How To Choose Best Snowboard Jacket?

Choosing the right snowboard gear is crucial for comfort, performance, and safety when snowboarding, and one of the most essential items is your best snowboard jacket. With so many options available, selecting the perfect one can feel overwhelming. This guide will help you make the best choice by exploring the different materials, styles, and colors suited to various snowboarding environments and personal preferences.

BOWINS Garment is a professional manufacturer and supplier of ski apparel, offering OEM and ODM services to ski clothing brands globally. With over 17 years of experience in the industry, specializing in custom snowboard jackets through OEM and ODM services for global ski clothing brands.we excel in creating custom snowboard jackets in various sizes and fits. In this article, we'll address some essential questions about how to choose best snowboard jacket.

1. What Is A Best Snowboard Jacket? 

A best snowboard jacket is a specialized outerwear garment designed for snowboarding and winter sports. Its primary function is to provide protection against harsh weather conditions, including snow, wind, and cold temperatures, while ensuring comfort and mobility on the slopes.

Typically made from waterproof and breathable materials, such as Gore-Tex or other proprietary fabrics, snowboard jackets keep you dry by preventing moisture from seeping in while allowing sweat and heat to escape. This breathability is essential for maintaining comfort during high-energy activities.

The best snowboard jackets combine high waterproofing (usually 20,000mm or more) with strong breathability (around 15,000g or more) and extra features like vents, waterproof zippers, and moisture-wicking linings.

Functional features such as multiple pockets for storing essentials, snow skirts to prevent snow from entering the jacket, and reinforced areas for durability are common in snowboard jackets. These details enhance the overall performance and usability, making them suitable for a range of conditions.

2. What Are Different Types Of Snowboard Jackets?

2.1 Shell Jackets

Shell snowboard jackets have a single-layer construction that lacks built-in insulation. They are typically very lightweight and breathable, offering excellent waterproof protection, which makes them perfect for warmer weather or high-intensity activities where staying cool is essential. In colder conditions, these jackets can be layered with insulating garments to provide extra warmth.

2.1.1 2-layer shell 

Ideal for a range of outdoor activities, many waterproof and breathable garments utilize this construction method, where the outer fabric is laminated to the inner membrane. This design allows the separate lining to remain looser, providing a more comfortable fit.

2.1.2 3-layer shell

The membrane is laminated to both the outer shell and the inner lining, creating a lighter and more durable option. This design reduces friction between the layers, minimizing wear and tear, making it well-suited for more intense activities.

2.2 Insulated Snowboard Jackets

Insulated snowboard jackets, perfect for colder conditions, feature built-in insulation layers. These layers can be made from natural, synthetic, or a combination of materials, all designed with the same purpose: to trap heat and retain warmth, keeping you comfortable in cold weather.

2.3 3-in-1 Jackets

Three-in-one snowboard jackets, also known as 3-in-1 jackets, combine an outer shell with an additional insulating liner that can be easily attached by popping, zipping, or clipping it in place. This versatile design offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to adapt to changing weather by adding or removing the inner or outer layers as needed.

3. How To Choose The Best Snowboard Jacket?

Selecting the right snowboard jacket requires careful consideration and effort, as it is just as crucial as choosing the appropriate snowboard and bindings. Whether you are an outdoor sports enthusiast or a casual commuter. thoughtful attention should be given to choosing the outerwear that best suits your needs.

First, think about where you'll be snowboarding the most, what kind of weather you'll encounter, and how much time you'll actually spend in your gear.

It doesn’t make much sense for someone who only rides groomed trails for a week a year to spend over $500 on a jacket designed for backcountry snowboarding. But if you're someone who spends a lot of time in the backcountry, investing that $500 in a more technical jacket is worth it, since it can be a critical piece of gear when you're far from any shelter.

Waterproofing and breathability are key factors to consider, as riding in wet conditions without proper protection is far from ideal. These features ensure you stay comfortable and dry, making them essential for any serious snowboarder.

3.1 Waterproofing

Snowboarding often involves wet conditions, whether from snow or melting ice. To stay dry, your jacket should have a solid waterproof rating. Look for fabrics like GORE-TEX or proprietary waterproof membranes. Waterproof ratings are measured in millimeters (mm) and typically range from 5,000mm to20,000mm.

For most riders, a waterproofing rating between 10,000mm and 15,000mm is sufficient. If you ride in wet, heavy snow, opt for a rating closer to 20,000mm.

3.2 Breathability 

Just as important as staying dry is staying comfortable. A jacket's breathability rating indicates how well it allows moisture to escape from the inside. High breathability (above 10,000g) is essential to prevent overheating, especially during intense runs.

3.3 Insulation

Depending on the weather, you may want a jacket with either synthetic insulation for warmth or a shell jacket for layering.

Insulation weight is often measured in grams per square meter (gsm). Heavier insulation (e.g., 100-200 gsm) provides more warmth, ideal for colder climates, while lighter insulation suits milder conditions.

3.4 Fit

A comfortable fit with room for movement is essential. Some riders prefer a regular fit, while others may go for a looser or more fitted style depending on their style.

BOWINS Garment has 6 professional functional clothing designer, 16 skilled technicians and 6 pattern template technicians. The product development department has its own workshop and sample show room.

The white cotton cloth is used to make three dimensional pattern trimming and cutting based on customer' product drawings and technical requirements, then your design styles and requirements can be quickly realized with nice fitting before the real fabric sample put into production.

