“That’s got to be the coolest kit I’ve ever seen - the colors of that snowboard jacket seriously pop,” my good friend said. Coming from a gal who owns a creative agency and is a top-level photographer and videographer, I didn’t take the compliment lightly. This article delves into a comprehensive review of the Burton Women’s Reserve 2L Insulated Stretch Slim snowboard jacket, focusing on its design, functionality, and overall performance on the slopes.
In short: Fresh to the lineup, the brand new Burton Women’s Reserve 2L Insulated Stretch Slim ($260) snowboard jacket blends cloud-camo with cubist Picasso artistry in its Floral Blur color scheme, a head-turning print paired with weather-blocking chops. The jacket pairs nicely with matching snowboard pants, too: the Burton Women’s Reserve 2L Stretch Slim Pants ($210). Situated in the brand’s baseline collection, the two-layer Reserve Slim offers solid weather protection in a quality package.
It was also my first day testing the brand new Burton Reserve Insulated Stretch Slim snowboard jacket (say that three times fast), which launches this fall. But I immediately noticed how the jacket felt: Streamlined and lengthy. I prefer that fit over a jacket that’s too baggy or spacious. The insulation was apparent, which I appreciated for blocking the frigid temps. And best of all, when I bent over to adjust my bindings, the fabric moved with me with zero restriction. Looking good was the final garnish.
See how this snowboard jacket lines up next to our other favorites in the Best Snowboard Jackets buyer’s guide.
Performance and Protection
I pulled this jacket on for many stormy days at Crested Butte Mountain Resort, where the wind howls and temps plummet. Every time I was standing in a whiteout while waiting to catch the North Face T-Bar, I was happy to be wearing this insulated, lengthy jacket with the comfortable hood pulled over my ski helmet. I found its protection legit: 20K/20K waterproofing and breathability, plus a PFC-free CO DWR finish, kept the elements at bay during wet, wind-blasted days. It’s a two-layer jacket sans GORE-TEX, so it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than a bonded three-layer piece that houses a GORE-TEX membrane.
Read also: From Garage to Global: Burton's Story
That said, not every rider needs GORE. The 80g body and 40g arm insulation hit the sweet spot - keeping me warm on the lift and in line without overheating while I was moving. There’s insulation in the hood, too. Slim-cut and insulated, the jacket strikes a smart balance between warmth and freedom, making it ideal for resort sessions in chilly, cold, or downright wild weather.
Fit and Comfort
Despite the contoured silhouette and the installation, the jacket never felt marshmallowy or tight. A hint of stretch plus a flexible liner helped me move naturally while I bootpacked up a steep slope in the Extremes. I felt equally at home while carving through tight Pines and mogul fields. Subtle darting and fabric paneling add shape without limiting motion, and the profile gently hugs the torso and hips for a tailored look. I really dig this fit.
Not everyone prefers a slim fit. Finally, as an insulated jacket, this might simply be too warm for late-season spring days, depending on where you ride.
Storage and Features
This jacket nails storage without going overboard. A spacious, insulated chest pocket keeps your device warm and accessible from the outside. Inside that chest pocket, there’s a small mesh pocket, but it’s nowhere near large enough for a big phone. I didn’t find an issue with that, because the pocket was a great size for carrying my phone, and I didn’t notice it bouncing around. On the opposite side (inside the jacket), there’s a port for headphones.
The two zippered, fleece-lined hand pockets are super-roomy and comfortable. Inside the right-hand pocket, there’s a small, narrow pocket with a Velcro closure for carrying your chapstick - cute! There’s also a dump pocket on the inner right side, and a sleeve pass pocket on the left forearm. A silicone-grip powder skirt with pant loops is fixed around the bottom portion of the jacket. Soft fleece lines the interior of the collar, which I appreciate against my face. The patch is generous: 5 inches by 5.5 inches wide. Each arm has lengthy wrist gaiters that are moderately dense. Each one has a roomy thumbhole that reaches my middle knuckles.
