Head Ski Suit Review: Finding the Perfect Gear for Your Winter Adventure

Choosing the right ski jacket is crucial for managing the conditions you'll encounter on the mountain. This depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most. Some people prefer a shell for its versatility, while others will prefer a bit of insulation to keep the cold at bay.

Budget-seekers may appreciate the all-in-one functionality of a 3-in-1 jacket, which features a separate insulating layer that can be zipped in or out of the shell. Let's delve into some of the best ski jackets available, considering various categories and needs.

Here at GearLab, we've purchased and tested over 300 ski and hardshell jackets over the past decade, including both men's and women's options. Our team of expert reviewers has put each and every jacket through the wringer across all conditions and climates, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Our team has skied across the globe, from our humble local ski hills to the steeps of La Grave, France, and the dreamlike powder of Hokkaido, Japan. The first step in the process involves countless hours of research to make sure we start with some of the best jackets on the market, ensuring our real-world testing is performed on the right products.

We don't accept any handouts, buying all of the products ourselves so we can provide unbiased and objective reviews. Each jacket we took out was subjected to the same tests for the same length of time to ensure our scoring system was comparative. Our testers spent hours in every jacket across a variety of conditions.

Read also: Learn to Snowboard at Brian Head

For our women's jackets, we have an excellent team, including ski patroller Jackie Kearney and ski guide Kaylee Walden. Jackie has skied all over North America and has worked in ski patrol and avalanche mitigation across multiple states, including resorts in the Colorado Rockies and California's Sierra Nevada.

Kaylee Walden is an AMGA-Certified Ski Guide based in Silverton, Colorado, who spends most of her year on snow, from guiding and teaching avalanche courses in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, to skiing glaciers of the Alps, and guiding expeditions to the cold and harsh summit of Denali, she's familiar with what works and what doesn't in harsh winter environments.

Jeff Dobronyi heads up our men's team. During the wint...

All pieces in the collection coordinate key concepts including fit, material characteristics, freedom of movement, and design. All seams are sealed using tape and coated with an adhesive which reacts to heat and is completely water-tight. On Mountain Performance is key in all items.

Most Head ski wear products are lined with PrimaLoft to keep your body temperature constantly warm. Function and practical pockets and ventilation slots are a part of all designs in the collection.

Read also: Ski Mittens: A Review

Here are the highlights from the new Legacy collection by Head Ski Wear. Great fit, very technical and fashion-forward at the same time. Perfect for skiing on warmer days without a lot of layering, or on winter days with a few layers underneath. Creme color is elegant and tiny details around the neck add interest.

Legacy collection by Head Ski Wear.

It's that time of year! Time to find the perfect present for our adventurous loved ones. For that person in your life who loves all things cold weather, check out our gift guide for skiers and snowboarders. For ideas tailored to other pursuits, we also have more editor-recommended gift guides to explore. Happy gift giving!

Editor’s note: We updated this guide on October 10, 2025, to refine this list to our 12 favorite picks, which required careful consideration of our experiences with each jacket and how each performed against similar designs. We added a few jackets to the list, like Oyuki's Myoko NetPlus 3L Anorak, Rab's Khroma Converge Gore-Tex, and Outdoor Research's Carbide Jacket.

We also recognized more jackets with awards and swept the guide to ensure all other information was up to date at the time of publishing. Our Team's Ski Jacket PicksMen's Ski JacketsBest Overall Men’s Ski Jacket: Flylow Gear Malone JacketA Close Second with Better Waterproofing: Trew Gear Cosmic Jacket PrimoBest Budget Men’s Ski Jacket: REI Co-op Powderbound InsulatedBest Insulated Resort Jacket for Men: Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0Best Premium Men's Ski Jacket: Arc'teryx Sabre JacketBest Men's Backcountry Ski Jacket: Patagonia SnowDrifter JacketBest Men's 3-in-1 Ski Jacket: The North Face ThermoBall Snow TriclimateWomen’s Ski JacketsBest Overall Women’s Ski Jacket: Flylow Gear Lucy JacketA Close Second with Better Waterproofing: Trew Gear Stella Jacket PrimoBest Budget Women’s Ski Jacket: REI Co-op Powderbound InsulatedBest Insulated Resort Jacket for Women: Helly Hansen AlpheliaBest Premium Women’s Ski Jacket: Arc'teryx Sentinel JacketBest Women's Backcountry Ski Jacket: Patagonia SnowDrifter JacketBest Women's 3-in-1 Ski Jacket: The North Face ThermoBall Snow Triclimate.

