21 Best Ski and Snowboard Jackets for Men in 2022

Unless you find a ski or snowboard jacket on a stellar sale (which is possible!), expect to pay at least $200 for a quality jacket. This is because ski and snowboard jackets have to be made to combat moisture while also keeping you cool. Brands have made it a point over the years to develop premium fabric blends that are functional, yet affordable. A general rule of thumb for buying jackets is the higher in price, the better the tech the jacket will have.

For example, a jacket with GORE-TEX, a highly water-resistant fabric that graces the toughest weatherproof garments and footwear, is going to cost more than a jacket made from polyester and nylon. Is a GORE-TEX jacket worth a more significant investment? That’s up to you to decide, but we recommend buying a jacket that’s going to last you for years to come. Most of the time, a GORE-TEX jacket will do just that.

Other factors that impact price on a ski and snowboard jacket are insulation. Brands are continuously trying to find ways to keep insulation warm while also staying lightweight and breathable, which can cause some blends to cost significantly more than others.

What you’ll find is making a purchase with any of these jackets above will give you something to count on for several years to come. Durability and functionality is key, so making sure the materials are legitimate is our first priority.

Shells and softshells are the less intense of the three—an outer layer that’s lighter, generally fairly waterproof, and fairly breathable—that you simply layer over your sweater or another jacket.

Softshells are even lighter, usually made from a stretchy fabric that you can use for less intense environments.

If you’re heading into a more intense environment, a full-blown insulated jacket might be the best buy for you. These cool men’s ski and snowboard jackets are a lot more technical: they usually feature an outer shell, then a layer of insulation, such as Primaloft or Thinsulate.

These jackets are much more ideal for colder conditions—or even storms. You might need less insulation if you’re in a warmer environment—in which case, opt for 50 to 100 grams of insulation. If you’re going to be skiing in freezing conditions, you’ll definitely want something closer to 100 to 200 grams of insulation.

For the past two years, Men’s Health fashion editors and writers have been trying and testing hundreds of men’s ski and snowboarding jackets. To narrow down our favorites, we evaluated jackets based on their performance, durability, comfort, and value. We also considered ski and snowboard jackets that had at least 100 five-star ratings on e-commerce sites we trust.