Best Ski and Snowboard Jackets UK (2026)
A good ski jacket balances waterproofing, breathability and warmth differently depending on whether you're piste-bashing or hiking into the backcountry. This guide compares jackets tested on the mountain by Advnture, part of the same publisher as T3 and Tom's Guide, covering hardshells, insulated jackets and budget picks for men and women.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket (Men's)
Best waterproof hardshell
Advnture found this shell outperformed the rest of its test on weather protection, with a burly, highly abrasion-resistant fabric that shrugs off thick forest or rock faces. The athletic cut leaves room for layering without restricting movement, though it has no insulation and makes a telltale crinkling sound.
- Fantastic build quality and abrasion resistance
- Athletic cut with room to layer
- Fully featured with pit zips and dump pockets
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc'teryx Rush Jacket (Men's) | Best waterproof hardshell | Gore-Tex Pro Most Rugged, 80/100-denier fabric, no insulation | Check price |
| Rab Khroma Kinetic (Men's) | Best for high-effort skiing | Proflex 20,000/25,000 waterproofing/breathability, no insulation | Check price |
| Schöffel Hohbiel (Men's) | Best insulated for resort skiing | 20,000/20,000 waterproof/breathable, body-mapped Primaloft Eco insulation | Check price |
| Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket (Men's) | Best for backcountry touring | 20,000/20,000 waterproof/breathable, three-layer stretch shell, no insulation | Check price |
| Helly Hansen Verbier Infinity Jacket (Women's) | Best overall | Life Infinity waterproofing, synthetic insulation, RECCO reflector | Check price |
| Helly Hansen Aphelia Lifaloft Ski Jacket (Women's) | Best for seasoned skiers and pros | Helly Tech Professional waterproofing, Primaloft insulation, RECCO detector | Check price |
| TOG24 Anvil Jacket (Women's) | Best budget | DWR water-repellent coating, recycled synthetic insulation | Check price |
| Columbia Mount Bindo II Waterproof Ski Jacket (Women's) | Best value all-rounder | Omni-Tech waterproofing, Omni-Heat Infinity reflective lining | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best waterproof hardshell
Arc'teryx Rush Jacket (Men's)
Advnture found this shell outperformed the rest of its test on weather protection, with a burly, highly abrasion-resistant fabric that shrugs off thick forest or rock faces. The athletic cut leaves room for layering without restricting movement, though it has no insulation and makes a telltale crinkling sound.
- Waterproofing
- Gore-Tex Pro Most Rugged
- Insulation
- None
- Sizes
- S-XXL
- Best for
- Freeride and backcountry touring
Pros
- Fantastic build quality and abrasion resistance
- Athletic cut with room to layer
- Fully featured with pit zips and dump pockets
- Excellent weatherproofing
Cons
- Hefty price tag
- No insulation, needs layering underneath
- Noisy, crinkly fabric
Best for high-effort skiing
Rab Khroma Kinetic (Men's)
Advnture rated the waterproofing and breathability as exceptional, with a soft, stretchy fabric that moves with the body and never left testers sweaty even during strenuous exertion. It's a minimalist jacket that doubles well as a hiking shell, though it offers little warmth on its own.
- Waterproofing
- Proflex 20,000mm
- Breathability
- 25,000
- Insulation
- None
- Sizes
- S-XXL
Pros
- Exceptionally light and breathable
- Extremely waterproof with effective DWR
- Doubles as a hiking jacket
- Vented Napoleon chest pockets
Cons
- Not much warmth on its own
- No snow skirt
Best insulated for resort skiing
Schöffel Hohbiel (Men's)
A high-performance resort jacket with body-mapped recycled Primaloft insulation giving more warmth in the core and better breathability elsewhere. Advnture found it comfortable with an athletic fit that never felt bulky, though it's expensive and not really designed for backcountry touring.
- Waterproofing
- 20,000mm
- Breathability
- 20,000
- Insulation
- Primaloft Eco (body-mapped)
- Sizes
- S-XXL
Pros
- Excellent, well-placed insulation
- Comfortable, athletic fit
- Lots of pockets
- Stretchy fabric without the usual crinkle
Cons
- Expensive
- No drop hem
- Not ideal for backcountry use
Best for backcountry touring
Mammut Haldigrat HS Hooded Jacket (Men's)
An impressive weatherproof shell with strong stretch and articulation, well suited to backcountry skiers who work hard enough hiking to stay warm without insulation. Advnture liked the deep pit zips for quick venting, though the dump pocket is shallow and there are no external hand pockets.
