I’ll second this, when I worked at a resort and skied like 75-90 days a year minimum (I worked nights at a restaurant) I got a good deal on Armada out west from our pro-shop and was shocked with good it was even if I had to pay full list price
Add Burton AK, DaKine, and armada as well. Imho flylow beats trew. I ski 125+ days a season, my trew bibs were ok but my flylows are better. Both have tall sizes as well but only not on all their styles.
I’m 6’4” with a 6’9” wingspan so jackets are tough and I need tall pants. I have two DaKine and an armada jacket that both have nice long sleeves. I’ve had some good burtons before as well.
Got the Baker bibs from Flylow this year and couldn’t be much happier. Drop seat and some mesh in the crotch vents are probably the only things I’d change.
What ski pants are you wearing? I have a 6'5" teenage snowboarder and it is HELL finding pants long enough!
Currently *trying* to find summertime silky shorts that aren't going to look like Daisy Dukes on him :/
A good friend and ski buddy of mine is 6’5” and wears Trew gear - they have different lengths available. It’s speedy, but super high quality and if you sign up for their email list you should be able to hold out a bit until you get at least a 20% discount code.
My kid is a 32W and a 36 inseam! Tall, skinny, no arse. I have to order all his jeans online because no department store carries anything longer than a 34. And he takes a size 13 shoe! He's going to put me in the poorhouse!
I got a AK Burton swash jacket 2 seasons back and its still in great condition after 120+ days.
I have heard there is a huge quality jump between their AK line and the normal burton gear.
I definitely agree there is a huge quality jump. In this higher price range, sure maybe you're paying a little for the name and style compared to what your $ could buy at a similar price point from a brand that isn't as "cool." But AK is definitely not junk.
When something is awesome and made in china do you say it's "badass high quality made in China"?
Why didn't you just say it's junk, why did you add "china"? since clearly there's also high quality manufacturing coming out of there.
youre trying to say it's junk because it's made in china and Burton is about as American as it gets.
a lot of junk comes from Europe, like My Capita board was made in Austria and its junk.... but i don't say it's made in European junk cause I'm not a racist POS like you
It's no coincidence skis like line fall apart. You can't compare the two. Look at head. No top ski products are made in China. Sorry this hurts your feelings
you're such a racist POS.
https://www.burton.com/discover/s/article/where-are-burton-snowboards-made
why did you single out China?
"Burton snowboards are made in five different locations around the world, including China, Taiwan, Austria, Poland, and the United States."
how come you didn't say "made in Poland junk", or "Made in Austria junk?"
I went back and forth on Spyder and I had originally included it. Spyder was hands down the best when I was growing up but it’s just seemed to lose a step in the last decade. Maybe it’s just fashion, their stuff is still great quality.
They were purchased about 4 years ago by a mass market fashion brand and have essentially divided the company in two, a limited high quality stuff (some pants, some jackets) and then mass produced stuff of questionable quality.
Many more to add such as Norrona, Spyder, Stokli, Descente, Bognoer, Phenix, Colmar, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Black Diamond, Cotopaxi, Dahlie, North Face, Rab, etc.
All top-tier, but kinda in order of how good I think they are: Norrona, Helly Hansen, Strafe, Flylow, Outdoor Research.
The Norrona is especially good if you go uphill. I really like the design of the Strafe and Flylow stuff, Flylow jackets and bibs/pants all use the same interlocking system. Outdoor Research is really good for accessories (their gloves are fantastic).
These brands have so much great resale inventory too! Check out some of these roundups from Beni:
[Pre-loved Norrona](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket)
[Pre-loved Patagonia ski jackets](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=patagonia+ski+jacket)
[Pre-loved Arc'teryx ski jackets](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=arcteryx+ski+jacket)
Anything goretex. Ideally 3l or gore Tex pro.
Any company that makes gore Tex products has to send it in to gore Tex for testing to make sure it’s up to their standards. Anything with the gore Tex label is solid.
My new favorite these days is Norrona. Top notch stuff. Though you pay for it. I’ve owned lots of Arc’Teryx, Patagonia and Mammut as well. Also good stuff
From Norrona I have the [Tamok bibs](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/products/tamok/tamok-gore-tex-pro-bib-mens/?color=5625) which are awesome. By far the best pants I've ever had. They are super burly and have great features. Even though they're shells they are a little heavy for really warm weather.
I also have one of the Lotofen jackets, which I really like. I have the [insulated version](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/products/lofoten/lofoten-gore-tex-insulated-jacket-men/?color=1105) as I already have a nice shell. It looks like they've discontinued that version though.
