Snowboarding Jackets

Selecting proper clothing for your snowboarding feats is important. This is particularly important when buying snowboard clothing online. Apart from warmth, the two most important features you want in any snowboarding jacket are breathability and for it to be waterproof.

Snowboarding jackets and ski jackets come in a wide variety of types, styles, colors and patterns from which you can choose. They can range from soft shells through to waterproof down filled puffy jackets. All have different benefits, are made employing alternative technologies and can vary in price markedly.

The four most commonly found types of snowboarding jackets are:

simple shells
insulated jackets
puffy jackets
soft shells

Read more below about the pros and cons of the various types of snowboarding jackets before purchasing your snowboard clothing online.

Shells

These are a basic type of snowboarding jacket offering good versatility. The shell type can be worn by itself or layered on top of insulating clothing when the real cold weather hits.

The two forms of waterproof-breathable shells generally available are the two-layer systems and three-layer systems. Two-layer shells have an outer fabric layer with a waterproof/breathable membrane fused to it followed by a separate inner wicking layer of fabric that hangs inside the shell which serves to protect the membrane and wick moisture away from your body. In contrast, three-layer shells have all three of these layers (outer fabric, waterproof/breathable membrane, inner fabric) fused together, with no separate hanging layer inside.

Lightweight, versatile, durable, layerable, usually waterproof to a degree

Not very warm on its own

Insulated Jackets

Insulated snowboarding jackets come in a wide range of available options. Some types have a layer of insulating material layered between the inner and outer liners. Other types may come with a removable insulating layer – such as a fleece vest – inside of what is fundamentally a shell. To keep the boarder's core temperature steady, some manufacturers have included more insulation around the torso area and less around the arms. This affords less total weight and a better range of motion for the wearer.

Less base layers required in cold weather, many have accessory pockets inside and out.

Heavier than a shell, not as breathable as a shell, could make the wearer overheated in warmer weather, consumes more space than a puffy when packed.

Puffy Jackets

Puffy snowboarding jackets often have down or a synthetic filler between an inner and outer layer of fabric. Stitching or quilting holds the fill in place. Puffy jackets come in many different weights. These range from super warm and lofty jackets intended for the coldest of days, to more moderate weights designed to keep the chill out in the slightly warmer spring.

Offers very good warmth, able to be packed down into a smaller footprint and storage space than insulated snowboarding jackets.

Not normally as waterproof as other options, does not breath as well as other options, loses a good deal of its warmth should the filler become wet.

Soft Shells

Many skiers and riders find all the features they are looking for in a more comfortable package that is the soft shell jacket. Soft shells are considered more adaptable as an all-purpose snowboarding jacket that can be worn around town as well as on the slopes. Soft shells also come in different varieties, with some having an inner fleece lining for added warmth and others being bare-bones items.

Similar waterproofing ability to shells, offers more comfort to the wearer, warmer than your average shell, breathability comparable to other types of snowboarding jackets, can be worn on and off the slopes.

Not as many technical features and pockets that could be found on other jackets, often times no hood or a non-removable hood.

Top Snowboarding Jacket Suppliers

Snowboarding Jackets Too Good To Miss!

Sun & Ski Sports

Sun & Ski Sports has 25 stores located across the USA and specialise in five (5) categories of merchandise; ski (snow and water), bicycling, skating, running & camping. They stock warm top quality snowboarding jackets with brands including: Spyder, Mountain Hardware, Columbia , The North Face, Burton, Marmot, and Hot Chillys and can ship to international destinations.

Click here to go to their website.

Tactics

Tactics began trading in 1999 out of a humble garage. It is located in Eugene, Oregon, USA and is a snow, skate, and surf boardshop owned and operated by people who love riding and the lifestyle that goes with it. All orders are shipped from Tactics Eugene warehouse. Its retail location is at 375 W. 4th Ave, Eugene, OR, 97401, USA. They stock leading snowboarding jackets including brands such as: 686, The North Face, Volcom, Bonfire, Burton, Billabong, Patagonia and others. Tactics can ship to international destinations.

Click here to go to their website.

Paragon Sports

Paragon Sports has been selling leading brand sports equipment and clothing since 1908. The store is located at 867 Broadway at 18th Street New York, NY 10003, USA. They stock snowboard jacket brands The North Face and Canada Goose. Certain items can be shipped free of charge.

Click here to go to their website.

Department of Goods

Department of Goods sells some of the latest, lightest, and finest surf, skate, bike, and mountain equipment available on the Web. It stocks an enormous range of snowboarding jackets including brands such as: 686, Airblaster, Analog, Armada, Dakine, Forum and many others. The Department of Goods is able to ship certain brands outside the USA.

Click here to go to their website.

GotApparel

Gotapparel is a leading online apparel wholesaler offering thousands of clothing products (including jackets) and special weekly items for all the family. Their main office is located in Sante Fe Springs, California, USA and have 10 warehouses located throughout the USA. Gotapparel ship's from the warehouse closest to the customer's delivery destination. Click here to go to their website.

DinoDirect

DinoDirect stocks over 110,000 individual items with an average of 3,000 new products enrolling each week. It offers customers 7/24 global call center assistance and worldwide free shipping. They stock a range of snowboarding brands at heavily discounted prices.