PlanetSKI Gear Review #3 Winter 23/24

6th December 2023 | Alf Alderson - Gear & Equipment Editor

Last modified on January 1st, 2024

Our gear editor Alf Alderson checks out the latest colours and trends in Ski Jackets and Ski Pants for skiers and snowboarders.

SKI JACKETS AND SKI PANTS

Ski Jackets

JACK WOLFSKIN AIRSPITZE AIR 3L SKI JACKET £560

The Alpspitze Air 3L jacket is designed for ski touring and uses Pertex Shield Air fabric (like its stablemate Alpspitze pants), which is ultralight and allows more air to move through it, whilst evacuating warm air and moisture faster without sacrificing weather protection.

Weighing just 300g, features are necessarily minimal in order to keep weight down. There’s a fully adjustable helmet-compatible hood, ski pass pocket (which seems a bit superfluous for hard core ski touring, particularly as it’s the only pocket the jacket has), a wide zip opening on the left side to access the inside of the jacket and provide venting along with Velcro adjustable cuffs, an expandable collar with vent holes and a self-adjusting, elastic snow skirt.

This is all rounded off by Recco technology and a ‘kimono cut’ to create a seamless shoulder area for more comfort under backpack straps. The Alpspitze Air 3L is a well-designed jacket but unless you’re big into ski touring or backcountry freeriding you may find the shortage of standard features like pockets, and the lack of any insulation, just a bit too minimal.

VERDICT: Thoughtfully designed, ultralight and very minimalist – ideal for ski touring.

JACK WOLFSKIN AIRSPITZE AIR 3L SKI JACKET £560

ANIMAL TRAIL JACKET £160

The Trail is a warm, well-insulated jacket that’s excellent value given all the features it comes with, that said, the insulation does mean that it’s somewhat bulky.

The outer fabric is waterproof and breathable, whilst the adjustable hood and high collar have a lovely, soft microfleece lining.

The two huge handwarmer pockets are fleece lined, and there’s a lift pass pocket on the left sleeve along with an inner security pocket and stash pocket.

It also features a detachable powder skirt, wrist gaiters and Velcro adjustable cuffs and an adjustable hem to keep the snow and wind out and heat in, along with mesh-lined pit zips allow the heat out.

VERDICT: Warm, comfortable and stacked with features, the Trail is a great option if you’re on a budget

ANIMAL TRAIL JACKET £160 www.animal.co.uk

HELLY HANSEN WORLD CUP INFINITY INSULATED SKI JACKET £520

If you like to be seen on the slopes this is the jacket for you.

Built with input from the Norwegian national alpine ski team, Team Telenor Alpine Norway, the World Cup Infinity Insulated Jacket is a technical garment that has stacks of features, including almost as many logos as a F1 race car.

It features extremely waterproof/breathable, eco-friendly ‘LIFA INFINITY’ technology with stretch fabric engineered to give long-lasting water repellency without the use of chemicals.

It also offers excellent insulation in the form of PrimaLoft BLACK Eco.

A helmet-compatible insulated hood sits atop a high, snug collar, and the jacket’s articulated fit provides great freedom of movement, although said fit is quite snug, so if you like to layer up beneath your ski jacket you may want to think of going up a size.

Of pockets there are many including a ‘Life Pocket’ engineered to preserve your phone battery in deep cold.

You also get a chest pocket with goggle wipe, large inside stash pockets, a ski pass pocket and two zippered hand pockets.

Other features include a Recco reflector, pit zips, cuff zips/Velcro adjusters, detachable powder skirt, mesh ventilation for added breathability and the inclusion of ‘Ocean Bound’ recycled materials, which are sourced within 50km of a coastline or main waterway in regions at risk of plastic pollution.

You’ll also be sporting at least eleven different logos, some bold and bright, so be prepared to be mistaken for a member of the Norwegian ski team – maybe.

VERDICT: A warm, well-insulated ski jacket with pretty much every feature going

HELLY HANSEN WORLD CUP INFINITY INSULATED SKI JACKET £520

H&M STORM MOVE SHELL JACKET £189.99

I’ll be totally honest and say that when this jacket arrived for review, I hadn’t realised it was from H&M (which helped to remove any preconceptions) and taking it out of the bag my first thought was “This is a nice-looking bit of kit, and it seems really functional too”.

So, I was somewhat surprised when I did actually realise who makes the Storm Move since H&M are not exactly known for their ski wear – and, as you might expect give the manufacturers, it comes at a really good price.

But what do you actually get for your money?

Well, first off, the Storm Move is manufactured from largely recycled polyester and features three-layer fabric with fully taped seams, a water column rating of 15,000 mm and breathability of 15,000 g – in short it will keep you dry in most conditions you’re likely to encounter in the mountains.

It also comes with a good range of well-thought-out features. The fit is quite loose, providing good freedom of movement and making it easy to layer up beneath the jacket, and the helmet-compatible hood sits atop a high collar to provide good protection from the weather for your face and head.

