The 10 Best Ski Jackets for Hitting the Slopes in Style
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The frost is coming. While the approach of the colder months might signal terror for some, it’s a very exciting time for us winter sports enthusiasts. It’s the time when we get our ducks in a row, make plans for our trips to the mountains, and a purchase ski apparel for days spent playing in the powder.
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It’s also the time of year when I look at all the gear I’ve accumulated and take stock in which pieces get to survive another season, along with which need to be replaced. Having been a skier my entire life, I have amassed a lot of ski jackets—and opinions about ski jackets. I’ve had every type you can imagine: racing jackets, backcountry jackets, lightweight shells designed for layering, heavy-duty down parkas, and everything in between.
Finding the right one can feel like a journey. Believe me, I know. Even if you’re narrowing your search to certain materials or shapes, there’s also the unexpected variables of how it fits your body and how you intend to use it. And if you ski in a place like New England or the Pacific Northwest, where conditions can change in a heartbeat, you’ll soon discover that sometimes even the best toppers can be ill-suited for the occasion.
This is why we’ve combed the marketplace for the best of the best ski jackets for pretty much every scenario—all of them ready for you to battle the frost.
What to Consider Before Buying the Best Ski Jacket:
Conditions, intended use, body type: The variables involved can be mind-boggling. But if you’re looking to buy a new ski jacket this season, here’s where to start.
Style: The first question to answer when shopping for a ski jacket: How do I intend on using this? Are you more of a lodge bunny who heads up the mountain for the occasional run? Do you plan on pounding the groomers all day long? Or are you more of an off-piste thrill seeker? Puffers and more voluminous styles are more suited for those who don’t plan on working up much of a sweat on the slopes. And shell jackets that can be easily layered are more for those who plan on generating their own heat.
Exterior Shell: The most important part of a ski jacket isn’t the insulation—it’s the exterior material that shields you from the elements. When looking for a ski jacket, be sure to check a jacket’s breathability. The less breathable ones might be more suited for the coldest conditions, and the more breathable ones will be more suited for high-intensity activities like backcountry touring. Either way, you’ll also want to make sure the exterior shell has at least some degree of water repellency to keep snow and moisture at bay.
Insulation: Insulation is where people tend to go overboard when it comes to ski jackets. Remember that skiing is an aerobic activity and your body is likely to generate a lot of its own heat, so it isn’t always necessary to pile on the expedition-grade materials. You’ll want just enough to keep yourself warm, but not too much that it gets uncomfortable while you’re actually skiing. Synthetic insulations probably work best here, as they withstand moisture much better than down.
Best Overall Ski Jacket
Arc’teryx Macai Ski Jacket
This sleek Arc’teryx style makes the most of the outerwear world’s most powerful materials: Gore-Tex for breathable protection from the elements and natural down for unparalleled warmth. This is not only a perfect ski jacket for long days in-bounds at the resort but also for wearing on your commute to work back home, without looking like you just came from the lift lines.
Exterior Shell: Gore-Tex.
Insulation: Down.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 4.
Warmest Ski Jacket
Fusalp Abelban Quilted Colorblock Hooded Ski Jacket
Leave it to this Alps-born company to create something sleek, stylish, and fantastically insulating. It’s filled with Dupont Sorona, a sustainable and lightweight bio-polyester with a fantastic weight-to-warmth ratio much greater than a jacket this sleek has any business having. There are also so many other details that make this jacket a winner beyond just heat-retention, including an integrated hood, quilted lining, magnet zippers, an integrated snow skirt, and storm cuffs to keep the elements out of your sleeves.
Exterior Shell: Polyester and polyurethane.
Insulation: Dupont Sorona down.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 1.
Best Anorak-Style Ski Jacket
Outdoor Research Snowcrew Ski Jacket
For a slightly more modern silhouette, consider a pullover anorak style. Many skiers swear that they’re warmer and more wind-resistant. This one from Outdoor Research uses recycled materials and waterproof technology for a degree of insulation that’s perfect for cold weather skiing.
Exterior Shell: Bluesign-approved polyester.
