No matter where youre skiing, a ski jacket is one of the most essential pieces of equipment you take on the slopes. Its your shield against cold, wet weather. Its the layer that traps heat close to your body and helps regulate moisture when working up a sweat. And, of course, its one of the most distinguishing pieces of gear a person wears on the slopes.

　　Shopping for a new ski jacket can be overwhelming. The choices are so abundant, and they vary in quality and design so much between brands and among them that sifting through all the options can give a person choice paralysis.

　　Thats where GearJunkie comes in. We got our hands on a pile of different ski jackets and put them all through rigorous field testing. From that initial sample group, we narrowed our list down to five jackets that really stuck out to us as being the best-designed and highest-quality pieces of gear.

　　Here are our favorites. Compare them with others on GearJunkies guide to the Best Ski Jackets. If youre shopping for women, check out our guide to the Best Womens Ski Jackets.

　　8.9 How we rate products Specifications Weight: 617 g Sizes: S-XXL Membrane: GORE-TEX PRO ePE 80D 3L Plainweave: 100% recycled nylon Fit: Relaxed Pros Plenty of pocket storage both inside and out Durable shell material Articulated for easy movement Designed for technical objectives Cons Fits slightly large Expensive Will Brendza Read Review: Freeride Meets Alpinism: Mountain Hardwear Mythogen Ski Kit First Look Review The Mountain Hardwear Mythogen Jacket ($700) is made from 100% recycled GORE-TEX ePE and built for big mountain and backcountry abuse. It caught our eye at the Winter Outdoor Market Alliance (OMA) trade show. We got an early sample and used it for in-bounds and backcountry skiing in Colorado and in Chamonix through the end of 2024/25.

　　When you pick this shell up, its immediately clear its a bomber piece of kit. The membrane is light and low-bulk but very durable and downright impervious to wind and water. The two-way waterproof front zipper accommodates a climbing harness for ski mountaineering objectives. The water-resistant pit zips are smooth and easy to pull, and the powder skirt zips off.

　　Pockets are everywhere on the Mythogen Jacket, too. It has two chest pockets, two gusseted hip pockets, two internal mesh dump pockets, and an insulated interior phone pocket to protect your devices battery.

　　The helmet-compatible hood snaps back, securing it to the jacket so its out of the way and keeping a low profile when not in use. Big button-style drawcord releases make it easy to adjust the fit and cinch or loosen the hood, collar, and hem, even if youre wearing gloves.

　　One of our favorite features was the perforated draft flap under the main zipper. It snaps closed at the top, so you can leave the jacket partially unzipped but still have full, ventilated face coverage.

　　In testing, this jacket continually impressed us with Mountain Hardwears thoughtful design elements. It would do well as a backcountry jacket, although it might be a little heavy for long-distance, high-output skins. However, this would be one of our top picks for any excursion into deep powder or on steep, technical slopes. Thats the terrain this jacket was designed for.

　　As for ski style, the brand swung for the fences. The color scheme uses earth tones that pop, and the jackets cut is long enough to cover your rear when you sit down. Mountain Hardwear made sure its Mythogen jacket had as much steeze as it does technical features.

　　When GearJunkie reviewed this kit, we concluded that for skiers who want to pursue big, technical objectives, or those who want a durable kit that can handle any weather and hard use, the Mythogen Kit is a great option.

　　Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Jacket $300 at Helly Hansen

　　8.8 How we rate products Specifications Materials: 54% Polyester (Recycled), 46% Polyester Weight: 26.1 oz Sizes: S XXL Waterproofing: 3-layer HELLY TECH PROFESSIONAL, and LIFA INFINITY Pros Durable construction Comfortable brushed fleece lining in pockets and chin Great pocket storage options Cons Fits slightly large On heavier side for long backcountry tours Will Brendza New on the scene, Helly Hansen upgraded its Odin line to include the Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Jacket ($650), a calculated backcountry layer. The brand worked with mountaineering guides to specifically dial the jacket for high-alpine, high-output activities. We tested the Odin Infinity jacket in Colorado and Utah, skiing both in bounds and backcountry. It was everything we needed for the conditions we encountered.

　　The shell is hydrophobic, waterproof, windproof, and breathable thanks to a combination of HELLY TECH Professional and a LIFA INFINITY 3L membrane. Both technologies are proprietary to Helly Hansen and are made without added solvents or PFAS. The brand said there is no need to ever re-waterproof this jacket with a chemical treatment.

　　The Odin Infinity Jacket is light enough to backcountry skin in, but is by no means ultralight. This burly shell is durable enough to withstand hard use in backcountry conditions. The 3L shell material also has a two-way mechanical stretch, making movement feel less restricted. Articulated sleeves also free up the movement of your arms.

