686 Paclite Jacket 2023 Review

686 sent me a Paclite to match the Dojo pants I was reviewing and together, they made for a great casual outerwear combo. In fact, they quickly became my go-to for resort days and park laps. As a rule, I don't really like jackets in general, I find them restrictive and have always tried to make fleeces or hoodies work as often as I can. But the Paclite is so lightweight that it genuinely doesn't feel like a jacket and I wear it most days.

Hike 'n' swerve in the paclite at Snowpark Zermatt

The fit is shorter than the Weapon jacket I also had the opportunity to test out, likely with usage beyond simply skiing in mind. In a large (at 5'9 145lbs), I found the fit loose and comfortable but not too long. It's a nice modern fit that has some style without being huge day-to-day.

Some commenters argue it 'isn't a ski jacket' but for me, it's a great option for skiing while also working great as a touring jacket or a summer rain jacket thanks to that Gore-Tex waterproofing. If you wanted to buy one jacket to ski and function as a rain jacket, the Paclite is hard to beat. 686 aren't far off when they call it a jacket quiver killer. The only shortcoming as a pure ski jacket is the lack of a powder skirt, which combined with the low waist of the Dojo did mean snow could get in when crashing (and would certainly do so on a pow day).

5'9, 145lbs. Size L Paclite, Size L Dojo Pants

Simply put, the Paclite is an awesome 4-season, lightweight jacket. It looks clean enough to wear around town as a 30-something adult without feeling like a midlife crisis personified. But matched with the Dojo Pants, looks dope in the park too. It offers 686' top-notch quality and Gore-Tex tech to match the style and all-in-all, it's close to the perfect jacket. But I would recommend ditching the straps except when touring, as they get a bit annoying day-to-day. - @Twig

The jacket quiver killer. A packable 2-Layer GORE-TEX® shell that is ready for any environment, any adventure, and any condition. Worn by Jake Mageau to match the Dojo Pant.

FEATURES:
- bluesign® Approved GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Waterproof/Breathable Fabric + DWR
- 2 Layer GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Fabric + DWR
- Fully Taped GORE-TEX® Seams
- Shell Design
- Mesh Lined Chest Vent Pocket
- Removable Cross Strap System (CSS®) Pack Straps
- Adjustable Welded Cuffs
- Inner Thumb Grip
- Adjustable Hood
- Quick Carry Packable Pouch Included
- YKK® Aquaguard Water-Resistant Chest Vent Pockets
- Merino Wool Inner Collar/Mouth Flap