JohnE Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 Opinions on the "best" jacket or parka for snowboarding? Seems like Arcteryx are widely considered the best but pricey. I think they're original stuff was really good but lately they've lent their name to some lower quality stuff. I have a North Face jacket with some thin insulation. I like it pretty well but the hood is too small to easily fit over a helmet. Also, the hood is insulated which for me is unnecessary. The hood does not detach so when I'm not using it, it appears that I have a second small head. Also, the zippers seem to have become difficult to slide. For me the important aspects are warmth in very cold weather (like -20 deg F), windproof, usable pockets. Waterproofness isn't really important to me since I rarely ride in damp conditions. Favorites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 Warmth for me comes from whatever you layer under the jacket. I use the same shell in all conditions and change layers accordingly. My shell is Arc’teryx with Goretex Pro fabric and total overkill for the resort riding I do but I like it a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 11 minutes ago, Neil Gendzwill said: Warmth for me comes from whatever you layer under the jacket. I use the same shell in all conditions and change layers accordingly. Same for me. Same shell from -40 to above freezing. My requirements: Waterproof/breathable Pit zips No or very light insulation The last one seems odd given I'm usually in a deep freeze, but I prefer being able to add a layer of insulation than rocking the open/flapping jacket look when it gets near melting temps. My secret 4th requirement is that it's available on the discount rack. I don't care about wearing 'last year's color'. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredman Posted July 18, 2019 Report Share Posted July 18, 2019 +1 on layers! The best jacket has pants attached! One piece suit! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 2 hours ago, dredman said: +1 on layers! The best jacket has pants attached! One piece suit! That and excellent bladder control ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dredman Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 All of my suits have zippers for going #1, some even have zippers for going #2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 10 hours ago, dredman said: All of my suits have zippers for going #1, some even have zippers for going #2 Doesn't work so well on the crowded hills around here. But there is a quick ski in ski out spot on one of the steeper runs at the local bump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gossamer Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 I like Outdoor Research, big hoods and lots of pockets. Powder skirts work well and they have: THE INFINITE GUARANTEE® Outdoor Research® gear is guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product. I've taken them up on this a couple of times and both replacements were a step up in price over the item I had replaced. (no cost to me) Both times was simply stitching coming loose (Goretex mittens from dragging the tips of my fingers and the back of a jacket from riding the lift.) and that was after 5+ years, they are awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b.free Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 +1 to dredman! Love my suits on any occasions: carving, powder, trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 (edited) My last two jackets have both been Orage Alaskan jackets - I bought a new one after my old one gave up the ghost. There have been both insulated and shell versions in the past, I've used the insulated one. Very warm (my current one uses Primaloft Gold, which I've found is noticeably warmer than vanilla Primaloft even with less volume of insulation), fully-featured, and I got my last one at Evo.com in late spring / early summer for something like $100 (MSRP is $400). Edited July 19, 2019 by Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekempmeister Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 (edited) Fred Mertz checking in. My favorite and "best jacket" is the loose cut size large jacket that is 85 % off, normally about this time of year. Always found on-line and never in my preferred color but that's the only reason that i ever wear anything other than black, so it works out. Grease, snags on trees, frozen cord the cafeteria always have me looking to save$ in this department That said, I like the AK stuff I've had but they need better QC with zippers. Edited July 19, 2019 by davekempmeister 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slopestar Posted July 19, 2019 Report Share Posted July 19, 2019 cant say enough good things about my FA Designs coat. I abused the hell out of this past winter and wore it everyday. Warm and dry all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 FA Designs is worth a look, made by a fellow alpiner! I've had the Subsonic (shell) and Auxiliary (insulated). The Aux is very warm but also very lightweight for an insulated jacket. The outer material is exceptionally waterproof and breathable. The zippers are tops. The hood fits over a helmet and works well. If you regularly drag body parts across frozen granular, you will want to reinforce the fabric in those areas, or look elsewhere. (Aerostitch?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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