The 11 Best Ski Jackets for Men of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Investing in a ski jacket is no small feat (nor a small price tag), so we take testing ski gear seriously at Travel + Leisure. We pride ourselves on using expert powder hound testers and editors to vet gear, but this season, we leveled up our testing by enlisting the help of professional alpine ski racing coaches to test out men’s ski jackets. With a keen eye for the most minute features, they vetted each jacket based on what they would look for as skiers who are up on the hill as much as 100 days a season. 

Keep reading to learn more about our jacket-testing coaches and see which outerwear they liked most. And trust us when we say, these are some particular skiers, so they provided us with in-depth notes on each jacket’s durability, design, and fit. 

Meet the Coaches

Our testers come from Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation (better known as MBSEF), based in Bend, Oregon, with Olympic skiers like Tommy Ford and Laurenne Ross hailing from the club team. They are all lifelong skiers with decades of additional experience skiing professionally and more than 125 years of collective coaching experience. These alpine experts tried ski jackets from trusted brands like Helly Hansen, Arc’teryx, Stio, and more in their daily lives as coaches in the Pacific Northwest. 

• Our Testing Process

  Each season, we test the latest and greatest ski gear from sought-after brands like Helly Hansen, Mammut, and Arc’teryx. This year, we enlisted the help of professional ski racing coaches to help us test varying styles of men’s ski jackets.

  These expert skiers (all of whom have a lifetime of experience) paid close attention to traits you want in a high-quality ski jacket like a performance fit, flexible fabric, waterproof exteriors, and handy features that impressed the coaches. Their top jackets were outfitted with a variety of technical features for any skier. The best jackets featured watertight pockets, helmet-compatible hoods, adjustable sleeves and hems, Recco reflectors, and powder skirts. On top of that, the best jackets they tried were exceptionally comfortable to wear during full-day excursions and had a functional fit for range of motion, whether downhill or cross-country skiing.

Video: Testing in Action

Finding the perfect ski jacket might be impossible, but this Black Diamond shell comes close. Made with three layers, including the brand’s BD.Dry waterproof technology and four-way stretch fabric, this shell is flexible and lightweight, while still feeling thick and sturdy. Whether coach Mark Stapleton was downhill or cross-country skiing, he had a full range of motion thanks to the stretchiness and superb fit. It was easy to layer extra pieces underneath on cold days, but for Nordic skiing, the jacket was perfectly comfortable and breathable with a single layer. 

And when it was snowing, sleeting, or raining, the jacket kept Stapleton completely dry and warm in the inclement weather thanks to the waterproof fabric and PU-coated zippers. Stapleton also favored the functional features, especially the removable powder skirt. The jacket includes all the other bells and whistles we look for, including arm vents, a helmet-compatible hood, and various pockets. Stapleton’s only note to make the jacket even better would be to move the left arm pass pocket closer to the wrist, rather than on the bicep. 

The Details: S-XL | BD.Dry nylon and elastane | Waterproof | Regular fit

Whether skiing in Stowe, Aspen, or Park City, this shell from Helly Hansen is the best option. Upon first inspection, coach Ben McLeod noted that it “feels heavier than the standard shell” but in a sturdy way. Hands down, the best feature of this jacket is the Life Pocket, which is designed to keep phones at a full battery throughout the day—a feature any skier will appreciate since an empty battery at the end of a ski day is a common pet peeve. The pocket also has a phone leash to prevent phones from going overboard while riding the chair lift. 

While skiing, the jacket offered plenty of protection and warmth against freezing temperatures. With fully sealed seams, three layers of synthetic fabric with two-way stretch, a fleece chin lining, and a helmet-compatible hood, this sturdy jacket is built for all kinds of harsh conditions. McLeod also noted that he could easily reach for the armpit vents while skiing if he was starting to overheat. The slightly oversized fit makes it easy to layer up under the shell without compromising the fit and flexibility of the jacket. One thing to note is that the jacket is on the heavier side, so it’s not the best for backcountry or touring. McLeod also wondered if the Life Pocket could interfere with a beacon, which is something to consider.