　　Two gusseted chest pockets are big enough to store any devices, tools, or snacks. The left chest pocket is lined with Primaloft Aerogel to insulate and protect your phone or beacons battery against the cold. Inside, theres one large mesh dump pocket that is perfectly sized for gloves or skins.

　　Then, there are some extra comfort details that make a big difference in the user experience. The elastic cuffs have thumb holes that are easy to slide into, and the hand pockets and chin are lined with soft brushed fleece. This is a surprisingly comfortable jacket for such a technical piece of gear.

　　The Odin Infinity jacket is billed for both off-piste and resort skiing. The all-season jacket does run slightly large, so consider trying one on before you buy or simply sizing down.

　　Stio Environ Jacket Check Price at StioCheck Price at REI

　　8 How we rate products Specifications Fit: Regular Insulation: No Shell: PeakProof 3L waterproof/breathable, 100% recycled polyester 150-denier face fabric, PeakProof membrane Waterproof rating (mm): 20,000 Breathability (g): 10,000 Weight: 822 g Pros Durable construction Generous size run, XS-XXXL for men and XXS-XXL for women Recycled fabric Cons A bit heavy for backcountry use Not very breathable Will Brendza Stio clearly tried to think of everything when designing the Stio Environ Shell ($465). Not only can almost every aspect of this jacket be adjusted (from the hem to the cuffs and the removable hood), but its PeakProof 3L membrane is 100% recycled and, as the name suggests, capable of handling almost anything mountain environments can throw at you.

　　Throughout testing, we found it to be exceptionally windproof, blocking freezing gusts of alpine air, and waterproof, easily shedding spring snow and moisture. The jacket boasts four pockets on the outside (five if you count the pass pocket on the arm) and security and stash pockets inside.

　　Breathability-wise, this fully seam-sealed and taped jacket doesnt earn wildly high marks. But it has two-way pit zips, which allow you to control heat and ventilate moisture well.

　　When fully zipped, the brushed tricot collar and chin guard were comfortable. The zipper and cuff tabs are outfitted with easy-to-grab rubber pulls that we could adjust even with bulky gloves. All the zippers are water-resistant YKK Aquaguard and have really smooth action when pulled. We didnt have issues with the zippers getting caught or double zippers breaking open during testing (as we saw with some other jackets).

　　In fact, the only zipper we struggled with was the non-water-resistant zipper that allows the hood to detach. It was a little sticky and didnt have as smooth an action as the other zippers. That would only present a real problem, though, if you were removing and reattaching your hood often or on-the-go.

　　The Stio Environ jacket has a more traditional cut and fit than some of the other more style-forward jackets on this list, which will appeal to some. Its slightly boxier and doesnt offer as much backside protection. But it fits true to size, and the ample adjustability points make it easy to dial in depending on how many layers youre wearing.

　　Overall, the Environ is a really comfortable ski shell with practical features. Its not a first choice for high-output backcountry skiing, as its breathability isnt great. But for all else, the Stio Environ jacket is a well-designed, bomber piece of gear.

　　Stellar Equipment Stellar Shell Check Price at Stellar

　　8.9 How we rate products Specifications Weight: 25.25 oz (Mens M) Main fabric: 3-layer 100 % pre-consumer recycled nylon with Dermizax NX membrane. Main fabric denier: Woven 70 D x 140 D fabric Waterproofness: + 20,000 mm. DWR treated main fabric. Breathability: 25,000 g/m2/24h. Pros Straightforward, functional design Durable build and materials 100% recycled Easy-to-use cinch cords buttons Cons Expensive Will Brendza Stellar is new to U.S. markets, but the Swedish brand has been around for a while. The Stellar Equipment Stellar Shell ($700) is one of its flagship products, and when we started testing it this season, we realized why. This shell is not bedecked with bells and whistles, features, functions, and extras. Its a fairly basic ski shell made with high-quality materials and a clean design. Its billed for freeriding, ski-touring, and sidecountry skiing.

　　This jacket is made with 100% pre-consumer recycled Japanese nylon fabric, and a Dermizax NX membrane provides waterproofing and breathability. In testing, this material has proven to be very durable and seems like it will hold up well over multiple seasons of use and abuse. The articulated arms fit well and allow for easy, free movement.

　　The 3L Dermizax NX membrane is moisture permeable (so it can wick sweat), and there are also two oversized two-way pit zips to aid in ventilation and to dump heat when you need to. The vents reach from the middle abdomen to the elbow, so you can easily adjust how much heat youre dumping.

　　Elastic cords in the hood, collar, and hem are easy to grab and adjust with gloved hands. Unlike some elastic adjusters, its simple to release tension and loosen them up if you need more space.

　　All of the zippers use YKK Aquaguard for water resistance. They pull easily, and weve had no issues with zippers sticking or getting caught on this jacket. However, the two-way zipper at the front requires extra care when youre connecting it. If the zippers arent lined up perfectly, the teeth can become unfastened and open up at the bottom.

