Burton [ak] Hover GORE-TEX C-Knit 3L Review: The Gold Standard for Serious Riders

There is a reason the Burton [ak] line is synonymous with quality. For serious riders, Burton athletes, mountain guides, and those “in the know,” [ak] is the best of the best. It holds the same heavyweight title today that The North Face once held for mountaineering in its prime.

When you see that [ak] logo, it says something: it says you care about quality and you know exactly what high-level gear is supposed to look and feel like. After testing over 50 jackets in the last 20 years for Mountain Weekly News, the [ak] series remains my absolute favorite. The latest iteration of the Burton [ak] Hover GORE-TEX C-Knit 3L Jacket is the current pinnacle of that legacy.

Supple, Not Crinkly: The GORE-TEX C-Knit Advantage

GORE-TEX is a non-negotiable for anyone living in wet mountain environments. If you play hard, you need a membrane that keeps you dry without soaking you in your own sweat. The 3-layer construction here is lightweight and packable, but the real magic is the C-Knit backer.

Traditionally, 3L GORE-TEX was known for being “crinkly” and stiff—it sounded like you were wearing a bag of potato chips. The Hover GORE-TEX C-Knit changes that. It is soft, supple, and quiet. You can actually “sneak into the trees” with this jacket. It moves with your body rather than fighting against it, offering a natural range of motion that is rare in a heavy-duty shell.

Teton Tested: Fit and Layering

I tested a size Medium, and at 5’11” and 155 lbs, the fit is absolute perfection. It is a “Regular Fit,” which in [ak] terms means it’s dialed for layering. I can easily fit a mid-layer underneath for those sub-zero January days in Jackson, but it doesn’t feel like a tent when I’m just wearing a base layer during a spring tour.

Everything about the jacket feels purposeful—there is everything you need and nothing you don’t. From the power mesh wrist gaiters that keep the snow out of your sleeves to the 2-way center front zipper, every detail is engineered for high-alpine utility.

To complete the ultimate 3L stormproof kit, consider pairing this jacket with the Burton [ak] GORE-TEX Tusk 3L Bib Pants, which share that same high-mobility, technical feel.

Backcountry Utility and Splitboarding

We spend a lot of time hiking in the backcountry, often dropping off the Tram or heading deep into the Teton Range. The Hover Jacket has been a blessing on the skin track. It is one of the lightest, most packable shells in the line, and it stows away effortlessly in my Burton AK Tour 31L Backpack on the way up.

The breathability is top-tier; the pit zips allow for massive venting on the way up, while the GORE-TEX keeps you rock-solid on the way down. I found the large interior mesh dump pockets particularly useful—they are perfect for stashing skins to keep the glue warm between laps or holding your goggles when you’re on the move.

Technical Pockets and Daily Use

As a daily driver, the pocket layout is “chef’s kiss” perfection.

• Two Deep Chest Pockets: These are massive. I use them for my radio, phone, snacks, and sunscreen.

• Bicep Pass Pocket: Essential for resort days.

• Internal Pockets: Secure storage for the small stuff you can’t afford to lose.

The colorways this year are incredibly rad—specifically the “under the radar” grey colorway I’ve been testing. It pops on camera during photo shoot days without being obnoxious. It looks professional, technical, and clean.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Supple C-Knit Comfort: Unlike traditional stiff and “crinkly” 3L shells, the GORE-TEX C-Knit backer makes this jacket incredibly soft, quiet, and mobile without sacrificing bombproof weather protection.

• Purpose-Built Backcountry Features: The lightweight, packable design—combined with oversized interior mesh dump pockets for skins and a perfectly dialed “Regular Fit” for layering—makes it the ultimate tool for splitboarding and high-alpine touring.

Cons

• Shell-Only Warmth: With zero built-in insulation, riders will need a high-quality mid-layer system to stay warm on sub-zero chairlift days at the resort.

Overall Impression: The Daily Driver

The Burton [ak] Hover is more than just a jacket; it’s a tool for the mountain. It might not be a “warm” jacket on its own (it’s a shell, after all), but that’s what layering is for. It keeps you at a comfortable temp on the way up and keeps you super stoked on the way down.

Burton continues to lead the pack in high-performance outerwear. If you are looking for one jacket that can handle 100+ day seasons, backcountry splitboarding missions, and resort laps, the Hover GORE-TEX C-Knit 3L is impossible to beat. Plus, with a Lifetime Warranty, it’s an investment that pays for itself.

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