Burton Outerwear for 2010

With the recent delivery of my new two-layer (2L) Burton AK Stagger Jacket ($369), I felt it was time to catch up with Burton's latest outerwear offerings for the new season. When the snow is blowing sideways and temperatures have dropped below 20 degrees, the one thing standing between you and a miserable day on the slopes is the quality of your outerwear. And, through the miracle of Gore Tex and other high-tech laminated fabrics, there has never been a better time to brave the cold, wind, rain and snow.

For snowboarders (and not surprisingly more and more skiers), nothing beats the quality, fit and style of Burton's outerwear. Year in and year out, Burton comes up with a line of jackets and pants that set the bar - and then raise it each season. From their basic 5,000mm (a measurement of waterproof and breathability, 5,000 being the minimum and 20,000 being "bulletproof") to the "Ronin" line - and their top of the line 3L (three-layer) AK line, Burton makes possibly the best snow sports outerwear in the industry.

For 2010 Burton has further refined their fabrics to be softer, brighter and even more functional. With 3 different fits (from saggy to slim) and a plethora of colors and patterns, Burton outerwear has something for everyone. Their product carries a lifetime guarantee and details many others don't offer, such as zippered interfaces with their pants, iPod cord routing and removable waist gaiters.

The 2L Stagger Jacket - along with my AK 3L Gore Tex Hover Pant - are simply bulletproof. The 3L's 3-layer Gore Tex fabric is even more impervious to wind and cold than the 2L, but carries an approximately $80 price hike for the added protection. Amazingly, the fabric's "hand" is soft and pliable, not stiff like many competitors. The Stagger Jacket is nearly as soft, and comes in several colors - I went with the Sorcerer blue. Seams are taped, zippers are waterproof and you can always find a warm fleece-lined pocket when your hands freeze.

You'll find all of Burton's latest product on their website (www.burton.com) as well as retailers like Wave Rave and Dogfunk.com. Wherever you get it, you'll be thanking yourself for spending a few extra dollars next time you're stuck on a chairlift in a storm.