Read also: Is the Norrøna ski suit worth the price?

We’ve included all three types in our lineup of the best ski jackets of the 2025/26 season below, with the men's Flylow Gear Malone and women's Flylow Gear Lucy landing in our coveted top spot.

For further guidance, see our comparison tables and buying advice below the picks, along with details about our testing process. And for a more specific look at the market, we’ve also compiled round-ups of the best men’s ski jackets and best women's ski jackets.

Top Ski Jacket Picks

Best Overall Ski Jacket

1. Men's Flylow Gear Malone & Women's Flylow Lucy ($420)

• Best for: Backcountry/resort
• Type: Shell
• Waterproofing: 3L Tactic
• What we like: Stretchy and breathable like a softshell with dependable 3-layer protection.
• What we don’t: Non-stretchy designs are the better choice for truly wet conditions.

While Flylow Gear might fly a little under the radar compared to big names like Arc’teryx and Patagonia, we’ve been highly impressed with several of their pieces over the years. Their men’s Malone and women’s Lucy jackets are staples of their line and among our favorite jackets of all time thanks to their versatility, styling, and competitive price tags.

The Malone and Lucy combine the weatherproofness of a hardshell jacket with the stretchiness of a softshell-the result is a comfortable and protective jacket that can cross over between resort and backcountry use. They have all the features we look for in a well-rounded ski jacket, including a removable powder skirt, underarm ventilation, helmet-compatible hood, and a modest amount of storage, including hand pockets, a pass pocket, and interior dump pockets.

Flylow’s styling is on point as well: The Malone and Lucy strike a nice middle ground between athletic and freeride, and come in a variety of solid and blocked color options. As with most jack-of-all-trades options, the Malone and Lucy aren’t the most fluent in either resort or backcountry use.

Our main concern is weatherproofness, which Flylow sacrifices a bit by opting for a stretchy shell. To be fair, these jackets are plenty protective for most days on the mountain, but those who get out no matter the conditions-and especially in wet climates like the PNW-might want to upgrade to a burlier shell like the Trew Gear Cosmic and Stella Primo just below.

The Malone and Lucy also aren't the lightest or most breathable jackets for dedicated backcountry use-they're a fine choice for day tours and sidecountry missions, but ski mountaineers will likely want something a bit lighter. That said, they are a great choice for skiers who want a single jacket that can do a little bit of everything.

A Close Second with Better Waterproofing

2. Men's Trew Gear Cosmic Primo & Women's Stella Primo Jacket ($599)

• Best for: Resort/backcountry
• Type: Shell
• Waterproofing: 3L PNW Primo
• What we like: Stalwart protection, built to last, and trendy freeride styling.
• What we don’t: Focus on durability and storage limits backcountry appeal; expensive.

Oregon-based Trew Gear is a brand on the rise, and their men's Cosmic and women's Stella Primo jackets were especially quick to stand out in our testing. Weather protection is an obvious selling point: Both jackets have a fortress-like feel that's reminiscent of premium Gore-Tex designs, along with a full suite of protective features that make it easy to batten down the hatches.

Impressively, Trew managed to accomplish this while maintaining a high level of comfort thanks to built-in stretch, a soft and smooth interior, and a relaxed, freeride-inspired fit. Tack on tons of functional storage (eight pockets on the men's jacket and seven on the women's), quality fabrics and components that hold up well over time, and a nice selection of sizes and fun colorways, and the Cosmic and Stella stand out as impressively capable and well-rounded options for resort use and the odd sidecountry foray.

However, Trew Gear clearly prioritized storage and durability over keeping things light, and the resulting heft and bulk aren’t ideal for frequent backcountry use. Additionally, we found both the Cosmic and Stella to be lacking in breathability for high-output tours, although the pit zips get the job done on sidecountry adventures and short bootpacks (note: The pit zips on the Stella are 4 in. shorter than those on the Cosmic).

And while largely subjective, some may not love the styling, which is flashier than what you get with the sleek Sabre/Sentinel below (we're personally big fans).

