About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the jacket, which I purchased with my own money in September of 2022.

My take

The Burton Men's Covert Insulated Jacket is great for a beginner/intermediate rider who wants to look great, stay warm, carry the necessities, and have long-lasting gear without breaking the bank.

About the jacket I own

• Model: 2020 Burton Covert Men’s Jacket
• Size: Large
• Fit: True to size

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 183 lbs
• Experience: 4 years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought this: September 2020
• Days tested: 50
• Where I’ve used it: Arizona Snowbowl
• Conditions I’ve used it in: Sleet, snow, sunny, spring, windy conditions

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new jacket that would be able to withstand anything I might encounter during the season. I wanted something that would breathe well, but could keep me warm on some colder days. I also wanted something with a good amount of pockets to hold everything I needed in order to minimize any extra trips down to my truck.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to go for the Burton Covert for a couple of reasons, the first being that it has plenty of pockets to stash all the goodies I might need on the mountain. It also has vents in the under arms to help cool me off for those warmer days. The 80g insulation fill is a great medium to keep me warm but not overheat, and the jacket is even made of recycled materials and bluesign approved; this means it doesn’t make a large impact on our planet, which is always great. Not to mention, there’s quite a bit of options for colors to keep me looking fresh. At my time of purchase, I was considering opting for the comparable DC Anchor 10k, which has similar waterproofing and insulation weight, but I ended up opting for the Burton Covert over the DC Anchor 10k for the additional pockets and styling options.

What I love about it

• Fit: This jacket fits true to size: I am six feet tall and 180 lbs and I wear a size large comfortably.
• Range of motion: It is very flexible with a slightly baggy fit for great ease of movement. It keeps me feeling free and lets me move however I want to, whether that’s cruising across the mountain or through the park, with no tight binding or suffocating feeling to my torso, neck or arms.
• Features: The powder skirt and loops lock the snow out when connected to a pair of pants. There are plenty of pockets to stash all my goodies, and there’s a keep-warm pocket that fits phones perfectly. Also, the insulation is made of 90% recycled materials and is bluesign approved: great looks and safe for the environment.
• Style: Modern styling with plenty of color options to suit any style. I opted for the blue and black colorway for two main reasons: one, so all of my friends could find me easily; and two, it looks sweet. The fit leaves some room for layering, but it also can be worn on its own for a semi-baggy freestyle-esque look. Also, there are lots of cinches to tighten up the bottom to prevent snow from going places it’s not welcome.
• Weight: The jacket’s lightweight feel doesn’t leave me restricted or feeling weighed down, neither does it leave me feeling fatigued or like I’m wearing a big parka. It is easy to forget that it's on, which makes for a super comfortable day on the mountain whether I shred the park and go for some spins or want to blaze the groomers.
• Durability: The DRYRIDE fabric has held up to all the branches and trees I’ve thrown at it. No tears, rips, scuffs, or holes to speak of after several years of use.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Warmth: The venting under the arms cools me off when things get warm, and the 80g of insulation definitely can keep some heat locked in. Though sometimes I need to layer up on colder days because the insulation weight is only 80g, which can’t keep all the cold out on its own.
• Comfort: The jacket, although very comfortable, does tend to be a little hot on days where the temperature isn’t below freezing. I find myself opting for hoodies or shells on warmer days in the early and later months of the season. It is also light, but it sometimes feels bulky with some items packed in the pockets—not so much when empty though.
• Pockets: The goggle pocket is a bit small in my experience. I've had trouble wrestling out the goggles in a hurry on a couple occasions, and the fleece-lined hand pockets are also a bit small for me. They’re not ideal for large hands.
• Waterproofing: After a couple of seasons of use and days of sitting in the snow and being the mountain sherpa, the waterproofing needs a refresh.

Favorite moment with this gear

One of my favorite moments was hiking to the top of the San Francisco Peaks at Arizona Snowbowl, where my only concern was how deep the snow was and not how cold I was. The insulation kept me warm and dry, and the way the jacket fit also allowed me to stack another base layer underneath to help lock in the heat (I usually run a little cold, since I'm from Arizona). It took me to almost the summit and let me ride down comfortably, keeping the wind out, and that snow skirt also kept my pants and jacket from being packed full when I took the occasional tumble.

Value for the money vs. other options

Although there are some cheaper options with similar features, I do appreciate the quality and reputation that Burton gear has. I do think that there may be better deals for the money, especially if there’s a sale. There are a lot of brands with jackets in this price range, one example being the Quiksilver Mission 3-in-1 jacket, which is right in line with this Burton jacket in terms of price, waterproofing, and insulation. There are some trade-offs between its features, such as different pocket configurations that may suit one’s needs. And there are certainly more options out there on the market, including the DC Men’s Defy Snowboard Jacket, which has 20g more insulation and a small price difference. With that being said, I don’t think it's a bad deal with all of the features and color options considered in this competitive price range.

Final verdict

Overall, I think that the Burton Covert is a great jacket for those looking to hold all of their gear and stay warm and comfortable, all while looking sick on the mountain. I’ve enjoyed the jacket every time I’ve used it and there’s very little to dislike. I’ve only had a couple of minor gripes with it.