1

How warm jacket and pants do I want?

This sounds like a trick question, right? Well, actually not. Ski and snowboard jackets and pants are available in a variety of different weights. If you are someone who typically runs really hot go with a shell ski jacket and pants and layers which you take off or put on if you get cold or hot. If you get cold easily consider a heavy insulated jacket. A normal ski or snowboard jacket or pant usually has medium insulation.

Warmth
rating

Shell jackets and pants

Shell ski jackets and pants are entirely uninsulated or very lightly lined. The most technical garments usually are shell jackets and pants which give you the most versatility for layering as you can add as many or as few layers as you like underneath. For ski touring and splitboarding shell jackets are the best – as you can get really warm quickly.

A snowboarder stands at the summit wearing a shell jacket.

I always layer up, merino base layer, insulator, then a gore-tex shell jacket. If you get too hot you can always take off a layer.

Chapter 2

How waterproof should my outerwear be?

All snowboard jacket and pants will keep out the snow – that goes without saying. However, there are levels of waterproofing depending on your activities and your exposure to the elements. An important measure is the water column. The water column describes the amount of water that is needed to permeate through the material over 24 hours. The higher the number, the dryer you’ll stay.

Good waterproofing

If you’re only going to be out in reasonably dry conditions, a water column between 5,000 and 10,000 mm is plenty. These jackets will keep you dry in light rain and moderate snowfall.

A group of female snowboarders wear good snowboard jackets

Chapter 3

Breathability: Get that sweat away

For a snowboard jacket to work correctly, it needs to prevent water from getting in but also release sweat in the form of vapour away from your body. If you don’t release this vapour, you’ll feel cold, clammy and sweaty. Like waterproofing, breathability is measured in how much water vapour is released over 24 hours. The higher the number, the more breathable and better at moving sweat away your outerwear will be.

Good breathability

Snowboard jackets and pants with breathability from 5,000 to 10,000 g will work in lighter snow when you’re not exerting that much. If you’re just riding on piste and in the park outerwear with this level of breathability will work just fine – particularly if you are taking frequent breaks.

A snowboarder just crossing the parkinglot

Best breathability

Above 20,000 g you are well-equipped for every type of condition or activity on the mountain. This outerwear is best for ski-touring, splitboarding and freeriding when you are typically exercising harder and sweating more. You will find the best breathability on shell jackets and pants.

When I’m ski touring, I always use really breathable outerwear with lots of vents. This means I stay fresh and ready to ride.

Chapter 4

Outerwear fit guide

Snowwear, like normal clothing, comes in all different shapes and sizes. Have a look for which style fits you.

Choose
a fit

Regular fit

The standard cut from most brands. This cut is comfortable yet not too baggy but with enough space for layering. Regular fit snowboard pants fit comfortably over your ski or snowboard boots.

Chapter 5

Which features should I look for in my outerwear?

Outerwear
features

Sealed seams

Seam sealing is essential for snowwear. When ski jackets and pants are sewn together, there are tiny holes on the seam through the usually waterproof materials. Sealed seams are taped on the inside to maintain the waterproofing of the garments. Snowboard jackets and pants can either have fully taped seams, where every seam had been taped or critically taped, where only the most exposed seams have been taped.

Chapter 6

Gloves and mittens

The last part of your outerwear is your gloves or mittens. They are also coincidentally the most frequently forgotten when you’re rushing to get ready in the morning.

Outerwear
gloves

Mittens

Mittens are the best option for warmth. All your fingers are together, so they keep warmer for longer. If you feel the cold or are heading somewhere particularly frigid like Japan or Canada opt for mittens