Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket

With excellent hand feel, waterproofing and breathability, the Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket is a straightforward ski or ride jacket. The dual layer polyester Gore-Tex fabric works wonders for waterproofing and windproofing while remaining breathable combined with the wicking mesh lining. The low-profile cuff closure was about average, so nothing overly fancy but performed as it should, securing tight around the wrist.

Features include adjustable powder skirt that lies flat when not in use, and webbing loop compatible with Patagonia snow pants. Coated zippers are watertight and sealed, and pit zips offer quick cooling. Active Junky testers loved the zipper flap on the audio-compatible breast pocket, perfect for music lovers with cable routing for head phones. While the external zipping pockets were a decent size, the overall volume is lacking to fit skins, but internal mesh pockets can accommodate them. The hood is on point, exactly what you need without going over the top.

The fit is freeride oriented with room to wear a puffy midlayer beneath. Design and colors stray a bit from the brand’s norm though the style is still typical Patagonia: old-man stylish in the best way, and testers loved the two-tone color profile. If you want to stay with Patagonia jackets but you run cold or spend time in cooler weather, the Powder Bowl is also available in an insulated version with Thermagreen 100% polyester fill.

Pros: The hood: perfect sized to fit a helmet. Nothing too fancy, and not too much. The lower-down attachment point was also a bonus, as the position prevents dumping a hood-full of snow down your back after it’s down for a time in falling snow.

Cons: External zipper pockets are too small for skins, although mesh interior pockets are big enough—just less convenient.

Key Attribute: Waterproofness, with 2-layer polyester Gore-Tex fabric

Tester Comment: “The Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket is a straightforward shell with a comfortable liner. It’s best suited for those who spend time both in the resort and in the backcountry, though it’s not ideal for uphill sweat-fests or sweat-prone riders. But for most riders, this jacket is a perfect starting point from which to build their resort kit.”