Scott Vertic 3L Jacket

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Price: £370

Reasons to buy it: Eco-conscious, waterproof, breathable

Packing all the right features and fabrics to see you right wherever you find yourself on the mountain, there’s a lot to love about the Scott Vertic 3L jacket. What’s more, as well as being a truly excellent performer in terms of functionality, it has also been put together in a way that means its impact on the environment has been mitigated. Eco-conscious, waterproof and breathability; the Vertic 3L is rocking the perfect trio. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester, has none of the nasty PFCs that can cause damage to local ecosystems, and utilises Scott’s in-house DRY-O-sphere fabrics to provide a waterproof and breathable barrier against the elements.

Scott claims that the waterproof rating of this fabric is 15k, and the breathability rating is 10k. Anyone who knows anything about ski jackets will know that’s not anything extraordinary, but it will keep you comfortable and protected in all but the worst conditions (and most sweat-inducing ascents). 

The Vertic 3L is a freeride jacket that is seriously well-stacked on the features front. There’s all the things you’d expect to see – powder skirt, lift pass pocket, goggle wipe cloth – and some extra things you won’t always, but which elevate the package. For example, we’re big fans of the inbuilt cuffs that feature on this ski jacket. We really came to appreciate them when the wind was whipping up a gale, and when we were skiing on powder. 

This jacket has been designed to remain comfortable when you’re out wearing it on short ski tours. See the well-implemented underarm venting, which allows you to dump heat when you’re on the ascents, and the articulated sleeves that move with you during your stride. 

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023). 

Read our Scott Vertic 3L Jacket and Pants review.

Helly Hansen ULLR Insulated Anorak

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Price: £320

Reasons to buy it: Warm, unrestrictive, weatherproof

A jacket designed to keep bad weather at bay, and liberate your time on the mountains. Built with freeride adventures very much in mind, and developed with insight from professional skiers, the Helly Hansen ULLR Insulated Anorak will keep you dry and comfortable in everything from powder storms to knock-you-sideways alpine winds. 

What have you got to thank for the protection this jacket serves up? Well, first up, the Helly Tech Professional system is a big part of its ability to shield the wearer from the elements. The water repellent face fabric backed up by a waterproof membrane here means you’ll be donning a properly waterproof barrier, a barrier that’s ideal during those times when the winter mountain weather has really gone up a notch. Like all the best ski jackets, it also manages to be breathable and windproof at the same time.

We like how the anorak style here has a wider fit. It’s easy to take on and off, and has an articulated cut which works well with the stretch fabric to make this product pleasant to move about in. Thank the earth-friendly PrimaLoft Black Eco insulation for the lightweight warmth. It will keep you cosy, but won’t feel like you’re skiing about on the hills while weighed down by three sleeping bags stacked up on each other. Other aspects of this jacket worth flagging up include the helmet compatible hood, a RECCO transponder, a Life Pocket+ that will take care of your phone battery, hi-vis elements, a repair kit and vents for dumping heat quickly. 

Helly Hansen have made big efforts when it comes to implementing recycled materials into the production of their products, and the ULLR Insulated Anorak is no exception on that front. You can also sleep easy knowing a certified bluesign® textile manufacturing process has gone on here. This means that waste has been reduced in every step of the clothing supply chain. 

Finally, a word on the aesthetics of this ski jacket. It’s perhaps a bit Marmite, in terms of the pattern, but we’re actually big fans of the fact it’s a little bit different from the usual stuff we see.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Helly Hansen ULLR Anorak and Pants review.

The North Face Dragline Jacket

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Price: £380

Reasons to buy it: Freeride cut, sick design, reasonably affordable

The extremely red North Face Dragline is one of the most visually-stunning ski jackets we’ve seen in a long time. It looks particularly awesome when paired up with the Dragline pants. But enough about how it looks, you want to know how it performs in the upper reaches of the mountains. With The North Face crushing it in the freeride game for a while now, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to discover that the Dragline doesn’t disappoint in terms of performance. This is what happens when you’re a brand with a stellar athlete lineup, and a bunch of behind-the-scenes experts who can create category-defining outerwear in their sleep. 

