6 Best Windproof Softshells For Skiing That Master Variable Conditions

The day starts perfectly bluebird, but as you gain the ridge, the wind scours the slope, stealing warmth with every gust. On the descent, the sun beats down, and you start to sweat through your layers, creating a chill. This is the classic ski touring dilemma: managing the constant swing between sweating and freezing, and the windproof softshell is the master of this domain.

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Mastering Layers: The Windproof Softshell’s Role

Think of a softshell as your primary "action suit" for skiing. It’s the layer you put on at the car and often don’t take off until you’re back. Its magic lies in what it isn’t: it’s not a clammy, fully waterproof hardshell, nor is it a simple fleece that lets wind rip right through.

A windproof softshell is designed to block the vast majority of wind while offering exceptional breathability. This is the key. While skinning uphill or skiing hard, you generate a massive amount of heat and moisture (sweat). A good softshell lets that moisture escape so you don’t get soaked from the inside, which is a fast track to getting dangerously cold when you stop. While they aren’t fully waterproof, their DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish is more than enough to shed dry snow or a brief, light flurry, which covers 90% of ski days in many regions.

Arc’teryx Gamma MX: Unmatched Weather Resistance

When your ski days involve chairlifts, biting winds, and potential sidecountry excursions, you need a fortress. The Arc’teryx Gamma MX is that fortress. It’s less of a pure touring shell and more of a highly weather-resistant, do-it-all jacket that excels when conditions are more "mixed" than "mild."

The secret is its Fortius™ 2.0 fabric, which is incredibly durable and almost completely windproof. It also has a light fleece backer, providing a touch of insulation that’s welcome on a frigid lift ride or a windy transition. This jacket is an investment, but it’s built for years of hard use. The tradeoff is weight and warmth; for a high-output tour on a warm spring day, it can feel like too much jacket. But for the variable cold of mid-winter, it’s a top-tier choice.

Patagonia Upstride for High-Output Touring

If your ski days are all about earning your turns, the Patagonia Upstride is built for you. This jacket is designed specifically for the high-sweat, high-effort world of backcountry skiing. It prioritizes breathability and stretch above all else, feeling more like a technical hoodie than a traditional shell.

The Upstride uses a super-stretchy, highly air-permeable knit fabric that dumps heat and moisture with incredible efficiency. It’s the kind of jacket you can wear on a strenuous skin track without immediately overheating. It’s a specialist piece, however. Its weather resistance is minimal, designed only to block a bit of wind and shed the lightest, driest snow. If you prioritize uphill comfort over downhill protection, this is your tool.

Black Diamond Dawn Patrol: A Hybrid for the Uphill

For many skiers, the perfect softshell isn’t a specialist; it’s a versatile workhorse. The Black Diamond Dawn Patrol has been that workhorse for years, expertly striking a balance between weather protection and breathability. It’s the quintessential choice for the skier who splits their time between the resort and the backcountry.

Its hybrid design is what makes it so effective. It places a more durable, weather-resistant fabric on the shoulders and chest to fend off wind and light precipitation. Under the arms and on the back panel, it uses a more breathable, stretchier material to vent heat where you need it most. This intelligent construction makes it adaptable, comfortable on the skin track, and protective enough for a windy ridge. It’s the jack-of-all-trades in a world of specialists.

Rab Kinetic 2.0: Waterproof Softshell Versatility

What if you ski in places where the snow is often wet, or the forecast calls for mixed precipitation? The Rab Kinetic 2.0 blurs the line between a softshell and a hardshell, offering a unique solution. It’s a fully waterproof jacket that stretches and breathes like a softshell.

Rab’s own Proflex™ fabric is the key. It sandwiches a waterproof membrane between soft, stretchy face and backer fabrics. The result is a quiet, comfortable jacket that moves with you, unlike a crinkly, stiff hardshell. This makes it an outstanding choice for skiers in the Pacific Northwest or the Northeast. The only tradeoff is that even the most breathable waterproof membrane will be slightly less breathable than a high-end, non-membrane softshell.

Mammut Ultimate VII: GORE-TEX Infinium Power

When wind is your primary enemy, GORE-TEX Infinium is your best ally. The Mammut Ultimate VII is a classic softshell built around this technology, offering 100% windproof performance. This is a game-changer on exposed ridgelines or in high alpine environments where windchill is the biggest threat.

Unlike traditional GORE-TEX, Infinium is not focused on being fully waterproof. Instead, it maximizes breathability while creating an impenetrable barrier against wind. The Ultimate VII combines this with a durable face fabric and a comfortable backer, creating a premium shell for serious conditions. It’s a fantastic piece for anyone who runs cold or frequently skis in exposed, blustery terrain where staying warm means defeating the wind.

Norrøna Falketind Infinium for Alpine Durability

For the skier who is also a climber, mountaineer, or just exceptionally tough on their equipment, the Norrøna Falketind Infinium delivers. This jacket takes the same windproof GORE-TEX Infinium membrane and wraps it in Norrøna’s legendary bombproof construction and athletic, articulated fit.

The Falketind is designed for four-season mountain use, meaning it’s built to withstand abrasion from rock, ice, and heavy packs. It features a streamlined design with features like high hand pockets that are accessible while wearing a harness or a pack’s hip belt. This is a top-tier piece for ski mountaineering or any adventure where durability is just as important as wind protection. The main tradeoff is the premium price tag that comes with this level of construction.

How to Pick the Right Softshell for Your Ski Style

Choosing the right jacket comes down to being honest about how and where you ski most often. There is no single "best" shell, only the best one for your specific needs. Use this framework to guide your decision.

• Mostly Resort, Occasional Sidecountry: You need weather resistance and durability first. Wind on the chairlift is your main foe.

  • Look for: Heavier, fleece-backed fabrics and a focus on windproofing.
  • Prime Example: Arc’teryx Gamma MX.

• Dedicated Backcountry Touring: Uphill comfort is everything. You need to dump heat and moisture effectively to stay dry.

  • Look for: Lightweight, highly air-permeable, and stretchy fabrics.
  • Prime Example: Patagonia Upstride.

• The 50/50 All-Rounder: You need a balance of protection for the downhill and breathability for the uphill.

  • Look for: Hybrid-mapped fabrics and a good all-around feature set.
  • Prime Example: Black Diamond Dawn Patrol.

• Skiing in Wet or Mixed Climates: You need more than just wind protection; you need reliable water resistance.

  • Look for: Waterproof/breathable membranes with a soft, stretchy feel.
  • Prime Example: Rab Kinetic 2.0.

• High Alpine and Windy Ridges: Wind is the primary hazard, and total protection from it is non-negotiable.

  • Look for: 100% windproof membranes like GORE-TEX Infinium.
  • Prime Example: Mammut Ultimate VII or Norrøna Falketind Infinium.

Ultimately, a softshell is a tool for managing comfort in the mountains, allowing you to focus on the skiing instead of your layers. Don’t let the options paralyze you; pick the jacket that best matches your reality on the snow. The best piece of gear is the one that gets you out there, comfortably and safely, time and time again.