When it comes to sliding down a mountain, one thing is for sure: You need to do it in style. And what I mean is, whether you’re skiing or snowboarding, you need to be rocking some cool threads. This generally means you need a cool ski or snowboarding jacket.
A few winters back I was in the market for a new jacket and I remembered seeing all the cool people were wearing a brand I’d noticed around: Picture Organic. First of all the styling was kinda cool, and they also had the recycled logo, which implied sustainability. Obviously a big deal these days.
So while shopping around during the end of winter season sales, I picked up my own Picture Organic snowboarding jacket.
Now I’ve had the opportunity to wear this jacket on a few trips into the snow, so I feel like I’m well placed to do a Picture Organic Styler Jacket review.
About Picture Organic Clothing
The Picture Organic brand are a French company, based in a town named Cebazat, near Clermont Ferrand in Central France. This mountain base makes them focused heavily on snow sports gear, as well as mountain biking, hiking and general outdoor pursuits.
Their brand ethos is very much focused on sustainability, and the company are B-Corp registered. Most Picture Organic apparel is made from at least partly recycled materials. And, in fact, even their headquarters in France is made to be sustainable, with rainwater collection and a number of passivhaus elements.
Basically, Picture Organic are serious about environmental responsibility, which is one of the defining factors in their clothing and ski or snow wear.
Picture Organic Styler Jacket Stats
The Picture Organic Styler ski jacket is an insulated winter spots jacket with a relaxed fit. Part of the classic Friends Line of ski and snowboard jackets, the Styler is a mens jacket, made to handle the extremes of mountain weather, while looking cool.
The stats for this jacket are quite indicative of what you’ll get across most of the Picture Organic range.
- 10k waterproof/10k breathability
- DryPlay Membrane
- 41% recycled polysester/59% polyester
- Underarm vents
- Snow skirt
- Ski pass pocket
- Teflon Ecolite PFC water repellant coated (which is basically unbranded GoreTex)
- Hood with space for ski helmet
In short, this specific Picture Organic jacket has a solid breathability and waterproofing rating. Plus all the essential ski features you’d expect…
Browse discounted Picture Organic ski jackets at Blue Tomato
How does the Styler jacket perform?
One of the first things that strikes you about Picture Organic ski jackets, including the Styler, is that they are quality items. Trying on the Styler jacket without even hitting the mountain, the first thing that strikes you is that this is both well made and lightweight. Some insulated jackets can feel bulky or heavy, but not Picture Organic apparel.
As a loose fitting ski jacket, the Styler is designed to look stylish while riding, following the sort of cool snowboarding apparel aesthetic. This means there is plenty of give in the fit of the jacket, without it feeling too spacious inside.
I’ve ridden in the Picture Organic Styler in a mixture of weathers, including subzero snow storms in the Alps, and balmy bluebird days.
I have found that when riding, I often need minimal insulation, usually just a t-shirt and base later at the most. For warmer days, I tend to roll with just a t-shirt or base layer and open up the air vents as it can get quite toasty in this jacket.
Waterproofing
As you’d hope and expect, the Styler jacket is excellent at keeping you dry and warm. Living in the UK, this jacket has definitely been put through it’s paces off the mountain with regards to waterproofing, and I can say this is safely one of the best jackets I’ve ever owned for staying dry.
The DryPlay membrane uses a Teflon Ecolite coating which is basically the same as GoreTex – but without the GoreTex pricing. In short, you’ve got premium waterproofing here, as is the case with most Picture Organic ski wear.
Considering I have worn this jacket in blizzards and in severe British downpours, this jacket has never been waterlogged, does not run water off onto my trousers, and is consistently dry and warm inside.
Insulation and Breathability
For us active snowboarders and skiers, keeping warm yet aerated is as important as keeping dry. Sweaty pits are not a good look at the end of a hard day on the mountain, even if they are a bit of an inevitability.
The insulation of the Picture Organic Styler means heat does tend to stay in. But those under arm air vents do offer some much needed circulation, and they perform well.
During a recent trip to the Alps, the morning session was cold and snowy, while the afternoon became quite mild as the sun came out. This coupled with the usual exertion meant that the air vents came in very useful.
Essential ski features
Beyond the fit and the technical performance, the Picture Organic Styler jacket also comes fully equipped with the ski features you need. For starters, you have two big internal pockets, one of which is zippable, the other elasticated for keeping gloves or other quick access items. Both of these are pretty sizeable, and I’ve stashed foldable water bottles, selfie sticks/GoPro and snacks with ease in these pockets.
External pockets include the obligatory lift pass pocket, plus two chest pockets, one of which is discreetly zipped and the other one is a more obvious chest popper.
The side pockets are also a good size and zip up.
The Styler Jacket also features an elasticated snow skirt, which works just as advertised. I’ve never had snow sneak in (and I spend enough time rolling in the snow).
And there is also the essential wrist gaiters to keep snow and ice out of your gloves too.
Read more in our ski jackets buyers guide.
Summary
The Picture Organic Styler Jacket is a premium snowboarding and ski jacket, with all the features you need to stay warm and dry on the slopes. If you’re looking for a cool jacket that will also perform technically, then Picture Organic kit comes highly recommended.
Get the full range of Picture Organic ski jackets at Picture Organic.
or…
Get discounted Picture Organic and other branded snowboard jackets at Blue Tomato.
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