Read also: Choosing the Right Snowboard
One potential drawback is that the insulated chest pocket is only accessible from the exterior of the jacket. When it’s stormy or bright outside, it can be helpful to check my phone within the protection of my jacket. I’d also like to see a small zippered chest pocket on the opposing side. The lack of adjustability could also deter someone from loving this piece. The hood and powder skirt are not removable.
Potential Drawbacks
One potential drawback is that the insulated chest pocket is only accessible from the exterior of the jacket. When it’s stormy or bright outside, it can be helpful to check my phone within the protection of my jacket. I’d also like to see a small zippered chest pocket on the opposing side. The lack of adjustability could also deter someone from loving this piece. The hood and powder skirt are not removable. Riders who are wearing the same jacket at the resort as on long ski tours will likely want a three-layer design. That’s for gals who are producing more perspiration, wearing a pack, and are exposed to the extreme elements.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I usually don’t love two-layer jackets. But the Burton Women’s Reserve 2L Insulated Stretch Slim stole a special spot in my gear closet. This jacket looks clean and vibrant, and the artistic pattern is super-unique. Each day I wore this jacket, I appreciated the streamlined fit, which leaves behind any excess fabric but provides warmth alongside wind and water protection during winter’s coldest hours. During storms, I was grateful I could wear the hood while I rode, and it’s not too tight around my helmet. Adding insulation to the chest pocket is also a nice touch to help preserve my phone battery life.
After testing this kit, I’d say that’s a misnomer. This jacket is great!
Key Features:
Read also: Staying Warm & Dry with Burton Gore-Tex
- 20K/20K waterproofing and breathability
- PFC-free CO DWR finish
- 80g body and 40g arm insulation
- Insulated chest pocket
- Fleece-lined hand pockets
- Silicone-grip powder skirt
Pros:
- Stylish design with unique camo pattern
- Excellent warmth and weather protection
- Comfortable and streamlined fit
- Ample storage options
Cons:
- Insulated chest pocket accessible only from the exterior
- Limited adjustability (hood and powder skirt not removable)
- May be too warm for spring conditions
To properly enjoy a day on the mountain, a great snowboard jacket is imperative. With so many options on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. We’ve been putting the best snowboard jackets to the test for more than three seasons now, and with each iteration, we get more dialed in on our top picks. Testing has included sub-zero temperatures, rainstorms, peak powder, windy days, sunny days, and all-of-the-above-days. Throughout our testing, we’ve had a whole team of riders contribute thoughts, favorite picks, and real-world testing to this guide. Some of us prioritize backcountry use and need a breathable, mobile snowboard jacket. Others snowboard only at the resort and want a comfortable, warm option. A few of us opt for a one-and-done, durable, and premium jacket that can be used anywhere. The good news: All of us pitched in our thoughts and opinions to bring this guide to life.
When testing snowboard jackets this season, our team was seeking the perfect combination of price, features, functionality, and durability. We’ve tested north of 30 jackets in the past couple of years, and the Burton [ak] Swash stood out this season as a near-perfect all-around snowboard jacket.
One of our favorite all-around winter jackets of the year is the venerable The North Face ThermoBall Eco Snow Triclimate Jacket. If you want to buy one jacket that will serve you for three seasons of the year, plus work great out on the slopes, look no further.
Not everyone is a ride-or-die shredder, and that’s okay. We all have different interests to occupy our time. But when you do go shredding, you still need to be safe from the elements and keep scoring those all-important style points.
We’ve been rocking with Jones for some time now, and the updated Shralpinist Stretch jacket is one of the most comfortable, flexible, and packable backcountry snowboard jackets we’ve tested. Upgrades to the durability took what was a comfy jacket and made it more resilient, which is much appreciated when ripping through tree lines. In the backcountry, packability and ventilation are key. When hiking uphill, you want a jacket that will either stash in your pack or be able to be zipped wide open in the pits to quickly dump heat. We didn’t find any other jackets that packed down smaller yet still offered such effective protection, and the 30K breathability rating was noticeably more breathable than the competition. Plus, subtle attention to details like the fact that 5 Red Flags and avy rescue tips are printed right on the jacket in case you find yourself in an unsafe snowpack. At the resort or in the backcountry, the Jones Shralpinist Stretch was far and away the most comfortable snowboard shell we tried this season.
