What Are the Differences Between Ski Jackets and Snowboard Jackets?

Learn the differences between ski and snowboard jackets, to find the right winter jacket for sport.

At first glance, there really aren’t any. All ski and snowboard jackets are water-proof, durable, and great in the snow…and honestly, for most people the terms are pretty interchangeable. But for serious skiers and snowboarders, there is a world of difference between snowboard and ski jackets. Put them back to back, and these disparities quickly become evident.

Traditional skiing jackets are built for mobility, comfort, and performance. They’re streamlined, sleek, lightweight, and fully featured to seal out cold air and snow.

Jacket ComparisonSki jackets are typically more fitted shells, cutting down on excess material to improve speed and aerodynamics on the mountain. Style wise, most ski jackets are simply patterned, with bright and sometimes loud color combinations. They stand out, but don’t push the envelope, focusing on performance over bold style.

Alternatively, snowboard jackets are inspired by, and aimed at skateboarders, surfers, motocross, and bmx riders. They’re designed by guys like Shaun White, and companies like Burton, Oakley, and Billabong. In other words, (and not surprisingly so) snowboard jackets are street styled for the thrill-seeking kids who would be into snowboarding! So you’ll find more edgy, artistic patterns and designs in snowboarding jackets than you’d usually find in skiing jackets. Similarly, snowboarding jackets are baggier and longer than skiing jackets, for a younger, more urban look than the streamlined, fitting, and fast performance skiing jackets offer.

Why different?

Snowboard and skiing jackets are different for two reasons; they’re aimed at different audiences, and they’re meant for different sports.

Killtec Skiing JacketSkiing comes from a racing tradition, which has always focused on speed and finesse. Thus, you get bright colors, lightweight fabrics, and shorter hems in a skiing jacket. After all, skiers need extra mobility in both of their legs for better forward and backward movement. For most skiers, style is secondary to speed, mobility, and comfort, so skiing jackets try to deliver accordingly.

On the other hand, snowboarding evolved from skateboarding and surfing…two sports that have always been closely intertwined with style, street fashion, music, and fringe art. So it should come as no shock that snowboarding jackets feature boundary-pushing patterns and colors, modern media integration, and a more youthful look to them with long, baggy styles.

Burton Mens Poacher Snowboard JacketPerformance wise, their bagginess and extra length are generally better for snowboarding as well, which is more park-oriented than racing specialized, focusing more on tricks, grinds, and grabs, than making quick runs down the mountain. Baggy jackets make it easier to move your arms and torso for tricks, and the extra length makes it more comfortable to sit on the snow in between heats.

You see the same differences in skiing and snowboarding pants. Traditional ski pants are straight hemmed, lightweight, and roomy enough to move in, but definitely designed for fast and active movement. Snowboarding pants, like snowboarding jackets, are baggy, heavier, more colorful, and lined with pockets and extras, for the more style-focused snowboarder.

What’s the same?

Snowboarding Jackets and PantsSki and snowboard jackets are interchangeable for most people because generally, they do the same things and have a lot of the same features. Most are designed with similar water-proof shells, helmet-compatible hoods, adjustable cuffs, high collars, and most importantly, snow skirts, to prevent snow and ice from getting into the jacket. They both focus on keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable in the extreme cold of the mountain, and since both types of jackets are meant for active sport, they’re both performance-oriented.
At the end of the day, the differences between these two types of winter-sports jackets are negligible for most people, especially those just starting out. But since they differ functionally and stylistically, these jackets can definitely have an effect on your comfort and performance in the powder. For instance, if you’re a skier wearing a snowboarding jacket, it’s probably going to slow you down, catching the air like a sail and holding you back. Concurrently, if you’re a snowboarder wearing a skiing jacket, it’s probably going to be too tight for you to pull off any big grabs or tricks. All-in-all, it’s important to find the right jacket for your game before heading up the mountain.

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.

What’s New with Hoodies These Days?

Check out the latest performance and athlete-inspired hoodies from Nike, Under Armour, and Burton, to make your fall and winter more comfortable, and more active!

Not just for teenagers anymore, hooded sweatshirts (or hoodies, as anyone besides my Mom calls them), have quickly become an essential in just about everyone’s closet. The reason? They’re flat out comfortable! Made of cozy, warm, and soft cotton fleece, most people laze around in a hoody on chilly Sundays, grab one before they head out on a fall afternoon, keep one in the car or the office in case the temperature drops, or use them as a layer under a jacket when shoveling snow off the driveway. They’re as comfy as they are versatile…but at the same time, haven’t they become a little stagnant? In this new age of performance wear; moisture wicking shirts, waterproof/breathable shells, quick-drying fleece, electronically heated jackets, and alike…why are our hoodies still the same old, same old? If you read this blog often, you see where I’m going with this.

