If you want to have fun on the slopes, you need the right gear. In addition to a snowboard, bindings and boots, you need clothes that will look good and keep you warm and dry. Snowboard jackets come in a wide range of styles for men and women. While you might have several pairs of paints or shirts for styling on the snow, you will likely only have one snowboard jacket, so look for all the features you need to keep you happy.
Materials
Snowboard jackets must shed wet snow, block cold winds and insulate you against falling temperatures. Look for materials such as Gore-Tex and Thinsulate, or a combination of these. Thinsulate provides warmth without a lot of bulk, while Gore-Tex is waterproof but breathable, helping to prevent excess moisture from building up inside the garment and chilling you. You can choose a jacket with a built-in quilted or fleece liner, or opt for a lightweight shell which you wear over a fleece jacket or shirt. Fleece provides warmth and some wind resistance, but isn't waterproof, so fleece alone isn't a good choice for a snowboarding jacket.
Features
Look for a jacket with a powder skirt. This is an inner piece of fabric attached at the waist that you can snap or cinch tight to keep powder snow out of your pants and shirt. Some jackets also feature powder gaiters at the wrists to prevent powder from creeping down your sleeves. Your jacket should have zippered vents under the arms. Even on cold days you can work up a sweat in the terrain park or while negotiating deep powder. This sweat can soak your inner clothing and leave your chilled. Opening your vents allows the sweat to evaporate. You will want plenty of zippered pockets for gear. Opt for zippers with large tabs that are easy to grasp while wearing gloves or mittens. If you want to take your music with you, check out jackets with special pockets for an iPod or phone, with slits for earbuds. All vents and pockets should have taped seams to keep out the cold.
Styles
Whether you want to go with bright colors and graphics or a more subdued look, choose a jacket design you love, since you wi'll be wearing it every day on the slopes. Most snowboard jackets are designed to come down over your bottom, providing extra warmth and padding. A hood can keep you warmer on a day when the snow is flying, but make sure it fits over your helmet. Try on the jacket and move around in it, raising and rotating your arms to make sure it fits loose enough to allow freedom of movement, but not so loose you look like a kid who raided Dad's closet.
Where to Buy
You can hit slopeside shops for top styles and top prices, or visit a large sports retailer for a wide selection. Preseason and postseason is a good time to catch clearance sales on snowboard clothing, though your choices may be more limited. Online retailers also offer good selection. If you're looking for a bargain, check thrift stores in ski towns for previous season's jackets that are still in good shape.
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