The Best Ski Jackets of 2023

Arc’teryx delivers these tough, flexible shell jackets for tackling big mountain ski lines at the resort or in the backcountry: the Arc’teryx Sabre for men and the Arc’teryx Sentinel Jacket for women ($700).

While both of these ski jackets are an investment, they continue to be at the top of our stack because they’re so functional, perform exceptionally well, withstand years of abuse, and look good. We can depend on them. These ski jackets are hands down some of our favorites ever made.

The designs feature a durable yet buttery 80-denier (70 in the Sentinel) nylon face fabric, so we don’t need to worry about exploring the glades or playing fetch with an excited pooch at the base. From blustery conditions to blower powder, the three-layer GORE-TEX fabric is waterproof, breathable, and blocks wind well.

And the seams are fully sealed to bar moisture. If you build heat on deep-snow laps, the underarm vents are a lifesaver, and the powder skirt helps keep base layers dry.

A soft flannel backer provides a bit of warmth for cooler days on the chair lift. The hood fits over a helmet. Both jackets feature two external hand pockets, one small sleeve pocket, an internal mesh pocket, and one internal pocket with a zip closure.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, lightweight shell that stands season after season and manages variable conditions from spring sunshine to storms, the Sabre and Sentinel are a worthy choice.

Picture produced these two hardshells with sustainability at the forefront and friendliness for the pocketbook at the forefront. The recycled polyester face fabrics of the Picture Organic Fines Jacket for men ($235) and Picture Organic Sany Jacket for women ($225) are topped off with recycled insulation. For jackets a smidge above $200, these designs don’t leave out any of the bells and whistles.

The fabric of both the Sany and Fines is 64% recycled polyester. To shield the elements, the PFC-free DWR is Teflon EcoElite, a plant-based repellent for textiles that wards off water as well as water-based stains. The interior liner includes recycled polyester taffeta in the sleeves and hood.

We tested our Picture jackets throughout a winter season of skiing in the Colorado Rockies where high-altitude lift rides often come with cold winds and temperatures below zero degrees.

With high marks, we liked the jacket’s hint of warmth while sitting on the lift or skiing in below-freezing conditions. That’s thanks to the body-mapped construction with recycled insulation throughout the body, sleeves, and hood, which blocks the cold in just the right spots.

This jacket is just bulky and insulated enough that we don’t wear it backcountry skiing. But it’s perfect for enjoying in-bounds terrain in a variety of temperatures. We can wear a long-sleeve fleece beneath it mid-winter and feel comfortable despite windy lift rides.

On warm spring days, we’re thankful for the underarm vents because the jacket can get a bit toasty — it isn’t the most breathable. The waterproof rating is also on the lower end, so beware if you plan to ski in bell-to-bell whiteout conditions, especially on back-to-back days. Otherwise, the amount of waterproofing plus critically taped seams is certainly on par with most skiers’ needs.

The inside of the arms feature lengthy wrist gaiters with thumbholes, so it’s better to layer gauntlet gloves over the cuff. All the YKK zippers are waterproof, and the seams are fully taped, so moisture doesn’t squeeze in.

The Fines and Sany Jackets also boast great pockets: four exterior zip-enclosed pockets and an interior mesh pocket.

The Men’s Rab Khroma Kinetic and Women’s Rab Khroma Kinetic ($230-385) are one of our favorite choices thanks to their versatile feature sets. For both guys and gals, this jacket is at home on or off-piste, and performs admirably during grueling tours or chilly days riding the lift.

Constructed from Rab’s proprietary Proflex material, the Khroma Kinetic balances breathability and weather resistance. The shell fabric has the stretchy, comfortable feel of a soft shell, while still being waterproof. A fluorocarbon-free DWR treatment keeps wet snow beading off the face fabric, preventing it from “wetting out.”

In terms of comfort, our testers love the stretch factor. A little stretch goes a long way, especially on cold days when we had to layer a fleece and a light puffy jacket underneath the shell. A large, two-way adjustable hood easily accommodates a ski helmet without restricting mobility, and we love the low-profile internal cord locks.

This jacket also has a few venting options for when it’s time to shed some heat on the skin track. We found that opening the rear arm vents and the chest pockets can create a nice draft.

When it comes to technical features, the Khroma Kinetic is better equipped for touring and mountaineering than powder days at the resort. It has two large chest pockets with plenty of room for bars, a GPS, and a cellphone, plus a tiny stash pocket for keys. A two-way zipper makes for easy access to a harness during mountaineering endeavors.

This jacket doesn’t have a powder skirt. If we wanted a jacket exclusively for resort skiing, we’d like it to be a bit longer, but it does have a small shoulder pocket for a ski pass.

Versatility always involves a little compromise, but for skiers hoping to get by with one jacket for the resort and the backcountry, the Rab Khroma Kinetic is an excellent choice.

For skiers that would like to maximize their ski jackets with an integrated insulation layer that can be worn separately, look no further than this 3-in-1 jacket from Columbia.

