thirtytwo tm recycled snowboard jacket review

As I descended a steep run at Mount Hood Meadows, I was reminded of learning to snowboard at Badger Pass in Yosemite National Park as a kid in the ’90s. Outerwear of that era was workmanwear-style. I realized that ThirtyTwo captured that sentiment. introduction of Thirty-two TM Recycled Patches x Grenier JacketA collaboration between snowboard legend Chris Grenier and the boot making legend.

I like fashionable gear that doesn’t look too technical. So, I’m happy to see snowboarding return to the rugged, canvas-heavy tradesman aesthetic. But, as any boarder who has worn denim or a field jacket on a powder day knows, cotton is the enemy of snow and skin.

Over several days, I tested this shell in a variety of conditions in the Pacific Northwest. I needed to see if this workwear-inspired jacket was as technically cool as it is street-ready and stylish.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from a company known for great shoes. I’m surprised to say that this jacket is a winner. This is especially true if you’re willing to wear your snow gear between piste days. I don’t believe in silver bullet solutions. But this snowboard jacket is as close as I’ve seen to that for the slacker-snowboarder.

in short:If you want no-nonsense technology and comfortable style, thirty-two patch x grenier jacket ($320) is for you. It’s made from recycled plastic – 100% recycled polyester – which also makes the jacket spiritually “green.” The construction doesn’t sacrifice waterproofness and breathability, hitting the 20K/20K benchmark for heavy, wet snowfall. Plus, there’s plenty of space in the pockets to keep all your essentials for the day. If you want a loose, loose cut, look elsewhere.

See how this jacket stacks up against our other top picks in our best snowboard jackets buyer’s guide.

Field Test Conditions: Thirty-TwoTM Recycled Patch Jacket Review

I tested the TM Recycled Jacket in a classic snowboarding environment. Based in the PNW, I headed to Mount Hood to go for runs at Timberline and Mount Hood Meadows. It was a temperamental winter, so I had to time my runs carefully. Some days were bright and warm; Others were gloomy and windy.

Unfortunately, much of the mountain was closed during the 2025–2026 season due to moderate snowfall in the Pacific Northwest. I’m sure this jacket is an incredible all-mountain workhorse, but it wasn’t something I could test first-hand.

Construction: Blocks PNW-level humidity

The most special thing about this jacket is its material. ThirtyTwo uses recycled polyester; It feels substantial, with its textured, canvas-like grit giving confidence that it will last a long time. While many modern shells feel like coated paper bags to save weight, the TM Recycled Jacket feels like it was designed to survive a fall in a littered tree hole or a side quest without looking bad.

Its 20,000 mm waterproofing and 20,000 g/m² breathability rating falls into the Goldilocks zone. Although it doesn’t have the GORE-TEX branding we look for, I found the 20K rating to be more than enough for everything except a significant drop.

On a particularly wet afternoon at Timberline (just before the lifts closed early due to heavy rain), the jacket’s DWR (durable water repellent) shed water without any problems. Fully taped seams ensured no moisture seeped through the stitching lines. This piece looks like workwear and functions like top-end snow gear.

Utilitarian storage: spare lens case, multitool, snacks, and more

The “patch” in the name refers to the oversized, useful bellows pocket on the front. At a time when brands are moving toward small custom pockets and hidden water-repellent zippers, ThirtyTwo is leaning in the opposite direction.

These pockets are a game-changer for riders who don’t like to wear a backpack. I was able to fit an extra lens case, a multitool, and snacks in the front pocket without it feeling bulky. Because they are bellows style, the pockets expand outward rather than press inward on your body, maintaining comfort even when fully loaded. You may look a little lumpy, but you won’t feel awkward while riding.

The jacket also has an interior pocket located close to your core heat to help keep your phone warm and on. I found it was nice to have a hot lunch a little warmer when I was snacking on the lifts. There are total eight pockets.

Fit, feel and durable recycled polyester

ThirtyTwo classifies this jacket as “Relaxed Fit”. For those accustomed to the slimmer cuts of brands like Mammut or Arc’teryx, ThirtyTwo’s jacket may feel too roomy.

