Flylow Lucy Ski Jacket Review
Updated:
Nov 03, 2025The Flylow Lucy ($420) strikes an excellent balance of comfort, protection, and value—making it a standout for resort skiers who want a supple, mobility-friendly shell without splurging on Gore-Tex. The fabric feel lands somewhere between a softshell and a traditional hardshell, yet it still fends off snow, wind, and cold effectively in typical inbounds conditions. With its freeride-oriented style and generous coverage, the Lucy is a practical choice for both seasoned freeride enthusiasts and more casual skiers alike. That said, it’s not the lightest or most breathable jacket out there, so backcountry skiers should look elsewhere.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
Resort & backcountry
Waterproofing
3-layer Tactic
Insulation
Uninsulated
Fabric
100D polyester
Pros
Cons
Flylow Lucy
For a breakdown of this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Ski Jackets.
The Flylow Lucy Jacket provides above-average weather protection with its 3-layer Tactic shell, which combines a 100-denier stretch-woven face fabric with a waterproof/breathable membrane and soft jersey backer. The result is a supple, softshell-like jacket that performs surprisingly well in most resort conditions. While the woven face fabric does absorb moisture more readily than a traditional nylon hardshell, a fresh DWR finish helps repel all but the most persistent wet snow or rain.
I wore the Lucy throughout a season of skiing and found it ideal for the cold, dry conditions typical at Grand Targhee. Even on a particularly wet day, it shed snow effectively, resisted moisture as flakes began to melt, and blocked wind impressively well. I also appreciated the collar and hood fit, which sealed comfortably around my helmet and chin without feeling restrictive—a rare win for women’s-specific designs. The Flylow Lucy may not offer the bombproof protection of Gore-Tex ski shells like the Arc’teryx Sabre or Norrøna Lofoten, but for cold resort days and variable mountain weather, it’s a confident and comfortable companion.
The Flylow Lucy is an uninsulated shell, so warmth isn’t its primary function—you’ll want to take extra care to dial in your layering system. That said, the thick 100-denier face fabric and soft jersey backer do offer a slight edge over thinner jackets, helping to block wind and adding a slight bit of warmth next to the skin. All told, its warmth is a slight drop down from ski shells like the Arc’teryx Sentinel (men’s Sabre) or Black Diamond Factor, which use knit and wool-blend backers (respectively) to add comfort and low-level warmth. At just 1 pound 5.6 ounces, the Lucy is relatively lightweight for how protective it feels—but layering is still essential when temperatures drop or activity levels are low.
The Flylow Lucy is one of the most comfortable ski jackets I’ve worn. The 3-layer Tactic fabric really does feel like a softshell—it’s stretchy, supple, and lacks that stiff, crinkly feel you get with traditional Gore-Tex. It also moves well with the body, which makes a big difference for everything from inbounds skiing to short bootpacking missions. Even with my broad climber shoulders, I never noticed any pulling or tightness. That said, the Lucy is a little bulky and heavy, and I wouldn’t pack it for a full day of touring—it’s just too much for the backcountry.
The Lucy’s 3-layer Tactic fabric breathes well for a resort-focused shell and did a solid job regulating heat on active inbounds days. I didn’t use it for any sustained uphill travel, but based on how it performed during warmer laps and short bootpacks, I’d say it’s breathable enough for hike-to terrain and quick sidecountry missions—just not extended skins. It’s a bit less airy than the Arc’teryx Sabre, which uses a lighter 80-denier nylon face, but feels comparable to burlier softshell-style builds like the Black Diamond Factor.
I found the Lucy’s pit zips to be a welcome addition with solid heat-dumping potential, though they felt a little sticky to operate with gloves on. Still, they came in handy during bursts of high output. For inbounds riding and the occasional short tour, the Lucy offers more than enough ventilation.
The Flylow Lucy Jacket feels impressively rugged thanks to its thick 100-denier polyester face fabric. While polyester isn’t as inherently strong as nylon for its weight, the burly construction more than makes up for it—I never worried about tears or abrasion, even when brushing against branches or throwing the jacket around the lodge or car. Compared to other resort shells, it’s right in the mix: burlier than the 70D Norrona Lofoten, on par with the 80D Arc’teryx Sabre, and just a step below true heavyweights like the 160D Trew Gear Stella Primo or 150D Stio Environ.
The Lucy’s zippers feel high quality, though they were a bit sticky when I tried to operate them with gloves on—especially the pit zips. That might improve with more use, and the rest of the hardware, including all the toggles and cinches, worked smoothly. Overall, I came away confident in the Lucy’s long-term durability for regular resort use.
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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.
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.
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 or the two, and a red X indicates it offers neither.
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.
