Burton Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Jacket Review: Backcountry Specialist
The Burton Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Stretch ($650) is a backcountry shell through and through. Its breathability and premium waterproofing are both excellent, though its material is on the thin side, and we wish there were a pocket large enough to hold our skins. Even so, its streamlined fit bucks the trend of overly baggy snowboarding jackets while maintaining excellent freedom of movement thanks to its stretchy fabric.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Backcountry
Waterproofing
3-layer Gore-Tex ePE
Insulation
Uninsulated
Fabric
30D nylon
Pockets
6
Pros
Cons
Burton Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L Stretch
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Snowboard Jackets.
The Kimmy 3L Gore-Tex Stretch delivers unwavering weather protection in all conditions, and it quickly became my favorite jacket for wet, windy days at the resort and in the backcountry. I tested it through several massive snowstorms in Myoko, Japan, which included getting buffeted by 50-mph gusts at the top of the Myoko-San crater, and later used it in California’s Eastern Sierra touring through 6-plus-foot storms and constantly shifting weather. Through it all, the Kimmy held up its end of the bargain.
The Burton Kimmy 3L Gore-Tex Stretch’s 3-layer Gore-Tex material with a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating never absorbed water no matter how wet things got, which was all the more impressive given how thin and breathable the Kimmy’s fabric is. Fully taped seams and water-resistant YKK zippers are also pluses. The low-profile elastic hem cinches down easily, the hood has several adjustment points to seal out the elements, and mesh wrist gaiters with hook-and-loop tabs keep the sleeves secured.
My only gripe is that the gaiters run a bit tight, though they did their job reinforcing the sleeve placement and keeping snow out. Down below, there's a powder skirt for extra protection, and I appreciated that it's removable for days when I wanted to move fast and light. Pound for pound, the Kimmy offers a fantastic amount of security to keep you dry and riding through just about anything.
In addition to its protection, the Kimmy is built to prevent your sweat and body heat from building up when you’re working hard in wet conditions. As a result, warmth isn’t even close to its top priority; as a thin, uninsulated shell, it won't do much on its own, but there's a brushed backer for a touch of coziness. There’s also enough room to add a midlayer underneath if you want extra warmth, letting you dial in exactly how much (or how little) you need for a given tour.
Personally, I found a great balance of warmth and breathability on both my Japan and Eastern Sierra trips. Hiking uphill through stormy weather in both locations, including in temps down to as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the Kimmy helped me thermoregulate well, cutting wind and precipitation without leaving me sweaty (and subsequently cold) underneath. Resort riders may prefer something insulated, like the Burton Embark Gore-Tex 2L, but for high-output storm riding and splitboarding, I'd highly recommend the Kimmy.
Many Gore-Tex jackets tend to feel stiff and crinkly, but the Kimmy completely bucks that trend. The stretchy nylon face fabric feels more flexible and supple than the matching Kimmy Gore-Tex 3L bibs, allowing excellent mobility with every movement. Inside, the brushed backer was soft and comfortable, including on the collar, which sat nicely on my face even when fully zipped. All told, it's a lot more pleasing against the skin than other Gore-Tex jackets I've used.
The Kimmy runs slim but never felt constricting, maximizing mobility with weight efficiency. In fact, it has a slimmer cut than other 3-layer snowboarding jackets I’ve used, like the Oyuki Nimi NetPlus 3L and the Trew Gear Stella Primo, but it still moved with me easily and never felt bulky. That made layering a lightweight puffy underneath easy while leaving plenty of room for movement. (It's worth noting the sleeves run a bit snugger than other jackets I've used.) The streamlined design also means you're not lugging around the extra weight of a bulkier jacket, which makes a difference over a long slog. I had zero qualms about tossing this shell in my touring pack.
As expected due to its thin, 3-layer material, breathability is one of the Kimmy's biggest strengths, which made it my favorite splitboarding jacket by a wide margin. Its 30-denier nylon face fabric releases heat impressively well without sacrificing waterproofing, helped by two 13-inch-long pit zips that add even more airflow. I also appreciated that the pit zips forgo the mesh lining you'll find on some touring jackets, which helps them dump heat that much more effectively when you’re crushing vert.
I wore the Burton Kimmy 3L Gore-Tex Stretch in temps up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and stayed comfortable, but if you're ripping morning groomers in the resort or run cold, something less breathable, like the Embark, might suit you better. Compared to the Stella and the Nimi, the Kimmy's breathability has a leg up. It's the only one of the three I'd choose for splitboarding, and it's become my go-to jacket for touring in nearly any weather. When it comes to balancing breathability with weather protection, this is a great choice for anyone who rides hard and works up a sweat while doing it.
A $650 price tag is hefty for any snowboarding jacket, but the Kimmy's premium construction and high level of craftsmanship are evident throughout. The 30-denier nylon face fabric is quite thin, but it feels plenty durable for what it is—a lightweight material optimized for big tours and leg-busting uphills. Of course, it wouldn't be my first choice for hardcore bushwhacking, and if durability is your top priority, something thicker, like the 160-denier by 81-denier Stella, will serve you better.
Don't mistake the Kimmy for being delicate, though. I put it through about 40 days of use, both in-bounds and ski touring, and it never developed a single hole. The zippers also continued to operate ultra-smoothly, and I never had issues working any of them, even with numb hands in stormy conditions. For pursuits where weight matters most, this jacket’s construction strikes a great balance.
