686 Hydra Thermagraph Jacket Review: Price, Warmth & Protection
Mother Nature ain't got nothin' on the 686 Hydra Thermagraph ($300). Warmth, weather protection, and build quality are all highlights of this popular jacket, making it a worthy companion whenever you're heading out in (much) less-than-ideal conditions. Limited breathability makes it best suited for the resort, and we experienced some ease-of-use quirks, but given that affordable price tag, every rider should give it a serious look.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Resort
Waterproofing
2-layer Infidry
Insulation
140g & 60g synthetic
Fabric
Polyester
Pockets
8
Pros
Cons
686 Hydra Thermagraph
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Snowboard Jackets.
For a mid-range design, the 686 Hydra Thermagraph's weather protection is top-notch, and it shone during nasty storms. I put it through true white-out conditions at Mammoth Mountain, with powder pouring from the sky and winds roaring up to 80 mph—pretty gnarly, to say the least. Over a half hour of riding, the durable water-repellent-coated 2-layer Infidry material, fully taped seams, and waterproof zippers held up completely. I stayed dry and warm the entire time; anything less and I would not have been able to ride the storm.
The 686 Hydra Thermagraph’s coverage also stands out, and the fit maximizes weather protection. Its 29-inch length fully covers my backside, and the hood, which has several cinches to help secure it over your head, kept me insulated from a huge gusts of wind and snow. Rounding out the weather protection details are the arm cuffs and hem, wrist gaiters, and a powder skirt. Overall, it’s an extremely impressive package. Outside of increasing your budget to a Gore-Tex design, like 686’s $470 Skyline, this is as protective a snowboard jacket as I’ve used.
The Hydra Thermograph utilizes a body-mapped lining system that places super-heavy (and warm) 140-gram synthetic insulation along the back and 60-gram synthetic fill everywhere else. Combined with plenty of cinches to seal in body heat, this jacket is a cold-weather monster, and it actually left me overheating a bit while snowboarding in low-20-degree temps with blustering winds. That was all the more impressive considering that I was wearing just a loose long-sleeve base layer underneath. (At one point, I had to open the pit zips to stay cool, which isn't something I expect to do on a full-on storm day.) With this much insulation, a midlayer probably isn't necessary. On milder days above freezing, you could get away with just a t-shirt and still feel comfortable.
The Hydra also came to the rescue when my Burton Reserve 2L Insulated, which features 80-gram insulation throughout, simply wasn't cutting it in near-freezing weather and I was getting chilly. Among the snowboard jackets I’ve tested, the Hydra is the easy winner if you stick to resorts where temperatures regularly approach 15 degrees, or if you run especially cold. But not everyone needs this much insulation, especially if you tend to ride in warm conditions. If that's you, something with less warmth (like the Reserve) is a better option.
Thanks to its articulated design, soft interior, and freely moving fit that isn't overly bulky, I felt right at home and ready to rip while wearing the Hydra. The stretchy wrist gaiters feel soft as butter, and the waffle liner is equally cozy and reliable. Its grid fleece inner collar is soft against my face, with enough room that I never felt claustrophobic, regardless of whether I had a balaclava on.
I also never felt restricted in this jacket, which was especially noteworthy given its superb warmth. Despite the heavy insulation, I had full range of motion (even with the powder skirt engaged) and never felt weighed down, whether I was sending it in the park or threading it through tight trees. I ordered a large, which runs a little big on me, but I'm confident a medium would move just as freely and, in fact, feel less bulky. Ultimately, if I'm reaching for one jacket on a frigid day, it's the 686 Hydra Thermagraph, in large part because of its great mobility and comfort, paired with its top-tier warmth.
A 2-layer jacket with as much insulation as the Hydra is never going to be a breathability standout, but it does what it can with a few vents and zips. Its mesh-lined pit zips are 8 inches long—not the longest in the category (the Burton Embark Gore-Tex 2L, another cold-weather specialist, has 18.3-inch pit zips)—but the zipper glides easily and dumps heat effectively when you're starting to sweat. Vader vents at the collar also help you breathe normally without building up humidity or fogging up your goggles when the jacket is fully zipped. The body-mapped insulation does its part as well, strategically placing the most warmth where you need it while leaving other areas more optimized for airflow.
