Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket - Men's Review

The Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket is more suited for outdoor recreation, but it can easily function as an affordable all-purpose winter jacket.

Performance Comparison

Warmth

The interior of the Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket is lined with plush shaggy fleece. It appears warm, but its performance in our warmth tests proved it to be about average. This jacket is not built for the extreme cold, but it can certainly stand up to average winter conditions.

Some of the warmest jackets in our lineup are full-length parkas with down insulation. Unfortunately, the Snow Jacket lacks both of these features. Instead, it's cropped at the waist and uses basic polyester insulation. During our warmth testing, we stood outside at night for 20 minutes, with temps near 20°F. At the end of the test, the maximum reading on our internal Bluetooth thermometer topped out at 72.6°F.

When compared side by side with other jackets we tested, this temperature reading was near the bottom of the list. These results confirmed how we felt during the testing. Although this jacket provided some warmth, our body remained tense and there were noticeable cold spots across our back and shoulders and along our arms.

A large portion of our warmth testing included anecdotal evidence we collected while routinely wearing the Snow Jacket in Utah from November to January. Generally, we wore the jacket for day-to-day purposes and then noted our experiences. We were most impressed with its many warmth-retention features, including a drawstring hood, adjustable wrist straps with elastic cuffs, and an adjustable hem. It even comes with a powder skirt for that occasional tumble while skiing. After months of use, we feel the Snow Jacket provides average warmth. It kept us reasonably warm down to about 25°F during mild to moderate movement.

Weather Resistance

A surprising ability to do battle with wind and rain earned the Snow Jacket its highest scores. Our testing proved it to be reasonably waterproof and wind-resistant.

This jacket's waterproof zippers had us a little suspect, but our doubts were washed away during our water tests. We drenched our Snow Jacket during a three-minute shower and stayed almost completely dry. That said, the polyester shell absorbed water almost immediately, leaving us slightly unimpressed with this jacket's first line of defense. However, the interior polyurethane barrier was quite effective at blocking any water from passing through into the insulation or liner. The only area of the jacket that took on water were its elastic cuffs. Each is vulnerable to water and other elements because they extend beyond the shell of the jacket. Also, this jacket's cropped fit offers zero protection to the lower half of the body. As for the waterproof zippers, we placed bundles of paper towel in each of the three exterior pockets. All emerged completely dry. Overall, the Snow Jacket performed quite well. The only problematic area is the zipper system, which attaches the removable hood.

As stated, we do have a gripe with this jacket's hood system. The hood itself is large, insulated, and effective at keeping the old noggin protected from the elements. The key issue we have is with the zipper, specifically its storm flap. The storm flap is a small strip of fabric that blocks water from passing through the zipper teeth. In our opinion, this flap is positioned upside down, so it's more prone to collect and hold water rather than repel or disperse it. We feel that during prolonged exposure to the elements, water would eventually make its way through the zipper and onto the neck and shoulders.

The Snow Jacket garnered some of its best scores during our wind resistance testing. Normally, we create our own backyard wind with the help of a high-powered leaf blower; however, we were lucky enough this time to test our jackets in a real winter windstorm. While standing for several minutes in sustained winds of 25 mph, we were surprised at this jacket's ability to take the brunt force of moderate gusts. The combination of the Snow Jacket's polyester shell, polyurethane membrane, and shaggy fleece liner create a fairly effective protective shield.

Additionally, a full-length main zipper storm flap, cinchable hood and hem, and tight-fitting elastic cuffs all combine to prevent cold wind from finessing its way through small openings. Despite these impressive features, the cropped design doesn't allow it to protect below the hips. Additionally, there is an annoying gap between the hood and the jacket's collar that allows wind to pass through. Overall, the Snow Jacket adequately protects against the elements. It may not have received our top scores, but in fairness, our tests are rather extreme. So, all things considered, we feel it's well equipped to do battle with typical winter weather.