My one complaint is that the PFAS-free DWR led to the jacket getting noticeably dirty in the short time I tested it, though that seems to be a common growing pain across PFAS-free DWR coatings industry-wide. That's mostly a cosmetic issue, though, and all in all, the Kimmy held up splendidly for a lightweight snowboarding shell.
Select icon to view details:
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
I was pleased with the Kimmy’s pocket layout. It has two generously sized handwarmer pockets (one with a key clip), a small chest pocket, two mesh internal dump pockets, and a small sleeve pass pocket.
Unfortunately, the dump pockets aren't big enough to hold skins, and they lack zippers, though their elastic openings still felt secure enough for snacks and other items that don’t need top-notch security. Aside from the small dump pockets, the organizational layout felt well executed.
Hood
The Burton Kimmy 3L Gore-Tex Stretch uses a drop hood design, where the hood and collar aren't directly connected. For me, that makes it more comfortable than traditional setups, which sometimes pull down awkwardly when fully zipped and limit how far I can turn my neck side to side. The unattached design also plays nicely with long hair, since the hood isn't cinched tightly around your head.
There's no shortage of adjustment points to dial in the fit, either, with two on the sides and two in the back. As with most jackets, the rear adjusters were a bit fiddly to use while I was riding, though the ones on the sides were easy to reach and adjust. The stretchy fabric helps, too, keeping everything feeling less constricting overall. And compared to the Nimi or Stella, the Kimmy’s hood stayed much more securely on my head.
Powder Skirt
There's a simple powder skirt that adjusts via two different snap placements, and I really appreciated that it's removable. I don't usually find powder skirts all that helpful, especially when pairing a jacket with bibs, and I like shedding the extra weight when I'm splitboarding or touring.
Size tested: Women’s XS
I'm typically a size extra-small, which is what I ordered, and the Kimmy fit true to size (unlike the matching bibs, which run small). The fit does skew slim rather than baggy, which is where most snowboarding jackets on the market sit these days. The arms especially land on the tighter side for a touring shell, but the length felt spot-on (I'm 5 feet tall), with enough coverage and no excess fabric bunching up.
That tracks with the Kimmy's clear splitboarding focus, where extra bulk works against you, and mobility was still excellent. The shoulder width also fit well, and the length landed about average for a snowboarding shell—not ultra-long like a lot of newer jackets, but longer than my Salewa Sella.
Trew Gear Stella Primo Jacket ($599): The More Durable (and Fashionable) Choice
Looking for a big boost in durability? The Stella Primo's thick, canvas-like fabric will give you just that, so you can feel assured that your jacket won't easily rip or snag when taking hits from branches or dropping cliffs. Its fashionably oversized cut will also draw admiration from boarders with less stylish jackets and, on a more practical level, makes layering a lot easier. The downsides of its burly build and roomier silhouette are excess weight and limited breathability, making it less suited for long tours or big climbs. But that's a more minimal concern if you typically stick to downhill riding. On top of that, the Stella saves you $51, making it our recommendation unless you live for the backcountry. For more, read our Trew Gear Stella Primo review.
Arc'teryx Sentinel ($750): For Hybrid Riding
The Kimmy's $650 price tag is already eye-watering, but if you've got even more cash burning a hole in your pocket, then the Sentinel is worth a look. Like the Kimmy, it offers a masterclass in weather protection, but its significantly thicker face fabric can endure rougher terrain without failing. That added bulk means it doesn't fully match up to the Kimmy's breathability, but it's still got enough ventilation for in-bounds hiking or a splitboarding adventure without a ton of uphill. And even though the Sentinel isn’t built with the same stretch fabric, we never felt restricted wearing it, and there was plenty of room for layering. If you're a touring-exclusive rider, it may make sense to stick with the Kimmy, but for everyone else, the Sentinel is a worthwhile investment. For more, check out our review of the men's Arc'teryx Sabre.
The Kimmy keeps things light, airy, and oh so free in the pursuit of backcountry perfection. This is a shell designed for long, intense tours and the inclement winter weather you might encounter on them. It's not very thick or warm, but you can trust it to keep you safe and dry when the conditions turn.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Stella Primo is for riders who ask a lot of their shell. Its thick, heavy build can brush aside hectic weather and rough treatment alike, although the design disqualifies it from real-deal touring and most warm-weather outings. Its oversized silhouette makes layering a cinch, though, and will earn you some fashion cred on the mountain.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Arc’teryx Sentinel brings together everything you want from a shell: premium Gore-Tex waterproofing, thoughtful features, and impeccable construction. It’s one of the best all-around ski jackets money can buy, for both resort and backcountry use.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Kimmy GTX 3L for You?
If you almost exclusively stick to the backcountry and have your layering system dialed, the Burton Kimmy 3L Gore-Tex Stretch will fit perfectly into your kit. Sure, you're not getting the most durable shell out there, its cut runs slimmer than your average snowboarding jacket, and it's a bit disappointing that there's no pocket to hold your skins. But its highly breathable and highly waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, sleek and lightweight design, and full freedom of movement make for a winning combination on any tour, from short jaunts to expeditions alike.
Get Outside
Snowboarding Gear Guides
Gear Guide
Best Base Layers of 2026-2027
Gear Guide
Best Ski Goggles of 2026-2027
Gear Guide
Best Midlayers of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Ski Helmets of 2026-2027
Gear Guide
Best Ski Backpacks of 2026-2027
Gear Guide
Best Ski Bags of 2026
Gear Guide
Best Roof Cargo Boxes of 2026