TREKKING
Product 2019
Man
The marketing speech on the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell is quite impressive: “designed to cope with the most torrential rains”, states the manufacturer. At the same time we notice how lightweight the garment is – 275g size M and an even more surprising price 150euros. How can this be? Black Diamond propose a homemade waterproof-breathable membrane, BD Dry, that provides 10 000mm protection.
Outside on test, despite its finesse, fabric softness and the absence of a renowned membrane we confirm that this jacket is extremely waterproof. Is it due to the DWR treatment or the membrane? – or maybe both! Whatever the cause it works well. Then later, like all waterproof jackets, you don’t know if you are wet due to the rain or perspiration. We couldn’t test it under a deluge for a very long time but the time we did test it – no water got through.
Rather than seeing the Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell as an unstoppable jacket in rainy conditionswe prefer to see it as a versatile product that you must keep in your bag (backpack). It is lightweight, compressible (much more than a Gore-Tex® Pro for example) and offers real protection thanks to its membrane. BD can have many uses: mountain biking, trekking, climbing, trail running, etc. its versatility makes it an unmissable product. In addition to its light weight, we liked the fact that it is a simple jacket (but not minimalist) with just the necessary amount of adjustment (one on the waist, on the right for example), a thin Velcro® on the cuffs, light zips, etc.
We used this Stormline more as a windbreaker than a protective jacket, yet it is capable of much more … At 150 euros, it is hunting down to hunt on the grounds of jackets officially (and theoretically) more technical.
Because of its lightness and the fine and slightly stretchy fabric, the jacket is comfortable jacket because it follows your every movement.
The little extra: the jacket rolls into the right-hand pocket where there is a small strap that allows you to clip it onto a carabiner.
The hood does the job despite one single adjustment point (at the back of the head). Once tight, it stays in place. The neckline cannot be adjusted. The collar rises high above the chin and is soft enough. The contact of the zip against the chin is noticeable but in a light of lightening of the product, it’s usual to not put a zip protector.
The cut is well-adjusted at the chest, with enough volume around the waistline and the sleeves are ample enough to wear layers underneath.
There is a classic zipped ventilation under the arms. The zips are not waterproof (but slide better than waterproof zips!).
We put this BLACK DIAMOND STORMLINE jacket through its paces. It is always in the bag, dirty, wrinkled but ready to fulfill its mission to protect against the wind and rain. Both an emergency jacket and an everyday product that you can carry on any terrain and in any circumstances. The most extreme users will let us know if BD fabric is tear-resistant enough. It is without doubt, the only question mark we have about this jacket at 150 euros.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