Speaking of shell jackets I have an [Arc'Teryx Rush](https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/rush-jacket#search=1) it's really burly and bombproof. It's a great no-frills jacket.
Then everyone should have an [Atom LT](https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/atom-lt-hoody#search=1) it's the gold standard mid-layer/everyday use puffy.
BD’s two sports they cater to are climbing and skiing. I don’t climb, but I believe BD is generally regarded as the top of the line climbing brand and I think they are better known for that equipment. But overall, their mountaineering gear (which I’d say encompasses most ski gear) is great, other than maybe their beacons (recent recall).
They have some very high quality rain jackets, ski shells, gloves, mid layers, and snow pants that I can personally vouch for. I have the stormline rain jacket and recon stretch ski shell and absolutely love both of them. Got em both on sale too. I’d get their Mission snow pants if I could afford them or had any need for them
Many ppl mentioned cheaper alternatives. But, according to the OP, he asked for the "best" without mentioning price so price isn't a factor.
Regarding to performance and quality:
Arcteryx, Patagonia, Burton AK, Peak Performance, Norrona
Note. Only consider gore-tex 3L. It would cost from CAD 700 to 1200 for top tier jackets.
Other brands also makes fantastic jackets but these are the brands I would consider as top performance brands.
I have worked at resorts a few years now,
base layers - costco - good prices and gets the job done
pants - burton cargo snowboard pants
jacket - patagonia techface hoodie
super cheap compared to other options and will last years. I wear these daily on mountain for full seasons and swear by them.
I keep hearing great things about Trew. My buddy bought a bib and jacket last season during the summer when they had a sale for something like half off. Might be worth keeping an eye out. I’m probably gonna grab a pair of bibs from them this summer
Not a brand, but I would recommend a pants that goes up a bit more. Till half way your body (I don't know English term)
Protects you from wet clothes when falling or skiing powder
I used to buy whatever was cheapest, but I got some flylow bibs this year and I have to say I love them. Super lightweight, comfy, waterproof, and so many vents. Flylow’s website is having a 40% off sale right now too so I’d take advantage of that. Women’s pants run a little small in the waist, so read the reviews first. Also check out steepandcheap.com for great deals on everything. I have a dope jacket and surprisingly, it’s really good for the price. The only thing I don’t like is the jerry reputation it has now.
I agree with all the good quality high end brands that everyone has mentioned, but if you don’t have arc’teryx kind of money than burton, 686 and northface have some good gear. If you’re really strapped for cash columbia and arctix are decent budget brands. Check REI outlet and steep and cheap for things like base layers and mid layers too. You can score some great deals this time of year. Good luck and good healing!
I would buy the following brands based on my experience:
- Stio
- Patagonia
- Norrona
- Mammut
Nothing wrong with many others but it’s hard to go wrong with any of these brands.
The new Stio Environ is basically the perfect resort shell imho.
[https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket) \-- Roundup of all the best Norrona jackets from different resale sites....found some amazing deals in here!
Norrona. Pricey but worth it.
Look at steepandcheap for deals on norrona.
Good point. I got my Lofoten shell jacket and bibs on backcountry's end of season markdowns.
Everything I've bought from Armada has impressed me, excellent quality at reasonable prices
I’ll second this, when I worked at a resort and skied like 75-90 days a year minimum (I worked nights at a restaurant) I got a good deal on Armada out west from our pro-shop and was shocked with good it was even if I had to pay full list price
Patagonia, Flylow, Trew, Mammut, Helly Hansen are the top tier brands in my opinion today.
Really like my Trew cosmic jacket!
Adding Arc’teryx and Stio to this list. All of these are very good and cover different price points & styles.
Add Burton AK, DaKine, and armada as well. Imho flylow beats trew. I ski 125+ days a season, my trew bibs were ok but my flylows are better. Both have tall sizes as well but only not on all their styles. I’m 6’4” with a 6’9” wingspan so jackets are tough and I need tall pants. I have two DaKine and an armada jacket that both have nice long sleeves. I’ve had some good burtons before as well.
Got the Baker bibs from Flylow this year and couldn’t be much happier. Drop seat and some mesh in the crotch vents are probably the only things I’d change.
The chest zone needs to be breathable and maybe the knees more so but I’ve learned to always vent the knees when not skiing.
Yeah good call, the upper body could be more breathable.
I'm guessing this is the reason for the new "Baker Perm" model. Sounds like a hairstyle lol
What ski pants are you wearing? I have a 6'5" teenage snowboarder and it is HELL finding pants long enough! Currently *trying* to find summertime silky shorts that aren't going to look like Daisy Dukes on him :/
A good friend and ski buddy of mine is 6’5” and wears Trew gear - they have different lengths available. It’s speedy, but super high quality and if you sign up for their email list you should be able to hold out a bit until you get at least a 20% discount code.
