Burton AK 3L Hover Jacket

I got the original AK 3L jacket and pants in 2000, the first year Burton made them, for writing a review for them in Powder Mag. I never gave them back. 9 years and well over 250 days of use later, they are still rolling strong. Of course, some minor rips and the like, but if you had any idea what I've put this gear through... I am ram hard on gear and expect the best. I've broken a thousand branches on them with nearly NO tears, gone 12 hours in wet storms and stayed bone dry, used them 9 consecutive dry days in super wet conditions, banged and scraped off sharp granite talus, ate drank and slept in them and my bros have been nothing short of dazzled by their solid performance. I've had several other outerware pieces I rotate through occasionally, but none has ever hit the mark of the Burton AK line. I never imagined when I got them they could be so durable and last a decade of brutal use. Maybe on their tenth anniversary I'll retire them out of regular service, but only to be replaced by new AK gear. They are hands down by a mile the two best pieces of snowboard gear I have ever owned in 18 years of riding. I just hope the 2010 versions are up to snuff!

Just ordered these mitts, and i had the continum fuse model from a few years back. This is burton's top of the line so i assume it was just a change in model name, and i have yet to use my new hovers, but if they perform as well as the continum fuse i'll give it five stars. The fuse had no liner, but was the perfect windstopping waterproof shell mitt, and if you added your own low profile moisture wicking glover underneath, you could go through -10 degree weather with no numb fingers and perfectly warm dry hands. I'm interested to see how these new ones perform with the removable liner. I had a pair of ak oven's a while back, and i know they weren't proshell or xcr, but i found them to get too soaked after 3 or 4 hours or riding. I prefer a shell only glove that will resist the elements and i can add my own liners and layers. But i'll let you guys know how the removable liner works with and without the shell in place.

After a few years of leaving the mountain with damp layers due to moisture soaking through my jacket, I decided to upgrade to a waterproof shell. Let's just say I couldn't be more pleased. The venting system is great, keeps a good air flow going when you don want to overheat. I expected the GoreTex to not let any moisture through, and it lived up to that, but I was really impressed by the aquazip zippers. They aren't very smooth to slide up and down, but man, they do their job well. I've been out in a couple heinous rainstorms and they're yet to let anything through. And despite being totally waterproof, it is ridiculously light and packs down tiny, so think there's any chance you might need it, you can just stuff it in your pack. One thing to note, the handwarmer pockets are not actually fleece-lined like the item description says, but it hasn't bothered me at all, considering I have gloves on 90% of the time when I'm wearing it.

I had been looking for a Gore-Tex shell for awhile and I finally got this off of SAC for about a third of the price. There is not any "cross flow venting" but it does have pit zips that are huge, so those should be enough for venting. The fit of this jacket is great and the sleeves are long and have large openings so fitting gloves under is a cinch. The only thing that I do not like about the jacket is the lining, which is a little flashy, but oh well, for the price I'll take it.

I loved em. I was a little hesitant as to what sz I should get; small fit me just right.
Just go with your regular glove fit. They come with two amazing liners. You can also wear em without the liners depending on weather. I'm in Ontario, despite the bitter cold, my hands were warm all day. Very cool. Totally recommend them.

Only complaint is that the 2 liners are kinda hard to fit in the mitten. I usually just wear one, and they are still plently warm. Also, I have never had any trouble with wet hand even when building a jump or something like that. The Burton AK is a pretty good product line overall.

This is my first hardshell, which include everything I needed, keep you dry, warm and fit very well( I am 6' and 180LB, large size). Only complain is 3L has a little bit hard than my wife's 2L.

Really light keep the wind out and you can shoot it with a hose and you won't be wet. it has zip in compatibility and is the best back country jacket i have ever owned

How is the size? Im thinking of buying this. Im 6 feet, 80 kgs. I regulary wear medium.

I cannot zip up the jacket all the way with the hood over my helmet. I wear an XL helmet but basically this jacket's hood is NOT helmet compatible. The other thing is that I don't know what sort of "cross ventilation" system they are talking about. There are two upper pockets and two lower pockets. The only ventilation is the pit zips. It's still a bomber jacket but if you wear a helmet and/or want some ventilation maybe keep looking.