Volcom tds 2l gore-tex jacket review

The 10 jackets below are what I consider to be the best insulated snowboard jackets for men for 2021-22.

As per Snowboarding Profiles tradition each jacket will receive a score out of 100.

Price hasn’t been taken into account in this list except that all the Jackets are less than 500 dollars.

The level of insulation hasn’t been scored, because everyone likes different levels of warmth – but the level of insulation has been noted for each jacket.

Compared to Other Jackets

Check out the stats below for all of the insulated snowboard jackets that I considered when making this list.

• The average score was 75.0/100
• The highest score was 96.5/100 (see below)
• The lowest score was 60.0/100
• The average price was $285

Note: that this list is based on specs only and not by personal experience with these jackets. So this is only going by taking the given specs at their face-value. Style, fit durability and weight haven’t been taken into account.

O.k. let’s get going with the top 10!

Jacket: Dakine Reach

• US
• CAN

Score: 86/100

Insulation: 60g
Insulation Type: Thermogreen® Thermore ECODOWN-FE 60 HL
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

Starting out the list in #10 we have Dakine's Reach Insulated jacket. 

With a mid-level of warmth and great waterproofing and breathability, the Reach is a great option for those who see cold conditions but don't see extremely cold conditions and don't want to layer. Or for those who  see cold and sometimes really cold conditions - and can layer on the really cold days. 

Score Breakdown for the Reach

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #9

Jacket: Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0

• US
• CAN

Score: 95/100

Insulation: 100g Body | 80g Sleeves
Insulation Type: Primaloft® Gold for body | Primaloft® Black Hi-Loft for sleeves
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

At #9, we have the Helly Hansen Alpha 3.0.

With a relatively high level of insulation the Alpha 3.0 is a really good option for those who see some pretty cold days and want their jacket to do most of their warming. 

Also boasts high levels of waterproofing and breathability as well as functionality. 

Score Breakdown for the Alpha 3.0

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #8

Jacket: 686 Hydra Thermagraph

• US
• CAN

Score: 88.5/100

Insulation: 120g
Insulation Type: Thermagraph™ Body Mapping Insulation System Using 120g infiLOFT Clo® Eco Vivo 93% Recycled Insulation
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 15,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

At #8 is have 686's Hydra Thermagraph. 

The Hydra Thermagraph has a good amount of insulation and that insulation is placed in all the right areas that need the most warmth. 

It is also the lowest priced option in this list, a bit below the average price of the all the jackets rated for this list - and well below the average of those that made the top 10 here. 

Score Breakdown for the Hydra Thermagraph

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #7

Jacket: Flylow Albert

• US
• CAN

Score: 89.5/100

Insulation: 60g
Insulation Type: Primaloft Black Eco
Waterproof Rating: 20,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

Next, in at #7, we have Flylow’s Albert jacket.

The Albert has a fairly mild-level of insulation for those who want just that little bit more warmth than a shell but nothing too major. 

They also feature great waterproofing and breathability - and nice to see that extra breathability on an insulated jacket, for those times when things get a bit sweaty. 

Score Breakdown for the Albert

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #6

Jacket: Burton Gore-Tex 2L Pillowline

• US
• CAN
• UK

Score: 90/100

Insulation: 80g
Insulation Type: ThermacoreECO insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

Next up we have the Burton Gore-Tex Pillowline. 

This 2L Gore-Tex jacket features a mid-level amount of insulation and all the waterproofing and breathability you would expect from Gore-Tex. 

Score Breakdown for the Pillowline

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #5

Jacket: Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl

• US
• CAN

Score: 94/100

Insulation: 100g Body | 60g Sleeves
Insulation Type: Thermogreen® 100% polyester (90% recycled)
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

In at #5, we have the Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl (also comes in a non-insulated version).

It might be the most expensive jacket on this list, but it’s by no means the most expensive going around (I didn’t consider any jackets over $500 for this list). And you get some great performance off this jacket and a generous amount of insulation for those that ride in colder conditions or run cold.

Score Breakdown for the Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #4

Jacket: 686 Hydra Down Thermagraph Gore-Tex

• US
• CAN

Score: 94/100

Insulation: 600 Fill power with 686s Thermagraph® Body Mapping Insulation System
Insulation Type: 100% Responsible Down
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

Next up at #4 we have 686's Hydra Down Thermagraph jacket.

This is the only down option in this list, the Hydra Down is great for those who need high levels of insulation - those who are riding in really cold temperatures and/or run super cold. 

Score Breakdown for the Hydra Down Thermagraph Gore-Tex

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #3

Jacket: Volcom L Insulated Gore-Tex

• US
• CAN
• UK

Score: 94/100

Insulation: 80g Body | 60g Sleeves
Insulation Type: Low Loft Polyfill
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped 

The Volcom L Insulated  (which also comes in a shell version) is the 2nd lowest priced jacket on this list offers a good level of insulation in addition to the waterproofing and breathability benefits of Gore-Tex, plus plenty of functionality – all for a really reasonable price-tag, especially for Gore-Tex.

Score Breakdown for the L Insulated Gore-Tex

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #2

Jacket: Burton AK Swash 2L Gore-Tex

• US
• CAN
• UK

Score: 95/100

Insulation: 60g Body
Insulation Type: Primaloft Silver Insulation
Waterproof Rating: 28,000mm
Breathability: 20,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

With a fairly mild-level of insulation, Burton’s second of 2 offerings in this list, makes use of a 2 layer Gore-Tex construction for a high level of waterproofing and breathability. 

It's the priciest of the two Burton Jackets on this list, and 3rd= most expensive overall of the top 10, but a great option if you've got the budget for it/like the style. 

Score Breakdown for the AK Swash 2L Gore-Tex

BEST INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKET #1

Jacket: DC Company

• US
• CAN

Score: 96.5/100

Insulation: 40g Body | 40g Sleeves
Insulation Type: 3M™ Thinsulate™ Type M™
Waterproof Rating: 45,000mm
Breathability: 30,000g
Seams: Fully Taped

And finally at #1 we have the DC Company jacket. 

With a list dominated by Gore-Tex jackets, we finish off with a non Gore-Tex option. But it’s still super waterproof and breathable (assuming you take their ratings at face value) and offers a light level of insulation for those that want a bit of warmth but not too much. 

Score Breakdown for the DC Company

Thanks for Reading

Thanks for checking out my top 10 insulated snowboard jackets for 2021-22. I hope this post has given you some options and helped with your decision.

If you want to check out my top 10 cheap men’s jackets or my top 20 non-insulated jackets check out the link below.

>>MY TOP 20 NON-INSULATED SNOWBOARD JACKETS

>>MY TOP 10 CHEAP SNOWBOARDING JACKETS (includes both insulated and non-insulated jackets with an MRSP less than $270)