Patagonia Untracked Ski Jacket Review

Patagonia is well known for their thoughtfully built and sustainably minded outdoor apparel, and their Untracked ski jacket proved to be yet another high performer. The latest version of the jacket uses Gore's expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane, offering dependable 3-layer protection without the use of harmful "forever chemicals." The Untracked doesn't come cheap, and we were disappointed by a couple of the features in testing—including an ill-fitting hood and boxy fit—but it's held up well throughout a full season of skiing in the Pacific Northwest. Below I outline my experiences with the Untracked Jacket. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best ski jackets and best snowboard jackets. And to complete your kit, we've also tested and reviewed the Patagonia Untracked Bibs.
 

Table of Contents

• Weather Protection
• Breathability
• Comfort
• Build Quality and Durability
• Weight and Packability
• Key Features
• Fit and Sizing
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Weather Protection

Patagonia’s Untracked Jacket is purpose-built for skiing in harsh weather. With an 80-denier (D), 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE shell and a PFAS-free durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, the Untracked is a highly effective barrier against both wind and precipitation. This made it a solid choice for a full season's worth of backcountry and resort missions in the soggy Pacific Northwest, including a snowmobiling adventure in the pouring rain. Given my experiences thus far, I have no qualms reaching for the jacket regardless of the forecast due to its confidence-inspiring and essentially impervious feel.
 

In addition to its quality waterproof membrane, the Untracked features fully taped seams and waterproof zippers, along with a host of other protective features. The integrated powder skirt and adjustable hem offer great security at the lower half, effectively blocking drafts and snow from creeping in underneath. The cuffs are also adjustable with Velcro tabs for tweaking the size of the opening to accommodate different styles of gloves. Up top, the tall collar and adjustable hood provide solid head and neck coverage, although I did come away with some complaints regarding the fit of the hood. Specifically, it felt noticeably tall and narrow over my ski helmet, which resulted in the brim being ineffective at deflecting moisture from my goggles and the rough, unlined collar pressing against my face. While not a dealbreaker—and likely not an issue everyone will have—it was a disappointing feature on an otherwise stalwart jacket.
 

Breathability

Waterproof membranes are tasked with sealing out moisture (e.g., rain and snow) while still allowing air to permeate, which is no small task. Given the Untracked's dependable weather protection, it wasn't too surprising to find that the jacket isn't the best breather. To be fair, Gore-Tex is considered the gold standard when it comes to balancing waterproofing and breathability, and I was able to stay comfortable in the Untracked during mid-winter tours in stormy weather. Importantly, I did have to open the pit zips and sometimes even the main zipper, meaning the Untracked wouldn't be my first choice for mild weather or particularly long days on the skin track. But for day tours in inclement weather and lapping the resort, it's perfectly workable. I also appreciate that the boxier fit resists growing clammy (the soft flannel backer helps), allowing airflow even with a baselayer or midlayer underneath.
 

Comfort

I wouldn’t call the Untracked Jacket a standout in terms of comfort, but it's certainly no slouch. As I mentioned previously, the interior features a soft flannel backer that's comfortable against bare skin, and the roomy fit results in no restriction when reaching overhead or bending down to adjust ski boots or bindings. However, I had slightly higher hopes for a jacket in this price range. Most notably, the ill-fitting hood and abrasive collar mentioned above could use some refinement, and the jacket lacks details like built-in stretch and articulated patterning for improved mobility. By comparison, Arc’teryx’s $750 Sabre Jacket has a noticeably sleeker and more well-tailored feel.
 

Build Quality and Durability

Patagonia gear rarely disappoints from a quality perspective, and the Untracked Jacket is yet another well-built and hardwearing piece. For starters, the 80D shell is very confidence-inspiring and has handily withstood the rigors of both resort and backcountry riding, including countless chairlift laps and the occasional bushwhack. Additionally, the exterior has maintained its water-repellent properties, and there are no snags or even loose threads visible after a full season of use. The smaller components are holding up equally well, from the smooth-operating zippers to the easy-to-operate drawcords. Added up, all signs are positive that the Untracked will have a long and healthy lifespan.
 

