Review: Black Diamond’s Stormline Stretch Shell
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Are you looking for a rain shell that can withstand the toughest of conditions and still keep you comfortable and dry? Many rain shells on the market just don’t cut it – they either need to be lighter, too bulky, or just plain uncomfortable. You end up caught in the rain with no protection from the elements.
The Black Diamond StormLine Stretch Rain Shell is here to save you from wet days spent outdoors. It features BD.dry™ waterproof/breathable/windproof solution, so you stay dry and comfortable no matter what Mother Nature throws your way.
This rain shell covers all your wet-weather needs with adjustable hem and cuffs, generous pit zips, two zippered hand pockets, and a climbing helmet-compatible hood.
What is the Stormline Stretch Rain Shell?
Regarding outdoor gear, rain jackets are an essential piece of equipment. They protect you from the elements and keep you dry during wet weather. The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch raincoat is a high-performance rain jacket designed to keep you dry, even in extreme conditions. This review will examine this jacket’s features, performance, and overall value.
Who Created Stormline Stretch?
The Stormline Stretch Rain Shell was first released in 2020. It results from a collaboration between Black Diamond Equipment and Shakedry, a company focused on creating lightweight, waterproof outerwear.
Best Features of Stormline Stretch Rain Shell
The Stormline Stretch rain shell performs exceptionally well in wet weather. The BD.dry fabric is highly waterproof and breathable, keeping you dry while allowing sweat and moisture to escape inside the jacket. This helps prevent overheating and ensures you stay comfortable while wearing the coat.
The stretchy shell fabric also allows for a greater range of motion, which is essential for outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, or running. The helmet compatible hood is an excellent feature for climbers and mountaineers. It allows you to wear the jacket over a helmet without compromising the hood’s ability to protect your head and face from rain and snow.
The adjustable cuffs and drawcord hem allow you to customize the jacket’s fit to your body, which helps prevent water from entering through the sleeves or riding up from the bottom of the coat. The zippered pockets are also a great feature, as they help to keep your belongings secure and dry.
Waterproof and Breathable
The Stormline Stretch rain shell is designed to be a versatile and high-performance rain jacket. It is made with Black Diamond’s BD.dry waterproof/breathable fabric, which provides excellent protection from rain and snow. The material is also stretchy, which allows for a greater range of motion and comfort while wearing the jacket. The use of fully taped seams further enhances its waterproofness.
10,000 mm waterproof rating
The Stormline Stretch rain shell boasts an impressive waterproof rating of 10,000 mm. This means the jacket can withstand 10,000 millimeters of water before it leaks through the fabric. This relatively high waterproof rating makes the Stormline Stretch rain shell an excellent choice in heavy rain or wet conditions.
Helmet-compatible
The Stormline Stretch also features a helmet-compatible hood with an adjustable drawcord. The hood is designed to fit over climbing helmets, making it an excellent option for climbers and mountaineers. The drawcord allows you to adjust the hood’s fit to ensure it stays in place and provides maximum protection.
Adjustable Cuffs/Hood
The jacket also has adjustable cuffs and a drawcord hem, which allows you to customize the jacket’s fit to your body. The cuffs can be tightened to prevent water from entering through the sleeves, and the hem can be adjusted to keep the jacket in place and prevent it from riding up.
Packable
the Stormline Stretch rain shell is designed to pack into its own right-hand pocket, which features a carabiner clip loop for easy attachment to a backpack or harness. This feature makes it incredibly easy to store and transport the jacket when not in use without taking up too much space in your pack.
Stormline Stretch Rain Shell Pricing
The Stormline Stretch rain shell is a high-performance jacket that keeps you dry and comfortable in wet weather. It is made with high-quality materials and features several valuable features, like a helmet-compatible hood and adjustable cuffs and hem.
The jacket is priced at around $170, which may seem expensive to some. However, when you consider the high-quality materials and construction, as well as the jacket’s performance and versatility, it becomes clear that this jacket offers excellent value for the price.
Stormline Stretch Pros and Cons
Discussing the pros and cons of the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch rain shell is essential for potential buyers to make an informed purchasing decision. By highlighting the features and benefits of the jacket, buyers can better understand if it will meet their needs and expectations.
