Mens Ski Jacket Review - O'Neill Society Jacket

One of the most popular mens ski jackets to come out of the O'Neill stable in recent years has been the Society Jacket. This stylish addition from the Escape series has proved to be popular with skiiers and snowboarders alike thanks to a winning mixture of function, performance and style. Here I will add my experience of the jacket and give you a review so you can see what all the fuss is about.

What is it?
The O'Neill Escape Society is a mens ski / snowboard jacket that boasts 8k/8k waterproofing and breathability. It is available in several colour combinations and has been updated yearly by O'Neill to respond to trends on the slopes and shifts in style from the catwalk. As part of the Escape series this jacket sits more at the functional end of the spectrum as opposed to a performance item, but there is enough here to satisfy all but the most demanding of rider. And also keeps you warm and dry when walking the dog, for what its worth.

How does it look?
The Escape Society maintains a consistent design throughout the colour spread - this consists of block colour solid sleeves with horizontal stripes and hoops arcross the chest. There is a large breast pocket and two further hand pockets to the front. Each colourway has a slight variation of the this theme, with the Powder White and Black AOP versions offering the most trendy look. The other colourways stick to a more similar theme, with larger gaps between the hoops. The one to look out for is the Enamel Blue colourway which features a cool contrasting yellow breast pocket, to really stand out. The branding is subtle and the fixed hood takes the block colour of the sleeves to complete the look.

How does it perform?
As previously said, this mens ski jacket sits at the functional end of the scale but is still loaded with techinical features that are common on jackets twice the price. For starters, there is O'Neill's Firewall Insulation lining which has specific body mapped layers to retain the most body heat. This is really noticeable on the slopes and whilst most O'Neill jackets now feature this lining in one form or another, I would certainly recommend it when looking for a new jacket. There is also plenty of room for movement, with nice touches like armpit ventilation and all manner of wrist, bottom and cuff adjustment to get a good, snug fit before heading out.

What else should I know?
There are plenty of places to store stuff with the Society jacket. A lift pass pocket on the left sleeve is easily accessible and has a neat velcro closure over the top to keep things secure. Inside there is another velcro-closed pocket, ideal for your ipod or phone as well as a suitably practical goggle pocket for when you've finished your ride. None of these elements make the Society jacket too intrusive and should be on your checklist of things to look for when choosing a new jacket. The front pocket also features a key hook with toggle adjustment. 

Overall?
The O'Neill Escape Society Jacket is a great ski or snow jacket to have in your snow wardrobe, thanks to a winning combination of versatility and style.

If you want to sample the O'Neill Escape Society Jacket for yourself, then simply make your way over to twobarefeet.co.uk where you'll find a massive choice of O'Neill snow jackets to suit all riders. With fast worldwide shipping available you'll be able to rock this winter collection from O'Neill everywhere from the Alps to Aspen and pretty much anywhere else in between.