Insulation: VerticalX Eco polyester.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 3.
Best Puffer-Style Ski Jacket
Moncler Grenoble Lagorai Quilted Shell Hooded Down Ski Jacket
Sometimes, a puffer is simply the best choice—especially if you’re a lodge bunny or you plan on sticking to the beginners slopes. Few brands make puffers feel as luxe as Moncler Grenoble, this one made with a waterproof shell and filled with piles and piles of luxe natural down. It’s giving Megève. It’s giving Courchevel. It’s giving St. Moritz.
Exterior Shell: Polyamide and elastane.
Insulation: Down.
Waterproof: No.
Colors Available: 3.
Best High-Fashion Ski Jacket
Aztech Mountain Super Nuke Paneled Hooded Down Ski Jacket
What you may not know about Mugler’s creative director Casey Cadwallader is that he actually grew up in the frigid winters of New Hampshire, and as such, has an appreciation for beautiful ski jackets. Which is probably why he also consults on luxe ski brand Aztech. This signature Super Nuke style is made with traceable down for ultimate warmth and features a signature welded silhouette that feels discreet but is immediately recognizable to in-the-know skiers.
Exterior Shell: 2-layer, 2-way stretch fabric.
Insulation: Traceable down.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 1.
Most Breathable Ski Jacket
Head Sportswear Kore Ski Jacket
The right ski jacket needs to toe the line of keeping your body warm and also releasing excess moisture that’ll prevent you from overheating. Head’s Kore jacket does this so beautifully. It’s designed with a slightly relaxed shape, and a unique IAM 2020 membrane that repels water and promotes breathability. But with the right layers underneath, you’ll still feel nice and toasty.
Exterior Shell: Polyamide and elastane.
Insulation: None.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 3.
Best Luxury Ski Jacket
Sease Cashmere Balma Ski Jacket
Leave it to the Italians to take something like a ski jacket and turn it into an over-the-top luxurious collectors item. This style from Sease is made from a truly decadent cashmere shell that is treated with an innovative hydrophilic membrane and taped seams to make the garment water-resistant, windproof, and breathable. If you’re looking for a statement ski jacket to wear to next winter’s Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games, this is the one.
Exterior Shell: Cashmere.
Insulation: Polyester.
Waterproof: Water-resistant.
Colors Available: 1.
Best Down Ski Jacket
Mountain Hardware First Tracks Down Ski Jacket
Natural down is irrefutably the best insulation on earth. This toasty Mountain Hardware jacket, for one, is designed for long days on the chilliest chairlifts. Not only does it feature a windproof shell that’ll keep the interior warm, it also has 650-fill down. This means it moves easier than bulky 800-fill jackets and offers more insulation than lighter-fill jackets, too.
Exterior Shell: 2-layer windproof shell.
Insulation: 650-fill RDS-certified down.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 3.
Best Ski Touring Jacket
Black Crows Freebird Xpore Ski Jacket
Ski touring jackets need to withstand a beating. They need to crumple up in your pack during high-intensity ascents, look good and wrinkle-free in a jiffy, and need to withstand some of the toughest alpine conditions. This Black Crows jacket does it all. Yes, it may have a simple design, but it’s Xpore fabric offers lightness, comfort, durability, and plenty of protection from the elements. It’s the high-performing jacket that doesn’t look like it’s trying too hard.
Exterior Shell: Recycled and PFC-free 3L Xpore mechanical stretch.
Insulation: None.
Waterproof: Yes.
Colors Available: 5.
Best Heritage Ski Jacket
Alps & Meters High West Jacket
Alps & Meters’s heritage-inspired alpine apparel comes updated with the best of modern-day materials. This gorgeous High West jacket is the kind of thing you’d expect to see on Robert Redford as he makes his turns at Sundance Resort. It’s not as waterproof as more technical fabrics, but this water-repellant corduroy will more than get the job done on those idyllic bluebird days.
Exterior Shell: Water-repellant corduroy.
Insulation: 800-fill down.
Waterproof: Water-resistant.
Colors Available: 2.
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