The jacket has a slight drop-tail, which is great if you get a cold up your butt on the lift or bench. But it’s not so long that it restricts leg movement while you’re riding.

The sleeves also have good articulation – something you’ll notice if you tuck it into the binding. Overall, the jacket isn’t really that step When I do this: It doesn’t slide up when I raise my arms. And reaching down doesn’t encourage it to tighten around my back, thanks to both its cut and generous proportions.

The Lycra Ninja cuffs are some of the best wrist gaiters I’ve tested. They’re thin enough to fit under ski glove or mitten cuffs without bunching, but snug enough to keep snow from clogging up the sleeves during a fall. I’m a big fan.

It’s worth noting that this jacket is part of ThirtyTwo’s effort toward a more sustainable manufacturing process. The use of recycled polyester not only reduces the jacket’s carbon footprint. In this case, it seems to actually result in a more durable thread.

The “TM” (Team Model) designation means this is gear that is meant to be thrashed day in and day out by professional riders. Knowing that the jacket is made of reclaimed plastic, the $300 price tag feels like a better investment for the environmentally conscious rider.

criticisms

ThirtyTwo made a great jacket, but it’s not flawless.

A compromise for heavy-duty recycled fabric is weight. It is, plain and simple, a heavy shell. On 40-degree spring days, I found myself relying heavily on mesh-lined pit zips. In cold temperatures, it keeps me warm, but its bulk can make it cumbersome.

Breathability is rated at a respectable 20K, but because the face fabric is so thick, it doesn’t release heat as quickly as a thinner three-layer shell might. The mesh lining in the vents is a clever touch that keeps the jacket from flapping open and prevents snow from entering if you’re riding with the vents open. If you ride heated, familiarize yourself with them, as they will be important to your comfort.

Here’s a quick summary of the issues I have with it:

• no gore-tex. I get it, GORE-TEX isn’t green. This is a chemical process. Still, I feel like it would have been icing on the cake, and this jacket deserves it.
• It is quite heavy. This jacket won’t contribute to your fatigue, but it won’t provide relief either. There are certain times when you will notice its heaviness – mostly at the end of the day when you take it off.
• Wide pockets are a gift and a curse. The more you carry, the more the pockets will protrude and may get in the way. If you’re a pack-rat, I’d stick with a backpack.

Final Verdict: Who is this jacket for?

Thirty-two TM Recycled Patches x Grenier Jacket It’s for the rider who lives in the world of snowboarding. This is for the guy who spends his mornings exploring the resort, the afternoons hiking the rails in the park, and the evenings at the local pizza joint.

This is not for the ultralight splitboarder who counts every gram for a 5,000-foot climb. This is for the rider who wants a jacket that can survive three seasons of heavy abuse, look incredible in photos, and keep them dry during classic mid-winter storms.

The recycled patch jacket is comparable to Volcom L Gore-Tex or 686 Hydra Thermograph. Volcom’s jacket offers GORE-TEX reliability to keep you dry, but it lacks the ThirtyTwo’s sturdy heavyweight feel.

GORE-TEX will always be better in extremely wet conditions. But if you’re riding through trees, rail tracks, or extremely cold resort laps, the ThirtyTwo feels more important. The 686 Hydra Thermograph is packed with technology, but the ThirtyTwo Grenier feels like a more solid offering.

With this help from Grenier, Thirty-two threaded the needle. It captures the soul and aesthetic of workwear without inheriting the flaws of heavy, water-wicking cotton. The Moss colorway is a stable and oddly sophisticated, earthy option that hides dirt and grease well (parka punks know what I’m talking about). And 20K performance is more than enough for the vast majority of resort-based riders.

It is powerful, reliable and honest. ThirtyTwo is not suggesting that this jacket will survive anything. And let’s be honest, none of us are climbing Everest, so why do we need a jacket that tells us we might climb someday?

This is a snowboarding jacket designed in collaboration with a snowboarder – built by snowboarders for snowboarders. It seems like ThirtyTwo has created a jacket for purists, and if there’s anything to be romantic about in snowboarding, this is it.