Snowboard jacket or ski jacket? And when to choose an anorak
A snowboard jacket tends to be looser and longer than a ski jacket, while the membrane and insulation are similar on both. The guide compares a ski jacket, a snowboard jacket and an anorak and explains when an anorak is worth choosing and which trousers to pair with it.
Short answer: A snowboard jacket differs from a ski jacket mainly in cut: it is usually looser and longer, because on a snowboard you often sit, fall into the snow and are not holding poles. Both have a membrane, synthetic insulation and a snow skirt, and on some NORDBLANC ski jackets snowboarding is also listed on the product page. An anorak is a jacket you pull on over your head, with a short zip. NORDBLANC snowboard anoraks fit loosely and are intended for snowboarding and skiing, but they are harder to get on and off and to ventilate.
What is the difference between a snowboard jacket and a ski jacket?
A skier skis leaning forward and holds poles. A snowboarder often sits down on the slope, kneels to fasten the bindings and falls on the backside and wrists, so needs a roomy upper body and a jacket that also covers the backside. Snowboard jackets are therefore usually cut looser and longer, and ski jackets closer to the body. The table compares the details on NORDBLANC products. In it, a snowboard jacket means a jacket labelled as a ski and snowboard jacket, and an anorak means a snowboard anorak.
| Product detail | Ski jacket | Snowboard jacket | Anorak |
|---|---|---|---|
| Putting it on | full-length zip | full-length zip | over the head, short zip |
| Fit | mostly Regular, only a few Slim fit or Oversized | Regular | Oversized |
| Water column | 10,000–30,000 mm | 20,000 mm | 15,000–20,000 mm |
| Insulation | synthetic, mostly hollow fibre | hollow fibre | hollow fibre |
| Activities | skiing, and on some also snowboarding | skiing and snowboarding | skiing and snowboarding |
| Ventilation zips | most models | yes | not among the features |
| Snow skirt | almost all models | yes | all models |
So the difference lies mainly in the cut and in how you put it on, not in the protection. You will find snowboard models together with ski jackets in the collections women’s ski jackets and men’s ski jackets, and anoraks in the collection ski anoraks. What water column means is explained in the guide Water column and breathability, and the other parameters in the guide How to choose a ski jacket.
What cut and length suit snowboarding?
On a board, freedom of movement matters: the cut must not get in the way when you twist your upper body or bend forward to the binding, and the hem should cover your backside even when you sit. A shorter jacket rides up when you sit and exposes your back. Length is hard to judge from a photo, so when trying on, test three movements:
- Squat and sit on the floor. The hem must not ride up above your hips.
- Bend forward to your boot. The zip does not press on your neck and your back stays covered.
- Twist your upper body with your arms out to the sides. Nothing pulls at the shoulders or under the arms.
Choose the size by your chest circumference in the size charts, and the procedure that takes account of layers is described in the guide How to measure jacket size. You can try the jacket on in our stores.
What is the Oversized fit, and who is it for?
Oversized is a deliberately loose cut. On the NORDBLANC fit scale (Slim fit, Regular, Oversized) it is the loosest and fits loosely even in the size given by the chart, so you can wear a thicker sweatshirt under it. Only a few ski jackets are Oversized, and all snowboard anoraks belong to them. Jackets labelled as ski and snowboard jackets have a Regular fit.
A loose cut suits anyone who moves around a lot on the board and wears several layers. Fast skiers tend to choose Regular, because loose fabric flaps more in the wind. Do not go up a size just to be safe, as the sleeves would then reach over your gloves and the hem would get in the way.
What is an anorak?
An anorak is a jacket that you pull on over your head. Instead of a full-length zip it has only a short one, so there are fewer zips and seams at the front through which wind and snow could get in. NORDBLANC offers three kinds:
- Snowboard anoraks have a water column of 15,000–20,000 mm, hollow-fibre insulation and an Oversized fit. Skiing and snowboarding are listed on the product page.
- Softshell anoraks made of SOFTSHIELD® 10000 (10,000 mm) list hiking and everyday wear on the product page, not skiing.
- Lightweight spring anoraks have a water column of 8,000 mm, no insulation and are intended for hiking and everyday wear.
All kinds are in the collection anorak. The difference between softshell and a jacket with a membrane is explained in the guide Softshell or hardshell.
Is an anorak suitable for skiing? Pros and cons
Yes, if you like a loose cut and do not mind pulling it on over your head. NORDBLANC snowboard anoraks list skiing and snowboarding on the product page.
Pros:
- There are fewer zips and seams at the front, so fewer places for wind and snow to get in.
- The loose cut leaves room for layers and does not restrict movement.
