Burton AK Kalausi GORE-TEX 3L Reviewed in 2025

The Burton [ak] Kalausi Jacket Fabric: Waterproof, Durable and Lightweight

GORE-TEX C-Knit Stretch 3-Layer Nylon 30D Ripstop Weave Fabric, clear as mud, right?

The particular GORE-TEX used in the Kalausi Jacket consists of 3-layers:

• An inner layer (the backer)
• A GORE-TEX membrane
• A durable outer shell fabric

The inner GORE-TEX membrane is the meat and potatoes of the whole operation, it is the mechanism that prevents external moisture from penetrating while allowing your body’s perspiration to escape, creating a state of balance.

The inner layer of GORE-TEX fabric provides comfort and increased durability, all the while protecting the membrane from dirt and grime that might be on your skin or base layers. In the case of the Kalausi Jacket, the inner layer is the C-Knit Stretch part of the equation.

C-Knit Stretch is a type of backer construction that enhances the overall breathability and comfort of the fabric while providing a degree of elasticity, increasing the user’s freedom of movement.

Lastly, there is the outer layer. Durable and water resistant, this shell fabric works overtime to protect the inner membrane from potentially harmful external elements. The Kalausi Jacket utilizes a Nylon 30D Ripstop Weave for its outer. The 30-denier fabric alone is nothing to write home about, but when used in conjunction with the ripstop weave, this combo provides an exceptional balance of weight savings and durability.

Burton [ak] Kalausi Jacket Durability

Things to look at when considering durability and the Kalausi Jacket are its 3-layer construction as well as its stretchiness. The outer layer, membrane, and inner layer of the 3-layer GORE-TEX  work together, creating a robust barrier against the elements.

While the 30 denier outer is notably thinner than that of its competitors (The Alpha Jacket from Arc’teryx uses a 40D outer), the ripstop nylon adds resistance to tears and abrasions. The inner C-Knit backer actively protects the inner membrane from dirt, grime, and oils on your body, effectively prolonging the life of the jacket.

Oftentimes not the first factor that comes to mind when thinking of durability, the stretch capabilities of the Kalausi prevent excess stress on the fabric and seams, reducing the likelihood of ripping or tearing.

Kalausi Fit & Comfort

From the runway to the skin track, kinetic construction is a technique adopted from the world of high fashion and generally refers to a design and construction process that emphasizes movement, flexibility, and comfort in clothing.

By focusing on ergonomic construction and articulated joints, utilizing stretch fabrics (C-Knit Stretch), and minimizing seams, the outcome is a jacket that boasts a baggier fit, is soft and supple, allows for additional layering, and doesn’t inhibit movement whatsoever. 

As light and as comfortable as the Kalausi Jacket is, you’ll forget you ever had it on when making your way up the skin track.

Burton [ak] Kalausi Jacket Features

Powder Skirt

Powder skirt ( or lack thereof) — Because the Kalausi Jacket is splitboard-centric, it sheds weight by sacrificing certain snow-specific features, like a powder skirt. This is either a pro or a con depending on who you ask, but in my opinion, it’s a big plus.

Powder skirts are great for a number of reasons, most notably that they help lock warmth in and keep snow out, but at the end of the day, they mean unwanted weight and bulk. For the weight-conscious splitboarder, light and fast is the name of the game, and when on a mission in the big mountains, every ounce saved is worth its weight in gold.

Another plus to no powder skirt is that it makes a jacket more versatile. Not only does it make it more desirable to wear on spring days when deep snow isn’t a concern, but it makes the jacket more useful in urban settings. No powder skirt makes this jacket a prime candidate for use on a blustery morning commute or exploring a rainy city abroad.

Hood and Collar

Extra roomy, easily adjustable, and a collar that keeps your neck and chin protected from the elements, Burton’s StormForm Fulltime Contour™ Hood provides exceptional protection from the elements but doesn’t sacrifice field of vision. Rear Adjust 2mm Cohaesive™ Embedded Cinch ensures that you can make adjustments to your jacket with gloved hands.

