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Choosing a ski jacket is about matching protection, warmth and features to how you actually ski. Use the quick checks below, then jump to the picks that fit your budget.
Watch our Best Men’s Ski Jackets for Winter 2025/26 Review Video
How to choose:
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Waterproofing and breathability: Look for ratings around 20K/20K if you ride in mixed weather. Lower numbers save money but run warmer and can feel clammy on long lifts. Membranes like GORE-TEX Pro or ePE variants prioritise storm protection and durability.
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Shell or insulated:
Shell = versatile. Add or remove mid-layers to suit the day.
Insulated = simpler. Ideal for cold resorts or short trips where you want fewer layers. -
Fit and mobility: A helmet-compatible hood, cuffs that seal over gloves, and a hem that does not ride up make more difference than an extra pocket. Stretch shells improve comfort without sacrificing weatherproofing.
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Venting: Pit zips or core vents keep you from stewing after a hard run. If you run warm, prioritise these.
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Pockets and access: Pass pocket on the sleeve, two big hand pockets, and at least one internal dump pocket work for most skiers. Avoid over-stuffed designs that add weight you never use.
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Sustainability notes: Recycled fabrics and PFAS-free DWRs are now common in 2025. They reduce impact without sacrificing performance when done well.
What the price bands usually buy you
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£150 – £300: Solid weather protection with simpler fabrics and trims. Great for piste days and weekend trips.
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£300 – £500: Better membranes, smarter venting, and neater patterning. Noticeably improved comfort and durability.
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£500 – £800+: Premium shells with top membranes, superior hood design and robust hardware. Built for heavy use and bad weather.
Each jacket below includes clear strengths, who it suits best, current price, and a direct brand link, so you can buy with confidence.
1) Dope Spartan – £175
A clean, boxy cut with stretch, a smooth face fabric and easygoing warmth from Fellex insulation. Good coverage, simple pocket layout and that relaxed resort look.
Best for: All-mountain riders who want reliable weather protection at a friendly price.
Buy direct: DopeSnow Spartan (multiple colours)
2) Montec Doom – £218
A tough 20K/20K shell with that distinctive offset zip and light Comfortemp insulation. Feels protective in foul weather yet moves easily through trees and side hits.
Best for: Weatherproof value with a bit of attitude.
Buy direct: Montec Doom UK.
3) Rab Firewall Alpine – £250
Three-layer Pertex Shield, crisp hood design and smooth pit zips. It is light and quiet on the move and shrugs off mixed precipitation.
Best for: Fast laps and foul-weather hill days where you want a dependable shell.
Buy direct: Rab Firewall Alpine.
4) OOSC Yeh Man – £350
Bold, insulated and built from recycled nylon made from ocean waste. Big vents, wrist gaiters and a storm-proof front flap that feels ready for rowdy resort days.
Best for: Park to piste to après without a mid-layer shuffle.
Buy direct: OOSC Yeh Man.
5) Jack Wolfskin Prelight 3-in-1 – £260
A clever combo. Waterproof breathable shell outside and a zip-in PrimaLoft Evolve vest inside. Mix and match through a changeable week.
Best for: Travellers and weekenders who want one system that does it all.
Buy direct: Jack Wolfskin Prelight 3-in-1.
6) Patagonia Powder Town – £320
Patagonia’s H2No shell with an articulated cut, smooth liner and PFC-free finish. Sustainable credentials meet reliable slope performance.
Best for: Daily resort riders who care about footprint and function.
Buy direct: Patagonia Powder Town Men’s.
7) Montane Alpine 850 Down — £400
Serious loft from 850-fill HyperDry down and a mountain-ready pattern that layers under a shell when it turns brutal.
Best for: Frigid mornings, clear stars and the long trudge to first tracks.
Buy direct: Montane Alpine 850 Hooded Down.
8) Schöffel Pontre Shell – £450
A quiet, stretchy 20K/20K Venturi shell with full seam-taping, vents and a tidy cut that layers cleanly. RECCO for extra peace of mind.
Best for: Piste purists who like to build warmth with layers.
Buy direct: Schöffel Pontre Shell.
9) Peak Performance Whitelight – £490
HIPE stretch fabric with body-mapped insulation such as Solarcore for warmth where you need it and easy movement everywhere else. Feels refined and modern.
Best for: Premium resort comfort with tech under the hood.
Buy direct: Whitelight APX on Peak Performance.
10) Rab Khroma Latok GTX Pro – £595
A storm-proof ePE GORE-TEX Pro shell built for remote lines. Articulated patterning, avalanche-friendly features and a purposeful cut.
Best for: Touring, big faces and weather that does not play nice.
Buy direct: Rab Khroma Latok GORE-TEX Pro.
11) Helly Hansen Ridge Infinity Stretch – £700
Helly Tech Professional with LIFA INFINITY and a supple face fabric that moves well. Packed with H2Flow venting ideas and thoughtful details from pro feedback.
Best for: Aggressive lift-served skiing where you run hot then cold then hot again.
Buy direct: Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0.
12) The North Face Summit Verbier STX – £630
A precise, three-layer build with GORE-TEX protection and a clean, athletic fit. Feels technical without fuss.
Best for: Big resort days and sidecountry missions where control matters.
Buy direct: Summit Verbier GORE-TEX Jacket.
13) Peak Performance Vertical Pro – £690
Athlete-developed ePE GORE-TEX Pro shell for the wild days. Built to layer, built to last and very surefooted in high wind.
Best for: Backcountry focus with resort readiness.
Buy direct: Vertical GORE-TEX Pro.
14) Arc’teryx Rush – £750
A light, tough ePE GORE-TEX Pro touring shell with generous dump pockets, sharp hood design and a quiet confidence on the move.
Best for: Technical riders who appreciate a clean, dialled shell.
Buy direct: Arc’teryx Rush Men’s.
15) Descente Finder – £759
Dermizax stretch fabric with 3M Thinsulate and Heat Navi that turns light into warmth. Sleek fit, excellent finish, classic piste pedigree.
Best for: High-speed carving and cold chairlift evenings.
Buy direct: Descente Finder official.
