Snowboarder in an orange jacket riding through fresh powder on a sunny, tree-lined mountain slope.

Volcom Snow Tech Glossary

Getting ready for snow season? Knowing what to look for in your snowboarding gear is essential for riding in comfort, style, and safety. Our snow collections are backed by professional testing & state-of-the-art tech—which can come with a lot of technical language and jargon. 

Luckily, the team of experts at Volcom has compiled a comprehensive snow tech glossary with everything you need to know to shop like a pro. 
Person in a bright yellow snow jacket and mirrored goggles standing in front of a snowy background with snow-covered equipment.

PRODUCT TYPES

BIBS

An overall-style snow pant with extended coverage for added protection and insulation from snow & weather. Plus, the built-in suspenders keep them up without slipping, run after run—with no tight waistband.

Adjustable shoulder straps make it easy to customize the fit, and the extra room through the torso leaves plenty of space for layering. Many snowboard bibs also come with added chest pockets, giving you convenient storage for small essentials while you ride.

SHELL

Lightweight outer layer designed to protect against wind, snow and moisture without added insulation. Wear them alone on milder days, or add them as a protective component of a full snow kit.


Most shell jackets feature Gore-Tex fabrication for ultimate wind and moisture-proofing, with waterproof levels of up to 30K. 

Front and back views of a model wearing a beige Volcom snow jacket with brown cargo snow pants and a camouflage beanie.

PRODUCT FEATURES

GAITER

Built-in coverage in snowboard pants and jackets designed to help seal out snow, wind, and cold. Pant gaiters typically fit snugly around your boots, creating a barrier that helps keep snow from sneaking up your pant legs while riding or taking a tumble. Jacket gaiters, often found at the waist or wrists, provide similar protection by closing off common entry points for snow. Together, they help keep you warmer, drier, and more comfortable when conditions get deep.

LACE HOOK

A small hook built into the cuff of snowboard pants that attaches directly to your boot laces. By securing the pant cuff in place, lace hooks help prevent it from riding up while you move, keeping snow, wind, and cold from sneaking in around your boots. It’s a simple feature that helps keep your setup secure and your feet warmer and drier from first chair to last run.

NOISE POCKET

A dedicated pocket designed to securely stash your phone—or whatever you use to listen to noise, AKA music. Built to keep your device protected and within easy reach while you ride, a noise pocket makes it easy to keep your soundtrack close without worrying about your phone bouncing around or getting in the way. Just queue up your playlist, stash your device, and get back to riding.

NOSE WIPE

A soft fabric panel available on select snowboard mittens and gloves for quick, on-the-go nose wiping. Designed for those cold, windy days when stopping to grab a tissue isn’t exactly convenient, a nose wipe gives you a softer spot to use when you need it. It’s a small but practical detail that helps keep you comfortable and focused on the mountain.

POWDER SKIRT

An internal jacket barrier designed to help prevent snow from getting up inside your jacket. Typically sitting around the waist, a powder skirt creates a more secure seal between your jacket and pants, helping block snow, wind, and cold when you’re riding through deep powder—or taking a spill. It’s an extra layer of protection that helps keep you dry, warm, and riding comfortably.

Close-up of a Volcom snow jacket interior showing the adjustable powder skirt and technical lining.

TECH TERMS

DWR

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) is a treatment applied to the outer surface of our snow fabrics to help repel moisture. It makes the fabric hydrophobic, causing water and melted snow to bead up and roll off rather than immediately soaking in. By helping the outer fabric stay drier, DWR supports overall weather protection and helps keep your snow gear performing comfortably in wet, snowy conditions.

Model wearing a black Volcom hooded zip-up jacket with an adjustable drawcord hood and logo at the chest.

FACE TECH®

Keep snow out and stay dry with a built-in, removable face mask that connects directly to your jacket. FACE TECH® creates a streamlined interface for extra coverage when the weather kicks up, helping protect your face and neck from snow, wind, and cold. When you don’t need the added protection, simply remove it and keep riding.

Snowboarder wearing Volcom Face Tech face covering with snow goggles and a black snow jacket.