There are two zipped handwarmer pockets and a zipped chest pocket containing a goggle cloth, plus a lift pass pocket in the left sleeve, whilst internally you get a powder skirt, wrist gaiters and pit zips, along with Velcro adjustable cuffs and an elasticated drawstring at the hem to keep snow on the outside in all conditions. And I really liked the dark purple colourway (it’s also available in black for the more retiring among us).

My only minor criticism of the Storm Move is the lack of any inner security or stash pockets, but given the price it’s a superb budget ski jacket that’s both functional and stylish. It’ll be interesting to see how it performs over the course of a full season…

VERDICT: Great value, great looks, great functionality – H&M seem to have ticked all the right boxes with the Storm Move

H&M STORM MOVE SHELL JACKET £189.99

SCHOEFFEL TANUNALPE JACKET £399.95

It’s a while since I last reviewed a Schoeffel jacket so it’s good to see that the brand’s renowned quality remains as good as ever.

The Tanunalpe, which is aimed at piste skiers, will keep you warm thanks to non-bulky insulation and dry thanks to the fabric having a water column of 10k mm and a breathability of 10k MVTR.

As usual with Schoeffel it comes with lots of features – a detachable, adjustable hood, high collar with snug microfleece lining, inner stash pocket with handy goggle cleaner (featuring emergency response advice) on an elasticated security leash, zippered inner security pocket, powder skirt, pits zips, Velcro adjustable cuffs and four outer zippered pockets plus lift pass pocket, thus offering enough storage that, for many piste skiers, a daypack wouldn’t be required – and it’s always nice to ski without a pack when you can.

The excellent build quality of the Tanunalpe also means you’ll probably get many seasons of use out of it – however, it’s worth noting that the fit is pretty snug, especially if you like to wear several layers beneath your ski jacket, so you might want to look at going up a size bigger than you’d normally wear.

VERDICT: Top quality jacket for piste skiers with all the features you’re likely to need

SCHOEFFEL TANUNALPE JACKET £399.95

SALOMON BRILLIANT JACKET £360

Piste skiers looking for a warm, comfortable insulated jacket could do far worse than check out the Salomon Brilliant.

PrimaLoft Black insulation ensures you’ll stay warm on cold, slow chairlifts and frigid days, and the outer fabric provides further protection against the elements thanks to being waterproof, breathable and windproof.

The Brilliant also comes with loads of features. The helmet compatible hood is adjustable, insulated and detachable, and two zippered chest pockets and a further two zippered handwarmer pockets provide plenty of room for carrying essentials, whilst there’s an additional mesh stash pocket and zippered security pocket on the inside, and a lift pass pocket on the left sleeve – talking of which, the sleeves have both elasticated wrist gaiters and Velcro adjustable fastening to keep the weather at bay.

Pit zips and a snow skirt round everything off, and ensure that the Brilliant has all the essential features required in a good ski jacket.

VERDICT: A well-insulated ski jacket with all the features you’re likely to need

SALOMON BRILLIANT JACKET £360

PLANKS GOOD TIMES INSULATED JACKET £290

If you like pockets you’re in business with Planks’ Good Times jacket – it has two zippered chest pockets, two huge handwarmer pockets, two massive stash pockets on the inside along with a zippered security pocket and a lift pass pocket on the left sleeve.

The loose cut looks cool, and the body mapping insulation of the Good Times ensures you stay warm on the coldest of chair lifts, whilst a helmet compatible hood adds yet more protection from the elements.

Made with recycled stretchy RideDry15 fabric, the jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable, and you also get pit zips, a powder skirt and wrist gaiters to further keep the weather at bay, whilst Velcro wrist adjusters and an adjustable shock cord hem also help keep things nice and snug.

VERDICT: Looks cool but keeps you warm; and you can carry all your tranclements and more in the huge pockets

PLANKS GOOD TIMES INSULATED JACKET £290

PLANKS SLIDE AWAY JACKET £220

Besides being as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, Planks has also designed the insulated Slide Away to be versatile in that you could just as easily wear it for hanging out at your local pub or downtown as on the slopes – but on the slopes is where it’s really meant to be.

As a result, it comes with a whole heap of essential features.

The helmet compatible hood sits above a snug, microfleece lined high collar and there are stacks of pockets including two chest pockets, one with zipped side access, a lift pass pocket, a mesh inner goggle pocket with attached lens cloth, a zipped inner stash/media pocket with headphone access and two zipped handwarmer pockets.

You also get wrist gaiters and a powder skirt so the weather stays on the outside.

The jacket’s fabric is 10k waterproof and breathable, although being insulated the Slide Away is relatively heavy and bulky, but it comes at a good price and with excellent eco-credentials, including being made from recycled bottles and recycled fibres as well as using solvent free DWR waterproofing.