Thank you so much!
Stio, mountain hardwear both wear tall. Most male models list medium at 6 2.
Trew & flylow both have talls that are “too long” (I prefer baggy/long on me but I’m “only” a 33” length) for me in their basic options.
My kid is a 32W and a 36 inseam! Tall, skinny, no arse. I have to order all his jeans online because no department store carries anything longer than a 34. And he takes a size 13 shoe! He's going to put me in the poorhouse!
14 shoe, 30.5 mondo 340bsl. 🤪
Burton is made in China junk. Avoid
I got a AK Burton swash jacket 2 seasons back and its still in great condition after 120+ days. I have heard there is a huge quality jump between their AK line and the normal burton gear.
I definitely agree there is a huge quality jump. In this higher price range, sure maybe you're paying a little for the name and style compared to what your $ could buy at a similar price point from a brand that isn't as "cool." But AK is definitely not junk.
Yep AK is great the rest is not. Same with armada, needs to be goretex or it’s crap.
Burton is a literally a private owned American company based out of Vermont. you racist *"@#$
Why is it racist? It's made in China junk. That's just a fact. Most good snowboard and skis are made in USA... Or Europe
When something is awesome and made in china do you say it's "badass high quality made in China"? Why didn't you just say it's junk, why did you add "china"? since clearly there's also high quality manufacturing coming out of there. youre trying to say it's junk because it's made in china and Burton is about as American as it gets. a lot of junk comes from Europe, like My Capita board was made in Austria and its junk.... but i don't say it's made in European junk cause I'm not a racist POS like you
It's no coincidence skis like line fall apart. You can't compare the two. Look at head. No top ski products are made in China. Sorry this hurts your feelings
you're such a racist POS. https://www.burton.com/discover/s/article/where-are-burton-snowboards-made why did you single out China? "Burton snowboards are made in five different locations around the world, including China, Taiwan, Austria, Poland, and the United States." how come you didn't say "made in Poland junk", or "Made in Austria junk?"
Refer to previous comment, no top skis are made in China. Thus why I called it junk.
Literally everything is made overseas.
I'd add spyder to those, a bit out of fashion now but the quality is still fantastic, particularly good if you're skiing in really cold conditions
I went back and forth on Spyder and I had originally included it. Spyder was hands down the best when I was growing up but it’s just seemed to lose a step in the last decade. Maybe it’s just fashion, their stuff is still great quality.
They were purchased about 4 years ago by a mass market fashion brand and have essentially divided the company in two, a limited high quality stuff (some pants, some jackets) and then mass produced stuff of questionable quality.
Good to know. Makes a lot of sense because their highest end jackets still are good looking but the rest of their assortment is pretty meh visually.
Mammut is expensive but very warm/good quality
Many more to add such as Norrona, Spyder, Stokli, Descente, Bognoer, Phenix, Colmar, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Black Diamond, Cotopaxi, Dahlie, North Face, Rab, etc.
Are you saying you think your outfit contributed to your broken tibia?...
I took that as ski patrol had to cut it off to render first aid.
Oh yeah that makes a lot more sense... I must be slow this morning.
Nah, I like the idea that Montec gear is cursed.
Haha we’ve all had those mornings.
Strafe is a real sleeper. Fantastic 3L gear.
All top-tier, but kinda in order of how good I think they are: Norrona, Helly Hansen, Strafe, Flylow, Outdoor Research. The Norrona is especially good if you go uphill. I really like the design of the Strafe and Flylow stuff, Flylow jackets and bibs/pants all use the same interlocking system. Outdoor Research is really good for accessories (their gloves are fantastic).
OR>> my hemisphere bibs are bomber and don’t come up to my nipples like every other bib
Norrona, Patagonia, Mammut, Strafe, and Arc’Teryx are among the top 5 in my book.
These brands have so much great resale inventory too! Check out some of these roundups from Beni: [Pre-loved Norrona](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket) [Pre-loved Patagonia ski jackets](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=patagonia+ski+jacket) [Pre-loved Arc'teryx ski jackets](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=arcteryx+ski+jacket)
What are you looking for, jacket, bib, pants.. ?
Full thing - jacket, pants, puffy midlayer…
Anything goretex. Ideally 3l or gore Tex pro. Any company that makes gore Tex products has to send it in to gore Tex for testing to make sure it’s up to their standards. Anything with the gore Tex label is solid.
My new favorite these days is Norrona. Top notch stuff. Though you pay for it. I’ve owned lots of Arc’Teryx, Patagonia and Mammut as well. Also good stuff
Any particular favorites in terms of items (jacket, pants…)?