Weight and Packability

Weighing in at 1 pound 5.9 ounces, the Untracked Jacket is right in line with most other uninsulated ski jackets. For comparison, Arc'teryx's similarly built Sabre Jacket checks in a few ounces heavier at 1 pound 8.9 ounces, while Norrøna’s Lofoten Gore-Tex Jacket weighs little more at 1 pound 10 ounces (despite featuring a thinner, 40D shell fabric). However, despite its competitive weight, I didn't find the Untracked to be particularly packable due to its stiff zippers and burly exterior. This made it relatively cumbersome to roll into its hood, leading me to leave it behind whenever conditions were mild. 
 

Key Features

Hood

As I touched on above, I experienced some noteworthy issues with the Untracked Jacket's hood. While I like the concept of the stretchy side panels, which are designed to allow the hood to slide over a ski helmet without unzipping the collar, the tech was overshadowed by the fact that the hood simply didn't fit my head well. Even after using the drawcords at the front and back to dial in fit, I wasn't able to comfortably secure the hood over my helmet. I also found the small brim to be largely ineffective at deflecting moisture from my face—a ball cap worked much better for me. Those with smaller heads may not face the same difficulties, but I expected a more refined hood design for a jacket in this price range.
 

Storage: Pockets

The Untracked Jacket has five pockets, which I found to be practical for both resort and backcountry missions. The zippered handwarmer pockets are large enough to fit gloved hands, while the exterior chest pocket can swallow a smartphone (it also has a routing system for headphone wires). Rounding out the exterior layout is a small zippered pocket on the arm that fits a ski pass, credit card, or ID. On the inside, there's a single drop-in pocket that easily swallows ski goggles. I wish there were a second drop-in pocket for stashing climbing skins, and the jacket's baggy fit made it difficult to operate many of the zippers one-handed, but it's an overall functional layout with enough room to stash the essentials.
 

Powder Skirt

The Untracked's powder skirt is low-profile and nicely integrated into the design. It features a grippy elastic lining that keeps the jacket in place, along with two sets of snaps for adjusting the fit. While not removable, the skirt lies pretty flat when not in use and has gone largely unnoticed throughout testing, which is a good thing.
 

Fit and Sizing

I had a hard time nailing a good fit with the Untracked Jacket. I almost always wear a men's large in ski jackets, but that size in the Untracked felt a bit too roomy for my taste. I didn't size down, which would have likely resulted in a more flattering cut, although I ended up enjoying the mobility afforded by the extra space. Finally, while I managed to stay mostly covered even in deep powder, I do wish the back length were a little longer. While Patagonia claims that the Untracked features a 34-inch center back length in a men's size large, it felt noticeably shorter than competitors like the Trew Gear Cosmic Jacket Primo (also 34 in.) and even Arc’teryx's shorter Sabre Jacket (32.1 in.).
 

Sustainability

Patagonia has been a longtime leader in the push for more sustainably built outdoor apparel, and the Untracked Jacket is a testament to their expertise. Most notably, the jacket uses Gore's latest ePE membrane that's PFAS-free, forgoing the use of harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—"forever chemicals" that are notorious for their inability to break down over time. The ePE membrane is also both lighter and thinner than Gore's standard membrane (which is made from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE), requiring fewer materials—thus, fewer pollutants—to produce. The rest of the design is similarly eco-conscious, including a 100%-recycled nylon face fabric, bluesign-approved materials, and a Fair Trade certification that indicates Patagonia put extra money into production to ensure the fair and ethical treatment of workers.
 

Other Versions of the Patagonia Untracked

I tested the men’s Untracked Jacket for this review, and Patagonia also offers a women’s version for the same price. Apart from having a slightly more contoured fit, the women's Untracked Jacket comes in different colorways and weighs a little less. Rounding out the collection are pant and bib options available in both men's and women's styles, which boast the same 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE construction but with varying levels of coverage. We tested the men's bibs alongside the jacket (you can check out our in-depth review here) and came away with similar praise regarding protection and durability.
 

What We Like

• Dependable protection thanks to Gore's 3-layer ePE membrane and a thick, 80D shell fabric that lends a nearly impervious feel.
• Comes well equipped for battening down the hatches with a helmet-compatible hood, low-profile powder skirt, and adjustability at the cuffs and hem.
• Thin flannel backer adds a nice dose of next-to-skin softness and a touch of warmth for cold resort days.
• Construction is fully PFAS-free, built with recycled and bluesign-approved materials, and certified to the Fair Trade standard, earning strong marks in the sustainability department.
• While slightly boxy and a little roomy for my taste, the relaxed fit makes the jacket very easy to move in.
• Competitively lightweight at 1 pound 5.9 ounces.

