Snowboarding Exchange

There are a lot of reasons why many snowboarders only have one snowboard jacket. They can cost a grip of loot for a good one and finding one you like in the first place can be difficult enough. Maybe you just have a lucky jacket and never want to get rid of it. But if you need a different jacket or are restricted to owning just one then you have to make sure you buy one with all the right features, fit and toughness. And depending on the boarding you do, that can mean looking at a broad assortment of unique features.

Many riders are just social snowboarders. They get together with a couple of riding buddies, take their mp3 player and run through the terrain park all day showing off to each other. After all, snowboarding with friends is the dopest way to get the most laughs out of wiping out. With portable music devices so commonplace, most mens snowboard jackets come with a unique pouch and place for wires. And if you’re sincerely looking for the highest end equipment, some jackets come with built-in controls on the sleeve so you don’t even have to open your jacket to change tunes.

In the snowboard world the tough guys are the backcountry snowboarders. These snowboarders will deal with unstable snow and angry bears just to find the ideal off piste run. Their equipment has to endure a lot and typically doesn’t come cheap. You need a jacket that is as watertight as glass and light enough that you won’t get worn down just wearing it. Sometimes pockets are of minor import in a jacket for the backcountry since most everything gets stuffed in your pack anyway. A men’s snowboard jacket in the backcountry has to be able to endure almost anything. Since you don’t know if you are ever gonna to have to spend a night out in the elements, you outta throw down for a bomber backcountry jacket.

But for the most part it is your average guy who is looking for a snowboard jacket to get on the slopes a handful of times a year. Even if you don’t yet know if snowboarding is right for you, you still want to get a jacket that will perform well, but not cost a lot. Still, you will want something that gives you a lot of protection as you may end up in the snow a lot. This is where you want to check the waterproofing and breathability ratings. There needs to be a fine balance since something like a plastic bag is 100% percent waterproof but you may sweat to death in it as there is little breathability. Good figures to look for are 10k/10k. Anything below about 8,000 on either rating may get soggy after a few hours. Jackets with ratings above 10K are in all probability overkill.

Most importantly, don’t merely buy a jacket based on appearance. Some jackets offer great fashion, but you don’t want to compromise functionality for appearance. If you can find a jacket that looks good and works for you, all the better. But no matter how good you look on the mountain, a weighty and drenched jacket can ruin your whole day, so always go for one that will keep you dry and balmy.