3.5 Style and design

When choosing a snowboard jacket, style, color, and pattern design are all matters of personal preference. Whether you prefer bold, eye-catching patterns or a more minimalist, sleek look, there are endless options available. You can choose from solid colors, camo prints, geometric patterns, or even custom designs to reflect your personality and taste.

Ultimately, the best snowboard jacket is the one that fits your unique style and functional needs. So, explore different designs, try various fits, and pick a jacket that makes you feel confident and comfortable on the slopes. After all, the most suitable one is the best one for you!

4. What Should Consider When Choosing A Best Snowboard Jacket?

When looking to buy a new snowboard jacket, you want something that is both waterproof and breathable. Sometimes, however, a high waterproof rating means that you will need to compromise on the breathability ideal.

As a custom snowboard jacket manufacturer, BOWINS Garment selecting the right fabric is crucial for creating high-performance jackets that offer protection, comfort, and durability in challenging snow environments.

4.1 Fabric

Look for a 10,000 mm to 20,000 mm waterproof rating (indicating how much water the fabric can withstand) to ensure the jacket stays dry in heavy snow or rain.The waterproof rating is measured in millimeters (mm). This refers to the depth of water that is required to penetrate the fabric (based on filling a one-inch diameter tube). The higher the rating, the more waterproof the outerwear.

If you’re someone who spends the majority of your time on the snow field, a 5k rated jacket is probably sufficient enough. A higher waterproof rating, however, becomes much more important if you’re planning on heading off into the backcountry. If this is your aim, you might want to steer your focus onto jackets with a minimum 20k waterproof rating. Of course, you’ll also want to factor in the jacket’s breathability in such a scenario as the backcountry can often require far more physical exertion.

The ratings of breathability refer to the weight of water that can pass through a square metre of fabric in 24hours. Breathability is measured in grams (g/m²/24 hours). A rating of 10,000 g/m² or more allows sweat to escape, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.

The waterproof and breathability ratings on your outerwear do not get better with age. However, the cleaner you keep your outerwear the better the waterproofing / breathability will be. This is because dirt and oil compromise the full potential of both.

4.2 Taped Seams

These are strips of waterproof material secured along the seams to block moisture and cold air from seeping in. They are available in two types: critically taped and fully taped options.

4.2.1 Critically taped

In critically taped seams, only the primary seams of the jacket or pants are sealed, typically located in the most vulnerable areas like the waist and knees. While they provide some moisture protection, critically taped seams do not offer complete waterproofing, making them better suited for riding in drier conditions, such as powder snow.

4.2.2 Fully taped

Every seam on the garment is fully taped to create a waterproof seal, making it especially effective for riding in powder and wetter conditions by preventing moisture from entering. These jackets can also be paired with waterproof zippers, such as YKK Aquaguard, to ensure maximum protection.

The seam-taped manufacturing process is crucial for creating waterproof functional clothing, even after multiple machine washings. BOWINS Garment utilizes HH brand hot air seam sealing machines made in Hong Kong for this process, ensuring that our garments achieve 100% waterproof conditions. This technique effectively covers the holes created by stitching, preventing water from seeping through the seams. Our QC technicians conduct hydraulic pressure testing and data collection to ensure that the entire garment meets the customer’s waterproof standards. Additionally, we use automatic pattern sewing machines for tasks like label and logo application, as well as Velcro and patch sewing. 

4.3 Shell / Insulation

Another two key factors when it comes to choosing your snowboard outerwear is the fabric and insulation. You can choose between a hard shell, soft shell or an insulated model.

As the name implies, hardshell jackets / pants are stiffer than softshell ones. Hardshell jackets may sound uncomfortable, and twenty or so years ago they sort of were. Thanks to modern technology though, brands can now offer hardshell outerwear that feels soft next to your skin.

The main benefits of a hardshell is its ability to resist the most extreme weather conditions you’re likely to face on the mountain. The jackets are designed to provide shelter against rain and wind. They’re also designed to be extremely breathable and durable, hence the reason why they’re so often preferred by backcountry enthusiasts.

You can also choose to go with an insulated option. The level of insulation in both snowboard jackets and pants varies, but if you’re prone to getting cold we’d recommend investing in something that comes with some form of insulation. Head over to our best snowboard mid-layer to get the low down on the difference between down and synthetic insulation.

4.4 Sustainability and Durability

Choosing more sustainable options has become the norm these days. It’s also, something that’s become much popular within the snowboard industry. Brands are putting more effort into producing products sustainably, and this is clear when looking at this season’s outerwear.

Ultimately, the best snowboard jacket is the one that fits your unique style and functional needs. So, explore different designs, try various fits, and pick a jacket that makes you feel confident and comfortable on the slopes. After all, the most suitable one is the best one for you!

5.Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the ideal snowboard jacket is essential for any snowboarder, ensuring comfort, performance, and protection against the elements. With numerous options available, it’s worth taking the time to explore various materials, insulation levels, and waterproofing technologies to find the jacket that best suits your environment and riding style. At BOWINS Garment, we understand that each snowboarder has unique needs, and with over 17 years of experience in manufacturing high-quality ski apparel, we offer OEM and ODM services to bring custom jacket designs to life for brands worldwide. From technical fabrics to tailored fits, our expertise lies in crafting snowboard jackets that combine function with personalized style. So, whether you’re an avid winter sports enthusiast or enjoy casual outings in the snow, the best jacket is one that keeps you comfortable, enhances your performance, and reflects your individuality.

Thank you for reading!