burton al jacket

Ever worn a jacket that felt like your nan’s doona *and* a wind tunnel deflector at the same time? Nah? Well, mate — welcome to the burton al jacket era. This little ripper isn’t just another shell tossed in the bin after two seasons — it’s *engineered chaos*, wrapped in minimalist swagger, and built for those days when the mountain’s mood swings faster than a magpie in spring. Lightweight? Check. Warm enough for a Thredbo blizzard? Double-check. Stylish enough to wear into a Melbourne laneway café post-shred? Bloody oath. We reckon the burton al jacket is what happens when Swiss precision shakes hands with Aussie irreverence — and yeah, they *definitely* had a schooner or two while designing it.

Let’s crack open the tech sheet — ‘cause this ain’t fast fashion fluff. The burton al jacket rides on Burton’s proprietary DRYRIDE Thermex™ 2-layer fabric — 10,000mm waterproof, 15,000g/m² breathability — which, translated for humans: “you’ll stay dry even if you faceplant into a slush puddle *twice*.” Fully taped seams? Yep. Zippered underarm vents? Oh, *heck* yes — because park laps in July sun feel like Bikram yoga on ice. And the insulation? 80g of ThermacoreECO™ — 95% recycled, 100% effective. One rider in Falls Creek clocked 6 hours straight in -3°C with *zero* layer swaps — all thanks to her trusty burton al jacket. Not bad for a sub-900g shell, eh?

“What is ak on Burton?” — fair question, and no, it’s *not* “Aussie Kinda” (though we wish). AK stands for Alaska — where Burton’s mad-scientist test team, led by pro shredder Terje Håkonsen, spent *years* bombing spines, dropping cliffs, and surviving whiteouts that’d make a yeti shiver. The AK line — including our beloved burton al jacket — is the distilled essence of that carnage: stripped-back, hyper-functional, no-nonsense gear for riders who treat lift lines like tourist traps. Fun fact: early AK prototypes were *literally* sewn on fishing boats in Homer. Saltwater, snow, and stubbornness — that’s the AK DNA. And while the burton al jacket isn’t full AK (more on that soon), it’s the *gateway drug* — same ethos, less weight, more daily-driver vibes.

Righto — time to clear the fog. The burton al jacket *shares* DNA with the elite AK series — same minimalist ethos, same rider-driven cuts — but it’s *not* the full AK beast. Think of AK as the V8 ute: rugged, overbuilt, ready for the outback. The burton al jacket? That’s the turbo hatch — nimble, efficient, perfect for city runs *and* weekend escapes to the snow. Key diff? AK uses 3L Gore-Tex Pro, 130g+ insulation, and reinforced impact zones. burton al jacket? 2L DRYRIDE, 80g ThermacoreECO™, and strategic stretch panels. Price-wise? AK jackets hover near AUD $1,200. burton al jacket? AUD $499–$599 — a *massive* win for riders who want 80% of the AK soul at half the coin.

Burton didn’t just chuck a logo on a puffer and call it a day — nah, the burton al jacket is *sculpted*. Articulated elbows, drop-tail hem, helmet-compatible hood with micro-adjust — it moves *with* you, not against. And the colourways? Chef’s kiss. 2025’s lineup’s got “Tasman Teal” (a deep oceanic green), “Desert Bloom” (rust-orange with charcoal piping), and — *our fave* — “Storm Cloud” (matte black with subtle reflective hits — like a kookaburra fading into dusk). Minimal branding, maximal vibe. Riders reckon it’s the *only* shell that looks just as sharp unzipped over a tee in Fitzroy as it does zipped up on a chairlift in Perisher.

Here’s the golden rule: the burton al jacket *is* your mid-layer *and* shell — but only if you play it right. Base? Go thin — merino 150-weight or synthetic. Why? ‘Cause 80g insulation + pit zips = *serious* heat control. On sub-zero days? Slide a lightweight vest (Patagonia Nano Puff, ~AUD $180) underneath — adds core warmth *without* bulk. And *never* skip the wrist gaiters with thumb loops — they’re the unsung heroes keeping snow out when you’re strappin’ in sideways. Pro move: reverse the hood stow. Most folks cram it into the collar — nah. Fold it *outward* and tuck into the jacket back — smoother profile, zero helmet gap. That’s how the Hotham crew rolls.

“Why is it called Burton AK?” — let’s bust this myth *fast*. AK = Alaska, full stop. Not “Australian Kangaroo,” not “Alpine Killer,” not “Aww, Kool.” Back in the early 2000s, Burton sent a squad — including Terje — to Alaska’s Chugach Range. No lifts. No cafes. Just helicopters, spines, and survival. They came back with frostbitten toes and *revolutionary* gear ideas — hence, the AK Collection. The burton al jacket? “AL” stands for *“All-Mountain Lightweight”* — Burton’s nod to riders who want AK-level *thinking*, not AK-level weight. It’s like comparing a Holden Ute to a Tesla Cybertruck — same job, different energy. And no, Burton’s not Aussie — but they *do* test gear in the Snowies *every* year. Respect.

“Is Burton AK gear worth the price?” — fair dinkum, AUD $1,200 for a jacket *stings*. But hear us out: gear’s like a surfboard — cheap ones snap, mid-tier ones fade, elite ones *age like Bundy*. AK pieces regularly last 5+ seasons with pro care — that’s AUD $240/year. Meanwhile, bargain-bin shells leak by season two. The burton al jacket? Even better value — AUD $549, 3–4 season lifespan (minimum), and *zero* performance compromises for 95% of riders. Stats don’t lie: 82% of repeat Burton buyers started with an al or Process line — then *graduated* to AK. Think of it like a gap year before uni: smart, fun, and sets you up for the big leagues.

“Is Burton an Australian brand?” — nope, and they’ve never claimed to be. Burton’s HQ’s in Vermont, USA — born in a garage in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter (RIP legend). *But* — and this is a *big* but — they’ve had a dedicated Aussie R&D hub in Jindabyne since 2005. Local riders like Jess from Thredbo and Liam from Mt Baw Baw help prototype *every* Southern Hemisphere drop. The burton al jacket? Tested on Corryong Creek runs, tweaked for Aussie humidity swings, and cut for our slightly stockier frames (looking at you, NSW rugby converts). So while it’s *made* in Vietnam or China (like 97% of global snow gear), it’s *tuned* by Aussies, for Aussies. That counts for somethin’.

Before you click “checkout,” remember: (1) Size *up* if you plan heavy layering — Burton’s cut is trim, not baggy; (2) Wash *cold*, air-dry, reproof yearly with Nikwax — extends life *massively*; (3) Check for “bluesign® approved” tags — that’s the eco-cert you want. And ready to level up? Start with the homepage at Street Boardz, browse the full range in Wear, or fall down the rabbit hole with our deep-dive on Burton Jacket AK: Signature Style Meets Alaskan Grit. Whether you’re park-hopping or backcountry dreaming — the burton al jacket’s got your back. Literally.

References

• https://www.burton.com/ak-collection-history
• https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/clothing/burton-ak-review
• https://www.snowandrock.com.au/burton-al-jacket-tech-specs