Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or at the resort, finding the right jacket can be daunting. Lucky for you, we’ve simplified your options by bringing together all of this year’s best ski jackets for men and women. From insulated coats to hard shells, our top picks effectively balance warmth, breathability, and waterproofing.
The Top Ski Jackets Reviewed
Best Insulated Ski Jackets
Insulated ski jackets are built to keep you warm in extreme cold conditions. They’re perfect for resort skiing or icy backcountry days. With added insulation (either synthetic or down), they provide built-in warmth without the need for heavy layering. Use them for staying cosy on frigid ski lifts or when temps dip unexpectedly. Check out all our picks here.
Best All-Around Insulated Ski Jacket
The Cirque Down Jacket by The North Face combines warmth and versatility for resort or backcountry skiing. Packed with 550-fill responsibly sourced down, it delivers lightweight insulation for extreme cold without any unnecessary bulk. Its waterproof DryVent fabric keeps you dry, while underarm vents provide breathability when needed.
With a helmet-compatible hood, powder skirt, and eco-friendly recycled materials, this jacket is built for serious skiers. Whether you're hitting off-piste terrain or leisurely enjoying the slopes, the Cirque has all the essentials to keep you feeling good.
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Best Budget Insulated Ski Jacket
Looking for a budget-friendly insulated ski jacket? Look no further than the Columbia Whirlibird V Interchange Jacket. This versatile 3-in-1 jacket features a waterproof-breathable shell and thermal-reflective lining to keep you dry and warm on the slopes. Its Omni-Tech construction seals out moisture, while the Omni-Heat lining reflects body heat to ensure comfort in chilly conditions.
Designed for skiers who want value, the Whirlibird’s zip-in system lets you wear it as a shell, liner, or combined for maximum protection. With underarm venting for airflow and an adjustable fit, this jacket has all you need for resort adventures or casual outings in wet weather—all at an affordable price.
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Best Insulated Ski Jacket for Extreme Cold
When it comes to warmth-to weight ratio, the Rab Infinity Alpine Jacket offers unparalleled protection. Engineered with Gore-Tex Infinium fabrics, this jacket shields you from the elements while maintaining breathability. Its advanced switch-back seam construction minimises water ingress, ensuring you stay dry during challenging weather.
Equipped with a fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, the Infinity Alpine is built for serious adventurers. With features like articulated sleeves, multiple pockets, and ethically sourced RDS 800-fill power goose down, it provides a stylish yet functional choice for both resort skiing and backcountry touring.
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Best Resort Insulated Ski Jacket
The Helly Hansen Alpha Lifaloft Jacket is a top choice for skiers in need of lightweight warmth and performance. Insulated with LIFALOF, this jacket delivers exceptional warmth without the weight—perfect for resort skiing and backcountry touring. Its HELLY TECH Professional fabric is both waterproof and breathable, so you stay cosy in extreme cold.
The Lifaloft boasts articulated arms and a detachable, helmet-compatible hood. With ski-specific features like a snap-away powder skirt and multiple pockets, this jacket has everything you need for a day at the resort. For women, we recommend the Helly Hansen Alphelia Lifaloft Jacket, which offers similar performance and features tailored for female skiers.
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Best High-Performance Insulated Ski Jacket
The Rab Khroma Diffract Insulated Ski Jacket is built for powder days and backcountry exploration, offering robust protection against winter elements. Crafted from waterproof Proflex fabric, this insulated ski jacket keeps you dry while deflecting snow and moisture. Strategically placed PrimaLoft Silver Insulation delivers warmth where you need it most.
A fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a wind collar offers extra protection in blizzards. Two-way pit zips provide ventilation, while a removable stretch powder skirt seals out spindrift. With multiple pockets for essentials, this jacket combines style and function for an unbeatable ski shell experience in extreme cold.
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Best Ski Shell Jackets
Ski shells are all about flexibility. These lightweight, waterproof jackets keep you dry while allowing you to layer up as needed. Perfect for backcountry touring or variable weather conditions, they add breathability and protection without adding extra ounces.
Most Versatile Ski Shell Jacket
Plan on spending a few overnights at the ski resort? Make sure to take the Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell for men and Black Diamond Recon Insulated Shell Jacket for women along for the trip.
Both of these jackets are renowned among skiers and snowboarders for their ability to deliver impeccable comfort, flexibility, and weather protection. The 3-layer stretch woven shell is blended with a 4-way stretch fabric, creating a highly durable garment with exceptional mobility.
The removable inner powder skirt, helmet compatible hood, pit zips, and adjustable cuffs also provide plenty of freedom to adjust your core temperature depending on the intensity of your activities.
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Best Backcountry Ski Shell Jacket
If you’re headed into the backcountry, you need a jacket that rises to the occasion. The Black Crows Freebird Xpore Jacket does exactly that. It’s specially crafted to meet the intense demands of ski touring and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
Don’t let its minimalist design fool you. Under the hood, the Freebird Xpore is oozing with technical features: Breathable Xpore fabric strikes a seamless balance between lightness, comfort, and durability. Meanwhile, the 3L Xpore mechanical stretch means you don’t have to worry about stretching or tearing. Plus, seam sealing keeps precipitation at bay.
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Best Weather-Proof Ski Shell Jacket
If you’re looking for serious weather-proofing, the Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge Gore-Tex Jacket is unmatched. As the name implies, the 3L Gore-Tex shell is completely waterproof but doesn’t hamper breathability.
The helmet compatible hood is impressively customisable, with three-way drawcord adjustment. Meanwhile, two oversized internal drop pockets are perfect for storing and organizing chunky gear. An integrated RECCO avalanche rescue reflector will give you peace of mind for any off-trail adventures.