The new Dragline Jacket and Pants combo has quickly been adopted by The North Face’s freeride athletes. Anyone who’s been keeping an eye on the Freeride World Tour will have seen the likes of Leo Slemmet and Aymar Navarro ripping down some of the world’s most formidable faces in this flashy number. If it’s good enough for these elite-level skiers, you can be sure it’s good enough for you (even if you do rate yourself in the backcountry). 

Cut with some of the finest weatherproof material game, and sporting a feature set that’s specced-out to the max, the Dragline jacket is an ideal option for shredders looking to escape the resort boundaries and explore. Material-wise, it utilises The North Face’s inhouse DryVent fabric. It’s not quite up to the same standard as The North Face’s highly technical Futurelight fabric, but it’s more than capable of keeping the elements at bay. It also offers decent levels of breathability for those sweat-inducing uphill ascents. Putting our eco-conscious hat on for a second, two of our favourite things about the fabric is that it’s free from nasty PFCs and is made from ingredients which are recycled and bio-based. 

You’re dealing with a classic freeride fit here, one that runs a bit on the baggy side. The looser cut means you don’t have to deal with unwanted fabric restriction issues when you’re arcing those high-speed turns. Turning attention to the features, you’ll be happy to hear that you’ve got everything you could want for a life spent out of bounds. Powder skirt, lift pass pocket, and heaps of handy stash pockets; tick, tick, and tick again. 

When you consider the sometimes eye-watering prices of highly technical garments, the Dragline manages to push into the high-end outerwear category with what we’d consider a pretty fair price. It’s not cheap by any stretch, but it’s more affordable than similar options that, arguably, aren’t actually as good in the performance stakes. Consider it highly recommended.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our The North Face Dragline Jacket and Bib Pants review.

Adidas Resort 3-In-1 Jacket

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Price: €400

Reasons to buy it: Sustainable, warm, versatile

Adidas are known around the world for their urban/street and athleisure-focused outerwear. Recently, however, they’ve made forays into the world of technical resort and backcountry outerwear. With options in the latest collection catering for women too, the brand behind the iconic three-stripes can be said to be offering up something for everyone.  

In terms of the environment, Adidas are committed to reducing their carbon footprint by 30% within the next 10 years. If you take a look at their new collection you’ll notice that a lot of the products, including this jacket here, are made from recycled polyester.

This jacket’s outer shell material is made to protect you from snow, rain and wind even when conditions on the hill get nasty. Adidas has used Primegreen as the fabric. This not only provides a durable level protection to the waterproof membrane, but is also pretty kind to the planet too. Backing up the brand’s commitment to reducing their carbon footprint, it’s great to see recycled plastic and other recycled materials being brought into the fold. The good eco stuff continues in the insulation. Shoutout to the Primaloft Parley which keeps things nice and toasty. This insulation features asymmetrical quilting that can be worn with and without the outer shell. Set the warmth dial to ‘cosy’. It’s excellent. 

We love seeing a company the size of Adidas stepping up to the plate, and producing more eco-friendly products for skiers and snowboarders. Their commitment to sustainability shows in their latest outerwear offering. What’s more, this jacket has more than enough protective qualities to keep you comfortable during some rough winter conditions. 

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Adidas 3-in-1 Jacket and Resort 2L Insulated Pant review.

Armada Grands Jacket

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Price: £315

Reasons to buy it: Versatile, durable fabric, loads of pockets

Armada has traditionally held on strong to their background in the freestyle industry (understandably so, because it’s a sphere they always deliver within). The Grands Jacket is perfect for ripping resort laps with the family, and slashing about the softer stuff on deep snow days just beyond the ropes. This ski jacket is the perfect gateway for anyone looking to buy into a company which has such a prestigious history in revolutionising freeskiing. 

Coming with a pretty affordable price tag, the Grands Jacket houses a 3-layer construction. This setup is especially important when you’re crushing park laps, touring to hidden powder stashes, and working up a sweat. Protective in the face of outside elements but also breathable, meaning you can ditch the moisture that can build up on your skin when you’re being highly active in mountainous terrain.  

