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Our expert team has bought and tested over 76 men's ski jackets over the last decade. Our current review covers 16 of the best models available via side-by-side comparison. We put insulated jackets, shells, and 3-in-1 models to the test at the resort and in the backcountry. Ex-pros and mountain guides fill up our team's roster that took these models to ski hills during storms and bluebird days. It's hard to judge warmth, weather resistance, comfort, ventilation, and more from the specs and marketing claims on a screen, so we do the work for you. Our assessments and recommendations will lead you to the right product for your needs and wallet.
We've also got dedicated reviews for underlayers like insulated jackets and warm base layers to create the perfect layering system. If you need new hard goods, our in-depth reviews cover some of the best men's skis and ski boots on the market.
Editor's Note: we updated our ski jacket review on November 5, 2024, to share info on some updated jackets.
Main fabric: 2-layer stretch polyester | Pockets: 7
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely comfortable
Great features
Warm and waterproof
Fair price considering top performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Snug fit isn't for everyone
For three years running, the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft has beat out the competition and earned its place as our favorite ski jacket to rock at the resort. This insulated jacket kept us warm even on the coldest days of testing, not to mention it's super comfortable and easy to wear. We love the cut and fit of this model, which is unmatched by the competition. Helly Hansen outfitted this jacket with a thoughtful array of useful features and a classy style. Synthetic insulation and a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane help keep the price relatively approachable.
The Alpha LifaLoft doesn't provide as much warmth as the down-insulated Arc'teryx Macai, nor does it protect from the elements as well as jackets using a Gore-Tex membrane, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. While a super warm jacket is at home only in sub-zero temps, the Helly Hansen performed well in various temperatures and exertion levels and is absolutely winter storm-worthy. The result is a more versatile jacket at nearly half the price. Because it applies to a wide range of conditions and skiers, the Alpha LifaLoft takes the crown.
Updated for 2024
The Arc'teryx Sabre now sports Gore-Tex's new lightweight ePE material, which has an 80D face fabric and is produced using a reduced carbon footprint. Many of the design features of the jacket remain identical to the model we tested here.
Shell-only resort ski jackets have become increasingly popular, and if you ski in a warmer climate or on the most advanced slopes, you might see more hardshell jackets than insulated jackets. With the right layering system underneath, a shell jacket provides more versatility than an insulated jacket, allowing for use in a greater range of temperatures. The Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket is our favorite shell because of its best-in-review weather resistance and excellent ventilation and comfort, all reasons why skiers might opt for a shell jacket instead of an insulated one. This jacket kept us dry and sheltered from the wind every time we took it out, including during big storms. It brings a loose, freeride cut and laid-back style to a field otherwise dominated by traditional jacket designs.
As with any shell, warmth comes from the insulating layers worn underneath. If you are looking for a jacket that will keep you warm on the slopes without further thought, choose an insulated ski jacket. If you are intrigued by the idea of versatility and want to invest in various layers to wear under this shell jacket, the Sabre is the best that money can buy. Expect to pay a lot for it, but not much more than other high-end Gore-Tex Pro shell jackets. For a more affordable shell jacket, we recommend the REI Co-op First Chair GTX.
Not enough breathability and ventilation for ski touring
The REI Co-op First Chair GTX jacket offers almost all the benefits of a high-performance ski shell at an affordable price. It keeps the weather out with sturdy shell fabric, a Gore-Tex membrane, and a helmet-compatible hood. It fits over internal layers with ease, is relatively stylish for advanced skiers, and includes a full feature set for resort skiing and riding. The powder skirt isn't removable, but our tests revealed it tucks away nicely when not in use. Only the most discerning users will invest more for a high-end ski shell like the Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket, as this REI jacket does it all.
