The perfect ski jacket: for greater comfort on the mountain

A ski jacket is more than just a piece of clothing – it determines whether your day on the mountain will be a highlight or a frosty test of patience.

A good ski jacket reliably protects you from snow, wind and cold, keeping you warm and dry without making you sweat. It also ensures that you can move freely on the slopes or in deep snow. When insulation, breathability and fit work together perfectly, you'll feel comfortable all day long. When you invest in a functional and well-fitting ski jacket, you'll experience comfort and pure joy in the snow – from the first turn to the last run down the valley.

Hardshell jackets – maximum weather resistance

• Completely waterproof and windproof thanks to a robust membrane
• Ideal for changing conditions or wet snow
• Usually not insulated, so can be flexibly combined using the layer principle
• Less breathable than softshell, but offers maximum protection from the elements

The perfect jacket for anyone who enjoys being outdoors in all weather conditions – from skiers and freeriders to ski tourers.

Softshell jackets – freedom of movement and breathability

• Highly breathable and elastic, offering a high level of comfort
• Well suited as a mid-layer or outer layer in dry weather
• Mostly water-repellent thanks to DWR impregnation, but NOT completely waterproof
• Score points for their lightness and flexibility

Softshell is suitable for strenuous climbs in good weather or for sunny skiing days in mild, stable conditions.

Insulated jackets – warmth meets function

• With integrated insulation, such as down or synthetic fibre
• Waterproof and warm at the same time
• Lightweight and comfortable to wear, even off-piste (e.g. winter hikes)
• Can quickly become too warm during intense exercise

Insulated jackets are perfect for those who enjoy skiing in freezing temperatures and/or prefer a more relaxed, leisurely approach to skiing.

Whether you choose a hard shell, soft shell, or insulated jacket, it is important to find the right fit for your activity level, weather conditions, and comfort needs. This is the only way to ensure that your choice is truly the perfect ski jacket.

A good ski jacket keeps you reliably warm, even in freezing temperatures and on long days on the mountain. The type of insulation is crucial:

• Down: maximum warmth with low weight – ideal for dry, cold days. Thanks to their fill power, goose or duck down provides excellent insulation.
• Synthetic down: keeps you warm even when damp. This material mimics the structure of natural down, but is easier to care for and animal-free.
• Synthetic fibre: robust, compact and attractively priced – with solid insulating properties.

Our tip: Insulated jackets are a good choice for "normal" skiing in low temperatures. For freeriding and ski touring, an outfit based on the onion principle is more suitable, as these winter sports enthusiasts tend to move around more and highly insulated ski jackets are often too warm for them.

• Look for a water column rating of at least 10.000 mm – this is the threshold for a fabric to be considered truly waterproof.
• A DWR coating ensures that water rolls off instead of being absorbed.
• Sealed seams and waterproof zips provide additional protection.

Reliable waterproofing is critical, especially in changing weather conditions, to keep you comfortably dry throughout the day.

When you ski, you work up a sweat quickly - especially during intense activity or in the sun. A good ski jacket wicks moisture away from the body, preventing you from cooling down. The breathability of a ski jacket is measured in two units:

• RET or Water Vapor Transmission Resistance: the lower the number, the more breathable the jacket. RET stands for Resistance To Evaporative Heat Transfer.
• MVTR or Water Vapor Transmission Rate: the higher, the better.

Guidelines for correctly classifying breathability

Ventilation zips under the arms can also help to get rid of excess heat. This option is perfect for very active winter sports enthusiasts.

Look for these features when trying on a jacket:

• Ergonomic cuts that follow your movements.
• Pre-shaped sleeves and stretch inserts for greater flexibility.
• Try on different models – you'll know you've found a good fit when it's neither too loose nor too tight.

With a ski jacket in the perfect size, you can enjoy maximum freedom of movement and unrestricted skiing fun! Tourers usually opt for tighter cuts because they offer greater freedom of movement. Freeriders, on the other hand, often choose longer and looser-fitting styles.

• Helmet-compatible hood with adjustment options
• Snow skirt to keep out powder snow
• Thumb holes & adjustable cuffs for optimal wind protection
• Ventilation openings for fresh air supply
• Plenty of storage space thanks to well-designed pocket solutions (inside pockets, ski pass pockets, chest pockets, side pockets, etc.)
• RECCO system – but this is not a substitute for avalanche transceivers!

These features turn a good jacket into the perfect ski jacket – functional, practical and ready for any weather.

To ensure that the style of your outfit suits you, the perfect ski jacket combines technical features with modern design. You can choose from a wide range for women, men or children: whether subtle or eye-catching, sporty or classic – you have to love the style! 

Our tip: When it comes to ski jackets for children, bright, contrasting colours can be advantageous for quickly finding your little ones on the slopes. Reflective elements also increase visibility and thus safety in the ski resort.

When buying a new ski jacket, it's worth considering how you'll be using it – whether you prefer a sporty, relaxed or adventurous style will determine the perfect choice:

As you are likely to work up a sweat during the ascent, you need maximum breathability and freedom of movement.

• Lightweight softshell or hardshell jackets with ventilation openings are ideal.
• Look for good moisture management rather than heavy insulation.
• It's best to combine several layers (onion principle) – this allows you to react flexibly to temperature changes.

If you spend all day at the lift or on the slopes, you need a jacket that keeps you warm and dry at all times.

• Insulated jackets with synthetic or down filling offer optimal protection against the cold.
• A waterproof outer membrane (e.g. GORE-TEX, DryVent) protects against snow and wind.
• Particularly practical: snow skirt, ski pass pocket and helmet-compatible hood

Off-piste, different rules apply: protection, safety and freedom of movement are your top priorities.

• Hardshell jackets with a high water column and ventilation system are a must.
• Look for reinforced materials in the shoulder and back areas – they protect against backpack friction.
• Longer jackets also provide optimum protection in fresh powder and deep snow.
   

The perfect ski jacket combines warmth, waterproofing, breathability and a good fit with functional features and an individual look. It is crucial that the characteristics are tailored to your preferred activities – whether slope, touring or freeriding.

A ski jacket is considered waterproof from a water column of approx. 10.000 mm. The values for good breathability are, for example, below 6 for RET and above 30.000 g/m²/24 h for MVTR.

No, not necessarily. Strong insulation is useful if you are not moving around much or in extremely cold conditions. If you are sweating quickly, e.g. when ski touring, a less insulated but breathable jacket is better. In this case, you should opt for the layering principle with a hardshell jacket.

Your ski jacket should be tight enough to retain heat, but also offer enough freedom of movement. You should not feel restricted, especially in the arms and shoulders. If you want to use the ski jacket in layers, there must be enough room for additional layers underneath.