If you’re like me, you get excited when the forecast calls for snow. It means it is time to gear up, gas up and hit the snowmobile trails for the best ride you’re going to find on the frozen stuff. The thing about riding snowmobiles in winter—it’s cold. Like REALLY cold. How do you combat this? You want to wear the best snowmobile jacket you can find, for starters. The best snowmobile jackets are warm, block out the wind, and don’t restrict your movement. Oh, and they have to look good, too.  The ones we picked fit that bill nicely. So gear up and get ready to hit the trails this winter.

The Best Snowmobile Jacket For Every Rider

For more of my snowmobile gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Snowmobile Helmets, Snowmobile Gloves, and Snowmobile Goggles.

Quick Answer: The Best Snowmobile Jackets

1. Castle X Men’s Platform Snowmobile Jacket
2. Klim Klimate Winter Snowmobile Jacket
3. FXR Men’s Boost FX Snowmobile Jacket
4. RefrigiWear Softshell Snowmobile Jacket
5. Polaris Pro Snowmobile Jacket

#1 Editor’s Choice – Castle X Men’s Platform Snowmobile Jacket

Simple, classic and effective are all words I’d use to categorize this jacket. It won’t break the bank or turn heads, but it will definitely get the job done! You’ll find this jacket available in sizes Small-3XL on Amazon, so keep that in mind before you buy. Don’t forget to go up a size to accommodate for thicker layers as well! When it comes to insulation, you get 100g in the shell and another 100g in a removable liner. This is pretty standard for most modern jackets, but I just wanted to point out that the finished quilted insulation is technically 200g body/150g sleeves.

This jacket is both waterproof and breathable. The manufacturer used Ven-Tex 1.0 to do that, and it’s a material that’s become common in snowmobile clothing. I’m always a huge fan of vent zippers, and you’ll get these with this jacket. This is definitely our pick for the best, most simple, affordable and effective snowmobiling jacket out there.

#2 Runner Up – Klim Klimate Winter Snowmobile Jacket

This jacket gets top marks for style, fit and performance. With the Klim name, it’s hard to go wrong when it’s time to hit the trails. Available in four versatile colors, you can put safety first or go with a more modest, classic color to easily complement the rest of your gear.

On the jacket are a series of ventilation zippers, which are must-haves in my book. You’ll also find a beefy two-way YKK zipper closure on the front with a wind/rain flap. Inside is a powder skirt to keep the wind and snow out, plus adjustable cuffs and a high collar add more robustness against terrible weather.

#3 Best Backcountry – FXR Men’s Boost FX Snowmobile Jacket

With loads of color options, a modern style and all of the features you could ask for from a technical jacket, this one stacks up against the rest. While modern sport-cut performance jackets can often exclude bigger riders, there’s nothing to worry about here. This jacket is available in sizes Small-3XL, so there’s a huge range of sizes to adapt to your needs. These jackets are also available in 11 total colors, though not all colors are available in all sizes.

As we expect from good high-octane gear, this one is loaded with temperature control vents in the chest and sides. With an adjustable wind skirt, collar and wrists, you can really batten down the hatches against the cutting cold winds on your sled. In addition, you can fine-tune the temperature rating with the removable liner. While the jacket is technically water-resistant (not waterproof), I really don’t see this as an issue. Unless you’re riding in a downpour, you’re unlikely to encounter enough rain when riding your sled for it to really matter.

#4 Best Warmth – RefrigiWear Men’s Extreme Softshell Snowmobile Jacket

Need some extreme cold weather protection? If you think you’ll be riding in crazy cold temperatures this season, look no further! This manufacturer saw a problem: freezing temps. Then they created a solution: an insanely warm jacket! Warmth by itself isn’t the last word, however. This jacket uses a shell, insulation, lining and a zip system to create the warmest possible final product. Keep in mind that the jacket isn’t rated as waterproof, just water-resistant. While that can have drawbacks, the advantages of a softshell are comfort, flexibility and a great fit.

While this jacket does have great cold-weather features such as a powder skirt, reflective heat lining and a dual zipper system, it does have one big drawback. When temperatures aren’t insanely cold (a lot of the time for many riders) there are no vents. This jacket is rated as “600g” of insulation with no vent zippers, which means you may find yourself overheating and sweating once temperatures start to rise.

