Expert Review: Flylow Men's Knight Shell Jacket

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the ski jacket, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2020.

My Take

The Flylow Knight Men’s Shell Jacket is a solid shell option for those on a budget. Although not as thick and durable as Flylow’s other products, this jacket withstood 70+ days of snowy Colorado conditions.

About the jacket I own

• Model: 2020 Flylow Knight Jacket
• Size: XL
• Fit: True to size

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 185lbs
• Experience: Five years skiing and snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought this: June 2020
• Days used: 70+
• Where I’ve used it: Colorado & Utah
• Conditions I’ve used it in: Fall/winter/spring, sunny, and blizzards

How it performs

What I was looking for

I needed a jacket that was functional for both skiing and snowboarding. Having used insulated jackets before, I wanted to change to a shell style so I could layer appropriately for a large span of conditions.

Why I chose this gear

Flylow was recommended to me by some friends. I really enjoyed their vibe (I own a lot of their “Ski Bum” apparel). The styling was more freeride oriented than traditional ski gear, so it didn’t look out of place when used for snowboarding. I chose this jacket over their other options because I found it on sale.

What I love about it

• Fit: I’m between sizes, so I sized up. It still fits me very well and isn’t overly baggy. I had plenty of room to layer a down jacket and down vest at the same time.
• Range of Motion: This jacket moved well with me for both skiing and snowboarding. I had no issues moving, even with full winter layers.
• Style: In my opinion, the jacket’s looser style is pretty trendy without looking oversized.
• Waterproofing: Although it is only rated 10k/10k, I never had a problem with keeping water out. It has been through blizzards and kept me dry.
• Warmth: For a jacket with no insulation, it kept me pretty warm by holding in heat well. I used it on -10 degree days with a down jacket underneath and stayed comfortable.
• Weight: This jacket is very lightweight since it has no insulation. It feels no heavier than an average windbreaker.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Durability: While the seaming held up well, the fabric was pilling by the end of the season. The pilling was noticeable on my back from falls on my snowboard and on my shoulder from carrying my skis.
• Pockets: This jacket is limited on pockets. It also lacks a pass pocket.
• Breathability: While it has armpit vents, this jacket doesn’t breathe well. It’s better than a non-sporting winter coat, but it fails to compete with Flylow’s high-end jackets.

Favorite moment with this gear

This moment is more-so my wife’s favorite memory than mine. We took a trip to Snowbasin in Utah in February of 2021. I was cruising down a groomer on my snowboard, going about 40 mph without really thinking about it. Out of nowhere, I caught an edge and landed on my back. Unfortunately, I didn’t slow down. I kept heading down the run until I finally came to a stop about a football field away from where I first fell. My wife knew I was ok because I was sitting up during the slide, so she unceremoniously laughed at me for what felt like an eternity. Somehow, I didn’t rip my jacket (or divorce her).

Value for the money vs. other options

The Knight jacket is meant to be a more budget-conscious option. I found it to be more durable than my previous Spyder jacket, and I liked the fit and function better than my previous 686 jacket. However, I did retire this jacket in favor of Flylow’s 20k/20k shell options (I own both the Quantum Pro and the Malone jackets).

Final verdict

Overall, I think Flylow’s Knight is an excellent budget option. I would recommend it for both skiers and snowboarders. While I prefer Flylow’s other shell jackets, the Knight jacket is well suited for someone who skis about 10–20 times a season and isn’t afraid of adverse weather conditions.