The Volcom TDS Infrared jacket has a full suite of bells and whistles for top-notch performance. Photo: Volcom
Snowboarding always has been –and always will be – about style. At the heart of the sport is the desire to not only have fun with your pals on the mountain, but to look good while doing so. That’s why a good snowboarding jacket can truly make or break the day. And as much as we don’t want to fall into fashion trends, we really don’t want to look like we’re just skiers standing sideways.
Volcom has been a key player in snowboarding outerwear for the better part of three decades. Their latest offering, the TDS Infrared GORE-TEX jacket, looks great, and is loaded with premium features to improve comfort while riding. I had a chance to test this jacket out in the always-variable conditions around Whistler, BC this year and have fallen in love with the jacket and everything it offers — even giving it a top-choice pick in our review of The Best Snowboard Jackets. With so many rad features to cover, it is certainly worth taking a deeper dive on the TDS.
Volcom TDS: First Impressions
| Pros | Cons |
| Weatherproof, yet breathable | Expensive |
| Integrated down liner where you need it most | Outer seams aren’t protected |
| Tons of useful bonus features | Down layer will lose insulation if wet |
I tried out the Electric Blue colorway, which certainly lives up to the name. Visibility is a key consideration around these parts, especially when riding in the trees, so it’s good to be able to spot your pals from a distance and keep tabs without having to stress too hard. This isn’t a bash – it’s a nice, bright color without being over the top. That’s considered a win in my books.
The shell material is made from 3L GORE-TEX fabric. For those in the know, 3L GORE-TEX is as good as it gets for the combination of waterproofing, breathability, and durability. The only step above is GORE-TEX Pro, but that can be more rigid, so this shell has the right amount of flex to perform while protecting you from wind, water, and bad vibes.
The interior liner is 600-fill down, just where you need it to help keep you warm and reduce the layers needed. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Notable Features
The big standout feature for this jacket is the TDS Infrared liner. TDS stands for Thermal Defense System, which places a 600-fill down liner in the places you need it most, but leaves it out in other areas to avoid baking too much within. The worst-case scenario when riding at a resort is to sweat while going down, and have said sweat freeze while riding the chairlift back up. Volcom’s designers thought this through, and placed the down insulation in key parts of the body and left it out in others. Add in some large pit vents and the ability to regulate heat is as simple as the flick of a zip.
There are a ton of other great features here, such as the warm wrist gaiters and the attached balaclava that is thankfully easy to remove and wash. Those are all great additions. But perhaps the best innovation that lets you know you’re dealing with quality are the zippers. These things are heavy duty, and most importantly, easy to zip/unzip with gloves or mitts on. They are quick to move and large, two key elements that are important when out in the cold. What’s even more of a bonus is that at the closing end of the zippers, they have a small hood or “zipper garage” to keep out the snow that almost always ends up inside one’s pockets. After a few powder days and spills, I can happily report that the zippers passed the test and did keep any and all snow from getting in.
Drawbacks
Everything listed above works great… in a perfect world. Unfortunately, our world isn’t perfect, and things do happen that will test the limits. The big risk here (as with any down-insulated snowboard jacket) is the liner getting wet. Of course, if you’re layering properly with moisture-wicking fabric this shouldn’t really be an issue, unless you’re taking the jacket off for some reason or don’t have the included powder skirt attached. But as soon as the down gets moist, it loses any insulating properties. Chances are, if you can afford this jacket you can afford a quality moisture-wicking base layer, though.
The other bummer with this jacket is that the seams on the exterior of the jacket stand out a bit. Volcom does have a 2-year warranty, but that warranty only covers workmanship defects. So if you’re shredding a little too close to the trees and you somehow snag a seam, it won’t be covered. This is an incredibly rare hypothetical, of course, but it is still a bit of a surprise that the design doesn’t hide the seams, as with many other premium jackets. So for those who knowingly thrash their gear, especially in the trees, I could see this being one of the few issues you might run into here.
The interior stash pocket, unlike other jackets, has a button closure to keep your goggles secure, for easy defogging when you need it most. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Final Thoughts
The Volcom TDS Infrared GORE-TEX Jacket is well thought-out, features premium materials, and has the right combo of insulation in the right places to keep you warm without cooking in warmer conditions. Each of the bonus features are welcome additions, and you can tell that the designers are snowboarders who know what the people want. All these pro features come with a hefty price tag, but this jacket should last many years if you take care of it properly. Just don’t get the inside wet and you’ll be good, as far as insulation goes.
All in all its one of the best jackets I have tested so far this year, and was good enough to earn the “Best All-Around” award in our review of the Best Snowboard Jackets. On top of all that, it looks good and will help you look good on the mountain as well.
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. If you’re looking to build out the rest of your kit, read our reviews on The Best Snowboard Mittens, Best Snowboard Goggles, Best Snowboard Boots, Best Ski and Snowboard Helmets, Best Snowboard Bags and Best Snowboard Brands.
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