686 Gore Tex Williow Womens Jacket

The Jacket

The 686 GORE-TEX Willow Insulated Jacket is about as close to a daily driver as a women's snow jacket gets. Real GORE-TEX, fully taped seams, 60g of 85% recycled infiLOFT® insulation, and an articulated fit developed with pro snowboarder Hana Beaman. It's warm enough for cold bluebird days and dry enough for whatever the sky throws at you mid-run.

The outer shell is a 2-layer bluesign® Approved GORE-TEX 100% recycled polyester with a PFAS-free DWR finish. That means it's waterproof from both the membrane and the outer treatment. The fully taped seams seal out moisture at every stitch line, so you're not relying solely on the DWR coating after a long day in wet snow.

The insulation is light. Sixty grams puts you in the comfortable-but-not-bulky category, which is intentional. Hana's input pushed for a bit of extra room throughout the fit for layering, and that's where the 60g fill makes sense. You can run a solid midlayer underneath on colder days without fighting the jacket.

What Sets It Apart

The Air-Flo™ underarm vents are there for a reason. GORE-TEX breathes, but it doesn't breathe like a lightweight softshell. When you're working hard, those pit zips let you dump heat fast without taking the jacket off. It's a small thing that matters a lot on a busy day.

The pocket layout is genuinely thought through. Eight pockets total: a waterproof chest zipper, two front hand pockets with an inner key clip, a Velcro sleeve pass pocket, a phone heater pocket, a goggle and lens stash pocket, an internal tissue pocket, and a lip balm pocket. The Hood Link System lets you clip the hood to the collar when you're not using it. The inner Lycra wrist gaiters pull up over your glove cuffs and transform into a half-mitt grip. The Pant Jacket Connect™ system keeps the jacket anchored if you're pairing it with 686 bottoms.

The helmet-compatible hood adjusts with one hand and sits cleanly over any standard helmet. The Glove Link™ inner thumb grip gives you something to hold onto when you're pulling on gloves in a cold parking lot.

One honest trade-off: the 60g insulation is light. If you run cold or tend to ski in bitter temperatures all day without stopping, you'll want a substantial midlayer underneath. This jacket suits skiers and riders who generate reasonable heat and want flexibility across a range of conditions more than those who need maximum warmth in one layer.

Compatibility

The Pant Jacket Connect™ System is designed to work with 686's women's snow pants and bibs. The powder skirt is adjustable and attached. If you're buying the Willow pants or bib to match, bring both in and we'll make sure the connect system lines up. Stop in at any of our three locations and we'll sort it out.

Why Willi's

We've been fitting women's outerwear since 1970, and we carry this jacket in-store so you can try it on, check the layering room, and see the colors in person before you commit. Our staff skis and rides the same gear we sell. Come see us at any of our three Pittsburgh-area locations.

Features

• 2-Layer bluesign® Approved GORE-TEX 100% Recycled Polyester Fabric + PFAS Free DWR
• 85% Recycled infiLOFT® 60g Polyfill Insulation Body
• Fully Taped GORE-TEX Seams
• Air-Flo™ Underarm Vents
• Adjustable Helmet Compatible Hood
• Hood Link System
• Tricot Inner Collar/Mouth Flap
• Phone Heater Pocket
• Tangle Free Headphone Loops
• Internal Goggle + Goggle Lens + Stash Pocket
• Internal Tissue Pocket
• Internal Lip Balm Pocket
• Adjustable Welded Cuffs
• Inner Lycra Wrist Gaiters (transform into mitts)
• Glove Link™ Inner Thumb Grip
• Velcro Pass Pocket w/ Key Clip (sleeve)
• Waterproof Chest Pocket Zipper
• Attached Adjustable Powder Skirt
• Pant Jacket Connect™ System
• Front Hand Pocket Inner Key Clip
• Hidden Adjustable Bottom Hem Cinch
• 8-Pocket Design (4 internal, 4 external)
• Articulated Performance Fit
• Helmet Compatible
• Outdoor Apparel For Severe Wet Conditions (GORE-TEX rated)
• Style: M2W302