Arc'teryx Keibo

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Great fit—good range of motion without billowing.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Very durable outer fabric.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  High weight-to-warmth ratio.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  High collar, long hem, simple exterior means very weatherproof.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible hood.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Front zipper sometimes snags (may be fixed).
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Expensive.

THE VERDICT
Bottom line: If you can afford it, buy it. The Keibo is an exceptionally well-fitting, meticulously tailored, and uncommonly well-designed ski jacket built from top-shelf materials. It’s also extremely expensive. Few people will need the performance this jacket offers on piste, but those who can afford it will not be disappointed.

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Outdoor Research Igneo

The Outdoor Research Igneo is a relaxed-fitting ski shell, lightly insulated with synthetic fill

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Good wet-weather rig.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lots of pockets for stashing gear for sidecountry missions.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Removable powder skirt.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Very good price.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Too little insulation.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  A little baggy.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Crinkly shell.

THE VERDICT
The Igneo has such a slight amount of insulation that it is sort of a tweener—not quite a shell, not quite an insulated jacket. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it might be hard to justify a spot in the closet for it. It has some great features like Recco and pockets right where you want them, excellent waterproofness and breathability, etc. without a big price tag. The fit is on the baggy side, even for a freeride rig.

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Eider Tamos

The Eider Tamos is a moderately insulated, ski specific parka system consisting of a shell paired with synthetic insulation

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Great fit.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Removable powder skirt/hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Fabric a bit stretchy.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Very weatherproof.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lightweight.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Hood not helmet compatible.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  A bit expensive.

THE VERDICT
Eider hangs its hat on tailoring, and the very toasty Tamos jacket certainly fits and performs very well. It’s certainly full-featured—hosting a virtual library of ski resort jacket bells and whistles. Even with the full slate of features and close attention to detail, though, it is definitely a bit expensive compared with other jackets offering similar performance.

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Scott Ralston

Scott’s Ralston is a moderately insulted, ski specific Gore-Tex shell

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Good weatherproofing.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Powder skirt.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible/removable hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Great materials.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Well built.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Pocket zippers catch the wind.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Pit zips a little small.

THE VERDICT
The Ralston is a solid, all-around performer. It has all the features skiers will likely look for in a ski jacket, and is generally well designed (quality materials and construction), but not in a way that makes this jacket stand out from the many others out there like it. The price seems slightly on the higher end, but is still reasonable given the cost of even basic Gore-Tex.

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White Sierra High Camp 3-in-1

White Sierra’s High Camp 3-in-1 is a combination parka system consisting of a shell paired with a synthetic-fill insulated jacket

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Good weatherproofing.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Powder skirt.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible/removable hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Great materials.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Well built.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Heavy.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  A little baggy.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Fabric has low breathability.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  No pit zips or powder skirt.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Seams not taped (not waterproof).

THE VERDICT
With a zip-out liner that can also be worn alone, the High Camp 3-in-1 is a versatile, acceptably functional jacket at a very reasonable price. While the jacket provides adequate warmth and weatherproofing, it is relatively heavy and less breathable than others in the test. It also lacks many of the resort-specific amenities of others in the test. At the cheapest price of any jacket we tested, you get what you pay for.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Helly Hansen Enigma

The Helly Hansen Enigma is a full-featured snowsports jacket with a stretchy shell and synthetic (Primaloft) and down insulation system

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Stretchy material for dynamic riding and a good fit.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Full-featured for snowsports.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Venting system superior to pit zips.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  RECCO system.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible hood.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  A bit heavy.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Very expensive.

THE VERDICT
Helly Hansen’s Enigma is an excellent and well-designed jacket—versatile, nicely fitting, and built with top-shelf materials, like stretchy waterproof fabric, Primaloft, and down insulation. It has a superior ventilation system than most super-warm ski jackets, making it a more versatile choice for spring-like or frigid conditions. Bummer: it’s heavier than most similar jackets (3.5 pounds) and very expensive.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Gear Institute's 2012 Ski Jacket Reviews: Mountainforce Park Down Jacket

A full-featured snowsports jacket with a stretchy shell and insulated with 800-fill down

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Very stretchy shell keeps down insulation from speed compression.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Great fit.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  High warmth-to-weight ratio.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Welded baffles make the jacket totally waterproof.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Powder skirt and wrist gaiters seal out snow.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Extremely expensive.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Hood is a touch small for some helmets.