An important consideration is that the shell includes a hanging inner lining fabric that adds noticeable warmth and reduces breathability. Generally, we value warmth in a ski jacket, but some users may prefer shell jackets, which leave the warmth up to the mid-layers worn underneath. Typically, if we wear a shell, we expect to ski and hike aerobically, and we don't always want our jacket to be super warm. If you're shopping for an affordable shell for resort use, look no further. If you're new to skiing and want an even more affordable jacket that offers stylish looks and a commendable overall performance, the GEMYSE jacket gets the job done while leaving you with a healthier Après budget.
The GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining is a remarkably warm and weather-resistant jacket with good comfort and features at a rock-bottom price. This jacket performs well in all the critical metrics we tested. While it can't compete with the top-of-the-line models like the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft in terms of style and ventilation, it delivers enough performance that we think it's a great option for the occasional skier looking to save a buck. This jacket is proof that you don't need to spend a fortune to own good gear.
With synthetic insulation, five well-placed pockets, a removable hood, and a waterproof membrane, this jacket delivers most of the performance of models that cost five or six times the retail price. It lacks refined features like armpit vents, a sleeve ski pass pocket, and a powder skirt, but it does the job for most conditions on most days. If you have some wiggle room in your budget, the 686 Smarty Insulated is a 3-in-1 jacket that includes a cozy removable liner, letting you use the jacket on warmer days. Although, the GEMYSE includes other attractive touches like a soft fleece lining and stretchy wrist gaiters that make you feel like you're wearing a much more expensive jacket. If you want a good ski jacket for a few ski vacations a year but don't want to pay top dollar for your outerwear, the GEMYSE is a great choice.
With the recent explosion of backcountry skiing, many garment manufacturers are producing touring-specific ski shells. Skiers can generally wear these jackets inbounds and out-of-bounds, but they may trim some useful resort features in favor of lightweight, streamlined performance. The Arc'teryx Rush jacket is a weather-resistant, lightweight, well-tailored, and very stylish shell. It has plenty of features for a day in the backcountry, like well-placed pockets and a helmet-compatible hood, and also includes a few favorite features of resort skiers, like a powder skirt and a pass pocket. This jacket is lightweight, bomber, and keeps users dry and comfortable in the backcountry, period.
We realize that Arc'teryx's pricing will be a deterrent for many. However, weather resistance at this level comes at a cost, as Gore-Tex fabric is expensive, and waterproof zippers and sealed seams increase the production cost compared to less weather-resistant shells. Frequent users and skiers who hit the slopes numerous times a week will appreciate the design and performance this model offers. If you only occasionally go backcountry skiing, you can compromise performance and get away with a less costly option like the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell. However, if you spend most of your time in the backcountry or side-country and want a jacket that can perform well on the occasional resort day, the Arc'teryx Rush is the one.
Some users like the ease of an insulated ski jacket, while others prefer the shell and insulating components to be separated for maximum customization. Enter the “3-in-1” ski jacket, which attempts to deliver the best of both worlds. These products include both a shell jacket and an insulating layer that zip together to create a single insulated ski jacket if desired. The 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated is our favorite 3-in-1 jacket on the market, thanks to its great fit, warm weather resistance, and well-designed features. And, it delivers all of this at an excellent price.
It has a full-coverage hood, a waterproof/breathable membrane, and great style, along with tons of pockets. However, despite all of these bells and whistles, we found it to be lacking in terms of vents when compared to the best of the best. It is a bit on the heavy side, but we didn't feel like it was a burden to wear. And, it has a casual style that looks great in a variety of contexts. One of the main benefits of 3-in-1 jackets is that they provide versatility for a variety of weather conditions and, thus, great value. If you know you're headed for extremely nasty weather, the Smarty won't quite keep up with the jackets designed specifically for this purpose. A jacket such as the Arc'teryx Rush, with the appropriate layering underneath, is more suitable for frigid, sub-zero winds.
The 686 Smarty 3-in-1, hard at work during early season testing in Colorado.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
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The Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft in its element.
