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. Snowboard jackets from Burton and more were mountain-tested for this guide.
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.
When testing snowboard jackets this season, our team was seeking the perfect combination of price, features, functionality, and durability. The good news: All of us pitched in our thoughts and opinions to bring this guide to life.
Each jacket recommended here was put through the wringer, riding in a variety of conditions. 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.
Read also: Stretch Slim Jacket Performance
A snowboarder wearing a Burton jacket on a snowy mountain.
Top Burton Gore-Tex Snowboard Jackets
Burton’s [ak] line is and has been the best line from arguably snowboarding’s most iconic brand. 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.
Burton [ak] Swash Jacket
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. The Swash is insulated, but just enough (60 grams of PrimaLoft Silver) for versatile wear. The jacket also features 2-layer Gore-Tex waterproofing with excellent durability (75 Denier face fabric).
On the mountain, the Burton [ak] Swash is an ideal insulated resort jacket. Sure, it’s feature-laden, but does it perform? Unequivocally. We’ve now had this jacket out in a range of conditions-from falling wet snow to shimmering bluebirds-and it has impressed us on every lap. The tough 2L GTX readily sheds moisture, and the Goldilocks insulation kept us warm from temps hovering just above zero degrees Fahrenheit up to 35 and sunny (with the pit zips open).
In a category that often feels like you have to sacrifice one feature for another, the Swash provides everything we want. It boasts four zippered exterior pockets on the torso (two hand and two chest) plus a pass pocket on the arm. Inside, there are two huge stretchy drop pockets for goggles, gloves, etc, plus an insulated zippered pocket that’s ideal for a phone.
Read also: From Garage to Global: Burton's Story
The insulation is centered around the core, and it’s ideal for just about everything except for warmer backcountry tours. The Burton [ak] Swash is easy to recommend-functional, warm, and stylish.
Burton Cyclic Gore-Tex 2L Jacket
Burton (ak) Cyclic GORE-TEX 2L Shell Snowboard Jacket (Men's) | Product Review W25/26
One of the brands that really resonates with me and sticks with the brand and quality expectations is Burton. By only saying that, you know that this jacket is already in good hands. Today I’ll be reviewing my new daily driver all-temp jacket: the Burton Cycle Gore-Tex 2L jacket.
This is the truest colour of Blue of what the jacket is. When it comes to the look and style, this look definitely gets a 10/10 for me. Well, at least for me, I like just solid, bright colours. No patterns, tie-dyes, etc. But then again to each their own. That said, let me give you more actionable insights.
First thing I noticed is definitely a lot of arm space, both it’s long enough and thickness-wise, I feel like I have enough space to wear fleece + midlayer if I had to. At the same time though, it’s not like this jacket is oversized at all. Look-wise, it looks proper fit and right size for me. At the same time, maybe it’s because I’m transitioning from insulated jackets to shells. The space that was used for insulation is gone. There’s lots of torso space as well.
I’m very comfortable sitting down in the chairlift. I don’t feel any tightness or constrictions. For guys with tummies, good news! This jacket is tummy-friendly! Well, depends on what gut you’re working with LOL I’m average build but a small bump can occur in a good festive weekend LOL. The jacket is longer than regular winter jackets.
Read also: Choosing the Right Snowboard
“It. has. pockets” lol. If you know the women’s dresses meme I’m referring to lol. I’m happy and impressed with their pockets compared to the other two I had before. First and foremost, it’s roomy and spacious. I use the chest pocket a lot so that’s the most important one for me.
There’s definitely lots of space in your side pockets. The opening is also diagonal so you can comfortably put in your hands and rest it there on cold days. I’ve comfortably stashed my insta360 x3 in there and ride. It wasn’t tight or poking on my body at all and I almost forgot it was there. There is no fleece lining inside so if you’re expecting hand warmers, it doesn’t have it.
I like jackets with shoulder locations for pass pockets. The space is definitely way more than a card. I would’ve been ok with a pocket as big as a credit card.
There are backcountry snowboard jackets and then there’s the Burton [ak] Hover GORE-TEX 3L Jacket. If you’re looking a great quality shell jacket, you can’t go wrong with Burton’s [ak] Cyclic jacket Gore-Tex 2L (or any of the [ak] lineup really).
