Review: 686 Women's Gore-Tex Willow 2L Insulated Jacket
By Snowboarding Expert
Jessica B.
686 Women's GORE-TEX Willow Insulated Jacket
$251.97
$359.95
30% off
13 photos
The Curated Take
4.3/5
The 686 Women's GORE-TEX Willow 2L Insulated Jacket is ideal for cold weather mountain rides, offering a blend of warmth, durability, and a high waterproof rating. With GORE-TEX fabric, 60g insulation, and waterproofing triple the industry average, it withstands harsh conditions while maintaining comfort and style. It offers room for layers without restricting mobility, although it may be too warm for spring hikes. Its durability and design make it a good investment for regular riders.
Ideal for
- Constructed with GORE-TEX fabric, which is known for its exceptional waterproofing capabilities while maintaining breathability
- Synthetic insulation helps keep riders warm in cold conditions while being lightweight
- Includes a powder skirt, wrist gaiters, adjustable cuffs, and helmet-compatible hoods to help keep snow out, seal in warmth, and enhance the overall functionality
Not ideal for
- While the jacket is designed to be breathable, it has limited ventilation options
Breathability
Even though the GORE-TEX fabric is designed to be very breathable, the insulation in this jacket makes it pretty warm. Pit vents allow air to come into and release heat,...Read more
Comfort
This jacket is very comfortable, especially on cold days. It has some extra space if riders want to layer, but it is not boxy and bulky like other products on...Read more
Warmth
The 60g of insulation in this jacket helps keep riders warm in cold conditions without adding too much bulk to the jacket. The GORE-TEX fabric also ensures the elements cannot...Read more
Durability
The GORE-TEX 2L fabric also helps prevent wear and tear from regular use. The seams are fully taped, and even the zippers are water-resistant. I rode in this jacket for...Read more
Aesthetics
I really like this jacket's design and how it contrasts with the snow on the mountain. It is always easy for people riding with me to spot me on the...Read more
Waterproofing
The GORE-TEX 2L fabric helps make this jacket nearly impenetrable. I have worn this jacket in heavy downpours, and no water has seeped in. The average jacket or shell has...Read more
Expert Reviews of the 686 Women's GORE-TEX Willow Insulated Jacket
Jessica B. GORE-TEX fabric ensures riders stay dry and comfortable in wet snow conditions while allowing moisture and heat to escape to prevent overheating. The jacket features Infiloft Univa Duo polyester insulation to provide additional warmth in cold weather conditions. Still, it can feel a little bulky if solely riding in the park. Even though it features pit vents, it can feel warm on spring days or while doing high-intensity activities. I often wear this jacket while riding snowmobiles because it handles the wind and winter weather well. The roomy fit allows for easy layering for riders that get especially cold.
Product Specs
Gender | Women's |
Age Group | Adult |
Featured technology | Air-Flo™, Pant Jacket Connect™ System, GORE-TEX®, VELCRO® |
Features | Waterproof, Water resistant, Windproof, Powder skirt, Interior/security pocket, Breathable |
Style | Long sleeve, Hoodie, Full-Zip |
Material | Gore-Tex, Polyester/Polyester blend |
Review Ratings
Breathability
3/5
Jessica B. gave 3 of 5 stars. Even though the GORE-TEX fabric is designed to be very breathable, the insulation in this jacket makes it pretty warm. Pit vents allow air to come into and release heat, but it is pretty easy to work up a sweat in warmer seasons. This jacket is not ideal for riders planning on hiking the park in the spring, but it won't have riders drenched in sweat either.
Comfort
4/5
Jessica B. gave 4 of 5 stars. This jacket is very comfortable, especially on cold days. It has some extra space if riders want to layer, but it is not boxy and bulky like other products on the market. I have taken this jacket in tight tree runs and spinning-off jumps in the park, and I have never felt my mobility restricted.
Warmth
5/5
Jessica B. gave 5 of 5 stars. The 60g of insulation in this jacket helps keep riders warm in cold conditions without adding too much bulk to the jacket. The GORE-TEX fabric also ensures the elements cannot breach the jacket, which is especially helpful on days with high winds. The snow skirt can also attach to compatible pants, which helps seal in even more warmth.
Durability
4/5
Jessica B. gave 4 of 5 stars. The GORE-TEX 2L fabric also helps prevent wear and tear from regular use. The seams are fully taped, and even the zippers are water-resistant. I rode in this jacket for 40+ days, and it has no damage, scratches, or stains. It is also easier to clean than some other jackets.
Aesthetics
5/5
Jessica B. gave 5 of 5 stars. I really like this jacket's design and how it contrasts with the snow on the mountain. It is always easy for people riding with me to spot me on the run by identifying my jacket. 686 usually has a few color options to suit riders' preferences.
Waterproofing
5/5
Jessica B. gave 5 of 5 stars. The GORE-TEX 2L fabric helps make this jacket nearly impenetrable. I have worn this jacket in heavy downpours, and no water has seeped in. The average jacket or shell has a 10,000mm waterproof rating, so this jacket has nearly triple the ability to prevent water from entering compared to many products currently on the market.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Jessica B. My favorite moment in this gear was at Vail riding back bowls. It was snowing heavily and there was barely any visibility, but the snow was beautiful. I was up to my thighs in snow, but I didn't have to worry about the impact of the elements thanks to this jacket.
Why did you choose this product?
Jessica B. I chose this product because I like GORE-TEX products, and I was looking for an insulated jacket for especially cold winter days. I also have the 686 "Hydrastash" bib for warm days running through water, so I knew I could trust the brand. It is also full of pockets which I find important in a jacket because I always bring lots of snacks on the mountain and like having a pocket for additional goggle lenses in case conditions change throughout the day.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Jessica B. The price of this product is average for the features it encompasses. I've found it difficult to find jackets that use both GORE-TEX and insulation, so that really stood out for me as a value. Outer shells with GORE-TEX and no insulation can be much more expensive than this jacket, so I think it is a pretty good value for the money. It has proven to be very durable and stain resistant, too, so it could easily last a few seasons.
What do you love about this product?
Jessica B. I love that this jacket has GORE-TEX to enhance waterproofing, breathability, and insulation to keep riders warm. I get cold on the mountain, so I always look for an insulated jacket for peak winter weather. It also has conveniently located pockets, so I never leave anything important in the car.