Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Snowboard Jacket Review
An in-depth review of Burton’s premium-quality, wind and waterproof, stylish women’s snowboard jacket
![Snowboarder wearing the mint green Burton [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L snowboarding jacket](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b4544e485ede17941bc95fc/e5677b19-dfff-443e-937b-95ae46121d64/snowboarder-wearing-the-mint-green-burton.jpg)
February 19th, 2026
Home > Gear Reviews > Snow Gear
Our verdict
Whether you are a die-hard fan of Burton or look past it to other brands, they know what they are doing when it comes to snowboarding gear. That’s why the Burton [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L women’s jacket is easily our favorite snowboarding jacket.
Burton knows what snowboarders want and need in a jacket, and you’ll get all those features with the women’s-specific [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L and the men’s Swash GORE-TEX 2L. This jacket blends style and function, so you can rock a vibe while staying warm and dry, and easily stash all your stuff in the plentiful, specifically designed pockets. For cold days, you can even layer a puffy or fleece underneath without feeling too restricted while carving or whipping through the trees. With the two-layer GORE-TEX membrane, it fared extremely well in our at-home waterproof tests, taking a top spot as the most waterproof.
Although it will keep you fully protected from the elements, the jacket is pricey at over $500 when not on sale. Because of Burton’s high-quality construction, this coat should last plenty of seasons. Plus, it has a clean, understated look that won’t go out of style, even if overall fashion trends change.
Buy the Burton [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L women’s jacket if you want a solid snowboard jacket that will last you season after season, or if you need a jacket with lightweight, sleek insulation.
Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Snowboard Jacket
For this review, we tested the women’s-specific jacket. However, a men’s version is also available, the Burton [ak] Swash GORE-TEX 2L Jacket. Learn more about our favorite ski and snowboarding jackets in our Best Men’s Ski Jackets and Best Women’s Ski Jackets guides.
We write mission-driven gear reviews. To find the best gear, we combine expert reviews, everyday user opinions, and rigorous independent trail testing—never native ads or sponsored posts. We are 100% reader-supported and may make a small commission from some qualifying affiliate links. Learn more.
Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Jacket Specifications
![Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Snowboard Jacket](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b4544e485ede17941bc95fc/b3f320c3-e21d-4712-a3e6-53f32c087d7f/burton-%5Bak%5D-embark-gore%E2%80%91tex-2l-snowboard-jacket.jpg)
Price: $500
Weight: 2.3 lb (women’s Embark); 2 lb 8 oz (men’s Swash)
Insulation: 60g Primaloft Silver
Waterproof rating: At-home testing rating of 5/5 (tested at 31,000mm)
Breathability rating: 4/5; GORE-TEX 2L breathable membrane, TKg/m²/24h
Waterproof technology: GORE-TEX 2L waterproof and windproof membrane, YKK water-resistant zippers, water repellent without PFAS
Seams: Fully taped
Fabric/material: GORE-TEX 2-Layer recycled polyester 75D plain weave fabric
Fit: Regular articulated; slightly baggy for a stylish look
Sizes available: XXS-XXL for women’s; the men’s equivalent (the Swash) has XXS to 3XL
Ventilation: Pit zips, mesh-lined
Hood: Helmet compatible, attached, adjustable
Powder skirt: Yes, detachable and with jacket-to-pant snaps
Pockets: External pass pocket; two lined hand pockets with integrated ATM pocket for cards; external zippered chest pocket with insulation; internal mesh drop-in pocket
Sustainability: Recycled taffeta, bluesign-approved materials, recycled polyester
Colorways: Eight options for men; six options for women
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Best for
Resort riders—all levels
Resort skiers—all levels
Cold, windy days with extreme weather; milder, warmer days
Riders who want all the features on a jacket
Comparison table
| SKI/SNOWBOARD JACKET | MSRP* | INSULATION | SIZES | # POCKETS | SEAM SEAL | WATERPROOFING | PIT ZIPS | POWDER SKIRT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burton [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L (women's) | $500 | 60g Primaloft Silver | XXS-XXL | 5 | Full | GORE-TEX 2L | Yes | Yes, detachable |
| Burton [ak] Swash GORE-TEX 2L (men's) | $500 | 60g Primaloft Silver | XXS-3XL | 5 | Full | GORE-TEX 2L | Yes | Yes, detachable |
| Helly Hansen Powchaser 2.0 | $365 | PrimaLoft Black Eco | XS-XL | 5 | Full | 2-layer HELLY TECH Performance | Yes | Yes |
| The North Face THERMOBALL Snow Triclimate | $400 | 11 G/Ft² ThermoBall 100% Recycled Polyester | XS - 3XL | 5 | Full | DryVent with non-PFC DWR finish | Yes | Yes |
| 868 Athena Insulated Jacket | $230 | infiLOFT insulation: 100% polyester (body and sleeves: 60 g; hood: 40 g) | XS - XL | 6 | Full | 2-layer infiDRY 10K fabric and PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatment | Yes | Yes |
What we liked
Slightly baggy style
Abundant and useful features
High-performance warmth and waterproofing
Insulated phone pocket
Removable snowskirt
What could be better
Price
Integrated wrist gaiters, which are annoying if you don’t like those
How we tested
The author testing the Burton [ak] Embark GORE-TEX 2L snowboard jacket.