The Details: S-2XL | Polyamide, elastane, and polyester | Waterproof | Regular fit

Whether you need shielding from the wind, snow, rain, or the oil dripping off the chairlift, this is the jacket for you. McLeod wore the jacket in both wet conditions and in the late spring skiing when the sun was out in full blast. It proved to be perfectly lightweight and breathable when he wore just a shirt underneath in the warmer temperatures, but when the wind picked up, the shell served as a protecting layer. When paired with the right layers underneath, it provides an effective barrier to damp and windy storms. To protect against the elements, several key design features were effective in particularly nasty weather: sealed seams, a windproof guard on the interior, a helmet-compatible hood with three points of adjustment, and a microfleece-lined hood and chin guard. 

We found the jacket runs true to size, has a regular fit, and offers superb mobility (shoutout to the four-way stretch fabric) for resort to backcountry skiing. To add to its versatility, it features backcountry-friendly design elements, including chest pockets and seamfree shoulders, which won’t interfere with an avalanche pack. McLeod, who has tried many jackets throughout his lifelong ski career, praised it for being both stylish and functional. 

The Details: S-2XL | 3L 4-way stretch Recon Elite fabric | Waterproof | Regular fit

Specifically designed for adventurous skiers, the Mythogen Jacket is an excellent choice for those who need a jacket to keep up with them on the slopes. During testing, the jacket stood out for its remarkably breathable Gore-tex ePE fabric that prevented McLeod from overheating while spring skiing around Mt. Bachelor’s impressive 4,300-plus acres of runs. McLeod wore the jacket in sleeting snow and rain as well, and the three-layer Gore-tex Pro ePE kept him dry and protected from the wind. While the material feels durably constructed and extremely lightweight, it is stiffer and crunchier than other jackets McLeod has tried. Still, it’s far from a deal-breaker, considering the plethora of useful features this jacket boasts. We liked the variety of water-resistant pockets for snacks, keys, a ski pass, and more, and especially the insulated phone pocket on the interior of the jacket. We expect this jacket to last through many seasons of rigorous use, making it worth the investment. 

The Details: S-2XL | 3L Gore-tex Pro ePE 80D 3L plainweave | Waterproof | Relaxed fit

We previously tested and loved the waterproofing of Flylow’s Quantum Pro Jacket, but the brand’s 2025/2026 Lab Gore-tex 3L Coat takes hold of the title of the best waterproof jacket we’ve tried this season. The three-layer Gore-tex fabric shell kept us dry in incredibly soggy conditions that would send most skiers home soaked and cold. We ran countless groomers at high speeds, and no water or wind permeated through the fabric or the zippers, which was a huge feat in our book. In terms of design, we appreciated all of the useful jackets for our on-slope accessories like keys, phones, and ski passes. The helmet-compatible hood encased our head entirely, which was much appreciated during stormy weather. The jacket runs true to size, with a regular fit and enough room to layer accordingly in colder conditions. Our only note is that the Gore-tex fabric—while exceptionally lightweight, durable, and waterproof—doesn’t offer any warmth, so it’s essential to layer up in cold weather. 

The Details: S-2XL | 100 percent recycled polyester 3L Gore-tex | Waterproof | Regular fit

Referring to this jacket as a “minimalist’s dream,” McLeod thinks this jacket is the type of ski jacket worth every penny. While the jacket has a fairly basic design, it’s actually a strength for those looking for an uber-versatile jacket for all types of skiing. For backcountry skiing specifically, it’s extremely lightweight and has ventilation, which is ideal for skinning. It also has built-in Recco reflectors to help strengthen signals in emergencies, a must-have feature for heading out of bounds. According to Arc’teryx, this is their “most durable” shell for backcountry or resort skiing with Gore-tex Pro fabric and recycled N100D face fabric to make it ready to ensure the toughest of conditions. “It’s extremely waterproof and breathable. I spent the misty morning setting up B-netting for a ski race. I didn’t get wet from the mist and rain, and I didn’t overheat,” McLeod raved. 

