Starting with warmth, the jacket is moderately insulated with 80-gram Polyfill in the body and less bulky 60-gram in the arms. At the budget end is their women’s-specific Bolt, which offers clean styling, a cozy interior, and a basic but well-rounded feature set, all for an affordable $200. What we don’t: Not fully seam taped and no pit zips.Ĭalifornia-based Volcom has a strong foothold in the snowboard jacket market, with a wide range of options for park, resort, and backcountry use. What we like: A warm and affordable design from a well-respected brand. See the Men's Quiksilver Mission Insulatedīest Women’s Budget Snowboard Jacket 3. Riders who get out a lot will be better off spending up for a more weatherproof and longer-lasting design, but the Mission lines up well for beginners and those sticking to a budget. Combined with seam taping that only covers critical areas, and the jacket won’t hold up as well during extended periods of rough and rowdy weather. Further, the shell fabric, while surprisingly soft, is prone to absorbing moisture throughout the day. Everything from the simplistic hood design to the interior lining is a step down in material quality. Priced at $200, the Mission is a solid all-around value.Īt less than half the price of our top-rated Burton above, there are some inevitable compromises with the budget-oriented Quiksilver. For warmth, Quiksilver uses a basic WarmFlight synthetic (an in-house design), but it delivers sufficient insulation with 120-gram fill in the body and lighter 80-gram in the sleeves. This men’s-specific design (our top women’s pick is below) includes the essentials for getting you on the slopes: a wind- and snow-blocking shell, powder skirt, and five total pockets (including a dedicated spot for your pass on the sleeve). It’s difficult to find a quality snowboard jacket for $200 or less-particularly one that’s insulated-but Quiksilver’s Mission is just that. What we don’t: Not well-equipped for wet snow conditions. What we like: Good combination of price and performance for beginners and occasional riders. Insulation: 100g (body) 80g (sleeves) 60g (hood) See the Men's Burton AK 2L GTX Swash See the Women's Burton AK 2L GTX Embarkīest Men’s Budget Snowboard Jacket 2. This brings us back to the Burton, which hits a great combination of proven Gore-Tex protection for deep days, comfort and mobility for sidecountry hikes, and practical features for discerning riders. At the other end of the spectrum, Arc’teryx’s Sabre/Sentinel series gets you improved breathability at a lighter weight, but with a serious jump in price. Designs like the Quiksilver Mission and Volcom Bolt below are better options for beginners or fair-weather boarders. Tack on premium extras like a dedicated phone pocket that’s insulated to keep your battery fresh, pit zips, and large, mitten-friendly zippers, and you get our top snowboard jacket pick for the 2023 season.Īs with the full AK collection, the Swash and Embark have high price tags, and they’ll likely be overkill for occasional riders and those just getting into the sport. The lightly insulated jackets (the Swash has 60g PrimaLoft Silver only in the torso, while the Embark has 60g throughout) are built around a sturdy 2-layer Gore-Tex construction that shrugs off high winds and heavy precipitation, but the interior has a surprisingly plush and soft feel thanks to the mixed mesh and stretchy taffeta lining. What we don’t: Not a standout in breathability or weight.īurton’s AK line has a well-earned reputation for quality builds, and their men’s Swash and women’s Embark hit a nice balance of protection, comfort, and features. What we like: Sturdy protection, premium features, and high-quality build.
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