17 Brands Like 686 for Stylish Winter Sportswear
You finally found a snowboard jacket that looks as good at the bar as it does on the chairlift. Then the zipper blows out mid-season. Or the brand kills your favourite colourway and replaces it with something you would never wear. Losing a go-to outerwear label stings harder than a frozen heel-edge catch, especially when most snow gear forces you to pick between mountain-ready performance and actual style.
The good news: 686 is far from the only brand stitching street-level design into technical snow gear. Whether you ride park, chase powder, or just want a shell that does not look corporate on a weekend trip, these 11 alternatives all deliver waterproof, breathable outerwear that refuses to sacrifice personality for function.
1. Burton
Burton wrote the playbook on snowboard culture. Every jacket and layering piece in their lineup comes from decades of rider feedback, so fit and function are dialled in for long days in the park or the backcountry. Their outerwear uses GORE-TEX and proprietary DRYRIDE fabrics that hold up to heavy storms without feeling stiff or plasticky. The Step On binding system also shows how the brand thinks about the entire riding experience, not just apparel.
Where 686 pulls design cues from streetwear, Burton leans deeper into snowboard heritage with graphics and colourways rooted in skate and punk influences. The brand also runs one of the widest size ranges in the industry, making it easy to find a proper fit regardless of body type. Frequent collaborations with artists and pro riders keep the seasonal drops feeling fresh.
Best for: Dedicated snowboarders who want gear designed by riders, for riders.
2. Volcom
Volcom grew out of board-sport counterculture, and that rebellious energy still runs through every piece of outerwear they make. Their snow line packs serious weather protection with zip-tech jacket-to-pant connections, fully taped seams, plus mesh-lined vents for temperature control on warm spring laps.
The design language is louder than what 686 typically offers. Expect bold all-over prints, oversized logos, and colour-blocked panels that stand out in a lift-line crowd. If your gear doubles as a statement piece, Volcom delivers that attitude without cutting corners on waterproofing or insulation.
Best for: Riders who want loud, graphic-driven outerwear with solid technical specs.
3. Patagonia
Patagonia builds snow gear that lasts for years and carries one of the strongest environmental track records in the outdoor industry. Their snowboard and ski shells use recycled fabrics, fair-trade manufacturing, and a repair-first philosophy that keeps jackets out of landfills. The Worn Wear programme even lets you buy pre-owned Patagonia gear at a discount.
Aesthetically, Patagonia runs cleaner and more understated than 686. Solid colour palettes and simple silhouettes dominate the line, which appeals to riders who prefer timeless design over trend-driven prints. The trade-off is gear you will still want to wear five seasons from now.
Best for: Eco-conscious riders who value durability and a clean, classic look.
4. The North Face
The North Face has spent decades engineering outerwear that handles everything from Himalayan expeditions to Tuesday morning powder laps. Their FUTURELIGHT membrane delivers waterproof breathability through nano-spun fibres, and their Steep Series line targets aggressive freeriders who push gear to its limits.
Style-wise, TNF sits at the intersection of outdoor performance and urban credibility. High-profile collaborations with designers and streetwear labels keep the brand culturally relevant, and their Nuptse puffers have become a cold-weather wardrobe staple far beyond the slopes. Compared to 686, expect a broader product range that covers casual winter wear alongside dedicated ski and snowboard kits.
Best for: Riders who want globally recognised outerwear that transitions from mountain to city.
5. Arc'teryx
Arc'teryx treats outerwear like engineering. Their GORE-TEX Pro shells are among the most waterproof and breathable on the market, with micro-seam taping and die-cut patterns that reduce bulk while maximising weather protection. Every detail, from pocket placement to hood geometry, is tested in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia where the brand was founded. Their Whiteline collection targets resort and backcountry skiers with purpose-built features like beacon-accessible chest pockets and low-profile powder skirts.
The aesthetic is minimal, pared-back, and deliberately free of loud graphics. That restraint commands a premium price tag, but the construction quality justifies it for riders who put in 50-plus days a season. If 686 represents the streetwear end of snow fashion, Arc'teryx occupies the architectural, performance-purist end of the spectrum.
Best for: Performance-driven skiers and riders who want the most advanced technical outerwear available.