We tested this woman’s jacket over multiple days at Eldora Mountain Resort, outside Boulder, Colorado, and at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Eldora is notoriously windy, so we were able to test the jacket’s warmth and windproofing. During testing, Breckenridge had sunnier, mild temperatures, which gave us a good metric for whether this jacket is too warm or not breathable. Overall, the jacket fared well in all sorts of weather—I didn’t get too warm in sunny weather with mid-20s to low-30s, and I also stayed completely warm in the teens with clouds and a steady 15 mph wind.
I tested this jacket side-by-side with other insulated options, like The North Face Thermoball Snow Triclimate jacket, the affordable Montec Doom insulated jacket, and the Helly Hansen Asymmetric Jacket. It was warmer than the Montec, but about the same as The North Face option and the Helly Hansen jacket. I used all the zippers while wearing gloves and mittens. To test overall waterproofing in more controlled settings than what I experienced on the slope, I ran a faucet over various parts of the jackets for one minute each to simulate lab testing.
Performance in the field
Fit and comfort
As this is made by a snowboard company, the Burton Embark jacket wins points for style. It isn’t super baggy, but it isn’t slim or short hemmed either. Its hem falls below the butt, giving it a longer style than other jackets we tested. It fits true to size and works well with a lightweight base layer or a mid-weight layer for really chilly days.
Warmth and insulation
Burton rates this jacket as a three out of five for warmth on its internal rating scale. It uses a low bulk, PrimaLoft Silver insulation. As expected, this moderate insulation is less bulky than more fully insulated jackets we tested, but more than shells with no insulation. Even at 20 grams per square meter less than other jackets, I found this to be very warm on colder, cloudy days with temperatures in the 20s or high teens, providing similar warmth to the other insulated jackets I tested.
The jacket also has Burton’s Living Lining, which is said to provide climate control throughout the day by having pores in the “smart” material that open up to breathe when you work up a sweat, but shrink when you are chilled. Honestly, that all sounds a bit too smart tech for me, but I can say that I was never really too cold or too hot, so it must be working.
I wouldn’t take this jacket touring, as you’d be way too warm, and even though it is low-bulk insulation, it wouldn’t pack small enough to fit in a pack.
Waterproofing and breathability
According to Burton’s own metrics, this jacket is a 5/5 for both waterproofness and 4/5 for breathability, when compared to other jackets we tested. With a GORE-TEX two-layer membrane, sweat can seep out without letting water droplets in. During our at-home waterproofing test, I ran my faucet over various parts of the jacket for a minute at a time (with a water faucet rate of 1 gallon/64 seconds, or 0.94 GPM), like the front panels, sleeves, and YKK water-resistant zippers. This testing simulated a 31,000mm hydrostatic rating, and we found no dampness seeping through. The jacket has YKK Water Resistant Zippers and fully taped seams.
To test breathability, I boiled water, poured it into a mug, and then placed the inside back panel of the jacket over the steam. Then, I secured a glass cup over that to see if the top glass fogged up. The Embark is breathable and allows vapors to seep through fairly quickly. It’s more breathable than some lower-quality jackets, but slightly less breathable than a single-shell jacket because of the thin layer of insulation in the Embark. It’s also windproof, which was proven during windy runs (about 10 to 15 mph) at Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado.
Durability and construction
The recycled polyester is a 75-denier fabric, so its durability is mid to high, meaning it should hold up to light abrasions and won’t tear easily. Some shells, like the Acr’Teryx Sabre or Sentinel, have a slightly higher denier that would resist almost all wear and tear. Because of the mid-level denier, the jacket feels not crisp or crunchy but flexible, which makes for easy riding without any hindrance.
