If you’re hitting the slopes this winter, you’ll need to make sure you’re properly attired – and that means the best ski jacket you can get your hands on. Try one of these failsafe men’s ski jacket brands on for size.
Men’s Odin 9 World’s 2.0 Shell Jacket (Photo: Helly Hanson)
The best ski jackets combine insulation, performance and style. They need to be waterproof – or at least offer water-resistant protection – warm, breathable and comfortable. If you’re an experienced skier, you’ll need a jacket that will see you through resort, off-piste and backcountry adventures too. All of the brands we’ve selected offer either or both hardshell and insulated jackets; the former tend to be waterproof and windproof while the latter offers heat-trapping insulation to keep you toasty in the coldest mountain conditions. With so many brands to choose from, we’ve rounded up five of the best ski jacket brands for men, based on price, design, customer reviews and eco-friendly credentials.
Helly Hansen
Founded in 1877, this Norwegian brand has over 140 years of experience developing outwear that protects against the harshest elements. They’re a number one apparel brand for ski professionals and, according to the website, they provide gear for over 200 ski resorts worldwide. In 2020, they launched the LIFA Infinity Pro™, a first-to-market technology that delivers extreme waterproofness and breathability, without added chemicals. The brand offers both hardshell and insulated jackets, with performance-enhancing features such as recco reflectors, powder skirts, adjustable hoods and vent zips.
Buy at HellyHansen.com
Marmot
The Lightray Jacket from Marmot (Photo: Marmot)
Marmot is best-known for its wet weather wear, and they’re leaders in the waterproof shell market. The brand started life on an Alaskan glacier in 1971, as a social club that combined mountain climbing with the ‘oddball spirit of community’. While they only offer a handful of ski jackets, every one of them is a recommended purchase. The jackets are affordably priced too. The Spire is a best-seller, made from three-layer Gore-Tex, with handy touches such as a zip-out powder skirt, a huge and adjustable hood and laser drilled pocket backing for enhanced breathability. Marmot’s latest range is more environmentally conscious too, made from recycled polyester with PFC-free DWR coating.
Buy at Backcountry.com
Patagonia
If you’re looking to make your ski trip as sustainable as possible, look to Patagonia. The brand sets a high bar when it comes to taking its environmental responsibilities seriously; cotton is certified organic by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), most materials are made from recycled fabrics, and they’re part of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and 1% For The Planet. Ski jackets are designed to last a long time, and you can also benefit from a repair and reuse program too. Both the Snowboard and SnowDrifter ranges offer excellent lightweight, backcountry-ready gear with serious storm protection. The SnowDrifter also won the Whitelines Choice Award for Best Backcountry Snowboard Outerwear this year.
Buy at Patagonia.com
Montec
The Fawk Ski Jacket (Photo: Montec)
Montec is an excellent option for serious skiers. Founded in 2016 in Sweden, the brand offers a range of affordably priced hardshell and insulated jackets. The Montec Fawk Ski Jacket is a best-seller, particularly popular with ambitious all-mountain skiers and freeriders. It offers 25k waterproofing and breathability, with an eco-friendly durable water repellent treatment. The jackets are more sustainably sourced than some of their counterparts too, made without fluorocarbons and stuffed with eco-friendly insulation.
Buy at Montecwear.com
REI
Ski gear can get expensive, particularly if you’re only looking for entry-level attiree for the odd ski trip. Mercifully, REI’s high-performance ski jacket range for men boasts pocket-friendly prices. The REI Co-op Powederbound is the hardest to fault. The jacket boasts 80-gram synthetic insulation at the core, a handy powder skirt and pit zips, a waterproof build and a minimalist design. The peak two-layer nylon shell shields you from the wind and rain, while staying breathable and dry on the inside too. The hood is large enough to pull over a helmet, but you can still pop it over a beanie if you’re strolling around the resort.
Buy at REI.com