The Best Snowboard jackets
2024 Snow GUIDEs
One great thing about the Australian snow season is that we get to test out all of the latest gear before our northern hemisphere friends. Snowboard jackets are no exception.
Whether you’re planning to head out to the depths of the backcountry or introduce the thrill to the next generation, your jacket is your first line of defence against the elements. With a huge variety of snowboard jackets on the market, choosing the right one can take time. There are obvious factors like price and style, but more technical factors to consider too, such as waterproof rating, breathability and insulation.
To help you get started, our team have rounded up their best snowboard jackets for men, women and kids for 2024/2025. These are the jackets they/ their families will be taking up the mountain this year.
Top Mens snowboard jackets
Best Overall: Burton Cyclic Jacket
The fit of the Burton Cyclic is second to none. It’s been designed to give you all of the freedom of movement without being baggy so you can shred all day long. The two-layer GORE-TEX fabric is windproof, waterproof and breathable, so you’ll be safe from the elements without getting too hot. It has zip vents for extra airflow on those intense runs, and useful pockets for warming your hands and storing essentials.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $699.99
Best Budget Option: Quicksilver Mission Solid
Made from recycled materials, this budget jacket belies its price tag. With Quiksilver’s DryFlight technology and WarmFlight eco insulation, you’ll be warm, dry, and comfy on the slopes. The easy-to-wear fit makes it ideal for new snowboarders, and a fixed hood and powder skirt provide extra protection. The Quicksilver Mission Solid won’t look out of place off the slopes either if you’re looking for a more all-around Winter coat.
Breathability rating: 5k +
Waterproof rating: 10k +
Price: $279.99
Best Genderless/Unisex: Volcom Melancon
The Revolt was designed in collaboration with elite athletes and combines the best parts of several previous iterations, including the Revolt 104 and Revolt 121, so you know you’re going to get peak performance. The team at Volkl were not messing around with this year's edition, and it shows on the snow with technical elegance and a playful edge.
Most Breathable: Jones Shralpinist
The Shraplist features groundbreaking, body-mapped GORE-TEX PRO fabric, with different fabrics on the arms vs torso to aid temperature regulation. Regardless of the conditions - extreme winds or pounding snow - you’ll be dry and ready to take on run after run. When you want to be 100% focused on your board, pushing your limits, this is the ideal jacket.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $1,449.99
Best Bang For Buck: L1 Hasting Jacket
If you’re searching for a bargain snowboard jacket, the L1 Hastings is worth your attention. It has a classic cut to keep you stylish season after season with excellent breathability and waterproofing.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $349.00
Backcountry:AK 457 Japan Guide Gore-Tex Pro
Out in the backcountry, you want nothing more than a jacket that does its job without hindering you. It’s something you shouldn’t need to think about except to feel grateful for at the end of a long day, and the GORE-TEX Japan Pro is just that. Guaranteed to keep you dry and warm without overheating and hold all of your essentials close to hand, the AK 457 is made from three-layer breathable fabric.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $1,299.99
Top Women’s Snowboard Jackets
Best Budget Option: DC Cruiser
Our budget women’s jacket pick is the DC Cruiser. With bold prints and colour block options, it’s stylish, practical and well-thought-through. The durable fabric is breathable and waterproof, making it a solid choice for new snowboarders or those looking for a cheaper jacket. There’s a powder skirt, adjustable hood and waist gaiter to give you a good fit.
Breathability rating: 5k +
Waterproof rating: 10k +
Price: $329.99
Most Insulated: Burton AK Flare Gore-Tex
For those who get cold on the hill, the AK Flare is a real winner. It has top-of-the-range insulation strategically placed to prevent a puffy profile and allow for maximum movement. Alongside the features you’d expect from a Burton snowboard jacket, it has a cohesive cord lock and pull cord at the hood and an adjustable neck gasket cinch so you can get a nice close fit when wearing a neck gaiter or clava. This is the ideal jacket for those really cold days, guaranteed to keep you snug wherever you’re headed.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $999.99
Best Bang For Buck/ Stretchiest: Atlas Snowboard Jacket
The stretchiest snowboard jacket might sound like a slightly odd category but the profile of L1’s Atlas is worth calling out. The three-layer stretch NOVA.TECH fabric has been combined into a pullover anorak, resulting in a stylish, functional and protective option. It has a slightly longer silhouette than a traditional snowboard anorak with a jacket to pant snap away powder skirt to keep the snow out. The team at L1 have thought the jacket through perfectly, with softer chin and neck guards for comfort all day long. You’re getting a lot for your money with the Atlast, so it’s our best bang for the buck women’s jacket too.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $529.99
Backcountry: Burton AK Tusk
Made with splitboarders in mind, our backcountry women’s jacket has the perfect balance of comfort and movement. The GORE-TEX fabric gives the ultimate breathability, durability, and weather protection. With zip vents, internal abrasion-resistant tape, and a range of well-thought-through features, the Tusk is your go-to for high-intensity activities in any condition.