Ventilation
The jacket has zippered pit vents under each arm, and they are both lined with mesh so snow stays out. All of the jackets we tested have pit vents, but about half have mesh lining. The vent zippers were easy to use with mittens and gloves; unzipping and re-zipping was mostly easy with just a few snags, which is pretty typical for most pit zips given the location.
The lined pit zips help release heat when working up a sweat on the slopes.
Features and usability
As one of the original snowboarding brands, Burton knows how to make good gear. The front, main zipper is two-way, which helps snowboarders need to adjust layers underneath, and the sleeves have mesh wrist gaiters so no wind or snow can sneak in with a gap between your gloves and sleeves; some people hate these, some people love them.
The hood is large enough to fit easily over a helmet and has cinches to secure it on windy days. There is a zipped pass pocket on the sleeve, an interior mesh drop-in pocket, and an ATM pocket in the soft handwarmer pocket for your cards or chapstick. One feature on the Embark that other jackets don’t have is a zippered chest pocket with an extra, insulated slip-in pocket inside to keep your phone’s battery from completely depleting on cold days.
The hood on the Burton Embark Insulated snowboard jacket fits nicely over a variety of helmets.
Weight and packability
The Embark is an insulated jacket, so it is heavier than the non-insulated shells we tested. When compared to other insulated jackets, it is about the same weight. This jacket is not very packable, so don’t plan on using this on a backcountry touring day where you might need to tie it around your waist or stuff it in a pack.
Features
Shell and lining materials
The jacket uses a two-layer GORE-TEX membrane for waterproofing and breathability. It has fully taped seams, YKK water-resistant zippers, and a durable water repellent finish made without PFAS.
Ventilation system details
The women's Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Jacket and the men’s Burton [ak] Swash GORE‑TEX 2L Jacket have pit zips with a mesh liner, so if you do fall, snow will stay out.
Powder skirt design
This jacket comes with a detachable powder skirt that has extra snaps to attach to Burton snowpants—I’ve never used anything like this, nor do I have a pair of Burton bottoms that I could try. I only wear bibs, so both the powder skirt and the jackets-to-pants snaps didn’t seem necessary for me. It zips off, which is great for those who don’t want to use one; most jackets have powder skirts that cannot come off.
The powder skirt prevents snow from entering on deep powder days. This one zips off if you don’t need to use it.
Hood and helmet compatibility
The attached hood is helmet compatible with cinches in the back and the front for a secure, protective fit and small buttons to pinch and release the cinch.
Pockets and zippers
The pockets on the Embark include standard pockets (two front handwarmer pockets, a pass pocket, an internal drop-in mesh, and a chest pocket) but come with some sweet specifics that I used often. In the front left pocket is a key clip, while the front right pocket has an ATM pocket for cards. My favorite pocket is in the zippered external chest—there is an extra small pocket that has insulation on the outside of it, so you can slip your phone in and not worry about it getting too cold and losing all your battery. No other jackets we tested had a pocket like this.
The zippers are YKK water-resistant zippers and have pull tabs that are easy to grab with mittens or gloves on.
Plenty of inside and outside pockets help store your mittens, goggles, and more.
Style options and colorways
The women's Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Jacket definitely has a more snowboard vibe than other jackets we tested. It sits right between slim and baggy, so you get some style with a roomy jacket without going full park-style with an extremely baggy kit. The hem is longer (about 29 inches for a women’s medium) and sits just below my butt, which is nice for extra protection when sitting down to strap in. Colors for women include black, tan, blue and orange, sage, pink, dark blue, and pink and yellow; colors for men in the Swash include black, tan, color-blocked blue, white and black, light green, blue, pink, yellow, and burnt orange.
Sustainability and ethics
This jacket has recycled taffeta in the lining, recycled polyester for the outer, and bluesign-approved materials. Overall, Burton is a certified B Corp with goals to reduce its carbon emissions and follow strict chemical standards to produce gear more responsibly.
Should you buy the Burton [ak] Embark/Swash GORE-TEX 2L snowboard jacket?
Buy if you tend to ride in-bounds mostly and want a high-end jacket that will keep you comfortable throughout the whole season, from powder days with cold temps all the way through warmer spring skiing. Choose this no matter where you ride, as the tech makes for a very versatile jacket.
Skip if you don’t want to drop nearly $500 on a jacket. Maybe you're beginning and aren’t sure you’ll stick with it, or perhaps you want new gear every season. Also, skip this jacket if you need something to double as your backcountry touring jacket, as this is insulated and will be much too warm for touring.