With only a single rear adjuster, at first glance, it would appear that the hood lacks in the adjustability department. But after much testing, we’ve been converted. This single adjuster effectively causes the hood to hug your noggin or helmet, allowing the hood to move freely with your head.

Pockets

Pockets, we love them, but more often than not they can make or break the quality of a jacket. Too few and the jacket is rendered near useless, more apt to a trash bag that keeps you dry. Too many, and like a backpack that’s too big, you feel the need to fill them all with this and that.

The Kalausi Jacket strikes the perfect balance, including what is necessary for a split-centric jacket. Boasting two large chest pockets that double as vents, an adjustable utility pocket in the lower left abdomen, and a large internal dump pocket big enough for skins, gloves, goggles, or any other odds and ends that you want to keep warm and dry.

Perhaps the most exciting feature on The Kalausi are the chest pockets. The duality of these pockets makes them highly functional and makes me question why all the other brands haven’t hopped on the wagon.

Their location makes for efficient thermo-regulation by dumping heat and creating cross ventilation, whereas their size makes them optimal candidates to store goods that you want to warm up or keep dry, like gloves, buffs, or beanies.

Zippers

A busted zipper has the ability to completely ruin a nice day out on the snow, and from a broken tooth to a faulty zipper pull, there are a few things along the line that can go haywire.

The main show on the Kalausi Jacket is the asymmetrical two-way front zip. Fully waterproof and running diagonally across the face of the jacket, this unique zipper placement might drive those ‘Type A’ brain folks up the wall but has a few practical uses besides looking cool. Other than adding a bit of style, the asymmetric zip prevents the zipper pull from falling directly in front of your face when the jacket is sealed.

While this aspect enhances the comfort of the jacket, a key component that is missing is a softer backing in the collar. The outcome is that the heavier zipper pulls at the lighter-weight GORE-TEX, creating an unbalanced feel. While this is by no means a deal breaker, and for most, it will be a non-issue, we thought it worth mentioning.

All pockets on the Kalausi are kitted with lighter-weight waterproof zippers, ensuring that all your knick-knacks stay dry.

Adjustability

Spending lots of time on snow and in adverse conditions usually means that you’ll be in mittens or gloves, making for frustrating times when trying to locate pull tabs or cinches to make adjustments to your jacket, but fret not, because the design team at Burton is two steps ahead of ya.

Cohesive embedded cinches are located in the rear of the hood and in the hem of the jacket, making for quick and easy adjustments on the go. The cuffs are tricked out with XL velcro adjusters, allowing you to get a quick and easy seal over your gloves before dropping in.

Burton Kalausi Jacket Functionality

The Kalausi Jacket has raised the bar, giving industry giants like Arc’teryx, Patagonia, and Black Diamond a run for their money. Its adjustability, breathability, durability, and packability are all factors that will make this jacket your go-to companion for anything from a casual stroll in the snow to an epic multi-day traverse through the snowy mountains.

While the Kalausi Jacket shines in the realm of splitboarding and uphill travel, it is certainly no one-trick-pony. Without the superfluous features that snow specific jackets tend to flaunt, this lightweight piece can go anywhere. From a raincoat in the mud season, to traveling to cities abroad, it fits easily into a wide variety of climates and settings.

Thoughts, Comments, and Complaints – The Bottom Line

What comes up must go down, and as much as the Kalausi Jacket excels on the skintrack, it does even better on the descent. Its baggy fit and airlike feel inspire confidence and allow you to carve deeply or make hop turns without feeling restricted.

Without the extra fluff that many snow jackets tend to rely on for selling points, you are left with a jacket that shines for its ability to protect you in the backcountry. Simply a quality piece of gear, this jacket ticks all of the boxes, lightweight, packable, breathable, comfortable, and, most importantly, it looks good.