The 5 best ski jacket brands

Here we are; it’s time to gear up for the ski season! While the prospect of hitting the slopes and trails is certainly exciting, we can’t always say the same for the shopping part. To make things easier for you, we’ve put together a list of five brands that stand out for the quality, innovation and versatility of their outerwear. Here is our top five list of the best ski jacket brands.

Helly Hansen’s ski jackets

Thanks to its strong Norwegian heritage dating back 145 years, Helly Hansen is well-known by athletes and ski enthusiasts of all levels. Originally, its products were inspired by the sea, which is why the brand bears the name of its founder, Captain Helly Juel Hansen. However, the brand quickly diversified and developed a range of mountaineering apparel, a sport equally popular in Norway.
Ever since, Helly Hansen has pioneered the development of several technologies, which it also tests with professionals who live and work in some of the world’s roughest areas of the planet. Such is the case of the Fifa Infinity™, its most waterproof, breathable and eco-friendly fabric.

What makes Helly Hansen’s ski jackets different

Whether you are a casual skier or an off-piste freerider, Helly Hansen is sure to have a range of clothing for you.
For example, the Ullr collection was designed by and for extreme skiers focused on performance, while the Resort collection was created for skiers who prefer to practise the sport in a resort. The latter features the Juniper, a hybrid jacket which works just as well on the slopes as it does in the city.
It’s worth noting that most of Helly Hansen’s jackets are equipped with a Life Pocket™ which protects your cell phone’s battery in cold weather, as well as a hood compatible with ski helmets. These Norwegians really do think of everything!

Available sizes:

• Men’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)
• Women’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)

RAB ski jackets

Founded, driven, and always run by “mountain people,” RAB specializes in the manufacture of clothing and equipment ready to take on adventures on the highest summits. Carbon-neutral for almost five years now, the brand strives to minimize the environmental impact of its operations by carefully choosing what goes into the composition of its products and ensuring that they can last and be repaired. Sturdy and well designed, RAB outdoor clothing and ski jackets are made from quality materials that stand up equally well to wear and tear and the elements.

What makes RAB ski jackets different

After years of focusing on mountaineering and hiking gear, RAB drew on its technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of mountain environments to launch its Khroma range, designed specifically for alpine skiing and touring. RAB ski jackets stand out for their remarkable flexibility and robust, breathable Gore-Tex exterior, providing maximum protection against cold and humidity. From lightweight, breathable models to insulated jackets for the coldest days, down to shells and compressible jackets, RAB offers a wide range of durable, high-performance options for those who like to venture out on the snowy slopes and trails.

Available sizes:
Men’s ski jackets: from Small (S) to Double Extra Large (XXL)
Women’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Extra Large (XL)

Outdoor Research’s ski jackets

This outdoor clothing company based in Seattle was born out of a misadventure which happened on Mount Denali in 1980 to its founder, Ron Gregg, and his mountaineering partner. Because of poor quality gaiters, the latter suffered severe frostbite and had to be urgently evacuated. Ron Gregg, a career scientist, promised himself he would create safe, high-quality gear for outdoor enthusiasts.

And so Outdoor Research was created. It now offers a wide range of clothing (including jackets) for winter activities, from resort to off-piste skiing. The brand has also always ensured it offers an inclusive selection of sizes for its most popular styles.

What makes Outdoor Research’s ski jackets different

Over the years, Outdoor Research has won the hearts of the public and industry professionals alike. Some of its jackets have become icons, including the Snowcrew, ideal for resort skiing. In addition, several of its products have won awards, such as the Skytour Ascent shell, which protects against the elements and offers exceptional breathability. Or the Carbide jacket, a light and versatile 3-layer jacket that performs just as well in the backcountry as it does at the resort, voted best ski garment of 2021 by Ski magazine.

Available sizes:

• Men’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)
• Women’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)

Columbia’s ski jackets

Did you know that Columbia was originally a hat company, and that it became the flourishing outdoor brand we all know today thanks to the passion and perfectionism of the exceptional Gert Boyle?

The woman, whose mantra used to be “it’s perfect, now let’s do even better,” has successfully developed expertise that is unique, innovative, and inspired by nature within the company, which now equips adventure enthusiasts from the city to the mountains.

