• Waterproof/Breathability: Gore-Tex
• Shell/Insulated: Shell
• Fit: Slim
• Category: Backcountry
• Size: XS/S/M/L/XL
• Colour: N/A
• Price: £360

Why we chose the Patagonia Snowdrifter Snowboard Jacket: 3L backcountry specific jacket made out of 70% recycled material, available for both men and women.

Last year, the world was introduced to Patagonia’s Shell Yeah campaign, a campaign that celebrated the fact that all of Patagonia’s shells for 2019/20 were manufactured using recycled materials while also being Fairtrade sewn. After the roaring success of the line, the Shell Yeah collection, including the Patagonia Snowdrifter jacket, is back for a second season; leading the way to a more sustainable future for the outerwear industry.

Patagonia’s Snowdrifter jacket has been a huge favourite amongst the riders who like to spend their time off the beaten path and explore what lies outside the boundaries of the resorts. Designed to tackle anything mother nature throws your way, the 3L shell is back for its second season with an updated colourway – for both men and women.

“Patagonia’s Snowdrifter jacket has been a huge favourite amongst the riders who like to spend their time off the beaten path and explore what lies outside the boundaries of the resorts”

If you’re looking for something casual to throw on for a day spent cruising down the pistes, the Snowdrifter might be a bit too spenny for that purpose. However, if you’ve got any intention of making your way into the backcountry, you really ought to make sure you’ve got the right equipment for that and a jacket like the Snowdrifter, one that can properly keep the elements at bay, will come in handy.

A 3-layer-fabric is your best choice when hiking off the beaten track. You’ve got the outer layer, or ‘face fabric’, which keeps the elements out, and a membrane that’s been bonded to it. A mesh is then bonded to the inner surface to provide comfort, which you’ll come to appreciate when trekking up the mountain.

Patagonia uses their own H2NO performance standard to measure the jackets waterproofness, breathability and durability – three of the most important features for a jacket to exceed in when likely to be faced with rigid conditions. Not only does the Snowfdrifter do well when exposed to all three tests, but its stretchy fabric also makes it easier to move in.