Joseph Vargas

The first thing to note about the Planica jacket is that it doesn’t look like your run-of-the-mill ski jacket. The 2-way stretch outer fabric in ‘Navy Twill’ on test has a denim look to it and is soft to the touch – none of your usual stiff and crunchy materials here! This helps the jacket feel…

Schoffel are no slouches when it comes to quality ski wear, proving that it isn’t just the freeride brigade who can produce top performing equipment. Straight off the bat the Solden 3 feels every bit the high-end offering, with sublime attention to detail and excellent build quality – this is a ski jacket that will last…

Eider is one of those brands where you can be pretty sure, whatever piece of kit you pick up, it will offer great quality and performance, and the Danaide is no different. At first glance, this jacket doesn’t scream classic mountain styling – the style is quirky but flattering with padded panels and a close…

When first laying eyes on the Keystone 3, you can’t help but be impressed. It’s understated, elegant and the build-quality is immediately apparent. The outer material is attractive and feels great, with a soft, matte texture to it, that somehow just looks high-end. The fabric has 4-way stretch to keep you moving and comfortable out…

When it comes to high-end ski gear, Spyder is a brand that comes immediately to mind. Best known for their trendy piste gear, but also producers of ultra-technical, dive-into-powder kit, they’re a great choice for skiers who value looking good on the slopes as well as staying protected, and don’t mind splashing a bit of…

Jöttnar is a brand very much grounded in embracing the misery of winter, so we wondered whether a Grim jacket might mitigate some of that misery and even bring a smile to our faces. The first notable thing about the Grim is the fit. The jacket has very roomy upper arms presumably to allow for…

If you haven’t heard of Montec, we don’t blame you. They’ve flown under the radar in the UK (for now) but you might be surprised to hear they have been going strong for over a decade, producing top end ski and snowboard jackets, pants and clothing at a great price. All the design and logistics…

This is a purposeful and focussed ski jacket that is less about style and more about practical application. It’s a Gore-Tex shell that’s optimised for performance in difficult conditions so it’s highly breathable, completely waterproof, and windproof. All seams are of course taped and all zips water resistant, which isn’t always the case but is…

Brand spotlight: Dope Snow Set up by two snowboarding brothers, frustrated with the lack of options for outdoor sport brands in their native Sweden, Dope Snow have grown to become one of the country’s largest e-retailers. By cutting out the middleman and using a direct-to-consumer model they aim to offer premium quality ski and snowboard…