What makes Columbia’s ski jackets different

Columbia’s jackets are known for their versatility and performance. This is certainly true of the Titanium collection, which features the toughest jackets for winter hiking and alpine skiing.

It is a high-quality ski clothing range at an affordable price, and Columbia makes good use of some amazing innovations, such as the Omni-Heat™ 3D, the brand’s latest thermo-reflective technology which traps body heat and is super soft on your skin.

Available sizes:

• Men’s ski jackets: Extra Small (XS) to 6XL
• Women’s ski jackets: Extra Small (XS) to 3XL

The North Face’s ski jackets

The North Face needs no introduction: the brand has been a staple of the outdoor sports industry since 1968. Founded in San Francisco to provide quality equipment for Californian mountaineers, the American brand launched its first ski jackets in 1991 as part of its Steep Tech collection.

Since then, the brand has been offering a wide range of winter apparel, from alpine ski jackets to waterproof breathable vests and snowboard jackets, each designed to perform on large ski resort slopes as well as narrow backcountry corridors.

What makes The North Face’s jackets different

Futurelight, Thermoball, Dryvent or Polartec, these innovative and high-performance technologies have proven themselves over several decades at The North Face. They are used in the brand’s most popular ski jackets. Among our favourites: ThermoBall™ insulation (which retains heat even when wet), the waterproof and breathable DryVent™ (which keeps you dry in wet weather), and the Triclimate® jackets (which combine a breathable waterproof shell with an insulated lining). It’s up to you to pick the one that fits your needs!

If you are slightly lost with all these jacket model names, look for the Summit Series, designed for expert mountaineers and climbing athletes.

Available sizes:

• Men’s ski jackets: Small (S) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)
• Women’s ski jackets: Extra Small (XS) to Triple Extra Large (3XL)

O’Neill ski jackets

O’Neill has been creating sports equipment and clothing for over 70 years, driven from the outset by values of innovation, quality and craftsmanship. Initially specializing in the manufacture of wetsuits and surfboards, the brand eventually broadened its product range to include ski and winter sports clothing with a focus on comfort and performance. Each product is designed and manufactured with the utmost care to enable enthusiasts to enjoy their favourite activity for as long as possible.

What makes O’Neill ski jackets different

A lot of thought and effort goes into the choice of materials used in O’Neill ski jackets. The brand is committed to choosing materials produced in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner. Performance is also at the forefront: waterproof and breathable recycled outer fabric, durable water-repellent treatment and Repreve® synthetic insulation are notably featured in several models. Designed with winter sports enthusiasts in mind, O’Neill ski jackets come with all kinds of practical details and features, such as pockets for storing goggles and other accessories, hood adjustment systems, protective flaps, ventilation openings, sealed seams and more – everything to maximize fun and comfort!

Available sizes:
Men’s ski jackets: from Small (S) to Double Extra Large (XXL)
Women’s ski jackets: from Extra Small (XS) to Extra Large (XL)

Spyder’s ski jackets

Founded in Boulder, Colorado 45 years ago by the Canadian ski champion David Jacobs (originally from Montreal), the Spyder brand specializes in the design of technical apparel. It is the biggest ski brand in the world.

Spyder is known for putting style and performance at the forefront of everything it does, something derived from its competitive alpine skiing roots. The brand has equipped many Olympic athletes, including Canadian mogul skiing champion Jennifer Heil. You can easily recognize Spyder’s jackets, snow pants and winter hats on the slopes thanks to its large logo in the shape of … a spider!

What makes Spyder’s ski jackets different

Among the many jacket models offered by the eight-legged brand, our favourites are the Leader and the Copper. They are both made of Exo Shield 360, a stretchy fabric which doesn’t restrict your movements. The Leader model is equipped with the Graphene Heat system, which redirects body heat from the hottest areas to the coldest ones to warm them up more quickly, without overheating.
Of course, all jackets come with a hood that’s compatible with ski safety helmets.

Available sizes:

• Men’s ski jackets: Extra Small (XS) to Double Extra Large (2XL)
• Women’s ski jackets: Extra Extra Small (XXS) to Extra Large (XL)

If you are looking for a warm jacket for any other outdoor activity, you may be interested in our guide on the warmest winter jacket brands.