It’s eco-conscious too using bluesign-approved materials.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $1,199.99
Top kids Snowboard Jackets
Most waterproof: Burton Powline Kids Gore-Tex
Hitting the snow with the groms is awesome until they get cold or wet. The Burton Powline combines the best Burton adult jacket features into a kid's version, designed to keep them warm, dry and riding longer. It has two-layer GORE-TEX with top notch breathability and waterproofness, protecting them from the rain, snow and wind. The insulation might be lightweight but certainly not lacking, so even in ice-cold conditions they’ll be toasty warm.
Breathability rating: 20k +
Waterproof rating: 20k +
Price: $449.99
Cheapest: Quicksilver Side Hit Youth Jacket
One of the coolest kids jackets on the market, it’s also incredibly well-priced. Waterproof, water-repellant, breathable and stylish, the Side Hit is designed for use all season long and features eco-conscious recycled materials for extra bonus points. It has a modern, slimmer fit that teens will love too.
Breathability rating: 10k +
Waterproof rating: 10k +
Price: $229.99
We stock heaps of snowboard jackets at Rhythm, and get all kinds of questions about them. Here are a few common questions to help you on your search:
What is the best material for snowboard jackets?
There is no “best material” for snowboard jackets. While many people tout Gore-tex as the king - and it is extremely waterproof, breathable and durable - there are heaps of other materials that are highly waterproof and breathable. Gore-tex is a brand, not a thing (think of Bandaids or Hoover). Sympatex, H2No, Futurelight and Pertex are just a few of the other fabric you should watch out for. Check the waterproof and breathability ratings of your future jacket, and don’t forget to read the reviews as these can be invaluable.
What waterproof rating should a snowboard jacket be?
The waterproof rating of your jacket will depend on the person wearing the jacket, and what you’re planning to do! Most product labels will have two numbers that represent the waterproofing and breathability (eg. 10 000/10 000 or sometimes shown as 10k/10k). You can find outwear with waterproof ratings as little as 5000 and as high as 45000+. This number represents the amount of water (in mm) that the jacket can take on before leaking. We could write an entire article on waterproofing but to put it simply, the higher the number, the more waterproof/breathable it will be.
If you are someone who likes being out on the hill all day but heads to the pub when bad weather rolls in, a 10k jacket will be fine. If you are someone that will ride - rain, hail or blizzard - 20k or higher will be able to withstand the elements for longer.
Remember, the higher the number, the more water resistant! That said, compared to the dry fluffy flakes you find overseas, Australia has very wet snow. So if you’re mainly riding in Aus resorts, keep that in mind when looking for your next jacket.
What are the top snowboard jacket styles for 2024?
Lightweight, shell Jackets (jackets without much insulation) are becoming more popular as they are much better for layering and can be worn all season long. They will generally have higher waterproof ratings and are extremely lightweight and packable. Retro jackets with zip-off hoods and more relaxed streetwear styles are making a comeback too.
In terms of colours, prints are set to be big for 2024. The more out there and lairy, the better. Hats off to you if you can rock the full matching set!
What style of jacket is best for snowboarding? Over the head vs zip up
Again, this will depend on each individual. The benefit of having a full zip jacket is that when you overheat, you can open it right up to get an instant bit of relief. Anorak or over-the-head jackets can feel a little cosier, like wearing a waterproof hoodie.
What GSM should a snowboard jacket be?
GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter and in terms of outerwear for Skiing and Snowboarding, this refers to the amount of insulation. The higher the number, the more insulation and the warmer it will be. With a highly insulated jacket, depending on how susceptible you are to the cold, you will not need to add many layers underneath. Jackets with little to no insulation you will need to wear more layers depending on the weather.
More questions? Check out our handy Jacket Buying Guide or get in touch with the team who will get you on track.
We have heaps more tips on your Snow Gear across our socials too.
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