The Flylow Lucy comes with a thoughtful feature set that blends practical resort function with streamlined design. There’s a removable powder skirt, a ski pass pocket on the arm, and ample storage: two roomy hand pockets that easily fit snacks, a phone, wallet, or small water bottle, plus both an external and internal chest pocket (I stashed my phone in the interior one to keep it warm on frigid days). The hood fit snugly over my ski helmet without any need for adjustment, which I really appreciated.
While the powder skirt worked as intended, it felt a bit redundant. The jacket’s long cut—it hit well below my hips, even with my long torso—and adjustable hem offered more than enough snow protection on deep days. For my needs, the skirt just added unnecessary bulk and weight, so I removed it after the first few uses.
Tester: 5’5” 140 lb.; 36" chest; 29" waist
Size tested: Women’s medium
I’m typically a women’s size small, but I size up to a medium for ski jackets—I like the extra room for layering, mobility, and style. The Flylow Lucy has a freeride-inspired cut that hits below the hips, and the medium was roomier than I’m used to, but in all the right ways. I had plenty of space to wear a lightweight puffy underneath, and the stretchy fabric allowed for excellent freedom of movement—especially important for me since I often struggle with restricted range due to broad, climber’s shoulders. The longer hem kept the jacket in place whether I was bending down or reaching overhead, which I really appreciate (and honestly can’t live without while skiing). The sleeves hit the sweet spot too: full wrist coverage without interfering with gloves. Overall, the Lucy’s flattering, movement-friendly fit is perfect for resort days when you’re layering up and skiing hard.
Black Diamond Recon Stretch ($499): Stretchy, Sporty Alternative
The Recon Stretch offers similar resort-ready protection to the Malone but with a more athletic, low-bulk feel. Its 3-layer BD.dry construction provides solid waterproofing, and its breathability is on par with the Malone. You get great freedom of movement thanks to the Recon’s softshell-like stretch, but the lighter fabric feels a bit less cozy and substantial. With a sportier fit and cleaner styling, the BD is a nice pick for skiers who prioritize mobility and want something a little more streamlined than the freeride-inspired Malone. For more, read our review of the BD Recon Stretch.
Trew Gear Astoria ($329): Another Steezy Resort Shell
A lot of Flylow’s fan base would identify as freeriders—or at least freeride aspirants. Trew Gear fits a similar mold, with relaxed fits, bold colorways, and clean, stylish pocket layouts. Their Astoria is the brand’s mid-range resort shell. With a 2-layer build, it’s heavier and runs hotter than the Lucy, but neither factor is likely to bother most inbounds skiers. It’s also significantly more durable and more affordable. But if you want a shell with more versatility for backcountry use or mild spring days, the Lucy is the better pick. For a deeper dive, read our Trew Gear Astoria review.
Patagonia SnowDrifter ($399): Built for the Backcountry
The Flylow Malone is primarily a resort jacket, though it can pull double duty for casual backcountry skiers. More dedicated tourers, however, will want something lighter and more streamlined, like the Patagonia SnowDrifter. Both use a stretchy 3-layer construction, but the SnowDrifter is lighter, more packable, and features a trimmer cut with a thinner face fabric (50D vs. the Malone’s 100D). That said, while both jackets can wet out in sustained moisture, the thinner SnowDrifter leaves you feeling a bit more exposed. We don’t recommend it for routine resort use, but for human-powered missions, it’s the more breathable and portable option. For more, read our review of the Patagonia SnowDrifter.
In contrast to the rigid, crinkly feel of many hardshell ski jackets, the Flylow Lucy (and men's Malone) features a supple and stretchy shell, which is both comfortable and ideal for freedom of movement. However, Flylow’s in-house Tactic membrane is not as waterproof as Gore-Tex.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
A soft and stretchy shell, the Black Diamond Recon stretch is comfortable, easy-moving, and still offers a high degree of waterproofing. However, the hood and collar are not very storm-worthy, and serious backcountry skiers will find the jacket too heavy and bulky.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
The Trew Gear Jefferson is a well-priced resort shell that stands out for its rugged durability and stylish, freeride vibes. It delivers reliable protection for cold resort laps, but can’t quite match the low weight, breathability, and mobility of pricier 3-layer shells.
Weather Protection
Warmth
Comfort
Breathability
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Flylow Lucy for You?
The Flylow Lucy is a great pick for resort skiers who value comfort, coverage, and a softshell-like feel without giving up much in the way of weather protection. It’s not as rugged or stormproof as top-tier Gore-Tex ski jackets, but for cold, dry mountain climates, it performs admirably and looks good doing it, with a flattering, freeride-inspired fit. If you’re heading into consistently wet conditions or need a jacket for extended backcountry missions, you’ll be better served with a more weatherproof or lighter weight shell. But if you’re lapping lifts and want a cozy, stretchy layer that doesn’t feel stiff or crinkly, the Lucy delivers all-day wearability at a very approachable price.
pray for snow
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