VERDICT: A great values, versatile and eco-friendly ski jacket

PLANKS SLIDE AWAY JACKET £220

HELLY HANSEN ODIN BACKCOUNTRY LIGHTWEIGHT HOODED INSULATOR JACKET £250

The Insulator is an ideal extra layer for backcountry adventures – its light weight and easy packability make it perfect for stuffing into your pack ready to use when you’re feeling the cold, or it can be used as an additional layer beneath your ski jacket.

It features two-layer insulation with high breathability and quick-drying properties, and in order to keep weight and bulk down features are relatively limited.

There’s an adjustable hood, zippered chest and handwarmer pockets and a zip opening for quick access to a beacon, which can be stored in the single inner stash pocket.

It’s articulated sleeves assist with mobility and elasticated cuffs and hem help keep out cold drafts.

VERDICT: A perfect extra layer for backcountry travellers

HELLY HANSEN ODIN BACKCOUNTRY LIGHTWEIGHT HOODED INSULATOR JACKET £250

Ski Pants

JACK WOLFSKIN AIRSPITZE AIR SKI PANTS £560

Designed in conjunction with the Alpspitze Air jacket, the Alpspitze Air pants have been made specifically for ski touring, so are super lightweight and offer only minimal insulation – you’ll definitely need to layer up beneath both pants and jacket in all but the warmest conditions.

They’re made from ultralightweight Pertex Shield Air fabric, which has excellent breathability as well as being wind- and waterproof, with stretch fabric around the gusset and lower legs that improves freedom of movement – the detachable bib is also made from the same material.

The bib comes with two pockets, and if you choose to wear the Airspitze without the bib there are Velcro waist adjusters on the pants. Side vents further assist with on-the-go temperature control, and a large cargo pocket and smaller inner pocket allow you access essential gear, whilst the hems are adjustable and also feature boot gaiters, and a Recco reflector comes as standard.

Jack Wolfskin has included pretty much everything you’re likely to need in a pair of ski touring pants in the Airspitze, and they look pretty good too.

VERDICT: Ultralight, feature-packed ski touring pants, but at a price

JACK WOLFSKIN AIRSPITZE AIR SKI PANTS £560

ANIMAL GLAZE SKI PANTS £100

Animal have managed to squeeze pretty much everything you need in a pair of ski pants into the Glaze and at a great price.

Cut from recycled polyester and featuring 100 per cent recycled PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Luxe to help keep you warm, they feel lovely and snug, offering 5k waterproofing and 5k breathability as well as being windproof, and in warmer conditions could be worn without a base layer.

The Velcro adjustable waist also comes with burly belt loops, and the pants’ straight-leg style provides good freedom of movement.

There are loads of pockets – two zippered hand pockets, two rear pockets and two cargo pockets, along with zippered inside leg vents, generously sized scuff guards, adjustable hems and snow gaiters, and on top of all this they look pretty good too.

VERDICT: Top value budget ski pants with heaps of useful features

ANIMAL GLAZE SKI PANTS £100 www.animal.co.uk

H&M THERMO MOVE BAGGY SKI PANTS £139.99

These pants certainly live up to their name – if you like a loose, baggy fit you’re in business. You also get taped seams throughout and StormMove fabric with a water column rating of 10,000 mm and breathability of 10,000 g, along with a nice soft lining and a good level of insulation.

An integrated belt with a magnetic buckle keeps the pants in place, and features include diagonal zipped hand pockets and zipped leg pockets, one with an outer mesh pocket, which is really useful for stashing stuff like gloves and beanie temporarily.

Zipped ventilation panels on the inside of the legs allow you to cool down on warmer days, whilst knee darts provide added volume and increased mobility, whilst the hems are elasticated and have a metal hook for attaching to your boots; there’s no boot gaiters, however.

VERDICT: Another top value item from H&M, although the baggy fit and expansive logo on left-hand cargo pocket won’t appeal to everyone

H&M THERMO MOVE BAGGY SKI PANTS £139.99

HELLY HANSEN VERGLAS BACKCOUNTRY SKI SHELL PANTS £260

Designed specifically for ski touring and backcountry skiing, the Verglas pants use Helly Hansen’s well-established three-layer Helly Tech professional layer system, which is waterproof/breathable and windproof for maximum comfort in all conditions.

Additional comfort comes from the fabric’s two-way stretch along with a crotch gusset and an articulated cut for better freedom of movement, whilst decent-sized ventilation zippers on the back of the thighs enable you to release heat when you’re working hard.

You get an option of detachable braces and/or a detachable waist belt to keep your pants in place, and there are also belt loops for a literal belt and braces fit. The Verglas only comes with one pocket, on the right thigh, and additional features include a Recco transponder, boot gaiters and reinforced insteps.

In use the pants are very comfortable and have a reasonably loose fit – they’re slightly heavier than some shell pants I’ve used, but that’s not such a big deal and the soft brushed lining means they feel good against the skin on warmer days when you may not want to wear a base layer under them.

As with some other Helly Hansen products you also get free ski pass at selected resorts with the purchase of this product.

VERDICT: No nonsense backcountry ski pants that work well; maybe another pocket or two wouldn’t have gone amiss, though