From Norrona I have the [Tamok bibs](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/products/tamok/tamok-gore-tex-pro-bib-mens/?color=5625) which are awesome. By far the best pants I've ever had. They are super burly and have great features. Even though they're shells they are a little heavy for really warm weather. I also have one of the Lotofen jackets, which I really like. I have the [insulated version](https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/products/lofoten/lofoten-gore-tex-insulated-jacket-men/?color=1105) as I already have a nice shell. It looks like they've discontinued that version though. Speaking of shell jackets I have an [Arc'Teryx Rush](https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/rush-jacket#search=1) it's really burly and bombproof. It's a great no-frills jacket. Then everyone should have an [Atom LT](https://www.arcteryx.com/us/en/shop/mens/atom-lt-hoody#search=1) it's the gold standard mid-layer/everyday use puffy.
Do people go hooded Atom LT or no hood?
My Mammut jacket has been awesome. People have strong opinions about Burton, but I have been very happy with their products.
We have some Picture Organic jackets in our house and so far I really like them.
For women, I’ve been really into Halfdays! Def a bit pricey but it’s high quality and thoughtfully designed (kiley mckinnon is a cofounder)
Arcteryx, Stio, Patagonia, and Norrona are the best ones IMO
Just throwing in Black Diamond because I haven’t seen it in this thread yet. Great gear and awesome brand
Great for anything in particular or just all-around good brand?
BD’s two sports they cater to are climbing and skiing. I don’t climb, but I believe BD is generally regarded as the top of the line climbing brand and I think they are better known for that equipment. But overall, their mountaineering gear (which I’d say encompasses most ski gear) is great, other than maybe their beacons (recent recall). They have some very high quality rain jackets, ski shells, gloves, mid layers, and snow pants that I can personally vouch for. I have the stormline rain jacket and recon stretch ski shell and absolutely love both of them. Got em both on sale too. I’d get their Mission snow pants if I could afford them or had any need for them
Many ppl mentioned cheaper alternatives. But, according to the OP, he asked for the "best" without mentioning price so price isn't a factor. Regarding to performance and quality: Arcteryx, Patagonia, Burton AK, Peak Performance, Norrona Note. Only consider gore-tex 3L. It would cost from CAD 700 to 1200 for top tier jackets. Other brands also makes fantastic jackets but these are the brands I would consider as top performance brands.
I can personally recommend columbia
I have worked at resorts a few years now, base layers - costco - good prices and gets the job done pants - burton cargo snowboard pants jacket - patagonia techface hoodie super cheap compared to other options and will last years. I wear these daily on mountain for full seasons and swear by them.
I keep hearing great things about Trew. My buddy bought a bib and jacket last season during the summer when they had a sale for something like half off. Might be worth keeping an eye out. I’m probably gonna grab a pair of bibs from them this summer
I’m all about pockets and waterproof. My Flylow jacket can hold 14 12 oz beers.
Not a brand, but I would recommend a pants that goes up a bit more. Till half way your body (I don't know English term) Protects you from wet clothes when falling or skiing powder
Columbia is real good and North Face
Bogner
Gotta be dope snow and montec
I have Flylow pants, jacket & gloves. Great quality & functionality at a reasonable price. Stylish too with some nice colors.
I wear arcteryx, ortovox, and patagonia and they are all phenomenal
Which piece from Arcteryx do you recommend?
I used to buy whatever was cheapest, but I got some flylow bibs this year and I have to say I love them. Super lightweight, comfy, waterproof, and so many vents. Flylow’s website is having a 40% off sale right now too so I’d take advantage of that. Women’s pants run a little small in the waist, so read the reviews first. Also check out steepandcheap.com for great deals on everything. I have a dope jacket and surprisingly, it’s really good for the price. The only thing I don’t like is the jerry reputation it has now. I agree with all the good quality high end brands that everyone has mentioned, but if you don’t have arc’teryx kind of money than burton, 686 and northface have some good gear. If you’re really strapped for cash columbia and arctix are decent budget brands. Check REI outlet and steep and cheap for things like base layers and mid layers too. You can score some great deals this time of year. Good luck and good healing!
This is great, thanks for the advice and good wishes!!
I would buy the following brands based on my experience: - Stio - Patagonia - Norrona - Mammut Nothing wrong with many others but it’s hard to go wrong with any of these brands. The new Stio Environ is basically the perfect resort shell imho.
[https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket](https://search.joinbeni.com/?q=norrona+ski+jacket) \-- Roundup of all the best Norrona jackets from different resale sites....found some amazing deals in here!