New Season Snowboard Gear: L1 Ventura Jacket and Vans Hi-Standard Pro Boots

Introduction

A new season is a good excuse to refresh the parts of your kit that matter most on the hill: a jacket you forget you are wearing and boots that feel right every run. This season’s picks are the L1 Ventura snowboard jacket and the Vans Hi-Standard Pro boots, two pieces chosen for comfort, practicality, and proven durability. After several days of riding in them, here is what stands out and who each piece suits.

L1 Ventura Snowboard Jacket

The Ventura is a genuinely light jacket with a boxy fit, and that combination is the whole appeal. Across about five days of riding, it feels free and easy to move in, which makes a bigger difference on the hill than most spec-sheet numbers do.

At 20K waterproofing, it is not a full Gore-Tex shell, but that rating also helps keep the price a little lower while still handling typical resort conditions. The boxy cut leaves plenty of room around the neck and keeps the light material moving with you rather than against you.

Practical Features That Earn Their Place

The Ventura does not overload you with pockets, but the ones it has are useful. There is a pocket pass for a lift pass, side pockets sized well for a phone or a compact action camera, and a strong velcro inner pocket if you prefer keeping your phone inside the jacket. On the sleeves you get velcro straps plus wrist gaiters to keep snow out.

Venting is handled by functional underarm vents, a nice fit for spring laps when you want airflow without taking the jacket off. The powder skirt uses simple snap buttons to adjust tightness, and there are loops to hook it to your pants so snow cannot ride up inside. A goggle pouch on the side gives you a safe spot for a spare lens on variable days.

Vans Hi-Standard Pro Snowboard Boots

The Hi-Standard Pro is a boot worth trusting: this is a fifth pair, and the previous set lasted ten months of riding every week before softening up. That says a lot about the durability of the outer shell and the overall build quality.

The outsole tread is genuinely useful, already proven on hikes and handy when walking over ice. Inside, the liner uses a cage design that keeps the heel planted at the bottom of the boot instead of lifting out, and the insole has real thickness and cushioning rather than the thin, flat foam many boots ship with.

On sizing, a size 10 shoe wearer goes a half size down to a 9.5 for that snug riding fit. The traditional laces are soft on the fingers and let you customize tightness zone by zone: under a minute to get the inner section done, the tongue set, and the top locked down with the power strap. While BOA is popular right now, the comfort of traditional laces is hard to beat.

Which One Should You Buy

If you want a light, easy-moving jacket for resort and spring riding and can accept 20K waterproofing in exchange for a friendlier price, the Ventura is an easy recommendation. If you value a snug, customizable fit and have been let down by soft boots or thin insoles before, the Hi-Standard Pro has the track record to back it up. Riders who hike a lot or ride cold deep-powder days may still want to check how the waterproofing and insulation match their local conditions before committing.

Conclusion

Both pieces of gear earn their spot for simple reasons: the L1 Ventura is light, comfortable, and packed with practical details, while the Vans Hi-Standard Pro combines durable construction, a supportive liner, and the superior comfort of traditional laces. Match them to how you actually ride, and neither should disappoint.