Top Ski Jacket Brands: Spyder

Table of Contents

• A Brand Built on Racing
• Racing Heritage and Technical Credentials
• What Makes Spyder Ski Jackets Stand Out
• Which Spyder Jacket Is Right for You?
• Spyder's Warranty
• Spyder at Peter Glenn

At a Glance: Spyder is a well-established ski brand with deep roots in alpine racing. Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1978, it built its reputation supplying national race teams before expanding into recreational outerwear for resort skiers, families, and more demanding all-mountain use. Its ski jackets combine proprietary waterproof technology, ski-specific features, and high performance protection across the collection.

Spyder is one of the few ski brands that can trace its credibility directly to the race course. Decades at the highest level of competitive skiing have shaped the way Spyder builds its outerwear, from fit and construction to fabric selection. For skiers considering the Spyder brand, the key question is less about whether the brand is good and more about finding the jacket that fits how and where you ski. The brand now spans several price and performance tiers, which means beginners, resort skiers, and more experienced all-mountain skiers can all find options rather than being pushed toward one narrow product category.

A Brand Built on Racing

David Jacobs founded Spyder in 1978 in Boulder, Colorado, initially as a small mail-order business selling high quality race apparel for competitive skiers. One of his early creations was a blue racing pant with yellow padded panels that skiers began calling spider pants for their appearance. Jacobs renamed the company Spyder, borrowing the spelling with a y from the Ferrari Spyder. The brand grew steadily as national teams across Europe and North America began wearing Spyder race pants in competition.

Racing Heritage and Technical Credentials

In 1989, Spyder became an official supplier to the U.S. Ski Team, a relationship that lasted 33 years and helped establish the brand's reputation with professional skiers. In 1994, Jacobs patented SpeedWyre, a technical innovation that wove a trip-wire into race suits to reduce wind drag by up to 40 percent in laboratory tests. The FIS banned it in 1997, ruling it gave racers an unfair competitive advantage. That willingness to push technical limits has remained central to how Spyder approaches outerwear development.

What Makes Spyder Ski Jackets Stand Out

EXO Shield Technology

At the core of most Spyder ski jackets is EXO Shield, the brand's proprietary waterproof and breathable membrane. EXO Shield comes in four protection levels: 10K, 20K, 25K, and 30K. The number refers to the waterproof rating, with higher ratings providing stronger protection and better breathability during active skiing. The 30K rating is suited for extreme conditions including wet, heavy snowfall and all-day exposure to rain or wind. Two-way and four-way stretch variants are available depending on the jacket, maintaining shape and elasticity over extended use. Beginning in fall 2024, all EXO Shield fabrics transitioned to PFAS-free construction made from recycled materials.

GORE-TEX Options

Spyder also offers jackets built with GORE-TEX on its premium shell styles, an option for skiers who want proven waterproof performance and long-term durability. Some soft shell styles use GORE-TEX INFINIUM, which provides wind and cold protection without full waterproofing, making it better suited for milder days.

Insulation Options

Spyder uses three main types of insulation across its ski jacket lineup. PrimaLoft appears most consistently, providing reliable warmth through lightweight synthetic fill that holds up even when wet. EXO Thermo, developed in-house, uses graphene on the interior to distribute heat more evenly across the jacket. Sorona rounds out the options in select styles, offering consistent warmth and shape retention over time. Fill weight varies across the lineup, so checking insulation weight alongside the waterproof rating is worth doing when comparing jackets.

Ski-Specific Features

Spyder builds its ski jackets for the mountain, with features that go beyond standard winter outerwear. Common features across the lineup include:

• Helmet-compatible hoods sized and adjusted for use over a ski helmet
• Powder skirts that seal the jacket at the waist to keep snow out on falls or deep days
• Thumbhole wrist gaiters under the cuffs for added coverage
• Underarm ventilation zippers for temperature control during active skiing
• Ski pass pockets for easy lift access without removing gloves
• Goggle pockets with lens wipers on many styles
• YKK AquaGuard waterproof zippers throughout

Not every style includes all of these details. Premium insulated and shell options tend to offer the most complete feature set. Looking at individual jacket pages rather than assuming all Spyder jackets include the same features is important when choosing between styles.

Which Spyder Jacket Is Right for You?

Spyder's connection to racing does not limit who the brand is for. The lineup covers multiple price and performance tiers, with options suited to casual resort skiers as well as more experienced all-mountain skiers.

Spyder Jacket Selection Guide

Skier Type	What to Look For
Occasional resort skier	Insulated jacket with 10K EXO Shield protection
Skier who gets cold easily	Higher insulation weight and 20K or above waterproofing
Skier in wet, stormy conditions	25K, 30K, or GORE-TEX construction with fully taped seams
Active skier who generates heat	Shell jacket or soft shell with pit zips and lighter insulation
Growing child or family skier	Warmth, durability, stretch fabric, and an accurate size check

Here is what to consider before selecting a jacket:

• Spyder insulated jackets tend to have a fitted, athletic cut, so skiers who prefer a relaxed fit may want to try before buying
• Entry-level 10K jackets perform well in typical resort conditions but may fall short in consistently wet or heavy snowfall regions
• Insulation weight and waterproof rating vary by style, so comparing individual jacket specs is more reliable than buying by brand name alone
• Skiers who hike uphill for their runs may find insulated styles too warm and bulky, and better served by a lighter shell

Spyder's Warranty

Spyder's limited warranty covers manufacturer defects for up to 10 years on adult garments and 2 years on children's. Coverage requires proof of purchase from an authorized dealer, so buying from a retailer like Peter Glenn keeps you eligible for the full warranty. Normal wear and tear, damage from ski edges, and repairs made by third-party services are not covered.

Spyder at Peter Glenn

Peter Glenn carries a wide selection of Spyder ski jackets for men, women, and kids, in insulated, shell, and soft shell styles across a range of price points and performance levels. Find the full Spyder lineup, including premium picks and everyday resort options, at Peter Glenn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Spyder a good ski jacket brand? 

Yes. Spyder sits toward the premium end of the market, and its exceptional quality shows up in the waterproofing, durability, and race-derived fit. It is a strong choice if you want proven performance and ski often, rather than the cheapest option for a once-a-year trip.

How do I care for a Spyder ski jacket? 

Wash it with a cleaner made for waterproof gear rather than regular detergent, avoid fabric softener, and reapply a weatherproofing spray once drops stop beading on the outside. Following the care label protects the membrane and keeps the jacket breathable season after season.

What is the difference between an insulated and a shell Spyder ski jacket? 

Insulated jackets have built-in warmth, ideal for resort skiers who want one layer for cold days on the mountain. Shell jackets provide waterproof and breathable protection without insulation, giving skiers more control over their layering. Shell styles are generally preferred by more active skiers, those who ski in variable conditions, or those who tend to run warm on the slopes.

Does Spyder make ski jackets for kids? 

Yes. Spyder offers ski jackets for children with ski-specific features including powder skirts, helmet-compatible hoods, and waterproof fabrics. Children's garments are covered by a two-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Does Spyder make ski pants and other gear? 

Yes. Beyond jackets, Spyder gear includes ski pants, mid-layers, gloves, and accessories, so you can build a complete ski kit from one brand. Adding Spyder ski pants to match gives you the same fit and waterproof rating from top to bottom.