Waterproof snowboard hoodie or snowboard jacket? How to choose, and how to layer

Look around any terrain park and you will see riders in hoodies. Look around the same mountain during a snowstorm and you will see them in shell jackets. A waterproof snowboard hoodie and a men's snowboard jacket are not rivals; they solve different days. This guide explains what a technical snowboard hoodie can and cannot do, how it compares with an insulated jacket and a shell, and how to layer either one so you stay dry from the first chair to the last. Our full range is in snowboard clothing.

What is a waterproof snowboard hoodie?

A snowboard hoodie, sometimes called a riding hoodie or snowboard pullover, looks like a streetwear hoodie but is built from technical fabric. A cotton hoodie absorbs snow, gets heavy and chills you once you stop moving. A snowboard hoodie uses a bonded or membrane fabric that sheds snow and blocks wind, often with a warm lining such as sherpa fleece, so it can be worn as the outer layer on the hill.

The key word is "waterproof", and it is used loosely on the market. Some hoodies have only a water-repellent finish, which beads off light snow but lets water through under pressure. Others have a membrane with a stated rating in millimetres. Check the product page for a figure before you trust a hoodie in wet snow.

We make two:

• Versatile Snowboard Hoodie — a four-way stretch knitted composite fabric rated WR 5,000 mm and MVP 5,000 g/m²/24h (JIS), waterproof and windproof, with a sherpa fleece lining and a three-dimensional arm cut. Loose fit, unisex S to XL.
• Reversible Snowboard Hoodie — two hoodies in one: a knitted polyester side with membrane and water-repellent treatment for the slope, and a 100% sherpa fleece side for the drive home or the bar. Windproof, with thumb holes and ribbed cuffs. Its description gives no waterproof rating, so treat it as water-repellent rather than waterproof. Loose fit, unisex XXS to XL.

Snowboard hoodie vs snowboard jacket: the honest comparison

The short version: a hoodie wins on comfort, freedom and style; a jacket wins whenever the weather turns. A hoodie has no snow catcher, so a fall in deep snow sends powder up your back. Its hood is not designed to go over a helmet. And most of the time you sit on a chairlift in wind, a jacket's taped seams and higher rating are what keep you dry.

When a snowboard hoodie is the right call

• Spring and sunny park days. When the snow is soft and the air is above freezing, a jacket can feel like a sauna. A stretch hoodie moves with you on rails and jumps.
• As a mid layer. On cold days, the Versatile Snowboard Hoodie works under a roomy shell: the sherpa lining gives warmth, and the outer fabric blocks wind if you open the jacket. Tuck the hoodie's hood inside so it does not fight the jacket's hood.
• Before and after riding. On the drive to the mountain, in the lift queue on a calm morning or at après-ski, the hoodie is the piece you will actually wear. For what to wear after the last run, see après-ski: what to wear.

When you need a proper snowboard jacket

Choose a jacket for active snowfall, rain on the lower slopes, strong wind, very cold days and long, exposed chairlift rides. Then decide between insulated and shell.

Insulated snowboard jackets

Insulation is built in, so you need fewer layers underneath. Good for riders who feel the cold or who mostly ride resort runs.

• Shred 2L Insulated Snowboard Jacket — a cotton-feel Oxford Taslon shell with a breathable membrane (10,000 mm, 10,000 g/m²/24h), POWERFILL insulation, YKK waterproof zips, pre-shaped arms and a flip-out ski pass pocket. Loose, unisex fit.

Shell snowboard jackets

A shell is a waterproof, windproof outer layer without insulation. You control warmth with what you wear underneath, which makes it the most versatile choice across a season and the best one for hiking to a line, when you heat up fast.