The Men’s Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket ($230) and Women’s Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket ($230) are solid choices. Both offer a waterproof shell and a second light puffy jacket that can be worn independently or zipped together.

We love that these jackets come in a broad size run — the best available. The guy’s jacket is offered in standard, big, and tall sizes up to 6XL and 5XT. The women’s includes XS through 2XL and plus sizes 1X through 3X.

The shell is waterproof/breathable with underarm vents, which is key for hitting the slopes at any point in the season. Five pockets are integrated into the exterior shell for carrying goggles, ski passes, and credit cards including to two zippered hand pockets.

The insulated jacket also has two exterior hand pockets and an interior pocket with zip closures. With synthetic fill, the micropuffy is toasty and resistant to moisture. The shell’s interior helps keep the body cozier, thanks to the patented Omni-Heat Reflective liner that reflects and retains body heat.

Some features are fixed like the attached hood and powder skirt. Otherwise, the Whirlibird IV Interchange Jacket for guys and gals is an extremely adaptive choice. For skiers that want to maximize the utility of their jackets and make sure their layering system is streamlined, this one’s for you.

Have you ever skied with a down jacket on beneath a shell? Despite stinging cold conditions, the internal heat that builds up can be stifling, as most lack ventilation and underarm zippers. The fit can be cumbersome, too.

Our solution: the Men’s Sync Performance Stretch Puffy Jacket and Women’s Stretch Sync Performance Stretch Puffy Jacket ($399) with synthetic insulation. We’ve reached for this jacket countless times for nail-biting temperatures — between -10 and 10 degrees — while skiing the slopes at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Telluride Ski Resort where the conditions can be variable and wild in Southwest Colorado.

Even with windchill, this jacket holds body heat yet is breathable when we hop into the trees or charge moguls and work up a sweat. This performance puffy is very stretchy (including the hood), pliable, and doesn’t feel fragile. We can reach down to adjust our boots or pick up a pole or put our arms overhead with no problem.

The shoulders feature additional fabric reinforcements, so skis can’t slice in when we’re carrying gear around. Built with tenacious fabric and water-resistant construction, the Sync Performance for men or women is our number-one choice if we need extra warmth on a frigid day on the slopes.

If you tend to get a bit chilled on the lift ride or your home mountain is frigid or gusty, push this insulated jacket to the top of your wish list. New for fall 2022 and back in the 2023 lineup — ready for a powder day, delivering excellent waterproofness — is Patagonia’s Insulated Powder Town Jacket for Men and Insulated Powder Town Jacket for Women ($399).

Patagonia nailed the comfort and fit of this design. Beyond that, the jacket is completely free of PFC chemicals, a multiyear development the brand is rolling out across every product in the All Mountain lineup.

The 75-denier shell, liner, and lower body of the jacket are all 100% recycled polyester blends. Even the insulation is 100% recycled polyester. The lining is Bluesign approved while the product is Fair Trade Certified sewn.

Inside, a taffeta liner is smooth without noise and ups the jacket’s class and quality.

We really appreciate the pockets on this jacket, which are ergonomic and functional. There’s a small pass pocket on the left forearm, a large left exterior chest pocket, a wide interior dump pocket with a zip closure, a wide-mouthed interior mesh pocket, and two softly lined hand pockets.

Patagonia is also launching the Warmth Index, a new metric that measures the warmth of each of the brand’s products. That way, skiers can compare jackets side by side for their own insulation needs. The insulated Powder Town for men and women is the warmest all-mountain snow jacket that the brand makes.

The Powder Town is available in a noninsulated version, too — for women and men.

Another celebrated shell for skiing and riding is the REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket for Men ($299) and the REI Co-op First Chair GTX Jacket for Women ($299). This jacket excludes insulation, so it’s a versatile all-season piece with underarm vents plus room for midlayers and base layers beneath.

The high collar is coated with soft fabric for comfort, and the hood is spacious enough to pull over a helmet. The hem is longer in the back for extra protection. To shield against moisture, the GORE-TEX waterproof/breathable fabric is treated with PFC-free DWR.

If a toasty hug isn’t what you need, pull on the noninsulated men’s Odin Mountain Infinity Shell Jacket ($700). The jacket is also available in a women’s version with all the same high-end qualities. The Odin Infinity features the brand’s proprietary Lifa Infinity Pro textile.

The eco-friendly fabric is waterproof/breathable, wind-resistant, and hydrophobic, meaning it eliminates the need for a toxic DWR treatment — water repellency is inherent to the fabric.

We wore this shell while skinning in a wintry spring climate. There was usually cloud coverage mixed with spurts of sunshine. Temperatures ranged from 16 to 40 degrees, and gusts peaked around 30 mph.

Typically, we took continuous 1,000-foot ascents with the underarm vents open and never felt hot or clammy. This shell is breathable yet provides a solid barrier against wind and fairly wet, heavy snowfall.