This 3-layer membrane construction also means this Armada jacket can take a beating. Whether you’re mucking about off piste or taking impacts in the park, you can be reassured that the material here is put together in a way that will work with the way you ski rather than against it. It’s more likely to avoid the tears and permanent damage which, in the short term, you tend to associate with cheaper and more flimsy outerwear options.  

The Armada Grands is rocking four pockets on the front of the jacket, and one lift pass pocket. When it comes to ski jackets, we love a ski jacket with this quantity of pocket options. Skiers who like to carry their lives, tech, and various bits about with them on the slopes will dig this.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Armada Grands Jacket and Emmons Bib review.

FW Manifest Tour 3L Jacket

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Price: £450

Reasons to buy it: Comfortable, practical, stylish

FW is a brand at the forefront of style and performance. In recent years, we’ve been consistently impressed with their snow jacket designs. Not only do they always look the part, they’re also extremely functional as well. 

This, the Manifest Tour 3L Jacket, is designed specifically for backcountry ski touring. Regular ski tourers will know you’ve already got plenty to think about when you’re away from the resort boundaries, and always appreciate the importance of having gear that will perform as and when required. Thankfully, this product from FW is not only incredibly stylish it’s also extremely functional and reliable. It is, in other words, the dream combo for adventurous skiers. The attention to detail is undeniable, and it all flows so nicely from one feature to another. It feels comfortable, even in stinky conditions, and it looks cool; what more could you want? 

The fabric used in the FW Manifest Tour 3L Jacket is a three-layer set up that packs a 20k rating on both the waterproof and breathability front. A three-layer approach isn’t really anything new, especially in backcountry-specific outerwear gear, but, as the famous old saying goes, if it ain’t broke why fix it? Protection from the elements, durability, and breathability; it’s exactly the things you need from a product like this. We’re big fans of FW’s own brand ‘Dermizax EV’ fabric as it’s not only waterproof and breathable, but also soft to the touch as well.

Purchase this jacket and you’re going to be packing something with serious performance credentials, seriously classy styling, and seriously well-implemented features into your ski bag.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our FW Manifest Tour 3L Jacket and Bib Pants review.

Haglöfs Vassi GTX Pro Jacket

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Price: £640

Reasons to buy it: Weatherproof, durable, roomy cut

The Vassi series from Swedish outerwear brand Haglöfs is one of our favourite freeride outerwear setups. First produced in 2012, in conjunction with freeskier Per Jonsson, the Vassi series combines highly technical fabrics with a freeride-specific fit. Cut from extremely durable and waterproof Gore-Tex Pro fabric technology, this is a jacket that not only looks the part but backs up that look with the ingredients which ensure it will perform for you away from the resort.

We’ve already mentioned it so you’ll have to excuse us while we spend a little bit more time bigging up Gore-Tex Pro. Gore-Tex Pro represents a supreme level of waterproof membrane technology, and is backed up by an extremely protective face fabric. This means, when it comes to the Vassi GTX Pro, you’re dealing with a product that will shield you from the elements, can withstand high levels of wear, and still deliver impressive levels of breathability when you’re making those tiring ascents in the backcountry. Whether it’s your first ski day of the season or your hundredth, this excellent bit of kit will keep you protected. 

Factor in all the excellent and well-implemented features you’d expect to see in a jacket such as this, and it’s no exaggeration to say that the Haglöfs Vassi GTX Pro Jacket might just be the best freeride-specific ski jacket we tested last season. It’s undeniably pricey, but remember that what you’re paying for here is a mix of the finest Scandinavian design and best in-class waterproof technologies. It’s a ski jacket that, as far as we’re concerned, is worth every penny.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Haglöfs Vassi GTX Pro Jacket and Pants review.

