The Best Ski Jackets for Men: Staff Picks

REI customers, staff and gear reviewers agree: The Arc'teryx Sabre is the best men's ski or snowboard jacket money can buy. Why such high praise? Namely durable, performance materials that shine in alpine environments—plus well-designed features and a slightly baggy, stylish and layer-accommodating fit that offers excellent range of motion.

The Sabre is Paul Haraf's go-to for all active winter sports in the Rocky Mountains where he lives. "Whether it be backcountry skiing, ice climbing or fat-tire biking, this technical shell has an oversized hood that fits over all helmets comfortably," says Haraf, an REI Experiences supervisor in Colorado.

The Sabre is a 3-layer shell, which is the top-of-the line in jackets. Arc'teryx sandwiches a breathable, waterproof GORE-TEX membrane between a DWR-treated face fabric to repel moisture, and a protective yet lightweight and soft liner that's bonded to the membrane. The result, according to one Tahoe-based field tester, is "durable enough to handle hundred-day seasons and waterproof enough to keep you dry during wet, heavy Sierra storms."

Arc'teryx didn't skimp on features, either. The shell sports a powder skirt for the deepest days; hook-and-loop closure cuffs that work with a range of gloves and mitts; and an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood. It also has a whopping six pockets: two hand pockets you can access while wearing a backcountry pack, two internal mesh pockets (one more than last year's version), a zippered pass pocket on the shoulder and an internal security pocket. (Read our review of the Arc'teryx Sentinel, the Sabre's counterpart in women's sizing).

Thanks to its uninsulated shell construction, you can rock the Sabre with anything from a light tech tee on spring days to a heavy base layer and a puffy on mid-winter backcountry expeditions. Buy here.

Beloved by ski patrollers and ski bums who are especially hard on their gear, durable, stylish and under-the-radar outerwear from Flylow has drummed up a cult following over nearly two decades in business. The Flylow Roswell Insulated Jacket continues that tradition for riders who tend to run on the chilly side—or for those who spend most of their time braving subzero temps. It's our team's pick for the best insulated men's ski jacket this season.

Flylow reinforced the Roswell with a 2-layer Intuitive Stark membrane that offers 10,000 millimeters/10,000 grams weatherproofing. Thhe Roswell is capable of coping with moderate to heavy snowfall. Tech spec scrutinizers will note that the polyester has a 120-denier rating—a measurement that denotes fiber filament thickness. This is on the high side for ski outerwear, and it helps explain why the Roswell delivers above-average durability.

Beneath that tough exterior, the Roswell sports 80 grams of synthetic Spaceloft insulation—a lightweight insulator that's warm even when wet. If the insulation ever feels like overkill, Flylow outfitted the Roswell with 13-inch underarm vents, which enable riders to quickly turn on the AC during in-bounds bootpacks and high-octane powder runs.

While the synthetic insulation and rugged shell fabric are the main draws, the Roswell isn't without bells and whistles, including six pockets (four exterior, two interior), snow-stopping wrist gaskets, a powder skirt and a helmet-compatible hood. A customer reviewer summed up the package: "Love this jacket. It is well made, keeps me warm, fits well, has lots of pockets to keep my stuff segregated, has zips for ventilation when it gets warm inside and it looks cool." Buy here.

Waterproof and breathable membranes are the key ingredient in ski outerwear, and there’s one name that dominates the landscape: GORE-TEX. However, GORE-TEX outerwear can be priced steeper than a double-black-diamond run. REI Co-op always strives to make the outdoors more accessible to all, and the First Chair GTX is a game-changer in that regard—it’s a fully featured, stylish, high-performance two-layer shell that sports a GORE-TEX membrane at a better price point.

The latest version of the First Chair sports an exciting new development on the sustainability front, too: Gore’s new ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane. Not only is the new membrane lightweight, reliable and tough, but it also boasts a decreased carbon footprint compared to standard GORE-TEX. The membrane is protected by a bluesign-approved recycled polyester face fabric, a combination that performs well in powder and can handle less alluring precip, too. A California customer who used the shell off the hill reported, “The jacket can be used as a rain-resistant jacket for other activities, too.”  

Of course, the First Chair is purpose-built for hitting the slopes. "Snowboarding in the Cascades calls for gear that works in changing weather," says REI Co-op Brands art director Chris Mahan. "The First Chair Jacket has a GORE-TEX laminate that keeps me dry while the fit is designed for me to layer just the right weight of insulation. A zippered chest pocket keeps my phone secure but close for taking pictures." Lastly, one of his favorite features is the high collared front to keep the wind out.

The versatile, uninsulated shell handles everything from warmer spring park sessions and frigid powder days to light backcountry touring thanks to a soft-to-the-touch recycled polyester liner, easy-to-operate pit zips and pockets galore. These pockets imbue the kit with classic style, and, according to that California-based customer-reviewer, cater to skiers who like to skip lunch in the lodge. “You can put sandwiches for four people in there,” he said. Buy here.  

Backcountry skiers and snowboarders face countless hazards, chief among them avalanches. But overheating is another lurking danger that can lead to complications as serious as hypothermia, hence the need for appropriate layering. Thankfully, the breathable Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell lets backcountry travelers efficiently manage moisture in the mountains. This is our pick for the best men's backcountry ski jacket.