Credit: Tom Causley
How We Test Ski Jackets
We started this review with careful research into the market's current jacket offerings before selecting the most promising ones for hands-on testing. Then, we purchased them at retail price and hit the slopes. From snowy and windy days in the Sierra to brutally cold and clear days in the Tetons, our testers put these jackets through more than 100 individual tests – we ski lap after lap in each of these garments. To better compare products, we took single ski runs in each jacket, then changed in the lodge between runs to get real-time comparisons in similar conditions and note the differences between jackets. Finally, we ran each jacket through a shower test where we wore the jacket in a shower for 5 minutes to take note of water resistance. Over the past ten years, our team of experts has tested76 of the best ski jackets and has designed this comprehensive review to help you find the best options based on value and performance.
Our ski jackets were tested using six performance metrics:
Warmth (20% of overall score weighting)
Weather Resistance (20% weighting)
Comfort and Fit (20% weighting)
Ventilation (20% weighting)
Style (10% weighting)
Features (10% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Our test team is led by professional ski guide, IFMGA Mountain Guide, and OutdoorGearLab Contributor Jeff Dobronyi. Jeff lives, skis, and guides in Colorado and leads ski trips worldwide, from Wyoming to Canada, Europe, and South America. Logging upwards of 125 days per year on skis, Jeff gets intimate with his ski gear and puts it through the wringer in various climates, in both the resort and the backcountry. Jeff is joined by skier and author Jeremy Benson. Jeremy has been a sponsored ski athlete for nearly two decades and has skied around the world, from Argentina and Chamonix to his backyard playground of the Sierra Nevada.
Powder skiing in the Sabre AR jacket.
We had a lot of fun testing these jackets in early season conditions.
Early season pow in the Macai.
Analysis and Test Results
Everyone has different needs from their ski jacket, depending on how much they ski, the climate in which they ski, and what kind of skiing they prefer, so keep your own needs in mind as you consider our scores and weighting.
What's the Best Value?
Ski jacket prices range from relatively affordable to astronomic. Most budget options provide nearly as much warmth, weather resistance, and other important performance attributes as the most expensive jackets. Still, the top-of-the-line offerings generally refined comfort, fit, tailoring, and style. We found that price does not always correlate with performance, which is great news for skiers looking for a good deal on a jacket. For example, any jacket that uses a Gore-Tex brand waterproof/breathable membrane will perform well in wet weather. Still, jackets that use a different proprietary membrane might perform just as well as a Gore-Tex jacket with significant cost savings.
On the budget side of things, the GEMYSE Men's Mountain Fleece Lining costs less than an average day ticket and provides good performance for the occasional skier. It also performs well as a general winter jacket, with a removable hood and plenty of warmth for the winter months. The REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated is another jacket with a good performance-to-price ratio, but it doesn't compare to the incredible value offered by the GEMYSE.
The GEMYSE Men's Mountain provides an excellent value.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
3-in-1 jackets also offer great value since they combine a hardshell with an insulated inner liner jacket. The Columbia Whirlibird IV Interchange offers a good value, checking all of the boxes that we need in a dependable ski jacket. The 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated costs just a bit more and delivers way more performance, offering the best value in 3-in-1 jackets.
The 686 Smarty 3-in-1 jacket is a great value, thanks to its warmth, fit, and modular construction.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
In the premium range, the top-rated Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft is reasonably priced compared to the astronomically expensive Arc'teryx Macai jacket, which costs nearly twice as much. The Macai justifies the high price with long-lasting down insulation and durable construction, but it's likely out of reach for many skiers.
The Alpha LifaLoft scored highly in every category. After testing many of the market's top models, this is the one we recommend if a friend asks us which jacket is the best all-around.