Planks Women’s Overstoke Anorak

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Price: £200

Reasons to buy it: Stylish, waterproof, affordable

The 1990s are back, and it’s the team at Planks who are taking us there with their Overstoke Anorak. The Overstoke Anorak combines streetwear aesthetic with resort-friendly features, and a decent level of waterproof protection for your ‘good vibes only’ ski trip this winter

The Planks Overstoke Anorak doesn’t just look the part, it’s also packing Planks in-house ‘RIDEdry10’ fabric. This fabric has a 10k/10k waterproof and breathability rating. When combined with the fully taped seams, it means you’re left with a ski jacket that will have you covered in most winter weather. Sure, it might struggle a bit when conditions get seriously extreme but at this seriously affordable price point that’s only to be expected.

As we’ve come to expect from Planks, the Overstoke Anorak comes with some nice features to keep you happy on the hill. These include large underarm vents, a mesh media pocket and a large dump pocket on the front. Nothing particularly extraordinary, in and of itself, but implemented in such a way that it elevates the jacket to new heights.

Planks are honest when it comes to being ‘eco-friendly’. They produce clothing and don’t, like some brands out there, act like this is a purely environmental endeavour. The brand are not adverse to being green wherever they can though, and this is illustrated by the fact that bottles have been recycled into the Overstoke Anorak’s fabrics. The bottom line is that 54% of the face fabric here is made using recycled polyesters. It’s nice to see.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Planks Overstoke Anorak & All-Time Pant review.

Patagonia Stormstride Jacket

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Price: £450

Reasons to buy it: Lightweight, active-focused design, sustainable

As backcountry skiing becomes increasingly adopted into the mainstream, we’re starting to see our favourite brands combine dynamic and breathable fabrics with a longer fit for full winter coverage. Gone, thankfully, are the days where you’d have to pop on a climbing shell, that resembles a crop top, before heading out into the hills ski touring. The Stormstride Jacket from Patagonia utilises active fabrics and a roomy cut, leaving you with a backcountry outerwear setup that’s perfect for getting adventurous in. 

The first thing to note about this lightweight and active ski touring jacket is all of the technical goodness that’s been crammed into it. Patagonia has made use of their in-house H2No fabric with the Stormstride. As the name suggests, it works superbly at keeping water out. 

Stretch has also been implemented into the jacket to ensure it’s not restricting you when you’re reaching high during a scramble (and generally working the upper body on a tour). You’ll notice this as soon as you get the jacket in your hands. Give the fabric a tug, and you’ll really get a sense of the impressive level of stretchiness. You’ll also see how well, and quickly, it returns to its regular shape as well. Ski tourers want an unrestrictive feeling on their tours, and the Stormstride delivers that by the bucketload.

Patagonia recently announced that Earth is now their only shareholder. With that in mind, and considering everything you knew about Patagonia before this business model shift, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to discover the Stormstride has some eco-friendly credentials. It’s what Patagonia does, isn’t it? The fabrics here are made from 68% recycled material, while all the sewing has been completed in factories that pass the Fair Trade certification. Good stuff.

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Patagonia Stormstride Jacket and Pants review.

Head Kore Jacket

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Price: £500

Reasons to buy it: Intelligent membrane, freeride functionality, durable, protective

Made to meet the toughest freeride terrain and conditions head on, the Head Kore is ideal for backcountry explorers. They’re made for tackling extreme conditions, and are an excellent option for ski tourers looking to invest in quality. 

The headline act here, in terms of materials, is the IAM Membrane. IAM stands for Intelligent Apparel Membrane, and came about after the development team at Head Sportswear tested a bunch of existing membranes before coming to the conclusion that they could do it better. There’s a lot of good membranes out there, of course, but Head’s IAM Membrane has been tailormade to work in conjunction with their gear. 

Why’s IAM good exactly? Well, as well as bringing some elasticity to the mix, it’s impressive because it actually manages to reflect warm inwards while simultaneously wicking moisture out. In short, it creates and maintains the perfect inner-climate for the wearer; ensuring comfort on the hill from sunrise to sunset. The membrane has a breathability and waterproof rating of 20k/20k. 

