686 came up with a budget-friendly winner with their Smarty 3-in-1 Snowboard Jacket. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Snowboard jackets aren’t cheap. Well, to be honest, nothing’s cheap these days. But being someone who reviews a lot of gear, and was responsible for putting together a review of the Best Snowboard Jackets, I’ve seen firsthand how prices continue to climb in the outerwear department. That’s why we always strive to not only show the best jackets on the market, but also the ones with the most value. And the winner this year in the value department was the 686 Smarty 3-in-1 ($289). Not only does it offer amazing versatility to wear in a wide range of conditions, but the inner jacket can be worn to keep warm off the hill as well.
There were a number of factors that went into giving this jacket our “Best Budget Snowboard Jacket” award this year. But being on the lower end of the price spectrum, there are definitely a few tradeoffs to be aware of compared to a premium version. Whether those tradeoffs are worth it will be up to you, but our goal here is to make that decision much less confusing by lending you our first-hand experience. So read on below to see if this jacket is for you:
686 Smarty 3-in-1 Form Jacket
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Gets heavy when wet |
| Versatile | Liner isn’t very breathable |
| Both shell and liner are comfortable | Hood closure doesn’t hold |
Notable Features
Being a 3-in-1 jacket is probably the defining feature that attracts most people to this jacket. And it’s true – being able to remove the liner, or simply wear the liner on its own, makes for many uses. So for that reason it’s more than a snowboard jacket, which adds to already great value right off the bat.
The liner has stretch fleece side panels that allow for good movement. While not extremely breathable, the sides do allow for some hot air to escape, avoiding any major overheating. This helped me maintain a good temperature when temps fluctuated from above freezing to a chilly 5 degrees Fahrenheit without any real issues.
The jacket itself is full of handy features for resort riding, such as headphone loops, an internal goggle stash pocket, pit vents with a mesh lining, and a powder skirt. Many of those things are non-negotiable when it comes to needed features. One of the most notable features, though, was the jacket’s “DeathGrip” cuff. It allows for a nice tight fit where you can throw a gauntlet cuff mitt or glove over it and keep snow out with only a few easy movements.
The DeathGrip Cuff makes it easy to pull a gauntlet style mitten or glove over in a matter of seconds. Photo: Steve Andrews / The Inertia
Drawbacks
While there are cinch straps on the hood, you can’t keep it tight. This is a bummer when it’s windy as the hood acts as a bit of a sail, opening up any tightness immediately and thus negating the ability to cinch it shut. When wearing a helmet it fits tight enough, so it just depends on how much you’re using the hood without a helmet – and how fast you’ll be moving with it on.
With the liner, the jacket is plenty warm. However, it’s fairly bulky compared to a shell or insulated jacket that has the lining built-in, which could be a hinderance for larger body types, so be sure to pay attention to the size charts when ordering! The bulk will also play a factor in high performance, from doing big airs and spins to moving fast on high alpine descents. So, those really serious about snowboarding might want a leaner kit. But for the vast majority of the population, I don’t see this being much of an issue.
Lastly, the 20k waterproofing is solid and will stand up to the wet stuff, however, after about two hours in a rainstorm, the material began to get saturated. This was during an unseasonably warm spell in the Pacific Northwest where rain seems to be an increasingly common occurrence. Once the outer shell was soaked, it did take a bit of time to dry out. That said, the inner fabric was still not drenched, showing that, when the DWR coating gets overwhelmed, the waterproof membrane still does its job and will keep you dry.
The hood was difficult to make a tight fit, filling up with air when going fast. Photo: Steve Andrews / The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Smarty 3-in-1 Form Jacket by 686 gives you something to wear for much more than just snowboarding. By combining the outer shell and inner layer, you have a set of options for winter wear that can take you through a huge range of climate conditions thanks to the removable liner. Plus, the liner on its own is stylish enough to wear out and about.
When you factor in the price of all of these, the jacket equates to an incredibly good value. The jacket’s bulk makes it not exactly something to win a gold medal, but for most snowboarders who want some fun resort laps and protection from the elements, this jacket is a great deal. If you factor in the price of lift tickets at some resorts, the fact that you can get a jacket like this for less than a day ticket at some spots makes you realize what a deal this actually is.
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. If you’d like to check out other great snowboard jackets we reviewed, visit our guide to the Best Snowboard Jackets. For more in-depth reviews of the top snowboard gear in the industry, check out our guides to: The Best Snowboard Pants, The Best Snowboard Goggles, The Best Snowboard Boots, and The Best Snowboard Mittens and Gloves. Curious about the brands behind it all? Check out The Best Snowboard Brands. Looking to protect your head? We’ve reviewed Ski and Snowboard Helmets, too.
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