Credit: Tom Causley
Among shell jackets at good value, we recommend the budget-friendly REI Co-op First Chair GTX for resort use, which uses Gore-Tex fabric to provide stellar weather protection in a comfortable and well-fitting jacket. It performs nearly as well as the other shells in the review, costing up to twice as much. The Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell performs almost as well as the best shells on the market, but it does so at a much lower price due to a proprietary waterproof/breathable membrane instead of Gore-Tex. In our opinion, only the most hardcore users need the performance of the most expensive shells in the review, like the Arc'teryx Sabre and Arc'teryx Rush. Consumers who invest in a premium shell will enjoy higher levels of performance and durability for years down the road.
Ripping up the piste in the REI Co-op First Chair GTX.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Warmth
Skiing is a cold-weather sport. Our jackets need to keep us warm to take advantage of the best days on the hill. However, skiing is also an aerobic sport that produces heat, and the better we get, the more aerobic it becomes. So, a jacket that is too warm for the given weather and activity level can be a hindrance in certain situations. Furthermore, skiers often wear layers underneath their jackets to fine-tune their warmth levels. We gave higher scores to the warmer jackets, but keep in mind the average temperatures where you ski most and your usual exertion level.
Lots of down and synthetic insulation make the Macai one of the warmest we have tested.
Credit: Tom Causley
Down provides the greatest warmth-to-weight ratio, and the Arc'teryx Macai proves this to be true with incredible warmth at no increase in weight. However, synthetic insulation maintains its warmth when wet, and jackets like the Helly Hansen Alpha Lifaloft prove that synthetic insulation can be almost as warm as down. Budget shoppers sitting on cold chair lifts will appreciate that the Columbia Whirlibird IV kept our testers very warm on cold mornings, and the Obermeyer Foundation also provides affordable warmth. Our favorite 3-in-1 jacket, the 686 Smarty 3-in-1, also delivers excellent warmth.
The 686 Smarty 3-in-1's heavily insulated mid-layer insert offers plenty of warmth, while a hanging liner in the shell jacket adds even more.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The Arc'teryx Sabre attempts to trap air and provide warmth with a thin fleece liner while still keeping a shell-like feeling. The REI First Chair GTX and Patagonia Powder Town use a thin hanging nylon liner to trap some heat. The rest of the shell-only jackets include no insulating features, like the Outdoor Research Hemispheres II Jacket and Arc'teryx Rush, which require users to think about their layering system before hitting the slopes.
The thin, brushed fleece liner of the Sabre's shell fabric adds a small amount of insulating power, as well as great next-to-skin feel.
Credit: Sam Willits
Weather Resistance
Great ski conditions often coincide with stormy winter weather. Good ski jackets need to keep the user dry and protected during snow, sleet, wind, and rain on the lower mountain because braving those elements allows us to ski when conditions are best. Our weekends and vacations might overlap with storms, and if your ski jacket isn't weather-resistant, you might find yourself watching from the lodge instead of enjoying the slopes. And even on the most memorable days, if snow and wind are getting into your jacket through the hood, sleeves, and hem, you won't be having fun.
The Arc'teryx Sabre Jacket easily withstands our 5-minute shower test, and beads water off the outer shell after rubbing the fabric vigorously.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Three jackets received optimal scores for weather resistance. They are all shell-only jackets, and they all employ Gore-Tex Pro membranes: the Arc'teryx Sabre, the Arc'teryx Rush, and the Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Shell. These jackets repel all precipitation in our experience, from liquid water to snow, and block all attempts by the wind to penetrate your inner peace on cold, windy chairlift rides where your chin is tucked deep into your neck. The Arc'teryx Macai and its burly Gore-Tex lost a point for using down insulation, which loses its warmth when wet, which can happen when skiing due to external water or internal perspiration.
Weather protection comes from both materials and overall design. The hood tailoring of the Norrona is among the best in our test.
Credit: Jediah Porter
Most of the jackets use waterproof fabrics and synthetic insulation, such as The North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate and the Obermeyer Foundation. This design is a classic combination of weather-resistant ski clothing. As a result, most jackets score relatively well in this category. Plus, synthetic insulation is cheaper to produce than down and helps keep jackets affordable while also maintaining its insulation properties when wet (unlike the down insulation in even the best down jackets).
