Protest Akas Mens Jacket 2026

The Jacket

Some jackets try to do everything and end up doing nothing particularly well. The Protest Akas takes a different approach — it's a dedicated softshell built for skiers who actually move. Not a park-and-pose piece. Not a summit-bound hardshell. This is the jacket for the guy who skis hard, hates feeling stuffed into a garbage bag, and wants something that moves with him rather than against him every time he plants a pole or leans into a turn.

We've been fitting Pittsburgh-area skiers for over 50 years at Willi's, and the softshell category has exploded for good reason. Active skiers are finally getting jackets that match how they actually ski — not how someone imagines they ski. If you spend your weekends ripping groomers at Seven Springs or threading through the trees at Hidden Valley, the Akas deserves a serious look.

What We Like

Honestly? The fit is what gets us. Protest cut this thing slim and athletic without making it feel like a wetsuit. The 4-way stretch fabric moves in every direction you need it to — reaching for a high traverse, ducking under a branch, throwing your arms out after a near-fall (we've all been there). That ergonomic pre-shaping in the sleeves and torso is a detail you notice after an hour on the hill, not in the store. Your arms sit in a slightly forward position at rest, which sounds minor until you realize most jackets have you fighting the sleeves every run.

The 20K waterproof rating is genuinely solid for a softshell. Pennsylvania conditions are no joke — we get wet, heavy snow, rain-on-snow days, and those brutal late-February sleet storms that would test any outerwear. The Akas handles a full day in typical Seven Springs weather without soaking through, especially with the DWR treatment and critically taped seams backing up the face fabric.

We also appreciate the internal organization. There's a dedicated goggle pocket, which — if you've ever pulled your goggles out covered in chairlift grime — you know is worth more than it sounds. Ski pass pocket is where you'd expect it. The internal waist gaiter and adjustable wrist gaiters seal out snow during the inevitable tumble or deep-snow adventure, keeping that cold creep from sneaking up your back.

And the look. Protest has always had a cleaner aesthetic than a lot of ski brands, and the Akas fits right into mens ski and snowboard apparel that works on the hill and doesn't look ridiculous in the lodge afterward.

This isn't for you if — you're skiing big-mountain exposure, touring in backcountry, or dealing with truly extreme cold. The Akas is a softshell first. In a sustained blizzard or deep-cold days below 10°F, you'll want a hardshell with a dedicated insulation layer underneath. The stretch fabric is the trade-off for weather protection at the extreme end. Know what you're buying.

Tech That Matters

The 20K/20K waterproof-breathability rating is the headline number, but the way Protest gets there matters. The 4-way stretch face fabric is bonded to a breathable membrane — so you're not just getting a coated shell that traps sweat on hard effort days. When you're cranking out laps on a warm March afternoon, that breathability keeps you from overheating.

Critically taped seams are the right call here. Spot-taping is fine for casual use, but critical taping on a jacket at this price point is what you want if you ski frequently through wet conditions. The DWR finish is a factory application — expect to re-apply it after a season or two of heavy use. A quick wash and dryer tumble usually refreshes it; we sell Nikwax in-store if you need it.

The slim-fit construction uses what Protest calls ergonomic pre-shaping — essentially, the jacket is patterned for a body in motion rather than standing straight. Subtle, but it adds up over a full ski day. Adjustable cuffs let you dial the wrist fit over gloves, and the internal gaiters give you that over-glove coverage that keeps snow from packing in when you dig a hand in during a fall.

Fit & Sizing