Where to buy
The Burton [ak] Embark and Swash GORE-TEX 2L snowboard jackets are popular gear items, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Evo
Pros: 365 day returns, store locations in ski towns for easy last-minute pick-up, may offer rentals if you want to try before you buy, earn 10% back in Rewards
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
In general for apparel, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns. If your funds allow, many people find it is faster to order two sizes and return whichever one didn't fit as well. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Similar Snowboard Jackets
Helly Hansen Powchaser Asymmetric Jacket
Insulation material: PrimaLoft BLACK Eco
Shell Material/Waterproofing: Polyester with Helly Tech Performance range of 10000 to < 20000 mmH2O and a DWR treatment
Sizes: XS-XL
Pockets: Goggles pocket, pass pocket, fleece-lined front pocket with goggle wipe, front pocket
Pit zips: Yes
Powder skirt: Adjustable with snap backs
The Helly Hansen Powchaser Asymmetric women’s-specific jacket, with an asymmetrical zipper, is a different style from the Burton Embark, but it is similarly insulated and very warm. It feels slightly more puffy than the Embark, so if you want something warm but very streamlined, stick with the Embark. The Powchaser is also $135 less than the Embark.
Inventory on the Asymmetric is low, but the Helly Hansen Powchaser 2.0 is essentially the same jacket without the asymmetric zipper.
Helly Hansen Powchaser Asymmetric Jacket
The North Face THERMOBALL Snow Triclimate Jacket
Insulation material: 3-in-1 insulated puffy with a shell; HEATSEEKER synthetic insulation
Shell material/Waterproofing: Polyester; DRYVENT 2L shell with a non-PFC DWR finish; seam-sealed shell
Sizes: S-XXL (women’s) S-XXL (men’s)
Pockets: 6 (2 hand pockets, 1 security pocket, 1 sleeve pocket, 2 internal mesh dump pocket), 1 secure-zip pocket
Pit zips: Yes, unlined
Powder skirt: Yes, attached
The North Face THERMOBALL Snow Triclimate Jacket isn’t as stylish as the Burton Embark, but it is equally packed with waterproofing and features. The bonus for The North Face jacket is that it is more versatile than the Embark, as it’s a 3-in-1 with a puffy that zips into the shell, so you can wear the whole getup, just the shell, or just the puffy. Learn more in our in-depth review of The North Face THERMOBALL Snow Triclimate Jacket.
The North Face THERMOBALL Snow Triclimate Jacket
men's
Women's
Insulation material: infiLOFT® Insulation (Body Mapped 80g Body / 60g Sleeves / 40g Hood)
Shell material/waterproofing: 2-Layer infiDRY 10K 100% Polyester Fabric + PFAS-free DWR
Sizes: XS-XL
Pockets: Hand pockets, phone heater pocket, Velcro pass pocket, zippered chest pocket, internal stash pocket
Pit zips: Yes, lined
Powder skirt: Attached and adjustable powder skirt
The women’s Athena jacket from 686 is insulated with 80 grams of synthetic insulation in the body, 60 grams in the sleeves, and 40 grams in the hood. This is more insulation than the Burton Embark, which has 60 grams overall. It is rated with mid-level waterproofing and breathability, so if you aren’t hitting it hard in snowy and wet conditions, opt for the Athena as it is nearly $200 less than the Embark.
686 Women’s Athena Insulated Jacket
Why you should trust us / about the author
Although I grew up in Wisconsin, my family got me on skis when I was just three years old. At ten, I decided to follow in my older brother's footsteps and try snowboarding. I haven’t stepped on a ski since and, instead, have been snowboarding for more than 25 years, with more than half of those seasons spent out west once I moved to Boulder, Colorado. I have dabbled in park riding over the years, but my go-to is moguls, trees, and steeps as I’ve advanced to an experienced rider; I have spent time in the backcountry as well. When it comes to testing snowboarding gear, I’ve spent numerous seasons sporting many different helmets, boots, bindings, and apparel to break down the minutiae of what truly works and what doesn’t when it comes to what I need as a snowboarder. Read more on Mattie Schuler’s website or author page.
![Burton [ak] Embark GORE‑TEX 2L Snowboard Jacket Review](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b4544e485ede17941bc95fc/1771430088794-KNO4QK8ERWM4IE9DD0SB/snowboarder-wearing-the-mint-green-burton.jpg)
