O'Neill Aplite Jacket | Review - Mpora

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O’Neill Aplite Jacket | Review

Putting the funk in functional, this stylish jacket from O’Neill will do the business for you without bankrupting you into oblivion

Why We Chose The O’Neill Aplite Jacket: Functional, stylish, and affordable.

Price: £140

BUY HERE

Started by the legendary waves man Jack O’Neill way back in 1952, O’Neill began its existence as a Californian surf wear and surfboard company. Jack, who sported an iconic eyepatch after being hit in the eye by his surfboard and who lived to the grand old age of 94, is credited with inventing the modern wetsuit. Jack’s son Pat O’Neill, is, it’s worth mentioning, credited with the invention of the surfboard leash (he initially used surgical cord and a suction cup).

“O’Neill began its existence as a Californian surf wear and surfboard company”

With that kind of backstory, and with a salty sea wave as their logo, you might be wondering what the hell O’Neill is doing in the Ski 100. Well, times have changed a lot since the early fifties and O’Neill are now fully part of the winter sports outerwear scene. With the Aplite Ski Jacket, the brand’s served (or should that be surfed) up an absolute ripper.

Materials

The Aplite rates 10k / 10k on the waterproofing and breathability fronts. Those numbers are more than enough to see you right within the resort boundaries, and at the park, but not really high enough for big off-piste missions. Don’t let the fact it’s not a serious, out and out, backcountry number put you off though – this jacket has still got more than chops about it to do a good job for you on your classic, week-long, corduroy shred-up in the Alps. 

For the gear nerds who really must know everything about their jacket, the ingredients list breaks down as follows: shell – 100% polyester, laminate – 100% thermoplastic polyurethane [TPU], woven lining – 100% polyamide, knitted lining – 100% polyester, and filling – 100% polyester. 

Inspired by O’Neill’s 60-year history in wetsuit design, features O’Neill Firewall. Firewall is the result of body mapping research which has looked into which parts of the body require more insulation. Used here, in conjunction with 3M Thinsulate, it’s a way of thinking that’s reduced weight without sacrificing on warmth and comfort. You’ll appreciate it on the cold days, for sure.

Features

Feels like, more often than not, we end up kicking off the features discussion by highlighting a jacket’s taped seams. That’s not because taped seams are in any way revolutionary, it’s just that it feels important to tick it off the list early doors. Nothing worse than reading an entire thinking “Yeah, yeah. All good but does it have taped seams.”

The Aplite has ‘critically taped seams’. What that means, in short, is that only seams in the most critical, exposed, areas of the jacket have been taped. This won’t be a problem if you keep it inside the resort but may cause an issue if you go wandering off into the backcountry, with its changeable weather, deep snow, and lack of shelter. This jacket isn’t designed for such activities though so you haven’t really got anything to worry about there.

Speaking of the seams, because we just can’t help ourselves when it comes to seams, the ones on the Aplite are part of an ergonomically shaped pattern. These curved, contoured, seams maximise your freedom of movement – making it easier to really throw your body around on the mountain. 

“A functional and funky-looking ski jacket that won’t break the bank”

It’s clearly not a jacket with a bajillion features but we do like that some thought has been given to making it as protective and technical as possible, without escalating the costs wildly. Take the ‘Storm Placket’, for example. This little feature covers the main zipper to help keep moisture and cold air out. It’s not exactly mind blowing stuff but it shows the kind of attention to detail that you don’t always get on the more affordable ski outerwear stuff. 

The O’Neill Aplite Ski Jacket also has a snow gaiter, with press buttons, to act as a barrier between your body and the snow. This’ll be useful when you inevitably take a tumble trying and failing to do that thing you saw Candide do. While we’re on the subject of gaiters, shout out to the wrist ones implemented here. Again, not revolutionary stuff but we like how comfortable they feel and how effective they are when it comes to stopping snow going down your sleeves.

The jacket comes in four different colourways – ‘Black Out’, ‘Scale’, ‘Seaport Blue’ and ‘Forest Night’ – and has a regular fit, with a longer tail for added protection. 

It’s also got a detachable hood and pockets for all your essentials. 

Conclusion

A functional and funky-looking ski jacket that won’t break the bank, if you’re a skier who mostly favours keeping things in-resort you’re onto an absolute winner with the Aplite. 

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Topics:

O'Neill Ski 100 2020/21 ski jackets
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