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Ski Jackets

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Feel the cold on the lift? Go insulated. Run hot? Pick a shell and layer up underneath. Open the advisor ›

Guide

Ski Jackets

For resort skiing you need a ski jacket rated to at least 10,000 mm, with a snow skirt and underarm vents.

Key points

Piste: 10,000 mm is enough; for wet snow, 20,000 mm.
Cold on lifts? Go insulated. Run hot? Layer under a shell.
Synthetic stays warm when damp; down loses warmth when wet.

Which ski jacket for which ski day?

Use	Choose	Reason
Piste, chairlifts, lunch stops	ChooseInsulated ski jacket	ReasonWarm without an extra layer. Soon too warm in spring sunshine
Powder, changeable weather	ChooseHardshell ski jacket (3-layer)	ReasonFace fabric, membrane and inner fabric bonded into one: light, room for layers. Cold on the lift without a mid-layer
Very cold, dry days	ChooseDown ski jacket	ReasonA lot of warmth for little weight. Loses warmth when wet
Skinning up and skiing down	ChooseSki touring jacket	ReasonLight, breathable, packs small. Too thin for chairlifts
Ski school, piste, playing in the snow	ChooseKids' Ski Jackets	ReasonInsulated, no hood cords up to 134 cm. Bought too big, sleeves and snow skirt slip

Types compared

Insulated ski jacket
Warm straight away, suits long lift rides.
- Advantage: Warm without an extra layer
- Drawback: Soon too warm in spring sunshine
Example: Bogner Fire + Ice Flint-t ›
Hardshell ski jacket (3-layer)
Light shell; the mid-layer underneath adds warmth.
- Advantage: Light and waterproof
- Drawback: Cold on the lift without a mid-layer
Example: Armada Haydon 3L Gore-tex Jacket ›

What to look for when buying

Question	In brief	Why
What waterproof rating does a ski jacket need?	In brief10,000 mm	Why10,000 mm hydrostatic head is enough for piste days. The top class of the rainwear standard EN ISO 24232 (formerly EN 343) requires about 2,000 mm. For wet snow, pick 20,000 mm.
How breathable should a ski jacket be?	In briefRET below 13	WhyRET is a fabric's resistance to water vapour. Lower is better: up to 6 is very good, 6 to 13 good, above 20 poor.
Insulated ski jacket or shell?	In briefDo you feel the cold?	WhyAn insulated ski jacket is warm straight away and suits long lift rides. A shell adds no warmth. That comes from the mid-layer, a fleece or light insulated jacket underneath.

Frequently asked questions

How do I wash a ski jacket?

At 40 °C with a little liquid detergent and no fabric softener, unless the care label says otherwise. That is Gore's advice for Gore-Tex jackets.

How should a ski jacket fit?

It should cover your hips, and the sleeves should reach your wrists with arms stretched out. Try it on over your mid-layer, then put your helmet on. The hood has to fit over it.

Does a RECCO reflector in a ski jacket replace an avalanche transceiver?

No. The reflector is passive and only rescue teams with a RECCO detector can locate it. Your companions cannot. Off-piste, carry a transceiver, shovel and probe, and check the regional avalanche bulletin.

What should I look for in a kids' ski jacket?

The hood and the size. EN 14682 rules out cords and drawstrings at the hood and neck on clothing for children up to 7 years (height 134 cm). Buy to fit, not to grow into.