Breathability stems from the 3-layer AscentShell material, which features microporous perforations that are large enough to allow air to pass through while blocking water from penetrating the fabric. According to one customer reviewer, the shell "sheds water and blocks wind super well," all while having a "softer, stretchier feel than other hard shells." That stretchiness comes courtesy of the fabric itself—a blend of 93% 40-denier nylon and 7% spandex. Another customer gave the fabric top marks for breathability but noted that the shell was overwhelmed by "mixed precip" conditions while skiing in Sierra Cement-smeared Tahoe.

if you're pushing hard on the uphill, you can always crank up the ventilation by popping open the pit zips. Many backcountry-oriented shells lack pit zips to shave a few grams, but the addition of pit zips in this jacket makes it ready for warm corn-chasing missions in the spring.

A forearm pass pocket comes in handy if you end up bringing the Skytour in-bounds. Additional storage includes four exterior pockets (two chest, two hand), an internal zippered chest phone pocket and an internal mesh pocket for stashing gloves or goggles. Other features include: a soft, tall chin guard; a wire-brimmed, adjustable, helmet-compatible hood; and cinchable cuffs. One last note: Multiple customers reported that the Skytour AscentShell fits on the slim side. Buy here.

There are two main reasons we recommend insulated ski jackets. The first is comfort: More insulation equals more warmth. The second might surprise you—it's cost.

How exactly do insulated options save you dough? Well, if you have an insulated ski jacket, you no longer need to purchase both an insulated puffy jacket and a waterproof shell to stay warm on chilly days. Instead, you can likely get by with a heavy base layer and a fleece or wool mid-layer. Our pick for the best men's ski jacket, REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Jacket, is a high-performance, low-cost option that budget shoppers, ski bums and ski families with growing kids love.

To keep this 2-layer jacket affordable and storm-worthy, co-op designers used a proprietary waterproof and breathable laminate beneath a tough nylon face fabric. The construction stands up to snow, sleet and rain, reported one customer reviewer who "stayed both dry and warm" during "a torrential downpour" in the Pacific Northwest. Another Colorado snowboarder gave the coat kudos for durability: "I rode 20-something times this year in Colorado in all kinds of conditions, and was always comfortable. It held up really well, no tears or rips. Never leaked water."

This isn't a heavily insulated parka: The Powderbound sports 80 grams of synthetic insulation in the torso, and 60 grams in the sleeves—what our Tahoe-based gear tester calls a "Goldilocks level of insulation that's warm enough to handle most days on the slopes." He continues: "Even better, the layer-friendly fit lets you toss on a fleece for extremely cold days, while pit zips enable you to quickly dump heat on sunny spring ski days."

You might expect a jacket at this pricepoint to be minimalist, but the co-op team outfitted the Powerbound with several top-of-the-line features, like a fuzzy-lined, high collar for protection from wind and snow; a removable powder skirt; a lift pass pocket on the wrist and an internal mesh pocket for stashing goggles. And it's all crafted from bluesign®-approved materials in a Fair Trade Certified factory. Buy here.

If you're looking for versatility, warmth and bang for your buck, feast on the Thermoball Eco Snow Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket. The North Face trifecta comes with a removable, mid layer stuffed with synthetic insulation and a 2-layer shell that offers the breathable waterproof protection of the DryVent membrane. We recommend this for snow enthusiasts who want to biggest bang for their buck since you get three jackets in one.

In the insulated puffy, the torso is packed with the brand's ThermoBall™ insulation—down-mimicking, heat-hoarding clusters of synthetic fibers that remain warm when wet. To increase mobility, the sleeves feature lightweight, hollow-core fibers that maintain insulating properties when conditions are damp. Factor in a sharp silhouette, zippered chest pocket and open hand pockets, and the resulting mid-layer is ready for both strolling mountain town main drags and ripping big mountain lines.

The shell is a solid standalone jacket, too. It sports The North Face's reliable DryVent waterproof, breathable membrane beneath a 75-denier recycled polyester face fabric. It also comes equipped with pit zips, adjustable cuffs, a handful of pockets (one of which includes an attached goggle wipe) and a snapping powder skirt and cinchable hem for thigh-deep powder days.

Paired together, you have a seamless mid-layer and outerwear combo that fits well and looks slick. "Good look, good fit," reported one happy customer. "I'm looking forward to shredding everything but this coat!" Buy here.

Picture Organic, the French apparel maker and B Corp, has been pushing the limits of sustainable outerwear since it launched in 2008. Featuring both recycled insulation and "circular polyester"—a fabric sourced from factory fabric scraps and used clothing to reduce waste—the Object Insulated Jacket is our top pick for skiers and riders who want winter to be around for decades to come.

"I typically prefer a shell jacket with no insulation, but this jacket has exceeded my expectations," wrote one customer reviewer from Colorado who stayed warm while wearing the Object in 25°F with just a base layer. "It looks great and doesn't present as bulky as other insulated options I have used."

The lightly insulated Object might not serve up bulky "Michelin Man" vibes, but it's plenty warm thanks to 60 grams of Recycled Thermal STD Insulation in the body and sleeves, with 40 grams in the hood for increased mobility. The insulation is protected by a circular polyester shell and impressive lightweight waterproof and breathable membrane that keeps you dry in most conditions.

Our crew dug the features, too: Pit zips provide the ventilation needed for in-bounds hikes, and the insulated hood is warm and adjustable for stormy sessions. Lycra wrist gaiters, hook-and-loop cuffs and a stretchy storm skirt let skiers and riders batten down the hatches when powder is in the forecast. There's also a pass compartment for navigating lift lines and enough pockets to keep you fueled up and tooled up for a bell-to-bell day. Buy here.