It’s no secret that Patagonia is committed to more sustainable outerwear. The Patagonia SnowDrifter jacket sets the bar even higher. With a stretchy 3-layer recycled polyester material, the jacket is thin yet will protect you from the elements while giving enough play to fit well, yet also accommodate the demands of riding hard and holding up. The water-repellant (DWR) coating is free of the nasty PFCs that will outlive us all. But we still need the jacket to perform well when snowboarding, and thankfully, it does. With all the necessary features, such as an inside stash pocket, powder skirt, and pit vents, the jacket sports what you need to have a fun day on the hill.
Believe us: At this price, we were hesitant about the Arc’teryx Sabre Relaxed Anorak. While we’ve loved the Sabre line in the past, we weren’t sure we could justify the steep price for an anorak with a bit less versatility than a standard jacket. But this option really wowed us: The updated GTX ePE fabric is every bit as resistant and durable as in the past, and the fit and features crush in the Sabre Relaxed Anorak. The side-zip opening is great for dumping heat or accessing your bibs, and the big kangaroo pocket is great for warming hands on the lift (plus it has a phone/accessory pocket inside to keep things secure). While we do think $800 is too steep a price to pay for most jackets, if you are looking for a one-and-done purchase and an anorak suits your needs better than a standard jacket, then we believe this Sabre Relaxed Anorak will serve you well for years to come. The material was the most durable feeling option we tested, and while it’s somewhat thick and stiff, it still moved well when climbing, carving, and everything in between. The hood was one of the best-fitting in the test, and wind resistance was another standout-at the very top of a blustery Palisades, we felt warm and ready to rip. For sunny resort laps and wet falling snow, we loved the Arc’teryx Sabre Relaxed Anorak.
We got to testing The North Face Ceptor Jacket at the end of the 2024/2025 season and were absolutely stoked on its performance, especially at the sub-$500 price point. It’s getting harder and harder to find a breathable, reliable 3-layer snowboard jacket for a good price, but The North Face showed up with their proprietary 3L DryVent. The material feel on this jacket is excellent-it’s super soft and pliable, and from a waterproofing standpoint, it held up super well. We found the pocket arrangement was just what we needed, with nothing extraneous, and there was a reliable powder skirt. This jacket actually fits a bit more relaxed than some others, which, as snowboarders, we liked for a bit more mobility on rotations and laying down carves. The North Face Ceptor low-key wowed us with its chops for under $500.
The Patagonia Untracked is our pick for a wet-weather backcountry beast. While it offers less breathability than the Jones Shralpinist Stretch (20K vs 30K), this is our pick for PNW shredding and other truly wet backcountry conditions. Comfort was a standout feature in the Untracked, as the jacket features a soft-touch feltish lining. Better yet, the lining helped the jacket slide effortlessly over mid-layers, which made this jacket especially mobile and suited to uphill routes. This jacket has an adjustable powder skirt that fits really well and keeps out the fluff. The pocket arrangement is pretty typical, but we loved the pass-thru chest availability, allowing you to tuck something in your bibs or mid-layer if needed. A big stretch glove drop pocket, dual-zippered pit vents, and a really dialed-in fit round out our runner-up backcountry pick. The dialed powder skirt and excellent durability of the Patagonia Untracked jacket made it ideal for wet backcountry efforts.
This jacket (and its accompanying bibs) is named after the Tatoosh range near Mount Rainier in Washington State. This region is known for a couple of things: Amazing riding terrain and wet snow. Thus, if a jacket is to bear the name TREW Gear Tatoosh, it should hold up in wet conditions. After testing it in numerous wet PNW storms, the jacket never soaked through. The upside to this fabric is that it’s soft and nimble, something that most GORE-TEX jackets aren’t. It was one of the most comfortable jackets we wore for not only shredding hard but from start to finish during the day.
Arc’teryx has long left the status of a niche outerwear brand and has hit the mainstream with full force, lining city streets to give designer fashion a run for its money. Their latest offering, the Arc’teryx Sabre SV jacket, is no exception. Made with the harshest conditions in mind, the jacket will hold up for many seasons to come and perform better than most. The SV sports a longer length to help keep the elements out, and really is as well-made as their reputation suggests.