#5 Best Waterproof – Polaris Pro Snowmobile Jacket

There are few, if any, names in snowmobiling with more experience than Polaris. If you’re riding a Polaris sled and you want a matching Polaris jacket, then you’re in the right place. Fortunately, you’ll find that this jacket works great on the sled. It’s built from 600 denier polyester and fully seam-sealed with a Gore-Tex membrane liner for breathability all day long. On top of that, it’s got those must-have vent zips. Additionally, you’ll get an awesome modern fit with articulated elbows to stay nimble and comfy.

What’s most surprising to me is that this jacket comes in at a very reasonable price. Buyers beware, however, as the insulation weight rating isn’t readily listed, and I was unable to confirm it through Polaris’s direct website. This jacket is still one of the best for a top-brand pick that will match your sled, and it also comes with a wide range of colors and sizes.

How to Choose the Best Snowmobile Jacket

Insulation

When it comes to insulation for cold weather, there are several different routes you can go. Let’s start with the different types of insulation.

Synthetic insulation is man-made insulation that keeps you warm. These fibers can come in many brands, with subtle variations from one product to the next. One way or the other, synthetic insulation should keep you warm. It excels at performing when wet, so if you happen to get soaked, synthetic insulation is your friend. Also, this type of insulation is typically cheaper than down.

Down insulation is made from duck and goose fibers. These little under-feathers are super lightweight, compress fantastically, and offer insulation value that few synthetics can compete with. The downfall is that down insulation performs very poorly if it happens to get wet, and it’s also quite expensive.

Insulation Rating

Ratings come in two forms. A rating will either be listed as a temperature rating or a weight rating. Let’s start by discussing weight ratings. You may see something listed as “200g Thinsulate” or similar when reading about a jacket. These ratings can be translated to grams/square meter. Therefore, a jacket made from 200g insulation will be less warm than one made from 600g insulation. However, different weaves, brands and technologies are used across varying brands and jacket constructions. So it’s difficult, if not impossible, to create an apples-to-apples comparison even between two jackets both rated with 200g insulation.

Another way you may see jacket insulation listed is through a temperature rating. This will look like “rated to -20 degrees Fahrenheit” or similar. These temperature ratings are even harder to pin down than weight ratings on insulation. Each manufacturer will rate their jackets differently depending on their assessment of materials, insulation used, waterproofness and other factors. Therefore, these temperature ratings should be taken with several grains of salt (if not a whole brick of it). At the end of the day, I feel that weight ratings are probably a bit more comparable across the board than declared “comfort” ratings. However, they both leave a lot to be desired in terms of the objectivity of a jacket’s final function.

Layering

Whether it’s riding a sled or shredding on skis, I prefer lightweight outer layers (jackets). Instead of going with a heavy, thick, warm jacket, I like to go with a windproof/waterproof layer that has minimal insulation. Under that, I will layer up with insulation layers as I need based on current and expected conditions. This system has a ton of advantages:

• You can use the same shell jacket no matter the time of the year
• You can use the same shell jacket throughout the day as temps change
• You can ditch layers as temps fluctuate

If you choose to wear base layers underneath, make sure you order a size up so you can fit your layers without feeling too compressed under there.

Wind Protection

Insulation alone just isn’t enough if your jacket won’t protect you from the wind. After all, insulation in jackets works by trapping “dead” or non-moving air in a layer around the body. This air then matches your body temperature and shields you from outside temperatures.

If this trapped air can’t stay there – e.g. if a cold draft leaks in – then your body has to do all the work of heating up the air all over again, which defeats the purpose of insulation in the first place. So, how do you find a windproof jacket? Fortunately, it’s pretty easy. All waterproof jackets are also windproof. Now the caveat – windproof jackets aren’t always waterproof. Certain materials such as Windstopper fleece or some softshell materials may be windproof, but they won’t stop liquid precipitation. You’ll need a windproof layer as your outermost garment to stop cold air from penetrating and defeating your insulation underneath.

Waterproof Properties

When the temperatures drop and precipitation falls as snow, you can get away with non-waterproof garments without a problem. But when you do need waterproofing, you’ll get two main options. Waterproof fabrics won’t let water in, but they also won’t let water vapor out (e.g. sweat). On the other hand, waterproof breathable fabrics have the ability to allow the outward passage of water vapor from inside the jacket. While waterproof-breathable fabrics can be advantageous in some scenarios, they’re likely unnecessary for snowmobiling.

