Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Ski Jacket Review
A long-term, in-depth review of the versatile Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Ski Jacket
Photo by Tom Callaghan
March 3rd, 2025
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Our Verdict
The Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket is a winner in both our Best Women’s Ski Jackets and Best Men’s Ski Jackets guides. This type of ski jacket comes with three jackets in one—a shell, an insulated ski jacket, and a puffy jacket without the shell. Since you're essentially getting three jackets, the Powder Town is quality gear at a reasonable price. You can also get the Powder Town as a standalone insulated jacket or just the shell.
We think this jacket offers great performance for the price, making it an excellent value for skiers looking to get the most for their money. The waterproofing is solid, the design is dialed, and the versatility of the 3-in-1 design is tough to beat.
If you’re looking for a good ski jacket with sustainability in mind that gives skiers the option to wear it three different ways, put this at the top of your list. And if you want a simpler standalone shell or insulated jacket, we think the Powder Town and Powder Town Insulated also offer excellent value and good performance.
Men's
Women's
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Specs
Type: 3-in-1 (options for shell and insulated)
Insulation: 60 g FullRange synthetic
Sizes: XXS-XL
Pockets: 6 (including pass pocket)
Waterproofing: H2No PFAS-free membrane with PFAS-free DWR
Pit Zips: Yes
Powder Skirt: Yes
Best Use: All-around resort use
Comparison Tables
Men’s
| MEN'S SKI JACKET | MSRP* | BEST USE | TYPE | INSULATION | SIZES | # POCKETS | SEAM SEAL | WATERPROOFING | PIT ZIPS | POWDER SKIRT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 | $499 | Resort | 3-in-1 | 60g Full Range | XXS-XL | 6 | Full | H2No PFAS-free membrane with PFAS-free DWR | Yes | Yes |
| Patagonia Insulated Powder Town | $499 | Resort | Insulated | 60g Full Range | XS - XXL | 8 | Full | H2No PFAS-free membrane with PFAS-free DWR | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Research SkyTour Ascentshell | $379 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S - XXL | 7 | Full | 3-Layer AscentShell Electrospun Membrane | Yes | No |
| Outdoor Research Hemispheres 2 | $649 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S-XL | 5 | Full | GORE-TEX 3L with C-Knit | Yes | No |
| Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX | $550 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | S-XL | 4 | Full | GORE-TEX | Yes | Yes, removable |
Women’s
| WOMEN'S SKI JACKET | MSRP* | BEST FOR | TYPE | INSULATION | SIZES | POCKETS | SEAM SEAL | SHELL | PIT ZIPS? | POWDER SKIRT? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 | $499 | Resort | 3-in-1 | 60g Full Range | XXS-XL | 2 hand, 1 chest, 2 hand on insulating layer | Full | H2No 2L PFC-free | Yes | Yes |
| Patagonia Powder Town Insulated | $399 | Resort | Insulated | 60g Full Range | XS-L | 2 hand, 1 chest, 2 hand on insulating layer | Full | H2No 2L PFC-free | Yes | Yes |
| Outdoor Research SkyTour Ascentshell | $399 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS - XL | 2 hand, 2 chest, 1 internal mesh, 1 interior zip chest, forearm | Full | 3-Layer AscentShell Electrospun Membrane | Yes | No |
| Outdoor Research Hemispheres 2 | $649 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XL | 4 | Full | GORE-TEX 3L with C-Knit | Yes | Yes |
| Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX | $550 | Backcountry | Hardshell | None | XS-XL | 1 chest, 1 arm, 1 chest | Full | GORE-TEX | Yes | Yes, removable |
What we liked
PFAS-free
Great waterproofing
Great value
Comfortable
Versatile layering system
What we didn’t like
Not as weather resistant as GORE-TEX hardshells
Slightly boxy fit
Features
3-in-1 Design
The Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket combines a shell jacket with a zip-in insulation layer. This means that you can choose based on weather, temperature, and conditions whether you want a shell or an insulated jacket for the day. The outer jacket is a waterproof-breathable shell material and the inner jacket is insulated with 60 grams of synthetic FullRange insulation.
The inner insulating layer zips into the shell via two zippers on the inside of the shell. It also has loop attachments with snaps at the cuffs, which makes the jacket easier to put on with no inner sleeves bunching up under the shell.
The Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket uses Patagonia’s PFAS-free two-layer H2No waterproofing membrane. Photo by Tom Callaghan
Outer Shell and H2No Membrane
The Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket uses Patagonia’s PFAS-free two-layer H2No waterproofing membrane. The material of the shell is soft and comfortable. It’s a bit swishy, but not at all crinkly or stiff. The inside of the shell has a mesh lining that adds comfort when worn on its own, and the insulated jacket can easily be zipped in or out of the shell depending on your preference and the conditions for the day.
DWR Coating
Along with the H2No waterproofing, the shell is also treated with a PFAS-free DWR coating that helps to shed moisture. We found the overall waterproofing of this jacket to be very good, even in super wet (like rain that should be snow) conditions.