Comfort

The Snow Jacket has a sporty tailored cut, but it is still roomy enough to be fairly comfortable and easy to wear for long periods of time. We feel it will fit most body types, but its straighter fit may not be perfectly accommodating to larger frames. A shaggy fleece liner carpets this jacket's interior, and its polyester shell is soft and pliable.

Our favorite feature is the shaggy fleece liner that wallpapers the entire body of the coat (minus the sleeves). It also lines the hood. We're still a little unsure of how much warmth the fleece adds, but we enjoy the feel — kinda like being wrapped up in your favorite fleece blanket.

Although quite cozy, the fleece liner does come with one drawback: it holds onto moisture. If you plan to exert energy in this coat, plan on sweating. Normal day-to-day activities were never an issue for us, but when it came to snowshoeing, skiing, or shoveling heavy snow, we often felt a little uncomfortable. Our experience was confirmed by our temperature tests, during which our thermometer also recorded humidity levels inside the coat. We weren't surprised to find the Snow Jacket had higher humidity readings than any coat we tested. Not only is this extra moisture uncomfortable, it also can cause the body to chill during prolonged activity.

Versatility and Style

The Snow Jacket lacks its own unique style. This was especially evident when we searched its name and found several other jackets from different manufacturers with identical style and features. Overall, it kind of reminded us of a 1990s ski jacket. That said, it does have clean lines and a tailored, sporty vibe some buyers may like. More specifically, when we consider its appealing price tag, our need for the latest trend becomes less important. Even better, whatever the Snow Jacket lacks in style, it certainly makes up for with its overall versatility.

The Snow Jacket leans more toward winter recreation — skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding. However, for the price, it's a very inexpensive option if you need a decently warm jacket for general use. We used ours for sledding, running errands, shoveling snow, and even a neighborhood bonfire. That said, regardless of how this jacket is used, we don't recommend it for frigid conditions or for protecting you during extreme adventures. At best, this jacket will provide average warmth and protection in typical (slightly warmer) winter settings.

Construction Quality

Based on our personal experiences, we hesitantly gave the Snow Jacket slightly above average scores for this metric. Given its price, we may have gone out on a limb. After all, we've tested a lot of gear, and the old adage “you get what you pay for” often rings true in our line of work. Dubious durability was certainly top of mind while using this jacket, but we haven't seen any major breakdowns yet.

A somewhat hardy polyester shell keeps the Snow Jacket protected from reasonable contact with trees, rocks, or the occasional brick wall. We also found the shell to be somewhat stain-resistant, but don't press your luck too far. We aggressively pulled the end of a paperclip across several sections of the shell and saw no serious damage. We had the same results on the jacket's lining.

Quality of stitching was our biggest concern with the Snow Jacket. Seams on this jacket average 8-9 stitches per linear inch. Higher-quality jackets generally have 12 stitches per linear inch, which gives the seams greater tensile strength and creates smaller stitching loops that are less likely to catch, snag, and break. The Snow Jacket had the largest stitching pattern (least amount of stitches) of any coat we examined during our most recent testing. For moderate general use, we feel this coat is a great buy. But, if constant, rigorous, high-adventure activities are on your horizon, you may want to consider a more reliable option.

Should You Buy the Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket?

This is not a high-end jacket. It has questionable craftsmanship and noticeably lower-quality fabrics and accessories. That said, this jacket is an amazing deal. If you're trying to stretch a dollar and are willing to sacrifice style and overall quality, this jacket is a great option. It's warm enough and it has a lot of extra features.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

If you like the Wantdo Waterproof Snow Jacket but you're not big on outdoor recreation, the Moerdeng ArcticPeaks may be exactly what you're looking for. It's nearly identical to the Wantdo, minus the winter sports features. If you need a jacket that can offer above-average warmth and much better workmanship at a reasonable price, take a look at the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka. Likewise, the Patagonia Downdrift and Marmot Fordham are also high-performing daily wear jackets — and they're even warmer.