To stash small goods, the shell has two exterior hand pockets and one chest pocket. Inside, there’s a mesh pocket and another tiny pocket with a zip closure. We mostly used the outermost big pockets during ski tours.

Another highlight is the laminated brim, which is shaped for a full-angle view.

One drawback: The powder skirt has a snap attachment point in the back that occasionally got stuck beneath our pack while skinning up. We could usually shift it out of the way. If this bothers you, the powder skirt is removable.

Ultimately, this eco-conscious shell is soft, quiet, and comfortable. The design is easy to move in while climbing.

Read our full review of the women’s Odin Mountain Infinity 3L Shell Jacket to learn more.

If you need a lightweight, breathable, windproof, and waterproof shell for backcountry adventure, here’s a superstar choice: the men’s Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($379) and women’s Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket ($379).

The design is 20% more lightweight than its predecessor, the Skyward. This hardy 40-by-60-denier nylon and spandex face fabric is a stalwart against harsh conditions and a loaded pack. The cut is roomy and long. We appreciate that the hood is wire-brimmed so it doesn’t collapse.

We love that the vents are super-tall — they stretch from the hem all the way past our armpit and up to the inside of the chest. So, we don’t need to stop to remove our pack and jacket on uphill climbs with these huge vents.

There are two lower hand pockets and two upper chest pockets on the exterior and internal mesh pockets for skins. The fabric is breathable and buttery soft. We reach for this jacket for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling.

The Men’s Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell ($350) and Women’s Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell ($350) — which received a gold-level ISPO award — are stretchy and sturdy for backcountry and uphill use.

The breathable softshell material is treated with the brand’s proprietary waterproof/breathable and windproof solution in the chest, shoulders, and hood. There’s also a PFC-free DWR, which enhances durability.

One of the most innovative features of this jacket is a center-front dual zipper that opens to a mesh panel for ventilation while uphilling.

The two large chest pockets are harness-compatible and roomy enough for skins, and the hood fits over a helmet. The thumbhole wrist gaiter helps protect wrists from getting chilled.

Ultimately, the lightweight Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell for men or women is a comfortable, stretchy, and very waterproof choice for skiers.

For a simple, no-frills ski jacket, L.L.Bean sure serves up a well-constructed option. The Men’s L.L.Bean Pathfinder GORE-TEX Shell Jacket ($249) offers a size range of S to 3XL, and the Women’s L.L.Bean Pathfinder GORE-TEX Shell Jacket ($249) features sizes XXS to XL.

This 100% recycled polyester shell is an excellent choice for heat-building winter activities like groomer laps or powder skiing, especially in above-freezing conditions.

Functional pockets let you stay organized including a mesh drop pocket inside and a secure zippered pocket. On the outside, there are two hand pockets and a chest pocket, all zipper-secured.

The underarm zippers allow you to dispense heat while working up a sweat whether you’re skiing moguls or hiking to sled with the kids. The three-layer jacket features waterproof/breathable GORE-TEX to withstand light rain in addition to wind and snow.

One of our most dependable jackets in the backcountry has been the Dynafit Beast Hybrid Jacket for men ($400) and women ($400).

The unique hybrid design uses a softshell core on the lower half around the torso for breathability. Then a full three-layer fabric is used across the upper body, shoulders, and arms for enhanced durability and protection from the elements.

When skinning uphill, the Beast Hybrid offers plenty of breathability and stretch thanks to its Dynastretch material located across the torso and back. Meanwhile, the waterproof shell that covers the hood, chest, and shoulders is durable enough for ripping in and out of the trees. We also love that the whole jacket stashes away easily in a pack.

The well-placed pockets are deep and compatible with a pack’s hipbelt — one also features a dedicated sleeve to preserve a cellphone battery. Reflective detailing adds much-appreciated visibility while skiing in the dark.

For warmer weather ski tours, the Norrona lyngen GORE-TEX Active Jacket ($649) is hard to beat for letting warm air escape.

The lyngen has two zippers running up the front of the jacket: One seals the shell up tight for windy, rainy, or snowy weather. The second zipper places a strip of mesh down your chest to boost breathability and airflow. In the skintrack or on warmer days, that mesh was helpful, but it really shined when there was a slight breeze capable of moving warm air out from the inside. The chest zip replaces traditional pit zips, which can be a little stiff or uncomfortable under your arms. 

The jacket is also the lightest one in our test and packs down small, thanks to a thin GORE-TEX Active membrane and lightweight 20-denier materials: The whole thing packs into one of its chest pockets and was easy to stash in a pack. The materials do feel a little bit flimsy — the black material across the chest has a sheen reminiscent of a garbage bag — but we weren’t able to puncture it during testing. 

The hood is easily helmet compatible and the jacket has spacious internal and external pockets, but no powder skirt. Big bummer: There’s no perfectly-comparable women’s version of the lyngen.