The best men’s jackets of 2015/16
Looking for a new ski jacket? Here’s 12 of the best
Read our ultimate guide to buying outerwear.
All-Mountain
1. Dare2B Mentality jacket, £150
A lot for your dough, with clever touches like a magnetic closure stormflap, articulated sleeves and technical hood. The shell is waterproof and breathable, yet has enough stretch for the odd hike. There are taped seams, a detachable snowskirt, pit venting and multiple pockets.
2. Eider Manhattan jacket, £250
Versatility is the Manhattan’s middle name: it’s technical enough for the hill, but low-key enough for town. Along with a waterproof membrane and thermal insulation it has a removable hood, stretch cuffs with thumb loops, velcro cuffs, a removable snow skirt and pockets aplenty.
3. Peak Performance Dyedron jacket, £370
This won an ISPO (industry) award for its clever dying process this year. That’s right, no water is harmed, or indeed used, in the dying of this jacket – a world first. ThermoCool padding is the other story: not only is it waterproof, breathable and durable, but it manages your body temperature.
Freestyle
4. Armada Carson jacket, £165
Not only does this look the part in the park, but it works all over the mountain. It’s breathable and waterproof to 10K, and features a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment plus 40g insulation and pit vents. What else? Oh, a helmet-friendly hood, music pocket, stashable pow skirt and microfleece chin guard. Great value.
5. Dakine Wyeast jacket, £225
Part of Dakine’s 10K series: expect breathability and waterproofing. There’s free movement thanks to the stretch and contour fit, plus park-friendly features – think underarm vents, one-hand hood control, media pocket, glove hooks), Lycra powder skirt, wrist gaiters and collar venting.
6. Westbeach Bateman Overhead jacket, £180
Easy to slip on thanks to a full side-zip, this jacket is both waterproof and breathable to 10K, with a DWR finish. A powder skirt keeps snow out when you fall, and there’s a generous kangaroo-style pocket in the front. Insulation throughout.
Freeride
7. Black Crows Corpus jacket, £550
It’s Black Crows’ first foray into outerwear, and they’ve done a top job. There’s three-layer Gore-Tex, efficient venting, adjustable hood and a Recco reflector. The Parka style may look laid back, but it offers brilliant protection from harsh weather, with easy adjustments in the waist and hem, plus Lycra cuffs and a powder skirt.
8. Helly Hansen Ridge shell, £380
Here’s Helly Hansen proving they can do freeride with panache. Using their own three-layer fabric and new, very breathable Flow membrane, the Ridge Shell is built for deep days. Pockets and zippers are placed out of the way of backpack straps, and high-viz details make you easy to spot. Extras abound, such as powder skirt, wrist gaiters and helmet-friendly hood.
9. Marmot Storm King jacket, £420
If you prefer the mobility and comfort of softshells, but don’t want to compromise on waterproofing, then the Storm King is a top choice. Made with Polartec Neoshell, you can fit a helmet under the hood and there are plenty of pockets.
Backcountry
10. Black Diamond Mission Pro shell, £550
BD’s top-of-the-range shell is one of the most waterproof, breathable and durable membranes on sale. But it’s the finer details we love most: mesh pockets for your skins, a single pull hood adjuster and extended two-way zip pits.
11. Patagonia Reconnaissance, £540
Yes, another Gore-Tex Pro jacket. You know the drill by now: exceptionally waterproof, windproof, breathable and durable. Hurrah! It’s all part of Patagonia’s new, super slick, backcountry touring kit, with lightweight, streamlined features so you skin up without drowning in a storm of sweat. Hurrah!
12. Salomon Soulquest BC, £500
This is at the pro end of Salomon’s clothing line, featuring top-of-the-range Gore-Tex Pro to keep things breathable, waterproof and windproof. Salomon’s MotionFit cut gives more than enough mobility to reach those technical descents, and ride them like a boss, too.