Q: Which zipper system suits a ski jacket?
A ski jacket uses a size 5 or size 8 waterproof front zipper, open-end, with two sliders on anything longer than about 80 cm. The front should be a PU-coated reverse coil or a matte waterproof vislon; the heavier size 8 is worth it when the jacket carries a powder skirt and a helmet-compatible hood, because the front placket sees constant load. Pit zips take a size 3 waterproof coil, and pass pockets a size 5 with a zip garage at the top.
- Size 5 or 8 waterproof front, two-way; size 3 for vents.
- Sealed stops and a storm flap with at least 10 mm overlap.
- Large, glove-friendly pulls on all external zips.
Two failures dominate. A single-slider front cannot vent from the bottom, so the skier overheats on the lift; and vents sewn without a flap let wet snow into an open coil. Snow that melts and refreezes in an unprotected coil will also jam the slider, so specify a coated tape rather than a plain one.