Snowsport Jackets

Reviewed by Alicia MacLeay

Patagonia's PowSlayer Jacket is a premium, lightweight yet durable, waterproof snowsports jacket for the backcountry-focused skier and rider. It works equally well for inbounds and side-country trips too. Its Gore-Tex Pro fabric keeps out all types of precipitation—not just powder—reliably and comfortably all day long, though overall sizing is roomy. With its 100-percent recycled face fabric, the PowSlayer brings together environmental credibility and technical waterproof/breathable performance in a full-featured ski jacket. At $699 the PowSlayer's MSRP is decidedly steep, but if you spend your winters on snow and it fits your budget (or you find it on sale) it's an excellent long-term option. Plus, with its solid construction, recycled fabric, and Patagonia's customer service and repairs program it's a worthy investment for the dedicated skier and rider.

About The Patagonia PowSlayer Jacket, and its corresponding Powslayer Bibs and Pants, are lightweight, packable, waterproof Gore-Tex Pro shells designed for backcountry touring, but which work well for inbounds snowsports as well. According to Patagonia, they feature "the first 100 percent recycled nylon face fabric to deliver the highest level of durable waterproof/breathable and windproof protection available." Weight: men's 19.3 oz / women's 18.4 oz (my women's medium weighs 18.3 oz) Material: 100% recycled nylon ripstop Gore-Tex Pro fabric Fit and Comfort The PowSlayer is roomier than other medium-size jackets I've worn, including ones from Patagonia.

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Reviewed by FromSagetoSnow

Patagonia's SnowDrifter Jacket is a full-featured snowsports jacket that could be stretched for use to hiking or backpacking.

I don't remember if this is right BEFORE or right AFTER I crashed into a tree. Don't worry, the jacket is fine!   You probably want a light jacket that will keep you dry and give you the features you need.  When those needs include a powder skirt, some stretchiness, breathability, durability, and a RECCO reflector, reaching for the Patagonia Snowdrifter Jacket is a smart idea. I'd love to tell you that this jacket does things that no other jacket does or that it's the best at one specific thing but, to be honest, it just does everything really well, but doesn't really stand out in any one category.

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Reviewed by John Hafner

I purchased this jacket in the middle of last year's ski season. It has suited me well. It is lightweight, yet warm enough with a couple of light layers underneath. It has ample pockets for everything you need pockets for on the slopes and it is absolutely waterproof.

I bought this jacket because I was tired of being cold while skiing and I am very happy with its ability to keep me warm in temps ranging from the low teens and into the 20's (deg. F). I do wear two light base layers underneath. I do find that when the temps gets into the 30's I have to shed one layer and sometimes open the vents that are built into the jacket. I need to say that I am 65 years old and tend get colder faster than 20 years ago. The jacket is lightweight and easily packable. It has lots of pockets to suit my needs and cinch straps in different locations.

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Featured review by James Nethercott

Bombproof, high quality and stylish. The Primo is totally waterproof, highly breathable, lightweight and comfortable and fully featured.

The Primo is an awesome piece of kit. For me at 5'11" and 40" chest the fit in medium is good, allowing for layering (I've worn base layer, fleece and gilet without feeling restricted) and the cut allows for completely comfortable movement without anything pulling or binding. The fit suits me fine, just long enough in the sleeves and waist but not so much as I look like a park grom. The Goretex is totally waterproof, highly breathable, lightweight and comfortable, it's also really tough. There are loads of features most of which are excellent.

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Reviewed by Toughtoy4x4

Great product improvement for one of Columbia's longest selling lines. This 3-in-1 jacket system will meet a great number of your outerwear needs!

This review is specific to the Columbia Men's Bugaboo Tech II Interchange Jacket system with the quilted fiberfill inner jacket with Omni-Heat body heat reflective technology and Omni-Tech outer shell water repellency and breathability technology. I've been a customer of Columbia Sportswear for decades as The North Face, Patagonia, and products from other high-end outerwear manufacturers are stupid-expensive and don't offer any significantly higher levels of quality than Columbia. Quality of materials, workmanship, variety, performance, and aesthetics are pretty much the same between all high-end manufacturers.

Read more: Columbia Bugaboo Tech Parka review (1)

Reviewed by Michael Psarouthakis

This is an outstanding hardshell jacket with many pockets and technical features that I have not found in any other jacket in my long search in other jackets. It has lots of pockets, adjustable hood, RECCO detection built in I have used the jacket for skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, hiking and just around town in a variety of conditions. It is my go-to outerwear piece in the cold or rain. Plenty of venting and also breathable if it warms up, very very waterproof.

Wow, this is an amazing high tech full feature hardshell. The quality in materials, pocket placement and design is apparent out of the box.That there are the typical backpack pockets at the chest area, as well as pockets at the waist, sleeve and interior makes this a great jacket for multiple uses and was the primary reason I ended up buying it. But it delivers way more than I expected, in fit, feel and just how good it looks. The hood fits over my helmet and is adjustable enough to be used when I don't have a helmet on, it also has a nice visor to keep the rain off my face.

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Reviewed by Lavallee017

I have had so many waterproof shells over the years, some with stretch panels, and some without but never one with an entirely stretch fabric design! Long sleeves and a great torso fit make this jacket a must have for tall folks who are serious about all season protection. The Helly Tech® O2 membrane allows for this jacket to be unbelievably breathable in warmer weather or high aerobic activity while maintaining a fully wind/waterproof barrier to the elements even in heavy snow or pouring rain.

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Reviewed by Burke MacLeay

The Trew Powfunk is an excellent snowsports jacket. It has the best waterproofing and windproofing capabilities I've seen in any piece of clothing, it's extremely durable, it looks sick, and it has tons of small features that make it a great buy. That being said, it is quite pricey at $375, but is good enough for multiple years of heavy use.

Fit and Comfort The Trew Powfunk fits really well. The size chart on Trew's website was accurate and the only bagginess that comes with the jacket is intentional for the looser freeride style many athletes opt towards today. The hood on mine fits over a size medium helmet and doesn't slide around while on, however, the neckline must be unzipped slightly before putting the hood up. Speaking of the neckline, the neckline is extremely high, coming up to cover your chin and almost your mouth. If you're skiing in rough weather, this is great for keeping snow out of your face, but could potentially get in the way if you have a short neck.

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Reviewed by OutdoorKelly

The Skyward Jacket by Outdoor Research is a hardshell jacket that is as flexible and comfortable as a softshell layer and is also waterproof! Designed for winter conditions, the Skyward is an excellent companion wherever the snow may take you. It’s heavier than other hardshell jackets on the market and keeps me warm and toasty even in sub-zero temperatures. However, these features may not be ideal for ultralighters or those who live in mild winter climates.

Conditions: I tested the women’s Skyward Jacket as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps from early November 2016 through January of 2017. I wore the Skyward hiking, snowshoeing, fat-tire mountain biking, backcountry alpine ski touring, backcountry nordic skiing, and alpine skiing in and around New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Temperatures during this time ranged from 40 to -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Fit & Comfort: I’m 5'4" with a short, fairly narrow torso (35" hip, 27" waist, 33" chest, 15.5" torso length) and the size small fits me perfectly.

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