THE VERDICT
If you don’t mind paying for a double-dose of luxury with your top-level performance, the Mountainforce Park Down delivers. It was the best performing jacket we tested, but it’s triple the cost of average jackets. The stretchy fabric is exquisite—as elastic as a rubber band. It keeps the down from being compressed and allows for a snug fit, yet never feels constrictive. It’s the best fitting ski jacket I’ve worn, and the 800-fill down keeps it light.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Gear Institute's 2012 Ski Jacket Reviews: Flylow Iceman

The Flylow Iceman is a 700-fill down insulated jacket encased in a hard shell for the coldest conditions

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Fully waterproof.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Huge pit zips if things get warm.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Long hemline and freeride fit.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Light weight.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Few resort-specific bells and whistles.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  A little billowy even for a freeride cut.

THE VERDICT
The Flylow Iceman is totally waterproof, making it very versatile, and is very light for the impressive warmth and weather protection it offers. It’s so warm you can leave a few layers behind, and if things get overheated on a slackcountry hike, the huge pit zips help dump heat in a hurry. It’s durably built and eschews bells and whistles in the name of simplicity and weight savings.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Gear Institute's 2012 Ski Jacket Reviews: Spyder Rocket Down Jacket

The Spyder Rocket Down Jacket is a 700-fill down insulated ski jacket for the coldest conditions

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Stretchy face fabric reduces insulation compression at speed.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Welded baffle seams ensure waterproofness.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  High weight to warmth ratio.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lots of pockets, bells, whistles.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Wrist gaiters and powder skirt seal out snowdrift.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Pit zips too small for effective venting.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Zippers a bit small for easy operation.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Kind of bulky.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Hood not helmet-compatible, but zips off.

THE VERDICT
The Spyder Rocket is a very good, cold-weather ski jacket—ready for serious and sloppy storms, and high-speed skiing. The stretchy fabric improves fit and resists compression (i.e. stays warmer at speed), and the full waterproofing makes it versatile enough for a range of conditions, though the fabric does make it heavier and bulkier than others here.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Patagonia Rubicon Down Jacket

The Patagonia Rubicon Down is a 700-fill down insulated jacket outfitted with ski-specific features for the coldest conditions

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Freeride fit is roomy without being bulky.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lots of pockets.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Helmet compatible hood.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Long hem and snug, warm collar.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lightweight.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Less weatherproof.

THE VERDICT
Patagonia applies their excellent ski-jacket approach to a super-warm, overstuffed down jacket. It’s got a roomy freeride cut for great freedom of movement, but doesn’t feel bulky thanks to smart tailoring, and comes with plenty of bells and whistles—like removable powder skirt and lots of pockets for goggles and shades and backcountry gear. Its not seam-taped, so wouldn’t be appropriate for very wet conditions.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

Dakine Drift Down Jacket

The Dakine Drift Down Jacket is a 550-fill down insulated jacket outfitted with snowsports-specific features for the coldest conditions

THE GOOD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Good price.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Powder skirt, wrist gaiters seal out snow.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Long hem length.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Lightweight.

THE BAD
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Less weatherproof.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Hood not helmet compatible, but zips off.
ÌýÌý  •ÌýÌý  Kind of bulky.

THE VERDICT
Dakine’s Drift Down is a super warm jacket whose 550-fill down insulation helps keep the price a little lower. Tricked out with snowsports features with a relaxed fit for dynamic riding—though it’s a bit too relaxed around the waist, making it a bit bulky.

Read the at , a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing the most professional, objective, and helpful advice you can get about the gear you depend on.

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