- All NORDBLANC snowboard anoraks have a snow skirt, taped seams, waterproof zips, an adjustable hood and inner elasticated cuffs.
Cons:
- Putting it on over your head is slower, especially with a helmet, goggles and gloves.
- The short zip cannot be opened downwards, so it is harder to ventilate. Ventilation zips are not among the features of snowboard anoraks, whereas most ski jackets have them.
- The loose fabric flaps more when skiing fast.
- Only some anoraks have a ski pass pocket, and none has a goggle pocket.
Of the anoraks, choose the snowboard ones for the piste; the softshell and spring ones are for walking. For fast all-day skiing with changes between warm and cold, a ski jacket with a full-length zip, which you open in one movement, is more practical.
What features should you look for in a snowboard jacket?
On a snowboard you sit and fall into the snow, so features against snow and water matter most. An overview based on the feature details on NORDBLANC products:
| Feature | What it is for | Ski jackets | Snowboard anoraks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snow skirt | protects your back from snow when you fall or sit | almost all | all |
| Taped seams | water does not get through the seams | some | all |
| Waterproof zips | water does not get through the zip | most | all |
| Adjustable hood | the hood stays on over a helmet even in the wind | almost all | all |
| Inner elasticated cuffs | snow does not blow into the sleeves | almost all | all |
| Ventilation zips | let heat out without taking the jacket off | most | not among the features |
| Ski pass pocket | your ski pass is to hand on the sleeve | most | some |
| Goggle pocket | goggles do not get scratched in a pocket | some | not among the features |
You will find the exact features of a particular model on its product page in the Features section.
What trousers and layers go with a snowboard jacket?
On a snowboard you sit and kneel in the snow more than when skiing, so water puts more strain on trousers from below. NORDBLANC ski trousers that list snowboarding among their activities have a water column of 20,000–30,000 mm. Several men’s models with 30,000 mm are labelled directly as ski and snowboard trousers. You buy the jacket and trousers separately, so you can combine them as you like.
- Fit. NORDBLANC ski trousers do not come in the looser Oversized fit. Most are Regular and only a few Slim fit.
- Braces and legs. Most models have detachable braces, a zip at the hem of the leg and a double leg with a non-slip grip, which stays on the boot and keeps snow out.
Insulation, braces and legs are covered in the guide How to choose ski trousers, and you will find the models in the collections women’s ski trousers and men’s ski trousers.
Under the jacket belongs thermal underwear, which wicks away sweat. Merino and synthetics are compared in the guide What is merino wool. On a board your hands take the strain from falls and from fastening the bindings, and how to choose between gloves and mittens is described in the guide Ski gloves or mittens. All the clothing is in the collection ski / snowboard.
Which jacket should you choose?
- Snowboarding, a lot of sitting, free movement: a snowboard anorak from the collection ski anoraks; men’s snowboard jackets are in the collection snowboard jackets.
- Skiing, fast pace and frequent ventilating: a ski jacket with a full-length zip and ventilation zips from the collections women’s ski jackets and men’s ski jackets.
- Skiing and snowboarding in one jacket: a jacket labelled as a ski and snowboard jacket, or a ski jacket with snowboarding listed and a Regular fit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put on an anorak when I have a helmet and gloves?
Put the anorak on like a sweatshirt, arms first and then your head, and put your helmet and goggles on only afterwards. Pull the hood over the helmet and tighten it; all NORDBLANC snowboard anoraks have an adjustable hood. Put your gloves on last and tighten the hook-and-loop cuffs over them.
How do I ventilate an anorak when I get hot on the slope?
Undo the short zip, loosen the adjustable hem and the hook-and-loop cuffs and push the hood back. NORDBLANC snowboard anoraks do not have ventilation zips among their features, so a thinner layer under the jacket helps most. If you often get hot, choose a ski jacket with ventilation zips.
How do I try on a snowboard jacket in a store?
Put it on over the sweatshirt you will be wearing, then squat, sit on the floor, bend forward and twist your upper body. The hem must not ride up and nothing should pull at the shoulders. You can try on NORDBLANC jackets in our stores.
Does a snowboard jacket have to have a snow skirt?
It is not compulsory, but on a snowboard you will appreciate one, because when you sit or fall it stops snow getting under the jacket. You will find it on almost all NORDBLANC ski jackets and all snowboard anoraks, listed under the features on the product page as a snow skirt.
Can you combine a jacket and trousers from different models?
Yes, because they are sold separately. Look mainly for a similar water column, so that the jacket and trousers protect equally well, and for the fit. NORDBLANC trousers have a Regular or Slim fit, and a loose anorak can be combined with them.