Conversely, discussing the cons of the rain shell provides a more balanced perspective and helps potential buyers to be aware of any potential drawbacks. This enables them to weigh the pros and cons of the Stormline Stretch rain shell and compare it to other rain shell options to determine which jacket will best fit their needs.
Ultimately, providing an objective review of the jacket’s pros and cons is essential in helping potential buyers make a well-informed purchasing decision.
Stormline Stretch Pros
Exceptional Protection: The Stormline Stretch rain shell is made with BD.dry waterproof and breathable fabric, providing outstanding protection from rain and snow while allowing for breathability to prevent overheating.
Versatile Features: This rain shell has several versatile features, such as adjustable cuffs and hem, helmet-compatible hood, and zippered pockets, making it an excellent choice for various outdoor activities.
Superior Comfort: The stretchy fabric of the Stormline Stretch rain shell provides a greater range of motion, allowing you to move freely during outdoor activities. Additionally, the breathable fabric helps to prevent overheating and keeps you comfortable even during intense activities.
Durable Construction: The high-quality materials and construction of the Stormline Stretch rain shell make it a reliable and durable choice for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. It is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and provide long-lasting protection.
Excellent Value: Despite its high-quality materials and exceptional performance, the Stormline Stretch rain shell is priced reasonably, offering excellent value for the price.
Stormline Stretch Cons
Some users may find the Stormline Stretch rain shell a bit heavy, especially compared to other lightweight rain jackets on the market.
It may not be Ideal for Warm Weather. The Stormline Stretch rain shell is designed for cold and wet weather conditions and may not be suitable for warmer or humid climates.
While these cons may concern some users, they are relatively minor compared to the Stormline Stretch rain shell’s benefits. Overall, the Stormline Stretch rain shell is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality rain jacket with superior protection, comfort, and durability.
If these cons concern you, rest assured that you can also consider numerous alternative rain shells on the market.
Stormline Stretch Alternatives
There are many alternative rain shells to the Stormline Stretch rain shell on the market. Here are a few popular options:
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a lightweight, breathable rain shell that offers excellent protection against rain and wind. It is made from 100% recycled nylon and features a waterproof and breathable H2No Performance Standard membrane.
Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket: The Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket is popular for lightweight and eco-friendly rain shells. It is made from recycled nylon and features a waterproof, breathable NanoPro Eco membrane and a fully adjustable hood, cuffs, and hem.
Helly Hansen Women’s Seven J: The Helly Hansen Women’s Seven J is a reliable and stylish rain gear designed for women. Constructed with Helly Tech® Protection fabric, The design is sleek and modern, making it suitable for urban and outdoor activities. The Women’s Seven J Rain Jacket is a long-lasting investment for those who value functionality and style in their outerwear.
Arc’teryx Beta AR: The Arc’teryx Beta AR offers a high-performance jacket and hiking pants designed for harsh weather conditions. Constructed with GORE-TEX Pro fabric, they are waterproof and breathable, making them suitable for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountaineering.
My Experience Using Stormline Rain Shell
The Stormline Stretch rain shell has been essential to my gear during rainy skiing days. The helmet-compatible hood is a game-changer as it allows me to wear my ski helmet without any issue, keeping me warm and dry even when it’s pouring outside. The stretchy fabric of the jacket is perfect for skiing and other outdoor activities that require plenty of movement.
Moreover, during spring hiking months, the Stormline Stretch rain shell has been my go-to for keeping me dry on the trails. Going up a size allows me to wear hoodies or other layers underneath for extra warmth and comfort. The Stormline Stretch rain shell has been a reliable and versatile option for all my outdoor activities. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality rain jacket.
Conclusion: Should You Buy Stormline Stretch Rain Shell?
The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell is a must-have for anyone in the elements. Perfect for camping, hiking, paddling, or any other outdoor activity, it’s built to last and offers total protection from wind and rain. Its breathable, lightweight fabric helps keep you comfortable no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
With its multiple pockets, storm hood, and adjustable cuffs, this rain shell has everything you need to stay dry during your adventures. So don’t wait—gear up with the Stormline Stretch Rain Shell today!