- Waterproofing
- 20,000mm
- Breathability
- 20,000
- Insulation
- None
- Sizes
- S-XXL
Pros
- Strong stretch and articulation
- Deep pit zips for quick venting
- Built-in snow skirt and helmet-compatible hood
- Range of striking colourways
Cons
- No insulation, needs a warm mid layer
- Shallow dump pocket
- No external hand pockets
Best overall
Helly Hansen Verbier Infinity Jacket (Women's)
Advnture's favourite women's snow sports jacket, so water- and snowproof it handles a blizzard without fuss, with a flattering fit that layers well and enough insulation to stay cosy at rest. A RECCO reflector aids mountain rescue searchability, though it carries a matching premium price tag.
- Waterproofing
- Life Infinity
- Insulation
- Synthetic
- Sizes
- XS-XL
- Safety
- RECCO reflector
Pros
- Excellent water- and snow-proofing
- Great fit with room to layer
- RECCO reflector for mountain safety
- Life Pocket helps preserve phone battery
Cons
- Expensive
- Light colourways can reduce visibility in whiteout
Best for seasoned skiers and pros
Helly Hansen Aphelia Lifaloft Ski Jacket (Women's)
Built for skiers out in the elements all day, combining strong waterproofing and warmth with genuine breathability and a light enough build to wear comfortably all day. Advnture praised the articulated sleeves and comfortable cut, though sizing runs on the small side.
- Waterproofing
- Helly Tech Professional with DWR
- Insulation
- Primaloft
- Weight
- 910g
- Sizes
- XS-XXL
Pros
- Beautiful build quality
- Fully waterproof and warm yet breathable
- Comfortable articulated sleeves
- Phone-warming pocket
Cons
- Expensive
- More features than beginners need
- Sizes run small
Best budget
TOG24 Anvil Jacket (Women's)
A comfortable, puffy padded jacket that Advnture's testers found stood out for fit and comfort, with plenty of recycled insulation to withstand cold, windy weather. It's water-repellent rather than fully waterproof, and the boxy design offers less arm articulation than pricier, sportier jackets.
- Waterproofing
- DWR water-repellent
- Insulation
- Recycled synthetic
- Sizes
- S-XL
Pros
- Well insulated and comfortable
- Good looks that double as a casual coat
- Affordable for a well-insulated jacket
- Recycled insulation
Cons
- Water-repellent, not fully waterproof
- Arms less articulated than sportier jackets
- Fewer size options
Best value all-rounder
Columbia Mount Bindo II Waterproof Ski Jacket (Women's)
A longer-length, smart-looking jacket that Advnture found kept testers cosy thanks to Columbia's reflective heat-trapping lining, with enough coverage to double as a general winter coat off the slopes. It runs slim, so curvier figures may want to size up.
- Waterproofing
- Omni-Tech
- Insulation
- Omni-Heat Infinity reflective lining
- Sizes
- XS-XXL
Pros
- Very warm reflective lining
- Doubles well as an everyday winter coat
- Great build quality
- Longer length gives more coverage
Cons
- Slim fit won't suit all figures
- Can run too warm for spring skiing
Buying guide
Hardshell or insulated jacket?
A hardshell, like the Arc'teryx Rush or Rab Khroma Kinetic here, has no built-in insulation and relies on mid layers underneath, making it versatile across temperatures and better suited to high-effort backcountry skiing. An insulated jacket, like the Schöffel Hohbiel or Helly Hansen Verbier Infinity, is simpler to wear and suits resort skiing where you're not working hard enough to generate your own heat.
What waterproofing rating do I actually need?
As a rough guide, 10,000-15,000mm handles light to moderate snow, 20,000mm is a strong all-round rating for most conditions, and 25,000-30,000mm, like the Rab and Artilect here, suits serious backcountry or exposed conditions where you'll face sustained wet weather.
Does a snow skirt matter?
A snow skirt is an inner elasticated hem that stops snow getting up inside the jacket during falls or deep powder, useful for off-piste or powder skiing. Minimalist shells built for high-effort touring, like the Rab Khroma Kinetic here, sometimes skip it since testers found it wasn't needed for their lighter, close-fitting style.
Can a ski jacket double as an everyday winter coat?
Many can, particularly longer-length or less technical designs like the Columbia Mount Bindo II or TOG24 Anvil here. Minimalist, lightweight shells like the Rab Khroma Kinetic also work well as general hiking or rain jackets, helping justify the cost if you'll wear it beyond ski season.
Sources
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