Comfort and Fit
Skiing and snowboarding are active sports, and our ski clothing needs to enhance our performance without limiting our movement. And, since we spend a lot of time in the cold, our jacket's materials should be comfortable and cozy. A good ski jacket fits our bodies closely, eliminating unnecessary material and bulk while also allowing for movement and a wide range of motion. It also has soft external and internal fabrics, comfortable cuff closures, neck and chin guards, and fleece-lined pockets. Fit can vary from one person to another, so pay attention to our descriptions, not just the scores. It is worth noting that our primary testing was done by thin, athletic men who wear sizes Medium and Large.
We wear each jacket while out on the slopes and pay particular attention to how each model moves with our bodies. Some jackets have a baggy fit, like the Arc'teryx Sabre, which allows for unrestricted motion and portrays a certain style, but the extra material can be uncomfortable, depending on your taste. Some jackets have a “boxy” fit, which does not contour to the body's curves and can feel loose, bulky, and uncomfortable for skinnier folks. The Columbia Whirlibird IV felt a bit boxy and untailored to our test team.
The Obermeyer Foundation has a slightly boxy cut, which makes it seem like a more generic and “beginner” jacket.
Credit: Sam Willits
The Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft features a slim torso design that contours to our bodies without inhibiting motion. The soft fabrics and stretchy cuff openings also contribute to this jacket's top score for comfort. All of the Arc'teryx jackets, including the Macai,Sabre, and Rush, have great fits.
The Sabre's fit is impeccable, not too loose and not too tight, allowing a full range of motion.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
We were particularly impressed by the comfort and fit of the REI First Chair GTX, which delivers a great cut and unencumbered movement in a jacket that costs much less than the more expensive jackets with high-end tailoring. This coat fits our bodies well and skis like a dream, making us forget how much money we saved. We also like the fit of the 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Insulated, which fits well and is easy to ski while wearing despite its bulky footprint.
We like the fit of the REI Co-op First Chair GTX, which has a loose, freeride feel, but it's not too baggy.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Ventilation
A day of skiing can be filled with dramatic temperature swings. Skiers might encounter a frigid morning starting the car, a hot and stuffy experience herding the kids into ski school, cold and windy chairlift rides to the top of the mountain, aerobic downhill skiing, and a sunny and warm afternoon of slush skiing in the spring. Ski jackets provide warmth by trapping the body's natural heat inside the jacket. A well-ventilated ski jacket gives the user options to keep this heat inside the jacket or let it escape through zippered vents, through the shell fabric itself, or via other specific features.
Some jackets feature highly breathable fabrics that slow the internal heat buildup, like the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell. Other jackets have huge vents that allow the user to open up to the outside environment in a flash, like the Outdoor Research Hemispheres II, Arc'teryx Rush, and Arc'teryx Sabre, while some feature vents that are not helpful at all, like the 686 Smarty 3-in-1. Jackets with insulation hold heat in the body of the jacket, even when vents are open, thus reducing ventilation potential. Shell jackets will dump all their heat when the vents are opened up.
The Outdoor Research Skytour has huge armpit vents to dump heat, and also features an incredibly breathable fabric called AscentShell.
Credit: Jackie Kearney
The OR Hemispheres II features vents that can be zipped open from the top of the rib cage to the bottom hem of the jacket. This design provides incredible ventilation potential. The Columbia Whirlibird IV has pit zips, but the vent does not continue through the inner layer (like all 3-in-1 jackets we've tested), which inhibits ventilation from the warmest chamber of the jacket. The REI First Chair GTX exhibits decent ventilation, thanks to its large vents, but the hanging mesh liner reduces air movement.