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Best GORE-TEX Ski Shell Jacket
The Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Insulated Jacket offers enough warmth for skiing at the resort in the coldest weather. Its robust and flexible 2-layer GORE-TEX fabric is fully waterproof and windproof, and also offers great air circulation.
Its insulation is made of recycled PrimaLoft fabric. The adjustable StormHood and the fabrics under the snow skirt offer perfect freedom of movement. Best of all, the Lofoten will never let a blizzard or two put a damper on your day at the slopes.
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Most Durable Ski Shell Jacket
The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket is your ultimate lightweight ski shell for backcountry touring and ski mountaineering. Designed with AscentShell technology, this jacket guarantees waterproof protection and breathability—perfect for high-aerobic activities in cold weather. With a helmet-compatible Halo Hood and multiple adjustments, it keeps the frost out and the heat in.
Features like pit zips and durable YKK Aquaguard zippers ensure you stay dry and comfortable, while the eco-friendly construction reflects a commitment to sustainability. Elevate your ski experience with this stylish and functional piece, built to withstand extreme cold and keep you performing at your best.
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What to Look for in a Ski Jacket
Whether you’re riding up a chair lift or speeding down the trail, you need a ski jacket to protect you from the harsh elements. Consider the usage, weather protection, ventilation, and other features like pockets and zips. Ideally, you’ll find a ski jacket to last you winter after winter.
1. Use: Resort or Backcountry?
Backcountry and resort ski jackets usually have specific features for the intended activity. For instance, backcountry jackets will have a thicker outer shell to protect from sharp rocks. On the other hand, resort ski jackets will have more pockets and zips for added convenience.
2. Shell Layers: 2L vs 3L
A three-layer laminate shell will provide the ultimate wind- and waterproofing, as well as breathability. Though a 3L model is more durable and rugged than a 2L, they both provide protection against the elements.
3. Insulation
Since skiing takes place in colder weather, warmth is an essential consideration. There are some jackets with synthetic insulation, some with natural down insulation, and some with both.
Many people say that there’s nothing warmer than real goose down. Though it will keep you warmer than other jackets, it’s also usually expensive. In addition, if it gets wet, it no longer retains heat.
On the other hand, synthetic insulation such as Primaloft mimics the heat-trapping properties of down. It’s usually more affordable and still keeps you warm if it gets wet.
4. Waterproofing
In this list, several jackets have thick waterproof shells. GORE-TEX is one of the most reliable and popular waterproof fabrics. It’s also breathable, which is vital since skiing is an aerobic exercise. Some other waterproofing methods are a Durable-Water-Repellent (DWR) coating and different variations of waterproof fabrics.
One thing to keep in mind is cleaning your GORE-TEX jacket as needed. Contrary to the myths, this will enhance, not diminish, waterproofing.
5. Fit
Most people want their clothes to be comfortable, and ski jackets are no exception. Since we’re continually moving when we ski, we want a jacket that moves with us. Some jackets fit more loosely, while others contour to the body’s curves. We recommend reading the description of each jacket carefully to find the fit you prefer. Look for things like ergonomic tailoring and body-mapped insulation.
6. Ventilation
When skiing, your body temperature is continuously changing: frigid mornings walking to the chair lift; working up a sweat skiing downhill; warm afternoons gliding through slush. A great ski jacket provides the ventilation to adjust the warmth as you go. That’s why many jackets have massive vents and pit zips that allow heat to escape. Keep in mind that insulated jackets will be harder to cool off since they trap heat.
7. Other Features
Certain features make your long days on the slopes more convenient. Ski-specific features can make an already-good jacket perfect for you.
Helmet-compatibility
Finding a hood that fits over your helmet is a must. Some hoods reduce visibility, while others rotate with your head. You want the hood to be well-fitting and snug, designed to fit over your helmet.
Pockets
Pockets are essential for spending full days on the slopes. If you mostly do resort skiing, you’ll want to find a jacket with an RFID pass pocket. Some jackets also have big pockets to hold snacks, extra gloves, hand warmers, and trail maps.
Powder Skirt
Powder skirts help keep the snow out when it’s piled up high. If the snow keeps coming up through your waist, you’re going to have to leave the slopes early. That’s why a powder skirt, removable or attached, is an essential part of the best ski jackets.
FAQs for Ski Jackets
Q: Why are ski jackets so expensive?
A: Ski jackets can be expensive due to insulation, waterproofing, breathability, and other technological features. Having a warm but breathable jacket often comes at a high price.
Q: Should a ski jacket be tight or loose?
A: The fit of a jacket depends a lot on personal preference! Some like baggy jackets for layering, while others prefer garments that stay tight to their bodies. This will also depend on conditions—you might need to layer under a hard shell, or be fine with just an insulated shell.
Q: Can you ski in a down jacket?
A: While you can technically ski in a regular down jacket, it won’t be as practical. Ski jackets have specially made features for skiing like zips for thermoregulation, pockets, and higher breathability. It also runs a high risk of getting very damp, as it won’t be built to factor more sweat from an aerobic activity.
Q: Can you wear a snowboard jacket for skiing?
A: Ski and snowboarding jackets are interchangeable. There’s no reason you can’t wear a ski jacket for snowboarding and vice versa. Be aware that snowboarding jackets are often made far bulkier and with lots more room than ski jackets.
We hope this guide to the best ski jackets of the season helps you find the perfect fit. We carefully looked at aspects like warmth, breathability, and special features to put together this list.
Although finding the right jacket can be challenging, remember that gear shopping should be fun! Feel free to consult this in-depth review at any time while shopping.
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