Jack Wolfskin Alpspitze 3L Jacket Reviewed in 2025

What it’s like Skiing in the Jack Wolfskin Alpspitze

The Jack Wolfskin Alpspitze ski jacket was designed to go ski touring in the Alps. So, the Alpspitze has key features that help provide a convenient user experience for backcountry skiing. And if you’re resort skiing with this jacket, it works well, too.

Due to the shell design having no insulation, it is essential to layer the JW Alpspitze. Something like the REI 650 Down Jacket will work perfectly when skiing or in cold temperatures.

A standout feature of the Alpspitze ski jacket was the freedom of movement it allowed. The articulate jacket patterning moves liberally while skiing or snowboarding. It is a really lightweight, thin jacket that provides good stretch while pole planting or bending over to tighten your bindings.

Even when layering, the JW jacket moves well without grabbing fabric. Wearing the coat against bare skin also feels comfortable and breathable. This ski jacket has a catch-free wearing experience regardless of clothes or skin.

The Alpspitze features an adjustable hood. The hood fits over ski helmets easily. Simply pull the string to sinch the hood tight around your head or helmet. Due to the Alpspitze weather protection focus, the hood is not removable.

While touring or wearing a backpack, the two chest pockets are very accessible. You can fit three sandwiches in just one pocket. There is also a pocket on the sleeve for a resort pass. We did not like that there is not a two-way zipper on the main zip; two-way zippers increase flexibility and ventilation options.

There is a downside to the pocket situation, especially if you are resort skiing. There are no pockets that you can rest your hands in. As someone who likes to have their hands in jacket pockets while waiting in lift lines, not having regular hand pockets on the Alpspize was a bummer. But, the jacket was designed with touring in mind, which means no hands chilling in pockets.

The Jack Wolfskin Alpspitze jacket has velcro arm cuffs. The velcro is easy to grab and adjust, even while wearing mittens. Whether you want to wear your coat over or under your gloves, the choice is yours.

This jacket does not feature a powder skirt. A powder skirt is a scrunchy band under your jacket that secures the coat around your waist to keep powder out. JW uses a bungee drawstring around the coat’s hem to keep the snow out instead. I prefer a cinched hem over a powder skirt due to the powder skirt’s tendency to hike up while sitting or moving.

Don’t be timid to brush up against a limb or two when skiing through the trees. The Jack Wolfskin Alpspitze has durable fabric that will take more than just a tree branch to tear.

Waterproof and Breathable, can this be true?

One of the most frustrating parts of a waterproof shell is its lack of breathability. You’ll find yourself sweating under your waterproof layer, defeating its purpose. But Jack Wolfskin claims to have a waterproof and breathable design that eliminates this.

After testing, it is true that the Alpspitze jacket brings innovative waterproofing and breathability to a hardshell. You’ll find drops of water sliding down the coat instead of absorbing. Elevating itself from other hardshell jackets, the water vapor your skin produces will evaporate through the jacket fabric before forming sweat.

Jack Wolfskin uses Pertex Shield Air fabric. Pertex is a competitor to GORE-TEX, both of which are quality waterproofing agents. Pertex stands above when it comes to moisture-wicking.

This shell is waterproof due to Pertex’s power to repel water. When water hits the Alpspitze jacket, droplets form and quickly slide off the material. It is virtually impossible to get this fabric to retain water. This jacket is designed to handle the wettest of storms.

Despite being waterproof and windproof, this Jack Wolfskin product offers spectacular breathability. The Pertex Shield allows sweat to evaporate through the fabric. This revolutionary design allows users NOT to overheat when skiing down the mountain and then freeze on the chairlift from the sweat they accumulate.

A design feature that contributes to the Alpspitze’s impeccable breathability rating is the pit vents. Zippers under each armpit can be undone to expose the user’s underlayer. The only problem with Wolfskin’s pit vent design is no mesh netting. If users are skiing with them unzipped, the chances of snow getting inside the jacket are high.

When to Wear the Alpspitze Jacket

Due to its design, the JW Alpspitze ski jacket can be worn on multiple occasions. Whether storming, windy, or sunny, the Alpspitze adapts to provide adequate protection.

Layering while wearing the Alpspitze ski jacket is essential on typical winter days. This is not a ski jacket you put on over your base layer. The Alpspitze is very thin and is designed as a hard shell outer layer. Wearing the Alpspitze over warm mid and base layers unlocks winter weather protection.

The combination of this ski jacket’s waterproofness and breathability makes warm or cold rain storms enjoyable. Wearing the Alpspitze will keep you dry if the forecast calls for precipitation.

On windy days, the Alpspitze ski jacket provides excellent wind protection. This JW jacket acts as a nice windbreaker. But wearing a thermal mid-layer is essential in freezing temperatures. When you layer this jacket, the wind protection feature makes a proper ski jacket.

If it is sunny and warm on a spring slush skiing day, wearing the Alpspitze is a great option. The permeable material allows water vapor (sweat) to evaporate through the jacket fabric. Plus, the pit vents unzip a large portion of the sides of the jacket, creating mega airflow.

The Alpspitze from Jack Wolfskin is a hardshell with no insulation. It is designed to be worn with layers while skiing. If you want a layer-free ski jacket with waterproofing, breathability, and insulation, check out the Arc’teryx Nita Down jacket. However, the Nita jacket is double the price.

Is Jack Wolfskin worth the money?

The MSRP price of the Alpspitze is about half a grand. As the ski industry inflates, prices like these are common. However, is this appropriate for a hardshell ski jacket that lacks insulation? Maybe not, especially if you are looking for a ski jacket you don’t have to layer with another expensive thermal.

On the other hand, this jacket does its outer layer shell job incredibly well. The price is responsible for how waterproof, windproof, breathable, and flexible the jacket is. More affordable shells can be stiff and suffocating.

Jack Wolfskin is a well-known German company that many European skiers love. You can compare Wolfskin to Europe as Patagonia is to North America. Jack Wolfskin delivers quality products that work well and are meant to last.

Due to the higher price of a jacket without insulation, we docked the overall rating. Some jackets with insulation, like the Columbia Whirlibird IV, are nearly half the price—however, the freedom of movement and breathability of the Alpspitze jacket tops the Whirlibird’s.

We Recommend this Lightweight, Waterproof Shell

Regarding weatherproof outer layers, the JW Alpspitze 3L ski jacket holds its own. The Jack Wolfskin design and technology implemented in this hardshell creates superior water and wind blockage. Although it keeps moisture out, the jacket fabric allows sweat to evaporate, too.

This Jack Wolfskin jacket keeps users warm if you layer correctly for the weather. There is no insulation. However, the Alpspitze shell’s outstanding protection from the elements makes it a versatile piece for your next ski trip.

Simply wearing a thermal jacket underneath will make this a top-tier ski jacket. And if it’s a warm, wet day, wearing a T-shirt under the Alpspitze will keep you happy. This JW jacket is a top-of-the-line outer shell.