Jacket waist gaiters, sometimes referred to as powder skirts, are elastic banded and built
into the jacket. Jacket waist gaiters help keep snow from coming in under your jacket.
A jacket that is made for snowboarding should have adjustable sleeve cuffs. Adjustable
sleeve cuffs will allow you to snug up your sleeve cuffs, and to fit your sleeve cuffs
around your gloves.
Snowboarding pants should have pant gaiters. Pant gaiters are built into the leg of the
snowboarding pant and worn over your boot. Pant gaiters help keep snow from coming in
under your pant leg. Some pant gaiters are adjustable, and some have hooks or straps to
attach the gaiter to your boot.
Taped (or sealed) seams help keep out melting snow. When jackets or pants are stitched,
small needle holes are left behind at the seams. Water can seep through these holes if they
are left uncovered. Taping the seams covers these needle holes, which makes the jacket or
pants more waterproof.
Besides being waterproof, your outerwear should be breathable. Snowboarding outerwear
material is made to repel water, as-well-as to let perspiration out. Pant and jacket vents
also aid in expelling excess heat. Also, with adjustable sleeve cuffs the cuffs can be left
open to dump heat.
Snowboarding outerwear should be generously cut, with articulation. The phrase “cut to
ride, not ski” has become popular when referring to snowboarding outerwear. Snowboarding
outerwear should be cut to allow you freedom of movement. It should not be binding or
restricting.
Articulation allows for more freedom of movement. Articulation is the pre-bending of
jacket shoulders and elbows, or of pant knees. Articulated shoulders, elbows, and knees
are common on snowboarding outerwear.
Your snowboarding outerwear is going to take a lot of abuse during the season. So, your
outerwear should be durable. Double stitched seams, and reinforced stress
points help make snowboarding outerwear more durable.
Some other features of snowboarding outerwear include: Hoods, tool pockets, goggle
pockets, lined pockets, and waist size adjustment. Hoods are good to have when it is
windy or snowy. Also, some companies have started to put board tool pockets on the
pant legs of their outerwear. Finally, pockets that are lined with fleece are good to have
when you are standing around in the cold without your gloves on.
Remember, your outerwear is your first line of protection against the cold and the snow.
Your outerwear should be waterproof and breathable, generously cut with articulation,
and durable. Your outerwear can also include other features, such as a hood, or lined
pockets. | 