Inner Insulated Jacket
The Powder Town 3-in-1 has an insulated layer that can be zipped in or out of the shell depending on conditions, or can even be worn on its own when you don’t need a shell. This layer does not have a hood, and essentially functions like a standalone midlayer jacket. The face fabric of this jacket is breathable and stretchy, which helps to add comfort.
It’s filled with 60 grams of FullRange synthetic insulation, which is light, lofty, and stays warm when wet. This is the same insulation material used in Patagonia’s popular line of technical active insulation, the Nano Air. That means this insulation is designed to be warm, light, and breathable, which is great for skiing when you may be working hard on the downhill but want the warmth for the chairlift.
Fit
The Powder Town has a pretty standard fit for a ski jacket, with the hem sitting slightly on the shorter side compared to others we’ve tested. It’s not a slim fit, but not baggy or oversized either. There is a slight drop hem but overall the jacket has a simple, slightly boxy fit. We prefer the longer fit and more exaggerated drop hem of other ski jackets we’ve tested, like the Arc'teryx Sentinel/Sabre or Outdoor Research Hemispheres, but these jackets are a lot more expensive, and this isn’t to say the Powder Town has a bad fit—just not quite as good as others. or We do think it fits true to size, and recommend going with your usual size preference unless you want an oversized or more freeride fit and look.
The Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket has a helmet-compatible hood with a drawcord cinch to keep the hood secure.
Hood
The Powder Town 3-in-1 jacket has a helmet-compatible hood on the shell portion of the jacket, which we found to fit well. It has a drawcord cinch on the back of the hood to help secure it and keep nasty weather out on stormy or cold days.
Pockets
The Powder Town 3-in-1 has two hand pockets, one chest pocket, a pass pocket on the forearm, and a spacious inner drop pocket on the shell. The inner insulating jacket has two hand pockets.
Pit zips
The outer shell layer of the Powder Town 3-in-1 has open pit zips with no mesh for maximum ventilation on warmer days.
Powder skirt
This jacket also includes a powder skirt to help keep snow from getting inside the jacket or down your pants when you find the deep snow. The powder skirt is attached to the inside of the shell jacket, and reaches just below the zip-in insulating layer for full coverage. This powder skirt has a loop that connects to any Patagonia snow pants or bibs for extra security.
In our testing, we wore this jacket with the Powder Town bib pants and didn’t need the powder skirt as much as you might with regular pants, but it is a key feature and one we appreciate.
Performance in the Field
We tested the Powder Town on multiple resort days in Colorado and Utah and were impressed by the performance. As to be expected, it isn’t quite as burly or windproof as top-of-the-line hardshells like the Arc’teryx Sentinel or Sabre. But we were impressed by its waterproofing. Having skied in everything from dry powder to rain to uber wet and stormy conditions, the jacket kept us warm, shed moisture, and kept our tester completely dry.
The Patagonia Powder Town jacket shed moisture, and kept the author warm and dry. Photo by Tom Callaghan
Weatherproofness
We tested the Powder Town on multiple resort days across the West and were impressed by the performance. As to be expected, it isn’t quite as burly or windproof as top-of-the-line hardshells like the Arc’teryx Sentinel or Sabre. What did surprise us was how waterproof it is.
We skied a full day in very wet and stormy conditions in Utah—at one point, we were riding the chairlift in rain and sleet—and the jacket shed moisture, never wet out, and kept our tester completely dry. It did a notably better job keeping us dry in wet weather than other non-GORE-TEX shells we were testing simultaneously.
Breathability
The shell of this 3-in-1 jacket is not the most breathable we’ve tested, but it performed well for resort skiing (we wouldn’t recommend this jacket as a first choice for backcountry skiers–check out our Best Men’s Backcountry Ski Jacket and Best Women’s Backcountry Ski Jacket picks). The inner insulating layer is, however, very comfortable and breathable. If you’ve ever used a Patagonia Nano Air jacket, this is very similar in materials and performance. Whether paired with the Powder Town shell or worn on its own, it’s a great active insulation layer.
Layering
Layering with this jacket is simple and easy. We found that using the included insulating layer was just right for most mid-winter days when paired with a wool base layer. On warm spring days, using just the shell worked well. In all configurations, the jacket was comfortable.
Warmth
The jacket’s insulating layer is warm, breathable, and comfortable. Whereas many insulated ski jackets we’ve tested have insulation only in certain parts of the jacket, often making them a little less warm than desired on colder days, the Powder Town 3-in-1 really is like wearing a shell with your favorite midlayer. This, in our opinion, is ideal for layering, and we were very happy with the jacket’s performance for resort skiing.
Durability
We did not encounter any durability issues over our two full seasons of testing the Powder Town. Compared to other similar jackets at similar price points, we think this jacket offers great durability. Plus, it’s backed by Patagonia’s “Iron Clad Guarantee,” and Patagonia is helpful with repairs to keep the jacket in use for as long as possible. Patagonia stores will often do repairs or exchanges as well as secondhand gear.
