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Patagonia Just Dropped Its Most Advanced Freeride Ski Kit to Date

After nearly a decade of cutting-edge design and rigorous testing, Patagonia’s pinnacle backcountry kit gets some serious upgrades.

Person snowboarding in green jacket, black gloves, gray beanie, and red goggles in snowy conditions.Nicolas Teichrob for Patagonia

By Hayley Helms

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Patagonia’s new PowSlayer Freeride Kit launched this week, and after nearly a decade of cutting-edge design and continuous athlete testing, it is notably better than ever.

The Powslayer series is now an entire layering system designed specifically for the needs of big-mountain freeriding, from pre-dawn skin tracks to the deepest and steepest descents.

The fourth-generation Powslayer Jacket and Pants are the stars of the show, standing out for their increased breathability and freedom of movement, lighter weight and new environment-friendly materials (a hallmark of Patagonia’s catalog.)

Person wearing a green jacket with black hood, black ski goggles, and a black backpack against a clear blue sky.
The Powslayer Jacket has never been more ready to … slay powder.
Patagonia

Less weight, more movement

The challenging, continuously changing conditions that define backcountry skiing and snowboarding requires gear that moves with you. Breathable, protective layers are essential, no just a “nice to have.”

Patagonia’s Powslayer Jacket and Pants have been lauded for the past eight years for their ability to protect against storms, breathe and dump moisture — and move with you through tight turns and challenging conditions.

Person in blue and black winter gear holding orange climbing rope on snowy mountain with gear and trekking poles on ground.
Designed to thrive in challenging conditions, the Powslayer Jacket and Pants feature new, thoughtful pocketing and hard-working material upgrades.
Nicolas Teichrob for Patagonia

The fourth generation of the Powslayer Jacket and Pants is built with Gore-Tex ePe PFAS-free fabric, with is more breathable and mobility-centric than its predecessors, cutting 30 percent of the jacket’s weight while maintaining protective capabilities. An additional PFC-free DWR finish repels moisture.

That’s pretty big news in its own right. But wait … there’s more.

Person wearing a green and black winter jacket with white gloves, unzipping a chest pocket in a snowy outdoor setting.
Updated chest pockets holder larger items like skins, making them easier to store and keep warm and dry.
Garrett Grove for Patagonia

The Powslayer Jacket lost some weight in this update, but it still managed to gain functional features. These include articulated wrist cuffs, an adjustable, fixed hood with built-in stretch panels designed to fit over a helmet without issue and tons of pocketing.

Storage, streamlined

Having somewhere to stow important items while maintaining quick access is key in any freeride kit, and the revised Powslayer Jacket takes requirement seriously.

Two oversized, bellowed chest pockets are big enough to stow skins, while a small media pocket (not quite big enough for a smartphone) and a pass-through in the lefthand pocket to the internal chest pocket maximize access and utility.

Teal waterproof jacket with black zipper and white leather mittens in a snowy setting.
Low-profile cargo pockets with coated zippers expand for additional storage.
Garrett Grove for Patagonia

Built-in Recco reflectors increase safety, while the Vislon watertight zippers at the center-front of the jacket and pant pockets offer protection against moisture.

Person wearing black leather gloves adjusting the green jacket sleeve with a Velcro strap.
Articulated wrist cuffs with grab tabs make adjustments on the fly easier than ever.
Patagonia

Last but not least, articulated patterning on the pants increases range of motion, whether you’re skinning up or riding down.

Availability and pricing

Along with the updated Powslayer Jacket and Pants, Patagonia debuted an entire Powslayer system that serves backcountry riders in all conditions. It is available now on the company’s website.

The Powslayer Jacket retails on Patagonia’s website for $799, while the Powslayer Pants retail for $649. Both are available in men’s and women’s versions.

About the Author:

Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in all things outdoors. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie, and Shape. Whether it’s tuning us into the joys of hiking and camping, or rigorously testing head-to-toe outdoor apparel, she leaves no stone unturned (though she always Leaves No Trace).

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