Whoever designed the Mountain Hardwear Boundary Ridge jacket knows what snowboarders need. Mountain Hardwear includes just enough pockets to let you stash what you need without making the jacket too bulky or cumbersome. The two chest pockets go deep on either end, allowing you to have easy access to goggle wipes, spare gloves, and whatever else you might need in a pinch. Inside are two mesh pockets that can help you dry out goggles or keep skins warm if you’re on a touring mission.
Jeremy Jones has been leading the pack for big-mountain freeriding for well over two decades. When he set out with his own brand, it was a safe bet that it would be a force to be reckoned with. While it’s not GORE-TEX, the Jones MTN Surf Jacket offers 20K waterproof protection and, like Patagonia, a coating free of the dangerous PFC chemicals that many brands are starting to recognize as no bueno.
Burton’s [ak] line is and has been the best line from arguably snowboarding’s most iconic brand. The Cyclic jacket is chock-full of some standout features. With over 20 years of development in the Burton [ak] line, their product refinement has been a steady progression into something that will stand the test of time. If it doesn’t for some reason, you also have Burton’s limited lifetime warranty, so they will fix or replace anything that is out of whack.
These are the snowboard jackets we trust to keep us warm and dry. While many snowboard jackets are simply a shell, the Patagonia Storm Shift went a step further and added some soft liners on the inside to make it comfortable even off the mountain, wherever you may be. This isn’t an insulated jacket but rather a shell with some added comfort. The side pockets are also lined, meaning you can warm up your hands even if your gloves are soaked, or you’re just milling about the city and forgot to bring ’em. The only downside of the thin lining is weight for those getting out there in the backcountry. In true Patagonia fashion, they use recycled materials throughout the garment and are the only company to remark on using PFC-free chemicals for waterproofing. PFC-free means no fluorinated chemicals - something that ends up in our ecosystem and is even absorbed by humans and animals. Sounds like a huge win for our future and our health in general, which helps make buying this jacket a wise consumer choice.
Shaun White achieved legendary status well before puberty, and now as an adult has added designer and fashion mogul to his list of accomplishments in snowboarding. It was worth giving his gear a spin, as he is reported to be an integral part of the design process. The Whitespace 3L Performance 3-in-1 Jacket is his brainchild. The design is meant to give off a slim look, meaning that if someone isn’t into the loose-fitting baggy setup that a lot of snowboarding gear trends toward, this may be more your scene.
Testing snowboard jackets is good work if you can get it! Resort ripping, backcountry laps, and everything in between: We really tested these jackets to bring you the best. We tested these jackets the best way we know how: by snowboarding hard for long days in all kinds of weather. Testing spots included the backcountry Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range, resort riding at Palisades Tahoe and Arizona Snowbowl, as well as ripping Mammoth Mountain. Forum and Jones have produced some worthy contenders in the snowboard jacket space.
This test began in early 2023 and we’ve been testing consistently all the way through 2025. Each jacket recommended here was put through the wringer, riding in a variety of conditions. And we tested many more that didn’t make the final list. We got out for some splitboarding to test the breathability and mobility of backcountry jackets.
From 3-in-1s to insulated jackets, he looks for jackets that will hold up to sub-zero riding. Wind resistance helps break the cold on icy resort days.
There are so many great GORE-TEX shells out there, all providing excellent waterproof protection and breathable comfort. And then there’s the shells using other, and also excellent, waterproof/breathable technology. And then there’s insulated jackets.
Jeremy Jones wasn’t finished, even after coming out with a line of top-performing snowboards and a trio of films that redefined what human-powered snowboarding could be. He still had a vision for gear that delivered the high-performance protection he needed in the extreme environments cutting-edge riders thrive in, but designed for snowboarding instead of mountaineering.