　　There are two large zippered hand and chest pockets (for a total of four pockets on the outside) and another mesh dump pocket inside for gloves and/or skins. The only other pocket on the jacket is a pass pocket on the left arm.

　　Overall, this simple, straightforward shell was one of our favorites. Stellar includes everything you need and nothing you dont, and it puts a lot of design work into its features. For a smaller, foreign brand, this shell punches up and competes with products from much bigger names.

　　The North Face Verbier GORE-TEX Mens Jacket Check Price at The North face

　　7.9 How we rate products Specifications Fit: Runs long and slender Insulation: No Shell: 75D X 40D 165 G/M² GORE-TEX 3L—100% recycled polyester plain weave face and tricot knit backer, non-PFC durable water-repellent finish Waterproof rating (mm): 28,000 Breathability (g): 17,000 Weight: 1 lb., 13.59 oz. (839 g) Pros Tough, durable fabric Large, plentiful pockets Very versatile jacket for both resort and backcountry Nice hood Cons A little heavy for backcountry touring Long fit is not for everyone Expensive Will Brendza Read Review: Do-All Downhill Shell: The North Face Summit Series Verbier GORE-TEX Mens Jacket Review Turning heads, The North Face Summit Series Verbier Jacket ($700) was one of Editorial Director Sean McCoys favorite pieces from the season. The technical-oriented jacket uses a 100% recycled GORE-TEX 3L membrane that we found to be impeccably waterproof and windproof even on wet, windy spring days in Colorado.

　　The two hand pockets on the front side are generously sized and located slightly higher on the torso instead of lower toward the hips. Inside are two mesh dump pockets and a security pocket (for electronics and other small odds and ends). The pass pocket on the left wrist also comes with a goggle wipe that McCoy used quite often.

　　This jacket is dialed for backcountry use. The shoulders were designed without seams for maximum comfort under a backpack. The powder skirt is fixed and has a grippy rubber strip to keep it from moving around. It also has a specific integration clip that attaches to the pants, so the skirt stays in place no matter how much you move around.

　　We had only two notes about this jacket for potential buyers. First, he found the fit to be more athletic than expected. The jacket is long and slightly tight across the chest. He recommends that anyone with a shorter, wider build try on the jacket before buying. (Editors note: TNF said it is addressing this issue for the 2025/2026 version of the Verbier.)

　　The other drawback McCoy pointed to was this jackets price. With YKK zippers, GORE-TEX, and other premium ingredients (not to mentoin the TNF name) this is not a cheap ski jacket.

　　In his review, McCoy concluded, This one is for serious skiers who want a stylish, protective shell for mostly in-bounds days. It will keep harsh weather at bay, and it looks good doing it.

　　Ski Jackets: The Testing Rigors GearJunkies Editorial Director Sean McCoy and Assistant Ski Editor Will Brendza selected the jackets for this guide after a season of testing different gear, numerous meetings with brands at outdoor media shows, and product release media events.

　　After seeing tons of new jackets, they picked their favorites to set aside specifically to test for this round-up. The ones from that group that stood out as top picks made the cut.

　　They skied in these jackets in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and elsewhere, both in the backcountry and in resorts. GearJunkie testers also contributed to the testing, using these jackets as far away as Chamonix. Colorados spring season was all over the place, delivering big, wet storms, cold snaps that froze everything, and warm bluebird days when temps pushed high into the 30s and low 40s.

　　We put the versatility of these jackets to the test. The ones that made this list were truly the best of those we interacted with.

　　Editrop Will Brendza testing the Helle Hansen Ridge Infinity kit; (photo/Sean McCoy) How to Choose a Ski Jacket Picking a ski jacket is a very personal choice. It depends on your level of skiing, intended use, and your style and color preferences.

　　The fastest way to narrow your list of options is to look at your budget. There are thousands of options for ski jackets out there, but if you can only spend a few hundred dollars, your choices are significantly narrowed down.

　　Then, ask yourself what you need from a ski jacket. If you only use it in the resort, you wont need backcountry or uphill features like underarm vents or lightweight material. You will want a helmet-compatible hood and a pass pocket. If youre shopping for a backcountry-specific jacket, you want one thats breathable, has good ventilation, allows for freedom of movement, and isnt too heavy.

　　The ideal fit will depend on your layering preferences as well. Some people prefer looser fits so they can add midlayers underneath. Others like ski jackets with a slimmer, more form-fitting profile, and still others shop for baggy freeride-style designs.

　　Finally, color choice is also largely an aesthetic preference, but not entirely. Some ski jackets are made in bright colorways for the specific purpose of visibility. Theyre easier to see on a busy ski slope, in a wooded thicket, or in the event of an emergency rescue. So, there is a functional element in color choice as well.

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