How to Pick the Best Ski Jacket

The first thing to do is go to a sporting good store or online retailer, such as Trails.com. Decide what material you want to have for your ski jacket. A soft-shell jacket is a single-layer coat that is highly breathable, windproof and either waterproof or water-resistant. Most soft-shell jackets do not have insulation, so learning how to properly layer clothing will be part of using a soft-shell jacket.

Insulated jackets have an outer layer of nylon, Gore-Tex or other waterproof or resistant fabric. Hard shells will have an additional layer of the same or similar material on the interior of the coat, with insulation stitched between them. The insulation can be anything from 650 to 800 rated goose down, primaloft or duraloft synthetic fibers. Goose down insulation is lighter weight and more compressible (a concern if going winter mountaineering or backcountry skiing) but will not retain its thermal heat-providing qualities when wet. The synthetic insulations will retain their thermal qualities when wet, but do not compress as much as down. Insulated jackets do not require as much layering underneath them to keep you warm, but can become too warm if temperature fluctuations take place during the day. Insulated jackets are good choices for in-bounds resort skiing.

After you have decided what material you are going to have for your ski jacket, you need to begin to look at what features you want on your ski jacket.

Having a powder skirt--a piece of fabric that skirts the interior waist region of the jacket and is closable with snaps or velcro--helps prevent unwanted snow from getting up and into your jacket from the waist. This can be a nice addition to the jacket if you plan on skiing deep powder.

Wrist closures provide the same type of protection from unwanted snow by having gaskets around the wrists. If you will be wearing gloves with gauntlets, wrist closures may not be a needed feature for your ski jacket.

Hoods can be great features on a ski jacket if you are planning on using the ski jacket for backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering. Being able to pull an extra layer of insulation over your head while climbing the mountain or riding a chair lift can help keep you warm and comfortable while being pelted from the elements. If you want a jacket but want the ability to use the hood or not, look for one with a removable or stowaway hood.

Storm flaps, also known as zipper covers, are a valuable feature. A piece of fabric running the length of the zipper, this feature keeps ice and snow build-up off your zipper, thereby preventing frozen zippers. Additionally, some storm flaps have soft fleece over the top of the zipper so your face does not get irritated from cold metal.

Overheating can be a concern if going out of bounds for your ski runs. Having pit zips on your jacket is a good feature to help bleed excess heat without opening the front of the jacket and exposing your front to snow flying into the jacket. A cinch cord around the bottom of the jacket at the waist can also help bleed heat when opened and keep snow out when cinched up and closed.

With your features selected and decided upon, the next step is to begin trying on jackets. Have your clerk help you with this. With the clerk, take your measurements for sizing. Using a tape measure, take the measurement around your chest, going just under the nipples. Take a second measurement running down the length of your arms and a measurement around your neck. With your clerk and the size guidelines from each ski jacket manufacturer, begin selecting your jackets according to size.

Lift your arms up once the jacket is on and see how far down the sleeves go when the arms are fully extended. If the sleeves go too far up the arm, have your clerk select a different size. Make sure you take extra layers and bulk into consideration when selecting you jacket, as a size taken with just one layer may not be big enough for multiple layers.

Zip the jacket up all the way and see where the neck of the jacket rests. If it is too baggy, have your clerk help you find a different size or cut. Try to keep the jacket snug around the neck, but not tight.

After your fit has been established and you have a selection of jackets which fit your body, it is time to think of looks, style and further features. While those neon colors may seem catchy and cool this year, will they be cool next year? If you are a trendsetter who likes to get the latest each year, then go for the newest trends and colors. If you are trying to economize and are looking at your ski jacket as a multi-year investment, look for neutral and base colors like black, grey, browns and earthy greens.

Further features to think about are pockets and electronics. If you will be skiing the backcountry and wearing an avalanche beacon, select a jacket that has room underneath for the gizmo. Some ski jackets have RECCO plates sewn into them. RECCO plates are additional chips which help ski patrollers find you in the case of an inbounds avalanche. If you will be storing your goggles in a pocket, deep and wide pockets are choices to look for in you coat. If you will be skiing with an iPod or MP3 player, a small interior or sleeve-based electronics pocket is a feature to seek.

Taking time to properly understand the features of the ski jacket is important. With this information you will be able to select the best ski jacket for your needs. Above all, make sure the jacket fits properly, looks good and has the needed features for your style of skiing.