Best Budget Ski Jacket

3. Men's REI Powderbound Insulated & Women's Powderbound Insulated ($229)

• Best for: Resort
• Type: Insulated (80g & 60g polyester)
• Waterproofing: 2L Peak
• What we like: Solid resort performance at a hard-to-beat price.
• What we don’t: There are some obvious signs of cost-cutting.

We've watched REI Co-op's in-house apparel lineup grow in popularity over the years, and it's easy to see why: Their pieces often undercut the competition significantly while stacking up reasonably well in all-around performance. The Powderbound Insulated Jacket is a case in point: For a very approachable price, the Powderbound features a waterproof build with a nice dose of insulation (80g around the core and 60g in the sleeves) for keeping you comfortable throughout the winter.

All of the requisite features are there, too, including ample organization, a powder skirt, pit zips, and a long cut (33.8 in. for men and 29 in. for women), which provides solid coverage. And while some ski jackets are decidedly flashy in appearance, the Powderbound is relatively subdued and simple, making it appealing for casual wear as well.

We've found REI jackets to be hit or miss when it comes to fit, and in this case, we think the Powderbound could benefit from some improvements. Both of our testers (male and female) found the jacket to be on the larger and boxier end, and the 2-layer construction resulted in a relatively hefty and bulky feel.

Additionally, it's important to set reasonable expectations at this price point. For one, the Powderbound falls short of all-out protection: The jacket is only critically seam-sealed, and build quality and comfort are a step down from premium competitors like the Alpha above.

Best Insulated Resort Jacket

4. Men's Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 & Women's Helly Hansen Alphelia ($485)

• Best for: Resort
• Type: Insulated (men's: 80 & 60g PrimaLoft Black Eco; women's: 100g PrimaLoft Black)
• Waterproofing: 2L Helly Tech Professional
• What we like: Excellent comfort, dependable protection, and a balanced level of warmth for season-long use.
• What we don't: Some may prefer a longer cut for added coverage; on the heavier end, even among insulated designs.

For resort skiers who run cold or simply want to streamline the buying process, an insulated ski jacket could be just the ticket. Helly Hansen's Alpha 4.0 and women's-specific Alphelia have been longtime favorites of ours, combining a moderate dose of insulation in the body and sleeves (note: The men's jacket uses a mix of 80g and 60g, while the women's is 100g) with the brand's proven waterproofing for reliable protection in inclement weather. The net result is a dependable shell that will take the sting out of chilly chairlift rides without overwhelming you on the way down.

Unlike some insulated designs, the Alpha and Alphelia are also highly comfortable and easy to move in thanks to the addition of stretch in the fabric. Added up, it's a high-quality, thoughtfully built design that's well-tuned for frequent resort use-especially in the depths of winter.

Keep in mind that insulated designs are inherently less versatile than uninsulated jackets. Many people like the ability to tweak their layering system depending on the conditions, which you can't do with the Alpha or Alphelia. We also encountered a couple of fit and finish complaints during testing: The men's Alpha wasn't long enough to fully cover our tester's backside on the chairlift, and the hood wasn't easy to adjust when wearing gloves, offering slightly less coverage than we prefer.

Finally, the Alpha and Alphelia are relatively heavy, even when compared to exclusively insulated designs (although our tester didn't notice it much on the slopes). However, while you can certainly opt for a lighter-and cheaper-insulated jacket, we think Helly Hansen has nailed the core details better than most of its competitors.

Best Premium Ski Jacket

5. Men's Arc'teryx Sabre & Women's Arc'teryx Sentinel ($750)

• Best for: Resort/backcountry
• Type: Shell (flannel backer)
• Waterproofing: 3L Gore-Tex ePE
• What we like: Everything we look for in a quality all-rounder.
• What we don’t: Committed backcountry riders will likely want a lighter, more packable, and more breathable jacket.

Over the years, we've come to rely on Arc'teryx gear for trusted performance in harsh weather, clean-looking designs that hold up well over the long term, and keen attention to detail. The men's Sabre and women's Sentinel ski jackets check all of these boxes emphatically. As far as protection goes, the 3-layer Gore-Tex membrane is highly reliable in rough and rowdy weather, and Arc'teryx included a full suite of weather-ready features, including a helmet-compatible StormHood (our favorite design on the market), an integrated powder skirt, and a fairly long-but not restrictive-cut that offers great coverage.

