Where to buy snowboarding jackets?

Best snowboarding Jackets to Buy ($5 plus tips)

• My brother and I are going to buy new snowboarding jackets - and we are looking for advice, links for the best ones - including features, breathability, waterproofness and value for money. To be honest we don't know where to start, with all the makes and options. We've got a budget of £100-200 and are buying the the UK. thanks Keith

• Answer:

  Hi there! I am a skier, and not a snowboarder, but I figured that the same guidelines that apply to a ski jacket also apply to a snowboarding jacket, right? I decided to take your qualifications and find the best in each category (features, breathability, waterproofness, and value for the money). I began my search by going to epinions.com Epinions is a WONDERFUL site that simply filters the Internet and comes up with the "cream of the crop" of any type of merchandise that you are looking for. Usually, there are also reader opinions posted, but I am sad to say that no one had posted any opinions about snpwboarding jackets. But I'l certainly give you my own. I typed in "snowboarding jacket" and came up with the following as the best in terms of value: 1. The DNA jacket for 192.00 (USD). http://www.epinions.com/pr-Outdoor_Apparel-DNA_Snowboarding_Jacket/display_~full_specs They claim that its 100% polyester exterior supports the utmost of warmth retention, but I dare say that most jackets like this are made of 100% polyester. The lining is made from Doublure 100% polyester. Isolant 100% polyester insulation keeps you warm. Heatflex 40 technology is excellent for versatility and high activity. The DT 20000 functional support system provides waterproofness and breathablility. All in all, I give this product a 7--partially due to the fact that it is made by a company that doesnt really make much else in the way of outdoor gear, and partially because there is nothing really special about the coat. 2. The Denali, by Northface. http://www.altrec.com/shop/dir/snowboard/37/ This is from altrec.com, which I consider the definitive source on outdoor gear. They sell their own brand as well as the best other brands, and they include very detailed descriptions on all of their items. So do check it out. Go specifically to their snowboarding shop, and you will find everything you need, and they ship to anywhere, from what I understand (my cousin in Italy just bought something from them online a few days ago, and while he has not received it, he has had no problems!). Now, on to the details on the jacket. Oooh, yeah. This is a nice one. Probably the most popular outdoor jacket here in the states right now. It's made with a Polartec® 300 Series water-repellent fleece for added weather protection. Multi-position sleeve zip vents help keep you dry and comfortable when you're heating up while climbing and four zippered pockets help you keep your gear organized. Shell: Polartec® 300 Series water-repellent fleece fabric/300 Weight Velour/Laundered two-ply Supplex® nylon fabric Upper body and elbows reinforced with two layers of Supplex® nylon (ideal for carrying packs) Multi-position sleeve zip vents to help keep you dry and comfortable Two zippered chest pockets Two zippered handwarmer pockets Single-hand elastic drawcord hem adjustment feature Zips into North Face shells for enhanced warmth Weight: 27 oz. (770 g.) in medium size In terms of everything that you were looking for, I would say that this jacket has it all. Notice that it is made of Polartec, which is THE only acceptable fleece material to use when in the serious outdoors. If it's not made of Polartec, it's not going to keep you warm. Pricewise, this is not bad either, but it definitely will knock my rating of this jacket down from a 10 to a 9. Still, awesome! Before you buy it from an expensive website, check on ebay--they always seem to have a great Northface selection. In the middle of my search, I came across a top 7 picks for snowboarding jackets in 2003. Here is the link to the list: http://snowboarding.about.com/cs/clothing/tp/Jackets03.htm I totally trust about.com. They hire experts in any given field and have them write on things. I only am embarassed that my top two picks were not even on the list that they came up with!! :) I don't know how much more information you need, but I think that i have covered what you asked for. If you have any more questions, please feel free to request a clarification, and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy! Thanks! Google Researchers