6. Picture Organic Clothing
Picture was built around sustainability from day one. Their outerwear uses bio-sourced polyester derived from sugar cane, recycled fabrics from plastic bottles, and organic cotton across their layering pieces. The brand publishes full lifecycle assessments for their products, so you can see exactly where materials come from and how they are processed.
Unlike the muted tones of many eco-focused brands, Picture leans into vibrant colour blocking and playful patterns. That visual energy sits closer to 686's creative spirit while offering a genuinely different approach to responsible manufacturing. Their jackets and bibs punch above their price point on weather protection too.
Best for: Sustainability-minded riders who still want colourful, expressive outerwear.
7. Obermeyer
Obermeyer has been making ski apparel in Aspen since 1947, and that heritage shows in their attention to warmth and comfort. Their insulated jackets use HydroBlock Sport waterproofing and high-loft synthetic fills that keep you warm on frigid lift rides without overheating during hard runs. The fit tends to be more generous than race-cut alternatives, prioritising all-day comfort.
Design-wise, Obermeyer embraces colour and pattern more than most legacy ski brands. Bold prints, retro-inspired colour palettes, and fun details set their gear apart from the plain black shells that dominate resort parking lots. If 686 brings snowboard culture to outerwear, Obermeyer brings ski-town personality.
Best for: Skiers and resort riders who want warm, comfortable gear with playful design.
8. Flylow
Flylow was started by two ski patrollers in Colorado who wanted outerwear tough enough for daily professional use. Their shells and bibs use Intuitive fabrics with high waterproof and breathability ratings, reinforced at the shoulders and knees where gear takes the most abuse. The construction is overbuilt on purpose to survive seasons of hard riding.
The brand keeps design straightforward with bold solid colours and minimal branding. There are no flashy prints here, just clean lines and a no-nonsense approach that appeals to backcountry skiers and resort regulars who burn through a jacket every couple of years. Flylow gear tends to outlast the competition at its price point.
Best for: Hard-charging skiers and riders who need bomber durability above all else.
9. Oakley
Oakley built its reputation on optics, and that obsession with precision technology extends into their snow apparel line. Their jackets feature FN Dry waterproof membranes, articulated patterning for unrestricted movement, and helmet-compatible hoods designed to work with their own goggle systems. The integration between eyewear and outerwear is tighter than what any other brand offers.
The look is athletic and modern, with sharp geometric lines and a sporty silhouette that reads more competitive athlete than street-style rider. Compared to 686's relaxed fits and casual energy, Oakley caters to riders who approach the mountain like a training ground and want gear that matches that intensity.
Best for: Performance-focused athletes who want a cohesive goggle-to-jacket setup.
10. Napapijri
Napapijri is an Italian brand that merges outdoor functionality with European streetwear design. Their Skidoo anorak became a cult favourite in the UK and European street scenes, and the brand continues to build outerwear around bold silhouettes, oversized fits, and high-visibility colour palettes. Technical fabrics keep you dry, while the tailoring keeps you looking sharp off the mountain.
This is a strong pick for riders who spend as much time in the city as they do on snow. Where 686 draws from California skate culture, Napapijri channels Milan and London street fashion into cold-weather gear. The result is outerwear that feels at home on a European city break or a weekend at the resort.
Best for: Style-first riders who want European streetwear energy in their winter outerwear.
11. Trew Gear
Trew Gear comes out of Portland, Oregon, where the founders design and test everything in the wet, heavy snow of the Pacific Northwest. Their outerwear uses eVent waterproof membranes that excel at dumping moisture from the inside, which matters when you are bootpacking through soggy Cascade snowpack. The bibs have earned a particularly loyal following for their fit, storm-sealing capability, and reinforced cuffs that survive boot buckle abuse.
The brand runs small and independent, which means limited production runs and colourways that sell out fast. Aesthetically, Trew favours bold colour blocking with a slightly retro edge that feels playful without being over the top. It shares 686's independent, rider-first mentality but roots itself deeper in the Pacific Northwest ski and snowboard community. Buying from Trew feels like supporting your local shop rather than a corporate machine.
Best for: PNW riders and backcountry enthusiasts who value independent, rider-designed gear.
Written by
Spencer Lanoue
