Jones Mountain Surf Parka and Bib Review: An Impenetrably Cozy, Insulated Ecosystem
Jones’ Mountain Surf Bib and Parka is a warm, waterproof outerwear setup made with comfort and mobility in mind. In 2 decades of riding, I’ve never been more satisfied with a kit.
Lately, Jones Snowboards has been unleashing new products at a fever pitch. In 2022, the sustainably minded snowboard brand debuted a range of new boards, including multiple additions to its popular Chris Christenson-shaped Surf Series like the Mind Expander Twin.
Also this year, Jones released its inaugural line of men’s outerwear in three collections: the Shralpinist, the Uphill, and the Mountain Surf. For 2023, it’s upgrading the outerwear collection with new styles for men, and its first-ever line of women’s outerwear.
As a lifelong surfer who winters in the mountains, naturally, I gravitated toward the Mountain Surf collection (if only for the name at first). After logging 47 snow days in the 2022 Mountain Surf Parka and Bib last season, I found my new favorite all-around wardrobe for winter.
In short: Between the Mountain Surf Parka and Bib, I found the most versatile, comfortable, and weatherproof outerwear system I’ve tested in 20 years of snowboarding. Both the Parka and Bib are composed of soft, stretchy, sustainable materials that are as durable as they are ergonomic.
Ample insulation pairs with massive zippable vents for easy climate control in the gamut of conditions, and a well-placed abundance of pockets leaves no shortage for stashing the goods.
Jones Mountain Surf Men’s Parka Review
The Parka Highlights
The Mountain Surf Parka features two types of durable, body-mapped fabric. The first is a two-layer, waterproof ripstop recycled polyester hood and shoulders. And the second is a breathable two-layer, four-way-stretch recycled polyester around the torso — offering protection where it’s wet, and breathability where you sweat.
Jones’ emphasis on backcountry safety manifests in some cool visuals on the Surf Parka. It has a diagram displaying the “5 red flags” of bad conditions on the left wrist. Another outlining avalanche rescue steps inside the chest.
Also inside, a 100% recycled polyester liner with subtly stylish, topographic graphics boasts 40g insulation. That lends warmth to the system, especially with the powder skirt buttoned up. On the jacket’s sides are broad, zippered pit vents that make temperature regulation easy.
The helmet-sized hood cinches down to frame my goggles. There’s little room to spare, but just enough to never impede my peripheral vision. That is usually the most annoying aspect of a cinched hood for me.
Every feature of the Mountain Surf Parka is designed with intention, like the cellphone pocket in the chest, where body heat keeps my phone warm to protect its battery, and the nifty pass pocket in the wrist, so I’m never scrambling in the lift line.
With nine pockets in total, my biggest issue is remembering where I stashed my headphones. Luckily they’re never far.
Mountain Surf Parka Specs
- Shell: 46% recycled ripstop polyester and 58% recycled 75-denier four-way stretch polyester, and coated with PFC-free DWR. 100% recycled stretch polyester liner.
- Waterproof: 20,000/20,000
- Insulation: 40g PrimaLoft Bio
- Zippered pockets: 9
- Weight: 33.5 oz
- Seams: Fully taped
- RECCO reflector: Yes
Jones Mountain Surf Men’s Bib: Review
The Bib Highlights
The Mountain Surf Bib’s body-mapped waterproof fabric feels impenetrable in deep powder. Where falling in pow usually results in snow creeping up the small of my back and into my pants, the Bib doesn’t have that issue. Which I think actually lends confidence to my riding.
Hanging the weight of my bottoms from my shoulders, rather than my waist, adds freedom of motion that’s not achievable with pants, and while the Bib is spacious inside, it’s not overly baggy. There’s an elastic, Velcro waist belt adjustment built in, but it doesn’t need to be worn tight.
With that, there’s no squeeze sitting on the lift, and my bottoms are never sagging.
On warmer days, the Bib’s liner (which features topographic graphics to match the jacket) keeps me toasty enough to ride in a T-shirt and sweatshirt.
When the heat gets to be too much, I can unzip its leg vents. Those extend almost the full length of my leg on the left, and all the way to the top of the Bib on the right.
The full-length right-side vent doubles as a quick-relief port, solving the restroom conundrum bibs typically present. The Mountain Surf Bib’s chest pocket is a great place for my credit cards and cash. And I use the cargo pockets on the side to stuff away my gloves or snack bars.
The built-in gaiters pull over my boots and clip to my laces so I can be confident even in the deepest powder.
Mountain Surf Bib Specs
- Outer layer: 46% recycled ripstop polyester and 58% recycled 75-denier four-way stretch polyester, with PFC-free DWR
- Waterproof: 20,000/20,000
- Insulation: 100% recycled stretch polyester liner
- Zippered pockets: 3
- Weight: 27.51 oz. (size M)
- Powder gaiters: Yes
- RECCO reflector: Yes
Jones Mountain Surf Bib-Parka Combo Review: Conclusion
As a hopelessly skinny guy whose body runs cold, the Bib-Parka combination was insulated enough to keep me warm through lift-stalls in the thickest whiteout conditions.
All zipped up, the body-mapped shells on both jacket and Bib are impeccably waterproof, and between the jacket’s cinchable hood, wrists and waist, and the Bib’s adjustable shoulder and waist straps, it weatherizes to create an impenetrably cozy ecosystem inside.
Even bundled up tight, the four-way stretch fabric allows ample range of motion, and the hood never impairs my peripheral vision. At the other end of the spectrum — hot and sloggy, spring days of uphill backcountry travel — I can drop the zippable side vents on the jacket pits and Bib legs.
Climate regulation is a nonissue with the Mountain Surf kit. But for folks who run hot, or prefer layers instead of an insulated jacket, I’d recommend the Jones Shralpinist Stretch instead of the Mountain Surf Parka.
One Downside
While the Mountain Surf Parka and Bib do utilize beefy YKK zippers, I find they get stuck easily. And since not all of them come with zipper lanyards to help pull, they’re tricky to operate in gloves.
I solved the problem by adding paper clips through pull tab loops on the zipper — not the most fashionable solution, but functionally, it works great.
2023 Mountain Surf Outerwear: Recent Updates
Changes to the Mountain Surf Parka and Bib for 2023 are minor, but there are a few.
On the Parka, Jones modified the cuffs to add more surface area for the Velcro. Jones also added brushed tricot to the inside back neck for comfort and warmth.
On the Bib, Jones moved the snowskirt loop to the waist seam for durability, and it added a second zipper to the leg vent. So you can vent from either top or bottom.
The D-ring on the back Bib suspender elastic was also removed to increase comfort with a pack on.
Both the Parka and Bib come in new colors like Pine Green and Frosty Blue. Aside from these alterations, the biggest changes to the Mountain Surf Outerwear came in the form of new additions to the collection. For 2023, Jones added the Mountain Surf Anorak, which features similar fabric and function to the Parka, but with a halfway zipper instead of the full-length on the Parka.
Jones also added the Mountain Surf Pant to the quiver for folks who prefer to keep bottom and top separate.
Check Parka Price at evoCheck Bib Price at REI
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