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

My take

The Burton Men’s GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell is the only jacket someone will need with proper insulation. For stylish beginners to expert backcountry riders, this jacket is the solution to whatever Mother Nature throws.

About the piece

• Model: 2022 Burton Men's GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell Jacket
• Size: XL
• Fit: True to Size
• Personal Fit: Baggy

About me

• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 170lbs
• Experience: 10+ years, 200 days last three seasons.

Test conditions

• When I bought this: January 2022
• Days tested: 75
• Where I’ve used it: Stowe, Vermont, and East Coast resorts
• Conditions I’ve used it in: resort days, spring riding, deep winter, powder, and backcountry

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a new GORE-TEX shell jacket for those warmer days, sidecountry/glades, and backcountry ascents. I needed a comfortable, waterproof, and durable jacket for days when I didn’t stop riding.

Why I chose this gear

The Burton Men’s GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell Jacket initially caught my eye because of the price; it’s roughly $200 less than the Burton Hover Jacket Shell. The Cyclic jacket is more than enough for the all-mountain and backcountry rider. Burton [AK] is reliable, high-performance, high-quality outerwear.

What I love about it

• Fit: Regular fit.
• Range of Motion: Articulated fit that’s not too loose or tight, providing an easy range of motion when I need it most.
• Design: Articulated multi-panel fit, shaping at the elbows and shoulders for easy movement with GORE-TEX two-layer fabric.
• Style: I chose an XL because I wanted a baggy jacket. I’m able to fit an insulated layer in there if need be. I love the look of Burton [AK] coats, and I’m certain to catch people staring. It really is a cool jacket.
• Durability: The 200D nylon side panels add extra durability. Even after 75 days on the mountain, the GORE-TEX fabric remains resistant to abrasions, tears, and punctures, and I spend a lot of time in the VT sidecountry. GORE-TEX is a high-performance material, well worth the investment. The shell jacket is backed by Burton’s lifetime warranty. With proper care, this jacket can last a lifetime.
• Pockets: It has more than enough pockets. This jacket has a pass pocket on the left bicep, a chest pocket, hand-warmer pockets, an insulated zippered device pocket, and a mesh dump pocket.
• Waterproofing: The GORE-TEX two-layer fabric is waterproof and windproof. GORE-TEX is “guaranteed to keep you dry.” It can be pouring rain, and the inside of the shell jacket is entirely dry.
• Breathability: With fully sealed GORE-TEX two-layer fabric, this jacket is dialed in with ample venting, mapped lining, and an articulated fit to allow the jacket to breathe on backcountry tours.
• Weight: Very lightweight, a true shell.
• Features: The Burton GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell Jacket has pit vents, 200D nylon side panels for durability, YKK water-resistant zippers, and bluesign-approved materials that only use safe chemicals and reduce environmental impact. It has a powder skirt for those steep and deep days.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Warmth: This shell is not insulated, so it is not warm without proper layering. Great for those backcountry tours and spring days, the shell function of the jacket is just enough.
• Any workarounds? Another interior mesh dump pocket would be great. I also really like the zippered pass pocket when it’s on the interior of the jacket near the waistline. The pass pocket could benefit from being moved from the external bicep pocket to an internal waistline pocket. This would reduce any limitations from a square piece of plastic on one’s arm.

Favorite moment with this gear

I typically bring this jacket out above 10-15°F when I’m heading for fresh tracks or a day of woods—days when a shell is crucial. My buddy always reminds me he needs a shell after the second or third lap. When I’m hiking or in the woods, I love having the Cyclic jacket's ventilation; of course, the GORE-TEX is my favorite part. This jacket performs exceptionally well when tested in wet spring slush conditions and deep powder.

One of my best days recently was a sidecountry mission at Stowe, Vermont. We recently got 24” in 72 hours. A buddy and I headed to the remote Sensation Quad, made our way to the backside of the mountain (Smugglers Notch), and rode the Birthday Bowls down to the Notch Rd. It was a two mile hike back to Stowe Resort but well worth it. I never had to take my jacket off due to overheating. Between the traverse out to where we dropped and the hike back to Stowe Gondola, we worked for it. The Burton Men's GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell Jacket is my go-to jacket in harsh conditions, backcountry use, on-resort riding, and stylish everyday technical outerwear.

Value for the money vs. other options

Consider this jacket a great investment. It is nearly identical to Burton's roughly $650 Hover Jacket for about $200-250 less. The Cyclic jacket is a great investment for riders/skiers looking for a shell. One will never need another jacket, thanks to Burton’s lifetime warranty. It’s important to consider other factors when considering a new jacket, such as performance, durability, features, and one’s own needs. The Cyclic jacket is known for its high-quality construction. I tested it in harsh winter conditions, proving extremely reliable.

The Burton Cyclic Shell Jacket may be slightly more expensive than other GORE-TEX shells, but it is well worth the money because of the notable features and quality construction. I’ve put 75 days on this jacket, and the GORE-TEX is just as repellant as when I bought it. This jacket fits very well compared to some of Burton’s [AK] series insulated jackets.

Final verdict

I highly recommend the Burton GORE-TEX Cyclic Shell Jacket because of the quality and high performance of the gear. The waterproof fabric will not let one down, and the articulated fit makes this the coziest jacket I own. It’s extremely important not to sweat on the mountain because one’s body will overheat, sweat, and soon be cold. Imagine wearing this on a backcountry tour. This jacket is a game-changer.