All that to say, the Hydra is a great fit for deep winter resort riding, where the chairlift handles most of the uphill work. But it’s still too warm for splitboard touring or hiking uphill with all your gear, even on a storm day. For something insulated with better breathability, I'd reach for the Burton Reserve instead. And on days when I'm working hard in milder, spring-like conditions, I'll grab an uninsulated shell.
Just like its warmth and weather protection, the 686 Hydra Thermagraph's construction is built for the extremes. There’s no provided denier rating for its polyester fabric, but it easily handled hard resort use. I'm confident in its ability to resist damage, whether that's brushing against tree branches or catching sharp gear edges and pole tips while splitboarding. Other aspects of its build are equally impressive: The pocket zippers and pit zips run smoothly, the waffle mesh insulation feels high quality and warm, the seams are well-constructed, and overall, everything about the jacket feels spot-on.
Even with its premium craftsmanship, a few user-experience quirks stood out. The asymmetrical center zipper (which, in fairness, makes room for the Vader vents) is tough to close unless both sides of the jacket line up perfectly. I'd personally prefer a straight zipper all the way up that's easier to quickly zip, rather than one that shifts direction like this. The two-layer wrist gaiter cuffs are another minor annoyance. They aren't fully sewn down, so the outer layer tends to flip inside out over the crease when you put the jacket on, requiring me to constantly adjust it back into place. Overall, though, the durability here is top-notch and should hold up for years, and aside from these quirks, it's a genuinely pleasant jacket to wear again and again.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
PFAS-Free DWR
Durable water-repellent (DWR) finishes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are used in outdoor gear for their strong resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product uses a PFAS-free DWR, while a red X means the DWR contains PFAS.
PFAS-Free Waterproof Membrane
The membranes used in waterproof products such as rain jackets, ski jackets, and shoes can contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These highly persistent “forever chemicals” are valued for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, but are linked to environmental contamination and a range of health concerns. A green check mark indicates the product’s waterproof membrane is PFAS-free, while a red X means it contains PFAS.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Bluesign Approved
Bluesign Technologies, based in Switzerland, operates a third-party textile management system that ensures materials are manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards. A green check mark indicates a product is either a Bluesign Product (contains at least 90% Bluesign-approved fabrics and 20-30% Bluesign-approved accessories) or features a significant amount of Bluesign-approved materials. A yellow check mark means it uses some Bluesign-approved materials but less than the aforementioned category, and a red X means there are no Bluesign-approved materials in the product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Repair Services
Repair services extend the lifespan of outdoor gear and reduce overall consumption, though programs vary widely. Some brands offer comprehensive repairs for a range of issues, while others provide limited or no repair support. A green check mark indicates a robust repair program, a yellow check mark indicates limited repair services, and a red X indicates the brand does not offer repair services.
Resale and/or Recycling Services
Resale and recycling programs help keep outdoor gear in circulation longer and out of landfills, ranging from trade-in resale platforms that offer store credit to take-back initiatives that recycle products at the end of their usable life. A green check mark indicates a brand offers both resale and recycling programs, a yellow check mark indicates it offers one of the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
Pockets
Like most snowboard jackets, the Hydra has two handwarmer pockets that are roomy enough for keeping keys, a wallet, or a multitool. There's also a zippered pass pocket on the left arm, and the large mesh dump pocket inside works well for holding snacks, as well as gloves or goggles when not actively riding.
To prevent your phone from prematurely dying in the cold, there's an insulated chest pocket (with key clip), which is my favorite feature of the Hydra. My number one requirement on any jacket is a chest pocket large enough for my phone, so seeing that here is a win. Another small but appreciated detail are small internal sleeves, one designed to house lip balm and the other a small tissue pouch. I always have chapstick on me, and this is the first time I've been able to give it an actual home. Finally, there's a headphone loop to keep your cord in place and tangle-free. I have no complaints about the pocket layout here.