Take for example the Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket, it’s made using a stretch material that still provides unbeatable 30k/30k protection but still moves with you on the board or off. Inside it’s got all the features you’d expect from top-shelf snowboard jacket. Another stretch option, but built with a more classic snowboard style, is the Dakine Sender Stretch 3L Jacket. With a generous cut there’s plenty of room to layer for the coldest resort days, with the stretch enhancing your mobility even when bundled up. But that doesn’t mean this jacket is limited to inbounds. Large interior pockets offer storage for skins on the way down and your goggles on the way up when you’re out on your splitboard, and the 20k/20k waterproof-breathable protection is more than capable of protecting you from winter weather of all kinds. Or you can get the stretch at a lower cost, and more unique styling, with the Volcom Brighton Pullover Jacket. The pullover “anorak” style foregoes a full-zip opening at the front, instead giving you a half zipper and an absolutely massive “kangaroo” pocket that makes it easy to stash anything and everything you’re trying to have with you on the hill.
Slipping into the lineup somewhere between a shell and insulated coat, the 686 GORE-TEX PRO 3L Thermagraph Jacket grafts body-mapped Polartec Alpha insulation to the inside of the shell. That means key areas in your torso and shoulders get an extra boost of warmth, enhancing comfort with or without layers while still allowing you the full performance and protection of the GORE-TEX PRO construction. And you’ll be glad to have it on too, since it’s packed with features that make your day better. From the Hoodlink that keeps the hood out of your way until you need it, to the moisture-wicking and odor-busting Merino Wool worked into the lining to help you feeling (and smelling) fine no matter what.
At first glance the Outdoor Reasearch Archangel GORE-TEX Jacket seems to take a more minimalist approach than the competition, with slimmed down styling and several “standard” snow features, like a powder skirt or tons of pockets, missing. This OR Jacket was designed in collaboration with Outdoor Research athlete Graham Zimmerman, Piolet d’Or winner and master mountaineer who brought a fast-and-light vision to this jacket that really helps it stand out from the competition. By simplifying the design OR was able to make the Archangel Jacket stronger than the competition, eliminating seams that could spring a leak or snag on rocks or trees. On the other end of the spectrum is the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX Jacket. Made using an ultralight 40 face fabric, the titular GORE-TEX, and advanced GORE C-Knit backing this jacket is seriously light, seriously breathable, and seriously waterproof. The real star of the show though is that C-Knit backing. Using an extremely thin circular knit pattern the result is an extremely low-bulk, extremely breathable construction that still provides the full durability benefits of traditional three layer construction. Ultimately making the decision about what snowboarding shell is best for you is about identifying what jackets meet your needs, and then choosing the one you like from that list.
When a Norwegian company names something after the Allfather of Old Norse Mythology, you know you’re looking at a serious piece of kit. The Helly Hansen Odin Infinity 3L Jacket is a flagship offering from the name that literally invented the waterproof jacket, so you know it’s capable of shrugging off more than a storm thanks to it’s LIFA INFINITY PRO construction. But it’s more than just superior technology, it’s also smart design. It’s tailored for mountain wear, which is to say there’s room for layering but it’s still shaped to minimize bulk for comfortable movement in winter conditions. Meanwhile the Arc’teryx Saber Jacket gives you more by giving you MORE. Like a lot of options on this list, it’s a three layer GORE-TEX shell, but it’s got something the others don’t. Inside the Saber is a brushed liner, offering a fleece like feeling that adds a touch of insulation without compromising breathability or adding excessive insulation for spring days. The result is a shell that truly feels like it was designed for winter reality, providing a welcome buffer between the wind or a cold chairlift when worn with just a baselayer, and ramping up the warmth when paired with any insulator. It doesn’t stop there though. You get the standard snow shell features including two large interior mesh pockets, chest and shoulder pockets, a helmet-compatible hood and harness-compatible pockets that are also easy to access while riding the chair. Or you could void half-measures entirely and reach for the Mountain Hardwear Cloud Bank GORE-TEX Insulated Jacket. That’s right, this is a full insulated jacket not just a shell, with stretch insulation providing warmth before you even think about putting on a midlayer. And since you’ll always be out there, the Cloud Bank is built to ensure you always have what you need. The difference is it’s a more economical 10k/10k two layer level of waterproof breathability; offering uncompromised protection from frozen precipitation and shrugging off most of the wet stuff too.