A good men's ski jacket should keep you dry, warm and free to move – from the first lift of the morning to the last run of the day. Here you'll find ski jackets for men from Helly Hansen, Whistler, 2117 of Sweden, SLOPE, Scott, CMP, Didriksons, Jack Wolfskin, Lundhags and Kilpi, in a wide range of sizes and colours.
Helly Hansen's ski jackets are built for harsh Nordic conditions and will last you many seasons.
Good pockets make the day easier. You need room for your ski pass, phone, keys and a snack, ideally with a dedicated ski pass pocket on the sleeve and an inside pocket that keeps your phone warm.
A snow skirt at the waist keeps the snow out when you fall in deep snow. It's a small detail, but you'll appreciate it the day you end up on your back in the powder.
A roomy hood that fits over your ski helmet gives shelter from wind and snow on the chairlift and stops snow finding its way down your neck.
You warm up quickly when you ski hard, especially in spring snow. Ventilation zips under the arms make it easy to let the heat out. Breathability is measured in g/m²:
The hydrostatic head, measured in millimetres, tells you how much water pressure the fabric can take before it lets water through. Most of our jackets keep you dry in normal ski weather, but on days of wet snow and sleet it pays to look at the numbers:
Try your ski jacket on with the base layer and mid layer you'll wear underneath. Stretch your arms forward as if you were planting your poles: the sleeves should still cover your wrists, and the jacket shouldn't feel tight across your back. It should also be long enough to cover the gap to your ski pants when you bend down. Sizes vary between brands, so check the size chart for each model.
Think about the colour too: a jacket in a bright colour is easier to spot on the slopes and in flat light, and it makes it easier for your group to find you.
If you want a jacket and pants that match, take a look at our two-piece ski suits for men, where jacket and pants are paired up for you. Of course, you can also mix and match with a pair of men's ski pants in exactly the colour and fit you want.
A shell jacket is windproof and waterproof but has no insulation. The advantage is that you can easily control your temperature with the layers underneath. Wear ski underwear next to the skin and a warm mid layer on top, and you have a flexible system for both freezing January days and warm spring skiing. See all men's hardshell jackets.
A softshell looks much like a shell jacket but is only water- and wind-resistant, not fully waterproof. In return it breathes even better and works well for active days in the spring sunshine and for cross-country skiing in the cold.
A ski jacket rarely needs washing, and too much washing wears the fabric. When it does need a wash, use a detergent for technical clothing rather than ordinary washing powder, which can clog the membrane. Reproof the jacket after washing when water no longer beads on the surface, and let it dry completely before you put it away for the summer.
An insulated ski jacket has a layer of padding between the outer fabric and the lining, for example synthetic fill or down. It keeps you warm without lots of layers underneath and is the most common choice for a ski holiday.
Not necessarily. More expensive jackets often have better membranes, more features and a longer life, but a more affordable jacket with 10,000 mm waterproofing will keep you dry in normal ski weather. Think about how often you ski and in what kind of weather.
Under an insulated ski jacket, a wool base layer is often enough, with a thin fleece on the coldest days. Under a shell jacket you'll need a warmer mid layer, because the jacket itself doesn't insulate.
Yes, a ski jacket works fine on a snowboard. Snowboard jackets usually have a looser cut and are a little longer at the back, but they protect you in the same way.
Absolutely. A waterproof ski jacket is a good coat for cold, wet and windy days in an Irish winter. Just bear in mind that a well-insulated jacket can get warm in town, so a lighter model may suit everyday wear better.
At Skisport you get a price guarantee on all ski jackets. The best deals often come towards the end of the season, in March and April, when stock is cleared for next year's collections – and a lower price doesn't mean lower quality. Keep an eye on our reduced ski clothing for men.