• Element Shell Jacket Men — our men's snowboard jacket in a textured polyamide shell (10,000 mm, 10,000 g/m²/24h) with fully taped seams, side ventilation zips, a laser-cut vent panel under the front zip, a goggle pocket and a detachable snow catcher. Oversized fit, XS to XL.
• Element Active 3L Jacket — a PHYLEX 3L stretch shell (10,000 mm, 10,000 g/m²/24h), YKK waterproof zips, fully taped seams, ventilation on both sides and a high neck with a large hood. Standard fit, unisex XS to XXL.
• Element Vougue Jacket — a denim-inspired stretch polyester shell (10,000 mm, 10,000 g/m²/24h) with fully taped seams and a detachable oversized hood compatible with helmets, plus a sleeve pass pocket. Oversized fit.
• Terracotta Snowboard and Freestyle Jacket — a SoftArmour cotton-polyamide shell with a waterproof membrane (10,000 mm, 10,000 g/m²/24h, JIS), Terracotta Modules in 3D memory foam for shock absorption, double underarm zips, a removable hood with three-way adjustable depth and a built-in powder skirt. Its description lists a shell and membrane but no insulation, so layer underneath on cold days. Relaxed fit.

How to layer for snowboarding

Whichever outer piece you choose, the system underneath does most of the work.

1. Base layer. A close-fitting synthetic layer that moves sweat away from the skin. Never cotton. The Termo-Stretch Training Top Men is a four-way stretch thermo fabric with a brushed inner face and thumb holes.
2. Mid layer. Warmth you can remove. A light insulated piece such as the Hybrid Pro MidLayer Men fits under a shell; on mild days, the Versatile Snowboard Hoodie can play this role.
3. Outer layer. The hoodie on dry, mild days; an insulated jacket or a shell on everything else.

A practical rule: if the forecast says snow, wind or below minus five, wear the jacket and carry nothing. If it says sun and soft snow, the hoodie alone can be enough, as long as your pants are waterproof. Riders who sit in the snow to strap in should also read ski bibs vs ski pants: a bib under a hoodie closes the gap at the waist that a hoodie leaves open. Our Element Bib (PHYLEX 3L, fully taped seams) and Shred Bib (POWERFILL insulation) are built for exactly that.

Choosing the fit of a snowboard hoodie or jacket

• Room to move. Snowboard outerwear is cut looser than ski wear. Raise your arms above your head: the hem should not lift above your waist.
• Room to layer. If you plan to wear the hoodie under a shell, size the shell with the hoodie on.
• Length. A longer back helps when you sit on the snow. Oversized jackets such as the Element Shell and Element Vougue give the most coverage.
• Hood with a helmet. Try the hood over your helmet before the season. If it pulls or blocks your side vision, wear it under the helmet or not at all.

Sizes vary between styles, so check the size guide on each product page, and ask us if you are between sizes.

Frequently asked questions

Is a snowboard hoodie waterproof?

Some are, some are only water-repellent. Check for a waterproof rating in millimetres on the product page. Our Versatile Snowboard Hoodie is rated 5,000 mm (JIS); the Reversible Snowboard Hoodie has a membrane and a water-repellent treatment but no stated rating.

Can I snowboard in a hoodie instead of a jacket?

On mild, dry spring days and in the park, yes, as long as it is a technical hoodie and your pants are waterproof. In snowfall, rain, strong wind or real cold, wear a snowboard jacket: it has a higher waterproof rating, taped seams, a snow catcher and a bigger hood.

Should I wear a snowboard hoodie under my jacket?

It works well as a mid layer under a roomy shell, especially a sherpa-lined hoodie. Tuck the hoodie's hood inside the jacket so it does not get in the way of the jacket's hood, and size the shell with the hoodie on.

Is an insulated or a shell snowboard jacket better?

An insulated jacket is simpler and warmer for cold resort days. A shell is more versatile: you add or remove layers underneath, which is better for hiking, spring riding and changing weather.

What waterproof rating does a snowboard jacket need?

10,000 mm is a good all-round level for most riding, especially with fully taped seams. All the snowboard jackets in this guide are rated 10,000 mm and 10,000 g/m²/24h.