In a perfect world your Snowboard Shell will allow moisture away from your body while, simultaneously, preventing the wind and rain from getting to your body. But, we do not live in a perfect world and, you can't have your cake and eat it, too.. "Ideally the shell layer lets moisture through to the outside (that is, is breathable), while not letting wind and water pass through from the outside to the inside. While this is enabled to some degree by modern materials, even the best and most expensive materials involve a trade-off between breathability and water and wind resistance." (www.wikipedia.org)

The materials most recommended for a functional Snowboard Shell i.e., the outer portion of the 3-layer system are the most important factors when it comes to manufacturing. Currently, Gore-TexR is the king of the hill.

Lastly, Snowboard Shell designs are now reaching aesthetic levels which are making fashion statement every season.

(Photo courtesy of Supreme Products, Flickr.)

"Breathability is measured in grams squared" (www.snowboarding-master.com) and, in a Snowboard Shell, is a very important factor simply due to the nature of the sport. You will perspire and you do not want that sweat saturating your inner layers. Basically, you want a Snowboard Shell made from a material which will allow the moisture out."

(Photo and text courtesy of gstslmumu1, Flickr.)

The most expensive Snowboard Shells are made from this synthetic fabric. The history of Gore-Tex begins when W. L. Gore (no relation that I know of) invented a "thin membrane of expanded PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). This membrane was waterproof and breathable which amazingly stopped everyone drowning in their own perspiration by letting water in gas form out." (www.windwood-outdoor.co.uk)

Instead of the Snowboard Shell's breathability depending on the size of space between threads, this synthetic fabric's breathability is directly related to its surface energy. "In reality breathability is all about surface energy. The high surface energy of the ePTFE filament makes your Gore-Tex waterproof breathable jacket hydrophobic. It's so scared of water that it can't stand it to be near it so the water is repelled. It takes a great deal of pressure to force water through, more pressure than your average downpour. So there you are, nothing to do with hole size, all to do with surface energy." (www.windwood-outdoor.co.uk)

Due to the fact that things such as body oils, dirt and detergents clog up the spaces between the threads - thus, making a colander out of your Snowboard Shell, a second layer of modified polyurethane has been added to the shell which will absorb the moisture - in actually, this is the layer that does all of the "breathing".

"Water coming from your body is absorbed by the polyurethane, then each molecule is transported through the polyurethane by SOLID STATE DIFFUSION... High concentrations of water (sweat) on the inside are transported to the lower concentrations on the dry outer surface of the polyurethane. It is always dry because it's underneath the ePTFE and not exposed to the elements. Here it evaporates and is transported through the ePTFE by gas phase diffusion." (www.windwood-outdoor.co.uk)

And, that's why Gore-Tex Snowboard Shells are expensive.

(Photo courtesy of Nalden, Flickr.)

Other features you need to look for in your potential Snowboard Shell are the number of pockets, types of hoods, www.snowboarding-master.com.

(Photo courtesy of Carlos Allevato, Flickr.)

Functional outer jackets are called 'Shells'. These snowboard jackets are generally part of a Three-Layer System. The Shell forms the outer layer of the three layers. Such a specific Jacket is in perfect harmony with the second layer, usually a shirt or fleece and the first or base layer. In other words, it is important that when buying a Jacket, consider what you are going to use it for. If you need a Jacket to protect you against the rain on a spring or autumn walk, the heat-saving properties of Jacket are less important. It is more important that the Shell protects you against the wind and sheds excess moisture. "However, if you're going through the jungle and need protection against a tropical monsoon, you may want a genuine waterproof Jacket. The choice between a Snowboard Jacket and Shell is up to you." (www.Buysnow.com)

"An outer shell must be completely windproof and waterproof. Gore-Tex or similar materials make for an ideal outer shell. A hood is a must have for a jacket of this type, as its windproof material will keep your head warm. Note that I am recommending a shell jacket, which means that this jacket has no insulation itself. This outer shell simply serves to keep the elements out. All the insulation will be provided by your inner layers. This approach allows you to easily modulated your tempurature by simply zipping and unzipping various layers. This approach will serve you well on those days where there is a 30 degree difference between the top and the bottom of the mountain!" (www.Suguides.com)

"Dryride Durashell is a double-layer laminated nylon fabric that reinforces the outer shell and increases durability." ( www.hubpages.com)