What We Don’t

• The hood fit awkwardly over my ski helmet, leading to issues with moisture deflection and discomfort from the unlined collar.
• Zippers aren't easy to operate one-handed due to the jacket's roomy fit.
• Despite its low weight, the Untracked doesn't pack down particularly small for stashing in a ski pack.
• Given the jacket's backcountry slant, I wish there were a second drop-in pocket on the interior for stashing climbing skins.
• Not a particularly strong value at $699.
   

Comparison Table

The Competition

Patagonia's Untracked Jacket impressed us throughout a season of backcountry and resort riding, but we don't consider it a particularly strong value at $699. If you're willing to spend up into this price range, it's worth considering Arc’teryx’s Sabre Jacket instead. Both designs are built with Gore's 3-layer ePE membrane for reliable protection in harsh weather, feature 80D shells that are confidence-inspiring and durable, and come with all the trimmings we look for in a well-rounded ski shell. Where the Sabre stands out is attention to detail: The StormHood is flawlessly executed with easy adjustability and a snug, helmet-compatible fit; features articulated patterning for enhanced mobility; and comes with two dump pockets for stashing climbing skins (the Untracked only has one). It also features a more refined—but still layering-friendly—fit. The Sabre is a few ounces heavier and will cost you around $50 more, but we consider it the full package for committed riders.

For a step down in price, we also like Norrøna’s Lofoten Gore-Tex Jacket. Like both the Sabre and Untracked, the Lofoten boasts a 3-layer Gore-Tex ePE construction but swaps in a noticeably thinner (40D) shell fabric. While this is a downside for long-term durability, the Lofoten gets the clear edge in breathability, making it the better option for those who spend a lot of time on the skin track (especially in mild weather). You also get a removable powder skirt (the Untracked's is fixed), along with a brushed flannel backer for next-to-skin comfort. The biggest downsides are storage and weight: The Lofoten omits hand pockets and instead features dual chest pockets, which are harness- and hipbelt-friendly but not ideal for casual wear, and it's not particularly light at 1 pound 10 ounces. In the end, the Lofoten and Untracked each have their strong suits, and a final decision will likely come down to how you prioritize price, durability, and convenience.
 

Patagonia offers several in-house alternatives to have on your radar, and another one of our favorites is their SnowDrifter Jacket. For a significant $250 less than the Untracked, the SnowDrifter manages to retain a lot of the features we love: You get an identical five-pocket layout, pit zips for dumping excess heat, an adjustable hood and powder skirt, and a soft knit backer that's cozy against the skin. Weight is also identical between the two jackets. The biggest differences are that the SnowDrifter uses an in-house H2No membrane and a thinner, 50D face fabric, both of which contribute to a less impervious feel than the Untracked in rough and rowdy conditions. The flip side is that breathability is excellent, which allowed our tester to keep the jacket on for far longer than expected during heart-pumping tours (for more info, check out our women's SnowDrifter Jacket review). If you spend most of your time in the backcountry, the SnowDrifter is likely the better bet.

A final option to consider is Flylow Gear's Malone Jacket, which is the cheapest alternative here at $400. In short, the Malone combines the best attributes of softshell and hardshell designs: For sidecountry hikes or quick backcountry tours, the stretchy construction and smooth interior offer standout comfort. If a storm rolls in, the in-house, 3-layer build does a good job blocking wind and snow. We also think Flylow nailed the styling of the Malone—particularly in the tri-color patterns—and all of the materials impressed us from a quality standpoint. The most notable drawback is that the Flylow's emphasis on comfort impacts its bombproof feel, making it less ideal than the Untracked for particularly wet and nasty days. We were also a little disappointed by the organization: The jacket lacks an internal dump pocket for storing goggles or climbing skins, and the chest pockets are too small to fit a smartphone. Nitpicks aside, the clean-looking Malone hits a really nice middle ground of comfort and performance for mixed resort and backcountry use.