Available Versions of the Powder Town Jacket
The Powder Town is available in three different versions—the regular Powder Town which is a standalone shell, the Powder Town Insulated which is a single insulated jacket, and the Powder Town 3-in-1, reviewed here. We think the 3-in-1 offers the most versatility and excellent value for skiers who want both a shell and a midlayer that they can pair together as they please.
If you don’t need the midlayer insulation, then the regular Powder Town ski jacket is an excellent, affordable, and sustainably made option for a resort shell. And if you always run cold or don’t want to fiddle with the extra zippers of the 3-in-1, the insulated version may be a better choice.
The 3-in-1 is the most expensive version of the Powder Town, but we also think it’s the best value, given the versatility and usefulness of the layers—especially if you anticipate skiing mostly at resorts, but in varied locations and conditions.
Should I Buy the Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Jacket?
If you’re looking for a versatile, comfortable, and sustainably made jacket for resort skiing or riding, the Powder Town 3-in-1 is an excellent option at a reasonable price. Given the versatility of this jacket, we think it will suit a wide range and variety of skiers or riders. It’s a very functional and well-made ski jacket.
If you need absolute top-of-the-line weatherproofing and durability, consider something like the Arc’teryx Sentinel (women’s) or Sabre (men’s), or the Norrona Lofoten GORE-TEX jacket. These are all GORE-TEX shells with burly face fabrics that will hold up with the heaviest use and in the harshest conditions. But, they’re much more expensive and they don’t include an insulating layer.
The Arc'teryx Sentinel offers top-of-the-line weatherproofing and durability. Photo by Tom Callaghan
And if you want a ski jacket for backcountry ski touring, consider a more breathable and lightweight option like the Outdoor Research Skytour shell (available in men’s and women’s).
But for resort skiers looking for all-around versatility and comfort, there really isn’t much we don’t like about the Powder Town 3-in-1 and we heartily recommend it.
Similar Ski Jackets to Consider
Helly Hansen Whitewall LifaLoft 2.0
This women’s jacket takes our award for Best Insulated Resort Jacket in our Best Women’s Ski Jackets guide. It is very warm and comfortable, and has a good fit to boot, with a notably more generous drop hem and longer length overall. If you want insulation all the time, this is a good option to consider. However, if you like the versatility of a 3-in-1 jacket, consider the Powder Town 3-in-1 instead.
Helly Hansen Whitewall LifaLoft 2.0
Norrona Lofoten Insulated
This jacket is the insulated version of one of our favorite GORE-TEX shells. If you want added warmth but with the superior weather protection of a GORE-TEX hardshell, consider this jacket. We think the insulation in the Powder Town 3-in-1 is slightly warmer, and of course it has the versatility that the lofoten insulated does not.
Norrona Lofoten Insulated
Men's
Women's
The North Face Thermoball Snow Triclimate
This jacket is similar in design to the Powder Town 3-in-1. Both jackets have an insulating layer that can zip in and out of the outer shell. The North Face Thermoball Triclimate is a little less expensive than the Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1, which is good for skiers on a budget. But if you can spring it, we think the Patagonia Powder Town is worth the extra cash. The insulating layer is softer, more comfortable, more breathable, and higher performing overall. We also think the Powder Town offers better waterproofing, and a better fit overall than the Thermoball.
The North Face Thermoball Snow Triclimate
Men's
Women's
Arc’teryx Sabre (men’s) / Sentinel (women’s) Insulated
This is a top-of-the-line GORE-TEX jacket with body-mapped synthetic insulation. It has excellent weatherproofing, especially given the jacket’s particularly long cut. It is much warmer than a shell alone, but still not quite as insulating overall as the Powder Town 3-in-1. If you like the long style of this jacket, want the weather protection of GORE-TEX, and don’t mind adding an extra layer on the really cold days, this is worth considering—but it’s not cheap. While we do like the style and performance of the Sabre/Sentinel Insulated, we think the Powder Town 3-in-1 offers better value overall and far more versatility. They are two very good jackets for different reasons.
Arc’teryx Sabre & Sentinel
Men's
Women's
About the Author / Why You Should Trust Us
The author skiing in Japan. Photo by Tom Callaghan.
A true mountain dweller, Stasia feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than on a busy city street. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held WFR, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue Certifications and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. She’s now a full time writer and editor in the outdoor space and has been testing and writing about gear for over a decade.
Stasia grew up in northern Utah where she learned to ski not long after she learned to walk. She’s since spent every winter on snow, skiing in places from Alaska to Japan, with plenty of turns taken around her home in Summit County, Colorado. She gets out to ski multiple times a week throughout the season, no matter the weather and conditions. That means she’s used her gear in everything from bluebird days to full-on storms and whiteouts, and along with anyone who skis in the Tenmile range, plenty of wind. She’s been testing ski apparel for over a decade and has been covering women’s ski apparel for Treeline Review for several seasons. That means she’s tested dozens of jackets on the chairlift and the skin track, from deep powder days to sunny spring skiing. With all that experience, she knows what makes a good ski jacket.
