Flylow Billie Coat Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Stylish, great ski features and pockets, strong value, more versatile than an insulated ski jacket
Cons: Not the lightest hardshell, stiffer material, no insulation
Manufacturer: Flylow
Our Verdict
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Flylow Billie Coat | |||||
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| Price | $251.97 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $199.96 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Stylish, great ski features and pockets, strong value, more versatile than an insulated ski jacket | Breathable, versatile, comfortable, strong value, classic look | Warm, three jackets in one, well-constructed with thoughtful features | Inexpensive, stylish, warm, stretchy and comfortable | Inexpensive, three jackets in one, warm, comfortable |
| Cons | Not the lightest hardshell, stiffer material, no insulation | No insulation | Slim fit, heavy | Not the most water resistant, runs a little small, not very breathable | Not very stylish, hood not helmet compatible, two layers don't work well when zipped together |
| Bottom Line | This ideal and stylish hardshell fends off wind and moisture in a functional, no-frills package | A sleek and technical backcountry shell with enough stretch, space, and breathability to be extremely versatile at a fair price | This jacket is versatile and has all the necessary ski features for a long day on the hill | An inexpensive, synthetically insulated shell to keep you warm, dry, and stylish without breaking the bank | A decent deal for two jackets that can be worn in three combinations, this is a great intro ski jacket |
| Rating Categories | Flylow Billie Coat | Black Diamond Recon... | Thermoball Eco Snow... | Columbia Wild Card... | Whirlibird IV Inter... |
| Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
| Comfort And Fit (20%) | |||||
| Warmth (20%) | |||||
| Ventilation (20%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Flylow Billie Coat | Black Diamond Recon... | Thermoball Eco Snow... | Columbia Wild Card... | Whirlibird IV Inter... |
| Insulation | None | None | PrimaLoft ThermoBall Eco | 60g Omni-Heat | Thermarator |
| Waterproofing | 20k/20k waterproof breathable membrane | BD.dry | DryVent 2L | Omni-Tech | Omni-Tech |
| Weight (in pounds) | 1.5 lbs | 1.5 lbs | 2.3 lbs | 2.1 lbs | 2.4 lbs |
| # of Pockets | 2 hand, 1 chest, 1 sleeve, 1 internal | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered pass, 1 zippered chest, 2 internal mesh | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest, 1 zippered sleeve (goggle-wipe), 1 internal goggle, [liner] 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 zippered chest, 1 zippered pass, one internal mesh, 1 zippered internal | Shell: 5, Liner: 3 |
| Main Fabric | 3-layer nylon Dobby Intuitive fabric | 84% nylon, 16% elastane | 100% recycled polyester, DWR treatment | Omni-Tech Lux Stretch 94% Polyester/ 6% Elastane | Legacy Dobby 72% Nylon/ 28% Polyester. |
| Unique Features | RFID pocket, headphone port | removable powder skirt, 4-way stretch shell | 3 jackets in 1, zippered hand pockets, outer layer has "mechanical stretch", side-zip venting | mesh lined pit zips, headphone port, built-in spandex wrist gaiters | 3-in-1, internal goggle pocket |
| Hood Option? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pit Zips? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cuff construction | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro | Velcro with wrist gaiters | Velcro |
| Ski features | Removable powder skirt, helmet compatible hood, Pass pocket | Powder skirt, hem cinch, pass pocket, helmet compatible hood | Powder skirt, helmet compatible hood, goggle pocket | Powder skirt, hem cinch, pass pocket, helmet compatible hood | Powder skirt, pass and goggle pocket |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We always knew Flylow was a cool company with excellent products, and the Billie Coat convinced us that we know what we're talking about. The jacket performs well on the slopes and looks good, too. We felt it had everything we wanted in a hardshell despite feeling a little stiff and crunchy at the outset.
Performance Comparison
Weather Resistance
The Billie Coat is a three-layer hardshell, and you can tell. The fabric was slightly stiff at the outset, but we didn't mind because of its amazing ability to protect us from the elements. It boasts OmniBloq Durable Water Repellent coating, which is supposedly more protective than the industry standard DWR. We certainly didn't get wet during a sloppy snowstorm.
The jacket also protected us from the vicious winds of the Colorado Front Range. The hood helped, too, with more than ample room to fit over our helmets and then cinch tightly around our necks. We could still move our heads from side to side even with the hood fully cinched down. And, the Billie's zippers didn't allow any noticeable drafts through.
Comfort and Fit
This jacket fits true to size, and we were able to layer up underneath it easily. It has a long, flattering silhouette, and we liked that it was feminine without being girly. It was easy to move while we skied and rode. It felt a bit stiff the first few times we used it but it seemed to develop some flexibility with use.
Warmth
The jacket isn't insulated, so it received a lower rating in this category. It was important that we always had adequate layers on underneath. We will say, however, that the thick shell material did not let any wind pass through the material itself or through the front zipper when traveling at high speeds down the mountain.
Ventilation
The Billie Coat breathes well for a hardshell and has large, gaping pit-zips. Because the shell has no insulation, it vents easily. We found that we could hike short distances without overheating in this jacket.
Style
The Billie Coat has great subtle style. It's not flashy but it still manages to stand out in a crowd. Because of how flattering it is, our testers all wanted to be the one wearing this jacket for our photos. We like its long hemline, color choices, and how it tapers at the waist and flares at the hips. Our testers received many compliments when they wore this jacket.
Ski Features
We love the interior pockets in this jacket. They're both zippered and nine inches deep. The outer hand pockets are similarly spacious. Manufacturers often skimp on the usefulness of features in women's products, but the Billie Coat defies that trend. We love that the powder skirt is removable and wish that all jackets had this option.
Another favorite feature of this jacket is drawcord for the hood. The toggles are placed on the outside of the collar near your collar bones and make it super easy to cinch down your hood when things get windy sitting on the chairlift.
Value
We think that the Billie Coat is a stellar value for a hard-charging hardshell. It has all the features we want and need and offers superior weather resistance. Our only complaint is that it's not that warm, but that's to be expected for a hardshell. Needless to say, it's a jacket that will hold up to the test of time, and that's invaluable.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a stylish, high functioning ski shell that will help you rip around the mountain and look like a pro doing it, look no further than the Billie Coat. Our testers received many compliments on this jacket and reached for it when they were hitting the town as well as the slopes. We love its well-thought-out ski features, wind and waterproof exterior, and subtle style.
— Jessica Haist