The Hemispheres II's unique side vents work pretty well, but we don't like how they continue all the way to the hem.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Style
Skiing is an aesthetic sport, and style is becoming more prevalent than ever before. Fortunately, style is different for everyone. The one consistency is that the better we look, the better we feel, and the more fun we have. A good ski jacket has great style while retaining its performance. Style is the most subjective characteristic of outerwear, and our ratings in this category might be completely different than how you would rank them, depending on your style. Also, you might weigh style more heavily than we do, and many people rank style as the most important characteristic of their ski jacket.
Ski jacket styles range from slouchy, “core” styling that evokes the ski bum lifestyle (and expert abilities) to tight-fitting alpine racer looks that would feel at home on the World Cup podium. Some jackets are neutral in their styling, which can look good if well-tailored but bad if left uncontoured. We took our jackets to the slopes and asked around for opinions and around town for aprés in the ski bars of Jackson, Wyoming. We pair this anecdotal information with the available color options of each model.
We think the Arc'teryx Sabre is the epitome of good style on the ski slopes.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
The Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft is a good-looking jacket. Its svelte, Euro styling still hints at a core look, implying that the wearer is here to ski hard and look good. Among shells, the Arc'teryx Rush looks the best with a tailored cut, clean lines, and bold color schemes. The Arc'teryx Macai is neutral and classy, but the color options are much more muted and earthy. The Arc'teryx Sabre falls on the “core” side of the spectrum, which we like, but you might not. On the other hand, the Columbia Whirlibird IV is styled to fit in with the crowd on the gentler slopes.
The Arc'teryx Rush has great style.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Features
Good ski jackets incorporate features that make your day on the slopes easier. We're talking about big pockets that hold lots of snacks, removable hoods that allow for versatile use, and sleeve pass pockets to make RFID ticket turnstiles a breeze to navigate. Ski-specific features are less important than our other metrics, but they can augment a jacket that is already good.
Features seek to improve your experience with the product and activity. For example, a ski pass pocket allows you to store your RFID pass and wave your arm at the full-body scanner to avoid any dance moves, rummaging, and the dreaded lift-line holdup. Well-fitting hoods are a must for stormy days, and powder skirts can also help keep the snow out, though our testers don't often use our powder skirts. Some jackets include a RECCO reflector, which can aid in locating an individual in the case of an in-bounds avalanche, but this isn't a game-changer.
A large and effective powder skirt seals the hem on super deep days.
The powder skirt keeps out snow and water on deep powder days.
Powder skirts help keep snow out on those deep powder days.
Our review's most heavily featured jacket is the Helly Hansen Alpha LifaLoft, which boasts seven pockets, RECCO, a high visibility hood brim that folds away, a powder skirt, a removable hood, and a back vent. The 3-in-1 jackets score well in the features category since you'll take home two separate jackets with all the individual features of each, plus the ability to integrate the layers seamlessly. The North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate is the most feature-laden of these jackets, including a goggle wipe in the left sleeve RFID pass pocket.
An RFID pass pocket on the sleeve adds resort versatility.
A powder skirt keeps snow out of the hem of the jacket, and internal stash pockets help store skins or other large items.
Many of the shell jackets in the review are light on features, like the Norrona Lofoten Pro Shell and Outdoor Research Hemispheres II, reflecting their backcountry-leaning design. The Arc'teryx Rush and Sabre, though, have everything you need for a day in the backcountry and also include a powder skirt and an RFID pass pocket for inbounds versatility.
A goggle wipe on an elastic tether is attached to the inside of the ski pass sleeve pocket on the North Face Thermoball ECO Snow Triclimate
Credit: Jackie Kearney
Conclusion
We put the best ski jackets available through our rigorous testing process, and the result is the most comprehensive, unbiased, and up-to-date review in the world. There's something here for everyone, from budget options that swing above their weight class to refined and expensive high-end options for discerning and expert skiers. We know that it can be hard to sort through all of the options and select the best jacket for your needs, so we've taken the time to distinguish between the options for you. So relax and have fun finding your next perfect ski jacket (and a pair of the best ski pants to match). We'll see you on the slopes.
