Tough Snowboarding Clothing Brands
When I was looking into my outerwear . . . the brand arc’teryx came up a lot as super high quality/tech but pricey gear. . .
More than any other piece of snow gear, your outerwear jacket/pants makes a ‘fashion’ statement about who you are. To me, arc’teryx outerwear says “I’m a pretentious skier”.
i have fourquare and special blend pants,, and love them both.. (only time ive ever gotten wet was when it was torrential rain this last season..
Your outerwear felt wet to the touch, or you were actually wet on the inside? I remember riding in torrential rain at Thredbo in 15K Foursquare jacket/pants and being bone dry on the inside, but they felt really wet on the outside.
i have fourquare and special blend pants,, and love them both.. (only time ive ever gotten wet was when it was torrential rain this last season.. haha!
and i have a billabong jacket and a burton jacket.. both are awesome.. my only problem is that they a short!! i dont know why they have the need to make womens SNOW gear cropped??? i mean we feel the cold too.. and when im trying jumps and stacking it.. im getting snow up my back.. so im looking at a guys jacket for next season.. simply for the length! the burton i find slightly more useful.. as it has soooo many pockets.. wheer as the billbong only has 3, but thats just down to the design, not the brand..
i find that most of the popular stuff will be decent quality, (it is popular for a reason..)
my bf has all burton for his main set up, he has the [AK] jacket and pants and swears by them,, the jacket is a shell.. but he just chucks a jumper on under it and his fine, he does heaps a tree runs.. even kocking his gopro over on his helmet and getting varius scratches on the helmet.. but the closes are as new, after 2 seasons..
also with the water proofing.. we take 1 set of clothing on weekend trips and wash it when we get back,, (ususally ever 2nd weekend trip..) and on the longer trips, (11 days this year) we take 2 sets and just wear one for 1/2 then the 2nd the other 1/2, and again wash them when we are back home.. then we re apply water proofer, we have one in a spray can, so we do that a few days before.. and we have never had a problem (except as i mentioned when it rains..) but from the looks of the lack of people on the mointain and the amount of soaked people on the bar.. i was say thats the norm on rainy days! lol
you wash your outerwear after every weekend trip???
I’ve never washed my outerwear, ever! Usually just hang it out to dry on the line after a trip and then put it in a bag with those silica gel sachets in it (dunno if they do anything)
I’ve never washed my outerwear, ever! Usually just hang it out to dry on the line after a trip and then put it in a bag with those silica gel sachets in it (dunno if they do anything)
Same here, and even with the sweat here and there it don’t stink, after 2 seasons way to go Burton at least in the clothing line, we see how this Special Blend hold up red camo 10k/15 pants talk about fashion 
definitely keeping a eye out for some sweet deal on Volcom gear
Yeah, gotta be careful when washing outerwear too much, as this will remove the chemical agent that was used to waterproof it at the factory!!!!!
After washing, a gentle heat in the dryer for a minimum amount of time will redistribute some of the waterproofing agent also!!!!!
h0z, are ya using something like a silicone spray????? Cause that will actually make the garment lose it’s breathability!!!!! Best to use products like Nixwax wash in!!!!!
I reckon our gear gets washed once after every 21 days of use, max????? Only if it’s noticeably dirty, and that’s mainly cuffs on pants from bein too lazy to fold them up at the end of the day!!!!! I always hang it up to air dry every time I wear it, even if it was a bluebird day, and then when we return home, our gear hangs around the house/verandah/clothes lines for at least a week!!!!! As with boots, liners/footbeds out!!!!!
And I always chuck those silica gel packs in all my gear when it’s in storage too, cords!!!!!
The slightest bit of moisture can form mould, and this will destroy even the toughest materials if left to grow!!!!! Plus it’ll make ya stink as well!!!!! 
When I was looking into my outerwear . . . the brand arc’teryx came up a lot as super high quality/tech but pricey gear. . .
More than any other piece of snow gear, your outerwear jacket/pants makes a ‘fashion’ statement about who you are. To me, arc’teryx outerwear says “I’m a pretentious skier”.
Well, call me a “pretentious skier” then if you see me in my arc jacket in the backcountry!
photos by Watkinson
When I was looking into my outerwear . . . the brand arc’teryx came up a lot as super high quality/tech but pricey gear. . .
More than any other piece of snow gear, your outerwear jacket/pants makes a ‘fashion’ statement about who you are. To me, arc’teryx outerwear says “I’m a pretentious skier”.
Arc’teryx are much like Patagonia and Northface, expensive for the brand name because you know their gear is solid. I just see people who wear those brands as wanting to spend money on gear that has a name associated with what perceive as quality - probably because they aren’t fair weather riders/skiers and will ride in the rain and want to stay dry. Those brands are also more versatile as outerwear that can be worn in the bush/town unlike a lot of snow outerwear due to its insulation.
As for cleaning clothes, the more you do it, the more it’s going to wear it down (and remove the original water repellant agent). I’ve got a puffer I’ve had for 4 seasons now and as far as I can remember it’s never been washed. It’s only just starting smelling a little bit (according to other people, but I can’t notice it) so I’ll be washing and reapplying waterproofing before I head to Japan.
When I was looking into my outerwear . . . the brand arc’teryx came up a lot as super high quality/tech but pricey gear. . .
More than any other piece of snow gear, your outerwear jacket/pants makes a ‘fashion’ statement about who you are. To me, arc’teryx outerwear says “I’m a pretentious skier”.
Well, call me a “pretentious skier” then if you see me in my arc jacket in the backcountry!
I believe the term is “Moi”!!!!! 
lol and I just remembered my wife wears patagonia outerwear. I would have no problems with patagonia either!
Note: I sent back some arc pants because they were a little too nut-huggy. They do have a looser cut line out now though but I forget the name.
If you look at the stitching and overall quality of Arcteryx vs Burton for example, it’s easy to choose Arcteryx.
Guys I normally wear medium how does 686 signature line run ?? I’m looking at the chart and it seems 686 runs a lil smaller just wondering if I should go with a large instead
best thing for you would be to go to a store and try it on
Or look at the sizing chat, then compare the measurements to other garments / yourself.
I did have a pair of 686 Smarty Pants that ran a little small for it’s sizing as compared generally to my other gear, but every item/brand/cut will differ as it’s all down to the designer that’s on the job at the time of concept!!!!! Even the same brand can vary dramatically in it’s own sizing!!!!!
It really is best to try on in store!!!!!
And if ya have a pair of big balls like Gamblor, they might not be so accommodating in the crotch!!!!!
thankyou Mizu, it’s always nice when someone comments on my balls.
anyways, that is why I always stick with Burton’s ‘test-i-cool’ venting 