While there’s nothing wrong with waterproof breathable fabrics, you may be able to save yourself some money by opting for non-waterproof (if it’s appropriate to your riding conditions) or simple non-breathable fabrics. Name-brand breathable fabric can double (or more) the price of a good jacket. Before you settle on a jacket, take a moment to consider what type of waterproofing, if any, fits your needs and budget.

Extra Features

For snowmobiling, you need to make sure your jacket will hold up against penetrating wind and snow, as well as playing nice with your other riding gear.

Powder skirts are great for keeping wind and snow out from below. These usually snap together around your waist and feature elastic fitments to prevent infiltration by snow or wind. This is a must-have in my world, unless your jacket zips to your pants.

Cuff adjustment is important for keeping drafts out of your sleeves. I like to crank these down snug (but not too tight) and then put a long-cuff glove over them to help deflect wind and snow.

The collar is critical to get right. On snowmobile gear, you need to make sure it’s high enough to keep drafts out, while still being comfortable enough not to restrict head and neck movements.

Reflective panels are great if you want to increase visibility. You never know when you might be out in low-light or no-light conditions, so having a few reflective panels can’t hurt to add a little visibility. Plus, if you ever get into a survival or rescue situation, some reflective panels can really help others find you in case you need help.

Layering can also be a feature of a jacket, and sometimes it’s a user’s choice. If you’re going to add your own layers underneath, be sure to go up a size or two.

Conclusion

When shopping for snowmobile jackets there are some critical elements to consider. It has to stop the wind. It needs to fit you right. You need the jacket to manage your body temperature appropriately. Then there are personal factors to think about, such as what type of waterproofing you might want to choose. Be sure to spend a moment to read through our “how to choose” section if you feel confused about any of these factors. Then, when you’re ready to get serious, check out our list of this year’s top picks!

FAQs

Does a snowmobile jacket have to be waterproof?

You don’t need a waterproof jacket if you don’t plan to encounter precipitation. Even in the coldest weather, you’ll rarely encounter liquid precipitation due to temperatures. In milder weather – or if you live further south and encounter frequent rainy conditions – then you should keep that in mind when choosing a jacket. For most snowmobiling, waterproof jackets aren’t essential. What’s more important is a good windproof hardshell to keep you warm. Before you drop top dollar on a jacket, consider whether or not you truly need waterproof features on your snowmobile jacket.

How much insulation do I need?

I always advocate for lower insulation on your jacket, instead you can add insulation as layers underneath. That said, I would personally opt for 100-200g insulation on my primary jacket. If you’re in some seriously extreme environments (low temperatures) then maybe go a little higher. By keeping your jacket insulation low, you can have as much layering underneath as you like.

Is Gore-Tex worth it?

Overall, I don’t believe that it is. Gore-Tex jackets are usually much more expensive than similar equivalents. At the very least, you can probably save some money by going with an off-brand breathable fabric. In fact, some alternate brands, such as eVent, often boast performance numbers that even beat Gore-Tex fabrics altogether. Also, given that most snowmobile jackets have vent zips and you’ll be riding with the wind coming at you, it’s easy to manage temperature and perspiration by just opening a vent zip or two.

What safety features are worth having?

I’d say at the bare minimum you should be considering reflective panels. 3M Scotchlite is super reflective and can be found on many snowmobile jackets. This is great for helping with safety while riding, or if you happen to get stranded.

Another consideration is an avalanche beacon (this one deserved a separate article) or RECCO reflectors. RECCO reflectors can be sewn into clothing and they help professional rescuers use special equipment to locate potential avalanche burials. A jacket with RECCO tech might not be a bad consideration if you spend a lot of time in the backcountry.

What should I wear under a snowmobiling jacket?

Layers! Layering under a snowmobile jacket starts with a base layer. I like synthetic base layers, but if your budget allows, a good merino wool base layer can be even nicer. Go with a thin or mid-weight layer for most riding. If things are super cold, a heavyweight base layer can be a good pick. After your base layer, throw on a good mid-layer of insulation. Something like a synthetic or down puffer jacket or vest is a good call for this mid layer. I personally like the Patagonia Nano Puff series, but Amazon also has an in-house brand that’s similar and much cheaper.