You also get ample storage for stashing a day's worth of essentials, a light flannel backer for great next-to-skin comfort and a touch of warmth, and pit zips for dumping excess heat. Taken together, it's the full package for committed resort riders and those who like to occasionally earn their turns.

However, the Arc'teryx Sabre and Sentinel wouldn't be our top choice for fast-and-light missions into the backcountry. Neither jacket is particularly light or compressible for stashing in a ski pack, and the flannel liner detracts a bit from overall breathability. In our experience, the jackets are a great match for the 80/20 crowd who spend most of their time inbounds but like to venture outside the ropes every now and again.

The steep price tag may be hard for some to swallow, as well. But as the saying goes: You get what you pay for, and in this case, it's top-notch performance, build quality, and protection-all in a great-looking and truly premium package.

Best Backcountry Ski Jacket

6. Men's Patagonia SnowDrifter & Women's Patagonia SnowDrifter ($449)

• Best for: Backcountry/resort
• Type: Shell
• Waterproofing: 3L H2No Performance Standard
• What we like: Stretchy, breathable, lightweight, and built with an eye toward sustainability.
• What we don’t: Lacks the impervious feel of similarly equipped Gore-Tex jackets; storage layout could be improved.

Backcountry skiers have a different set of requirements compared to resort riders. Since they spend a lot of their time exerting on the uphill, they often prioritize breathability over all-out protection and try to keep weight and bulk to an absolute minimum. With that in mind, Patagonia’s SnowDrifter was a shoo-in for our favorite backcountry design this year. Boasting a stretchy, waterproof construction and a soft knit backer, the SnowDrifter is impressively easy to move in and well-ventilated for long slogs into the backcountry.

We also came away pleased by the feature set, which includes a well-designed hood, six total pockets, an adjustable powder skirt, and two-way pit zips. It's all wrapped up in a competitively lightweight and compressible package that's easy to stash in a ski backpack when not in use. A final feather in the SnowDrifter's cap is its strong sustainability slant, including the use of recycled materials and certification to the Fair Trade standard.

However, there are some notable downsides to opting for such a stretchy and breathable design. Due to the added air permeability in the fabrics, the SnowDrifter isn't a particularly impervious layer. While still reliable and protective, the 50-denier (D) shell fabric lacks the bombproof feel you get with thicker alternatives like the Sentinel above. There's also no logical spot to stash climbing skins or an AIARE field book, which we consider a questionable omission given the jacket's backcountry focus.

And while not a dealbreaker by any means, we found the hood and hem toggles difficult to manipulate with cold or gloved hands.

Best 3-in-1 Ski Jacket

7. Men's TNF Thermoball Triclimate & Women's TNF Thermoball ($400)

• Best for: Resort
• Type: 3-in-1
• Waterproofing: 2L DryVent
• What we like: Strong value and inbounds versatility.
• What we don’t: 3-in-1 designs are cumbersome and drafty.

3-in-1 ski jackets are a nice choice for those getting into the sport: Not only do you get a cozy insulated ski jacket, but, when you unzip it into ...

Jacket Type	Best For	Key Features	Pros	Cons
Flylow Gear Malone & Lucy	Backcountry/Resort	Stretchy, breathable, 3L Tactic	Versatile, stylish, competitive price	Less waterproof than non-stretchy options
Trew Gear Cosmic Primo & Stella Primo	Resort/Backcountry	3L PNW Primo, durable, trendy	Stalwart protection, built to last	Heavy, bulky, expensive
REI Powderbound Insulated	Resort	Insulated, 2L Peak, affordable	Solid resort performance, great price	Cost-cutting signs, bulky feel
Helly Hansen Alpha 4.0 & Alphelia	Resort	Insulated, 2L Helly Tech Professional	Excellent comfort, dependable protection	Heavier, may prefer longer cut
Arc'teryx Sabre & Sentinel	Resort/Backcountry	Shell, 3L Gore-Tex ePE	Quality, all-rounder	Lighter options available
Patagonia SnowDrifter	Backcountry/Resort	Shell, 3L H2No, stretchy	Breathable, lightweight, sustainable	Less impervious, storage issues
The North Face ThermoBall Triclimate	Resort	3-in-1, 2L DryVent	Value, inbounds versatility	Cumbersome, drafty

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