The only note McLeod had was that the material is stiffer than expected and has a crunchy feel. As we do with all ski jackets, we’ll continue to keep an eye on this one to see how it holds up with prolonged use and update our notes as necessary. 

The Details: XS -2XL | Gore-tex Pro with Recycled Face and nylon | Waterproof | Regular fit

If you’re investing in a high-quality ski jacket, you’re likely going to have to spend at least a few hundred dollars, if not more, depending on what you’re looking for. This Patagonia jacket earned high praise from coach Casey O’Brien thanks to its ample features, durable material, and, of course, the fair price tag for what you get. Offering some of the best range of motion and flexibility of any of the shells we tested, this two-layered jacket is comfortable to wear on and off the slopes. The jacket proved to be fully waterproof and warm in rainy conditions, and O’Brien also noted it was pleasant to wear in milder weather, too. It boasts all the features of a splurge-worthy jacket for less, including a helmet-compatible hood, a powder skirt, adjustable cuffs, various pockets for phones and lift tickets, and it also has built-in Recco reflectors as an extra touch. 

The Details: 2XS-3XL | Postconsumer recycled polyester with DWR finish | Waterproof | Regular fit

Insulated jackets are great options for beginner or resort skiers who don’t want a shell. This one from The North Face offers 80 grams of insulation, which is the perfect amount, according to coach Brad Westphal. It’s plenty warm for sitting on a windy chair lift, but it won’t make you sweat buckets in milder temperatures. If you do start to overheat, you can use the armpit vents to get a nice breeze flowing. The zippers and fabric feel high-quality, and there are various pockets for phones, lift tickets, keys, and more. It also includes a helmet-compatible hood and powder skirt for stormy days. Westphal, who is 6 feet 4 inches, noted that the jacket did fit true to size, but it was quite long, which got in the way of technical skiing. 

The Details: S-2XL | 80 grams Heatseeker, recycled Polyester, and recycled nylon | Waterproof | Regular fit

This Mammut jacket has a lot of design features that make it a worthy investment, according to coach Corey Popp. While it has the usual things we look for in a jacket, Popp’s favorite part is the numerous pockets for storing everything you need on the hill. Bringing snacks? There are two large side pockets. Looking to keep your phone safe? That can go in the chest pocket, which also depicts safety instructions on the outside. There are also two water-resistant chest pockets and a lift pass pocket on the arm. Whether you’re skiing with kids and need to store extra items or if you like to bring extra gear on a rainy day, this jacket has more than enough spots to store belongings discreetly. In addition, the material feels high-quality and fully waterproof (Popp wore it in the rain several times without any issues), and it’s easy to layer underneath on cold days. The only thing he’d add is a detachable hood for spring skiing when it’s not needed.

The Details: S-2XL | Polyester, polyamide, recycled polyester | Waterproof | Long fit

If you’re looking for a jacket that can be used throughout the season—no matter the weather—this sturdy Stio Environ jacket is a great option. Made with three layers of polyester and the brand’s PeakProof plain weave with a DWR finish, this fully waterproof jacket is on the thicker side of shells, according to Popp. From intense downpours to above-freezing temperatures, Popp noted that the jacket kept him warm and dry, yet he never felt too warm thanks to the breathable fabric and armpit vents. Another feature he loves for versatility throughout the season is the detachable helmet-compatible hood, which is a game-changer for staying warm in snowstorms, but is not necessary for warmer weather. Additionally, Popp raved about the durable and high-quality build of the fabric and stitching that feels like it will last for plenty of seasons, making it worth the investment.

The Details: XS-3XL | PeakProof plain weave and polyester with DWR finish | 20K waterproofing | Regular fit

Whether skinning, touring, or skiing downhill at a resort, this Backcountry jacket is ready for the adventure. It’s an extremely lightweight shell made with Gore-tex ePE, so you can rest easy knowing you’re fully protected from any damp weather conditions. The jacket runs a bit large, which helps add extra layers on cold days, but it’s also comfortable to wear with fewer layers for warmer weather, too. It also has armpit vents and Recco reflectors that come in handy for resort or backcountry skiing. Popp’s favorite feature is the sturdy Velcro cuffs that can be adjusted with gloves on to get a secure fit, meaning no snow, rain, or wind can get through. Popp also appreciated the cinching hood to get a secure fit over a helmet for protection against the elements. The jacket isn’t too stiff or too flimsy, and it’s extremely comfortable for rigorous or leisurely skiing, which is why it’s a perfect investment for the skier who does it all. 