Hood
The Hydra has a large hood that's roomy enough to fit over a helmet, along with two cinches near where the hood connects with the collar and one in the back to adjust the peripherals and create a secure, snug fit. Another helpful feature is the Hood Link system, which lets you roll up the jacket and secure it via a bungee that clips to a loop inside the hood for a small, secure package.
Powder Skirt
A powder skirt at the bottom of the jacket connects via two buttons, and I found myself using it both on powder days and to prevent strong gusts from intruding. In terms of placement, it wraps around the middle of my backside, which I didn't mind. Unlike the Reserve, though, which had several button positions to adjust the fit, there's only one waist size here.
Tester: 5’8”, 170 lb.; 37” chest, 32” waist
Size tested: Women’s large
I typically go for a medium or a large jacket, and I decided on the large for the 686 Hydra Thermagraph. In hindsight, a medium probably would have suited me better (it’s advertised as having a regular cut), though sizing up meant that I had extra room to move freely, and I was able to wear a thick base layer underneath without feeling constricted at all. I also loved the 29-inch length of the back. Sitting on the chairlift, I never had a cold backside, and it adds some extra coverage when you're sitting in the snow adjusting your bindings.
My biggest issue was that the arms were slightly long, so the cuffs didn't sit as snugly as I'd like, though I don't think that would have been an issue with the medium. If you're in between sizes and don't need a ton of extra room, I'd recommend sizing down.
Burton Reserve 2L Insulated ($290): A Less-Insulated Resort Pick
Like the Hydra, the Reserve 2L Insulated advertises itself as a cold-weather companion, but our experience suggests otherwise. In fact, we feel the Reserve's warmth is closer to a shell than a true insulated jacket. It also doesn't match up when it comes to weather protection, so if you find yourself out on cold, stormy days, the Hydra is the better pick. Conversely, the Reserve has a leg up in breathability and user-friendliness, with an easier-to-operate center zipper and wrist gaiters. Both are too big and bulky to take into the backcountry, but with just a $10 difference between the two, we suggest you consider your typical snowboarding conditions and cold tolerance and go from there. For more, read our Burton Reserve 2L Insulated review.
Volcom V.Co Tech Eras Gore-Tex Insulated ($365): For Warmer, Milder Conditions
While the Hydra offers furnace-like warmth, the V.Co Tech Eras Gore-Tex Insulated takes a more middle-of-the-road approach to its insulation, perfect for days around freezing but not suited to either end of the temperature spectrum. It also isn't built to handle the kinds of storms that you can endure with the Hydra, especially since its hood barely fits over a helmet, limiting the amount of weather protection it provides. Given the insulation and overall bulk, both are best kept in the resort, but only the Hydra comes with a dedicated pass pocket—a miss on the Eras' part. With a higher price tag on top of that, we'd only suggest going for the Eras if the Hydra runs too hot for your liking. For more, check out our review of the men's Volcom Dua Insulated Gore-Tex.
The Hydra Thermagraph is one of the warmest, most storm-ready resort jackets we've tested. Some of its features are less user-friendly than we’d like, but we love its cozy, free-moving feel, not to mention its affordability. This is high-grade protection without the high price tag.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Boarders on a budget will appreciate the Reserve's price tag, but there's a lot more to like about this jacket. It's durable and mobile enough for daily resort use, plenty breathable, and it can withstand the occasional mild storm. Just don’t push its boundaries in heavy precipitation and deep cold, and be sure to pair it with a good midlayer.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Straddling the line between an insulated jacket and a free-breathing shell, the Eras is a not-too-hot, not-too-cold piece of outerwear for moderate resort riding in fair-weather conditions. It's durable enough for plenty of hard days, but its lackluster protection doesn't do it any favors during a nasty storm, and several sizing issues undermine its comfort.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Hydra Thermagraph for You?
The 686 Hydra Thermagraph is for riders who are still strapping into bindings no matter how extreme the weather gets. It's got the warmth to handle temps well below freezing, the storm-worthiness for a nasty blizzard, and a resilient build that can handle plenty of bumps and bruises, all in a frame that won't restrict movement, even when hitting a new trick in the park or executing jump turns. If you can overcome its front zipper layout and annoying gaiters, you’ll love your new on-mountain bodyguard.
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