The 3L plain Cordura weave with DWR really elevates the combative, tough, and ready-for-anything nature of the product. This thing is built to get out there, and really take on the world. Everything about this ski jacket, including its well-considered features, has a reassuring feel. Some jackets talk the talk but can’t deliver, whereas the Kore from Head delivers in every conceivable way. It’s a ski jacket that will have off-piste explorers, backcountry shredders, and ski touring types chomping at the bit in pursuit of fresh tracks. 

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Head Kore Jacket and Bib Pants review.

Patagonia Powder Town Jacket

Price: £320

Reasons to buy it: Eco-conscious, affordable, warm

The Patagonia Powder Town is a jacket that offers all-weather protection, without the silly price tag. We think it’s an excellent option for your ski trips this winter. Let’s drill down into it. 

The Powder Town features a tough and robust 2-layer fabric to keep you protected while you’re out on the slope Impressively, even by Patagonia’s lofty environmental standards, the H2No fabric is made up from 100% post consumer recycled polyester. Not only is the fabric fully recycled, the brand has also ensured it’ll do a good job for you over a number of seasons (that 65-denier rating is decent). 

You’ve got all the features you’d expect from a resort-focused ski jacket here. These features include an adjustable helmet-compatible hood, lift pass pocket on the left arm, two hand warmer pockets, Recco reflectors and a media pocket at the chest with a handy hole for cable routing.

A fine jacket, by one of the most sustainably-minded companies around, there’s a lot to like about the Patagonia Powder Town. 

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Patagonia Powder Town Jacket and Pants review.

Planks Free Peaks Mid Layer Jacket

Price: £100

Reasons to buy it: : Stylish, warm, highly packable

The Planks Free Peaks Mid Layer has been designed to enhance warmth as a mid-layer, on those cold ski days when you really need to wrap up, and has enough style about to potentially be worn by itself during a good weather muckabout on the mountains. It will, if it’s what your heart desires, take you straight to après (and even further into the night).

The jacket’s toastiness is down to the 100g of insulation it’s housing. The jacket is also packable into its own pocket, with the Free Peaks standing up proudly as the perfect ‘just-in-case’ option. You can take it with you, and forget about it until you really need it. Alternatively, because of the trendy vibes it’s giving off, you can wear it all the time and be an ice cool dude (who’s warm).

Made from a 100% recycled water-resistant ripstop material, and with a solvent-free water-repellent coating, you can feel protected from the weather in this without feeling guilty about its impact on the environment.  The jacket’s sporting a great casual fit for wearing around town, and is built for the coldest days on the hill. You can’t go wrong, to be honest. Although, maybe watch out for so-called mates who might want to claim it as their own. 

This product was selected for our Ski 100 (2022/2023).

Read our Planks Free Peaks Mid Layer review. 

The North Face Brigandine Futurelight Jacket

Price: £675

Reasons to buy it: Class-leading breathability, comfortable, durable

Cast your minds back to a pre-pandemic 2019. It was the year The North Face unveiled Futurelight. TNF’s latest advancement in waterproof technology, it promised to be “the world’s most advanced breathable-waterproof outerwear technology.”

As statements go, it felt like a big one; maybe even a slightly cliched, hyperbolic, bit of marketing spiel rather than something based in reality. Thankfully, the cynical side of our brains were way off the money that time and The North Face really did go on to deliver something of a game changer in the outdoor industry. We’ve loved our experiences with Futurelight and will happily bore the pants off anyone who’s willing to listen to us talk about it.

When the technology is applied to a freeride skiing garment, as is the case with the Brigandine, it leaves us looking at one one of the most technical ski jackets on the market. Named after the armour soldiers from the middle ages would wear into battle, this jacket has been built to go toe-to-toe with some of the most technical terrain and challenging conditions on the planet. The North Face are obviously doing something right with it as it’s a become something of a regular on the Freeride World Tour podium.

This ski jacket is, quite frankly, a bit of a masterpiece. Class-leading breathability, comfort, durability, superb waterproofing and style; it’s got the lot.

Read The North Face Brigandine Futurelight Jacket review.

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