Gear Review
[this article is sponsored by evo.com]
Top Gun = the Best of the Best. These are the strongest, sexiest, tower-buzzingest Ski Jackets on the market as decided by the most reputable sources in the industry who put in the energy to test every 2016 Ski Jacket out there.
We’ve aggregated the 4 Top Gun Ski Jackets of 2016 according to the industry’s highest awards and displayed them here.
These are the Best of the Best. The Top Guns of the Ski Jacket world.
[Check out the Top Gun Powder Skis of 2016 & the Top Gun All-Mountain Skis of 2016]
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– THE AWARD WINNING SKI JACKETS OF 2016 –
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JACKET: 2016 Patagoina Powslayer
AWARD: OnTheSnow.com Editors’ Choice Award
– OnTheSnow.com gave their Editors’ Choice Award to 5 ski jackets this year, but the 2016 Patagonia Powslayer Jacket got the highest rating of them all.
– Pick up the Patagonia Powslayer at evo.com: 2016 Patagonia Powslayer Jacket
- Fit: Loose
- Length: Hip-length
- Material: GORE-TEX®, Nylon, Polyester, Spandex
- Construction Type: 3 Layer
- Breathability (g): 25000
- Insulation: No Insulation
- Seam Sealing: Fully Taped
- Powder Skirt: Yes
- Hood Type: Removable Hood
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
What OnTheSnow.com had to say about the 2016 Patagonia Powslayer Jacket:
Favorite Features: The PowSlayer Jacket reminded us of that “one friend” who’s annoyingly good at every lawn game at the barbecue. The features and fit on the PowSlayer make it a versatile go-to, whether touring the backcountry or lapping the tow. The multitude of pockets (both internal and external), low-profile powder skirt and 3-layer GOR-TEX Pro fabric will make you the envy of the party come Sunday afternoon.
Room for Improvement: The addition of wrist gaiters would help the PowSlayer to truly live up to its name.
Fit: The medium (U.S. M) tested fit well on someone who normally wears a large. If you’re looking for a slimmer, more athletic fit, consider sizing down.
– OnTheSnow.com
JACKET: 2016 Flylow Billie Coat Jacket
AWARD: Freeskier Magazine Editors’ Pick Award
– Freeskier Magazine gave 6 ski jackets their “Editors’ Pick Award”, but the Flylow Billie Coat Jacket is the only one that’s a women’s jacket and has the best price at $303.
– Pick up the Flylow Billie Coat Jacket at evo.com: 2016 Flylow Billie Coat Jacket
- Fit: Regular
- Length: Hip-length
- Material: Nylon
- Construction Type: 3 Layer
- Breathability (g): 20000
- Insulation: No Insulation
- Seam Sealing: Fully Taped
- Powder Skirt: Removable
- Hood Type: Fixed Hood
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime (1 Year on YKK Zippers)
What Freeskier had to say about the 2016 Flylow Billie Coat Jacket :
A three-layer construction coupled with a 20K waterproof rating gives the Flylow Gear Billie Coat jacket and Nina pant combo enough moisture protection to get you through those stellar, whiteout powder days. The flattering shell keeps you looking fly, adding to the appeal of its superior protection. The new PrimaLoft-insulated Tamara Micropuff hoody is an incredibly warm midlayer that includes its own underarm vents and is DWR coated for water resistance. Inner and outer thigh vents on the pants provide an added breeze, too.
– Freeskier Magazine
JACKET: 2016 Black Diamond Zone Jacket
AWARD: Skiing Magazine Testers’ Choice Award
– Skiing Magazine ranked a plethora of ski jackets this year but their highest ranking women’s jacket went to the Black Diamond Zone Jacket.
– Pick up the Black Diamond Zone Jacket at evo.com: 2016 Black Diamond Zone Jacket
- Fit: Regular
- Length: Hip-length
- Material: Nylon
- Construction Type: 2 Layer
- Breathability (g): 20000
- Insulation: Synthetic
- Fill Weight (g): 80
- Seam Sealing: Fully Taped
- Powder Skirt: Yes
- Hood Type: Fixed Hood
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
What Skiing Magazine had to say about the 2016 Black Diamond Zone Jacket:
Designed for lift riding on cold days, the Zone takes advantage of PrimaLoft Silver insulation, which is high-loft and very warm yet still compressible. Extended pit zips let you cool down as needed, while a stowable powder skirt offers options in the deep. The pants boast BD’s popular Pieps pocket for quick-access beacon storage, a standard feature on most of their pants. Available in: Men’s and Women’s– Skiing Magazine
JACKET: 2016 Dakine Mercer Jacket
AWARD: Powder Magazine Skier’s Choice Award
– Powder Magazine doesn’t rank their awarded Ski Jackets… We chose the 2016 Dakine Mercer Jacket from their 21 ski jackets given the Skier’s Choice Award because this jacket is black on black – no color at all. This is the perfect jacket for poaching Japanese powder (in case you didn’t know, most all of the best skiing in Japan is illegal and you need a jacket like this to not be seen by patrol…)
– Pick up the Dakine Mercer Jacket at evo.com: 2016 Dakine Mercer Jacket
- Fit: Slim
- Length: Hip-length
- Material: GORE-TEX®
- Construction Type: 3 Layer
- Breathability (g): 20000
- Insulation: No Insulation
- Seam Sealing: Fully Taped
- Powder Skirt: Yes
- Hood Type: Fixed Hood
- Warranty: Limited Lifetime
What Powder Magazine had to say about the 2016 Dakine Mercer Jacket:
Skier’s Choice Description
The new Mercer jacket/pant (the bibs run $250) are a three-layer Gore-Tex shell with a DWR finish and style we’ve come to expect from Dakine, with big hip pockets and a loose fit.
Features
Contour fit • Drop hood with collar venting • YKK® AquaGuard Water Resistant Zippers • Two-way center front zipper • Bonded cuff tabs • Wrist gaiters • Media compatible pocket • Mesh goggle pockets • Stretch Powder Skirt
Skiing Hot
Great earth tones.
Skiing Not
A few superfluous accessories: extra buttons on a hood flap; a mini tablet pocket in the bibs.
– Powder Magazine
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