The Perfect Moment Polar Flare Jacket: Fit, Warmth, RECCO and Every Version

The Polar Flare is the Perfect Moment ski jacket most people picture when they hear the name: a slightly cropped, fitted down jacket that kicks out at the hip, built from 10K waterproof fabric and filled with 700-fill-power Allied down. It is the house bestseller at Perfect Moment, and Coveti stocks it in three forms for winter 2026/27, the classic jacket, the Metallic Polar Flare and the Polar Flare Down Ski Suit, all within our women’s ski jackets edit. If you want the short version, start with the Polar Flare Down Jacket in Black and read on for the fit and care detail.

What Makes the Polar Flare Different

Most down ski jackets are built straight up and down, a box with sleeves. The Polar Flare is cut closer through the ribs and then flares out over the hip, which is why it photographs so well on a chairlift and why the brand’s own site calls it “the flare that started it all”. The length is slightly cropped, so it sits above the bum and shows off a high-waisted ski pant rather than swallowing it.

That silhouette is a big part of why Perfect Moment, founded in Chamonix in 1984 by skier and filmmaker Thierry Donard, became a fashion name as well as a ski one. The label’s story, from Donard to Jane and Max Gottschalk taking ownership in 2010, is covered in our Perfect Moment ski brand guide. Here we stay with the jacket itself.

The Technical Spec, Line by Line

Waterproofing

The core jackets use 10K waterproof, breathable fabric. A 10K rating means the fabric resists a 10,000 mm column of water, which handles snowfall, wet chairlift seats and a typical Alpine day well. It is a resort rating, not an expedition one. If you ski in very wet climates, pair it with a shell layer on the worst days.

Down fill

Inside is 700-fill-power Allied down at an 80/20 ratio of duck down to feather. Fill power measures loft: the higher the number, the more warmth for the weight. 700 is a solid luxury standard that keeps the jacket light enough to ski in without a heavy fleece underneath. Perfect Moment uses RDS-certified Allied down on selected styles, so check the label on the exact colourway if certification matters to you.

Mountain details

• Front zip with a lockable puller
• High-neck collar and a helmet-compatible hood
• Adjustable snow skirt to stop powder going up the back
• External ski pass pocket and an internal goggle pocket with a cleaning cloth

RECCO

RECCO is a passive reflector that rescue teams can locate with a detector. On the pieces Coveti stocks, it is listed on the Metallic Polar Flare and the Polar Flare Down Ski Suit. The standard Black, Burgundy, Oyster Pink and Sky Blue jackets do not list it in their spec, so choose the metallic version if a reflector is a priority.

Every Version Coveti Stocks

The classic jacket

The Polar Flare Down Jacket in Burgundy is the colour we would pick for a first Perfect Moment piece: dark enough to hide lift grease, rich enough to read as a fashion choice. Oyster Pink and Sky Blue are the softer, more retro options. The White is cut from a polyamide and polyurethane shell and the houndstooth version uses a printed polyethylene shell, so their hand feel is slightly different from the core nylon.

The Metallic Polar Flare

The Metallic Polar Flare Down Jacket in Shiny Black keeps the same cut and adds a gloss finish plus RECCO. It is the most complete spec of the jacket family, with every feature on the list above. The Wine version is the statement colourway of the season.

The Polar Flare Down Ski Suit

For skiers who hate a gap at the waist, the Polar Flare Down Ski Suit in Wine carries the flared silhouette into a one-piece. The fabric changes to Toray Dermizax, a water-resistant, breathable 4-way stretch, and it adds snow gaiters with silicone grip, anti-tear guards at the lower leg, adjustable zip hems that open over boots, a helmet-compatible hood with chin guard and RECCO.

Is the Polar Flare Warm?

Yes, for resort skiing in a normal European and North American winter. 700-fill down at this weight, a snow skirt and a high collar keep heat in on the lift. On a cold January morning, wear a thin base layer and a merino mid layer underneath; on spring days a base layer alone is plenty. Our Perfect Moment base layers guide covers what to put under it.

Fit and Sizing

The Polar Flare is described by the brand as a fitted silhouette, and it is cut to sit close. Perfect Moment sizes run XS to XL, which converts to UK 6 to 14, US 2 to 12-14 and IT 38 to 46. Take your usual size if you layer thin. If you want room for a chunky knit, go up one size, keeping in mind that the flare at the hip will then sit lower. The Black Cire is the exception: it is a relaxed, slightly oversized cut that sits just above the hip, so most people take their true size there. Full charts are in our Perfect Moment size guide.

What to Wear It With

The jacket was designed around the brand’s flared ski pants, and the pairing works because the cropped hem meets a high waist. The High-Waist Aurora Flare Ski Pant in Black is the classic match, and the full pant range is explained in our Aurora ski pants guide. Off the slopes, the jacket works over a turtleneck and straight jeans in town, which is a good argument for a neutral colour.

Care

Read the label on your exact version, because care differs. Most core Polar Flare jackets are machine wash at 30 degrees with fasteners closed, no fabric softener, no wringing and a low tumble dry. The Metallic Polar Flare is hand wash cold, dry flat and do not tumble dry, which protects the glossy finish. The ski suit is machine wash at 30 degrees, washed separately, with no tumble drying. For a full step-by-step method, see our guide on how to wash a down jacket.

Perfect Moment offers a 24-month warranty against defects in material and workmanship for products bought from the brand and its authorised sellers. Its repair service, run with United Repair Centre, currently covers the UK and EU only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Perfect Moment Polar Flare jacket waterproof?

The core Polar Flare Down Jackets use 10K waterproof, breathable fabric, which handles snow and a typical resort day well. The Polar Flare Down Ski Suit uses water-resistant Toray Dermizax stretch fabric instead. The two are not designed as expedition shells for heavy rain.

Does the Polar Flare have RECCO?

At Coveti, RECCO is listed on the Metallic Polar Flare Down Jacket and the Polar Flare Down Ski Suit. The standard colourways of the classic jacket do not list a RECCO reflector in their spec. Choose the metallic version if a reflector matters to you.

What down is in the Polar Flare?

The Polar Flare is filled with 700-fill-power Allied down at a ratio of 80% duck down to 20% feather. Perfect Moment uses RDS-certified Allied down on selected styles, so check the label of the exact colourway for certification.

Does the Polar Flare run small?

The Polar Flare is a fitted, slightly cropped cut, so it sits close to the body. Take your usual size for thin layers and go up one size if you want room for a thick mid layer. The Black Cire version is a relaxed fit and usually needs no sizing up.

Can you machine wash the Polar Flare?

Most core Polar Flare jackets can be machine washed at 30 degrees with fasteners closed and no fabric softener, then tumble dried on low. The Metallic Polar Flare is hand wash cold and dry flat. Always follow the label on your specific piece.