Growing up in the Midwest, winter is a season that seems to overstay its welcome. When the neighbors hibernate next to their fireplaces wishing for the snow to stop falling, I find a reason to beg for more. Watching the first snowflakes make their way onto my yard this weekend, I couldn’t wait to rev up the toys in my garage and hit the trails while testing out the new Joe Rocket Men’s Flame Snow Jacket.
Identical to the name, the Flame Snow Jacket offers high visibility colorways in orange and yellow that can’t be missed, adjacent to the black panels on the chest and back. High visibility in the winter is very important because of unexpected whiteouts. If you’ve ever lost your pack in a storm, being able to easily identify your group once the flurries subside is a great feature.
For those who prefer to blend in, there is a black/gray option as well, with charcoal reflective piping on front and back shoulders on all color variants.
Since it is early in the season, I tested this jacket out in an unexpected early November downpour before the rain froze into snow. The waterproof exterior of the Flame Snow Jacket did its job, keeping me both dry and warm, allowing for breathability through the 7 oz. of insulation in the body and 5 oz. in the sleeves. As an extra layer of defense, there is a storm flap behind the main zipper to keep the elements out.
The inner liner is made of polyester and is moisture wicking. The zipper vents on the outer chest are easy to open and close with gloves on and provides a great opportunity to cool down without taking the entire jacket off. The two vents on the back of the jacket are a little more difficult to unzip with the jacket on, so don’t be afraid to ask friends in your riding group for assistance.
This jacket does not have a hood, which might be seen as a negative to some customers but is actually a positive feature. When wearing a helmet, the hood can be bothersome to the snowmobile rider, so eliminating the hood is a welcome advantage.
Pockets are extremely important to have in a winter jacket, and the Joe Rocket Flame Snow Jacket has more than enough for any rider. The jacket features two hand warmer pockets, two waterproof chest pockets, one lower sleeve pocket and two inside storage pockets.
I was excited to find a goggle cleaning cloth on the tether of the left breast pocket nearest the Rocket SnowGear logo, which will be extremely useful for any snowmobile enthusiast.
Two of the biggest selling points of the Flame Snow Jacket are the gaiter cuffs and powder skirt. The thumb hole allows for the gaiter to stay secure without riding back up the sleeves and the wrists fasten with adjustable closures. The powder skirt buttons at the waist, with support from shock cords at the hem of the jacket for a secure fit.
This jacket is available in sizes small through 3XL and is a great option for snowmobile riders, both new and experienced, at an excellent price point.
Link: Joe Rocket
