Ski, Ski, Ski: that is how we tested these jackets. We tested over multiple winters in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the slopes of British Columbia and at resorts in Colorado's central mountains. We got out during all kinds of weather and snow conditions. We skied a lot of runs, sat on a lot of chairlifts, and even went for an overnight ski trip in the backcountry to put these through the paces.
We worked hard skiing deep powder and shredded perfect corduroy in the sun to test the jackets in all weather conditions. We loaned these out to multiple women to test the fit, function, and features, and got feedback for each one.
Warmth
We tested each jackets warmth while riding ski lifts on sub-zero days, and compared them side-by-side with the same base layers underneath. We assessed with a laser thermometer to find any weak areas where drafts might be able to enter the jacket. We considered whether the jacket had added insulation or not and assessed the type, loft, and effectiveness.
Weather Resistance
We systematically tested the water resistance of these models with spray tests, rolled around in the snow, and got thoroughly drenched in the rain while sitting on chairlifts. To evaluate wind resistance, we sat on the highest, windiest chairlifts and skied downhill as fast as we could. We went out to the ski hill on days we would normally stay in, sipping hot chocolate, lamenting how nasty the weather was. We fiddled with every toggle on our hoods to see how effective they were and if they covered our helmets.
Comfort and Fit
We wore all the jackets and referenced our testers' dimensions to the manufacturer's specs. This method helped us gauge a baseline to let our readers know which jackets are on the small size and which are larger so you can decide if you need to size up or down. We also evaluated the jacket's comfort by how soft the materials are and how well the jacket moves with us while skiing. Whenever possible, we handed out the jackets to other lady friends and ski partners to assess how they fit a wide range of different body types. While some elements of comfort are more subjective, others are not, and we also took note of cozy extras like fleece lined chin-guards, malleability and more.
Ventilation
We assessed ventilation by measuring the length of underarm vents on each jacket, and seeing how easy they were to reach and unzip, and how effectively they regulated heat. We took note, also, of the material of each jacket, and how easily they allowed our body heat to escape, and whether or not they became moist and “clammy” when we started working hard in more moderate temperatures.
Style
Style is personal, but definitely matters when it comes to your ski jacket. For style, we took into consideration the fit of each jacket and how flattering it was on a variety of testers. We also measured how many compliments on the slopes, we received and how many women wanted to wear each jacket versus how many tried it on but didn't want to wear it. We also checked out all the colors, styles and sizes available, and considered current trends.
Features
We opened and used every pocket, zipped every zipper and snapped every powder skirt to test for functionality. We evaluated what was really necessary, and what features were most superfluous to the jacket's performance.
