Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl Jacket Review

The Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket was the one jacket that comes with me anytime I went skiing or snowboarding at a ski resort this winter. Weighting 941 g (33.2 oz) this jacket isn’t the lightest but that’s ok, especially if you’re sitting on a chairlift looking for protection from the wind.

GORE-TEX Membrane

This years Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket was selected as one of the top 10 snowboard jackets of the season. Why is that?  Well, Patagonia’s commitment to using recycled materials is part of the reason.  The Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket is made with 100% recycled polyester GORE-TEX membrane.

Out of all the 2-layer shell benefits, the 150-denier material on the shell stands out.  If you’re not familiar with denier, it has to do with the density of fibers in a material.  The Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket has the same denier as high-end tents and boat covers.  This is the sort of jacket you will own for many ski seasons to come, perhaps nice with the crowd that likes to ski in the trees and tends to snag there jackets on branches.

This 2-Layer GORE-TEX construction is best suited for colder drier climates as the GORE-TEX is bonded to the outer fabric.  It surely works on powder days as the name implies but has a tendency to get damp if the snow is wet.

Having taken the Insulated Powder Bowl Jacket splitboarding I was easily able to dump heat via the pit zips which actually open a bit toward the back allowing for better airflow. Best of all you can actually use these zippers with one hand. The breathability for a thicker jacket was pretty darn impressive. Splitboarding in an insulated piece?

I love powder skirts and the Powder Bowl Jacket comes with one along with a second set of synchs to tighten the waist of the jacket.  So you essentially get 2 powder skirts in one which really eliminates snow from getting into your pants.  The waist synch is tightened via the pockets while the powder skirt has its own cords at the bottom of the jacket.  The only hiccup with this design is the cords on the powder skirt will hang down below the jacket.  I would recommend tucking these up under the powder skirt.

Pockets

On the front of the jacket is a single chest pocket that is able to hold a cellphone and a small camera.  2 additional pockets at the waist, a ski pass pocket on the arm and on the inside an open pocket for your goggles along with a zippered pocket that doubles as a place to stash your keys.  The Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket’s design is very well thought out.

The jacket functions well and looks even better.  I know we’re really not supposed to buy gear based solely on looks, I guess outerwear is the exception to the rule. I’ve been rocking the Powder Bowl Jacket in a Big Sur Blue, the entire colorway of the line looks clean, stands out and will surely be a conversation piece if you dig that sort of thing. Available in Black, Big Sur Blue, Classic Navy, Copper, and Textile Green.

Patagonia Insulated Powder Bowl Jacket Pros & Cons

Pros:

• 150-denier material for durability
• Excellent ventilation with pit zips
• Multiple pockets for storage

Cons:

• Not the lightest at 941 g
• May get damp in wet snow
• Cords on powder skirt may hang

Overall Impression

Once you touch the incredibly soft Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket, a 100% recycled shell, you won’t want to wear anything else.  This is technically a ski and snowboard jacket however Patagonia’s Powder Bowl ($399) works wonders for a winter jacket.  Something that offers a lot of style, protection from the elements and is super easy to layer with thanks to a mesh interior.

The fit is great too.  I’m 5’11 150lbs and I wore a medium.  The jacket is a little extra long, which is great for sitting on chairlifts, with plenty of stretch and length in the arms and a nice overall comfy fit and feel.  Go try this jacket on.

Related Jackets We Tested in the Winter

1. Patagonia PowSlayer Jacket
2. Outdoor Research Archangel Jacket
3. La Sportiva Wild Down Jacket