GORE-TEX®

“Guaranteed to keep you dry.” GORE-TEX technology delivers waterproof, windproof, and breathable protection built for serious weather. The membrane helps block rain, snow, and wind from getting in while allowing moisture vapor to escape, helping you stay dry and comfortable through changing mountain conditions. It’s dependable protection for long days on the mountain when the weather is anything but predictable.

Close-up of black GORE-TEX fabric with water droplets beading on the surface, demonstrating waterproof protection.
Volcom GORE-TEX snowboarding bib pants with adjustable straps and technical detailing laid out on snow beside a snowboard.

PFAS

PFAS are a group of long-lasting chemicals that have historically been used in water-repellent treatments for outdoor apparel and gear. While these chemicals can help materials resist moisture, they can persist in the environment over time. Volcom uses PFAS-free materials or finishes made without intentionally added PFAS, helping deliver weather protection without relying on these substances.

RECCO

RECCO is a two-part rescue technology designed to help professional search teams locate missing people or avalanche victims. A small, battery-free reflector built into select snow gear works with a detector used by rescue professionals, reflecting a radar signal back to help pinpoint a person’s location. It’s an added layer of searchability in the mountains, but it does not replace an avalanche transceiver or other essential backcountry safety equipment.

Close-up of a Volcom snow jacket interior featuring integrated RECCO avalanche rescue system technology.

TDS

Thermal Defense System is a Volcom proprietary technology designed to deliver targeted warmth where you need it most. Strategically placed thermal panels help retain heat around your core without adding unnecessary bulk throughout the entire garment. The result is focused insulation that helps you stay warm and comfortable while maintaining the freedom of movement you need for long days on the mountain.

Close-up of a Volcom snow jacket interior featuring quilted Thermal Defense System panels for strategic warmth and insulation.
Close-up of quilted GORE-TEX jacket lining featuring thermal defense system and product technology details.

TRICOT

Tricot is a soft, lightweight knit fabric commonly used as a lining in snow jackets, pants, and other gear. Its smooth, comfortable feel adds an extra layer of warmth without creating unnecessary bulk, making it ideal for high-contact areas like pockets, waistbands, and collars. It’s a simple detail that helps keep your snow gear feeling comfortable through long days on the mountain.

WARMTH RATING

A quick guide to the level of insulation and warmth a snow garment provides. Warmth ratings make it easier to compare jackets, pants, and other gear based on how much cold-weather protection they offer. Use the rating alongside factors like weather conditions, activity level, and your layering system to find the right amount of warmth for the way you ride.

Snowboarder carving through fresh snow and kicking up a spray of powder on a tree-lined mountain slope.

WATERPROOF LEVELS

Waterproof levels are a rating system used to indicate how much protection snow gear provides against moisture, helping you choose the right outerwear for the conditions you ride in. Generally, the higher the rating, the greater the level of waterproof protection for wet, snowy, and stormy days.

30K: Ultra-high waterproofing and breathability for storm-ready performance and demanding conditions.

20K: Dependable waterproofing for riders who charge in variable conditions and need reliable protection throughout the day.

10K: Everyday protection against snow and unexpected weather, ideal for more moderate mountain conditions.

V-SCIENCE

Volcom’s performance fabric technology engineered for waterproofing, breathability and all-mountain protection.

ZIP TECH®

Zip Tech® is Volcom’s rider-proven, built-in jacket-to-pant interface designed to keep snow out and keep you dry. The system allows compatible Volcom jackets and pants to zip together, creating a connected barrier that helps prevent snow from sneaking in during deep powder days—or when you take a fall. Available on the majority of Volcom Men’s, Women’s, and Youth Outerwear, Zip Tech® helps you stay covered, comfortable, and ready to keep riding.

Close-up of Volcom Zip Tech jacket-to-pant interface being zipped together to help keep snow out.
Snowboarder in a purple jacket and black snow pants carving through fresh snow on a tree-lined mountain.Alt text: Snowboarder in a purple jacket and black snow pants carving through fresh snow on a tree-lined mountain.

Now that you know the lingo, it’s time to gear up and get after it. Shop the latest Volcom snow outerwear for rider-driven jackets, snow pants, bibs, and layers built with technical features designed to keep you warm, dry, and moving from first chair to last run. Whether you’re chasing powder, lapping the park, or cruising the resort, Volcom snow gear brings together all-mountain performance and unmistakable style so you can stay out longer and ride harder.

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