Burton [ak] Hover GORE-TEX 3L Jacket
This is some next-level tech here, blended with cred (shred) like only Burton can deliver and all the features that only come after long days in the mountains. The pockets are deep and there are a bunch; the shell is bombproof but light; the hood is huge and you got RECCO.
Burton’s [ak] Hover GORE-TEX 3L Stretch is a closet killer, a jacket to take the place of nearly all of your jackets. If you need one jacket for touring, resort hot laps, and even looking A-1 during the après the Burton [ak] Hover Stretch GORE-TEX 3L Jacket is that perfect protection whether we’re talking 5 days or a hundred.
GORE’s 3-layer is about the best breathable weatherproof membrane in the world. Here we got that 30D weave over the C-Knit Stretch so it feels like the jacket actually moves with you, not around you. Just in case it’s too bomber hot, there are heat-dumping pit zips, though.
Then there are two huge chest pockets, two hand warmer waist pockets, an internal phone pocket, and a pass pocket on the shoulder. There are stretch gaiters for the waist and wrist gaiters (ninja hands). And the hood fits over my big bulbous behelmeted head.
Burton [ak] 3L GORE-TEX Stretch Hover Jacket: A Closet Killer.
Burton Reserve Insulated Stretch Slim Jacket
“That’s got to be the coolest kit I’ve ever seen - the colors of that snowboard jacket seriously pop,” my good friend said. The brand new Burton Women’s Reserve 2L Insulated Stretch Slim snowboard jacket blends cloud-camo with cubist Picasso artistry in its Floral Blur color scheme, a head-turning print paired with weather-blocking chops.
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.
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. Situated in the brand’s baseline collection, the two-layer Reserve Slim offers solid weather protection in a quality package.
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. 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.
Despite the contoured silhouette and the installation, the jacket never felt marshmallowy or tight. There’s insulation in the hood, too. 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.
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.
Each arm has lengthy wrist gaiters that are moderately dense. Each one has a roomy thumbhole that reaches my middle knuckles.
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.
Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket
The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket is reasonable for 3 Layer Gore-Tex but is still pretty expensive. It’s a great call for those who see lots of wet weather.
The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket is a little on the baggy side of normal but that is good for adding several layers under this shell. The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket is very waterproof and only a shade behind Gore-Tex Pro. I have found that 3L does last a little longer than 2L Gore-Tex. This is the kind of jacket you can rain ride in.
Excellent helmet compatibility. The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket has a nice wide cuff so any glove can fit under it without having to fiddle with it. You can tighten the cuff pretty tight too if not wearing gloves when you aren’t snowboarding with it.
The Burton Gore-Tex 3L Treeline Jacket has 3 main pockets. 1 average sized chest pocket and 2 Large hand warmer pockets. Then there is a little open mesh pocket in the chest pocket and 2 Goggle/skin pockets inside. They are better for goggles but skins do work. Detachable so I personally like that.
So this is a hard jacket to recommend but an easy one to recommend if you do see wet weather.
Burton 2L Gore-Tex Highland Jacket
The Burton 2L Gore-Tex Highland Jacket is the Twin Peaks Grill Jacket from 2012 with a new name. It is an affordable insulated Gore-Tex Jacket for those that don’t like too much layering and want their jacket to take care of some of the warmth. The Grill isn’t insulated like a puffy but it has light to borderline medium insulation throughout the entire jacket.
Fit: Feels a little on the tight side for a large and there isn’t much room for me for layering. Construction: The construction is solid and there are plenty of pockets for just about anything you need. The Gore-Tex Highland Jacket doesn’t have the ultra waterproof zippers that the AK line has but they do conceal most of the pockets with waterproof material. The material feels sturdy and this jacket feels like it could last for a very long time.
Hood: Some like articulating hoods and some prefer continuous hoods. This has an articulating hood. The good is the hood tucks neatly back when it’s not on and the collar looks better. The bad is when it’s up parts of your cheeks below the goggles aren’t covered and you have to rely on a bandanna or balaclava to keep your whole face completely protected. Some don’t care at all about this and some do. If you think you do go with a jacket that has a contoured hood.
Waterproofing: If you ride in areas that get wet snow this should block out just about anything coming at you and it can even deal with some rainy days.
Breathability: The insulation does make it feel like there is less breath-ability. Burton wasn’t too clear on how breathable it is but we do know that the Gore-Tex insert is at or above 20K for waterproofing.
Key features of a Burton Gore-Tex snowboard jacket.