The Best Ski Jackets are Worth the Money

Ski Jackets

Skiing is a great sport but it’s not without its problems. The main problem being the weather. Weather is unpredictable, no matter what they try to forecast on TV. Weather can also change during the day – and it usually does in the winter. That change affects the snow, how you ski and also how you need to dress. The main part of any skier’s outerwear is the ski jacket. Let’s go over the important things to consider about ski jackets and things to look for when you are in the market to purchase them for you or your family.

Sizes and Types of Ski Jackets

One of the first thing to think about is what kind of dresser you are. Some people like to dress in lots of layers while others prefer only a few layers. Most people I know go with lots of layers because you have more flexibility and it’s easy to cool off or get warmer by adding or subtracting layers. Some people, though, seem to have a cooler core temperature and prefer to use less layers which are thicker. So with ski jackets, you can go with either a thin, shell layer (uninsulated – just meant to block the wind and snow / water) or a medium thickness or even a heavy thickness. A thin jacket (also called a “shell”) will be nice to wear on the warmer days as well as on the colder days – again, if you go with more layers. It’s up to you.

Materials Used in Ski Jackets

Not everyone realizes all the technology used in today’s ski jackets. Back in the day, you had materials like cotton and down and that was about it. Those materials trapped in heat but also trapped moisture close to your body, so you were sweating one minute and freezing cold the next minute because of the moisture cooling you off. Materials like Polypropylene, wool, and fleece are used today along with more high-tech materials like Gore-Tex and Thinsulate. Gore-Tex is more expensive but is one of the best since it is durable, it breathes and is waterproof (both on the outside layer and inside layer).

Each brand of ski jacket can have their own special name for the material that they use, which can be confusing. Read the tags that are on the garments you buy before you buy them. If you are shopping online, then be sure to read all the descriptions given. The goal with ski jackets material are that they be lightweight, keep you dry and keep you warm.

What Makes a Good Ski Jacket?

What will be the best ski jacket for you is one that is warm, one that keeps you dry and one that fits you well. There are some features to look for, which are explained below. Think about where you ski and what conditions you ski in. A good ski jacket will work for where and how you ski. Match those conditions with the features available and you’ll be doing fine. There’s not one ski jacket that works for everyone. With the tips and information provided here, you should be able to find a really good one for you.

Features to Look For

When you are skiing or snowboarding outside in the cold, your jacket is the most important thing, which we mentioned. Here are some important features to look for when you are shopping:

• Number of Pockets – Look at all the pockets and open each one. Is there space inside? Is it a pocket or a vent? Does the zipper work well? Is the pocket in a good place? Where will you put your wallet, keys, extra gloves, extra hat and other items that you will have with you? Sleeve pockets are nice for holding money so that you don’t have to open your jacket to get out a few bucks.
• Hood – I like ski jackets with removable hoods. It’s nice to have the option to not have the hood attached on those warmer days. It’s not flapping around on you. If you wear a helmet, having a hood that goes over the helmet is important. You can stay really nice and snug with a hood over your helmet, keeping the wind and elements out.
• Venting / Pet Zips – A jacket with vents is really nice because you can more easily regulate the temperature inside your jacket. Conditions will change throughout the day and quick zip or unzip of a vent is ideal.
• Seams – Are the seams stitched or taped? Taped seams will keep even more wind and snow or water out.
• Powder Skirt – This is an inside elastic band with a few snaps on it. It keeps snow and wind from coming up, into your jacket.  You don’t have to use it if you don’t want to but it’s nice to have when you need it.
• Draw Cord – This is a cord along the bottom of the jacket you can tighten to further keep snow out – along with the powder skirt. If you ski in deep snow, this is a nice feature.
• Adjustable Cuffs – On really cold days, adjustable cuffs is awesome. You can wrap your jacket around your gloves (gloves inside your coat) and then tighten the cuffs around them, keeping all kinds of snow and wind out and warmth in.
• Extra Features – You may find other, nice features on ski jackets like a season pass holder, an MP3 player / phone pocket, built-in goggle cloth and my favorite – a big back pocket, which is almost like a built-in backpack.

Brand Name Ski Jackets and Pricing

Ok, we have to admit that looking good while you’re skiing isn’t the most critical thing but it’s also important. So what about brand names? Are they really better? Are they worth the money?

How I look at it is, you’re outside in some pretty bad conditions a lot of the time. Your body likes to stay at 98.6 degrees and yet it has to be cold enough for the snow not to melt. So the main job of your jacket is keeping you comfortable. If you get a jacket that’s too thin that lets in a ton of wind for $80, then you’ll probably end up buying more and more expensive layers, which will bring the price up to $250 or more anyway. So why not get a good ski jacket that will keep the wind and snow out for $300? It’s your health, after all.

Get the Awesome Ski Jacket

You’re also paying for a lift ticket and maybe for equipment rental plus food and gas – so get an awesome ski jacket that keeps you comfortable and out on the snow longer so that you get your money’s worth and have more fun. You don’t want to be the one who skis for 2 hours and calls it quits because you’re too cold and can’t stay warm.

Brand names have the technology and experience. The people that design expensive ski jackets are passionate about what they do. They are not some factory that also makes cheap clothes for other companies. If you’re going to pay top dollar for a good, awesome jacket, it better do what it needs to and last a long time or you will switch brands next time and people will not rate that brand very well. You get what you pay for. Yes, there are some brands that are all hype. They’re out there, so watch for those but many other brands are just incredible. I’m biased toward The North Face because the jackets are high quality, last a long time, have the right features and also look great.

Conclusion

When shopping for ski jackets, remember what they’re for and what they need to do. Know that the jacket you buy will last for a number of seasons. If you wash it and take care of it, it will look great and work well for years to come. Don’t skimp on materials and get the right thickness that suits you. If you have friends that ski, ask to borrow their jacket sometime (if you are not skiing with them and if they will let you) and try different brands. See what you like. Ask what other people like. Riding the lift up is a great time to ask people what they think of their jacket. It’s a great conversation starter and I find they’ll give you an honest opinion. Be on the lookout for clearance sales at the end of the season and a good month or two before the next season starts because stores and online retailers will want the space.

Good luck with your search and have fun out there!

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