Womens HoodiesNow, thanks to the same companies (Nike and Under Armour, I’m looking at you) that updated our wardrobe with those high-performance shirts, jackets, socks, pants, and yes, even underwear, we at SU, have in stock, the latest in hoody technology! High-performance, moisture-wicking, weather-resistant, lightweight, athletically-inspired, and still super cozy women’s and mens hoodies are here, and let me tell you, they are some of the best hoodies I’ve ever worn!

Nike

KO Hoody / All Time Hoody

Nike HoodiesAvailable as pullover hoodies for men, girls, and boys, in a variety of colors and styles, the Nike KO Hoodie has been around for a few seasons, and was one of the first true “performance hoodies” on the market. The All Time Hoody and All Time Swoosh are similar performance hoodies for women, specifically designed with more feminine seams and styles.

Every Nike KO and All Time Hoody is made with their proprietary Therma-FIT microfiber fleece fabric, a combination of cotton and polyester that is lightweight, breathable, insulated, and wind-blocking, keeping you warm and protected from the elements, without weighing you down.Nike Therma-FIT The material is really comfortable and smooth to the touch, noticeably different than traditional, rougher and natural-feeling cotton fleece.

Other important features include:

  • Dri-FIT moisture wicking mesh-lined hood, perfect for regulating temperature when you get active
  • Flat-lock stitching that prevents chafing when moving
  • Athletic design and fit that is more tapered than generously cut, for a great and flattering look

Nike KO Hoodies go well with Nike KO Fleece Pants, available for girls and boys, and made of the same performance Therma-FIT and Dri-FIT materials.

Under Armour

Team Fleece Hoodies

UA Charged Storm Youth HoodieA classically styled pullover hoodie, the popular Under Armour Team Fleece Hoodie may look basic, but like every piece of Under Armour ColdGear, its design is anything but! Made of proprietary 2-Layer ArmourFleece polyester material, these sweatshirts are made to seal in heat and seal out the elements, while breathing, wicking moisture, and leaving you feeling comfortable and cozy.

  • An inner layer of brushed, soft, and comfortable polyester fleece fabric feels great against the skin and pulls sweat off the body.
  • A smooth outer layer is quick-drying and water-resistant, for a unique feel, and incredible performance.

Perfect for running, practicing, or training in cold, light rain, or snow, these loosely fit, minimally styled pullover hoodies are as comfortable as your favorite traditional cotton sweatshirt, but do so much more. Available for adults and youth.

Charged Cotton Storm Hoody

The latest and greatest addition to the world of performance hoodies, and possibly one of the best hoodies I’ve ever worn, the Under Armour Charged Cotton Storm is the first high-performance cotton hoodie that also slices through water, rain, snow, sleet, and hail like a samurai sword!

UA Charged Cotton Storm HoodieUtilizing Under Armour’s now-famous Charged Cotton material, which dries faster and wicks more moisture than any other cotton fabric out there, the Storm hoody takes it one step further, adding a DWR (that’s Durable, Water-Repellent) finish, to keep moisture out of the fabric. That means you can throw this baby on in the rain, sleet, or snow, and jog to the gym, bike to the store, or just run to the car, and come out safe (and dry) on the other side. It also means you can get as active as you want on chilly or cold days, and this hoody will wick that sweat off you, and keep you warm and dry…all with the look, the touch, the feel of cotton.

Available as a pullover or zip up hoodie, in dozens of colors, with Under Armour Charged Cotton Storm Fleece Pants to match, these water-resistant hoodies will blow you away!

Burton

Bonded Fleece Hoodie

If you’re looking for a sick snowboarding or skater hoodie to keep you warm and dry on the mountain this year, the fine people over at Burton have something really special for you. The unique and best-selling Burton Bonded Hoodie is the perfect combination of rider-inspired comfort and performance, designed with a brushed and soft interior, and a harder “shell-like” smooth outer. Performance-ready, the DryRide Thermex fleece fabric is incredibly breathable, quick-drying, and warm, with a really cool feel. That means while the rest of your friends are trying to shred powder, freezing and soaked through in their old (and quite lame) cotton sweatshirts, you’ll be cutting them up in something way above their heads.

By Brandon Porter.Brandon is a product specialist at Sports Unlimited.