The Details: S-2XL | Gore-tex ePE, recycled polyester plain weave, and recycled polyester | Waterproof | Regular fit

Other Ski Jackets for Men We Liked

Although the ski jackets below didn’t quite make our list of top picks, we still think these make solid options for the right skier.

Norrona lofoten Gore-tex Pro Jacket: This jacket impressed us with a lightweight, durable, and comfortable fit, but we found some of the design features to be unhelpful or awkward to use. For example, the wrist gaiters were a little too long, so they bunched up in our sleeves, and the location of the pockets was awkward to reach.

Helly Hansen Men’s Ridge Infinity 2.0 Jacket: Lightweight, flexible, and comfortable to wear for long periods, we loved this jacket for skiing in all types of weather. Its only slight downside is that it started to show wear and tear after wearing it just a few times, so we’re going to continue to test it throughout the rest of the season to see how it holds up.

Flylow Quantum Pro Jacket: Previously our best waterproof jacket (now replaced with an even better Flylow version above), this jacket still wowed us with protective materials, a comfortable fit, and attractive color options.

Tips for Buying a Ski Jacket

Consider the fit

Regular or standard, loose, active, and slim are all different styles of jackets and shells for snow sports athletes. For aerodynamics, a skier will likely find a regular or slim fit best, and snowboarders will likely enjoy loose or active fits better, as those are more closely in line with the more “freerider” style.

Know the difference between shells and insulated jackets

Every skier has their outdoor gear preferences, but the biggest difference between shells and insulated jackets is the amount of warmth provided by each coat. Shells are generally very lightweight and are designed with versatility top of mind, and insulated jackets have the purpose of keeping skiers warm and toasty. Backcountry skiers may lean toward shells, and resort skiers might like an insulated jacket, but it’s ultimately a personal choice.

Waterproofing is key

Waterproofing and breathability are two key specs you want to look out for in a ski jacket. Waterproofing is often listed as 10K, 15K, or 20K, which means the fabric can withstand the number in millimeters of water before you should feel any type of dampness seep through. Gore-tex is an industry standard for excellent waterproof fabric, but many brands have launched their own versions of waterproof materials that can be just as good, if not better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of jacket is best for skiing?

The two key specifications you want to keep in mind for ski jackets are waterproofing and breathability. Most waterproof jackets will be made out of polyester or nylon, constructed with taped or sealed seams, a DWR finish, and watertight zippers. As previously noted, the best jackets for waterproofing and breathability will have a score of 20,000 or more, which is often listed as 20K/20K.

You’ll also want to look at measurements for insulation weight. Insulation is measured in grams, so you will need to consider the amount of insulation for warmth and breathability. Other technical features to look out for include powder skirts, adjustable hems and hoods, wrist gaiters, goggle shammies, RFID pockets, and Recco reflectors.

How do I clean a ski jacket?

Before cleaning a ski jacket, it’s always smart to check the care label and note any instructions specific to the jacket. Unless noted otherwise, you can proceed with cleaning your jacket by turning it inside out and placing it in the washing machine with similar items (like your ski pants). Add a gentle detergent or one designed for waterproof/technical clothing and run the machine with cold or lukewarm water. Once the wash cycle has finished, you can hang your jacket to dry or tumble dry it on low in the dryer. It’s important to avoid using too much heat on ski jackets, as this can damage the waterproof coating.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and edits the team’s ski gear guides. The daughter of ski coach Corey Popp, Anna spent nearly nine years skiing for MBSEF. Though she didn’t fall into the Olympian category, she now spends her winter testing ski gear for T+L and leisurely skiing around the globe. Anna worked directly with the ski coaches to put together this list of the best ski jackets for men, according to the pros. 

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.